Gait improvement with wearable cyborg HAL trunk unit for parkinsonian patients: five case reports.

Cybernic treatment involves the generation of an interactive bio-feedback loop between an individual's nervous system and the worn cyborg Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL); this treatment has been applied for several intractable neuromuscular disorders. Thus, it is of interest to determine its potential for parkinsonian patients. This study confirmed the feasibility of using a HAL trunk unit to improve parkinsonian gait disturbance.

Microarray-based gene expression analysis combined with laser capture microdissection is beneficial in investigating the modes of action of ocular toxicity.

The retina consists of several layers, and drugs can affect the retina and choroid separately. Therefore, investigating the target layers of toxicity can provide useful information pertaining to its modes of action. Herein, we compared gene expression profiles obtained via microarray analyses using samples of target layers collected via laser capture microdissection and samples of the whole globe of the eye of rats treated with -methyl--nitrosourea.

Comprehensive analysis of cardiac function, blood biomarkers and histopathology for milrinone-induced cardiotoxicity in cynomolgus monkeys.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the underlying cardiotoxic mechanism of milrinone, a cAMP phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor, by evaluating cardiac functions, blood biomarkers including cardiac troponin I (cTnI), microRNAs (miR-1, miR-133a and miR-499a) and various endogenous metabolites, and histopathology in conscious cynomolgus monkeys. Milrinone at doses of 0, 3 and 30 mg/kg were orally administered to monkeys (n = 3-4/group), and the endpoints were evaluated 1 to 24 h post-dosing. Milrinone caused myocardial injuries characterized by myocardial degeneration/necrosis, cell infiltration and hemorrhage 24 h after drug administration.

Plasma citrulline is a sensitive safety biomarker for small intestinal injury in rats.

Plasma citrulline is decreased in cases of severe intestinal injury with apparent villus and cellular atrophy. However, the fluctuation of plasma citrulline in slight intestinal injury remains to be investigated. To clarify this, irinotecan at 30 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg was administered intravenously to rats.

FVIIa-sTF and Thrombin Inhibitory Activities of Compounds Isolated from Microcystis aeruginosa K-139.

The rise of bleeding and bleeding complications caused by oral anticoagulant use are serious problems nowadays. Strategies that block the initiation step in blood coagulation involving activated factor VII-tissue factor (fVIIa-TF) have been considered. This study explores toxic K-139, from Lake Kasumigaura, Ibaraki, Japan, as a promising cyanobacterium for isolation of fVIIa-sTF inhibitors.

Complete Genome Sequence of Streptomyces parvulus 2297, Integrating Site-Specifically with Actinophage R4.

Streptomyces parvulus 2297, which is a host for site-specific recombination according to actinophage R4, is derived from the type strain ATCC 12434. Species of S. parvulus are known as producers of polypeptide antibiotic actinomycins and have been considered for industrial applications.

The dynamics of carbon stored in xylem sapwood to drought-induced hydraulic stress in mature trees.

Climate-induced forest die-off is widespread in multiple biomes, strongly affecting the species composition, function and primary production in forest ecosystems. Hydraulic failure and carbon starvation in xylem sapwood are major hypotheses to explain drought-induced tree mortality. Because it is difficult to obtain enough field observations on drought-induced mortality in adult trees, the current understanding of the physiological mechanisms for tree die-offs is still controversial.

MicroRNA profiles in a monkey testicular injury model induced by testicular hyperthermia.

To characterize microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in testicular toxicity in cynomolgus monkeys, miRNA profiles were investigated using next-generation sequencing (NGS), microarray and reverse transcription-quantitative real-time-PCR (RT-qPCR) methods. First, to identify organ-specific miRNAs, we compared the expression levels of miRNAs in the testes to those in representative organs (liver, heart, kidney, lung, spleen and small intestine) obtained from naïve mature male and female monkeys (n = 2/sex) using NGS analysis. Consequently, miR-34c-5p, miR-202-5p, miR-449a and miR-508-3p were identified to be testicular-specific miRNAs in cynomolgus monkeys.

