Bright carbonate veins on asteroid (101955) Bennu: Implications for aqueous alteration history.

The composition of asteroids and their connection to meteorites provide insight into geologic processes that occurred in the early Solar System. We present spectra of the Nightingale crater region on near-Earth asteroid Bennu with a distinct infrared absorption around 3.4 micrometers. Corresponding images of boulders show centimeters-thick, roughly meter-long bright veins. We interpret the veins as being composed of carbonates, similar to those found in aqueously altered carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. If the veins on Bennu are carbonates, fluid flow and hydrothermal deposition on Bennu's parent body would have occurred on kilometer scales for thousands to millions of years. This suggests large-scale, open-system hydrothermal alteration of carbonaceous asteroids in the early Solar System.

Allergen-specific basophil reactivity exhibits daily variations in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

It remains poorly understood how symptoms in allergic rhinitis are most severe during overnight or early in the morning. The circadian clock consisting of a network of several 'clock genes' including Clock drives daily rhythms in physiology. This study showed that allergen-induced surface CD203c expression on basophils in seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by Japanese cedar pollen exhibited a time-of-day-dependent variation associated with temporal variations in canonical circadian clock gene expression. We also found that bone-marrow-derived basophils (BM basophils) generated from wild-type mice exhibited a time-of-day-dependent variation in IgE-mediated IL-4 and histamine production, which was not observed in BM basophils generated from Clock-mutated mice. Therefore, allergen-specific basophil reactivity shows daily variations depending on the circadian clock activity in basophils, which could partly explain temporal symptomatic variations in allergic rhinitis. Additionally, circadian variations in CD203c expression should be considered for interpretation of this biomarker in clinical research.

Cardicola opisthorchis n. sp. (Trematoda: Aporocotylidae) from the Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844), cultured in Japan.

A new aporocotylid blood fluke is described, based on specimens from the ventricle of the Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel), cultured in Wakayama and Nagasaki Prefectures, Japan. The new species is morphologically similar to the members of the genus Cardicola Short, 1953, but shows distinct differences in the body form, location of the testis and the orientation of the ootype. The body of the new species is long and slender, whereas other Cardicola species are small and generally lanceolate. The testis is mostly located posterior to the caeca and anterior to the ovary, occupying 31-45% of body length, in contrast to the known Cardicola species, whose testis is typically intercaecal. The ootype is oriented anteriorly, while in most congeners, it is directed posteriorly or horizontally. Phylogenetic analyses of this aporocotylid, together with Cardicola orientalis Ogawa, Tanaka, Sugihara et Takami, 2010 from the same host, were conducted based on DNA sequences of the ITS2 rDNA and the 28S region of ribosomal RNA. The analyses revealed that the new blood fluke belongs to the genus Cardicola despite the marked morphological differences. Thus, this aporocotylid is named Cardicola opisthorchis n. sp. and the generic diagnosis is emended in this paper. In addition, 100% identity among the ITS2 sequences from the present species, Cardicola sp. from T. orientalis in Mexico and Cardicola sp. from the northern bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus (Linnaeus) in Spain suggests that C. opisthorchis n. sp. has a broad geographical distribution and that it infects both the Pacific and northern bluefin tuna.

Kudoa prunusi n. sp. (Myxozoa: Multivalvulida) from the brain of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844) cultured in Japan.

Kudoa prunusi n. sp. (Myxozoa; Multivalvulida) is described from the brain of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis cultured in Japan. Numerous white cysts, up to 0.5mm in size, were found on and in the brain. Spores having typically five spore valves and five polar capsules resembled a five-petal cherry blossom in apical view and were conical shape with a round bottom in side view. Average spore size was 9.63 (8.5-10.3) µm in width and 7.50 (6.7-8.6) µm in length. The spore dimensions of K. prunusi overlapped with those of Kudoa yasunagai ex Sillago ciliata having five to six spore valves, but they were clearly distinct in spore shape, 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA sequences (0.3% and 1.7% differences, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA revealed that K. prunusi grouped with the brain-infecting multivalvulid species, K. yasunagai, K. chaetodoni, K. lethrini and K. neurophila, rather than five-valved Kudoa spp. Combined with morphological, molecular and biological differences, K. prunusi was proven to be a new species.

[Long term outcome of arterial switch surgery for transposition of the great arteries: evaluation of the reconstruction of the pulmonary artery].

