Genome editing in mammalian cells using the CRISPR type I-D nuclease

Adoption of CRISPR–Cas systems, such as CRISPR–Cas9 and CRISPR–Cas12a, has revolutionized genome engineering in recent years; however, application of genome editing with CRISPR type I—the most abundant CRISPR system in bacteria—remains less developed. Type I systems, such as type I-E, and I-F, comprise the CRISPR-associated complex for antiviral defense (‘Cascade’: Cas5, Cas6, Cas7, Cas8 and the small subunit) and Cas3, which degrades the target DNA; in contrast, for the sub-type CRISPR–Cas type I-D, which lacks a typical Cas3 nuclease in its CRISPR locus, the mechanism of target DNA degradation remains unknown. Here, we found that Cas10d is a functional nuclease in the type I-D system, performing the role played by Cas3 in other CRISPR–Cas type I systems. The type I-D system can be used for targeted mutagenesis of genomic DNA in human cells, directing both bi-directional long-range deletions and short insertions/deletions. Our findings suggest the CRISPR–Cas type I-D system as a unique effector pathway in CRISPR that can be repurposed for genome engineering in eukaryotic cells

ISWT Predicts Survival on PD

Objective: The incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT) is an important marker of aerobic capacity in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aimed to evaluate its predictive value for PD-related outcomes. Methods: This single-center cohort study recruited outpatients on maintenance PD from our hospital between March 2017 and March 2018. Exercise capacity was assessed using measurement of ISWT and handgrip and quadriceps strength. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the median of exercise capacity and prospectively followed up until cessation of PD, death, or the study end (October 2019). The primary end point of this study was technique survival rate, and secondary outcomes were rates of peritonitis-free survival and PD-related hospitalization-free survival. Results: Among the 50 participants, age and PD vintage were [median (IQR)] 62.5 (58.3–70) and 3.5 (1.3–6.5) years, respectively. At the end of the study, 3 of the 28 participants (11%) in the long-ISWT group and 13 of the 22 participants (59%) in the short-ISWT group were transferred to hemodialysis. The short-ISWT group showed lower technique survival rate (p < 0.001), peritonitis-free survival rate (p = 0.01), and PD-related hospitalization-free survival rate (p < 0.01) than the long-ISWT group, whereas those survival rates did not differ when participants were divided by handgrip or quadriceps strength. Multivariate analysis revealed lower ISWT to be independently associated with technique failure (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The ISWT is an important predictor of technique survival for patients on PD. Monitoring and enhancing ISWT as a marker of aerobic capacity might improve PD-related outcomes

Pilot study of the economic performance of coastal purse seiners in Morocco -Case of the Atlantic Center of Morocco-..pdf

Small pelagic fishery is one of the socio-economically important fisheries in Morocco. In 2010, it accounts for more than 80% of the total landing weight, corresponding to approximately 0.17 billion €. Considering this fishery’s large contributions to employment, trade, transportation and processing industry, sustainable development of this fishing sector is aimed as part of national vision (Halieutis strategy, 2010). In order to analyze the economic performances of Moroccan coastal seiners, we examined, for 128 coastal purse seiners, the most likely dominant economic indicators by boat. Reference year was 2011. The costs of coastal seiners can be divided into two main categories: the first category is the common costs supported by the ship-owner and the crew members. It includes all costs directly related to the fishing activity, especially: fuel (36%), social security levies (38%) and production taxes (14%). The second category is related to costs borne only by the ship-owner. It includes all annual costs relating mainly to the insurances (46%) and repairs (31%). The costs of this second category are taken after deducting the common costs and the share due to the crew (60%). We found that the economic performance of studied vessels can be influenced by size, structure operation costs and destination of landings and their profitability rate (net benefits/capital) is in average 5.17%

Pilot study of the economic performance of coastal purse seiners in Morocco -Case of the Atlantic Center of Morocco-.pdf