Decreased hepatic phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase contributes to attenuation of thioacetamide-induced hepatic necrosis in diet-induced obese mice.

We previously reported that thioacetamide (TA)-induced hepatocellular necrosis was attenuated in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD mice) compared with mice fed a normal rodent diet (ND mice). In this study, we investigated whether p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) was involved in this attenuation. Western blot analysis revealed that hepatic phosphorylated p38 MAPK protein decreased at 8 and 24 hours (hr) after TA dosing in the HFD mice, while it decreased only at 24 hr in the ND mice in comparison to the time- and diet-matched, vehicle-treated mice.

Actinophage R4 integrase-based site-specific chromosomal integration of non-replicative closed circular DNA.

The actinophage R4 integrase (Sre)-based molecular genetic engineering system was developed for the chromosomal integration of multiple genes in Escherichia coli. A cloned DNA fragment containing two attP sites, green fluorescent protein (gfp) as a first transgene, and an antibiotic resistance gene as a selection marker was self-ligated to generate non-replicative closed circular DNA (nrccDNA) for integration. nrccDNA was introduced into attB-inserted E.

Molecular Analysis of the Cyanobacterial Community in Gastric Contents of Egrets with Symptoms of Steatitis.

Many deaths of wild birds that have drunk water contaminated with hepatotoxic microcystin-producing cyanobacteria have been reported. A mass death of egrets and herons with steatitis were found at the agricultural reservoir occurring cyanobacterial waterblooms. This study aimed to verify a hypothesis that the egrets and herons which died in the reservoir drink microcystin-producing cyanobacteria and microcystin involves in the cause of death as well as the symptoms of steatitis.

Hepatic glutathione contributes to attenuation of thioacetamide-induced hepatic necrosis due to suppression of oxidative stress in diet-induced obese mice.

We previously reported that hepatic necrosis induced by thioacetamide (TA), a hepatotoxicant, was attenuated in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD mice) in comparison with mice fed a normal rodent diet (ND mice). In this study, we focused on investigation of the mechanism of the attenuation. Hepatic content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an oxidative stress marker, significantly increased in ND mice at 24 and 48 hr after TA administration in comparison to that in vehicle-treated ND mice.

MicroRNA profiling in ethylene glycol monomethyl ether-induced monkey testicular toxicity model.

To establish and characterize ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME)-induced testicular toxicity model in cynomolgus monkeys, EGME at 0 or 300 mg/kg was administered orally to sexually mature male cynomolgus monkeys (n = 3/group) for 4 consecutive days. Circulating and testicular microRNA (miRNA) profiles in this model were investigated using miRNA microarray or real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR methods. EGME at 300 mg/kg induced testicular toxicity in all the monkeys, which was characterized histopathologically by decreases in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids, without any severe changes in general conditions or clinical pathology.

Middle-preserving pancreatectomy for multifocal intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: report of a case.

Multifocal or continuous pancreatic lesion is identified frequently but finding an appropriate surgical approach is quite challenging. Total pancreatectomy is a useful procedure. However, postoperative endocrine and exocrine disturbance is inevitable.

Construction of a stepwise gene integration system by transient expression of actinophage R4 integrase in cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

The integrase of actinophage R4, which belongs to the large serine-recombinase family, catalyzes site-specific recombination between two distinct attachment site sequences of the phage (attP) and actinomycete Streptomyces parvulus 2297 chromosome (attB). We previously reported that R4 integrase (Sre) catalyzed site-specific recombination both in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, a Sre-based system was developed for the stepwise site-specific integration of multiple genes into the chromosome of cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp.

Characterization of lysis of the multicellular Cyanobacterium Limnothrix/Pseudanabaena sp. strain ABRG5-3.

The cyanobacterium semi-filamentous multicellular strain ABRG5-3 undergoes cell lysis as a unique feature that occurs due to growth condition changes from normal cultivation with shaking to static cultivation without shaking in liquid culture (Nishizawa et al., 2010). Microscopic observation and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) analysis have revealed that lysis is involved in the accumulation of polyphosphate compounds and the disintegration of thylakoid membranes in cells.

