RNA-binding proteins associated with desiccation during seed development in rice.

Long-lived mRNAs stored in mature seeds can remain active for long periods even if seeds undergo severe desiccation. They are then translated at the initiation of germination. To clarify the mechanism for stabilization of long-lived mRNAs during seed desiccation, fluctuations in RNA-binding protein (RBP) profiles that occur during seed formation in rice were analyzed.

The endoskeletal origin of the turtle carapace.

The turtle body plan, with its solid shell, deviates radically from those of other tetrapods. The dorsal part of the turtle shell, or the carapace, consists mainly of costal and neural bony plates, which are continuous with the underlying thoracic ribs and vertebrae, respectively. Because of their superficial position, the evolutionary origins of these costo-neural elements have long remained elusive.

Comparison of Genomic and Epigenomic Expression in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Rett Syndrome.

Monozygotic (identical) twins have been widely used in genetic studies to determine the relative contributions of heredity and the environment in human diseases. Discordance in disease manifestation between affected monozygotic twins has been attributed to either environmental factors or different patterns of X chromosome inactivation (XCI). However, recent studies have identified genetic and epigenetic differences between monozygotic twins, thereby challenging the accepted experimental model for distinguishing the effects of nature and nurture.

Primary amelanotic malignant melanoma of the small intestine diagnosed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy before surgical resection.

A 67-year-old man, presenting with anemia and suspected gastric cancer, was referred to our hospital, where he underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Biopsy revealed densely populated semi-circular cells with abundant cytoplasm that were positive for S-100 protein, melanoma antigen, and HMB-45, resulting in a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. A gastrointestinal barium study for further exploration demonstrated a filling defect 6 cm in size at the ligament of Treitz.

Extensive 0-IIc (undifferentiated carcinoma) lesion around a gastric adenoma: a case report.

A 73-year-old woman underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at a local hospital, which revealed a flat elevated lesion, approximately 15 mm in diameter, in the posterior wall of the lower gastric body. At our hospital, a repeat EGD and biopsy led to a diagnosis of moderately dysplastic adenoma. The patient requested endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

Long-term release of a malignant ileal obstruction by placement of a colorectal self-expandable metal stent.

An 84-year-old man underwent the Hartmann procedure with an R1 resection for advanced rectal cancer. One year after surgery, the patient presented with abdominal pain and vomiting. Abdominal radiography and computed tomography revealed an expanding small bowel and ileal obstruction caused by invasion of local, recurrent rectal cancer.

Genome-wide identification of the targets for genetic manipulation to improve L-lactate production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae by using a single-gene deletion strain collection.

To identify genome-wide targets for gene manipulation for increasing L-lactate production in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, we transformed all available single-gene deletion strains of S. cerevisiae with a plasmid carrying the human L-lactate dehydrogenase gene, and examined L-lactate production in the obtained transformants. The thresholds of increased or decreased L-lactate production were determined based on L-lactate production by the standard strain in repetitive experiments.

Case of metastatic uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma in the right atrium.

Introduction: Metastasis of uterine cervical carcinoma to the heart is uncommon and cases with metastasis to the right atrium are especially rare. This type of metastasis occurs in the epicardium and the myocardium in over 90% of cases with a heart metastatic tumor. Most cases of a metastatic tumor in the heart are found by chance during autopsy.

Responses of cancer cells induced by photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the administration of a photosensitizer, followed by local irradiation of tumor tissues using a laser of an appropriate wavelength to activate the photosensitizer. Since multiple cellular signaling cascades are concomitantly activated in cancer cells exposed to the photodynamic effect, understanding the responses of cancer cells to PDT will aid in the development of new interventions. This review describes the possible cell-death signaling pathways initiated by PDT.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of the central metabolism of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under different trophic conditions.

Cyanobacteria have received considerable attention as a sustainable energy resource because of their organic material production capacity using light energy and CO2 as a carbon source. Therefore, it is important to understand the cellular metabolism of cyanobacteria for metabolic engineering. In this study, to shed light on the central metabolism of cyanobacteria, we performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of a glucose-tolerant strain of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp.

A new scenario of the evolutionary derivation of the mammalian diaphragm from shoulder muscles.

