Comparative genomics of Glandirana rugosa using unsupervised AI reveals a high CG frequency

The Japanese wrinkled frog (Glandirana rugosa) is unique in having both XX-XY and ZZ-ZW types of sex chromosomes within the species. The genome sequencing and comparative genomics with other frogs should be important to understand mechanisms of turnover of sex chromosomes within one species or during a short period. In this study, we analyzed the newly sequenced genome of G. rugosa using a batch-learning self-organizing map which is unsupervised artificial intelligence for oligonucleotide compositions. To clarify genome characteristics of G. rugosa, we compared its short oligonucleotide compositions in all 1-Mb genomic fragments with those of other six frog species (Pyxicephalus adspersus, Rhinella marina, Spea multiplicata, Leptobrachium leishanense, Xenopus laevis, and Xenopus tropicalis). In G. rugosa, we found an Mb-level large size of repeat sequences having a high identity with the W chromosome of the African bullfrog (P. adspersus). Our study concluded that G. rugosa has unique genome characteristics with a high CG frequency, and its genome is assumed to heterochromatinize a large size of genome via methylataion of CG

Characteristics of individuals who developed type 2 diabetes from prediabetes despite undergoing interventions, and evaluation of the performance of urinary myo‐inositol as a risk factor for developing diabetes

Abstract Aims/Introduction The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics of individuals with prediabetes who developed type 2 diabetes despite undergoing interventions, and to evaluate the performance of urinary myo‐inositol (UMI) as a noninvasive indicator for the risk of developing diabetes. Materials and Methods A total of 51 individuals with prediabetes who underwent a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test, ΔUMI (the difference in the UMI : creatinine ratio between before and 120 min after 75‐g glucose loading), fasting plasma glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, noninvasive testing (age, body mass index, blood pressure) and general blood tests were measured at baseline, and underwent dietary/exercise guidance for 8 years were studied. Results A total of 31 participants developed diabetes in 8 years. At baseline, the group that developed diabetes was characterized by high ΔUMI, hemoglobin A1c, fasting plasma glucose and low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and insulinogenic index (I.I.). I.I and ΔUMI showed a higher correlation than fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c. Regarding diabetes onset within 8 years, Cox regression analysis of diabetes onset showed the baseline ΔUMI is an independent predictor, adjusted for the result of not only noninvasive markers, but also that of noninvasive and general blood markers. The log‐rank test showed that all glycemic indicators were significantly associated with diabetes onset. Conclusion Participants who developed type 2 diabetes from prediabetes despite undergoing interventions were characterized by high glycemic control markers and low I.I. As noninvasive measurement of ΔUMI is associated with I.I. and diabetes onset, it could be a useful indicator for identifying individuals with a high risk of diabetes onset

[Retrosternal Giant Aortic Aneurysm;Report of Two Cases].

This is a 2-case report of successful aortic repair surgery for the retrosternal giant aortic aneurysm. Our surgical strategy is deep hypothermia and left ventricular( LV) unloading under cardiopulmonary bypass before approaching to the aortic aneurysm in case of possible catastrophic bleeding. Case 1, a 64-year-old woman, had a retrosternal pseudoaneurysm (80 mm) at the distal anastomosis of a Dacron graft used to replace the ascending aorta 7 years before. An LV vent tube was cannulated via the right upper pulmonary vein through an inferior T-shaped ministernotomy. Case 2, an 86-year-old woman, had a retrosternal chronic aortic dissecting aneurysm (66 mm). An LV vent cannula was inserted via the LV apex through a left minithoracotomy. Arch replacement and ascending aorta replacement were performed in Case 1 and 2, respectively, without cardiac, neurological, or any other complications. This strategy is safe and useful in a case with complex aortic disease

Transport and release of chemicals from plastics to the environment and to wildlife

Plastics debris in the marine environment, including resin pellets, fragments and microscopic plastic fragments, contain organic contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides (2,2′-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane, hexachlorinated hexanes), polybrominated diphenylethers, alkylphenols and bisphenol A, at concentrations from sub ng g–1 to µg g–1. Some of these compounds are added during plastics manufacture, while others adsorb from the surrounding seawater. Concentrations of hydrophobic contaminants adsorbed on plastics showed distinct spatial variations reflecting global pollution patterns. Model calculations and experimental observations consistently show that polyethylene accumulates more organic contaminants than other plastics such as polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride. Both a mathematical model using equilibrium partitioning and experimental data have demonstrated the transfer of contaminants from plastic to organisms. A feeding experiment indicated that PCBs could transfer from contaminated plastics to streaked shearwater chicks. Plasticizers, other plastics additives and constitutional monomers also present potential threats in terrestrial environments because they can leach from waste disposal sites into groundwater and/or surface waters. Leaching and degradation of plasticizers and polymers are complex phenomena dependent on environmental conditions in the landfill and the chemical properties of each additive. Bisphenol A concentrations in leachates from municipal waste disposal sites in tropical Asia ranged from sub µg l–1 to mg l–1 and were correlated with the level of economic development