Highly reproducible quantification of apoptotic cells using micropatterned culture of neurons

The quantification of apoptotic cells is an integral component of many cell-based assays in biological studies. However, current methods for quantifying apoptotic cells using conventional random cultures have shown great limitations, especially for the quantification of primary neurons. Randomly distributed neurons under primary culture conditions can lead to biased estimates, and vastly different estimates of cell numbers can be produced within the same experiment. In this study, we developed a simple, accurate, and reliable technique for quantifying apoptotic neurons by means of micropatterned cell cultures. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstencil was used as a physical mask for micropatterning cell cultures, and primary granular neurons (GNs) were successfully cultured within the micropattern-confined regions and homogeneously distributed over the entire field of each pattern. As compared with the conventional method based on random cultures, the micropatterned culture method allowed for highly reproducible quantification of apoptotic cells. These results were also confirmed by using GNs derived from mice with neurodegeneration. We hope that this micropatterning method based on the use of a PDMS microstencil can overcome the technical obstacles existing in current biological studies and will serve as a powerful tool for facilitating the study of apoptosis-involved diseases.

Preparation of 3D electrode microarrays of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/nafion nanocomposites for microfluidic biofuel cells

Three-dimensional (3D) electrode microarrays with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reinforced Nafion nanocomposites were prepared for microfluidic biofuel cells. The oxidized MWCNTs (ox-MWCNTs) were prepared using chemical reactions with 60% nitric acid solution with pristine MWCNTs at 120 degrees C for 12 hrs with a nitrogen gas flow environment. Ox-MWCNTs in the range of 1 to 20 wt.% based on the Nafion polymer weight were reinforced to Nafion nanocomposites by solution casting. The micro-porous structure of the ox-MWCNTs reinforced Nafion nanocomposites was prepared by plasma etching for 5 to 20 min. The 10 wt.% ox-MWCNTs reinforced Nafion nanocomposite produced stable micro-porous structures of 3D electrodes by 10 min plasma etching. Micro-scale 3D structures of MWCNTs reinforced Nafion nanocomposites in a diameter range of 47 to 300 μm were prepared by the micro-stencil assisted casting. To characterize the 3D electrode microarrays, the physical geometry and the reinforced MWCNT dispersion in the nanocomposite structure were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an optical microscope. Thermal property measurements of the ox-MWCNTs reinforced Nafion nanocomposites with 10 min of plasma etching, and without plasma etching were made. Both showed stable thermal properties over 300 degrees C. The proposed 3D electrode microarray of MWCNT/Nafion nanocomposites with micro-porous structures can be applied to miniaturized fuel cell devices.

In vitro and Lactation Responses in Mid-lactating Dairy Cows Fed Protected Amino Acids and Fat

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ruminally protected amino acids (RPAAs) and ruminally protected fat (RPF) supplementation on ruminal fermentation characteristics (in vitro) and milk yield and milk composition (in vivo). Fourteen mid-lactating Holstein dairy cows (mean weight 653±62.59 kg) were divided into two groups according to mean milk yield and number of days of postpartum. The cows were then fed a basal diet during adaptation (2 wk) and experimental diets during the treatment period (6 wk). Dietary treatments were i) a basal diet (control) and ii) basal diet containing 50 g of RPAAs (lysine and methionine, 3:1 ratio) and 50 g of RPF. In rumen fermentation trail (in vitro), RPAAs and RPF supplementation had no influence on the ruminal pH, dry matter digestibility, total volatile fatty acid production and ammonia-N concentration. In feeding trial (in vivo), milk yield (p<0.001), 4% fat corrected milk (p<0.05), milk fat (p<0.05), milk protein (p<0.001), and milk urea nitrogen (p<0.05) were greater in cows fed RPAAs and RPF than the corresponding values in the control group. With an index against as 0%, the rates of decrease in milk yield and milk protein were lower in RPAAs and RPF treated diet than those of basal diet group (p<0.05). In conclusion, diet supplemented with RPAAs and RPF can improve milk yield and milk composition without negatively affecting ruminal functions in Holstein dairy cows at mid-lactating.

Effect of sapphire nitridation and group-III source flow rate ratio on In-incorporation into InGaN grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

In-composition of N-polar InGaN films on the sapphire substrate with the surface nitridation was investigated. By varying the ratio of the group-III source flow rate from 0.7 to 0.95, the In-composition and the surface morphologies of InGaN films were changed. The In-composition of N-polar InGaN films was affected by the strain relaxation and the surface morphologies.

