Association of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) with the immune system and prognosis in invasive breast cancer

L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), also referred to as SLC7A5, is believed to regulate tumor metabolism and be associated with tumor proliferation. In invasive breast cancer, we clinicopathologically investigated the utility of LAT1 expression. LAT1 expression was evaluated via immunohistochemistry analyses in 250 breast cancer patients undergoing long-term follow-up. We assessed the relationships between LAT1 expression and patient outcomes and clinicopathological factors. Breast cancer-specific survival stratified by LAT1 expression was assessed. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive patients with metastasis received trastuzumab therapy. The density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was evaluated according to the International Working Group guidelines. In the current study, high LAT1 expression was significantly correlated with estrogen receptor (ER) negativity, progesterone receptor negativity, high histological grade, increased TILs, and programmed death ligand 1 positivity. Among the ER-positive and HER2-negative patients, high LAT1 was an independent indicator of poor outcomes (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.97; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16–7.62; p = 0.023). Moreover, high LAT1 expression was an independent poor prognostic factor in luminal B-like breast cancer with aggressive features (HR = 3.39; 95% CI 1.35–8.52; p = 0.0094). In conclusion, high LAT1 expression could be used to identify a subgroup of invasive breast cancer characterized by aggressive behavior and high tumor immunoreaction. Our findings suggest that LAT1 might be a candidate therapeutic target for breast cancer patients, particularly those with luminal B-like type breast cancer

A dehydrated space-weathered skin cloaking the hydrated interior of Ryugu

Without a protective atmosphere, space-exposed surfaces of airless Solar System bodies gradually experience an alteration in composition, structure and optical properties through a collective process called space weathering. The return of samples from near-Earth asteroid (162173) Ryugu by Hayabusa2 provides the first opportunity for laboratory study of space-weathering signatures on the most abundant type of inner solar system body: a C-type asteroid, composed of materials largely unchanged since the formation of the Solar System. Weathered Ryugu grains show areas of surface amorphization and partial melting of phyllosilicates, in which reduction from Fe3+ to Fe2+ and dehydration developed. Space weathering probably contributed to dehydration by dehydroxylation of Ryugu surface phyllosilicates that had already lost interlayer water molecules and to weakening of the 2.7 µm hydroxyl (–OH) band in reflectance spectra. For C-type asteroids in general, this indicates that a weak 2.7 µm band can signify space-weathering-induced surface dehydration, rather than bulk volatile loss

Optimal Layout Design for Agricultural Facility Using Simulated Annealing

[Keywords] combinatorial optimization problem, rational construction, simulated annealing, agricultural facility, optimal layout design In this study, optimal layout design approach was used to solve problems related to site layout design of agricultural facilities such as refrigeration house, grading and packing house and warehouse. A basic program to support the rational construction of such facilities using Simulated Annealing (SA), one heuristic algorithm and one solution for combinatorial optimization problems, was coded in C language (Satake(1999)). Layout design simulations were carried out to obtain information for the development of a program for solving practical problems. And, to clarify the feasibility of applying SA to the optimal layout design problems, the layout design simulation using the hill climbing (HC), which is another heuristic algorithm, was carried out for comparison with SA. As a result of the comparison with the optimum solution by HC, the value of cost evaluation by SA using exponential annealing was lower than that of hill climbing

Splice-site mutation causing partial retention of intron in the FLCN gene in Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome: a case report

Abstract Background Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by germline mutations in the folliculin gene (FLCN). Nearly 150 pathogenic mutations have been identified in FLCN. The most frequent pattern is a frameshift mutation within a coding exon. In addition, splice-site mutations have been reported, and previous studies have confirmed exon skipping in several cases. However, it is poorly understood whether there are any splice-site mutations that cause translation of intron regions in FLCN. Case presentation A 59-year-old Japanese patient with multiple pulmonary cysts and pneumothorax was hospitalized due to dyspnea. BHD was suspected and genetic testing was performed. The patient exhibited the splice-site mutation of FLCN in the 5′ end of intron 9 (c.1062 + 1G > A). Total mRNA was extracted from pulmonary cysts, and RT-PCR assessment and sequence analyses were done. Two distinct bands were generated; one was wild-type and the other was a larger-sized mutant. Sequence analysis of the latter transcript revealed the insertion of 130 base pairs of intron 9 from the beginning of the splice-site between exons 9 and 10. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first report of distinct intron insertion using a BHD patient’s diseased tissue-derived mRNA. The present case suggests that a splice-site mutation can lead to exon skipping as well as intron reading mRNA. The splicing process may be dependent in part on whether the donor or acceptor site is affected

Field emission studies in vertical test and during cryomodule operation using precise x-ray mapping system

Field emission is one of the most serious issues in the degradation of superconducting cavity performance. However, surveying field emission sources during the cavity performance test (called the “vertical test”) and cryomodule operation is difficult. Therefore, to precisely investigate electron emissions from the field emission source, we developed a diagnostic system for the energy recovery linac 1.3 GHz nine-cell superconducting cavity for both vertical tests and the cryomodule operation. The developed system is comprised of two types of sensors: a carbon sensor and a Si p-i-n diode, that measure the temperature rise and the radiation produced by electron emissions, respectively. Rotating the sensor array around the cavity axis in the vertical test provides detailed information on the entire cavity surface. The precise x-ray mapping profile measured by the system in the vertical test enables identification of the local emission source. This paper describes how the field emission source is identified in the vertical test from the standpoint of not only experimental results obtained with the newly developed rotating mapping system but also the detailed approach based on precise simulations. In addition, field emission studies with the optimized instrumentation have been extended to cryomodule tests, both standalone and in the beam line. These developments allow us to monitor changes in the cavity field emission signatures introduced by cryomodule assembly and beam operation

Additional file 1: of Splice-site mutation causing partial retention of intron in the FLCN gene in Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome: a case report

Figure S1. Amino acid sequence predicted by intron retention. Colored nucleotides are exons 9 and 10, and gray nucleotides starting from the mutated adenine (A, indicated by an arrow) are intron insertions. The predicted amino acid sequence is noted below codons in bold. A 130 bp intron retention leads to a frameshift from the beginning of exon 10, which results in premature termination (indicated by a rectangle). (PPTX 43 kb

Nanoprotonics in perovsikte-type oxides : Reversible changes in color and ion conductivity due to nanoionics phenomenon in platinum-containing perovskite oxide

The ion conductivity of a solid-state material is primarily a function of its chemical composition and crystal structure. However, interfaces can play an important role in the conduction process. The effects of interfaces on ionic properties can be controlled on the basis of \u22nanoionics\u22. In this study, we demonstrate a nanoionics phenomenon observed in a blue platinum-containing perovskite. The proton conductivity changed reversibly in response to the precipitation of platinum nanoparticles and oxidation to form a solid solution. The results of XAFS measurements, TEM analysis, and electron holography provide evidence of the nanoionics phenomenon, and suggest a possible underlying mechanism for the conductivity change caused by the small amount of precipitated platinum nanoparticles in the perovskite oxide