Ghost Peaks of Aromatic Metabolites Induced by Corona Discharge Artifacts in LC-ESI-MS/MS.

LC-ESI-MS/MS is a preferred method for detecting and identifying metabolites, including those that are unpredictable from the genome, especially in basal metazoans like Cnidaria, which diverged earlier than bilaterians and whose metabolism is poorly understood. However, the unexpected appearance of a "ghost peak" for dopamine, which exhibited the same m/z value and MS/MS product ion spectrum during an analysis of Nematostella vectensis, a model cnidarian, complicated its accurate identification. Understanding the mechanism by which "ghost peaks" appear is crucial to accurately identify the monoamine repertoire in early animals so as to avoid misassignments.

[A case of anti-ganglioside antibody-positive Guillain-Barré syndrome with asymmetrical muscle weakness throughout the course of the disease].

A 56-year-old woman who presented with left drop foot and low back pain a week after the onset of diarrhea. Neurological symptoms progressed for a week and gradually improved thereafter. No weakness was observed in upper limbs and clearly asymmetrical muscle weakness was observed in left lower limbs during the course of the disease.

Mobilize a Proton to Transform the Collision-Induced Dissociation Spectral Pattern of a Cyclic Peptide.

The collision-induced dissociation (CID) behaviors of protonated molecules of anabaenopeptins, a group of cyanobacterial cyclic peptides, were investigated in detail using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Although anabaenopeptin A and B share a macrocyclic peptide structure, they give strikingly different fragmentation patterns; the former gives a variety of product ions including cleavages in the cyclic peptide structure, which is useful for structural analysis; whereas the latter gives far fewer product ions and no fragmentation in the cyclic moiety. Energy-resolved CID experiments clarified the mechanism behind the striking difference attributable to the difference in exocyclic amino acid residues, Tyr or Arg.

Characterization of eight types of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases from the Japanese sardine Sardinops melanostictus: The probable role of type 12a in ovarian estradiol synthesis.

17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (Hsd17bs) play a critical role in sex steroid biosynthesis. Although multiple types of Hsd17b have been found in fish, there is limited research on their expression and function. Recently, we succeeded in identifying eight types of Hsd17b (types 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12a, 12b, and 14) by RNA sequencing in the Japanese sardine Sardinops melanostictus, a commercially important clupeoid fish; however, a homologous sequence of Hsd17b1, which catalyzes the key reaction of estradiol-17β (E2) synthesis, was absent.

[A case of tuberculous meningitis diagnosed early by direct Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) method using centrifuged medium of cerebrospinal fluid culture].

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a central nervous system infection with a high mortality rate and requires early diagnosis and treatment. Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the cerebrospinal fluid is of primary importance in the diagnosis of TBM, however, conventional methods have some disadvantages: Rapid results tests such as smear and regular PCR method do not have sufficient diagnostic sensitivity; Nested PCR, which is one of the most sensitive tests, is not available in all facilities; Culture tests require a long period of 4-8 weeks for results. Here we report a case of TBM, diagnosed 14 days earlier than culture test by direct Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) method using centrifuged medium of cerebrospinal fluid (day 18) culture.

Transcriptional responses of the marine diatom Chaetoceros tenuissimus to phosphate deficiency.

The planktonic diatom Chaetoceros tenuissimus sometimes forms blooms in coastal surface waters where dissolved inorganic phosphorus (P) is typically deficient. To understand the molecular mechanisms for survival under P-deficient conditions, we compared whole transcripts and metabolites with P-sufficient conditions using stationary growth cells. Under P-deficient conditions, cell numbers and photosynthetic activities decreased as cells entered the stationary growth phase, with downregulation of transcripts related to the Calvin cycle and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis.

For safe and fast surgery: Utilization of the SAND balloon catheter for acute cholecystitis.

Background: The utility of the SAND balloon catheter in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (AC) remains unclear.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy at Shinshu University was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the SAND balloon catheter in cases of AC (SAND balloon utilization: Group S, n = 44; non-utilization: Group non-S, n = 47).

Results: The duration of surgery was significantly shorter in Group S than in Group non-S (p = .

A new method for the preparation of a purified glucosylceramide and ceramide from shiitake mushroom.

Ingestion of plant and fungal glucosylceramides is known to reduce colon carcinogenesis and skin barrier damage in mice and humans. However, such effects in animal experiments have not been revealed for plant and fungal ceramides because the content of ceramides contained in plants and fungi is so low that the large amount required for animal experiments is difficult to obtain. Noting that the fungus shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is rich in a glucosylceramide, (4E,8E)-N-d-2'-hydroxypalmitoyl-1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-9-methyl-4,8-sphingadienine [Glc-d19:2(4E,8E,9Me)-h16:0], we developed a new method to purify this fungal glucosylceramide using ethanol precipitation and high-performance liquid chromatography.

Current treatment status of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Japan based on a claims database analysis.

Background: Treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has changed over the past decades. Understanding the actual status of IPF treatment and evaluating the consistency of the guidelines are important for improving the treatment strategy. However, the relevant information is insufficient in Japan.

Incidence and changes in treatment of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Japan: A claims-based retrospective study.

Background: Acute exacerbation is an essential prognostic factor in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is the leading cause of death in Japanese patients with IPF. Its epidemiology, treatment status, and effect on IPF progression have been insufficiently investigated. We examined the incidence of acute exacerbation and treatment status before and after the onset of acute exacerbation in Japanese patients with IPF to provide basic information for treatment strategies.

Utilization of phosphonic acid compounds by marine bacteria of the genera Phaeobacter, Ruegeria, and Thalassospira (α-Proteobacteria).

