High sugar content of sorghum stalk is an important factor in the sorghum silage production. To identify the genomic regions controlling sugar content and to develop molecular markers linked to sugar content in sweet ...High sugar content of sorghum stalk is an important factor in the sorghum silage production. To identify the genomic regions controlling sugar content and to develop molecular markers linked to sugar content in sweet sorghum, we used an F2:3 segregating population consisting of 207 individuals derived from a cross between a high sugar content inbred line, Early Folger, and a normal inbred line, N32B, for genetic linkage mapping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. We constructed a genetic linkage map spanning 983.5 cM based on a total of 327 markers comprising 31 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, 254 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, and 42 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. In the 20 linkage groups detected, 98.2% of markers aligned to the 10 linkage groups of sorghum. Variations in sugar content at different growth stages and among internodes suggested that the sugar content of middle internodes is stable and suitable for measuring at early dough stage. The broad sense heritability (hB0 of sugar content was 0.64 and 0.62 estimated from the data of F3 families and each parent in 2003 and 2004. We identified one and two QTLs accounting for 22.2 to 25.0% of phenotypic variance using simple interval mapping method in 2003 and 2004, respectively. These two QTLs showed a negative additive effect, and over-dominance effect. A QTL on LG-D was detected in both two years. Above results will be help us to understand the genetic mechanism of sugar content in sorghum and the QTL detected in this study might be useful in the improvement of sugar content by marker-assisted selection.展开更多
A general protocol for the synthesis ofα,β-dehydroamino acids and their peptides was developed.Proline efficiently catalyzed an aldol condensation reaction of a glycine Schiff base with a variety of aldehydes.The hy...A general protocol for the synthesis ofα,β-dehydroamino acids and their peptides was developed.Proline efficiently catalyzed an aldol condensation reaction of a glycine Schiff base with a variety of aldehydes.The hydroxy group on the benzophenone imine was crucial for high Z/E selectivity and further transimination for protecting group-freeα,β-dehydroamino esters.Peptide elongation of both the C-and N-terminals highlighted the usefulness of our present protocol.展开更多
Water stress is one of the major environmental stresses that affect agricultural production worldwide. Water loss from plants occurs primarily through stomatal pores. Here, we report that an Oryza sativa half-size ATP...Water stress is one of the major environmental stresses that affect agricultural production worldwide. Water loss from plants occurs primarily through stomatal pores. Here, we report that an Oryza sativa half-size ATP-binding cassette (ABC) subfamily G protein, RCN 1/OsABCG5, is involved in stomatal closure mediated by phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation in guard cells. We found that the GFP-RCN1/ OsABCG5-fusion protein was localized at the plasma membrane in guard cells. The percentage of guard cell pairs containing both ABA and GFP-RCN1/OsABCG5 increased after exogenous ABA treatment, whereas they were co-localized in guard cell pairs regardless of whether exogenous ABA was applied. ABA application resulted in a smaller increase in the percentage of guard cell pairs containing ABA in rcnl mutant (A684P) and RCN1-RNAi than in wild-type plants. Furthermore, polyethylene glycol (drought stress)-inducible ABA accumulation in guard cells did not occur in rcnl mutants. Stomata closure mediated by exogenous ABA application was strongly reduced in rcnl mutants. Finally, rcnl mutant plants had more rapid water loss from detached leaves than the wild-type plants. These results indicate that in response to drought stress, RCN1/OsABCG5 is involved in accumulation of ABA in guard cells, which is indispensable for stomatal closure.展开更多
AIM: To clarify the diagnostic values of hematoxylin and eosin (HE), D2-40, CD31, CD34, and HHV-8 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in gastrointestinal Kaposi's sarcoma (GI-KS) in relation to endoscopic tumor sta...AIM: To clarify the diagnostic values of hematoxylin and eosin (HE), D2-40, CD31, CD34, and HHV-8 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in gastrointestinal Kaposi's sarcoma (GI-KS) in relation to endoscopic tumor staging. METHODS: Biopsy samples (n = 133) from 41 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients were reviewed. GI-KS was defined as histologically negative for other GI diseases and as a positive clinical response to KS therapy. The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) was compared in relation to lesion size, GI location, and macroscopic appearances on endoscopy. RESULTS: GI-KS was confirmed in 84 lesions (81.6%). Other endoscopic findings were polyps (n = 9), inflammation (n = 4), malignant lymphoma (n = 4), and condyloma (n = 2), which mimicked GI-KS on endoscopy. ROC-AUC of HE, D2-40, blood vessel markers, and HHV-8 showed results of 0.83, 0.89, 0.80, and 0.82, respectively. For IHC staining, the ROC-AUC of D2-40 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of HE staining only. In the analysis of endoscopic appearance, the ROC-AUC of HE and IHC showed a tendency toward an increase in tumor staging (e.g. , small to large, patches, and polypoid to SMT appearance). D2-40 was significantly (P < 0.05) advantageous in the upper GI tract and for polypoid appearance compared with HE staining. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic value of endothelial markers and HHV-8 staining was found to be high, and its accuracy tended to increase with endoscopic tumor staging. D2-40 will be useful for complementing HE staining in the diagnosis of GI-KS, especially in the upper GI tract and for polypoid appearance.展开更多
The cross gain modulation, the cross phase modulation and their recovery time in the SOAs with the various lengths were experimentally investigated. It was found that these values strongly depended on the device length.
