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Cell polarity, the asymmetric distribution of proteins and organelles, is permanently or transiently established in various cell types and plays an important role in many physiological events. EH domain-binding protein 1 like 1 (EHBP1L1) is an adaptor protein that is localized on recycling endosomes and regulates apical-directed transport in polarized epithelial cells. However, the role of EHBP1L1 in non-epithelial cells remains unknown. In this study, Ehbp1l1-/- mice showed impaired erythroblast enucleation. Further analyses showed that nuclear polarization prior to enucleation was impaired in Ehbp1l1-/- erythroblasts. It was also revealed that EHBP1L1 interactors Rab10, Bin1, and dynamin were involved in erythroblast enucleation. In addition, Ehbp1l1-/- erythrocytes exhibited stomatocytic morphology and dehydration. These defects in erythroid cells culminated in early postnatal anemic lethality in Ehbp1l1-/- mice. Moreover, we found the mislocalization of nuclei and mitochondria in the skeletal muscle cells of Ehbp1l1-/- mice, as observed in patients with centronuclear myopathy with genetic mutations in Bin1 or dynamin 2. Taken together, our findings indicate that the Rab8/10-EHBP1L1-Bin1-dynamin axis plays an important role in multiple cell polarity systems in epithelial and non-epithelial cells.

Aim: The transorally inserted anvil (OrVilTM) is often selected for esophagojejunostomy after total laparoscopic gastrectomy due to its versatility. During anastomosis with OrVilTM, it is possible to select a double stapling technique (DST) or a hemi-double technique (HDST) by overlapping the linear stapler and the circular stapler, although there has been no report on the anastomotic strength. Thus, an animal experiment was conducted and verified this study. Methods: This experiment used 10 fresh porcine esophageal and jejunal specimens. Two models were created: a model in which the rod is placed at the center of the esophageal transection line (DST model) and a model in which the rod is placed at the lateral end of the esophageal transection line (HDST model). A pressure gage was inserted into the anastomosed intestine while continuously measuring pressure to determine the leakage site and leakage pressure. Results: The leakage site in both the DST (n = 5) and HDST models (n = 5) were at the staple overlapping with a leakage pressure of 151.2 ± 14.2 mmHg in the DST model and 148.2 ± 6.3 mmHg in the HDST model (P = 0.678). When the leakage site was repaired with hand-sewn sutures and conducted remeasuring pressure, leakage was observed from the contralateral crossing in the DST model and the leakage pressure was 155.8 ± 12.2 mmHg. In the HDST model, all models were capable of withstanding 300-mmHg pressures. Conclusion: HDST with a single staple intersection is beneficial for esophagojejunostomy, in terms of pressure resistance, and the repairing suture at the staple intersection can increase pressure resistance.

Introduction A transorally inserted anvil has been developed to facilitate the creation of a stapled anastomosis without the need for a purse string to secure the anvil into place during laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG). We describe a hemi-double stapling technique and application of a transorally inserted anvil for esophagojejunostomy during LTG, and we report the results of a retrospective study in which we examined the feasibility and safety of this method. We also describe the key technical details of the method. Methods Our anastomotic method has four chief features: (a) the esophagus is cut at a slant, and its left cut end is cut and punched for the hemi-double stapling technique; (b) the anvil and circular stapler are connected, placing the distal jejunum in cranial traction; (c) a single layer of sutures is used to correct dog-earing and overlapping, and these points are completely closed with Lembert sutures; and (d) the jejunal limb is fixed to the duodenal stump to prevent kinking of the jejunal limb and to decrease tension on the anastomosis. Results This method has been used in 53 patients thus far. LTG with Roux-en-Y reconstruction was successful in all patients, and there was no need for conversion to open surgery. The mean operative time was 313 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 106 mL. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 18 days. There was no anastomotic leakage or stenosis. Conclusion Hemi-double stapling technique with a transorally inserted anvil for LTG can be performed safely and easily and safely. It can also product good outcomes.