Small pelagic fishery is one of the socio-economically important fisheries in Morocco. In 2010, it accounts for more than 80% of the total landing weight, corresponding to approximately 0.17 billion €. Considering this fishery’s large contributions to employment, trade, transportation and processing industry, sustainable development of this fishing sector is aimed as part of national vision (Halieutis strategy, 2010). In order to analyze the economic performances of Moroccan coastal seiners, we examined, for 128 coastal purse seiners, the most likely dominant economic indicators by boat. Reference year was 2011. The costs of coastal seiners can be divided into two main categories: the first category is the common costs supported by the ship-owner and the crew members. It includes all costs directly related to the fishing activity, especially: fuel (36%), social security levies (38%) and production taxes (14%). The second category is related to costs borne only by the ship-owner. It includes all annual costs relating mainly to the insurances (46%) and repairs (31%). The costs of this second category are taken after deducting the common costs and the share due to the crew (60%). We found that the economic performance of studied vessels can be influenced by size, structure operation costs and destination of landings and their profitability rate (net benefits/capital) is in average 5.17%

Comprehensive resource assessment and associated research for socio-economically sustainable small pelagic fish fisheries in the dynamic ecosystem along northwestern African coast of the Atlantic Ocean

The Northwestern African coast of the Atlantic Ocean is the one of the most productive coastal areas in the worlds‚ oceans. Small pelagic fishes, sustaining more than 80% of the Moroccan fisheries, highly depend on the productivity of the Canary Current and enhanced coastal upwelling by seasonal winds. On the other hand, the unique spatio-temporal dynamics of the environment in the area drives the uncertainty of these fishing targets with high dependency upon the surrounding. Since July 2010‚ “Capacity development of fisheries resource monitoring for sustainable management of small pelagic resources” has been progressing by Institut National de Recherche Halieutique (INRH), Morocco and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In this project, scientifically collected data using reinforced acoustic technology will be analyzed with the supplemental information affecting the small pelagic resources, such as fisheries parameters and regional/global environmental indices. Socio-economic consequences are expected to be taken into consideration in the assessment and associated analysis process. Experiments to seek practical indices based on the ecology of target fishes have been conducted based on the consensus in the data and information sharing among scientific sectors. Through the classic cycles of scientific researches, project members aimed to attain the objectives while improving the capacity of the resource monitoring and assessment. From a‚ “comprehensive-approach” perspective, dynamics of stocks and the socio-economic consequences are being incorporated for the Moroccan and regional sustainable resource allocation. In this presentation, project activities will be presented with the part of results using spatio-temporal modeling.Keywords: Posters and Game Demonstration Session and Reception, Fisheries Economics, Special Topic

Structural dynamics of cereal mitochondrial genomes as revealed by complete nucleotide sequencing of the wheat mitochondrial genome

The application of a new gene-based strategy for sequencing the wheat mitochondrial genome shows its structure to be a 452 528 bp circular molecule, and provides nucleotide-level evidence of intra-molecular recombination. Single, reciprocal and double recombinant products, and the nucleotide sequences of the repeats that mediate their formation have been identified. The genome has 55 genes with exons, including 35 protein-coding, 3 rRNA and 17 tRNA genes. Nucleotide sequences of seven wheat genes have been determined here for the first time. Nine genes have an exon–intron structure. Gene amplification responsible for the production of multicopy mitochondrial genes, in general, is species-specific, suggesting the recent origin of these genes. About 16, 17, 15, 3.0 and 0.2% of wheat mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may be of genic (including introns), open reading frame, repetitive sequence, chloroplast and retro-element origin, respectively. The gene order of the wheat mitochondrial gene map shows little synteny to the rice and maize maps, indicative that thorough gene shuffling occurred during speciation. Almost all unique mtDNA sequences of wheat, as compared with rice and maize mtDNAs, are redundant DNA. Features of the gene-based strategy are discussed, and a mechanistic model of mitochondrial gene amplification is proposed

Impact of a learning health system on acute care and medical complications after intracerebral hemorrhage

