The secondary electron acceptor of photosystem I in Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421 is menaquinone-4 that is synthesized by a unique but unknown pathway

The secondary electron acceptor of photosystem (PS) I in the cyanobacterium Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421 was identified as menaquinone-4 (MQ-4) by comparing high performance liquid chromatograms and absorption spectra with an authentic compound. The MQ-4 content was estimated to be two molecules per one molecule of chlorophyll (Chl) a′, a constituent of P700. Comparative genomic analyses showed that six of eight men genes, encoding phylloquinone/MQ biosynthetic enzymes, are missing from the G. violaceus genome. Since G. violaceus clearly synthesizes MQ-4, the combined results indicate that this cyanobacterium must have a novel pathway for the synthesis of 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid

The Ras Target AF-6 is a Substrate of the Fam Deubiquitinating Enzyme

The Ras target AF-6 has been shown to serve as one of the peripheral components of cell–cell adhesions, and is thought to participate in cell–cell adhesion regulation downstream of Ras. We here purified an AF-6-interacting protein with a molecular mass of ∼220 kD (p220) to investigate the function of AF-6 at cell–cell adhesions. The peptide sequences of p220 were identical to the amino acid sequences of mouse Fam. Fam is homologous to a deubiquitinating enzyme in Drosophila, the product of the fat facets gene. Recent genetic analyses indicate that the deubiquitinating activity of the fat facets product plays a critical role in controlling the cell fate. We found that Fam accumulated at the cell–cell contact sites of MDCKII cells, but not at free ends of plasma membranes. Fam was partially colocalized with AF-6 and interacted with AF-6 in vivo and in vitro. We also showed that AF-6 was ubiquitinated in intact cells, and that Fam prevented the ubiquitination of AF-6

Observation of foraging behavior by Pseudoliparis belyaevi on a sea bed of japan trench using the "EDOKKO No.1" lander

日本の外洋には、広く海溝地形が海底にあり、超深海における様々な生物が生息していることが知られている。しかしながら、水深8,000mを超える海底へのアプローチの手段は少なく、大深度に対応した特殊なROVの利用や、マルチプルコアラー・籠・ベイトトラップなどの設置によるサンプリングが可能ではあるが、大規模な調査航海が必要となっていた。近年、海洋機器の発展が目覚ましく、簡便に超深海へアプローチを試みるチャレンジが行われるようになり、その中で中小企業連合を中心として作成された「江戸っ子1号」深海探査機がある。これは機能を単純化し、小型化させたランダー型のプラットホームであり、標準で映像確認ができるようになっているほか、将来的オプションで採泥を目指している。2013年11月21-24日にJAMSTECの（KY13-E05航海）において「江戸っ子1号」実海域実験が行われた。そこでは房総半島沖日本海溝の4,090mと7,800mの海底において、生物の採餌をおのおの数時間ほど観察できた。そこで本研究では「江戸っ子１号」によって撮影された生物と、その採餌行動の観察から、日本海溝における生物分布状況を推察することを目的とした。 　海底に設置されたHDカメラから、約1.2 x 2 mの範囲を観察していることが分かった。7,800mの海底で集まる生物は4,090mの海底よりも少なかったが、餌に初めに集まるのは、いずれもヨコエビ類であった。7,800mの海底では、複数種のヨコエビの出現の後、チヒロクサウオのみが出現した。出現時間は4,090mの海底よりも、7,800mの海底のほうが遅く、特に魚類において顕著だった。また、7,800mの海底では、出現数は一定時間で飽和に達した。このことは生息数や生息分布が深くなると疎になることを具体的に示すデータとなった。また左右からの出現数が異なることから、海流との関係が強く示唆された。また、チヒロクサウオは、設置した餌（サンマ、サバ）を採餌せず、集まるヨコエビを選択的に選んでいることが分かった。これらの観測網が海底に複数展開できると、超深海における生態系の理解が進む可能性が示された。 　本研究はJAMSTECの「実用化展開促進プログラム」の助成で実施された成果である。ポスターP-48要旨, 極限環境生物学会2014年度（第15回）年会（2014年11月1日～3日, 沖縄県今帰仁村）http://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/darwin/cruise/kaiyo/ky13-e05/

Predictive factors of mortality of patients with fragility hip fractures at 1 year after discharge : A multicenter, retrospective study in the northern Kyushu district of Japan

Purpose: Fragility hip fractures (FHFs) are associated with a high risk of mortality, but the relative contribution of various factors remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate predictive factors of mortality at 1 year after discharge in Japan. Methods: A total of 497 patients aged 60 years or older who sustained FHFs during follow-up were included in this study. Expected variables were finally assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The 1-year mortality rate was 9.1% (95% confidence interval: 6.8–12.0%, n = 45). Log-rank test revealed that previous fractures (p = 0.003), Barthel index (BI) at discharge (p = 0.011), and place-to-discharge (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with mortality for male patients. Meanwhile, body mass index (BMI; p = 0.023), total Charlson comorbidity index (TCCI; p = 0.005), smoking (p = 0.007), length of hospital stay (LOS; p = 0.009), and BI (p = 0.004) were the counterparts for females. By multivariate analyses, previous vertebral fractures (hazard ratio (HR) 3.33; p = 0.044), and BI <30 (HR 5.42, p = 0.013) were the predictive variables of mortality for male patients. BMI <18.5 kg/m2 (HR 2.70, p = 0.023), TCCI ≥5 (HR 2.61, p = 0.032), smoking history (HR 3.59, p = 0.018), LOS <14 days (HR 13.9; p = 0.007), and BI <30 (HR 2.76; p = 0.049) were the counterparts for females. Conclusions: Previous vertebral fractures and BI <30 were the predictive variables of mortality for male patients, and BMI <18.5 kg/m2, TCCI ≥5, smoking history, LOS <14 days, and BI <30 were those for females. Decreased BI is one of the independent and preventable risk factors. A comprehensive therapeutic approach should be considered to prevent deterioration of activities of daily living and a higher risk of mortality

Prevention of hypoglycemia by intermittent-scanning continuous glucose monitoring device combined with structured education in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus : A randomized, crossover trial

Aims: We conducted a randomized, crossover trial to compare intermittent-scanning continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) device with structured education (Intervention) to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) (Control) in the reduction of time below range. Methods: This crossover trial involved 104 adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using multiple daily injections. Participants were randomly allocated to either sequence Intervention/Control or sequence Control/Intervention. During the Intervention period which lasted 84 days, participants used the first-generation FreeStyle Libre (Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, CA, USA) and received structured education on how to prevent hypoglycemia based on the trend arrow and by frequent sensor scanning (≥10 times a day). Confirmatory SMBG was conducted before dosing insulin. The Control period lasted 84 days. The primary endpoint was the decrease in the time below range (TBR; <70 mg/dL). Results: The time below range was significantly reduced in the Intervention arm compared to the Control arm (2.42 ± 1.68 h/day [10.1 %±7.0 %] vs 3.10 ± 2.28 h/day [12.9 %±9.5 %], P = 0.012). The ratio of high-risk participants with low blood glucose index >5 was significantly reduced (8.6 % vs 23.7 %, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The use of isCGM combined with structured education significantly reduced the time below range in patients with T1DM