Summary: Background: Billroth Ⅰ (BⅠ) reconstruction and Roux-en-Y (RY) reconstruction are both commonly performed after distal gastrectomy (DG). We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate which is the better option. Methods: Included in our study were 162 patients who, between April 2011 and October 2015, underwent DG followed by BⅠ reconstruction (n = 93) or RY reconstruction (n = 69). All patients were followed up for at least 1 year. We compared perioperative outcomes, postoperative complications, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, endoscopic findings, and nutritional status between the 2 groups of patients. Results: Patient characteristics did not differ between the 2 groups, with the exception of the incidence of gastric body tumors, which was significantly higher in the RY group (73.9% vs. 19.4%; p

Kunii et al. show that neuron-specific SNAP23 knockout mice lack a hippocampus and cerebellum. The SNAP23–VAMP8–Syntaxin1B complex mediates the apical localization of N-cadherin, which is essential for the formation of apical junctional complexes and the polarization of radial glial cells., In the developing brain, the polarity of neural progenitor cells, termed radial glial cells (RGCs), is important for neurogenesis. Intercellular adhesions, termed apical junctional complexes (AJCs), at the apical surface between RGCs are necessary for cell polarization. However, the mechanism by which AJCs are established remains unclear. Here, we show that a SNARE complex composed of SNAP23, VAMP8, and Syntaxin1B has crucial roles in AJC formation and RGC polarization. Central nervous system (CNS)–specific ablation of SNAP23 (NcKO) results in mice with severe hypoplasia of the neocortex and no hippocampus or cerebellum. In the developing NcKO brain, RGCs lose their polarity following the disruption of AJCs and exhibit reduced proliferation, increased differentiation, and increased apoptosis. SNAP23 and its partner SNAREs, VAMP8 and Syntaxin1B, are important for the localization of an AJC protein, N-cadherin, to the apical plasma membrane of RGCs. Altogether, SNARE-mediated localization of N-cadherin is essential for AJC formation and RGC polarization during brain development.

Billroth I reconstruction is a means of anastomosis that is widely performed after surgical resection for distal gastric cancer. Interest has grown in totally laparoscopic gastrectomy, and several methods for totally laparoscopic performance of Billroth I reconstruction have been reported. However, the methods are cumbersome, and postoperative complications such as twisting at the site of anastomosis and obstruction due to stenosis have arisen. We developed an augmented rectangle technique (ART) by which the anastomosis is created laparoscopically with the use of three automatic endoscopic linear staplers, and the resulting anastomotic opening is wide and less likely to become twisted or stenosed. The technical details of our ART-based Billroth I anastomosis are presented herein along with results of the procedure to date. The technique was applied in 160 patients who underwent totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer between December 2013 and August 2017. Clinicopathological data, surgical data, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. During surgery, there were no troubles associated with gastrointestinal reconstruction and there was no transition to laparotomy. There were no postoperative complications, including suture failure and stenosis, associated with the gastrointestinal reconstruction, and the average postoperative hospital stay was 12 days. Totally laparoscopic ART-based Billroth I reconstruction is both feasible and safe. We expect this technique to contribute to the spread of safe totally laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer.

Background Esophagogastric anastomosis performed after esophagectomy is technically complex and often the source of postoperative complications. The best technique for this anastomosis remains a matter of debate. We describe a new all-stapled side-to-side anastomosis, which we refer to as triple-stapled quadrilateral anastomosis (TRIQ), that can be performed after minimally invasive surgery, and we report results of a retrospective evaluation of postoperative outcomes among the 60 patients in whom this anastomosis has been performed thus far. Methods The anastomosis is created by apposition of the posterior walls of the esophagus and stomach. A linear stapler is applied to create a V-shaped posterior anastomotic wall. The anterior wall is closed in a gentle chevron-like shape with the use of 2 separate linear staplers, resulting in a wide quadrilateral anastomosis. The anastomosis is then wrapped with a greater omentum flap. Results The patient group comprised 48 men and 12 women with a mean age of 67.8 years. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was performed in 43 of these patients. Neither the thoracoscopic or laparoscopic procedure was converted to open surgery in any patient. The median operation time was 474 min (range 680–320 min). The intraoperative blood loss volume was 104.4 mL (range 240–30 mL). There were no anastomosis-related complications above Clavien-Dindo grade II. Conclusions TRIQ can be performed easily and safely, and good short-term outcome can be expected.

