A validation of abstracted dive profiles relayed via the Argos satellite system: a case study of a loggerhead turtle

Satellite telemetry devices can record movement data of animals along with the environmental data. Such data are relayed remotely via satellite systems, but are constrained by the limited bandwidth availability. A satellite relay data logger (SRDL) that can abstract dive profiles and compress the data for transmission using a broken stick model (BSM) has been widely used in studies on dive behavior and physiology of marine animals. However, there is still uncertainty in the abstracted dive profiles. Here, we aimed to evaluate the certainty of abstracted dive profiles (via satellite communication) in terms of dive performance (dive depth, duration, and dive type) by comparing it with the actual dive data (from the retrieved tag) in a loggerhead turtle deployed with the SRDL throughout a 1.4-year foraging period. There was no significant difference in the maximum dive depth between the retrieved and satellite transmission data; however, there was a slight but significant difference in the dive duration. The dives from both datasets were classified into five types. Inconsistent dive classifications occurred in 1.7% of the data. There was no significant difference in the proportion of time spent diving between the retrieved and satellite transmission data for each type during the common recording period. In monthly scale comparisons, however, a significant difference was detected when the amount of data via satellite transmission was the smallest. Our results demonstrated that the dive data abstracted using BSM almost reconstructed the actual dive profiles with certainty in a loggerhead turtle, although slight inconsistencies were observed

Preparation of Nanochitin from Crickets and Comparison with That from Crab Shells

Crickets are gaining worldwide attention as a nutrient source with a low environmental impact. We considered crickets as a new source of chitin raw material. Chitin isolated from crickets was successfully converted to nanochitin by pulverization. First, chitin was obtained from cricket powder in a 2.6% yield through a series of chemical treatments. Chitin identification was confirmed by FT-IR and 13C NMR. The chitin had an α-type crystal structure and a deacetylation degree of 12%. Next, it was pulverized in a disk mill to obtain nanochitin. Cricket nanochitin was of a whisker shape, with an average fiber width of 10.1 nm. It was larger than that of crab shells, while the hydrodynamic diameter and crystal size were smaller. Such differences in shape affected the physical properties of the dispersion. The transmittance was higher than that of crab nanochitin due to the size effect, and the viscosity was smaller. Moreover, the dry non-woven cricket nanochitin sheets were more densely packed, and their modulus and breaking strength were greater

Intake of a fermented plant product attenuates allergic symptoms without changing systemic immune responses in a mouse model of Japanese cedar pollinosis

Abstract Background Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP) is one of the most prevalent allergies in Japan. Within the past few decades, many food factors have been demonstrated to suppress symptoms of pollinosis and mast cell degranulation directly or indirectly. Herein, we conducted a study to clarify the anti-allergic potency of a fermented plant product (FPP) in JCP model mice. Methods Mice were administered FPP, 10-fold-diluted FPP, or saline every day for 40 days by oral gavage and sensitized with major Japanese cedar pollen allergens (SBP). The numbers of sneezes were counted for 5 minutes after SBP nasal challenge. We analyzed the SBP-specific immunoglobulin titers, serum concentration of mast cell protease 1, and cytokine production from splenocytes stimulated with SBP. Results The numbers of sneezes by the mice administered FPP were significantly suppressed compared to those administered saline. The 10-fold-diluted FPP also suppressed the number of sneezes compared to saline, although not significantly. Serum level of mast cell protease 1 tended to be suppressed in FPP-consumed mice compared to those in saline-treated mice. The SBP-specific immunoglobulin titers and cytokine production were comparable among the groups. Conclusions Our results suggest that FPP intake could attenuate JCP symptoms without change of systemic immune responses

Distal embolization of coronary calcified nodule after rotational atherectomy

A 62-year-old man with effort angina underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in our hospital. The target lesion was severely calcified at the mid part of the right coronary artery. Pre-procedural intravascular imaging and optical frequency domain imaging showed a calcified nodule at the lesion. We performed rotational atherectomy with a 2.0 mm burr and observed an increase in the lumen area; however, a large amount of calcified nodule persisted. We decided to perform rotational atherectomy with a burr size of 2.25 mm; however, distal embolization of the calcified nodule occurred. We failed to retrieve the embolus; hence, we performed balloon dilatation with a 2.0-mm balloon, which was successfully performed. Yet, the lesion with the embolus immediately recoiled. Finally, a drug-eluting stent was implanted in both the distal lesion with the embolus and the lesion with the calcified nodule. Final coronary angiography showed good results. We confirmed good stent expansion and that calcified nodule was compressed outside the stent. Atherectomy of a calcified nodule is effective at achieving sufficient stent expansion and reducing the risk of vessel perforation. However, we experienced distal embolization of the calcified nodule at the time of rotational atherectomy and so distal embolization should be considered at the time of treatment of calcified nodule

β2-Glycoprotein I/HLA class II complexes are novel autoantigens in antiphospholipid syndrome.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by thrombosis and/or pregnancy complications. β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) complexed with phospholipid is recognized as a major target for autoantibodies in APS; however, less than half the patients with clinical manifestations of APS possess autoantibodies against the complexes. Therefore, the range of autoantigens involved in APS remains unclear. Recently, we found that human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules transport misfolded cellular proteins to the cell surface via association with their peptide-binding grooves. Furthermore, immunoglobulin G heavy chain/HLA class II complexes were specific targets for autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we demonstrate that intact β2GPI, not peptide, forms a complex with HLA class II molecules. Strikingly, 100 (83.3%) of the 120 APS patients analyzed, including those whose antiphospholipid antibody titers were within normal range, possessed autoantibodies that recognize β2GPI/HLA class II complexes in the absence of phospholipids. In situ association between β2GPI and HLA class II was observed in placental tissues of APS patients but not in healthy controls. Furthermore, autoantibodies against β2GPI/HLA class II complexes mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity against cells expressing the complexes. These data suggest that β2GPI/HLA class II complexes are a target in APS that might be involved in the pathogenesis