Introduction: Patients with stroke often experience pneumonia during the acute stage after stroke onset. Oral care may be effective in reducing the risk of stroke‐associated pneumonia (SAP). We aimed to determine the changes in oral care, as well as the incidence of SAP, in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, following implementation of a learning health system in our hospital. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 1716 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage who were hospitalized at a single stroke center in Japan between January 2012 and December 2018. Data were stratified on the basis of three periods of evolving oral care: period A, during which conventional, empirically driven oral care was provided (n = 725); period B, during which standardized oral care was introduced, with SAP prophylaxis based on known risk factors (n = 469); and period C, during which oral care was risk‐appropriate based on learning health system data (n = 522). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate associations between each of the three treatment approaches and the risk of SAP. Results: Among the included patients, the mean age was 71.3 ± 13.6 years; 52.6% of patients were men. During the course of each period, the frequency of oral care within 24 hours of admission increased (P < .001), as did the adherence rate to oral care ≥3 times per day (P < .001). After adjustment for confounding factors, a change in the risk of SAP was not observed in period B; however, the risk significantly decreased in period C (odds ratio 0.61; 95% confidence interval 0.43‐0.87) compared with period A. These associations were maintained for SAP diagnosed using strict clinical criteria or after exclusion of 174 patients who underwent neurosurgical treatment. Conclusions: Risk‐appropriate care informed by the use of learning health system data could improve care and potentially reduce the risk of SAP in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage in the acute stage

Identification of 45 New Neutron-Rich Isotopes Produced by In-Flight Fission of a 238U Beam at 345 MeV/nucleon

A search for new isotopes using in-flight fission of a 345 MeV/nucleon 238U beam has been carried out at the RI Beam Factory at the RIKEN Nishina Center. Fission fragments were analyzed and identified by using the superconducting in-flight separator BigRIPS. We observed 45 new neutron-rich isotopes: 71Mn, 73,74Fe, 76Co, 79Ni, 81,82Cu, 84,85Zn, 87Ga, 90Ge, 95Se, 98Br, 101Kr, 103Rb, 106,107Sr, 108,109Y, 111,112Zr, 114,115Nb, 115,116,117Mo, 119,120Tc, 121,122,123,124Ru, 123,124,125,126Rh, 127,128Pd, 133Cd, 138Sn, 140Sb, 143Te, 145I, 148Xe, and 152Ba

Pilot study of the economic performance of coastal purse seiners in Morocco: Case of the Atlantic Center of Morocco

Small pelagic fishery is one of the socio-economically important fisheries in Morocco. In 2010, it accounts for more than 80% of the total landing weight, corresponding to approximately 0.17 billion €. Considering this fishery’s large contributions to employment, trade, transportation and processing industry, sustainable development of this fishing sector is aimed as part of national vision (Halieutis strategy, 2010). In order to analyze the economic performances of Moroccan coastal seiners, we examined, for 128 coastal purse seiners, the most likely dominant economic indicators by boat. Reference year was 2011. The costs of coastal seiners can be divided into two main categories: the first category is the common costs supported by the ship-owner and the crew members. It includes all costs directly related to the fishing activity, especially: fuel (36%), social security levies (38%) and production taxes (14%). The second category is related to costs borne only by the ship-owner. It includes all annual costs relating mainly to the insurances (46%) and repairs (31%). The costs of this second category are taken after deducting the common costs and the share due to the crew (60%). We found that the economic performance of studied vessels can be influenced by size, structure operation costs and destination of landings and their profitability rate (net benefits/capital) is in average 5.17%.Poster & extended abstrac

Current Performance and On-Going Improvements of the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope

An overview of the current status of the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope constructed and operated at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is presented. The basic design concept and the verified performance of the telescope system are described. Also given are the status of the instrument package offered to the astronomical community, the status of operation, and some of the future plans. The status of the telescope reported in a number of SPIE papers as of the summer of 2002 are incorporated with some updates included as of 2004 February. However, readers are encouraged to check the most updated status of the telescope through the home page, http://subarutelescope.org/index.html, and/or the direct contact with the observatory staff.Comment: 18 pages (17 pages in published version), 29 figures (GIF format), This is the version before the galley proo