This paper describes a scalable architecture for high-resolution real-time optical flow processor and the design for 60-fps real-time Full-HD system. A previously proposed 30-fps WXGA real-time processor is re-designed as an IP (WXGA-IP) for the proposed Full-HD processor, which adopts a scalable multiprocessor structure. In addition, three methods are newly proposed, namely an improved hierarchical method, an improved initial value creation method, which reduces the number of iterative computations, and an adaptive acceleration parameter selection method that uses the built-in CPU. The realtime processing of 60-fps Full-HD video, which requires four times the processing power of WXGA video, is realized using twice the hardware while maintaining flow detection accuracy at a similar operating frequency compared to those of WXGA-IP.

Background Roux-en-Y (R-Y) reconstruction is a standard option for reconstruction after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG). Though this technique takes more time than Billroth I (B-I) reconstruction, leakage is rare, and it is useful for management of a small remnant stomach. Complications occur and include Petersen’s hernia and Roux stasis syndrome. Petersen’s hernia is a rare complication that results in significant morbidity and poor quality of life.Here we report a case series of a simple and effective method for preventing Petersen’s hernia and Roux stasis syndrome.Methods We performed ante-colic R-Y reconstruction after LDG. After R-Y reconstruction, we fixed the alimentary limb onto the duodenal stump in a proper radian. Via this small improvement in the Roux limb, the alimentary limb was placed to the right of the ligament of Treitz. This not only changed the anatomy of the Petersen’s defect, but it also kept a fluent direction of gastrointestinal anastomosis and avoided a cross-angle after jejunojejunostomy.Results From July 2015 to March 2017, we performed this technique in 31 consecutive patients. The operative time was (308.0 ± 84.6 minutes). Fixation of the alimentary limb onto the duodenal stump took about 10 minutes. Two (6.5%) patients experienced pneumonia and pancreatitis, respectively. No patient required reoperation or readmission. All patients were followed up for at least 2 years, and none of the patients developed postoperative complications related to internal hernia or Roux stasis syndrome.Conclusions This 10 minute technique is a very effective method to reduce the onset of Petersen’s hernia and Roux stasis syndrome in patients who undergo LDG.

A 68-year-old female patient presented with advanced gastric cancer and multiple hepatic tumors. Upper GI endoscopy showed a type 3 lesion in the posterior wall of the gastric body. Abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple liver metastases, and staging laparoscopy identified peritoneal dissemination. She was diagnosed with clinical Stage Ⅳ gastric cancer(cT3N2M1H1). She received 3 courses of combined chemotherapy containing S-1 and cisplatin. The therapeutic response was PR. We performed total gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection and splenectomy. Histopathological examination revealed no residual cancer cells, indicating pCR. She continued S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy and has remained free from recurrence for 18 months.

Objective: A new method of drug delivery via the small bowel, continuous infusion of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG), for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been developed...

Unconventional mRNA splicing on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane is the sole conserved mechanism in eukaryotes to transmit information regarding misfolded protein accumulation to the nucleus to activate the stress response. In metazoans, the unspliced form of X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1u) mRNA is recruited to membranes as a ribosome nascent chain (RNC) complex for efficient splicing. We previously reported that both hydrophobic (HR2) and translational pausing regions of XBP1u are important for the recruitment of its own mRNA to membranes. However, its precise location and the molecular mechanism of translocation are unclear. We show that XBP1u-RNC is specifically recruited to the ER membrane in an HR2- and translational pausing-dependent manner by immunostaining, fluorescent recovery after photobleaching, and biochemical analyses. Notably, translational pausing during XBP1u synthesis is indispensable for the recognition of HR2 by the signal recognition particle (SRP), resulting in efficient ER-specific targeting of the complex, similar to secretory protein targeting to the ER. On the ER, the XBP1u nascent chain is transferred from the SRP to the translocon; however, it cannot pass through the translocon or insert into the membrane. Therefore, our results support a noncanonical mechanism by which mRNA substrates are recruited to the ER for unconventional splicing.

