Complete Genomic Structure of the Bloom-forming Toxic Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa NIES-843

The nucleotide sequence of the complete genome of a cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa NIES-843, was determined. The genome of M. aeruginosa is a single, circular chromosome of 5 842 795 base pairs (bp) in length, with an average GC content of 42.3%. The chromosome comprises 6312 putative protein-encoding genes, two sets of rRNA genes, 42 tRNA genes representing 41 tRNA species, and genes for tmRNA, the B subunit of RNase P, SRP RNA, and 6Sa RNA. Forty-five percent of the putative protein-encoding sequences showed sequence similarity to genes of known function, 32% were similar to hypothetical genes, and the remaining 23% had no apparent similarity to reported genes. A total of 688 kb of the genome, equivalent to 11.8% of the entire genome, were composed of both insertion sequences and miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements. This is indicative of a plasticity of the M. aeruginosa genome, through a mechanism that involves homologous recombination mediated by repetitive DNA elements. In addition to known gene clusters related to the synthesis of microcystin and cyanopeptolin, novel gene clusters that may be involved in the synthesis and modification of toxic small polypeptides were identified. Compared with other cyanobacteria, a relatively small number of genes for two component systems and a large number of genes for restriction-modification systems were notable characteristics of the M. aeruginosa genome

Activated iNKT cells enhance the anti-tumor effect of antigen specific CD8 T cells on mesothelin-expressing salivary gland cancer

Abstract Background Salivary gland cancers are not sensitive to conventional radiotherapy or chemotherapy regimens. Therefore, the development of a new treatment strategy is of critical importance for improving the prognosis. We examined the expression of mesothelin molecules in salivary gland cancers and the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy based on mesothelin-specific chimeric antigen receptor transduced T cells. Methods The expression of mesothelin molecule was studied in salivary gland cancer samples obtained from 16 patients as well as a salivary gland cancer cell line (A-253) and five other cell lines. The activation of mesothelin-specific chimeric antigen receptor-expressing CD8 T cells after stimulation with mesothelin and the effects of invariant natural killer T cells on this activation were evaluated. Results Mesothelin was detected in the A-253 cells and the surgical specimens except for the case of squamous cell carcinoma to various degrees. Following stimulation with mesothelin expressing cancer cells, chimeric antigen receptor T cells were dose-dependently activated; this activation was enhanced by co-culture with invariant natural killer T cells and subsequently abrogated by treatment with anti-interferon-γ antibodies. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of chimeric antigen receptor T cells against various cancer cells was further augmented by invariant natural killer T cells. Conclusions The use of adoptive transfer with mesothelin-specific chimeric antigen receptor-expressing CD8 T cells against salivary gland cancers is an effective therapy and invariant natural killer T cells are expected to be used in adjuvant treatment for T cell-based immunotherapy

Penetration and Perforation of Terminal Ileum Diverticulitis

Background. Terminal ileum diverticulitis is a rare clinical disease. It can frequently mimic other processes, such as acute appendicitis. Diagnosis and therapeutic decision making (surgical or conservative treatment) can be complex. We report four interesting cases of terminal ileum diverticulitis. Case Presentation. Case 1: a 55-year-old male presented to us with a 3-day history of severe right lower quadrant pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed penetration of terminal ileum diverticulitis. Following a 7-day conservative treatment, he underwent ileocecal resection. Pathology results revealed a false diverticulum and two in five points of perforated terminal ileum diverticulum. Case 2: a 77-year-old male presented to us with severe right lower quadrant pain and unconsciousness. CT showed penetration of terminal ileum diverticulitis and air in the mesentery. Ileocecal resection was performed 2 days postadmission. Pathology results revealed a false diverticulum and penetrated terminal ileum diverticulum. Case 3: a 61-year-old male presented to us with a right lower quadrant pain for 10 days and fever for 6 days. CT showed penetration of terminal ileum diverticulitis and abscess of the psoas muscle. Puncture and drainage of abscess were performed. Laparoscopic ileocecal resection was performed 30 days postadmission. Pathology results revealed a false diverticulum and penetrated terminal ileum diverticulum. Case 4: a 39-year-old female presented to us with right lower quadrant pain for 9 days, suspicious of appendicitis. CT showed abscess of pericecal area. Puncture and drainage were performed. A drainage tube was located into the cecum through the terminal ileum. Conservative therapy was effective, and she was discharged 23 days postadmission. Conclusions. All four cases had right lower quadrant pain. Three cases were diagnosed by CT, whereas one was diagnosed by abscess drainage. Two cases required surgical treatment within 3 days, one within about 1 month, and one case did not require surgery. The decision of whether to manage a patient surgically or conservatively is difficult. It is critical not to delay the decision of performing a surgical treatment until each patient reaches a stable general condition

