Estimating dynamics of fern species richness and assemblages for 30 years in Japan capital and along planning belt of linear motor car from Tokyo to Nagoya

We surveyed species density of ferns in Musashi (Tokyo and Saitama Prefs.), around capital of Japan, and planning belt of Linea express of 250km from Tokyo to Nagoya during 1997-2017, considering with records 30 years (mainly 1960-1980). The species richness (species richness per 10km X 10km) and similarity of species assemblages represented by species overlap were recorded and calculated between them of the past and present. Recent species richness is about half or less and the similarity ranged 0-48% in Musashi and 20-50% in the similarity along the Linea express planning belt.ArticleForestry Research and Engineering: International Journal. 2(2):68-73 (2018)journal articl

Reciprocal complementation of bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 lacking either the membrane or fusion gene

Two defective bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3) strains were generated, one lacking the membrane (M) protein gene and expressing EGFP (ΔM-EGFP) and the other lacking the fusion (F) protein gene and expressing mStrawberry (ΔF-mSB), by supplying deficient proteins in trans. When Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells were co-infected with ΔM-EGFP and ΔF-mSB at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1, complemented viruses were easily obtained. Complemented viruses grew as efficiently as wild-type BPIV3 and could be passaged in MDBK cell cultures even at an MOI of 0.01, possibly due to multiploid virus particles containing genomes of both ΔM-EGFP and ΔF-mSB. This reciprocal complementation method using two defective viruses would be useful to express large or multiple proteins in cell cultures using paramyxovirus vectors

Therapeutic interactions between mesenchymal stem cells for healing medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

Abstract Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been isolated from a variety of tissues, including bone marrow, adipose, and mucosa. MSCs have the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation. Reports have been published on the systemic administration of MSCs leading to functional improvements by engraftment and differentiation, thus providing a new strategy to regenerate damaged tissues. Recently, it has become clear that MSCs possess immunomodulatory properties and can therefore be used to treat diseases. However, the therapeutic effect mechanisms of MSCs are yet to be determined. Here, we investigated these mechanisms using a medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ)-like mouse model. Methods To generate MRONJ-like characteristics, mice received intravenous zoledronate and dexamethasone two times a week. At 1 week after intravenous injection, maxillary first molars were extracted, and at 1 week after tooth extraction, MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of the mice femurs and tibias. To compare “diseased MSCs” from MRONJ-like mice (d-MSCs) with “control MSCs” from untreated mice (c-MSCs), the isolated MSCs were analyzed by differentiation and colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assays and systemic transplantation of either d-MSCs or c-MSCs into MRONJ-like mice. Furthermore, we observed the exchange of cell contents among d-MSCs and c-MSCs during coculture with all combinations of each MSC type. Results d-MSCs were inferior to c-MSCs in differentiation and CFU-F assays. Moreover, the d-MSC-treated group did not show earlier healing in MRONJ-like mice. In cocultures with any combination, MSC pairs formed cell–cell contacts and exchanged cell contents. Interestingly, the exchange among c-MSCs and d-MSCs was more frequently observed than other pairs, and d-MSCs were distinguishable from c-MSCs. Conclusions The interaction of c-MSCs and d-MSCs, including exchange of cell contents, contributes to the treatment potential of d-MSCs. This cellular behavior might be one therapeutic mechanism used by MSCs for MRONJ.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134630/1/13287_2016_Article_367.pd

Trans-complemented hepatitis C virus particles as a versatile tool for study of virus assembly and infection

AbstractIn this study, we compared the entry processes of trans-complemented hepatitis C virus particles (HCVtcp), cell culture-produced HCV (HCVcc) and HCV pseudoparticles (HCVpp). Anti-CD81 antibody reduced the entry of HCVtcp and HCVcc to almost background levels, and that of HCVpp by approximately 50%. Apolipoprotein E-dependent infection was observed with HCVtcp and HCVcc, but not with HCVpp, suggesting that the HCVtcp system is more relevant as a model of HCV infection than HCVpp. We improved the productivity of HCVtcp by introducing adapted mutations and by deleting sequences not required for replication from the subgenomic replicon construct. Furthermore, blind passage of the HCVtcp in packaging cells resulted in a novel mutation in the NS3 region, N1586D, which contributed to assembly of infectious virus. These results demonstrate that our plasmid-based system for efficient production of HCVtcp is beneficial for studying HCV life cycles, particularly in viral assembly and infection

Energetic particle transport and loss induced by helically-trapped energetic-ion-driven resistive interchange modes in the Large Helical Device

In this work, energetic-ion confinement and loss due to energetic-ion driven magnetohydrodynamic modes are studied using comprehensive neutron diagnostics and orbit-following numerical simulations for the Large Helical Device (LHD). The neutron flux monitor is employed in order to obtain global confinement of energetic ions and two installed vertical neutron cameras (VNCs) viewing different poloidal cross-sections are utilized in order to measure the radial profile of energetic ions. A strong helically-trapped energetic-ion-driven resistive interchange mode (EIC) excited in relatively low-density plasma terminated high-temperature state in LHD. Changes in the neutron emission profile due to the EIC excitation are clearly visualized by the VNCs. The reduction in the neutron signal for the helical ripple valley increases with EIC amplitude, which reaches approximately 50%. In addition to the EIC experiment, orbit-following simulations using the DELTA5D code with EIC fluctuations were performed to assess the energetic-ion transport and loss. Two-dimensional temporal evolution results show that the neutron emissivity at the helical ripple decreases significantly due to the EIC. The rapid reduction in neutron emissivity shows that the helically-trapped beam ions immediately escape from the plasma. The reduction in the VNC signals for the helical ripple valley and the total neutron emission rate increase with increasing EIC amplitude, as observed in the experiment. Calculated line-integrated neutron emission results show that the profile measured by VNC1 has one peak, whereas the profile measured by VNC2 has two peaks, as observed in the experiment. Although the neutron emission profile for VNC2 has a relatively wide peak compared with the experimental results, the significant decrease in neutron signal corresponding to the helical ripple valley was successfully reproduced

Reconstruction of chronic Achilles tendon rupture using the semitendinosus tendon : a case report

Achilles tendon rupture is a common trauma requiring surgical management. For chronic Achilles tendon rupture in particular, reconstructive surgery is desirable and several methods have been described. Here we present a case of chronic Achilles tendon rupture reconstructed using the semitendinosus tendon because of the difficulty in pulling down the proximal stump to reach the distal stump and due to an insufficient margin for hooking a suture to the distal stump. Postoperatively, the patient had a fully functional tendon and resumed his normal activities of daily living. Using this surgical technique, we expect favorable outcomes in cases of Achilles tendon rupture

Surgery Related Complications in Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy under Local Anesthesia

The minimally invasive percutaneous endoscopic discectomy (PED) as the postero-lateral approach with the local anesthesia was started in the late 20th century. The procedure only requires 8 mm of skin incision ; thus, it is the least invasive disc surgery presently. The surgery related complications were reviewed in the initial 100 cases from the single surgeon (K.S., first author). Two cases showed exiting nerve irritation, and complained of leg paresthetic pain for 6 to 12 weeks after the surgery (2.0%). The symptoms got better with medicines. One showed post-surgical epidural hematoma, and required surgical removal of the mass (1.0%). Two cases complained neck pain during surgery (2.0%). Surgeons would be aware of the specific complications for the postero-lateral approach of PED procedure