Silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori) can learn cues associated with finding food

The present study investigated the ability of silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) larvae to learn. Silkworm larvae were trained to consume food that was placed on red paper; consequently they became attracted to red, rather than blue paper even in the absence of food. In contrast, untrained controls had no preference for either red or blue paper. These results suggested that silkworm larvae learned to associate red paper with food, and that they can discriminate colors. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.560946

Raman Scattering Investigation of Structural Transition in Ca5Ir3O12

We report a study of the second-order phase transition at 105 K in the geometrically frustrated iridate Ca5Ir3O12 using a Raman scattering method. The Raman scattering spectra of a single crystal were measured from 4 K to room temperature. Ab initio phonon calculations that consider the spin–orbit interaction were also conducted and compared with the experimental spectra. Agreement between the theoretical and experimental results at room temperature is reasonably good. At room temperature, 6A\u271+9E\u27+5E\u27\u27 were assigned among the Raman active modes, 6A\u271+13E\u27+6E\u27\u27, based on the reported P6¯2m crystal structure. Below Ts, 23 additional peaks were observed, suggesting the appearance of a superlattice structure. The polarization dependence of Raman spectra below Ts indicates the existence of 6¯ symmetry. We observed at least one additional mode as a broad weak-intensity peak at temperatures higher than Ts. This suggests possible local distortion around the Ir ions, which would be expected for Ir ions with mixed valence states

Disseminated Mycobacterium genavense infection mimicking TAFRO syndrome

TAFRO syndrome is a rare variant of idiopathic multicentric Castleman's disease, for which disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection must be excluded. However, due to the slow and fastidious growth of the organisms, identification of the pathogen is often challenging. We herein describe a case of disseminated Mycobacterium genavence infection, in which manifestations of the patient were confusingly similar to those of TAFRO syndrome. A 69-year-old Japanese man presented with prolonged fever accompanying pain in his back and ribs on the right side. Systemic investigations revealed thrombocytopenia, marked elevation of alkaline phosphatase, anasarca (pleural effusion and ascites), megakaryocytosis in the bone marrow, and hepatomegaly. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed diffuse, T1-and T2-low-intensity spotted lesions on his vertebral bodies, but biopsy showed inconclusive results. The patient met the diagnostic criteria of TAFRO syndrome and was started on prednisolone, which improved his general condition shortly thereafter. Blood culture after 42 days of incubation revealed the presence of Mycobacterium; however, we considered it a contamination at that time because no organisms grew on conventional agars, and the patient was discharged. Ten weeks after the isolation of Mycobacterium, he developed persistent fever and was readmitted. This time, vertebral bone mallow biopsy demonstrated a large amount of mycobacterium, which was later successfully identified as M. genavense by sequencing analysis. Under a final diagnosis of disseminated M. genavense infection, we treated the patient with clarithromycin, rifampicin, and ethambutol. This case highlighted that disseminated NTM infection may follow a similar clinical course as that of TAFRO syndrome