PTBP1 protects Y RNA from cleavage leading to its apoptosis-specific degradation.

Some RNAs such as 28S rRNA, U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA), and Y RNAs are known to be cleaved during apoptosis. The underlying mechanism, functions, and biological significance of RNA degradation in apoptosis remain elusive. Y RNAs are non-coding RNAs widely conserved from bacteria to mammals, and are major components of Ro ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes which contain the 60 kDa Ro protein (SS-A) and the 50 kDa La protein (SS-B).

Practical long-term storage of strawberries in refrigerated containers at ice temperature.

This study investigated the effect of storage temperature in the presence or absence of film packaging on the Benihoppe and Kirapika varieties of Japanese strawberries stored for 28 days at 0°C and 3°C. The study was conducted in a 20-foot reefer container for practicality. Storage at 0°C suppressed decay and reduction in sugars and organic acids more efficiently than that at 3°C.

Deconstruction of plant biomass by a Cellulomonas strain isolated from an ultra-basic (lignin-stripping) spring.

Plant material falling into the ultra-basic (pH 11.5-11.9) springs within The Cedars, an actively serpentinizing site in Sonoma County, California, is subject to conditions that mimic the industrial pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production.

Effects of distribution of sugars and organic acids on the taste of strawberries.

The concentrations of sugars and organic acids as well as the total soluble solid (TSS) in different parts of the strawberry fruit were characterized. The data were used to create simulated fruit juice jellies, in order to clarify how the sugar and organic acid levels affect the taste. Such an approach eliminates the influence of external factors such as size, color, and texture when using real fruits in sensory evaluations.

Prevention of intubation-induced mucosal damage using a tube coated with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer.

Background And Objective: Tracheal intubation is associated with various complications that include epithelial injury. Abrasion of the fragile tracheal epithelium can occur at the points of contact between the tube and mucosa subject to respiratory movement. In this original experiment, we examined the mucosal protective effect of coating endotracheal tubes with poly[2-methacryloyloxyethl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-co-n-butyl methacrylate] (PMB).

Anti-aging effects of extracts prepared from salmon nasal cartilage in hairless mice.

The skin anti-aging effects of orally administered salmon nasal cartilage extract (SNCE), which includes abundant proteoglycan, were investigated using a hairless mouse skin-aging model, in which aging was caused by repetitive ultraviolet B (UV-B) irradiation. Physiological analysis of the skin surface following repetitive UV-B irradiation of 8 weeks revealed inhibition of erythema levels and reduction of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) due to oral administration of SNCE. Similarly, inhibitory actions of epidermal and dermal hypertrophy were revealed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.

Neurenteric cyst of the lower clivus.

Objective: Neurenteric cysts (NCs) typically arise as benign ventral intradural extramedullary developmental malformations of the spine which contain heterotopic epithelium resembling the intestinal or respiratory tracts. Intracerebral NCs are extremely rare, though the frequency of symptomatic reports and incidental findings is increasing, perhaps because of advances in neuroimaging. Recognition of the unique radiographic and histopathologic features of this entity is of growing importance in the treatment of cysts of the neural axis.

Spontaneous epidural pneumocephalus.

A 20-year-old male presented with an extremely rare spontaneous epidural pneumocephalus which was successfully treated by a single neurosurgical intervention. The patient had a habit of nose blowing and a 1-year history of progressive headache and nausea. Cranial computed tomography (CT) revealed a 2 x 7 cm right temporo-occipital epidural pneumocephalus with extensive hyperpneumatization of the mastoid cells.

Facial augmentation with groin osteoadiposal flap transfer.

The authors report the advantages of the groin osteoadiposal flap for facial augmentation, which include the possibility of a conjoint type of flap harvesting with one main set of vessels (usually, the superficial circumflex iliac vessels); one-stage augmentation without secondary defatting; a donor scar in a concealed area; and rigid flap fixation with bone plating.

Multiple vascular anastomoses with vein grafts for salvage of congestive flaps.

The authors present two cases in which the venous drainage of transferred flaps was compromised and the flaps were salvaged by vein grafts. Traditionally, once transferred free flaps had become congestive, surgeons would re-anastomose the thrombosed veins, and administer anticoagulants or carry out peripheral vessel dilation. These authors recommend not only re-anastomosis of veins, but also additional venous drainage, with or without vein grafts.

Treatment of meralgia paresthetica with a deep inferior epigastric perforator adiposal flap: case report.

A case of a 40-year-old female with meralgia paresthetica after malignant tumor resection in the right inguinal region is reported. Traditionally, meralgia paresthetica is treated with neurotransection or neurolysis. The therapeutic strategy using neurolysis, and the use of a deep inferior epigastric perforator adiposal flap wrapping as a prophylactic procedure against reentrapment is discussed.

Aggressive antihypertensive treatment and serum lipid lowering therapy are necessary to prevent deterioration of the renal function even in elderly type 2 diabetic patients with persistent albuminuria.

Background: In elderly patients with diabetic nephropathy, clinical information aiming at preventing a decline of the renal function is limited.

Objective: To clarify factors that could be related to changes in renal function in elderly diabetic patients with persistent albuminuria.

Methods: We studied the relationships between the declining rate of creatinine clearance (Ccr) and other clinical features - glycemic control, blood pressure (BP), the degree of albuminuria, and other confounding factors - retrospectively in elderly diabetic patients with persistent albuminuria.

Evidence for an association between plasma platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase deficiency and increased risk of childhood atopic asthma.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), which has been implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammation in asthma, is degraded and inactivated by PAF acetylhydrolase (PAFAH). Approximately 4% of the Japanese population lacks plasma PAFAH due to a loss-of-function variant (Val279Phe) in the PAFAH gene. Although lack of PAFAH activity is thought to be a risk factor for asthma, there are conflicting findings concerning association between the Val279Phe variant and asthma.