The role of N2 fixation in structuring plant communities and influencing ecosystem function will be potentially large. In previous study, we investigated nodule biomass and activity, and calculated the amount of N2 fi...The role of N2 fixation in structuring plant communities and influencing ecosystem function will be potentially large. In previous study, we investigated nodule biomass and activity, and calculated the amount of N2 fixation in a naturally established 18-year-old alder (Alnus hirsute (Turcz.) var. sibirica) stand following disturbance by road construction in Takayama, central Japan. In this study, to estimate the facilitation effects by alder on the spatial distribution of the regenerated tree species, we examined the distribution pattern of the regenerated tree species in this naturally established 18-year-old alder stand. The distribution pattern of alder and the regenerated woody species was analyzed in terms of spatial point processes and the regenerated species tended to distribute near the alder site. In particular, bird-dispersed tree species (endozoochory species) with relatively high shade tolerance showed a significant attraction to alder. These results suggest that alder will be used as roost trees and play the role of mother trees for these regenerated species at the degraded site. It was also suggested that the endozoochory species, which occupy 13 of 26 regenerated species in this stand, might regenerate faster than other species at this alder stand.展开更多
Background Management of pacemaker(PM)infections among advanced aged patients possesses particular clinical challenges due to higher rates of concurrent cardiovascular disease and medical comorbidities.Novel leadless ...Background Management of pacemaker(PM)infections among advanced aged patients possesses particular clinical challenges due to higher rates of concurrent cardiovascular disease and medical comorbidities.Novel leadless cardiac pacemakers(LCPs)may provide new opportunities for better management options in this population,however,there is limited data especially in Asian populations to guide the decision making.Methods We reviewed 11 octogenarians(median age:86[minimum 82–maximum 90]years;male:73%;median body mass index(BMI):20.1 kg/m^(2))who received Micra Transcatheter Pacing System(Medtronic Inc,Minneapolis,MN)implantations following transvenous lead extractions(TLEs)for PM infections.Results All patients had more than two medical comorbidities(average 3.7 comorbidities).The indications for LCP implantations were atrioventricular block in four patients,atrial fibrillation bradycardia in five,and sinus node dysfunction in two.Eight patients(73%)were bridged with temporary pacing using active fixation leads(median interval of 14.0 days),while one with severe dementia underwent a concomitant LCP implantation and TLE during the same procedure.Successful TLEs and LCP implantations were successfully accomplished in all without any complications.The median time from the TLE procedure to discharge was 22 days(minimum 7–maximum 136).All patients remained free of infections during a mean follow-up period of 17.2±6.5 months.Conclusions LCP implantations were safe and effective after removing the entire infectious PM system in all octogenarians.The novel LCP technology may offer an alternative option for considering a re-implantation strategy after transvenous PM infections in elderly patients,particularly those with severe frailty and PM dependency.展开更多
Several literatures have reported that the elimination of autoantibodies by immunoadsorption (IA) therapy induced short- and long-term improvements in cardiac function of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We...Several literatures have reported that the elimination of autoantibodies by immunoadsorption (IA) therapy induced short- and long-term improvements in cardiac function of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We assessed whether reduction in oxidative stress was related to the mechanism underlying left ventricular functional benefit from IA. We studied 7 patients with DCM (New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III/IV). Autoantibodies were removed with IA by passing patients’ plasma over tryptophan columns. The level of anti-β1-adrenoreceptor (AR) autoantibodies was measured by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. The level of diacron- reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROM) was determined as a marker of oxidative stress. During IA, the anti- β1-AR autoantibodies titers of all the patients decreased significantly from 27.8 ± 5.0 to 18.7 ± 5.5 U/ml (p < 0.01). IA induced the following hemodynamic improvements: cardiac index increased from 1.71 ± 0.40 to 1.97 ± 0.41 l/min/m2 and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased from 22.8 ± 6.1 to 29.1±9.1% (p < 0.05). d-ROM level decreased significantly from 392.7 ±17.0 to 314.1 ± 22.0 Carratelli units (p < 0.05), and was negatively correlated with LVEF before and after IA therapy (r = -0.601, p < 0.05). The anti-β1-AR autoantibodies, LVEF and d- ROM returned to the baseline levels at 12 months after IA. In conclusion, oxidative stress reduction may be responsible for the beneficial effect of IA therapy in patients with DCM.展开更多
