Upper Lumbar Pedicle Screw Insertion Using Three-Dimensional Fluoroscopy Navigation:Assessment of Clinical Accuracy

We used a navigation system to insert 128 pedicle screws into 69 vertebrae (L1 to L3) of 49 consecutive patients. We assessed the pedicle isthmic width and the permission angle for pedicle screw insertion. The permission angle is the angle defined by the greatest medial and lateral trajectories allowable when placing the screw through the center of the pedicle. The rate of narrow-width pedicles (isthmic width less than 5mm) was 5 of 60 pedicles (8%) at L1, 4 of 60 pedicles (7%) at L2, and none (0%) at L3, L4 and L5. The rate of narrow-angle pedicles (a permission angle less than 15 degrees) was 21 of 60 pedicles (35%) at L1, 7 of 60 (12%) at L2, 3 of 60 (5%) at L3, and none (0%) at L4 and L5. Of 128 pedicle screws inserted into 69 vertebrae from L1 to L3, 125 (97.7%) were classified as Grade 1 (no pedicle perforation). In general, the upper lumbar vertebrae have more narrow-width and -angle pedicles. However, we could reduce the rate of pedicle screw misplacement in upper lumbar vertebra using a three-dimensional fluoroscopy and navigation system

A New Gamma-Ray Source in the Vicinity of the Galactic Supernova Remnant G306.3−-0.9

A new extended gamma-ray source, which was named as Source A, in the southwest of Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G306.3$-$0.9 was detected with a significance of $\sim$13$\sigma$ at the location of R.A. (J2000) = 13$^{\rm{h}}$ 17$^{\rm{m}}$ 52$^{\rm{s}\!\!}$.80, Decl. (J2000) = $-$63$^{\circ}$ 55$'$ 48$"\!\!$.00 using about 9 years of Fermi-LAT data. In order to investigate this unidentified gamma-ray source in multi-wavelengths, we performed Swift observations of Source A. In this presentation we summarize the published gamma-ray results, report about the recent ToO Swift observations of Source A, and show our preliminary results of the gamma-ray analysis that we conducted using the new X-ray data.Comment: Published in proceedings of "7th Fermi Symposium 2017", PoS(IFS2017)10

Iron Emission Lines on the Galactic Ridge Observed with Suzaku

In order to elucidate origin of the Galactic Ridge X-ray Emission, we analyzed Suzaku data taken at various regions along the Galactic plane and studied their Fe-K emission line features. Suzaku resolved the Fe line complex into three narrow lines at ~6.4 keV,~6.7 keV and ~6.97 keV, which are K-lines from neutral (or low-ionized), He-like, and H-like iron ions, respectively. The 6.7 keV line is clearly seen in all the observed regions and its longitudinal distribution is consistent with that determined from previous observations. The 6.4 keV emission line was also found in various Galactic plane regions (b~0). Differences in flux ratios of the 6.4 keV/6.7 keV and 6.97 keV/6.7 keV lines between the Galactic plane and the Galactic center regions are studied and its implication is discussed.Comment: Accepted for publication in PASJ Suzaku 3rd special issu

Establishment of a new method for precisely determining the functions of individual mitochondrial genes, using Dictyostelium cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Disruption of mitochondrial genes may become a powerful tool for elucidating precisely the functions of individual mitochondrial genes. However, it is generally difficult to manipulate genetically mitochondrial genes, because 1) a mitochondrion is surrounded by inner and outer membranes, and 2) there are a large number of mtDNA copies in a single cell. This is the reason why we tried to establish a novel method for disrupting a certain mitochondrial gene (<it>rps4</it>), using <it>Dictyostelium </it>cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we have developed a new method for specifically disrupting a mitochondrial gene (<it>rps4 </it>; ribosomal protein subunit S4), by a combination of homologous recombination and delivery of an appropriate restriction endonuclease (<it>Sfo</it>I) into mitochondria. First, mitochondrially targeted <it>Sfo</it>I whose expression is under control of the tetracycline (Tet)-regulated gene expression system was introduced into cells heteroplasmic with respect to the <it>rps4 </it>gene. Then, the heteroplasmic cells were produced by homologous recombination by use of the construct in which the unique <it>Sfo</it>I site and the 5'-half of the <it>rps4 </it>coding region were deleted not to be digested by <it>Sfo</it>I, and therefore their mitochondria have both the wild-type mtDNA and the mutant mtDNA with the disrupted <it>rps4 </it>gene. In response to removal of Tet from growth medium, <it>Sfo</it>I was selectively delivered into mitochondria and digested only the wild-type mtDNA but not the mutated <it>rps4</it>. Thus one can gain <it>rps4</it>-null cells with only the mutated mtDNA, under the Tet-minus condition.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The mitochondrial gene-disruption method presented here must be widely useful for precisely determining the functions of individual mitochondrial genes. This is the first report to demonstrate complete and specific mitochondrial gene disruption.</p