Characterization of a cDNA encoding a precursor of Carassius RFamide, structurally related to a mammalian prolactin-releasing peptide

AbstractWe have characterized the cDNA encoding Carassius RFamide (C-RFa), which is structurally related to mammalian prolactin-releasing peptides (PrRPs), from the brain of the crucian carp. The deduced C-RFa precursor has been shown to comprise 117 amino acids, encoding a single C-RFa sequence. A comparative study of amino acid sequences has revealed that several sequences conserved in preproPrRPs are also found in the C-RFa precursor. Furthermore, the abundant presence of the C-RFa mRNA in the telencephalon, optic tectum, medulla oblongata, and proximal half eye ball was demonstrated by Southern blot analysis of RT-PCR products

Computer Generated Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of the Bony Labyrinth in Mondini's Dysplasia

The bony labyrinth obtained at necropsy in four cases was studied by a new computer-generated three-dimensional (3-D) system. One case was normal (control) and the other three were histopathologically confirmed cases of Mondini's dysplasia. In case 1, the cochlea had only 2 turns and the lateral semicircular canal did not make a circle but appeared as a spherical mass projecting from the utricle even though the posterior semicircular canal made a normal circle. In case 2, there were no turns in the cochlea even though the semicircular canals and the vestibule appeared normal. In case 3, the cochlea showed 1 to 1 and 1/2 turns and the semicircular canals were premature showing only bud-like projections. This 3-D imaging system, which utilizes the toggling method, provides a way of obtaining satisfactory images without markers, and the time required to obtain these 3-D images was reduced by using a video camera instead of a digitizer. One of the problems associated with the use of 3-D imaging is the long processing time. We resolved this by inputting the section images with a video camera and by picking up structures using density segmentation instead of tracing with a digitizer.</p

Detection of Fluorine in the Halo Planetary Nebula BoBn 1: Evidence For a Binary Progenitor Star

We have found the fluorine lines [F IV] 3996.92A,4059.90A in the extremely metal-poor ([Ar/H] = -2.10+/-0.21) halo planetary nebula (PN) BoBn 1 in high-dispersion spectra from the 8.2-m VLT/UVES archive. Chemical abundance analysis shows that the fluorine abundance is [F/H] = +1.06+/-0.08, making BoBn 1 the most fluorine-enhanced and metal-poor PN among fluorine-detected PNe and providing new evidence that fluorine is enhanced by nucleosynthesis in low mass metal-poor stars. A comparison with the abundances of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars suggests that BoBn 1 shares their origin and evolution with CEMP-s stars such as HE1305+0132. BoBn 1 might have evolved from a binary consisting of ~2 Msun primary and ~0.8 Msun secondary stars.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, accepted by ApJ Letter

Histological and Morphological Observation of the Paravestibular Canalicu-lus

The paravestibular canaliculus was studied by light microscopy in serial sections of the temporal bones from otosclerotic patients who underwent fenestration or stapes surgery. In all examined 23 specimens (13 cases), the endolymphatic duct and sac were observed to be normally developed with no pathological findings. The paravestibular canaliculus was found in 14 of the specimens (60.9%). Its course was traced from the proximal to the distal area in 12 specimens, and it appeared to merge into the distal portion of the endolymphatic sac in 7 of them. Twelve of the paravestibular canaliculi contained one vein, and 3 contained several veins. No artery was found. The paravestibular canaliculus was observed to originate from small vascular channels around the vestibule in the otic capsule, lateral to and near the internal aperture of the vestibular aqueduct.</p

Breeding for Disease Resistance in Brassica Vegetables Using DNA Marker Selection

The Brassica genus comprises of agro-economically important vegetables. Disease causes great yield loss of Brassica vegetables worldwide. Different traditional methods such as crop rotation and chemical control have limited effect on different diseases of Brassica vegetables and cannot completely eradicate the pathogens by these methods. Development of disease resistant cultivars is one of the most effective, ecofriendly, and cheapest measure to control Brassica diseases. With the development of genomics, molecular biology techniques, and biological methods, it is possible to discover and introduce resistance (R) genes to efficiently control the plant diseases caused by pathogens. Some R genes of major diseases such as Fusarium wilt and clubroot in Brassica vegetables have been already identified. Therefore, we will focus to review the Fusarium wilt and clubroot resistance in Brassica vegetables and the methodologies for identification, mapping, and pyramiding of R genes/quantitative trait loci (QTLs) to develop disease resistant cultivars. These techniques will be helpful for sustainable crop production and to maintain global food security and contribute to ensure protection of food supply in the Asian country as well as throughout the world

Novel prospective umbrella-type lung cancer registry study for clarifying clinical practice patterns: CS-Lung-003 study protocol

Introduction Conventional cancer registries are suitable for simple surveillance of cancer patients, including disease frequency and distribution, demographics, and prognosis; however, the collected data are inadequate to clarify comprehensively diverse clinical questions in daily practice. Methods We constructed an umbrella‐type lung cancer patient registry (CS‐Lung‐003) integrating multiple related prospective observational studies (linked studies) that reflect clinical questions about lung cancer treatment. The primary endpoint of this registry is to clarify daily clinical practice patterns in lung cancer treatment; a key inclusion criterion is pathologically diagnosed lung cancer. Under this registry, indispensable clinical items are detected in advance across all active linked studies and gathered prospectively and systematically to avoid excessive or insufficient data collection. Researchers are to input information mutually, irrespective of the relevance to each researcher's own study. Linked studies under the umbrella of the CS‐Lung‐003 registry will be updated annually with newly raised clinical questions; some linked studies will be newly created, while others will be deleted after the completion of the analysis. Enrollment began in July 2017. Discussion We successfully launched the umbrella‐type CS‐Lung‐003 registry. Under this single registry, researchers collaborate on patient registration and data provision for their own and other studies. Thus, the registry will produce results for multiple domains of study, providing answers to questions about lung cancer treatment raised by other researchers. Through such analysis of each linked study, this registry will contribute to the comprehensive elucidation of actual daily practice patterns in lung cancer treatment. Key points CS‐Lung‐003 registry directly integrates multiple linked studies created under the umbrella of this cancer registry to solve various clinical questions regarding daily practice patterns of lung cancer treatment

Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Eosinophil-Mediated Airway Remodeling

Airway remodeling is responsible for the progressive decline of lung function in bronchial asthma. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition are involved in tissue remodeling. Here we evaluated whether eosinophils play a role in fibroblasts-to-myofibroblasts transition and in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2. We co-cultured human eosinophils with human fetal lung fibroblast-1 cells, assessed the expression of remodeling-associated molecules by immunoassays and polymerase-chain reaction, and eosinophils-mediated migration of human fetal lung fibroblast-1 cells using a Boyden chamber. To clarify the participation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in airway remodeling we administered bone marrow-derived eosinophils by intra-tracheal route to transgenic mice overexpressing the human matrix metalloproteinase-2. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin significantly increased in human fetal lung fibroblast-1 cells co-cultured with human eosinophils compared to controls. There was enhanced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 during fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition. An inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases blocked eosinophils-associated fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and increased migration of fibroblasts. The human matrix metalloproteinase-2 transgenic mice receiving adoptive transfer of mouse eosinophils exhibited increased inflammation and advanced airway remodeling compared to wild type mice. This study demonstrated that eosinophils induce fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2, accelerated migration of fibroblasts, and promote matrix metalloproteinase-2-related airway remodeling. These findings provide a novel mechanistic pathway for eosinophil-associated airway remodeling in bronchial asthma

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