Ultrasound and clinical findings in the metacarpophalangeal joint assessment of show jumping horses in training

Background@#Physical exercise is known to cause significant joint changes. Thus, monitoring joint behavior of athletic horses is essential in early disorders recognition, allowing the proper management. @*Objectives@#The aims of this study were to determine the morphological patterns, physical examination characteristics and ultrasound findings of show jumping horses in training and to establish a score-based examination model for physical and ultrasound follow-ups of metacarpophalangeal joint changes in these animals. @*Methods@#A total of 52 metacarpophalangeal joints from 26 horses who were initially in the taming stage were evaluated, and the horses’ athletic progression was monitored. The horses were evaluated by a physical examination and by B-mode and Doppler-mode ultrasound examinations, starting at time zero (T0), which occurred concomitantly with the beginning of training, and every 3 months thereafter for a follow-up period of 18 months. @*Results@#The standardized examination model revealed an increase in the maximum joint flexion angles and higher scores on the physical and ultrasound examinations after scoring was performed by predefined assessment tools, especially between 3 and 6 months of evaluation, which was immediately after the horses started more intense training. The lameness score and the ultrasound examination score were slightly higher at the end of the study. @*Conclusions@#The observed results were probably caused by the implementation of a training regimen and joint adaptation to physical conditioning. The joints most likely undergo a pre-osteoarthritic period due to work overload, which can manifest in a consistent or adaptive manner, as observed during this study. Thus, continuous monitoring of young athlete horses by physical and ultrasound examinations that can be scored is essential.

Reduction of alkali supplement in a pilot-scale thermophilic multi-staged UASB reactor treating alcohol distillery wastewater

One of the main disadvantages of anaerobic wastewater treatment at a low pH is the significant operational cost due to the addition of necessary alkali. To reduce alkali supplement and thus the cost, this study proposes a sequential multi-feed [SqMF] mode [distributed feeding] and effluent recycle [ER] mode. Experiments were conducted with a pilot-scale [2.5 m[3]] thermophilic [55°C] multi-staged up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor. Alcohol distillery wastewater [shochu], a major source of industrial wastewater in Japan, was used for the study. The SqMF mode of operation [influent pH: 5.0; organic loading rate: 45 kgCOD/m[3]/day; HRT: 12 hours; influent COD concentration: 20,900 mgCOD/L] successfully reduced the alkali supplement [24% NaOH solution] requirement by 67.2% compared with the single-feed mode. For the ER mode operation [organic loading rate: 35 kgCOD/m[3]/day; HRT: 12 hours; influent COD concentration: 17,400 mgCOD/L], operation was possible without any alkali supplement since the system uses the alkalinity generated during microbial metabolism

Combination Therapy with Rituximab and Temozolomide for Recurrent and Refractory Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

High-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy has extended survival in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). However, although salvage treatment is necessary in recurrent and refractory PCNSL, this has not been standardized. We herein describe the efficacy of a combination of rituximab and temozolomide (TMZ) in two consecutive patients with recurrent and refractory PCNSL. Based on the immunohistochemical study, case 1 had a non-germinal center B-cell-like (non-GCB) subtype, was positive for bcl-2 and negative for O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). Case 2 was GCB subtype, bcl-2-, and MGMT+. Because of the positive expression of MGMT, interferon-beta was additionally given in case 2. Complete responses and partial responses were obtained after the third and fourth cycles of combination therapy, respectively. This was maintained for 12 months, with acceptable toxicity. The combination of rituximab and TMZ was effective in tumors with different immunohistochemical profiles. This combination therapy warrants further study in a larger population.

Salivary gland branching morphogenesis--recent progress and future opportunities / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

Salivary glands provide saliva to maintain oral health, and a loss of salivary gland function substantially decreases quality-of-life. Understanding the biological mechanisms that generate salivary glands during embryonic development may identify novel ways to regenerate function or design artificial salivary glands. This review article summarizes current research on the process of branching morphogenesis of salivary glands, which creates gland structure during development. We highlight exciting new advances and opportunities in studies of cell-cell interactions, mechanical forces, growth factors, and gene expression patterns to improve our understanding of this important process.

Molecular Analysis of Salivary Gland Branching Morphogenesis / Oral Science International

Recently, clinicians and scientists have focused on tissue engineering for regenerative medical therapy. This approach promises to provide remarkable clinical breakthroughs for the future. In oral and craniofacial medicine, most scientific approaches to tissue engineering currently involve tooth and bone, while little progress has been made toward regenerating organs such as salivary gland. To develop strategies for salivary gland regeneration, it will be important to understand the molecular mechanisms of normal salivary development. This mini-review describes a recently developed and tested set of approaches for identifying and characterizing molecules essential for branching morphogenesis and other developmental processes. It shows the value of using laser microdissection and the new process of T7-SAGE for gene discovery of putative candidate molecules that may be crucial regulators or mediators. We describe a stepwise series of associated strategies for reliable identification and functional testing of a candidate molecule, as well as its successful application to a specific candidate molecule originally identified by T7-SAGE.