Spectra of pulsating aurora emissions observed by an optical spectrograph at Tromso, Norway

The Tenth Symposium on Polar Science/Ordinary sessions: [OS] Space and upper atmospheric sciences, Wed. 4 Dec. /Entrance Hall (1st floor) at National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR

TGF-β mediated FGF10 signaling in cranial neural crest cells controls development of myogenic progenitor cells through tissue–tissue interactions during tongue morphogenesis

AbstractSkeletal muscles are formed from two cell lineages, myogenic and fibroblastic. Mesoderm-derived myogenic progenitors form muscle cells whereas fibroblastic cells give rise to the supportive connective tissue of skeletal muscles, such as the tendons and perimysium. It remains unknown how myogenic and fibroblastic cell–cell interactions affect cell fate determination and the organization of skeletal muscle. In the present study, we investigated the functional significance of cell–cell interactions in regulating skeletal muscle development. Our study shows that cranial neural crest (CNC) cells give rise to the fibroblastic cells of the tongue skeletal muscle in mice. Loss of Tgfbr2 in CNC cells (Wnt1-Cre;Tgfbr2flox/flox) results in microglossia with reduced Scleraxis and Fgf10 expression as well as decreased myogenic cell proliferation, reduced cell number and disorganized tongue muscles. Furthermore, TGF-β2 beads induced the expression of Scleraxis in tongue explant cultures. The addition of FGF10 rescued the muscle cell number in Wnt1-Cre;Tgfbr2flox/flox mice. Thus, TGF-β induced FGF10 signaling has a critical function in regulating tissue–tissue interaction during tongue skeletal muscle development

A case of VEXAS syndrome (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) with decreased oxidative stress levels after oral prednisone and tocilizumab treatment

VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome has recently been described as an autoinflammatory disease associated with severe adult-onset inflammatory manifestations. The various clinical manifestations include recurrent high-grade fever, neutrophilic dermatoses, cutaneous vasculitis, chondritis of the ear and nose, pulmonary infiltrates, cytopenia, uveitis, gastrointestinal pain or inflammation, aortitis, hepatosplenomegaly, and hematological disorders. VEXAS syndrome is caused by somatic mutations of the ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) gene in myeloid-lineage cells. It is characterized by vacuolated myeloid and erythroid progenitor cells seen by bone marrow biopsy. We report the case of a 64-year-old Japanese man with VEXAS syndrome. At age 63, he was referred to us with a recurrent erythema on the hands associated with a general fever of 38–40°C that had persisted for 4 or 5 days and had recurred about once a month for a year. The skin rash appeared 2 or 3 days after the onset of each fever episode. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL), and the mediastinal lymph nodes were swollen. Sarcoidosis was suspected but was ruled out by several tests. Laboratory examinations showed elevated inflammatory markers. Bone marrow examination showed the vacuolization of myeloid precursor cells. A skin biopsy revealed dense dermal, predominantly perivascular, infiltrates. These consisted of mature neutrophils admixed with myeloperoxidase-positive CD163-positive myeloid cells, lymphoid cells and eosinophils. Sequencing analysis identified the somatic UBA1 variant c.122T > C, which results in p.Met41Thr. Treatment with oral prednisone (15 mg/day) and monthly intravenous tocilizumab injections (400 mg) completely resolved the symptoms. Neutrophils are a major source of reactive oxygen species, and the present case demonstrated numerous neutrophilic infiltrates. We hypothesize that the patient might have had elevated derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs). d-ROM quantification is a simple method for detecting hydroperoxide levels, and clinical trials have proven it useful for evaluating oxidative stress. In this study, we measured serum d-ROM before and after oral prednisone and tocilizumab treatment. The levels decreased significantly during treatment

Removal of Cadmium and Chromium Ions Using Modified α, β, and γ-Cyclodextrin Polymers

The adsorption of cadmium and chromium from aqueous solutions with epichlorohydrin cross-linked α, β, and γ-cyclodextrin polymers (CDPs) was investigated under a wide range of experimental conditions including pH values, metal concentration, and CDP amounts. Recent studies have shown that α, β, and γ CDPs follow the Freundlich, Langmuir, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller models and are capable of reducing heavy metal ion concentrations in water to desirable levels with enhanced sorption capabilities. The removal of cadmium and chromium achieved equilibrium in 4 h. The pH of effective cadmium removal was 6.5 to 7.5, and phosphate buffer favored the removal of cadmium in the presence of potassium ion. Chromium removal was optimal at pH 3.6 to 6.5. Current technologies can remove 99% cadmium ions from solution, yet this process is not very efficient. Furthermore, a small amount of CDPs can remove large quantities of heavy metal ions and can then be regenerated with acid for reuse. The present results are promising for using inexpensive CDPs as a low-cost material that is effective in remediating waters contaminated with heavy metal species. The sorption kinetics of CDPs along with the conditions to adsorb cadmium and chromium are reported here for the first time

Occurrence of Conjugated Linolenic Acids in Purified Soybean Oil

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is described for the determination of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and conjugated linolenic acids (CLN). Methyl esters prepared from purified lipid fractions of soybean oil were analyzed using an HPLC system equipped with photodiode-array detector to detect peaks having maximum absorption around 233 and 275 nm. These peaks were concentrated by AgNO3-silicic acid column chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC. The structural analysis, of dimethyloxazoline (DMOX) derivatized methyl esters, using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) showed the occurrence of 9,11- and 10,12-CLA and 8,10,13-, 8,10,12-, and 9,11,13-CLN. The comparison of these conjugated fatty acids with authentic isomers by HPLC revealed the presence of isomeric mixtures of CLA [cis (c),trans(t) or t,c and t,t] and CLN (c,t,t or t,t,c and t,t,t). Traces of 9,11- and 10,12-CLA (c,t or t,c) were found in crude oil. CLN isomers (8,10,12-18:3 and 9,11,13-18:3) were found to be forming during the bleaching phase of soybean oil processing. 8,10,13-CLN and 9,11- and 10,12-CLA (t,t) were only found in soybean oil after the deodorization step. CLN contents in commercial soybean oil varied from 387 to 1,316 mg/kg oil. A decreased level of bleaching earth and temperature resulted in a reduced CLN content. It is possible that CLN would be derived from the linoleate hydroperoxides formed during the processing and storage of soybean oil

A questionnaire survey on itching and daily life in patients with atopic dermatitis

No abstract available

Indicators Predicting Inpatient Mortality in Post-Stroke Patients Admitted to a Chronic Care Hospital: A Retrospective Pilot Study

Evidence concerning the mortality of post-stroke patients admitted to a chronic-phase hospital seems to be lacking. This pilot study aimed to identify mortality-related clinical variables in the admission of post-stroke patients from a retrospective perspective. A group of 38 non-survival stroke patients and another group of 46 survival stroke patients in a chronic-phase ward of the single center were recruited. Clinical variables including age, sex, stroke type, and Barthel index (BI) score were collected. The difference in the age and BI scores on admission were statistically significant between the two groups (p p = 0.03, and 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.07), male sex (odds ratio = 5.04, p = 0.01, and 95% confidence interval: 1.39–18.27), and BI scores on admission (odds ratio = 0.90, p = 0.01, and 95% confidence interval: 0.83–0.97) could be prognostic variables. The percentage of correct classification was 83.3%. Age, male sex, and BI scores on admission may be prognostic indicators. The result of this study could lay the groundwork for palliative care for such a clinical population