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Plant root growth is indeterminate but continuously responds to environmental changes. We previously reported on the severe root growth defect of a double mutant in bZIP17 and bZIP28 (bz1728) modulating the unfolded protein response (UPR). To elucidate the mechanism by which bz1728 seedlings develop a short root, we obtained a series of bz1728 suppressor mutants, called nobiro, for rescued root growth. We focused here on nobiro6, which is defective in the general transcription factor component TBP-ASSOCIATED FACTOR 12b (TAF12b). The expression of hundreds of genes, including the bZIP60-UPR regulon, was induced in the bz1728 mutant, but these inductions were markedly attenuated in the bz1728nobiro6 mutant. In view of this, we assigned transcriptional cofactor activity via physical interaction with bZIP60 to NOBIRO6/TAF12b. The single nobiro6/taf12b mutant also showed an altered sensitivity to endoplasmic reticulum stress for both UPR and root growth responses, demonstrating that NOBIRO6/TAF12b contributes to environment-responsive root growth control through UPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conduct an axisymmetric, two-dimensional (r - z) magnetohydrodynamic numerical analysis of a large-scale, nonequilibrium disk-shapedMHD generator with a thermal input of 1 GW to examine the influence of a total pressure loss between the hot duct inlet and the supersonic nozzle outlet of theMHDgenerator on its isentropic efficiency. Numerical results show that the total pressure loss there substantially affects the isentropic efficiency of the MHD generator. Most of the total pressure loss there, which is mainly caused by a self-excited Joule heating, occurs in a localized area from the vicinity of the hot duct outlet to the radial position of the upstream edge of anode. The numerical results also indicate that the isentropic efficiency is improved by widening an anode width toward the upstream side of the supersonic nozzle. This is because the total pressure loss due to the self-excited Joule heating in the supersonic nozzle decreases by widening it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusobacterium nucleatum has been detected in 8%-13% of human colorectal cancer, and shown to inhibit immune responses against primary colorectal tumors in animal models. Thus, we hypothesized that the presence of F. nucleatum might be associated with reduced T cell density in colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM). We quantified F. nucleatum DNA in 181 CRLM specimens using quantitative PCR assay. The densities of CD8+ T cells, CD33+ cells (marker for myeloid-derived suppressor cells [MDSCs]), and CD163+ cells (marker for tumor-associated macrophages [TAMs]) in CRLM tissue were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Fusobacterium nucleatum was detected in eight (4.4%) of 181 CRLM specimens. Compared with F. nucleatum-negative CRLM, F. nucleatum-positive CRLM showed significantly lower density of CD8+ T cells (P = .033) and higher density of MDSCs (P = .001). The association of F. nucleatum with the density of TAMs was not statistically significant (P = .70). The presence of F. nucleatum is associated with a lower density of CD8+ T cells and a higher density of MDSCs in CRLM tissue. Upon validation, our findings could provide insights to develop strategies that involve targeting microbiota and immune cells for the prevention and treatment of CRLM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective : In the present study, an attempt was made to evaluate the acoustic characteristics of voice in pediatric patients with vocal nodules using acoustic analysis of voice. Methods : Thirty-five pediatric patients with vocal nodules and 32 control children without dysphonia were enrolled in this study. Their voice samples were analyzed using the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program. Acoustic parameters of voice, such as pitch period perturbation quotient (PPQ), amplitude perturbation quotient (APQ), and noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR), were measured. Results : In phonation at a loudness of over 80 dBA, the PPQ, APQ, and NHR values of the voice significantly increased in children with vocal nodules than in the control children without dysphonia. The sensitivities and specificities of PPQ, APQ, and NHR for prediction of vocal nodules in children were 62.86% and 84.38%, 74.29% and 75.00%, and 31.43% and 93.75%, respectively. Discussion : The present findings suggest that vocal nodules affect vocal fold vibration, resulting in impaired control of pitch and loudness leading to increased noise components. NHR could be used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment, such as voice rehabilitation, in pediatric patients with vocal nodules because of its high specificity for prediction of vocal nodules in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The feasibility of performing MRI first for patients with suspected hyperacute stroke in real-world practice has not been fully examined. Moreover, most