HopAZ1, a type III effector of Pseudomonas amygdali pv. tabaci, induces a hypersensitive response in tobacco wildfire-resistant Nicotiana tabacum 'N509'

Pseudomonas amygdali pv. tabaci (formerly Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci; Pta) is a gram-negative bacterium that causes bacterial wildfire disease in Nicotiana tabacum. The pathogen establishes infections by using a type III secretion system to inject type III effector proteins (T3Es) into cells, thereby interfering with the host & apos;s immune system. To counteract the effectors, plants have evolved disease-resistance genes and mechanisms to induce strong resistance on effector recognition. By screening a series of Pta T3E-deficient mutants, we have identified HopAZ1 as the T3E that induces disease resistance in N. tabacum 'N509'. Inoculation with the Pta increment hopAZ1 mutant did not induce resistance to Pta in N509. We also found that the Pta increment hopAZ1 mutant did not induce a hypersensitive response and promoted severe disease symptoms in N509. Furthermore, a C-terminal truncated HopAZ1 abolished HopAZ1-dependent cell death in N509. These results indicate that HopAZ1 is the avirulence factor that induces resistance to Pta by N509

The Japanese Wagyu beef industry: current situation and future prospects — A review

In Japan, Wagyu cattle include four Japanese breeds; Black, Brown, Shorthorn, and Polled. Today, the renowned brand name Wagyu includes not only cattle produced in Japan, but also cattle produced in countries such as Australia and the United States. In recent years, the intramuscular fat percentage in beef (longissimus muscle) from Japanese Black cattle has increased to be greater than 30%. The Japanese Black breed is genetically predisposed to producing carcass lipids containing higher concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids than other breeds. However, there are numerous problems with the management of this breed including high production costs, disposal of untreated excrement, the requirement for imported feed, and food security risks resulting from various viral diseases introduced by imported feed. The feeding system needs to shift to one that is more efficient, and improves management for farmers, food security for consumers, and the health environment for residents of Japan. Currently, we are developing a metabolic programming and an information and communications technology (ICT, or Interne of Things) management system for Wagyu beef production as future systems. If successful, we will produce safe, high-quality Wagyu beef using domestic pasture resources while solving the problems of how to utilize increasing areas of abandoned agricultural land and to make use of the plant-based feed resources in Japan’s mountainous areas

ICBT survey for cervical cancer

To review the current status of, and labor expended for (in terms of time required), intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) in definitive radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer patients, two national surveys were performed. The first survey was conducted between July and August 2016 and consisted of a questionnaire of 12 items regarding ICBT procedures for cervical cancer, which was sent to 173 centers installed with high-dose-rate remote after-loading brachytherapy systems. Between November and December 2016, another survey was performed in 79 centers to evaluate labor required for ICBT procedures in terms of time spent and number of staff involved. In the first survey, the response rate was 77% of the 173 centers. ICBT was performed for cervical cancer in 118 (89%) centers. Imaging modalities used after applicator insertion were X-ray alone in 46 (40%), computed tomography in 69 (60%) and magnetic resonance imaging in 5 (4%) centers. Three-dimensional (3D) planning was performed in 55 centers (48%). Fifty-five (70%) centers responded to the second survey regarding ICBT-mandated labor. The median cumulative duration of the entire ICBT procedure was 330 min (the sum of the times spent by each staff member) and was longer in the 3D image–guided brachytherapy (3D-IGBT) (405 min) than in the X-ray group (230 min). This trend was significant for the specific processes of image acquisition and treatment planning, especially for radiation oncologists. In definitive radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer patients, 3D-IGBT use has been gradually spreading in Japan. The present survey revealed that ICBT, especially 3D-IGBT, requires substantial labor and time from staff

Complete Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas amygdali pv. tabaci Strain 6605, a Causal Agent of Tobacco Wildfire Disease

Pseudomonas amygdali pv. tabaci strain 6605 is the bacterial pathogen causing tobacco wildfire disease that has been used as a model for elucidating virulence mechanisms. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of P. amygdali pv. tabaci 6605 as a circular chromosome from reads using a PacBio sequencer

Influences of protein ingestion on glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1-immunoreactive endocrine cells in the chicken ileum

