Heparan sulfate proteoglycan is an important attachment factor for cell entry of Akabane and Schmallenberg viruses

Akabane (AKAV) and Schmallenberg (SBV) viruses are Orthobunyavirus transmitted by arthropod vectors with a broad cellular tropism in vitro as well as in vivo Both AKAV and SBV cause arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome in ruminants. The main cellular receptor and attachment factor for entry of these orthobunyaviruses are unknown. Here, we found that AKAV and SBV infections were inhibited by the addition of heparin or enzymatic removal of cell surface heparan sulfates. To confirm this finding, we prepared heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG)-knockout (KO) cells by using a CRISPR/Cas9 system and measured the binding quantities of these viruses to cell surfaces. We observed a substantial reduction in AKAV and SBV binding to cells, limiting the infections by these viruses. These data demonstrate that HSPGs are important cellular attachment factors for AKAV and SBV, at least in vitro, to promote virus replication in susceptive cells. Importance: AKAV and SBV are the etiological agents of arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome in ruminants, which causes considerable economic losses in the livestock industry. Here, we identified heparan sulfate proteoglycan as a major cellular attachment factor for the entry of AKAV and SBV. Moreover, we found that heparin is a strong inhibitor of AKAV and SBV infections. Revealing the molecular mechanisms of virus-host interactions is critical in order to understand virus biology and develop novel live attenuated vaccines

Analysis of Interaction Between Interfacial Structure and Fibrinogen at Blood-Compatible Polymer/Water Interface

The correlation between the interfacial structure and protein adsorption at a polymer/water interface was investigated. Poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate)(PMEA), which is one of the best blood compatible polymers available, was employed. Nanometer-scale structures generated through the phase separation of polymer and water were observed at the PMEA/phosphate buffered saline interface. The interaction between the interfacial structures and fibrinogen (FNG) was measured using atomic force microscopy. Attraction was observed in the polymer-rich domains as well as in the non-blood compatible polymer. In contrast, no attractive interactions were observed, and only a repulsion occurred in the water-rich domains. The non-adsorption of FNG into the water rich domains was also clarified through topographic and phase image analyses. Furthermore, the FNG molecules adsorbed on the surface of PMEA were easily desorbed, even in the polymer-rich domains. Water molecules in the water-rich domains are anticipated to be the dominant factor in preventing FNG adsorption and thrombogenesis on a PMEA interface

Photoinduced 1,2-Hydro(cyanomethylation) of Alkenes with a Cyanomethylphosphonium Ylide

An efficient method has been developed for the 1, 2-hydro(cyanomethylation) of alkenes, in which a cyanomethyl radical species is generated from a cyanomethylphosphonium ylide by irradiation with visible light in the presence of an iridium complex, a thiol, and ascorbic acid. The cyanomethyl radical species then adds across the C=C double bond of an alkene to form an elongated alkyl radical species that accepts a hydrogen atom from the thiol to produce an elongated aliphatic nitrile. The ascorbic acid acts as the reductant to complete the catalytic cycle

Preparation of YxYb1-xBa2Cu3O7-delta bulks for superconducting joint between REBCO-coated conductors

In this study we prepared YxYb1-xBa2Cu3O7-delta (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) powders and bulks to use as intermedium for superconducting joint between REBCO-coated conductors. Superconducting joints are essential in the development of high-field REBCO persistent magnets. All the powders and bulks were sintered at 850 degrees C for 10 hours in air. Bulks were prepared by pressing at 70 MPa. Calcination of the bulks was performed under the same conditions as the powders. Two joint samples between GdBa2Cu3O7-delta-coated conductors were prepared by using the bulk samples. For x=0.1, a superconducting joint was successfully obtained

Comparison of dynamic occlusal contacts during chewing between working and balancing sides

Objectives: Mastication is a crucial function for the elderly, and promotes oral health status, cognitive function and the physical constitution. Most reports about occlusion patterns and occlusal glide of adults have reported the jaw movement at the lower incisal point due to easiness of evaluating masticatory performance. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that dynamic occlusal contact area (OCA) during chewing differ for each tooth on the working vs. the balancing chewing side. Design: In thirteen healthy Japanese females, OCA was estimated with a measurement system combining 3-D tracking of mandibular movements with 3-D digitization of tooth shape. Results: The starting of occlusal contact between teeth at working side and balancing side did not differ significantly. In contrast, ending of occlusal contact of teeth at balancing side were markedly longer than that of teeth at working side at lateral incisor, canine, and first premolar. The dynamic sum of OCAs for all teeth was symmetrical around maximum closed position (MCP) when chewing on the working side. In contrast, the dynamic sum of OCA peaked after MCP when chewing on the balancing side. In working and balancing side, sums of maximum OCA at all posterior teeth accounted for 93%, 86% of sum OCA for all teeth at working and balancing sides, respectively. Conclusion: Our result suggested that the hypothesis that dynamic OCA during chewing differ for each tooth on the working vs. the balancing chewing side was not accepted at molars

