Speckle tracking echocardiography for evaluation of myocardial functions before and after mitral valvuloplasty in dogs.

Background: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common acquired heart disease in dogs. Mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) addresses regurgitation, but the pre- and postoperative changes in myocardial function remain uncertain.

Objectives: This study evaluated myocardial motion before and after MVP using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).

Comprehensive gene expression analysis in gallbladder mucosal epithelial cells of dogs with gallbladder mucocele.

Background: Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is a common disease in the canine gallbladder. Although the pathogenesis of GBM remains unclear, we recently reported that the excessive accumulation of mucin in the gallbladder is not a result of overproduction by gallbladder epithelial cells (GBECs).

Hypothesis/objectives: Changes in the function of GBECs other than the production of mucin are associated with the pathogenesis of GBM.

Application of bovine progesterone intravaginal controlled-release formulation for estrus synchronization treatment in goats.

Progesterone (P4)-impregnated controlled internal drug-releasing device for goats and sheep (CIDR-G) is used in the estrus synchronization protocol; however, it is not commercially available in Japan. In this study, we investigated whether a modification of CIDR-B, designed for cattle, could be used as a P4 release device for synchronizing estrus in goats. An in vitro analysis showed that the dissolution rate was not significantly different between CIDR-G and modified CIDR-B (CIDR-M).

Testate amoebae from the wetlands of the Phobjikha Valley of Bhutan, the Eastern Himalayas.

The Kingdom of Bhutan in the Eastern Himalayas harbors a rich biodiversity. However, its detailed documentation still needs to be created, including not only macroorganisms but also protists. In the present study, as many as 105 taxa of testate amoebae were identified and directly counted in soil suspension samples collected from the wetlands of the Gangtey-Phobji Valley (generally Phobjikha), Wangdue Phodrang district.

Conservation units and the origin of planted individuals of an endangered endemic species Lobelia boninensis in the Ogasawara Islands.

The Ogasawara Islands, one of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site located about 1000 km south of Japan's main island, harbor numerous endemic species, many of which are as endangered. One of the endemic plant species, Lobelia boninensis, found in the Mukojima, Chichijima, and Hahajima archipelagoes, is endangered due to predation. As part of conservation efforts, translocation is now underway, especially on Chichijima.

Stereodivergent Synthesis of Aldol Products Using Pseudo-C Symmetric -benzyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)piperidine-2,6-dione.

The present article describes the successful performance of crossed aldol reactions of the CF-containing pseudo-C symmetric cyclic imide with various aldehydes. The utilization of HMPA as an additive attained the preferential formation of the -products in good to excellent yields, which contrasts with our previous method without this additive, proceeding to furnish the corresponding -isomers. The effective participation of ketones and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in reactions with this imide was also demonstrated to expand the application of this imide.

The Influence of As-Cast Grain Size on the Formation of Recrystallized Grains and the Related Mechanical Properties in Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Based Alloy Sheets.

The influence of as-cast grain size on recrystallization and the related mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-based alloys was investigated. Grain sizes ranging from 163 to 26 μm were achieved by adding Ti, Cr and Mn, and ZnO nano-particles, which acted as heterogeneous nucleation sites. A decrease in the as-cast grain size led to a corresponding reduction in the recrystallized grain size from 54 to 13 μm.

Immunomodulation by Leishmania parasites: Potential for controlling other diseases.

In the mammalian hosts, Leishmania parasites survive and proliferate within phagolysosomes of macrophages. To avoid being killed by the immune cells, Leishmania parasites utilize their molecules to manipulate macrophages' functions for survival. Targets of such immunomodulatory molecules are not limited to macrophages, as Leishmania-derived molecules sometimes show influence on other immune cells such as neutrophils, dendritic cells, T cells and B cells.

Inconsistent identification of Apilactobacillus kunkeei-related strains obtained by well-developed overall genome-related indices.

During a decade, overall genome related indices, including average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), have been used as standards for the classification and identification of bacteria. On the other hand, a former study suggested that ANI-based classification is difficult for fructophilic lactic acid bacterium Apilactobacillus kunkeei. In the present study, the classification of Apilactobacillus spp.

Medium-chain fatty acid receptor GPR84 deficiency leads to metabolic homeostasis dysfunction in mice fed high-fat diet.

Overconsumption of food, especially dietary fat, leads to metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Long-chain fatty acids, such as palmitoleate are recognized as the risk factors for these disorders owing to their high-energy content and lipotoxicity. In contrast, medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) metabolic benefits; however, their underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

The era of cybertaxonomy: X-ray microtomography reveals cryptic diversity and concealed cuticular sculpture in Voss, 1957 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae).