In the Antarctica during mid-summer being appropriate for a severe environment of UV-rays, the authors surveyed the protective effect of UV-cut materials against UV-rays, using a collagen sheet (hereafter "collagen artificial skin") that was covered with a UV-cut film and subjected to exposure outdoors. First, exposure of the laminated, collagen artificial skin not covered with any film to UV-rays caused the extracts from the 1st layer, i.e. the utmost outerlayer, of the collagen artificial skin to increase the terminal amino group concentration up to as high as 3.20 nmol/ml, since the collagen molecular chain was largely cut. On the other hand, for the 2nd and 3rd layers of the said sheet, the terminal amino group concentrations were found to have decreased in order, and for the 4th layer and onward, the concentrations were shown to have decreased down to 0.22 nmol/ml, which were nearly equal to the level before the exposure. Although the bands of three molecular chains of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-chains in all samples after exposure to UV-rays were disappeared, it was also shown that the more a layer was inside, the less the collagen molecular chain was not dissolved. In addition, when the collagen artificial skin covered with a UV-blocking, zinc oxide-added film was exposed to the sunlight, it was demonstrated that the more the addition of zinc oxide in the film increased, the lower the terminal amino group concentration in the extracts from the exposed, collagen artificial skin was observed. At the time when the added quantity of zinc oxide reached 0.40v%, the concentration was maintained almost at the same level as observed prior to the exposure. Also in comparison with UV-protecting agents, it was shown that the film added with an organic compound acting as a UV-absorbing agent reduced most the damages sustained by UV-rays. As described above, the evaluation method using a collagen artificial skin could be effectively employed in outdoor exposure for examining the protective effect of UV-cut materials to the skin against the UV-rays in the Antarctica.

To prepare homologous DNA fragments as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, the genes encoding phenol oxidase, chitinase, and xylanase were amplified from genomic DNA of Rosellinia necatrix strains. RFLP analysis using the amplified DNA fragments as probe was carried out, with segregation of the markers among two sets of F1 progenies isolated from an independent perithecium. RFLP was frequently found using rpo1 as the RFLP marker among strains of R. necatrix, which was isolated from single ascospores and the circumference of the perithecium. In each set, RFLPs of some F1 progenies were different from that of the parent strain. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) also revealed that several strains, which were of different genotypes from the parent strain, were contained in the single ascospore culture isolated from the same perithecium. From these results, it is suggested that another strain, which was genetically different, was required for mating and development of the ascus in R. necatrix. Therefore, the life cycle in R. necatrix was presumed to be heterothallism. This is the first report about a heterothallic life cycle in R. necatrix.

High-resolution emission spectra of the CN(B2Σ+–X2Σ+) transition and the resonance lines of Ar and Ar+ have been observed for the dissociative excitation reaction of BrCN with the electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma of Ar. These spectra have been compared with those observed for the reaction with the microwave (MW) discharge flow of Ar. It is found that the energy transfer from the metastable state of Ar which proceeds predominantly in the MW discharge flow does not proceed in the ECR plasma. The electron density and temperature have been measured by an electrostatic-probe measurement, from which the kinetic analysis of formation of CN(B2Σ+) has been conducted. The most dominant process of formation of the CN(B2Σ+) state in the ECR plasma is considered to be the dissociative excitation of BrCN by the impact of high-energy free electrons, where the contribution of the recombination of BrCN+ with thermal free electrons cannot be excluded.