We assessed the effect of reconstructing the pulmonary artery during arterial switch surgery for transposition of the great arteries on late pulmonary stenosis. Sixty-five patients who underwent Lecompte procedure between September 1991 and December 2006 were divided, by the procedure used chronologically to reconstruct the pulmonary artery, into group XP (single pantaloon patch with equine pericardium, n = 11), group P (direct reconstruction, n = 47), and group AP (single pantaloon patch with fresh autopericardium, n = 7). Outcome and pulmonary stenosis on the most recent ultrasound cardiography (UCG) were compared in the 3 groups. The median follow-up was 13, 7.5, and 1.3 years, respectively. Both early and late mortalities were 1.5% (1/65). Although percutaneous trans-pulmonary angioplasty was necessary in 1, 13, and 3 patients, there was 1, 1, and 0 reoperation for pulmonary stenosis in the 3 groups, respectively. Pulmonary stenosis (pulmonary arterial maximum flow velocity > 3 m/sec on UCG) was present in 4 (40%). 14 (30%). and 3 patients (43%). Although there was no significant difference among the 3 procedures in preventing pulmonary stenosis 10 years after arterial switch surgery, direct reconstruction of the pulmonary artery may show a superior outcome, in particular, over 10 years after arterial switch surgery.

Indian rice "Kasalath" contains genes that improve traits of Japanese premium rice "Koshihikari".

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs), in which chromosomal segments of the Indian landrace "Kasalath" replace the corresponding endogenous segments in the genome of the Japanese premium rice "Koshihikari", are available and together cover the entire genome. Chromosome regions affecting a trait (CRATs) can be identified by comparison of phenotypes with genotypes of CSSLs. We detected 99 CRATs for 15 agronomic or morphological traits. "Kasalath" had positively acting alleles in 53 CRATs. Its CRATs increased panicle number per plant by up to 23.3%, grain number per panicle by up to 30.8%, and total grain number by up to 15.1%, relative to "Koshihikari". CRATs were identified for grain size (grain thickness and width), with positive effects of about 5.0%. A CRAT on chromosome 8 almost doubled the weight of roots in uppermost soil layers compared to "Koshihikari". Additionally, "Kasalath" possessed CRATs for higher lodging resistance (reduction in plant height and increase in stem diameter). In some cases, multiple CRATs were detected in the same chromosome regions. Therefore, CSSLs with these chromosome segments might be useful breeding materials for the simultaneous improvement of multiple traits. Five CRATs, one for plant height on chromosome 1, one for stem diameter on chromosome 8, and three for heading date on chromosomes 6, 7, and 8 overlapped with the corresponding QTLs that already had been mapped with back-crossed inbred lines of "Nipponbare" and "Kasalath". In both "Koshihikari" CRATs and "Nipponbare" QTLs, "Kasalath" had similar effects.

Intraoperative monitoring of penile and buttock blood flow during endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the pelvic circulation during endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) with a new monitoring system measuring penile and buttock blood flow. METHODS: We measured penile brachial pressure index (PBI) during EVAR by pulse-volume-plethysmography (form PWV/ABItrade mark). We also measured bilateral gluteal tissue oxygen metabolism with near-infrared spectroscopy to provide a gluteal tissue oxygenation index (TOI). Twenty-two men who underwent aortouni-iliac stentgraft with crossover bypass for exclusion of abdominal aortic aneurysm were studied. Twelve patients underwent aorto-uni-common iliac artery stentgraft (CIA) and ten underwent aorto-uni-external iliac artery stentgraft (EIA). RESULTS: In all patients, there was an immediate reduction in PBI during the EVAR procedure. After revascularization of the ipsilateral limb of the stent graft, the recovery of PBI was significantly less in EIA group. After the completion of crossover bypass, PBI in both groups recovered to the baseline values. In both groups there was a bilateral reduction in gluteal TOI during malperfusion of the internal iliac artery. After revascularization of ipsilateral limb of the stent graft, the ipsilateral TOI recovered to the baseline level in CIA patients, but recovery was incomplete in EIA patients. In contrast, contra-lateral TOI remained low in both groups after revascularization of ipsilateral limb of the stent graft. Only after completion of crossover bypass did the contra-lateral TOI recover to baseline level in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both TOI at the buttocks and PBI are a sensitive reflection of pelvic haemodynamics. Penile blood flow and bilateral gluteal blood flow are supplied via different circulations and both should be monitored for full assessment of the pelvic circulation.

Clinico-pathological study of meningiomas with haemorrhagic onset.

