Effect of Introducing Nematode-Resistant Sweet Potato Cultivars on Crop Productivity and Nematode Density in Sweet Potato-Radish Double-Cropping Systems

The root-knot nematode (RKN) is a significant pest in upland farming. We studied the effects of introducing nematode-resistant sweet potato cultivars on crop yield, crop quality, and RKN population dynamics in sweet potato-radish double-cropping systems. Three cropping systems with and without nematicide treatment (6 systems in total) were arranged for a 4-yr field experiment from 2003 to 2006. In two nematode-suppressive cropping systems, highly nematode-resistant J-red, (J) or Sunny red (S) and moderately nematode-resistant Kyushu No. 139 (K139) or Murasakimasari (M) sweet potato cultivars were cropped in alternate years beginning with the former and the latter, and in the non-nematode-suppressive cropping system, nematode-susceptible Kokei No. 14 (K14) and M were cropped in alternate years beginning with the former, from 2003 to 2005. In all cropping systems, K14 was cropped in 2006 to estimate the nematode-suppressive effect of the preceding 3-yr cropping. Introduction of J and S to the cropping system decreased the number of RKNs. In 2006, the extent of injury of K14 was decreased in nematode-suppressive cropping systems. The RKN population density, however, recovered during the cropping of K14 even after cropping of J or S or after nematicide treatment. This suggests that the effects of these measures last for only 1 yr. Nematode injury in radish decreased after nematicide treatment and after cropping of highly nematode-resistant J or S. These results indicate that the introduction of nematode-resistant sweet potato cultivars in cropping systems is effective for reduction of agrochemical use for sustainable agriculture

A genome‐wide study of gastric intramucosal neoplasia based on somatic copy number alterations, gene mutations, and mRNA expression patterns

Abstract We performed comprehensive analyses of somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) and gene expression profiles of gastric intramucosal neoplasia (IMN) using array‐based methods in 97 intestinal‐type IMNs, including 39 low‐grade dysplasias (LGDs), 37 high‐grade dysplasias (HGDs), and 26 intramucosal carcinomas (IMCs) with stromal invasion of the lamina propria to identify the molecular mechanism of IMN. In addition, we examined gene mutations using gene panel analyses. We used cluster analyses for exclusion of arbitrariness to identify SCNA patterns and expression profiles. IMNs were classified into two distinct subgroups (subgroups 1 and 2) based on SCNA patterns. Subgroup 1 showed a genomic stable pattern due to the low frequency of SCNAs, whereas subgroup 2 exhibited a chromosomal instability pattern due to the high frequencies of SCNAs and TP53 mutations. Interestingly, although the frequencies of LGD and HGD were significantly higher in subgroup 1 than in subgroup 2, IMC was commonly found in both types. Although the expression profiles of specific mRNAs could be used to categorise subgroups 1 and 2, no clinicopathological findings correlated with either subgroup. We examined signalling pathways specific to subgroups 1 and 2 to identify the association of each subgroup with signalling pathways based on gene ontology tree visualisation: subgroups 1 and 2 were associated with haem metabolism and chromosomal instability, respectively. These findings reveal a comprehensive genomic landscape that highlights the molecular complexity of IMNs and provide a road map to facilitate our understanding of gastric IMNs

Gastric crystal-storing histiocytosis without any underlying disorders: Report of a case

Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH) is a rare phenomenon in which crystalline material accumulates in the cytoplasm of histiocytes. Localized gastric CSH is an extremely rare condition. We report a case of localized gastric CSH in a 72-year-old female who presented with diffuse granular mucosa in the gastric fundus and body endoscopically. Biopsy specimens from the stomach showed accumulation of crystal-storing histiocytes, and the crystalline material was immunohistochemically positive for kappa light chains and polyclonal heavy chains. There were no crystal-storing histiocytes in other organs. For the past 5 years, the gastric CSH lesion has remained without any change, and no neoplastic or lymphoproliferative disease has developed. Once the diagnosis of CSH is established, it is necessary to check for an underlying lymphoplasmacytic disorder. However, some cases of localized gastric CSH are not associated with lymphoplasmacytic neoplasia, and these tend to have a good prognosis. Keywords: Crystal-storing histiocytosis, Stomach, Immunohistochemistry, Ultrastructur

Prognostic and predictive value of CD163 expression and the CD163/CD68 expression ratio for response to adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with surgically resected lung squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background Macrophages infiltrating the tumor microenvironment are defined as tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs can be polarized into different phenotypes, that is, proinflammatory M1 macrophages or anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophages. Particularly, M2 macrophages promote angiogenesis, wound healing, and tumor growth. This study aimed to evaluate whether M2 TAMs can serve as a useful marker to predict prognosis and benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with surgically resected lung squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Methods We examined 104 patients with SCC. Tissue microarrays were constructed, and the density of TAMs was analyzed by immunohistochemistry for expression of CD68 and CD163. The relationship between CD68 and CD163 expression and the CD163/CD68 expression rate and clinicopathological characteristics including patient outcomes were investigated. In addition, propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis that these cells significantly influenced chemotherapy responses. Results Univariate analysis revealed that pathological stage, CD163 expression, and the CD163/CD68 expression ratio were significant prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis showed that these factors were all independent prognostic factors. Thirty‐four pairs were determined by using PSM analysis. Patients with a low CD163/CD68 expression ratio benefited more from adjuvant chemotherapy than those with a high ratio. Conclusion We suggest that M2 TAMs may be a useful marker to predict prognosis and differential benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with surgically resected lung SCCs

A chemical probe that labels human pluripotent stem cells.

A small-molecule fluorescent probe specific for human pluripotent stem cells would serve as a useful tool for basic cell biology research and stem cell therapy. Screening of fluorescent chemical libraries with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and subsequent evaluation of hit molecules identified a fluorescent compound (Kyoto probe 1 [KP-1]) that selectively labels human pluripotent stem cells. Our analyses indicated that the selectivity results primarily from a distinct expression pattern of ABC transporters in human pluripotent stem cells and from the transporter selectivity of KP-1. Expression of ABCB1 (MDR1) and ABCG2 (BCRP), both of which cause the efflux of KP-1, is repressed in human pluripotent stem cells. Although KP-1, like other pluripotent markers, is not absolutely specific for pluripotent stem cells, the identified chemical probe may be used in conjunction with other reagents