past studies of reducing door- to-reperfusion time (DRT) in endovascular treatment (EVT) were conducted using CT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of an MRI-first policy and to examine the effects of a quality improvement (QI) process for reducing DRT using MRI. Methods From January 2013 to December 2018, consecutive patients with acute stroke who came to hospital directly and were treated with emergent EVT were prospectively enrolled into the present study. In principle, MRI was performed first for patients with suspected acute stroke. A step- by- step Qi process for decreasing DRT was adopted during this period. Time metrics for EVT were compared between specific time periods. Results a total of 180 patients (71 women; median age 76 years (range 69--64); national institutes of health stroke scale score 17 (range 10--23)) were included in the present study. More patients in the late phase were managed with the MRI- first policy (p<0.001). DRT (199 min in Phase 1, 135 min in Phase 2, 129 min in Phase 3, and 121 min in Phase 4, p<0.001) was significantly reduced across the phases. The percentage of patients with DRT <120 min increased significantly across time periods (p<0.001). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage did not increase across phases (p=0.575). Conclusion an MRI- first policy was feasible, and DRT decreased considerably with a step-by-step QI process. This process may be applicable to other hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of FM system fitted into the normal hearing ear (NHE) or a cartilage conduction hearing aid (CCHA) fitted into the affected ear (AE) on the speech recognition ability in noise were examined in children with unilateral congenital aural atresia (UCAA). In children with bilateral normal hearing (BNH), speech recognition score (SRS) was significantly decreased in the noisy environment of -5 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), compared with those in quiet. In children with UCAA, SRS was significantly decreased in noisy environments of 0 and -5 dB SNR, compared with those in quiet. In noisy environments of 0 and -5 dB SNR, SRS in children with UCAA was significantly decreased, compared those in children with BNH. In the noisy environment of -5 dB SNR, SRS in UCAA children aided by FM system fitted into NHE was significantly better than those in unaided children in the same group. In the noisy environment of 0 dB SNR, SRS in UCAA children aided by CCHA into AE tended to be higher than those in unaided children in the same group. FM system and CCHA can be recommended as an audiological management for the improvement of speech recognition in children with UCHL in classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylem vessels are important for water conduction in vascular plants. The VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN (VND) family proteins, master regulators of xylem vessel cell differentiation in Arabidopsis thaliana, can upregulate a set of genes required for xylem vessel cell differentiation, including those involved in secondary cell wall (SCW) formation and programmed cell death (PCD); however, it is not fully understood how VND activity levels influence these processes. Here, we examined the Arabidopsis VND7-VP16-GR line, in which VND7 activity is post-translationally activated by treatments with different concentrations of dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid. Our observations showed that 1 nM DEX induced weak SCW deposition, but not PCD, whereas 10 or 100 nM DEX induced both SCW deposition and PCD. The decreased chlorophyll contents and SCW deposition were apparent after 24 h of 100 nM DEX treatment, but became evident only after 48 h of 10 nM DEX treatment. Moreover, the lower DEX concentrations delayed the upregulation of VND7 downstream genes, and decreased their induction levels. They collectively suggest that the regulation of VND activity is important not only to initiate xylem vessel cell differentiation, but also regulate the quality of the xylem vessels through VND-activity-dependent upregulation of the PCD- and SCW-related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legumes and rhizobia establish symbiosis in root nodules. To balance the gains and costs associated with the symbiosis, plants have developed two strategies for adapting to nitrogen availability in the soil: plants can regulate nodule number and/or stop the development or function of nodules. Although the former is accounted for by autoregulation of nodulation, a form of systemic long-range signaling, the latter strategy remains largely enigmatic. Here, we show that the Lotus japonicus NITRATE UNRESPONSIVE SYMBIOSIS 1 (NRSYM1) gene encoding a NIN-LIKE PROTEIN transcription factor acts as a key regulator in the nitrate-induced pleiotropic control of root nodule symbiosis. NRSYM1 accumulates in the nucleus in response to nitrate and directly regulates the production of CLE-RS2, a root-derived mobile peptide that acts as a negative regulator of nodule number. Our data provide the genetic basis for how plants