The evolutionary origin of the diaphragm remains unclear, due to the lack of a comparable structure in other extant taxa. However, recent researches into the developmental mechanism of this structure have yielded new insights into its origin. Here we summarize current understanding regarding the development of the diaphragm, and present a possible scenario for the evolutionary acquisition of this uniquely mammalian structure.

Utilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae recombinant strain incapable of both ethanol and glycerol biosynthesis for anaerobic bioproduction.

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae produces ethanol and glycerol as major unwanted byproducts, unless ethanol and glycerol are the target compounds. Minimizing the levels of these byproducts is important for bioproduction processes using yeast cells. In this study, we constructed a yeast strain in which both ethanol and glycerol production pathways were disrupted and examined its culture characteristics.

Blue laser irradiation generates intracellular reactive oxygen species in various types of cells.

Unlabelled: Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production after laser irradiation in various types of cells.

Background Data: ROS are considered to be the key secondary messengers produced by low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Although various mechanisms for the effects of LLLT have been proposed, and intracellular ROS were indicated as the one of the key factors, direct measurement of intracellular ROS of several types of cells after different wavelength lasers irradiation has not been reported.

The mesophyll anatomy enhancing CO2 diffusion is a key trait for improving rice photosynthesis.

Increases in rates of individual leaf photosynthesis (P(n)) are critical for future increases in yields of rice plants. Although many efforts have been made to improve rice P(n) with transgenic technology, the desired increases in P(n) have not yet been achieved. Two rice lines with extremely high values of P(n) were identified among the backcrossed inbred lines derived from the indica variety Takanari, one of the most productive varieties in Japan, and the elite japonica variety Koshihikari (Koshihikari/Takanari//Takanari).

Simultaneous endoscopic submucosal dissection for synchronous double early gastric cancer.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of simultaneous endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for synchronous double early gastric cancers.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 832 single gastric cancers from 789 patients treated by single ESD (single group) and 124 synchronous double cancers from 62 patients treated by simultaneous ESD (simultaneous group).

Results: The overall rate of en bloc resection and curative resection was comparable between the two groups.

Natural history of gastric cancer-a case followed up for eight years: early to advanced gastric cancer.

We experienced a case of gastric cancer that was prospectively followed up for 8 years. With severe heart disease, the patient did not wish surgery or anticancer drug treatment. After informed consent was obtained, he was followed up for 8 years.

Molecular mechanisms and metabolic engineering of glutamate overproduction in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Glutamate is a commercially important chemical. It is used as a flavor enhancer and is a major raw material for producing industrially useful chemicals. A coryneform bacterium, Corynebacterium glutamicum, was isolated in 1956 by Japanese researchers as a glutamate-overproducing bacterium and since then, remarkable progress in glutamate production has been made using this microorganism.

[Clinical studies of inverted papilloma of the bladder].

Inverted papilloma of the bladder is an uncommon urothelial neoplasm. Although it is traditionally regarded as a benign tumor, there are conflicting data on multiplicity, reoccurrence rate, and association with urothelial carcinoma. From 2005 to 2011, 14 cases of inverted papilloma of the bladder were diagnosed at our hospital.

Clinical characterization of gastric lesions initially diagnosed as low-grade adenomas on forceps biopsy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to elucidate characteristics of gastric lesions that are initially diagnosed as low-grade adenomas and to establish appropriate treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 231 lesions initially diagnosed as gastric adenomas. All forceps biopsy samples were histologically diagnosed as category 3 low-grade adenomas according to the revised Vienna Classification.

Enhanced expression of sulfatide, a sulfated glycolipid, in well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: It is well known that a poorly differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma shows more rapid progression and a worse response to therapy than a well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma. Qualitative and quantitative changes of cell surface glycolipids occur during neoplastic transformation. Sulfatide is one of the sulfated glycolipids in the cell membrane that may have an important role in various functions such as cell adhesion.

Systems metabolic engineering: the creation of microbial cell factories by rational metabolic design and evolution.

It is widely acknowledged that in order to establish sustainable societies, production processes should shift from petrochemical-based processes to bioprocesses. Because bioconversion technologies, in which biomass resources are converted to valuable materials, are preferable to processes dependent on fossil resources, the former should be further developed. The following two approaches can be adopted to improve cellular properties and obtain high productivity and production yield of target products: (1) optimization of cellular metabolic pathways involved in various bioprocesses and (2) creation of stress-tolerant cells that can be active even under severe stress conditions in the bioprocesses.