Phosphonic acid (phosphonate) that possesses a carbon-phosphours bond is a chemically stable form of organic phosphorus. Various phosphonic acids are widely distributed in oceanic waters; in particular, methylphosphonic acid (namely methylphosphonate) is believed to be responsible for global methane production. To discuss the microbial degradation of phosphonic acids, we investigated the utilization of phosphonic acid compounds by cultures of marine bacteria, Phaeobacter sp.

Primordial Capsid and Spooled ssDNA Genome Structures Unravel Ancestral Events of Eukaryotic Viruses.

Marine algae viruses are important for controlling microorganism communities in the marine ecosystem and played fundamental roles during the early events of viral evolution. Here, we have focused on one major group of marine algae viruses, the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses from the family. We present the capsid structure of the bacilladnavirus DNA virus type II (CtenDNAV-II), determined at 2.

Prebiotic Environments with Mg and Thiophilic Metal Ions Increase the Thermal Stability of Cysteine and Non-cysteine Peptides.

Wet-dry cycles driven by heating to high temperatures are frequently invoked for the prebiotic synthesis of peptides. Similarly, iron-sulfur clusters are often cited as an example of an ancient catalyst that helped prune early chemical systems into metabolic-like pathways. Because extant iron-sulfur clusters are metallocofactors of protein enzymes and nearly ubiquitous across biology, a reasonable hypothesis is that prebiotic iron-sulfur peptides formed on the early Earth.

Similar fish species composition despite larger environmental heterogeneity during severe hypoxia in a coastal ecosystem.

Environmental heterogeneity is one of the most influential factors that create compositional variation among local communities. Greater compositional variation is expected when an environmental gradient encompasses the most severe conditions where species sorting is more likely to operate. However, evidence for stronger species sorting at severer environment has typically been obtained for less mobile organisms and tests are scarce for those with higher dispersal ability that allows individuals to sensitively respond to environmental stress.

[A case of recurrent headache and ophthalmoplegia with a contrast-enhanced lesion of the oculomotor nerve in the cavernous region: an atypical phenotype of recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy].

The patient was a 14-year-old boy with two previous episodes of self-remitting right ophthalmoplegia with right temporal pain at ages 9 and 12. In 2019, he developed right eyelid ptosis and diplopia 2 days after a pulsating right-sided temporoparietal headache. Recurrent headaches with ophthalmoplegia responded to high-dose steroid therapy, and the clinical features resembled recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON).

Diagnosis and treatment of influenza based on health insurance claims between the 2010-2011 and 2019-2020 influenza seasons in Japan.

Medical practices for influenza virus infection vary among countries. In Japan, treatment with anti-influenza drugs is recommended for patients diagnosed with influenza. This health claims database study provides quantitative information aimed at describing the actual medical practices, including diagnostic testing and medication use, for managing influenza in Japan.

Prevalence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Japan based on a claims database analysis.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a cryptogenic chronic interstitial pneumonia with progressive fibrosis and a poor prognosis. A substantial number of epidemiological studies have been conducted in Europe and the United States (US). In contrast, in Japan, only one study reported the prevalence of IPF (10.

The genome of the diatom Chaetoceros tenuissimus carries an ancient integrated fragment of an extant virus.

Diatoms are one of the most prominent oceanic primary producers and are now recognized to be distributed throughout the world. They maintain their population despite predators, infections, and unfavourable environmental conditions. One of the smallest diatoms, Chaetoceros tenuissimus, can coexist with infectious viruses during blooms.

Morphological characterization of cholinergic partition cells: A transmitter-specific tracing study by Cre/lox-dependent viral gene expression.

Background: Partition cells are cholinergic interneurons located in lamina VII of the spinal cord. Some partition cells are the source of the cholinergic boutons, known as C-terminals or C-boutons, that modulate the activity of spinal motor neurons. Therefore, partition cells might play an important role in motor control.

Effects of Lusutrombopag on Post-invasive Procedural Bleeding in Thrombocytopenic Patients with Chronic Liver Disease.

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia can increase the bleeding risk in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) undergoing invasive procedures. Prophylactic platelet transfusion (PT) is often performed to increase platelet counts in patients with CLD undergoing invasive procedures to prevent bleeding. Lusutrombopag, a small-molecule thrombopoietin receptor agonist, is expected to be an alternative therapy to prophylactic PT.

Cholesterol-added antigens can enhance antiglycolipid antibody activity: Application to antibody testing.

We analysed the effect of adding cholesterol to glycolipid antigens on antibody activity with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 123 subjects consisting of 96 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, 25 Miller Fisher syndrome, and two Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis. The use of cholesterol-added GM1 antigens increased anti-GM1 activity in 11 out of 23 anti-GM1-positive patients and resulted in six out of 100 anti-GM1-negative patients becoming anti-GM1-positive. Enhancement of anti-GM1 activity by cholesterol addition was significantly associated with antecedent gastrointestinal infection.

Symbiont Transmission onto the Cell Surface of Early Oocytes in the Deep-Sea Clam .

Symbiotic associations with beneficial microorganisms endow a variety of host animals with adaptability to the environment. Stable transmission of symbionts across host generations is a key event in the maintenance of symbiotic associations through evolutionary time. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of symbiont transmission remains fragmentary.

Possible Roles of Hypotaurine and Thiotaurine in the Vesicomyid Clam .

AbstractVesicomyid clams, which inhabit deep-sea hydrothermal vents and hydrocarbon seeps, are nutritionally dependent on symbiotic, chemoautotrophic bacteria that produce organic matter by using hydrogen sulfide. Vesicomyid clams absorb hydrogen sulfide from the foot and transport it in their hemolymph to symbionts in the gill. However, mechanisms to cope with hydrogen sulfide toxicity are not fully understood.