High-sulfated hyaluronic acid ameliorates radiation-induced intestinal damage without blood anticoagulation

Purpose: Many growth factors, such as fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), are useful for the treatment or prevention of radiation damage after radiotherapy. Although heparin can be supplemented to increase the therapeutic effects of FGFs, it possesses strong anticoagulant effects, which limit its potential for clinical use. Therefore, chemically-sulfated hyaluronic acid (HA) was developed as a safe alternative to heparin. This study examined the involvement of sulfated HA in the radioprotective and anticoagulant effects.Methods and Materials: FGF1 was administered intraperitoneally to BALB/c mice with sulfated HA 24 h before or after total body irradiation (TBI) with γ-rays. Several radioprotective effects were examined in the jejunum. The blood coagulation time in the presence of sulfated HA was measured using murine whole blood. Results: FGF1 with high-sulfated HA (HA-HS) exhibited almost the same level of in vitro mitogenic activity as heparin, whereas FGF1 with HA or low-sulfated HA (HA-LS) exhibited almost no mitogenic activity. Furthermore, HA-HS had high binding capability with FGF1. FGF1 with HA-HS significantly promoted crypt survival to the same level as heparin after TBI and reduced radiation-induced apoptosis in crypt cells. Moreover, pre-treatment of HA-HS without FGF1 also increased crypt survival and reduced apoptosis. Crypt survival with FGF1 in the presence of HA depended on the extent of sulfation of HA. Moreover, the blood anticoagulant effects of sulfated HA were weaker than those of heparin. As sulfated HA did not promote the reactivity of antithrombin III (AT-III) to thrombin, it did not increase anti-coagulative effects to the same extent as heparin. Conclusion: This study suggested that HA-HS promotes the radioprotective effects of FGF1 without anticoagulant effects. HA-HS has great potential for practical use to promote tissue regeneration after radiation damage

Performance Evaluation of LoRa 920 MHz Frequency Band in a Hilly Forested Area

Long-range (LoRa) wireless communication technology has been widely used in many Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications in industry and academia. Radio wave propagation characteristics in forested areas are important to ensure communication quality in forest IoT applications. In this study, 920 MHz band propagation characteristics in forested areas and tree canopy openness were investigated in the Takakuma experimental forest in Kagoshima, Japan. The aim was to evaluate the performance of the LoRa 920 MHz band with spreading factor (SF12) in a forested hilly area. The received signal strength indicator (RSSI) was measured as a function of the distance between the transmitter antenna and ground station (GS). To illustrate the effect of canopy openness on radio wave propagation, sky view factor (SVF) and a forest canopy height model were considered at each location of a successfully received RSSI. A positive correlation was found between the RSSI and SVF. It was found that between the GS and transmitter antenna, if the canopy height is above 23 m, the signal diffracted and RSSI fell to −120 to −127 dBm, so the presence of the obstacle height should be considered. Further research is needed to clarify the detailed tree density between the transmitter and ground station to propose an optimal propagation model for a forested environment

Fifteen‐year survival and conditional survival of women with breast cancer in Osaka, Japan: A population‐based study

Abstract Background In recent years, the survival of patients with breast cancer has improved. However, few published studies have a longer than 10‐year follow‐up. Conditional relative survival (CRS), which is relative survival (RS) of patients who have survived beyond a certain period after diagnosis, is useful for assessing excess mortality among long‐term survivors compared with the general population. Methods This was a retrospective observational cohort study. Population‐based cancer registry data in Osaka, Japan were used to determine 15‐year RS and 5‐year CRS of women with breast cancer diagnosed between 2001 and 2002 and followed up for at least 15 years. Fifteen‐year RS and age‐standardized RS (ASR) were calculated by Ederer II and cohort methods. Five‐year CRS according to age group and extent of disease (localized, regional, and distant) was estimated for every year from diagnosis to 10 years. Results In the cohort of 4006 patients, the ASR declined progressively, the 5‐year ASR being 85.8%, 10‐year ASR 77.3%, and 15‐year ASR 71.6%. The overall 5‐year CRS exceeded 90% at 5 years after diagnosis, reflecting a small excess mortality compared with the general population. The 5‐year CRS of patients with regional and distant disease did not reach 90% within 10 years of follow‐up (89.4% for regional and 72.9% for distant disease 10 years after diagnosis), indicating that these patients had substantial excess mortality. Conclusion Long‐term survival data can help cancer survivors plan their lives and receive better medical care and support