Influences of a specific dietary nutrient on glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1-containing cells in the chicken intestine are not yet clear. Significance of dietary protein level on GLP-1-containing cells in the chicken ileum was investigated. Chickens fed control or experimental diets of varying protein levels were examined using immunohistochemical and morphometrical techniques. We show that the protein ingestion had an impact on the activities of GLP-1-immunoreactive cells in the chicken ileum. Weight gains declined with decreasing dietary crude protein (CP) levels, but no significant differences were detected in the daily feed intake and villous height. GLP-1-immunoreactive cells with a round or oval shape were frequently observed in the lower CP level groups (4.5% and 0%). Frequencies of occurrence of GLP-1-immunoreactive cells were 41.1 +/- 4.1, 38.5 +/- 4, 34.8 +/- 3.1 and 34.3 +/- 3.7 (cells/mm(2), mean +/- SD) for dietary CP level of 18%, 9%, 4.5% and 0% groups, respectively and significant differences were recognized between the control and lower CP level groups (P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated a significant correlation between the daily protein intake and frequencies of occurrence of GLP-1-immunoreactive cells. The protein ingestion is one of the signals that influence GLP-1-containing cells in the chicken small intestine.ArticleANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL. 85(5):581-587 (2014)journal articl

Identifying the true origin of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with dilated-phase hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A case of successful catheter ablation

AbstractThis case report describes sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) caused by a large epicardial scar, related to dilated-phase hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mimicking VT originating from the apical septum. VT resolved with epicardial catheter ablation. The exit of the VT circuit suggested that a 12-lead electrocardiogram can be remote with respect to the critical isthmus in this case. In patients with structural heart disease, it is difficult to identify the VT reentrant circuit by surface electrocardiography, which shows only the exit site. VT originating in the epicardium should be considered, even if the suspected origin is another ventricular site

Prospective cohort study of febrile neutropenia in breast cancer patients administered with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapies: CSPOR-BC FN study

Background As Asians are more vulnerable to febrile neutropenia (FN) than Caucasians, evaluations of FN incidence and risk factors in Asians are important for the appropriate use of primary pegfilgrastim (PEG-G). Patients and methods Japanese breast cancer patients receiving standard adjuvant chemotherapies were prospectively enrolled in multicenter institutions from August 2015 to July 2017. FN was evaluated from 2 treatment policies: true FN (T-FN): ≥37.5 °C, grade 4 neutropenia, mandatory hospital visit (visiting); surrogate FN (S-FN): ≥37.5 °C, oral antibiotic, no mandatory visit (non-visiting). PEG-G was used at the physicians’ discretion. The primary endpoint was FN incidence during all cycles. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify T-FN risk factors. Results Of 1005 enrolled patients, 980 women treated with FEC, E(A)C, and TC were analyzed. The FN incidence proportions in all patients were 22.5%, 27.5%, and 33.9% for FEC, E(A)C, and TC, respectively. Those of T-FN were 27.7%, 22.4%, and 36.6%; those of S-FN were 17.3%, 32.4%, and 31.5% with more frequent primary PEG-G usage. The relative dose intensity (RDI) of the 3 regimens was ≥0.85 in both groups. In the analysis of risk factors, TC (odds ratio = 2.67), age ≥ 65 years (2.24), and pretreatment absolute neutrophil count (ANC)/1000 μl (0.8) remained significant. Conclusions FN incidences were above 20% in the 3 regimens, with TC showing the highest. RDI was maintained at a high level in both visiting and non-visiting groups. Patient-related risk factors were age and pretreatment ANC

中国チベット高原南東部プマユムツォ湖周辺のフロラ調査

摘要 プマユムツォ湖は，中国・チベット高原南東部の北緯28°34\u27，東経90°24\u27，標高 5,030 m に位置する淡水湖で，標高5,000m 以上にある湖としては世界最大規模である。この湖は非常に高所にあり，軍事制限地域になっているため，これまでに湖周辺のフロラについての詳細な調査はされてこなかった。2006 年本湖周辺15 ヶ所でフロラ調査を行なった結果，24 科79 種（7 種が未同定）が確認され，そのうちキク科（11 種），カヤツリグサ科（8 種），ゴマノハグサ科（8 種），イネ科（6 種），アブラナ科（5 種）及びリンドウ科（5 種）が多数の種を含む主要な科で，残りの科はいずれも4 種以下であった。フロラ調査を行なった15 ヶ所について二元指標種分析（TWINSPAN）を行なった結果，指標種と植生の相違から以下の4 グループに分割できた。グループA は湖の島の湖岸を除く砂礫斜面全域と頂上のみで，乾生植物のArtemisia brevifolia, Corydalis hookeri 及びDelphinium caeruleum が指標種となる高山荒原であった。グループB は湖周辺に広く分布する腐食質が堆積しない比較的乾燥した場所に成立し，Androsace tapete が指標種となる高山ステップであった。グループC は未腐食質が堆積し，Pachypleurum nyalamenseが指標種となる高山草原であった。グループD は湖畔の土壌水分が飽和した湖岸で，湿生植物の Polygonum周辺の植生の違いは，土壌水分の違いと放牧による採食圧の違いによるものと推測された