Insect-induced daidzein, formononetin and their conjugates in soybean leaves.

In response to attack by bacterial pathogens, soybean (Gylcine max) leaves accumulate isoflavone aglucones, isoflavone glucosides, and glyceollins. In contrast to pathogens, the dynamics of related insect-inducible metabolites in soybean leaves remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the biochemical responses of soybean leaves to Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) herbivory and also S. litura gut contents, which contain oral secretion elicitors. Following S. litura herbivory, soybean leaves displayed an induced accumulation of the flavone and isoflavone aglycones 4',7-dihyroxyflavone, daidzein, and formononetin, and also the isoflavone glucoside daidzin. Interestingly, foliar application of S. litura oral secretions also elicited the accumulation of isoflavone aglycones (daidzein and formononetin), isoflavone 7-O-glucosides (daidzin, ononin), and isoflavone 7-O-(6'-O-malonyl-β-glucosides) (malonyldaidzin, malonylononin). Consistent with the up-regulation of the isoflavonoid biosynthetic pathway, folair phenylalanine levels also increased following oral secretion treatment. To establish that these metabolitic changes were the result of de novo biosynthesis, we demonstrated that labeled (13C9) phenylalanine was incorporated into the isoflavone aglucones. These results are consistent with the presence of soybean defense elicitors in S. litura oral secretions. We demonstrate that isoflavone aglycones and isoflavone conjugates are induced in soybean leaves, not only by pathogens as previously demonstrated, but also by foliar insect herbivory

Pyridoxal in the Cerebrospinal Fluid May Be a Better Indicator of Vitamin B6–dependent Epilepsy Than Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate

Background We aimed to demonstrate the biochemical characteristics of vitamin B6–dependent epilepsy, with a particular focus on pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and pyridoxal in the cerebrospinal fluid. Methods Using our laboratory database, we identified patients with vitamin B6–dependent epilepsy and extracted their data on the concentrations of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, pyridoxal, pipecolic acid, α-aminoadipic semialdehyde, and monoamine neurotransmitters. We compared the biochemical characteristics of these patients with those of other epilepsy patients with low pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations. Results We identified seven patients with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy caused by an ALDH7A1 gene abnormality, two patients with pyridoxal 5′-phosphate homeostasis protein deficiency, and 28 patients with other epilepsies with low cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations. Cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal and pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations were low in patients with vitamin B6–dependent epilepsy but cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal concentrations were not reduced in most patients with other epilepsies with low cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations. Increase in 3-O-methyldopa and 5-hydroxytryptophan was demonstrated in some patients with vitamin B6–dependent epilepsy, suggestive of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate deficiency in the brain. Conclusions Low cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal concentrations may be a better indicator of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate deficiency in the brain in vitamin B6–dependent epilepsy than low cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations. This finding is especially helpful in individuals with suspected pyridoxal 5′-phosphate homeostasis protein deficiency, which does not have known biomarkers

Comparison of weighed food record procedures for the reference methods in two validation studies of food frequency questionnaires

Background: Although open-ended dietary assessment methods, such as weighed food records (WFRs), are generally considered to be comparable, differences between procedures may influence outcome when WFRs are conducted independently. In this paper, we assess the procedures of WFRs in two studies to describe their dietary assessment procedures and compare the subsequent outcomes. Methods: WFRs of 12 days (3 days for four seasons) were conducted as reference methods for intake data, in accordance with the study protocol, among a subsample of participants of two large cohort studies. We compared the WFR procedures descriptively. We also compared some dietary intake variables, such as the frequency of foods and dishes and contributing foods, to determine whether there were differences in the portion size distribution and intra- and inter-individual variation in nutrient intakes caused by the difference in procedures. Results: General procedures of the dietary records were conducted in accordance with the National Health and Nutrition Survey and were the same for both studies. Differences were seen in 1) selection of multiple days (non-consecutive days versus consecutive days); and 2) survey sheet recording method (individual versus family participation). However, the foods contributing to intake of energy and selected nutrients, the portion size distribution, and intra- and inter-individual variation in nutrient intakes were similar between the two studies. Conclusion: Our comparison of WFR procedures in two independent studies revealed several differences. Notwithstanding these procedural differences, however, the subsequent outcomes were similar