respond to the nitrogen environment and control symbiosis to achieve proper plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC), which predominantly arises in the oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal mucosal tissues, is composed of a mixture of squamous and sarcomatoid components. The present study describes the case of a 62-year-old woman with SpCC recurrence 4 years after an initial surgery to remove a well-differentiated primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue. The recurrent tumor was spherical and located deep within the tongue tissue, which differs from the typical manifestation of ulcerated masses of the mucosa. The majority of cases of recurrence involving SpCC are associated with radiotherapeutic treatment of the primary malignancy; however, the patient in the present study had not received postoperative radiotherapy for SCC. Furthermore, the recurrent tumor in the present case exhibited marked anaplasia and sarcomatoid features, and the absence of SCC elements upon biopsy rendered histological diagnosis difficult. In summary, the present findings suggest that immunohistochemical examination and identification of SCC components are essential for ensuring the accuracy of the histological diagnosis of recurrent SpCC following a primary epithelial malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitic plants share a common anatomical feature, the haustorium. Haustoria enable both infection and nutrient transfer, which often leads to growth penalties for host plants and yield reduction in crop species. Haustoria also reciprocally transfer substances, such as RNA and proteins, from parasite to host, but the biological relevance for such movement remains unknown. Here, we studied such interspecies transport by using the hemiparasitic plant Phtheirospermum japonicum during infection of Arabidopsis thaliana. Tracer experiments revealed a rapid and efficient transfer of carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) from host to parasite upon formation of vascular connections. In addition, Phtheirospermum induced hypertrophy in host roots at the site of infection, a form of enhanced secondary growth that is commonly observed during various parasitic plant-host interactions. The plant hormone cytokinin is important for secondary growth, and we observed increases in cytokinin and its response during infection in both host and parasite. Phtheirospermum-induced host hypertrophy required cytokinin signaling genes (AHK3,4) but not cytokinin biosynthesis genes (IPT1,3,5,7) in the host. Furthermore, expression of a cytokinin-degrading enzyme in Phtheirospermum prevented host hypertrophy. Wild-type hosts with hypertrophy were smaller than ahk3,4 mutant hosts resistant to hypertrophy, suggesting hypertrophy improves the efficiency of parasitism. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the interspecies movement of a parasite-derived hormone modified both host root morphology and fitness. Several microbial and animal plant pathogens use cytokinins during infections, highlighting the central role of this growth hormone during the establishment of plant diseases and revealing a common strategy for parasite infections of plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to identify the most useful markers for predicting recurrence of keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs). A total of 65 tumor samples from 63 patients diagnosed with typical parakeratinized cysts and KCOTs between 1992 and 2014 were retrospectively studied. Clinical and histopathological data and treatment modality were reviewed. In addition, the expression profiles of Ki-67, cluster of differentiation (CD)34 and podoplanin were assessed using immunohistochemistry. The association between these factors and the rate of KCOT recurrence was evaluated. The presence of daughter cysts, epithelial islands and high Ki-67, CD34 and podoplanin expression levels were revealed to be associated with tumor recurrence. In particular, univariate analysis revealed that high CD34 expression levels were significantly associated with tumor recurrence (P=0.034), as was conservative surgical treatment (P=0.003). Multivariate analysis revealed that conservative treatment was the greatest independent risk factor for tumor recurrence (odds ratio=13.337; P=0.018). These results suggest that overexpression of CD34 may be a potent predictor of tumor recurrence and radical treatment of the teeth that are in contact with the tumors is recommended in order to prevent tumor recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy and safety of cetuximab therapy for patients with locally advanced (LA) and recurrent/metastatic (R/M) oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), with a specific focus on distant metastases (DMs). Data from 21 patients with unresectable LA and R/M OSCC treated with cetuximab therapy in our department between December, 2012 and July, 2015 were reviewed. The endpoint was the time-to-progression and the assessments made were tumor response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and