BACKGROUND: Haemorrhage from meningiomas is rare and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain to be determined. We sought to identify these mechanisms by studying clinical and histological records of 6 meningioma patients treated at our institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 6 patients with meningiomas whose acute onset was due to haemorrhage. We evaluated clinical features and imaging studies. The vascularity and proliferative nature of these tumours were examined immunohistochemically and tissue factor (TF) immunoreactivity was assessed. For comparison we evaluated 25 non-haemorrhagic meningiomas. FINDINGS: At onset, the haemorrhages mimicked stroke in all 6 patients. On imaging studies, 3 of the haemorrhages were intra- and extratumoural, the other 3 were extratumoural only. Hyperintensity on T2-weighted MRI was a characteristic of these meningiomas. Histologically, they were of 3 subtypes, meningothelial (n=3), transitional (n=2), and anaplastic (n=1). The MIB-1 labelling index of the 5 WHO Grade I meningiomas was 5.8+/-2.2. The mean number of CD31-positive blood vessels did not differ in haemorrhagic and non-haemorrhagic meningiomas. The TF-positivity rate of haemorrhagic meningiomas was higher than of non-haemorrhagic meningiomas. INTERPRETATION: The proliferative nature of the meningiomas and TF expression in tumour cells may have contributed to the eventual haemorrhage of the meningiomas in our series.

Donor selection in Japan: a trial of new criteria with predonation haemoglobin testing.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Japan, eligibility for blood donation depends on blood specific gravity, which does not directly measure blood haemoglobin. Additionally, the criteria are not based on normal values. Therefore, we investigated the feasibility of predonation screening by using actual haemoglobin levels, and adopted a new criterion based on the normal range for men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a portable device, we measured haemoglobin in 1032 prospective blood donors, then applied this method to all blood donations. The criterion for men was set at the 95th percentile of haemoglobin distribution, namely 13.0 g/dl and 13.5 g/dl, respectively, for 200-ml and 400-ml donations. That for women remained unchanged. RESULTS: The percentage of men ineligible by these criteria increased from 0.6 to 1.5%, while that of women decreased from 16.5 to 14.6%. Donors with abnormal haemoglobin levels were referred to hospitals. CONCLUSION: Predonation measurement of haemoglobin concentration, combined with the referral of those with abnormal values, provided a health benefit to that population.

Ellagic acid formation from galloylglucoses by a crude enzyme of Cornus capitata adventitious roots.

The aqueous extract of acetone powder, which had been prepared from Cornus capitata 'Mountain Moon' adventitious roots, cultured in MS medium with a high concentration of Cu2+(10 microM), showed strong oxidative activity toward galloylglucoses. A compound formed from galloyglucoses, such as 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose and tannic acid, by the reaction with the crude enzyme solution of the adventitious roots was isolated and characterized as ellagic acid by spectrometric analyses.

Antisense expression of a rice sucrose transporter OsSUT1 in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

We analyzed the function of a rice sucrose transporter, OsSUT1, by using antisense rice. There was no difference between antisense and wild-type plants in carbohydrate content and photosynthetic ability of the flag leaves in the vegetative growth stage, suggesting that OsSUT1 may not play an important role in carbon metabolism, at least in these materials.

Phenanthropyran derivatives from Phalaenopsis equestris.

Two phenanthropyran derivatives, 3-methoxy-2,7-dihydroxy-5H-phenanthro[4,5-bcd]pyran and 2,3,7-trihydroxy-5H-phenanthro[4,5-bcd]pyran were isolated from the orchid Phalaenopsis equestri. Their chemical structures were elucidated from spectroscopic (NMR, MS etc.) analyses.

Are contents of Rubisco, soluble protein and nitrogen in flag leaves of rice controlled by the same genetics?

Genetic relations among the contents of Rubisco, soluble protein and total leaf nitrogen (N) in leaves of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were studied by quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis with a population of backcross inbred lines (BILs) of japonica Nipponbarexindica Kasalath. The ratio of Rubisco to total leaf N in leaves is the main target in improving photosynthetic N-use efficiency in plants. QTLs controlling Rubisco content were not detected near QTLs for total leaf N content. These results indicate that contents of Rubisco and total leaf N are controlled by different genetics. QTLs that controlled the ratio of Rubisco to total leaf N (CORNs) were detected. These results suggest that some mechanism(s) may be involved in determining this ratio, while the contents of Rubisco and total leaf N are controlled in other ways. In elite BILs, the ratios of Rubisco to total leaf N were higher than those of both parents. These results suggest a good possibility of improving N-use efficiency by CORNs in cultivated rice. A QTL controlling Rubisco content was mapped near a QTL for soluble protein content on chromosome 8 at 5 d after heading and on chromosome 9 at 25 d. In each chromosome region, the peaks of both QTLs overlapped accurately, giving a high possibility of pleiotropic effects by the same genes. Different QTLs controlling soluble protein or Rubisco were detected from those detected at 5 d or 25 d after heading. This suggests that these traits are genetically controlled depending on the growth stages of leaves.

