Interaction between Northern Coal Sack in the Cyg OB 7 cloud complex and the multiple super nova remnants including HB 21

We report possible interaction between multiple super nova remnants (SNRs) and Northern Coal Sack (NCS) which is a massive clump (~1000 Mo) in the Cyg OB 7 cloud complex and is forming a massive Class 0 object. We performed molecular observations of the 12CO(J=1-0), 13CO(J=1-0), and C18O(J=1-0) emission lines using the 45m telescope at the Nobeyama Radio Observatory, and we found that there are mainly four velocity components at Vlsr=-20, -6, -4, and 10 km/s. The -6 and -4 km/s components correspond to the systemic velocities of NCS and the Cygnus OB 7 complex, respectively, and the other velocity components originate from distinct smaller clouds. Interestingly, there are apparent correlations and anti-correlations among the spatial distributions of the four components, suggesting that they are physically interacting with one another. On a larger scale, we find that a group of small clouds belonging to the -20 and 10 km/s components are located along two different arcs around some SNRs including HB 21 which has been suggested to be interacting with the Cyg OB 7 cloud complex, and we also find that NCS is located right at the interface of the arcs. The small clouds are likely to be the gas swept up by the stellar wind of the massive stars which created the SNRs. We suggest that the small clouds alined along the two arcs recently encountered NCS and the massive star formation in NCS was triggered by the strong interaction with the small clouds.Comment: To appear in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan (PASJ

Protocol for Genome Editing to Produce Multiple Mutants in Wheat

Here, we describe a protocol for producing multiple recessive mutants via genome editing in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Fielder. Using Agrobacterium-delivered CRISPR/Cas9 and three sub-genome-specific primer sets, all possible combinations of single, double, and triple transgene-free mutants can be generated. The technique for acceleration of generation advancement with embryo culture reduces time for mutant production. The mutants produced by this protocol can be used for the analysis of gene function and crop improvement. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Abe et al. (2019)

Thrombin stimulates platelet-derived growth factor release by alveolar macrophages in rats : significance in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Thrombin is a multifunctional enzyme generated at sites of vascular injury, and is known to be increased in the lungs in some types of fibrotic lung disease. In this study, to determine whether thrombin is associated with fibroblast growth and pulmonary fibrosis in these disorders, we examined whether a growth factor for fibroblasts (platelet-derived growth factor, PDGF) was released by thrombin-stimulated alveolar macrophages (AM). The culture supernatants of rat AM stimulated with 1 or 10 U/ml of thrombin showed a significant increase in fibroblast growth-stimulating activity (FGA). Pretreatment of the AM supernatant with anti-PDGF-AA antibody significantly decreased the FGA, but pretreatment with anti-PDGF-BB antibody did not. The supernatants of AM stimulated with thrombin also increased the growth of fibroblasts from the lungs of rats with bleomycin-induced lung injury. These results indicate that thrombin stimulates AM to release PDGF-AA, which is responsible, at least in part, for fibroblast growth and the development of pulmonary fibrosis in some types of fibrotic lung disease

Curative two-stage resection for synchronous triple cancers of the esophagus, colon, and liver: Report of a case

AbstractIntroductionCases of synchronous triple cancers of the esophagus and other organs curatively resected are rare.Presentation of caseA 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with bloody feces. He was diagnosed with synchronous triple cancers of the esophagus, colon, and liver. We selected a two-stage operation to safely achieve curative resection for all three cancers. The first stage of the operation comprised a laparoscopy-assisted sigmoidectomy and partial liver resection via open surgery. The patient was discharged without complications. Thirty days later, he was readmitted and thoracoscopic esophagectomy was performed. Although pneumonia-induced pulmonary aspiration occurred as a postoperative complication, it was treated conservatively. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 24.DiscussionEsophagectomy is a highly invasive procedure; thus, simultaneous surgery for plural organs, including the esophagus, may induce life-threatening, severe complications. Two-stage surgery is useful in reducing surgical stress in high-risk patients. For synchronous multiple cancers, the planning of two-stage surgery should be considered for each cancer to maintain organ function and reduce the stress and difficulty of each stage.ConclusionWe successfully treated synchronous triple cancers, including esophageal cancer, by a two-stage operation