A wide spectrum of clinical and brain MRI findings in patients with SLC19A3 mutations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>SLC19A3 (solute carrier family 19, member 3) is a thiamin transporter with 12 transmembrane domains. Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in <it>SLC19A3 </it>cause two distinct clinical phenotypes, biotin-responsive basal ganglia disease and Wernicke's-like encephalopathy. Biotin and/or thiamin are effective therapies for both diseases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted on the detailed clinical, brain MRI and molecular genetic analysis of four Japanese patients in a Japanese pedigree who presented with epileptic spasms in early infancy, severe psychomotor retardation, and characteristic brain MRI findings of progressive brain atrophy and bilateral thalami and basal ganglia lesions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Genome-wide linkage analysis revealed a disease locus at chromosome 2q35-37, which enabled identification of the causative mutation in the gene <it>SLC19A3</it>. A pathogenic homozygous mutation (c.958G > C, [p.E320Q]) in <it>SLC19A3 </it>was identified in all four patients and their parents were heterozygous for the mutation. Administration of a high dose of biotin for one year improved neither the neurological symptoms nor the brain MRI findings in one patient.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our cases broaden the phenotypic spectrum of disorders associated with <it>SLC19A3 </it>mutations and highlight the potential benefit of biotin and/or thiamin treatments and the need to assess the clinical efficacy of these treatments.</p

The Japanese space gravitational wave antenna; DECIGO

DECi-hertz Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (DECIGO) is the future Japanese space gravitational wave antenna. DECIGO is expected to open a new window of observation for gravitational wave astronomy especially between 0.1 Hz and 10 Hz, revealing various mysteries of the universe such as dark energy, formation mechanism of supermassive black holes, and inflation of the universe. The pre-conceptual design of DECIGO consists of three drag-free spacecraft, whose relative displacements are measured by a differential Fabry– Perot Michelson interferometer. We plan to launch two missions, DECIGO pathfinder and pre- DECIGO first and finally DECIGO in 2024

RELEVANCE OF MOLECULAR TESTS FOR HTLV-1 INFECTION AS CONFIRMATORY TESTS AFTER THE FIRST SERO-SCREENING

The diagnosis of human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection has been widely examined by serologics. In the first screening tests, serological false negative and positive samples have been reduced thanks to advances in assay techniques that apply new emission agents and sensors. On the other hand, western blot (WB) remains problematic. For example, WB analysis yields many samples equivalent to antibody positive ones. To reduce the need for WB, an alternative testing strategy is required to detect HTLV-1 infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the HTLV-1 provirus has recently been recommended for a final diagnosis of infection. However, although PCR is thought to be one element, the validation of detection performance for HTLV-1 infection between serological and molecular testing is not always clear. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and test the validity of an improved methodology for serological detection of HTLV-infection, as well as that of PCR. In conclusion, the high values of kappa-statistics are expected to deliver high quality in chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (or chemiluminescent immunoassay), while the problems with WB assays remain to be elucidated. As an alternative to WB, a combination of real-time qPCR and nested PCR is proposed as a suitable confirmatory test

DECIGO pathfinder

DECIGO pathfinder (DPF) is a milestone satellite mission for DECIGO (DECi-hertz Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory) which is a future space gravitational wave antenna. DECIGO is expected to provide us fruitful insights into the universe, in particular about dark energy, a formation mechanism of supermassive black holes, and the inflation of the universe. Since DECIGO will be an extremely large mission which will formed by three drag-free spacecraft with 1000m separation, it is significant to gain the technical feasibility of DECIGO before its planned launch in 2024. Thus, we are planning to launch two milestone missions: DPF and pre-DECIGO. The conceptual design and current status of the first milestone mission, DPF, are reviewed in this article