Spatial heterogeneity and stability of bacterial community in the gastrointestinal tracts of broiler chickens

Bacterial communities in the different regions of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of broiler chickens were analyzed by pyrosequencing approach to understand microbial composition and diversity. The DNA samples extracted from 7 different regions along the GIT were subjected to bacterial-community analysis by pyrosequencing of the V1-V3 region of 16S rRNA gene. Major bacterial phyla in the chicken-gut microbiota included Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria, but Firmicutes were mostly dominant (67.3 ± 16.1% of the total sequence reads identified). Among Firmicutes, Lactobacillales, including the genera Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, were the most dominant (51.8 ± 34.5% of the total sequence reads identified) from the crop to ileum. In contrast, in the cecum and large intestine, those genera were rarely detected, and Clostridiales were dominant (55.9 ± 31.4%). Fast UniFrac analysis showed that microbial communities from the crop to jejunum of the same individual chicken were grouped together, and those from ileum, cecum, and large intestine were clustered in a more GIT-specific manner. The numbers of shared operational taxonomic units between the neighboring segments of GIT were low, ranging from 2.9 to 20.3%. However, the abundance of shared operational taxonomic units in each segment was relatively high, ranging from 61.7 to 85.0%, suggesting that substantial proportions of microbial communities were shared between each segment and its neighboring segments, comprising a core microbiota. Our results suggested that the microbial communities of 7 main segments in the chicken GIT were distinctive according to both individuals and the different segments of GIT, but their stability was maintained along the GIT.

Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Coronary Stenoses: MINIATURE Investigators (Korea MultIceNter TrIal on Long-Term Clinical Outcome According to the Plaque Burden and Treatment Strategy in Lesions with MinimUm Lumen ARea lEss Than 4 mm(2) Using Intravascular Ultrasound)

Background and Objectives

We evaluated the two-year clinical outcomes in patients with angiographically intermediate lesions according to the plaque burden and treatment strategy.

Subjects and Methods

We prospectively enrolled patients with angiographically intermediate lesions (diameter stenosis 30-70%) with an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) minimum lumen area (MLA) <4 mm² with 50-70% plaque burden of 16 Korean percutaneous coronary intervention centers. Patients were divided into medical therapy group (n=85) and zotarolimus-eluting stent group (ZES; Resolute) group (n=74). We evaluated the incidences of two-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Results

A two-year clinical follow-up was completed in 143 patients and MACE occurred in 12 patients. There were no significant differences in the incidences of death (1.3% vs. 3.0%, p=0.471), target vessel-related non-fatal myocardial infarction (0.0% vs. 0.0%, p=1.000) and target vessel revascularizations (7.8% vs. 4.5%, p=0.425) between medical and ZES groups. Independent predictors of two-year MACE included acute myocardial infarction {odds ratio (OR)=2.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43-6.12, p=0.014}, diabetes mellitus (OR=2.46; 95% CI 1.24-5.56, p=0.028) and non-statin therapy (OR=2.32; 95% CI 1.18-5.24, p=0.034).

Conclusion

Medical therapy shows comparable results with ZES, and myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus and non-statin therapy were associated with the occurrence of two-year MACE in patients with intermediate lesion with IVUS MLA <4 mm² with 50-70% of plaque burden.

Bio-functionalization of silicon carbide nanostructures for SiC nanowire-based sensors realization

The bio-functionalization process consisting in grafting desoxyribo nucleic acid via aminopropyl-triethoxysilane is performed on several kinds of silicon carbide nanostructures. Prior, the organic layer is characterized on planar surface with fluorescence microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Then, the functionalization is performed on two kinds of nanopillar arrays. One is composed of top-down SiC nanopillars with a wide pitch of 5 microm while the other one is a dense array (pitch: 200 nm) of core-shell Si-SiC nanowires obtained by carburization of silicon nanowires. Depending on both the pillar morphology and the pitch, different results in term of DNA surface coverages are obtained, as seen from fluorescence microscopy images. Particularly, in the case of the wide pitch array, it has been shown that the DNA molecules are located all along the nanopillars. To achieve a DNA sensor based on a nanowire-field effect transistor, the functionalization must be conducted on a single SiC nanowire or nanopillar that constitutes the channel of the field effect transistor. The localization of the functionalization in a small area around the nanostructures guarantees high performances to the sensor. In this aim, the functionalization process is combined with common microelectronics techniques of lithography and lift-off. The DNA immobilization is investigated by fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy.

