Late-Time Mild Inflation --- a possible solution of dilemma: cosmic age and the Hubble parameter ---

We explore the cosmological model in which a late-time mild inflation is realized after the star formation epoch. Non-vanishing curvature coupling of a classical boson field yields this mild inflation without a cosmological constant. Accordingly the lifetime of the present Universe is remarkably increased in our model. Thus we show that the present observed high value of the Hubble parameter $H_0 \approx 70-80{\rm km/sec/Mpc}$ is compatible with the age of the oldest stars $14{\rm Gyr}$ without introducing the cosmological constant or the open Universe model. Moreover in our model, the local Hubble parameter becomes larger than the global one. Thus we show that the present observed local Hubble parameter measured by using the Cepheid variables is compatible with the global Hubble parameter measured by using the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect. We also examine the energy conditions, evolution of the effective gravitational constant and the nucleosynthesis process.Comment: 18 page

Recent Advance in Genome Editing-Based Gene Modification in Pigs

Recently, a series of genome editing technologies including ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas9 systems have enabled gene modification in the endogenous target genes of various organisms including pigs, which are important for agricultural and biomedical research. Owing to its simple application for gene knockout and ease of use, the CRISPR/Cas9 is now in common use worldwide. The most important aspect of this process is the selection of the method used to deliver genome editing components to embryos. In earlier stages, zygote microinjection of these components [single guide RNA (sgRNA) + DNA/mRNA for Cas9] into the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of a zygote has been frequently employed. However, this method is always associated with the generation of mosaic embryos in which genome-edited and unedited cells are mixed together. To avoid this mosaic issue, in vitro electroporation of zygotes in the presence of sgRNA mixed with Cas9 protein, referred to as a ribonucleoprotein (RNP), is now in frequent use. This review provides a historical background of the production of genome-edited pigs and also presents current research concerning how genome editing is induced in somatic cell nuclear transfer-derived embryos that have been reconstituted with normal nuclei

Functional Analysis of Spontaneous Cell Movement under Different Physiological Conditions

Cells can show not only spontaneous movement but also tactic responses to environmental signals. Since the former can be regarded as the basis to realize the latter, playing essential roles in various cellular functions, it is important to investigate spontaneous movement quantitatively at different physiological conditions in relation to cellular physiological functions. For that purpose, we observed a series of spontaneous movements by Dictyostelium cells at different developmental periods by using a single cell tracking system. Using statistical analysis of these traced data, we found that cells showed complex dynamics with anomalous diffusion and that their velocity distribution had power-law tails in all conditions. Furthermore, as development proceeded, average velocity and persistency of the movement increased and as too did the exponential behavior in the velocity distribution. Based on these results, we succeeded in applying a generalized Langevin model to the experimental data. With this model, we discuss the relation of spontaneous cell movement to cellular physiological function and its relevance to behavioral strategies for cell survival.Comment: Accepted to PLoS ON

A Galanin-Like Peptide in the Colon of the Golden Hamster

Galanin-like immunoreactive peptide was studied in the colonic wall of the golden hamster using the immunoflurescent technique. Galanin-like immunoreactivity was observed mainly in cell bodies of the myenteric plexus and in fibers in the lamina propria mucosae and in the circular muscle layer. The submucosal plexus and submucosal connective tissue, however, contained very little galanin-like immunoreactive peptide. This peptide appears to be instrinsic mainly to the colon. The presence of the peptide indicates some possible biological roles in the colonic function

Spinal Surgery after Bilateral Subthalamic Stimulation for Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Retrospective Outcome Analysis of Pain and Functional Control