Objectives: Glioblastoma(GBM) is one of the worst cancers in terms of prognosis.Standard therapy consists of resection with concomitant chemoradiotherapy.Resistance to nimustine hydrochloride(ACNU),an alkylating agent...Objectives: Glioblastoma(GBM) is one of the worst cancers in terms of prognosis.Standard therapy consists of resection with concomitant chemoradiotherapy.Resistance to nimustine hydrochloride(ACNU),an alkylating agent,has been linked to methylguanine DNA methyltransferase(MGMT).Daily administration of procarbazine(PCZ) has been reported to decrease MGMT activity.This study investigated the efficacy of ACNU + PCZ compared to ACNU alone for GBM and anaplastic astrocytoma(AA).Methods: Patients(20-69 years) who had newly diagnosed AA and GBM were randomly assigned to receive radiotherapy with ACNU alone or with ACNU + PCZ.The primary endpoint was overall survival(OS).This was designed as a phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial with a total sample size of 310 patients and was registered as UMIN-CTR C000000108.Results: After 111 patients from 19 centers in Japan were enrolled,this study was terminated early because temozolomide was newly approved in Japan.The median OS and median progression-free survival(PFS) with ACNU alone(n = 55) or ACNU + PCZ(n = 56) in the intention-to-treat population were 27.4 and 22.4 months(P = 0.75),and 8.6 and 6.9 months,respectively.The median OS and median PFS of the GBM subgroup treated with ACNU alone(n = 40) or ACNU + PCZ(n = 41) were 19.0 and 19.5 months,and 6.2 and 6.3 months,respectively.Grade 3/4 hematologic adverse events occurred in more than 40% of patients in both arms,and 27% of patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events.Conclusions: The addition of PCZ to ACNU was not beneficial,in comparison with ACNU alone,for patients with newly diagnosed AA and GBM.展开更多
文摘High sugar content of sorghum stalk is an important factor in the sorghum silage production. To identify the genomic regions controlling sugar content and to develop molecular markers linked to sugar content in sweet sorghum, we used an F2:3 segregating population consisting of 207 individuals derived from a cross between a high sugar content inbred line, Early Folger, and a normal inbred line, N32B, for genetic linkage mapping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. We constructed a genetic linkage map spanning 983.5 cM based on a total of 327 markers comprising 31 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, 254 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, and 42 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. In the 20 linkage groups detected, 98.2% of markers aligned to the 10 linkage groups of sorghum. Variations in sugar content at different growth stages and among internodes suggested that the sugar content of middle internodes is stable and suitable for measuring at early dough stage. The broad sense heritability (hB0 of sugar content was 0.64 and 0.62 estimated from the data of F3 families and each parent in 2003 and 2004. We identified one and two QTLs accounting for 22.2 to 25.0% of phenotypic variance using simple interval mapping method in 2003 and 2004, respectively. These two QTLs showed a negative additive effect, and over-dominance effect. A QTL on LG-D was detected in both two years. Above results will be help us to understand the genetic mechanism of sugar content in sorghum and the QTL detected in this study might be useful in the improvement of sugar content by marker-assisted selection.
基金supported by MEXT KAKENHI grant numbers JP21A204,JP21H05207,and JP21H05208 for The Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas(A)Digitalization-driven Transformative Organic Synthesis(Digi-TOS)from MEXT,a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(B)(JP21H02607)the JST-FOREST program(JPMJFR2229)+1 种基金a Grant-in-Aid for Basis for Supporting Innovative Drug Discovery and Life Science Research(BINDS)(JP20am0101091,JP22ama121031)and AMED(JP21ak0101167,JP22ak0101167,JP23ak0101167)J.S.thanks the Japan Science and Technology Agency(JST)SPRING(JPMJSP2136).
