An analytical platform for mass spectrometry-based identification and chemical analysis of RNA in ribonucleoprotein complexes

We describe here a mass spectrometry (MS)-based analytical platform of RNA, which combines direct nano-flow reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) on a spray tip column and a high-resolution LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Operating RPLC under a very low flow rate with volatile solvents and MS in the negative mode, we could estimate highly accurate mass values sufficient to predict the nucleotide composition of a ∼21-nucleotide small interfering RNA, detect post-transcriptional modifications in yeast tRNA, and perform collision-induced dissociation/tandem MS-based structural analysis of nucleolytic fragments of RNA at a sub-femtomole level. Importantly, the method allowed the identification and chemical analysis of small RNAs in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, such as the pre-spliceosomal RNP complex, which was pulled down from cultured cells with a tagged protein cofactor as bait. We have recently developed a unique genome-oriented database search engine, Ariadne, which allows tandem MS-based identification of RNAs in biological samples. Thus, the method presented here has broad potential for automated analysis of RNA; it complements conventional molecular biology-based techniques and is particularly suited for simultaneous analysis of the composition, structure, interaction, and dynamics of RNA and protein components in various cellular RNP complexes

Acute abdomen by red degeneration of a parasitic leiomyoma: A case report and literature review

A 43-year-old woman, with a history of uterine fibroids and multiple myomectomy, presented with acute lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed multiple tumors, including a high-density mass in the left lower abdomen indicative of a parasitic leiomyoma undergoing red degeneration. This uncommon condition is due to acute occlusion, often caused by peripheral venous thrombosis at the fibroid edge. The diagnosis was corroborated by distinctive findings on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Notably, high signal intensity on T1-weighted images (T1WI) suggested methemoglobin presence due to hemorrhagic infarction, whereas low signal intensity on T2-weighted images (T2WI) indicated deoxyhemoglobin. Symptom improvement followed treatment with analgesics. This case underscores the significance of considering parasitic myomas in the differential diagnosis of intraperitoneal tumors after myomectomy and proposes that vascular torsion from mechanical stress on the mobile mesentery may contribute to red degeneration in such tumors. In this report, we detail the imaging characteristics and clinical progression of red degeneration in a parasitic leiomyoma, emphasizing the importance of this diagnosis in patients with a history of uterine surgery

Meningeal carcinomatosis presenting with leukoencephalopathy-like imaging findings

Meningeal carcinomatosis is a unique and rare form of metastasis observed in patients with malignant tumours. Diagnosis is simple when the primary lesion of the malignant tumour is clear, and when multiple miliary lesions are confirmed via cranial contrast MRI; however, many patients exhibit atypical imaging findings. In the present report, we discuss the case of a 72-year-old man who presented with subacute consciousness impairment and MRI findings suggestive of progressive, bilateral leukoencephalopathy-like lesions around the ventricles. Idiopathic hydrocephalus was initially suspected due to increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure accompanied by normal cell counts. Although the patient underwent a ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation, his symptoms did not improve. Whole-body CT revealed findings suggestive of adenocarcinoma in the left lung. Paraneoplastic syndrome was suspected, and he was treated with three courses of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone. However, his neurological symptoms did not improve, and he died 2 months after admission. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with meningeal carcinomatosis due to lung adenocarcinoma upon autopsy. In this case, we suspected that the white matter lesions observed on MRI resulted from secondary hydrocephalus due to obstruction of the CSF circulation. This is the first reported case of progressive leukoencephalopathy-like imaging findings in a patient with meningeal carcinomatosis. Keywords: Meningeal carcinomatosis, Carcinomatous encephalitis, Miliary brain metastases, Lung cancer, Leukoencephalopath

Experimental transplant of Sasa borealis in Shiiba Research Forest, Kyushu University : clump growth and effect of prescribed burning

かつて九州大学宮崎演習林(以下、宮崎演習林)ではスズタケ(Sasa borealis (Hack.) Makino et Shibata)がほぼ全域に繁茂していた。しかし、1980年代後半から密度や被覆面積の減少が見られ始め、2004年には宮崎演習林全体の面積の70%以上の場所でスズタケの衰退が確認された。宮崎演習林内でスズタケが絶滅した地域において、2010年に天然生林の林床にスズタケを移植し2013年までの変化を調査した。調査プロットの一部の林床に火入れを行い、プロットの周囲をシカ防護ネットで囲みスズタケを移植した。稈冠の幅(稈の広がりの直角2方向)と1株あたりの稈数、最大稈高、地際の株幅を一年に一回測定した。2013年3月において稈冠幅から求めた稈冠面積、稈数、株幅は初期値より大きく増加していた。稈高にはほとんど変化が見られなかった。火入処理は稈冠面積、稈数、稈高、株幅に影響を及ぼさなかった。Sasa borealis (Hack.) Makino et Shibata had grown thick in the whole area of the Shiiba Research Forest, Kyushu University. S. borealis had declined from the late 1980s, and declined in more than 70% area of the Shiiba Research Forest in 2004. We conducted a experimental transplantation of S. borealis under a natural forest in which S. borealis disappeared in the Shiiba Research Forest in 2010. We set up burned and control plots, by burning a part of forest floor in the study area. We transplanted S. borealis in each plot after surrounding with deer fence. The width of crown (two lengths at right angles to each other) and number of culms largely increased during the study period from 2010 to 2013. The height of culms did not change. The width of clumps largely increased by one year. The burning did not affect width of crown, number of culms, height of culms and width of clumps

Efficacy and safety of remote cardiac rehabilitation in the recovery phase of cardiovascular diseases (RecRCR study): A multicenter, nonrandomized, and interventional trial in Japan

Backgrounds: Remote cardiac rehabilitation has proven useful in patients with cardiovascular disease; however, the methodology had not been fully validated. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of remote cardiac rehabilitation (RCR) with real-time monitoring and an ergometer using a bidirectional communication tool during the recovery phase of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: This multicenter, nonrandomized, interventional study was conducted at 29 institutions across Japan and enrolled patients with cardiovascular diseases who met indications for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after receiving in-hospital treatment. The RCR group exercised at home using an ergometer and was monitored in real-time using interactive video and monitoring tools for 2–3 months. Educational instructions were provided concurrently through e-learning approaches. The safety of the RCR protocol and the improvement in peak oxygen consumption (VO2) were compared with those of the historical control group that participated in center-based CR. Results: Fifty-three patients from the RCR group were compared with 103 historical controls having similar background characteristics. No patients in RCR experienced significant cardiovascular complications while engaging in exercise sessions. After 2–3 months of RCR, the peak VO2 improved significantly, and the increases in the RCR group did not exhibit any significant differences compared to those in the historical controls. During follow-up, the proportion of patients whose exercise capacity increased by 10% or more was also evaluated; this finding did not indicate a statistically significant distinction between the groups. Conclusions: RCR during the recovery phase of cardiovascular diseases proved equally efficient and safe as center-based CR