Autoantibodies to IL-1α in sera from rapidly progressive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

To clarify the clinical significance of autoantibodies to interleukin-1α (IL-1α autoantibodies) in rapidly progressive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF ), we measured the level of IL-1α autoantibodies in serum of 11 patients on the first hospital day, when patients were admitted due to severe symptoms, and on the 21st hospital day. IL-1α autoantibodies in serum were measured using radioimmunoassay, and the limitation of this assay for IL-1α autoantibodies was 5 ng/ml. These antibodies were detected in 5 of 11 patients on the first hospital day. On the 21st hospital day, these antibodies were detected in all patients, and its level was increased compared with that on the first hospital day. IL-1α autoantibodies that appeared in patients corresponded to that of IgG. The half life of exogeneous autoantibodies was investigated following administration of autoantibody rich plasma obtained from healthy blood donors to 6 control patients (CP) and 6 progressive IPF patients. These autoantibody levels in their serum were less than 5 ng/ml before administration. Serum was obtained at the indicated time after administration of IL-1α autoantibodies and the level of these autoantibodies in serum was measured, then the half life was calculated. Half life of exogeneous IL-1α autoantibodies in progressive IPF patients was significantly shorter than that in CP (71.3±31.8 hr vs 352.0±98.3 hr, p<0.01).These findings suggested that IL-1α autoantibodies were generated in response to the inflammatory process of rapidly progressive IPF and may act as a regulatory factor for IL-1α

Genome-Edited Triple-Recessive Mutation AltersSeed Dormancy in Wheat

1Common wheat has three sets of sub-genomes, making mutations difficult to observe, especially for traits controlled by recessive genes. Here, we produced hexaploid wheat lines with loss of function of homeoalleles of Qsd1, which controls seed dormancy in barley, by Agrobacterium-mediated CRISPR/Cas9. Of the eight transformed wheat events produced, three independent events carrying multiple mutations in wheat Qsd1 homeoalleles were obtained. Notably, one line had mutations in every homeoallele. We crossed this plant with wild-type cultivar Fielder to generate a transgene-free triple-recessive mutant, as revealed by Mendelian segregation. The mutant showed a significantly longer seed dormancy period than wild-type, which may result in reduced pre-harvest sprouting of grains on spikes. PCR, southern blotting, and whole-genome shotgun sequencing revealed that this segregant lacked transgenes in its genomic sequence. This technique serves as a model for trait improvement in wheat, particularly for genetically recessive traits, based on locus information from diploid barley

Modeling Low Muscle Mass Screening in Hemodialysis Patients

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) can accurately measure muscle mass, which is necessary for diagnosing sarcopenia, even in dialysis patients. However, CT-based screening for such patients is challenging, especially considering the availability of equipment within dialysis facilities. We therefore aimed to develop a bedside prediction model for low muscle mass, defined by the psoas muscle mass index (PMI) from CT measurement. Methods: Hemodialysis patients (n = 619) who had undergone abdominal CT screening were divided into the development (n = 441) and validation (n = 178) groups. PMI was manually measured using abdominal CT images to diagnose low muscle mass by two independent investigators. The development group’s data were used to create a logistic regression model using 42 items extracted from clinical information as predictive variables; variables were selected using the stepwise method. External validity was examined using the validation group’s data, and the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated. Results: Of all subjects, 226 (37%) were diagnosed with low muscle mass using PMI. A predictive model for low muscle mass was calculated using ten variables: each grip strength, sex, height, dry weight, primary cause of end-stage renal disease, diastolic blood pressure at start of session, pre-dialysis potassium and albumin level, and dialysis water removal in a session. The development group’s adjusted AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.81, 60%, and 87%, respectively. The validation group’s adjusted AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.73, 64%, and 82%, respectively. Discussion/Conclusion: Our results facilitate skeletal muscle screening in hemodialysis patients, assisting in sarcopenia prophylaxis and intervention decisions