Thioacetamide-induced Hepatocellular Necrosis Is Attenuated in Diet-induced Obese Mice.

To assess modification of thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in mice fed a high-fat diet, male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal rodent diet or a high-fat diet for 8 weeks and then treated once intraperitoneally with thioacetamide at 50 mg/kg body weight. At 24 and 48 hours after administration, massive centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis was observed in mice fed the normal rodent diet, while the necrosis was less severe in mice fed the high-fat diet. In contrast, severe swelling of hepatocytes was observed in mice fed the high-fat diet.

A spontaneous ganglioneuroma in the adrenal medulla of a young Wistar Hannover rat.

A nodule was observed in the adrenal medulla of a twenty-week-old male Wistar Hannover rat. The nodule was predominantly (over 80%) composed of neural components, with ganglion cells scattered in sparse supporting tissue containing nerve fibers and Schwann cells. In the peripheral area of the tumor, atypical chromaffin cells were also observed.

Mixed Type of Malignant Mesothelioma in an Aged Male ICR Mouse.

Multiple whitish nodules in the thoracic cavity at the site of the thymus were observed in a 101-week-old male ICR mouse. In a histopathological examination, the neoplastic cells were predominantly fusiform in shape and proliferated in sarcomatoid growth patterns. Some neoplastic cells showed epithelial growth patterns, such as the ductal structures.

In vivo and in vitro characterization of site-specific recombination of actinophage R4 integrase.

The site-specific integrase of actinophage R4 belongs to the serine recombinase family. During the lysogenization process, it catalyzes site-specific recombination between the phage genome and the chromosome of Streptomyces parvulus 2297. An in vivo assay using Escherichia coli cells revealed that the minimum lengths of the recombination sites attB and attP are 50-bp and 49-bp, respectively, for efficient intramolecular recombination.

Oligodendroglial pathology in the development of myelin breakdown in the dmy mutant rat.

The dmy rat is an autosomal recessive mutant that exhibits severe myelin destruction throughout the white matter of the central nervous system. Recently, a point mutation in intron 3 of the Mrs2 has been found in the dmy rat. Mrs2 encodes an essential component of the major electrophoretic Mg(2+) influx system in mitochondria of yeast as well as human cells.

Characterization of the locus of genes encoding enzymes producing heptadepsipeptide micropeptin in the unicellular cyanobacterium Microcystis.

The gene cluster involved in producing the cyclic heptadepsipeptide micropeptin was cloned from the genome of the unicellular cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa K-139. Sequencing revealed four genes encoding non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) that are highly similar to the gene cluster involved in cyanopeptolins biosynthesis. According to predictions based on the non-ribosomal consensus code, the order of the mcnABCE NPRS modules was well consistent with that of the biosynthetic assembly of cyclic peptides.

Isolation and molecular characterization of a multicellular cyanobacterium, Limnothrix/Pseudanabaena sp. strain ABRG5-3.

A cyanobacterium, semi-filamentous multicellular strain ABRG5-3, was isolated and its unique nature was characterized. This axenic strain formed colonies and was motile on an agarose plate. The 16S rRNA gene of ABRG5-3 exhibited similarities to those of the Limnothrix and Pseudanabaena strains, which are known as filamentous and nonheterocystous cyanobacteria.

Genetic analysis of the microcystin biosynthesis gene cluster in Microcystis strains from four bodies of eutrophic water in Japan.

The highly conserved organization of microcystin biosynthesis (mcy) gene clusters, which includes nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) genes, polyketide synthase (PKS) genes, and fused NRPS-PKS genes, has been characterized in the genus Microcystis. In this study, a total of 135 cyanobacterial strains from four different geographical locations in Japan were isolated. Fourteen mcy-possessing (mcy+) strains were identified according to PCR amplification between two genes from domestic mcy+ strains and the mcy gene's organization was classified into five types.