Cluster X-ray line at 3.5 keV3.5\,{\rm keV} from axion-like dark matter

The recently reported X-ray line signal at $E_\gamma \simeq 3.5\, {\rm keV}$ from a stacked spectrum of various galaxy clusters and the Andromeda galaxy may be originating from a decaying dark matter particle of the mass $2 E_\gamma$. A light axion-like scalar is suggested as a natural candidate for dark matter and its production mechanisms are closely examined. We show that the right amount of axion relic density with the preferred parameters, $m_a \simeq 7 \,{\rm keV}$ and $f_a \simeq 4\times 10^{14}\, {\rm GeV}$, can be naturally obtainable from the decay of inflaton. If the axions were produced from the saxion decay, it could not have constituted the total relic density due to the bound from structure formation. Nonetheless, the saxion decay is an interesting possibility, because the $3.5\, {\rm keV}$ line and dark radiation can be addressed simultaneously, being consistent with the Planck data. Small misalignment angles of the axion, ranging between $\theta_a\sim 10^{-4} -10^{-1}$ depending on the reheating temperature, can also be the source of axion production. The model with axion misalignment can satisfy the constraints for structure formation and iso-curvature perturbation.Comment: 14 pages, significant changes in the form, matched to the journal versio

Electrophysiological abnormalities in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in the absence of overt structural heart disease

AbstractPurposeThe aim of the present study was to define the atrial electrical substrate in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) occurring in the absence of overt structural heart disease and to assess if electrophysiological parameters could predict AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation in this population.Methods and results45 consecutive patients (39 male, age 59 ± 10 years) with paroxysmal AF and without overt structural heart disease, referred for radiofrequency catheter ablation, were prospectively enrolled. A cohort of 12 age-matched patients without a history of AF, served as a control group. Atrial electrical substrate was assessed by P-wave signal-averaging, intracardiac conduction delays and refractory periods. Total P wave duration during signal-averaging was longer in patients with paroxysmal AF than in controls (140 ± 19 ms vs 123 ± 13 ms, p = 0.004). Patients with paroxysmal AF showed an increase in right intra-atrial (40.2 ± 11.3 ms vs 31.7 ± 11.8 ms, p = 0.02) and inter-atrial conduction delays (87.93 ± 22.0 ms vs 65.3 ± 15.6 ms, p = 0.001) in sinus rhythm. Refractory periods in the right atrium were longer in patients with paroxysmal AF (265 ± 44 ms vs 222 ± 32 ms, p = 0.002). After ablation, 22 patients had AF recurrence but showed no differences in electrophysiological parameters compared to patients without recurrence.ConclusionElectrophysiological abnormalities are present in patients with paroxysmal AF without overt structural heart disease. Neither signal-averaged P-wave duration nor intracardiac atrial electrophysiology could predict arrhythmia recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation

Dual-Organ Transcriptomic Analysis of Rainbow Trout Infected With Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Through Co-Expression and Machine Learning

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is a major pathogen that causes a high mortality rate in trout farms. However, systemic responses to the pathogen and its interactions with multiple organs during the course of infection have not been well described. In this study, dual-organ transcriptomic responses in the liver and head kidney and hemato-serological indexes were profiled under I. multifiliis infection and recovery to investigate systemic immuno-physiological characteristics. Several strategies for massive transcriptomic interpretation, such as differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Poisson linear discriminant (PLDA), and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) models were used to investigate the featured genes/pathways while minimizing the disadvantages of individual methods. During the course of infection, 6,097 and 2,931 DEGs were identified in the head kidney and liver, respectively. Markers of protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, oxidative phosphorylation, and the proteasome were highly expressed. Likewise, simultaneous ferroptosis and cellular reconstruction was observed, which is strongly linked to multiple organ dysfunction. In contrast, pathways relevant to cellular replication were up-regulated in only the head kidney, while endocytosis- and phagosome-related pathways were notably expressed in the liver. Moreover, interestingly, most immune-relevant pathways (e.g., leukocyte trans-endothelial migration, Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis) were highly activated in the liver, but the same pathways in the head kidney were down-regulated. These conflicting results from different organs suggest that interpretation of co-expression among organs is crucial for profiling of systemic responses during infection. The dual-organ transcriptomics approaches presented in this study will greatly contribute to our understanding of multi-organ interactions under I. multifiliis infection from a broader perspective.publishedVersio