Weevils represent one of the most speciose and economically important animal clades, but remain poorly studied across much of the Oriental Region. Here, an integrative revision of the Oriental, flightless genus Voss, 1957 (Curculionidae: Molytinae) based on X-ray microtomography, multi-gene DNA barcoding (CO1, Cytb, 16S), and traditional morphological techniques (light microscopy, dissections) is presented. Twelve new species, namely, Lewis & Kojima, , Kojima & Lewis, , Lewis, , Lewis & Kojima, , Kojima, Lewis & Fujisawa, , Kojima & Lewis, , Lewis & Kojima, , Lewis & Kojima, , Kojima & Lewis, , Lewis & Kojima, , Lewis & Kojima, , and Lewis, Fujisawa & Kojima, are described from Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

Transport-of-intensity phase imaging using commercially available confocal microscope.

Significance: Confocal microscopy is an indispensable tool for biologists to observe samples and is useful for fluorescence imaging of living cells with high spatial resolution. Recently, phase information induced by the sample has been attracting attention because of its applicability such as the measurability of physical parameters and wavefront compensation. However, commercially available confocal microscopy has no phase imaging function.

Geobacter sulfurreducens strain 60473, a potent bioaugmentation agent for improving the performances of bioelectrochemical systems.

Bioaugmentation with electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) has been suggested useful for improving the performance of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) for sustainable energy generation, while its success is dependent on EAB introduced into the systems. Here we report on the isolation of a novel EAB, Geobacter sulfurreducens strain 60473, from microbes that colonized on an anode of a sediment microbial fuel cell. This strain is highly adhesive to graphite electrodes, forms dense biofilms on electrode surfaces, and generates high current densities in BESs.

Anti-Inflammatory Thrombolytic JX10 (TMS-007) in Late Presentation of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Contemporary thrombolytics in acute ischemic stroke are limited to administration within 4.5 hours of last known normal. JX10 (formerly TMS-007), a triprenyl phenol family member, may extend this therapeutic window.

Infrared laser-induced gene expression in single cells characterized by quantitative imaging in Physcomitrium patens.

A spatiotemporal understanding of gene function requires the precise control of gene expression in each cell. Here, we use an infrared laser-evoked gene operator (IR-LEGO) system to induce gene expression at the single-cell level in the moss Physcomitrium patens by heating a living cell with an IR laser and thereby activating the heat shock response. We identify the laser irradiation conditions that provide higher inducibility with lower invasiveness by changing the laser power and irradiation duration.

Antitumor effects of inhibitors of ERK and Akt pathways in canine histiocytic sarcoma cell lines.

Canine histiocytic sarcoma (CHS) is characterized by aggressive biological behavior. In our previous study, ERK and Akt pathways were found to be activated in CHS tissues. Thus, the objective of this study was set to investigate the relationships between the activation status of these pathways and the proliferation of CHS cell lines by examining the effects of single and co-administrations of drugs targeting these pathways.

Evaluation of the Highly Ordered Structure, Ligature, and Enzymatic Degradation of Poly[()-3-hydroxybutyrate--4-hydroxybutyrate] Elastic Porous Fibers.

We prepared biocompatible elastic fibers with high porosity and high tensile strength from poly[()-3-hydroxybutyrate--4-hydroxybutyrate], which is a microbial polyester that can be produced from renewable carbon resources by isothermal crystallization. It was possible to control the pore size by adjusting the isothermal crystallization time. Most of the pores were approximately less than 10 μm in diameter, did not penetrate, and were distributed discontinuously throughout the fibers.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of a model conifer plant, the Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica D. Don.

Background: The Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) is one of the most important Japanese forest trees, occupying approximately 44% of artificial forests and planted in East Asia, the Azores Archipelago, and certain islands in the Indian Ocean. Although the huge genome of the species (ca.

Cerebral Cortical Vasodilation via Nicotinic Receptors by Heated Tobacco Product Aerosol Extract in Rats.

Introduction: Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer due to a number of components of smoke. The use of novel heated tobacco products (HTPs), alternative to conventional combustion cigarettes, has increased in recent years. However, the in vivo biological effects of HTPs are poorly understood.

1,3-Butadiynyl sulfide-based compact trialkyne platform molecule for sequential assembly of three azides.

A compact trialkyne platform with a silyl-protected 1,3-butadiynyl sulfide moiety and a terminal alkyne group has been developed for sequential regioselective transition metal-catalyzed triazole formation reactions with three azides. This method enabled the facile construction of a low-molecular-weight triazole library and the synthesis of middle-molecular-weight trifunctional probes for protein modification.

Spatial Analysis of Gene Expression by In Situ Hybridization.

The analysis of the spatial expression patterns of genes is important for deciphering their functions. In situ hybridization provides insight into gene expression patterns at the cellular level. Here we describe a procedure for performing in situ hybridization on sections of paraffin-embedded tissue, including synthesis of labeled RNA probes, hybridization of the probes with target mRNAs, and immunological detection of the signals.