Immunolocalization of voltage-gated potassium channel Kv3.1b subunit in the cochlea.

Immunohistochemical localization of voltage-gated potassium channel Kv3.1b subunit was studied in the cochlea. Intense Kv3.1b-like immunoreactivity was present in the type I, type III, type IV and suprastrial fibrocytes of the cochlear lateral wall. Immunostaining was also found in the interdental cells and the fibrocytes of the spiral limbus and in the supralimbal dark cells. K+ ions, which play a pivotal role in the mechanosensory transduction process in the inner ear, are recycled via gap junctional networks in the cochlea. These results suggest that the voltage-gated potassium channel, containing Kv3.1b, in the cochlear lateral wall fibrocytes may control the intracellular potential and play an important role in regulating the potassium ion recycling mechanism via gap junctions in the inner ear.

An ellagic compound and iridoids from Cornus capitata root cultures.

An ellagic acid derivative, 3,3'-di-O-methylellagic acid 4-(5"-acetyl)-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside, and two iridoid glucosides, 6alpha-dihydrocornic acid and 6beta-dihydrocornic acid, were isolated from Cornus capitata adventitious roots cultured in Murashige-Skoog (Murashige, T., Skoog, F., 1962. A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiol. Plant. 15, 473-487) liquid medium containing 10 microM CuSO(4). Three known related metabolites, i.e. stenophyllin H1, dihydrocornin and cornin were also produced in the root cultures. The chemical structures were characterized by analysis of spectroscopic data.

[Differences in hemodynamic effects of amrinone, milrinone and olprinon after cardiopulmonary bypass in valvular cardiac surgery].

The differences in hemodynamic effects of amrinone, milrinone and olprinone were evaluated in 46 patients for valvular cardiac surgery after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Patients were randomly allocated to three groups; group A with amrinone infusion (17 patients); group M with milrinone infusion (15 patients); and group O with olprinone infusion (14 patients). Each drug was administrated as a single dose into the venous reservoir of the CPB circuit 15 min prior to the end of emergence from CPB, followed by continuous infusion. Hemodynamic parameters were measured at the time of preCPB (C0), just after the end of CPB (C1), one hour after the termination of CPB (C2) and after the chest closure (C3). Catecholamines were used in order of dopamine, norepinephrine and dobutamine. These doses were modulated to maintain the cardiac index > 3.0 l.min-1.m-2 by each anesthesiologist. Hemodynamic parameters (at C0, C1, C2 and C3) and the doses of cathecholamine (at C1, C2 and C3) were compared among the 3 drugs. The systolic blood pressure in group M was significantly higher than that of group A and group O after chest closure. In group M and A, the systolic blood pressure showed a significant increase after CPB. On the other hand, the systolic blood pressure showed no significant change in group O after CPB. Three drugs showed no significant difference in the dosages of catecholamines used.

Ser162-Dependent inactivation of overproduced sucrose-phosphate synthase protein of maize leaf in transgenic rice plants.

To investigate the role of Ser162 in phosphorylation-dependent regulation of maize sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS) activities in rice, transgenic rice plants expressing wild-type or mutagenized maize SPS were produced. Our results indicate that Ser162 was responsible for overproduction-induced inactivation of SPS protein and for light/ dark modulation of this protein in vivo.

New anthocyanins from purple pods of pea (Pisum spp.).

Two new anthocyanins were isolated from purple pods of pea (Pisum spp.). Their structures were identified as delphinidin 3-xylosylgalactoside-5-acetylglucoside and its deacetylated derivative by the usual chemical degradation methods and by spectroscopic methods such as UV-VIS, MS and NMR. Both pigments showed moderate stability and antioxidative activity in a neutral aqueous solution.

Analysis of the transgenic tobacco plants expressing Panicum miliaceum aspartate aminotransferase genes.

Expression of Panicum miliaceum L. (proso millet) mitochondrial and cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase (mAspAT and cAspAT, respectively) genes in transgenic tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum) and their influences on protein synthesis were examined. The mAspAT- or cAspAT-transformed plants had about threefold or 3.5-fold higher AspAT activity in the leaf than non-transformed plants, respectively. Interestingly, the leaves of both transformed plants had increased levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and transformed plants with cAspAT also had increased levels of mAspAT in the leaf. These results suggest that the increased expression of Panicum cAspAT in transgenic tobacco enhances the expression of its endogenous mAspAT and PEPC, and the increased expression of Panicum mAspAT enhances the expression of its endogenous PEPC.