After physically disrupting cell contacts, apoptosis of bursal cells of Fabricius was induced during in vitro cultivation. The percentage of apoptotic cells increased with incubation time and approximately 70% cells represented apoptosis after 6 hr of incubation. The induction of apoptosis was significantly inhibited by treatment of the cells with ascorbic acid (vitamin C), but not with trolox, a vitamin E analog. An intense DNA ladder pattern was shown at 6 hr post-isolation, which is a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis. Treatment of the cells with ascorbic acid inhibited the DNA fragmentation, but trolox did not. To monitor the intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROSs), the intensity of fluorescence emitted from DCFH-DA was measured. The intensity of fluorescence from cells incubated for 0.5-2 hr was approximately 2-fold higher than that from cells at 0 hr. The relative intensity of fluorescence decreased immediately after the addition of ascorbic acid to the cells. The intensity from the cells treated with ascorbic acid was 20-30% of that from the control cells at each incubation time. For trolox, the intensity was 50-70% of that from the control cells at each 1 to 2 hr incubation time. When ROSs-induced lipid peroxidation was assessed using cis-parinaric acid (PnA) as a monitor molecule, lipid peroxidation was found to occur in the control cells after isolation of the bursal cells. Treatment of the cells with trolox reduced lipid peroxidation, but treatment with ascorbic acid enhanced peroxidation.

Symbiotic Computing is a kind of research project and concept to bridge the gap between Real Space (RS) and Digital Space (DS). The purpose is mainly to develop flexible information service or application as well as to establish the next generation information platform. In order to establish the framework, it is necessary to build 'Mutual Cognition' between human and system. Mutual Cognition broadly consists of two functions; 'RS Cognition' and 'DS Cognition'. This paper focuses on RS Cognition, which is perceptual function of software system for some events or human's activities. In this study, we develop two perceptual functions, which are sitting posture recognition and human's location recognition for an office worker, as a kind of RS perception task. As the results of experiments, we found that our developed functions are quite competent to recognize worker's activities.

Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) studies have revealed enhancement of neural activity of the N1m response of auditory evoked fields in long-term trained musicians, reflecting neuroplastic modification of the representation of the auditory cortex. In contrast, the amplitude of the P2 response of auditory evoked potentials is modified by musical experience, with no alteration of N1. Here, we performed a comprehensive MEG study using stimulation of successive musical-instrument tones to examine how the neural activities of different MEG responses are modified in long-term experienced musicians who commenced musical lessons at ages of ∼5 years and had continued to practice. The dipole moment of the P2m response occurring at 160–180 ms was significantly enlarged in musicians compared with that in individuals who had not received musical lessons. The enlargement was found for the dipole moment of N1m occurring at 100–120 ms in a restricted condition but not for the moment of P1m at 50–60 ms. Furthermore, the dipole moment of P2m for successive stimuli, normalized by the moment for the first stimulus, was significantly larger for chord tones than single tones and was significantly larger in the musicians than controls. These results suggest that the P2m response is susceptible to be modified by musical training in a period of neural maturation, with a short refractory period of neural activity for the auditory input of composite tones. The P2m activity may be specialized to the processing of multifrequency sounds, such as musical timbre consisting of abundant harmonics.

We have cloned and characterized spr1, a putative serine protease gene, from a nematode-trapping fungus, Monacrosporium megalosporum. The gene was present as a single copy in the genome. The predicted protein sequence of spr1 is homologous to the putative cuticle-degrading serine proteases PII and Azo1 from the nematode-trapping fungus, Arthrobotrys oligospora. In the 5' untranslated region near the initiation codon, consensus sequences to an AreA binding site, a well-known mediator of nitrogen metabolite repression in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans, a CreA binding site, a carbon response regulator in A. nidulans, and a PacC binding site, a transcription factor that responds to ambient pH signals in A. nidulans were found. However, spr1 was not regulated by carbon or nitrogen source, and exogenous protein did not induce expression of spr1. The transcription of the spr1 gene of this fungus was significantly affected by ambient pH. Based on RT-PCR, the product of the spr1 gene was not transcribed at pH 4, whereas under alkaline conditions such as pH 8 and 9, the spr1 gene was transcribed well. These results indicate that the spr1 gene is controlled only by a PacC homologue. Moreover, the expression profile of the spr1 gene corresponded with the pH-dependent physiology of this fungus.

We isolated a new thermophilic fungus from soil and identified it as Humicola lagunisoa var. catenulata, a new variety of Humicola lanuginosa. We cultured the fungus and found that these were two kinds of lipases in the culture filtrate.