X-ray study of modulated structures of beta-Cu_xV₂O₅

High resolution X-ray study reveals the wave vector change in the modulated structure of the quasi-one dimensional compound beta'-Cu vanadium bronze. Structural modulation of the reduced wave vector q0 = (0, 0.305, 0) emerges below 220 K in beta'-Cu0.29V2O5 . For beta'-Cu0.39V2O5, not the single q modulation but two kinds of modulations were observed. A three-fold superlattice structure with q1 = (0, 0.333, 0) appears below 210 K. An incommensurate modulated structure with q2 = (0, 0.26 ? 0.29, 0) coexists below 175 K, whose satellite intensity and b* component Qb have temperature and passing-time dependencies between 140 K and 175 K. The competition between q1 and q2 modulations was also observed. It seems that the q2 is deeply related to the physical property change between 140 K and 180 K confirmed by the decrease in the magnetic susceptibility and the increase in the resistivity.</p

Sinus node dysfunction after repair of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection

ObjectivesSinus node dysfunction is known as a major complication after repair of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. We retrospectively analyzed the results of the atrial wall flap technique compared with the results of patch repair or direct suturing in the intra-atrial tunnel technique.MethodsBetween 1991 and 2007, 23 patients (mean age, 6 years; range, 5 months–17 years) with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection underwent surgical intervention. The right anomalous pulmonary veins drained to either the right atrium or superior vena cava in 8 and 15 patients, respectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group F (n = 14), who had repair with an atrial flap, and group N (n = 9), who had repair without an atrial flap. All patients had normal sinus rhythm preoperatively.ResultsNo patients had signs of superior vena cava or pulmonary venous obstruction within a mean follow-up of 4.8 years. One patient in group F required pacemaker implantation. In the early postoperative period, sinus node dysfunction developed in 93% of group F and 44% of group N patients (P < .01) and was prolonged until discharge in 57% of group F and 0% of group N patients (P < .01). At the most recent clinical visit, sinus node dysfunction was identified in 50% of group F patients, whereas all patients in group N had normal sinus rhythm (P < .02).ConclusionsThe atrial flap technique, which requires incision or suture crossing the crista terminalis, could cause sinus node dysfunction, whereas the intra-atrial rerouting method with a patch or direct suture maintains normal sinus node function postoperatively

Development of transgenic male-sterile rice by using anther-specific promoters identified by comprehensive screening of the gene expression profile database ‘RiceXPro’

Because genomic selection is designed for the population breeding of allogamous species, a successive outcrossing system is required for efficient use of genomic selection in autogamous crops, such as Oryza sativa L. (rice). Transgenic and dominant male-sterility is a suitable tool for efficient outcrossing of autogamous crops. Though there have been some reports of dominant male-sterile rice developed using transgenic technology, the flowering habit was substandard. Here, to isolate promoters that, when linked to a lethal gene, induce dominant male-sterility while retaining a good flowering habit, we identified 38 candidate genes with anther-specific expression by using the ‘RiceXPro’ database. We then evaluated the abilities of the near-upstream regions of these genes to induce male-sterility when linked to the lethal gene barnase and introduced into the rice cultivar ‘Nipponbare’. Seven of the 38 promoters induced clear dominant male-sterility; promoters expressed in the later stage of anther development induced male-sterility while retaining better flowering habits when compared to ones expressed in the early stage. These seven promoters could potentially be used to facilitate development of an efficient outcross-based breeding system in rice

Development and characterization of transgenic dominant male sterile rice toward an outcross-based breeding system

Genomic selection is attracting attention in the field of crop breeding. To apply genomic selection effectively for autogamous (self-pollinating) crops, an efficient outcross system is desired. Since dominant male sterility is a powerful tool for easy and successive outcross of autogamous crops, we developed transgenic dominant male sterile rice (Oryza sativa L.) using the barnase gene that is expressed by the tapetum-specific promoter BoA9. Barnase-induced male sterile rice No. 10 (BMS10) was selected for its stable male sterility and normal growth characteristics. The BMS10 flowering habits, including heading date, flowering date, and daily flowering time of BMS10 tended to be delayed compared to wild type. When BMS10 and wild type were placed side-by-side and crossed under an open-pollinating condition, the seed-setting rate was <1.5%. When the clipping method was used to avoid the influence of late flowering habits, the seed-setting rate of BMS10 increased to a maximum of 86.4%. Although flowering synchronicity should be improved to increase the seed-setting rate, our results showed that this system can produce stable transgenic male sterility with normal female fertility in rice. The transgenic male sterile rice would promote a genomic selection-based breeding system in rice

The Role of Nephritis-Associated Plasmin Receptor (NAPlr) in Glomerulonephritis Associated with Streptococcal Infection

It is well known that glomerulonephritis can occur after streptococcal infection, which is classically referred to as acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN). The pathogenic mechanism of APSGN has been described by so-called immune complex theory, which involves glomerular deposition of nephritogenic streptococcal antigen and subsequent formation of immune complexes in situ and/or the deposition of circulating antigen-antibody complexes. However, the exact entity of the causative antigen has remained a matter of debate. We isolated a nephritogenic antigen for APSGN from the cytoplasmic fractions of group A streptococcus (GAS) depending on the affinity for IgG of APSGN patients. The amino acid and the nucleotide sequences of the isolated protein revealed to be highly identical to those of reported plasmin(ogen) receptor of GAS. Thus, we termed this antigen nephritis-associated plasmin receptor (NAPlr). Immunofluorescence staining of the renal biopsy tissues with anti-NAPlr antibody revealed glomerular NAPlr deposition in essentially all patients with early-phase APSGN. Furthermore, glomerular plasmin activity was detected by in situ zymography in the distribution almost identical to NAPlr deposition in renal biopsy tissues of APSGN patients. These data suggest that NAPlr has a direct, nonimmunologic function as a plasmin receptor and may contribute to the pathogenesis of APSGN by maintaining plasmin activity

Combined mutation of Apc, Kras and Tgfbr2 effectively drives metastasis of intestinal cancer.

金沢大学新学術創成研究機構ナノ生命科学研究所Embargo Period 12 month

Single-cell transcriptomics of human cholesteatoma identifies an activin A-producing osteoclastogenic fibroblast subset inducing bone destruction

Cholesteatoma, which potentially results from tympanic membrane retraction, is characterized by intractable local bone erosion and subsequent hearing loss and brain abscess formation. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying bone destruction remain elusive. Here, we performed a single-cell RNA sequencing analysis on human cholesteatoma samples and identify a pathogenic fibroblast subset characterized by abundant expression of inhibin βA. We demonstrate that activin A, a homodimer of inhibin βA, promotes osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, the deletion of inhibin βA /activin A in these fibroblasts results in decreased osteoclast differentiation in a murine model of cholesteatoma. Moreover, follistatin, an antagonist of activin A, reduces osteoclastogenesis and resultant bone erosion in cholesteatoma. Collectively, these findings indicate that unique activin A-producing fibroblasts present in human cholesteatoma tissues are accountable for bone destruction via the induction of local osteoclastogenesis, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.Shimizu K., Kikuta J., Ohta Y., et al. Single-cell transcriptomics of human cholesteatoma identifies an activin A-producing osteoclastogenic fibroblast subset inducing bone destruction. Nature Communications 14, 4417 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40094-3