safety. The overall response rate was 57.1%, with a complete response (CR) rate of 33.3%. The overall median PFS and OS were 5.5 and 8.0 months, respectively. For patients with DMs, the overall response rate was 60.0%, with a CR rate of 40.0%. The median PFS and OS were 3.8 and 5.8 months, respectively. In addition, improved 1-year OS was observed following approval of cetuximab, although the differences between the group of patients treated after that time and historical controls were not statistically significantly (P=0.246). Grade 3-4 adverse events included infusion reaction (4 cases), neutropenia, hypophosphatemia, upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, liver toxicity and mucositis (1 case each). There was one cetuximab-related death due to interstitial pneumonia. An acne-like rash was observed in all cases, but no grade 3 or 4 rash was reported. Hypomagnesemia was observed in 10 cases. Our results suggest that cetuximab may display significant therapeutic efficacy in patients with unresectable LA and R/M OSCC, including those with DMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the physical and chemical stabilities of sulfur and phosphorus molecules encapsulated in a mesoporous carbon (MPC) and two kinds of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) having different cylindrical pore diameters. The sublimation temperatures of sulfur molecules encapsulated in MPC and the two kinds of SWCNTs were measured by thermo-gravimetric measurements. It was found that the sublimation temperature of sulfur molecules encapsulated in SWCNTs having mean tube diameter of 1.5 nm is much higher than any other molecules encapsulated in larger pores. It was also found that the capacity fading of lithium-sulfur battery can be diminished by encapsulation of sulfur molecules in SWCNTs. We also investigated the electrochemical properties of phosphorus molecules encapsulated in SWCNTs (P@SWCNTs). It was shown that P@SWCNT can adsorb and desorb both Li and Na ions reversibly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clearing techniques eliminate factors that interfere with microscopic observation, including light scattering and absorption by pigments and cytoplasmic components. The techniques allow fluorescence-based detailed analyses of materials and characterization of the three-dimensional structure of organs. We describe a simple and rapid clearing and imaging method, termed 'TOMEI' (Transparent plant Organ MEthod for Imaging), which enables microscopic observation of intact plant organs. This method involves a clearing reagent containing 2,20-thiodiethanol. Conveniently, transparent plant organs were prepared within only 3-6 h. We detected fluorescent stains at a depth of approximately 200 μm using confocal laser scanning microscopy and analyzed fluorescent proteins in internal tissues of transparent organs cleared using TOMEI. We adapted TOMEI for various plant organs of Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, including leaves, flower buds, flower stalks, root and nematode-infected root-knots. We visualized whole leaves of A. thaliana from the adaxial epidermis to the abaxial epidermis as well as protoxylem and metaxylem vessels of vascular bundles embedded in spongy mesophyll cells. Inner floral organs were observed in flower buds cleared using TOMEI without the need to prepare sections or remove sepals. Multicolor imaging of fluorescent proteins and dyes, and analyses of the three-dimensional structure of plant organs based on optical sections are possible using TOMEI. We analyzed root-knots cleared using TOMEI and revealed that nematodes induce giant cell expansion in a DNA content-dependent manner. The TOMEI method is applicable to analysis of fluorescent proteins and dyes quantitatively with cell morphological characteristics in whole plant organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is caused by antiresorptive (bisphosphonates and denosumab) and antiangiogenic agents, with the first report of denosumab-related ONJ emerging in 2010. To date, although certain case reports on denosumab-related ONJ have been published, those of ONJ caused by a single application of the drug are scarce. In addition, only one report described the histopathological features of this condition, although not completely; only the sequestrum resected by conservative surgery was evaluated. Although conservative treatment is recommended, the effectiveness of extensive surgery in the early stages of bisphosphonate-related ONJ has been described in recent years. Here we report the clinical and histopathological features of denosumab-related ONJ caused by single application of the drug, which was treated by extensive surgery in two patients. Histopathological analysis revealed a decreased number of osteoclasts in viable bone around the sequestrum, and these appeared morphologically immature, as indicated by the presence of very few nuclei. These findings are different from those for bisphosphonate-related ONJ and may assist in elucidating the mechanism underlying denosumab-related ONJ. Furthermore, extensive