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients often suffer from spinal diseases requiring surgeries, although the risk of complications is high. There are few reports on outcomes after spinal surgery for PD patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS). The objective of this study was to explore the data on spinal surgery for PD patients with precedent DBS. We evaluated 24 consecutive PD patients with 28 spinal surgeries from 2007 to 2017 who received at least a 2-year follow-up. The characteristics and outcomes of PD patients after spinal surgery were compared to those of 156 non-PD patients with degenerative spinal diseases treated in 2013-2017. Then, the characteristics, outcomes, and spinal alignment of PD patients receiving DBS were analyzed in degenerative spinal/ lumbar diseases. The mean age at the time of spinal surgery was 68 years. The Hoehn and Yahr score regarding PD was stage 1 for 8 patients, stage 2 for 2 patients, stage 3 for 8 patients, stage 4 for 10 patients, and stage 5 for 0 patient. The median preoperative L-DOPA equivalent daily dose was 410 mg. Thirteen patients (46%) received precedent subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS. Lumbar lesions with pain were common, and operation and anesthesia times were long in PD patients. Pain and functional improvement of PD patients persisted for 2 years after surgery with a higher complication rate than for non-PD patients. PD patients with STN DBS maintained better lumbar lordosis for 2 years after spinal surgery. STN DBS significantly maintained spinal alignment with subsequent pain and functional amelioration 2 years after surgery. The outcomes of spinal surgery for PD patients might be favorably affected by thorough treatment for PD including DBS

Timing of CRISPR/Cas9-related mRNA microinjection after activation as an important factor affecting genome editing efficiency in porcine oocytes

Recently, successful one-step genome editing by microinjection of CRISPR/Cas9-related mRNA components into the porcine zygote has been described. Given the relatively long gestational period and the high cost of housing swine, the establishment of an effective microinjection-based porcine genome editing method is urgently required. Previously, we have attempted to disrupt a gene encoding alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1), which synthesizes the alpha-Gal epitope, by microinjecting CRISPR/Cas9-related nucleic acids and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) mRNA into porcine oocytes immediately after electrical activation. We found that genome editing was indeed induced, although the resulting blastocysts were mosaic and the frequency of modified cells appeared to be low (50%). To improve genome editing efficiency in porcine oocytes, cytoplasmic injection was performed 6 h after electrical activation, a stage wherein the pronucleus is formed. The developing blastocysts exhibited higher levels of EGFP. Furthermore, the T7 endonuclease 1 assay and subsequent sequencing demonstrated that these embryos exhibited increased genome editing efficiencies (69%), although a high degree of mosaicism for the induced mutation was still observed. Single blastocyst-based cytochemical staining with fluorescently labeled isolectin BS-I-B-4 also confirmed this mosaicism. Thus, the development of a technique that avoids or reduces such mosaicism would be a key factor for efficient knock out piglet production via microinjection. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.ArticleTHERIOGENOLOGY.108:29-38(2018)journal articl

High platelet reactivity is a predictor of left ventricular remodelling in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Aims Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with left ventricular remodelling (LVR), which leads to progressive heart failure. Platelets play a pivotal role in promoting systemic and cardiac inflammatory responses during the complex process of myocardial wound healing or repair following AMI. This study aimed to investigate the impact of platelet reactivity immediately after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on LVR in AMI patients with ST-segment (STEMI) and nonST-segment elevation (NSTEMI). Methods and results This prospective, single-centre, observational study included 182 patients with AMI who underwent primary PCI (107 patient with STEMI and 75 patients with NSTEMI). Patients were administered a loading dose of aspirin plus prasugrel before the procedure, and platelet reactivity was assessed using the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay immediately after PCI. Echocardiography was performed before discharge and during the chronic phase (8 +/- 3 months after discharge). LVR was defined as a relative >= 20% increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI). LVR in chronic phase was found in 34 patients (18.7%) whose platelet reactivity was significantly higher than those without LVR (259.6 +/- 61.5 and 213.1 +/- 74.8 P2Y12 reaction units [PRU]; P = 0.001). The occurrence of LVR did not differ between patients with STEMI and patients with NSTEMI (21.5% and 14.7%; P = 0.33). The optimal cut-off value of platelet reactivity for discriminating LVR was >= 245 PRU. LVEDVI significantly decreased at chronic phase in patients without high platelet reactivity (= d245 PRU) (P = 0.06). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that high platelet reactivity was an independent predictor of LVR after adjusting for LVEDVI before discharge (odds ratio, 4.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.85-9.79). Conclusions High platelet reactivity measured immediately after PCI was a predictor of LVR in patients with AMI during the chronic phase. The role of antiplatelet therapy on inflammation in the myocardium is a promising area for further research