Spontaneous Pharyngeal Perforation After Forceful Vomiting: The Difference from Classic Boerhaave's Syndrome

Boerhaave's syndrome is spontaneous transmural perforation of the esophagus, which occurs most often after forceful vomiting or retching. This commonly occurs in the lower third of the esophagus but spontaneous perforation of the pharynx or cervical esophagus is extremely rare. This case presented a 20-yr-old healthy man with spontaneous pharyngeal perforation after forceful vomiting who had no history of instrumentation, cervical trauma, or having eaten anything sharp. Cervical pain and crepitus were the early symptom and sign of pharyngeal perforation and the rupture was detected on gastrografin swallow and CT examinations. The rupture site was higher than the upper esophageal sphincter, differing from Boerhaave's syndrome. The patient was conservatively managed without significant morbidity and mortality. Although this may resolve without surgical intervention, the pharyngeal rupture should receive early detection and clinical attention for preventing potential morbidity by late diagnosis

A case report of primary breast angiosarcoma with fatal pulmonary hemorrhage due to thrombocytopenia

Primary angiosarcomas of the breast are rare malignancy that account for fewer than 0.04% of all malignant breast tumors. The prognosis is poor. Surgery is the first line of treatment for angiosarcoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been tried, but their efficacy remains controversial. Here we present the case of a 47-year-old woman with a palpable left breast mass that was diagnosed as a primary angiosarcoma. The patient underwent modified radical mastectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Postoperatively, eighteen months later, the angiosarcoma recurred. The patient returned complaining of dyspnea and hemoptysis and was found to have a large pleural effusion. She developed a gradual onset of thrombocytopenia that persisted despite platelet transfusions. Finally, the patient died of respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary hemorrhage

Akt regulates the expression of MafK, synaptotagmin I, and syntenin-1, which play roles in neuronal function

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Akt regulates various cellular processes, including cell growth, survival, and metabolism. Recently, Akt's role in neurite outgrowth has also emerged. We thus aimed to identify neuronal function-related genes that are regulated by Akt.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed suppression subtractive hybridization on two previously established PC12 sublines, one of which overexpresses the wild-type (WT) form and the other, the dominant-negative (DN) form of Akt. These sublines respond differently to NGF's neuronal differentiation effect.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A variety of genes was identified and could be classified into several functional groups, one of which was developmental processes. Two genes involved in neuronal differentiation and function were found in this group. v-Maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog K (MafK) induces the neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells and immature telencephalon neurons, and synaptotagmin I (SytI) is essential for neurotransmitter release. Another gene, <it>syntenin-1 </it>(<it>Syn-1</it>) was also recognized in the same functional group into which <it>MafK </it>and <it>SytI </it>were classified. Syn-1 has been reported to promote the formation of membrane varicosities in neurons. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses show that the transcript levels of these three genes were lower in PC12 (WT-Akt) cells than in parental PC12 and PC12 (DN-Akt) cells. Furthermore, treatment of PC12 (WT-Akt) cells with an Akt inhibitor resulted in the increase of the expression of these genes and the improvement of neurite outgrowth. These results indicate that dominant-negative or pharmacological inhibition of Akt increases the expression of <it>MafK</it>, <it>SytI</it>, and <it>Syn-1 </it>genes. Using lentiviral shRNA to knock down endogenous Syn-1 expression, we demonstrated that Syn-1 promotes an increase in the numbers of neurites and branches.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Taken together, these results indicate that Akt negatively regulates the expression of <it>MafK</it>, <it>SytI</it>, and <it>Syn-1 </it>genes that all participate in regulating neuronal integrity in some way or another.</p