PONV after intraarticular anesthesia

Study Objective : the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following single-injection intraarticular anesthesia was compared to that following continuous epidural anesthesia. Design : Prospective, double-blind, randomized study. Setting : University-affiliated teaching hospital. Patients : Forty-eight patients finally participated in this study, and each group contained twenty-four patients. Interventions : Patients scheduled to undergo lower limb surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups, to receive either single-injection intraarticular or continuous epidural anesthesia for postoperative analgesia. Measurements : The incidence and severity of PONV, complete response rates (i.e., no vomiting or rescue antiemetic use), and pain scores were recorded 2, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. Main results : No significant differences between groups were observed in the incidence and severity of PONV, rescue antiemetic use, or complete response rate at any of the time points, but only the use of rescue analgesics was significantly less in continuous epidural anesthesia group during the 2-24h postoperative period (P=0.04). Conclusion : While the use of single-injection intraarticular anesthesia following lower limb surgery did not prevent PONV more than continuous epidural anesthesia in this study, the intraarticular technique still provides greater simplicity, safety, and cost-effectiveness

Increased amygdala reactivity following early life stress : a potential resilience enhancer role

Background: Amygdala hyper-reactivity is sometimes assumed to be a vulnerability factor that predates depression; however, in healthy people, who experience early life stress but do not become depressed, it may represent a resilience mechanism. We aimed to test these hypothesis examining whether increased amygdala activity in association with a history of early life stress (ELS) was negatively or positively associated with depressive symptoms and impact of negative life event stress in never-depressed adults. Methods: Twenty-four healthy participants completed an individually tailored negative mood induction task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) assessment along with evaluation of ELS. Results: Mood change and amygdala reactivity were increased in never-depressed participants who reported ELS compared to participants who reported no ELS. Yet, increased amygdala reactivity lowered effects of ELS on depressive symptoms and negative life events stress. Amygdala reactivity also had positive functional connectivity with the bilateral DLPFC, motor cortex and striatum in people with ELS during sad memory recall. Conclusions: Increased amygdala activity in those with ELS was associated with decreased symptoms and increased neural features, consistent with emotion regulation, suggesting that preservation of robust amygdala reactions may reflect a stress buffering or resilience enhancing factor against depression and negative stressful events

Changes in aniseikonia and influencing-factors following successful macula-off retinal detachment surgery

This study investigated the changes in the severity of aniseikonia after surgery for macula-off retinal detachment (RD), and the relationship between aniseikonia and retinal microstructures. The study included 26 eyes of 26 patients undergoing RD surgery. Visual acuity was measured preoperatively, and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Degree of aniseikonia and OCT images were obtained at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The aniseikonia values (mean +/- standard deviation) at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively were -5.3 +/- 4.2%, -4.4 +/- 4.4%, and -3.1 +/- 3.2%, respectively. Significant improvement was observed from 3 to 12 months postoperatively (P = 0.001). Twelve months postoperatively, 14 eyes had micropsia, 1 eye had macropsia, and 11 eyes were free of aniseikonia. Stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that the severity of aniseikonia at 12 months postoperatively was significantly associated with postoperative development of cystoid macular edema (CME) and epiretinal membrane (ERM), as well as area of preoperative RD. In conclusion, although aniseikonia was gradually relieved after RD surgery during a 1-year follow-up period, approximately half of patients had aniseikonia and almost all of them had micropsia. Aniseikonia was associated with presence of postoperative CME, ERM, and area of preoperative RD

かつおだし摂取のマウスの情動行動及び脳内パルブアルブミン陽性ニューロンに及ぼす影響

富山大学・富生命博甲第88号・Jargalsaikhan Undarmaa・2017/03/23Nutritional Neuroscience,Published online:21 Jul 2016,1-16,doi:10.1080/1028415X.2016.1208429に掲載富山大学201