surgery may be effective for the management of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is one of the leading causes of numerous types of cancer. The present study investigated the impact of a high-fat diet on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal cancer (CRC) in F344 rats. A total of 16 male F344 rats aged 4 weeks were randomly divided into two groups (8 rats/group). Rats in group A were fed a basal diet with a moderate fat (MF) content, while rats in group B were fed a high-fat diet. Upon reaching 5 weeks of age, the rats were injected subcutaneously with DMH (20 mg/kg body weight). DMH was administered once a week for 8 consecutive weeks. All the rats were sacrificed 34 weeks after the first DMH injection and dissected to obtain samples of colorectal tissues. The tissues were examined under a microscope for the presence of aberrant crypt foci (ACFs) and subjected to histopathological analysis. The results showed that at the end of the 34-week experiment, body weights and visceral fat levels were significantly higher in the high-fat diet group compared to the basal diet group. In addition, the incidences of colorectal ACF, adenoma and adenocarcinoma were markedly elevated in the high-fat diet group compared to the basal diet group. These results indicate that the consumption of a high-fat diet promotes the development and progression of CRC and the control of fat intake may prevent CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary gestational choriocarcinoma is commonly present in the uterus in cases of atypical genital bleeding. Symptoms similar to those of an ectopic pregnancy develop when an extra-uterine lesion is present in the abdominal cavity, and lesions have been detected in the ovaries and fallopian tubes in a number of cases. In the present study, we describe a patient with choriocarcinoma that metastasized to the uterine serosa and caused symptoms similar to those of an ectopic pregnancy. The patient was a 30-year-old female who presented to our hospital with atypical genital bleeding and a positive pregnancy test 3 months after missed abortion at 10 weeks of gestation. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed the absence of a gestational sac in or outside the uterus, and intra-abdominal bleeding was noted. An ectopic pregnancy was suspected based on these findings, and emergency laparotomy was performed. A hemorrhagic mass was present on the uterine serosa, and was subsequently resected. Trophoblastic disease was suspected following histopathological examination, for which intra-uterine curettage was performed and choriocarcinoma was diagnosed. Lung metastasis was detected on computed tomography, and a high serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level persisted following surgery. The lesion disappeared following five cycles of methotrexate+ etoposide+actinomycin D therapy, which was performed as postoperative chemotherapy, and the patient's serum hCG level decreased to below the detection limit. In this case of choriocarcinoma, the primary lesion was present in the uterus and had metastasized to the uterine serosa, which is a very rare metastatic site. This uterine serosal metastatic lesion bled and caused symptoms similar to those of an ectopic pregnancy. Certain patients who undergo surgery for a suspected peritoneal pregnancy may have gestational choriocarcinoma, similar to this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pond snail Lymnaea stagnalisis capable of learning taste aversion and consolidating this learning into long-term memory (LTM)that is called conditioned taste aversion (CTA). Previous studies showed that some molluscan insulin-related peptides (MIPs) were upregulated in snails exhibiting CTA. We thus hypothesized that MIPs play an important role in neurons underlying the CTA–LTM consolidation process. To examine this hypothesis, we first observed the distribution of MIP II, a major peptide of MIPs, and MIP receptor and determined the amounts of their mRNAs in the CNS. MIP II was only observed in the light green cells in the cerebral ganglia, but the MIP receptor was distributed throughout the entire CNS, including the buccal ganglia. Next, when we applied exogenous mammalian insulin, secretions from MIP-containing cells or partially purified MIPs, to the isolated CNS, we observed a long-term change in synaptic efficacy (i.e., enhancement) of the synaptic connection between the cerebral giant cell (a key interneuron for CTA) and the B1 motor neuron (a buccal motor neuron). This synaptic enhancement was blocked by application of an insulin receptor antibody to the isolated CNS. Finally, injection of the insulin receptor antibody into the snail before CTA training, while not blocking the acquisition of taste aversion learning, blocked the memory consolidation process; thus, LTM was not observed. These data suggest that MIPs trigger changes in synaptic connectivity that may be correlated with the consolidation of taste aversion learning into CTA–LTM in the Lymnaea CNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]