Effects of soy sauce on physicochemical and textural properties of tumbled chicken breast

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of soy sauce on the physicochemical and textural properties of tumbled chicken breasts. Chicken breasts marinated with distilled water (Con), 4% NaCl solution, 4% NaCl and lactic acid solution (pH 4.9), and soy sauce solution (4% salt concentration and pH 4.9) were vacuum tumbled at 3°C for 60 min. The chicken breast marinated with soy sauce solution showed lower lightness and higher redness and yellowness due to the color of the soy sauce. The acidic marinades led to a decrease in pH value of tumbled chicken breast. The acidic marinades increased collagen solubility of sample compared with 4% NaCl solution, resulting in decreased shear force. Water-holding capacity, marination and cooking yields, and solubility of myofibrillar proteins were mainly affected by the presence of salt in the marinade, rather than by pH alternation. Our results suggested that soy sauce marination can improve the tenderness of tumbled chicken breast.

Percutaneous closure of an iatrogenic ventricular septal defect following concomitant septal myectomy at the time of aortic valve replacement

A 77-year-old female patient underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with concomitant septal myectomy and tricuspid annuloplasty. Her symptoms did not improve after a successful operation. Echocardiogram demonstrated the presence of an iatrogenic ventricular septal defect (VSD). It was muscular in location and not the usual AVR with membraneous type of VSD, suggesting a complication from the myectomy. Percutaneous closure of the VSD remained the only feasible option due to her poor overall medical status. A 14-mm Amplazter VSD occluder was deployed successfully, by means of the trans-septal technique. She has improved very well postoperatively.

Changes in masticatory function after injection of botulinum toxin type A to masticatory muscles

This study examined changes in masticatory function after botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection using objective and subjective tests during 12 weeks. Also, we compared differences in masticatory function between group in which only masseter muscle (M group) was injected and group in which masseter and temporal muscle (M-T group) were injected. Forty subjects were assigned into two groups; M group (n = 20) and the M-T group (n = 20). The Meditoxin(®) was used as BTX-A injection. The mixing ability index (MAI) was used as the objective indicator, and visual analogue scale (VAS) and food intake ability (FIA) index were used as subjective indicators. Overall, the masticatory function drastically declined after 4 weeks and gradually recovered with time. Compared with the pre-injection state, the masticatory function decreased by 89·2% (MAI), 12·2% (FIA) and 32·2% (VAS) 4 weeks after the injection (P < 0·05). When the results between M group and M-T group were compared, scores of VAS and FIA were significantly different 4 weeks after the injection (P < 0·05), but the MAI score showed no significant difference between two groups. In conclusion, this study showed that masticatory function was significantly decreased after BTX-A injection into the masticatory muscle after 4 and 8 weeks from injection. However, masticatory efficiency measured using MAI could completely recover after 12 weeks. Furthermore, after 8 weeks from the injection, the masticatory function measured after injection into only the masseter muscle was similar to that measured after injection into both masseter and temporal muscle.

A modified root reinforcement technique for acute aortic dissection with a weakened aortic root: a modified Florida sleeve technique and two cases report

Despite marvelous advances in repair for acute type A aortic dissection over past decades, it remains challenging to repair the aortic root when aortic dissection extended to the sinuses causes the fragile root because of its thinner layers, which are susceptible to suture trauma. Here, we describe a modified Florida sleeve technique to strengthen the weakened aortic root. After mobilization of the aortic root and the coronary arteries, a designed Dacron tube graft was wrapped outside the sinuses as neo-adventitia to reinforce the dissected weakened wall. During surgery for aortic dissection, our technique is easy and effective to reinforce a weakened root and avoid bleeding. Furthermore, this might be an alternative technique to restore and maintain the geometry of the aortic root.

Vacuum-assisted closure therapy as an alternative treatment of subcutaneous emphysema

Vacuum-assisted closure therapy is an alternative method for a massive subcutaneous emphysema treatment. It is easily applicable and shows rapid effectiveness in massive subcutaneous emphysema, intractable with chest tube drainage.

Ultra-low gamma-ray measurement system for neutrinoless double beta decay

An experiment for the detection of 0νβ(+)/EC and 0νEC/EC in 92Mo nuclei has been carried out with a scintillating crystal, CaMoO4, in coincidence with the HPGe detector. We study the background events inside the event selection window for 0ν β(+)/EC decays of CaMoO4 detector. For 51.2 days of data taking period, we didn't observe any event in the neutrinoless EC/EC decay event window. The (92)Mo 0νβ(+)/EC decay half-life limit was set to 0.61×10(20) years with a 90% confidence by method of Feldman and Cousins. This ultra-low gamma ray measurement utilizing coincidence technique can be used for the resonant EC/EC decay process of some nuclei which is potentially important for neutrinoless double beta decay process.