文摘A general protocol for the synthesis ofα,β-dehydroamino acids and their peptides was developed.Proline efficiently catalyzed an aldol condensation reaction of a glycine Schiff base with a variety of aldehydes.The hydroxy group on the benzophenone imine was crucial for high Z/E selectivity and further transimination for protecting group-freeα,β-dehydroamino esters.Peptide elongation of both the C-and N-terminals highlighted the usefulness of our present protocol.
文摘Water stress is one of the major environmental stresses that affect agricultural production worldwide. Water loss from plants occurs primarily through stomatal pores. Here, we report that an Oryza sativa half-size ATP-binding cassette (ABC) subfamily G protein, RCN 1/OsABCG5, is involved in stomatal closure mediated by phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation in guard cells. We found that the GFP-RCN1/ OsABCG5-fusion protein was localized at the plasma membrane in guard cells. The percentage of guard cell pairs containing both ABA and GFP-RCN1/OsABCG5 increased after exogenous ABA treatment, whereas they were co-localized in guard cell pairs regardless of whether exogenous ABA was applied. ABA application resulted in a smaller increase in the percentage of guard cell pairs containing ABA in rcnl mutant (A684P) and RCN1-RNAi than in wild-type plants. Furthermore, polyethylene glycol (drought stress)-inducible ABA accumulation in guard cells did not occur in rcnl mutants. Stomata closure mediated by exogenous ABA application was strongly reduced in rcnl mutants. Finally, rcnl mutant plants had more rapid water loss from detached leaves than the wild-type plants. These results indicate that in response to drought stress, RCN1/OsABCG5 is involved in accumulation of ABA in guard cells, which is indispensable for stomatal closure.
基金Supported by A Grant from the National Center for Global Health and Medicine(21-101)
文摘AIM: To clarify the diagnostic values of hematoxylin and eosin (HE), D2-40, CD31, CD34, and HHV-8 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in gastrointestinal Kaposi's sarcoma (GI-KS) in relation to endoscopic tumor staging. METHODS: Biopsy samples (n = 133) from 41 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients were reviewed. GI-KS was defined as histologically negative for other GI diseases and as a positive clinical response to KS therapy. The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) was compared in relation to lesion size, GI location, and macroscopic appearances on endoscopy. RESULTS: GI-KS was confirmed in 84 lesions (81.6%). Other endoscopic findings were polyps (n = 9), inflammation (n = 4), malignant lymphoma (n = 4), and condyloma (n = 2), which mimicked GI-KS on endoscopy. ROC-AUC of HE, D2-40, blood vessel markers, and HHV-8 showed results of 0.83, 0.89, 0.80, and 0.82, respectively. For IHC staining, the ROC-AUC of D2-40 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of HE staining only. In the analysis of endoscopic appearance, the ROC-AUC of HE and IHC showed a tendency toward an increase in tumor staging (e.g. , small to large, patches, and polypoid to SMT appearance). D2-40 was significantly (P < 0.05) advantageous in the upper GI tract and for polypoid appearance compared with HE staining. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic value of endothelial markers and HHV-8 staining was found to be high, and its accuracy tended to increase with endoscopic tumor staging. D2-40 will be useful for complementing HE staining in the diagnosis of GI-KS, especially in the upper GI tract and for polypoid appearance.
文摘The cross gain modulation, the cross phase modulation and their recovery time in the SOAs with the various lengths were experimentally investigated. It was found that these values strongly depended on the device length.
文摘The role of N2 fixation in structuring plant communities and influencing ecosystem function will be potentially large. In previous study, we investigated nodule biomass and activity, and calculated the amount of N2 fixation in a naturally established 18-year-old alder (Alnus hirsute (Turcz.) var. sibirica) stand following disturbance by road construction in Takayama, central Japan. In this study, to estimate the facilitation effects by alder on the spatial distribution of the regenerated tree species, we examined the distribution pattern of the regenerated tree species in this naturally established 18-year-old alder stand. The distribution pattern of alder and the regenerated woody species was analyzed in terms of spatial point processes and the regenerated species tended to distribute near the alder site. In particular, bird-dispersed tree species (endozoochory species) with relatively high shade tolerance showed a significant attraction to alder. These results suggest that alder will be used as roost trees and play the role of mother trees for these regenerated species at the degraded site. It was also suggested that the endozoochory species, which occupy 13 of 26 regenerated species in this stand, might regenerate faster than other species at this alder stand.