Spontaneous Uterine Rupture in the First Trimester: A Case Report

Uterine rupture is one of the most feared obstetric complications affecting the pregnant woman and fetus. Most of the cases have various risk factors and mainly occur during the second or third trimester. However, spontaneous uterine rupture during the first trimester is extremely rare. We experienced a case of spontaneous uterine rupture in a 36-yr-old multiparous woman without definite risk factors. The initial impression was a hemoperitoneum of an unknown origin with normal early pregnancy. Intensive surgical method would be needed for accurate diagnosis and immediate management in bad situation by hemoperitoneum even though a patient was early pregnancy

A Lactate-Induced Response to Hypoxia

SUMMARY Organisms must be able to respond to low oxygen in a number of homeostatic and pathological contexts. Regulation of hypoxic responses via the hypoxiainducible factor (HIF) is well established, but evidence indicates that other, HIF-independent mechanisms are also involved. Here, we report a hypoxic response that depends on the accumulation of lactate, a metabolite whose production increases in hypoxic conditions. We find that the NDRG3 protein is degraded in a PHD2/VHL-dependent manner in normoxia but is protected from destruction by binding to lactate that accumulates under hypoxia. The stabilized NDRG3 protein binds c-Raf to mediate hypoxia-induced activation of Raf-ERK pathway, promoting angiogenesis and cell growth. Inhibiting cellular lactate production abolishes the NDRG3-mediated hypoxia responses. Our study, therefore, elucidates the molecular basis for lactate-induced hypoxia signaling, which can be exploited for the development of therapies targeting hypoxia-induced diseases

Comparison of the Ratio of Upper to Lower Chest Wall in Children with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and Normally Developed Children

The upper chest wall does not grow properly in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with paradoxical breathing. This suggests that long-term inability to take a deep breath in developing children may result in underdevelopment of the upper chest wall. In addition, a rapid and paradoxical breathing pattern is frequently observed in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP), which often corresponds to the underdevelopment of the upper chest wall. The present study is designed to evaluate the ratio of the upper to lower chest wall in children with severe spastic quadriplegic CP, compared with normal children. We compared normal children with children that had spastic quadriplegic CP who did not have kyphosis or scoliosis. Test subjects were matched in terms of age, height, and weight. The diameters of upper chest (Dapex) and of lower chest (Dbase) were measured on the anteroposterior (AP) view of a chest X-ray and the Dapex to Dbase ratio was calculated. In selected cases the forced vital capacity (FVC) was measured using a Wright Respirometer. The Dapex to Dbase ratio was significantly lower in the CP group than in the control group (p<0.001). The ratio increased linearly with age (p<0.001) in both CP (R = 0.372) and control groups (R = 0.477). The FVC/preFVC showed significant correlation with the Dapex to Dbase ratio (R = 0.542, p<0.01). The results of this study suggest a deviation of optimal chest wall structure in children with spastic quadriplegic CP

Improving ionic conductivity of von-Alpen-type NASICON ceramic electrolytes via magnesium doping

NASICON (sodium (Na) superionic conductor) compounds have attracted considerable attention as promising solid electrolyte materials for advanced Na-based batteries. In this study, we investigated the improvement in ionic conductivities of von-Alpen-type NASICON (vA-NASICON) ceramic electrolytes by introducing a magnesium ion (Mg2+) as a heterogeneous element. The optimal Mg-doped vA-NASICON exhibited a high ionic conductivity of 3.64×10−3 S·cm−1, which was almost 80% higher than that of un-doped vA-NASICON. The changes in physicochemical properties of the vA-NASICONs through the Mg introduction were systematically analyzed, and their effects on the ionic conductivities of the vA-NASICON were studied in detail. When the optimal ratio of Mg2+ was used in a synthetic process, the relative density (96.6%) and grain boundary ionic conductivity (σgb) were maximized, which improved the total ionic conductivity (σt) of the vA-NASICON. However, when Mg2+ was introduced in excess, the ionic conductivity decreased because of the formation of an undesired sodium magnesium phosphate (NaxMgyPO4) secondary phase. The results of this study are expected to be effectively applied in the development of advanced sodium-based solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivities