Improving the Z3EV promoter system to create the strongest yeast promoter.

Promoters for artificial control of gene expression are central tools in genetic engineering. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a variety of constitutive and controllable promoters with different strengths have been constructed using endogenous gene promoters, synthetic transcription factors and their binding sequences, and artificial sequences. However, there have been no attempts to construct the highest strength promoter in yeast cells.

Acquired Factor V Inhibitor Complicated with Immune Thrombocytopenia.

We herein report a patient with a high bleeding tendency as a result of acquired factor V inhibitor and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The administration of prednisolone increased the platelet count, but a fatal bleeding event occurred before platelet levels had sufficiently increased. Factor V is stored in not only plasma but also platelets, and platelet-derived factor V might play a local hemostatic role.

Leftward Optical Shift Induces Bias in Line Bisection: A Study with Healthy Subjects Using a Head-mounted Display.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to verify the effect on spatial perception in healthy young subjects of an unconscious leftward optical shift created by a head-mounted display (HMD) with an offset camera.

Methods: We recruited 40 healthy right-handed adults who were divided into four groups according to the hand used in the tests and the visual direction displayed by the HMD (centered or 10° left). Each of the four groups (n = 10) undertook line bisection tasks across four combinations of variables: using a finger/stick or a mouse to point at a touch panel located 60 or 120 cm away from the subject.

A neonate with umbilical arteriovenous malformation showing hemorrhagic shock from massive umbilical hemorrhage.

We describe herein the case of a 3-day-old male neonate with umbilical arteriovenous malformation showing umbilical hemorrhage. The patient was born after 38 weeks and 3 days of gestation with a birth weight of 2784 g. Sudden massive umbilical hemorrhage occurred on day 3.

Multiple brain abscesses in neonate caused by Edwardsiella tarda: case report.

A neonate presented with multiple brain abscesses caused by very unusual infection with the Gram-negative bacterium, Edwardsiella tarda. Serial changes in magnetic resonance imaging findings including diffusion-weighted imaging demonstrated the development from the late cerebritis to late capsule stages. The patient was successfully treated by external drainage, and has since reached normal development milestones.