文摘Background Management of pacemaker(PM)infections among advanced aged patients possesses particular clinical challenges due to higher rates of concurrent cardiovascular disease and medical comorbidities.Novel leadless cardiac pacemakers(LCPs)may provide new opportunities for better management options in this population,however,there is limited data especially in Asian populations to guide the decision making.Methods We reviewed 11 octogenarians(median age:86[minimum 82–maximum 90]years;male:73%;median body mass index(BMI):20.1 kg/m^(2))who received Micra Transcatheter Pacing System(Medtronic Inc,Minneapolis,MN)implantations following transvenous lead extractions(TLEs)for PM infections.Results All patients had more than two medical comorbidities(average 3.7 comorbidities).The indications for LCP implantations were atrioventricular block in four patients,atrial fibrillation bradycardia in five,and sinus node dysfunction in two.Eight patients(73%)were bridged with temporary pacing using active fixation leads(median interval of 14.0 days),while one with severe dementia underwent a concomitant LCP implantation and TLE during the same procedure.Successful TLEs and LCP implantations were successfully accomplished in all without any complications.The median time from the TLE procedure to discharge was 22 days(minimum 7–maximum 136).All patients remained free of infections during a mean follow-up period of 17.2±6.5 months.Conclusions LCP implantations were safe and effective after removing the entire infectious PM system in all octogenarians.The novel LCP technology may offer an alternative option for considering a re-implantation strategy after transvenous PM infections in elderly patients,particularly those with severe frailty and PM dependency.
文摘Several literatures have reported that the elimination of autoantibodies by immunoadsorption (IA) therapy induced short- and long-term improvements in cardiac function of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We assessed whether reduction in oxidative stress was related to the mechanism underlying left ventricular functional benefit from IA. We studied 7 patients with DCM (New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III/IV). Autoantibodies were removed with IA by passing patients’ plasma over tryptophan columns. The level of anti-β1-adrenoreceptor (AR) autoantibodies was measured by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. The level of diacron- reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROM) was determined as a marker of oxidative stress. During IA, the anti- β1-AR autoantibodies titers of all the patients decreased significantly from 27.8 ± 5.0 to 18.7 ± 5.5 U/ml (p < 0.01). IA induced the following hemodynamic improvements: cardiac index increased from 1.71 ± 0.40 to 1.97 ± 0.41 l/min/m2 and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased from 22.8 ± 6.1 to 29.1±9.1% (p < 0.05). d-ROM level decreased significantly from 392.7 ±17.0 to 314.1 ± 22.0 Carratelli units (p < 0.05), and was negatively correlated with LVEF before and after IA therapy (r = -0.601, p < 0.05). The anti-β1-AR autoantibodies, LVEF and d- ROM returned to the baseline levels at 12 months after IA. In conclusion, oxidative stress reduction may be responsible for the beneficial effect of IA therapy in patients with DCM.
文摘Objectives: Glioblastoma(GBM) is one of the worst cancers in terms of prognosis.Standard therapy consists of resection with concomitant chemoradiotherapy.Resistance to nimustine hydrochloride(ACNU),an alkylating agent,has been linked to methylguanine DNA methyltransferase(MGMT).Daily administration of procarbazine(PCZ) has been reported to decrease MGMT activity.This study investigated the efficacy of ACNU + PCZ compared to ACNU alone for GBM and anaplastic astrocytoma(AA).Methods: Patients(20-69 years) who had newly diagnosed AA and GBM were randomly assigned to receive radiotherapy with ACNU alone or with ACNU + PCZ.The primary endpoint was overall survival(OS).This was designed as a phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial with a total sample size of 310 patients and was registered as UMIN-CTR C000000108.Results: After 111 patients from 19 centers in Japan were enrolled,this study was terminated early because temozolomide was newly approved in Japan.The median OS and median progression-free survival(PFS) with ACNU alone(n = 55) or ACNU + PCZ(n = 56) in the intention-to-treat population were 27.4 and 22.4 months(P = 0.75),and 8.6 and 6.9 months,respectively.The median OS and median PFS of the GBM subgroup treated with ACNU alone(n = 40) or ACNU + PCZ(n = 41) were 19.0 and 19.5 months,and 6.2 and 6.3 months,respectively.Grade 3/4 hematologic adverse events occurred in more than 40% of patients in both arms,and 27% of patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events.Conclusions: The addition of PCZ to ACNU was not beneficial,in comparison with ACNU alone,for patients with newly diagnosed AA and GBM.