Isolation of a sp. nov. Ljungan virus from wild birds in Japan

Ljungan virus (LV) has been isolated/detected from rodents in a limited area including European countries and the USA. In this study, we isolated an LV strain from faecal samples of wild birds that had been collected in Japan, and determined the nearly complete sequence of the genome. Sequence analyses showed that the isolate possesses an LV-like genomic organization: 5UTR-VP0-VP3-VP1-2A1-2A2-2B-2C-3A-3B-3C-3D-3UTR. Phylogenetic and similarity analyses based on the VP1 region indicated that the strain constitutes a novel genotype within LV. In addition, we identified species origin of the faeces as gull species by using the DNA barcoding technique. These data suggested that the novel LV strain infected a gull species, in which the virus had not been identified. Taken together, this study has provided the first evidence of the presence of a novel LV in Japan, highlighting the possibility of LV infection in birds.

A Raman spectroscopic study of the carbon deposition mechanism on Ni/CGO electrodes during CO/CO2 electrolysis

In situ and ex situ Raman analyses of porous Ni/CGO electrodes reveal differences in the amount, location and type of carbon formed during CO/CO2 electrolysis. The results demonstrate the limitations of optical in situ techniques applied to Solid Oxide Cells (SOCs) operated in electrolysis conditions. Increased carbon deposition close to the electrode-electrolyte interface is likely to be the result of high charge-transfer current in that area. The positive effect of a CGO interlayer on reducing carbon formation on the fuel electrode is demonstrated.

Phosphorylation of Smad2/3 at the specific linker threonine residue indicates slow-cycling esophageal stem-like cells before re-entry to the cell cycle

The stem cell compartment in the esophageal epithelium is possibly located in the basal layer. We have identified significant expression of Smad2/3, phosphorylated at specific linker threonine residues (pSmad2/3L-Thr), in the epithelial cells of murine stomach and intestine, and have suggested that these cells are epithelial stem cells. In this study, we explore whether pSmad2/3L-Thr could serve as a biomarker for esophageal stem cells. We examined esophageal tissues from normal C57BL/6 mice and those with esophagitis. Double immunofluorescent staining of pSmad2/3L-Thr with Ki67, CDK4, p63, or CK14 was performed. After immunofluorescent staining, we stained the same sections with hematoxylin-eosin and observed these cells under a light microscope. We used the 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling assay to examine label retention of pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells. We collected specimens 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after repeated BrdU administrations and observed double immunofluorescent staining of pSmad2/3L-Thr with BrdU. In the esophagus, pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells were detected in the basal layer. These cells were detected between Ki67 immunostaining-positive cells, but they were not co-localized with Ki67. pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells showed co-localization with CDK4, p63, and CK14. Under a light microscope, pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells indicated undifferentiated morphological features. Until 20 days follow-up period, pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells were co-localized with BrdU. pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells significantly increased in the regeneration phase of esophagitis mucosae, as compared with control mice (esophagitis vs.

CONTROL

6.889 ± 0.676/cm vs. 4.293 ± 0.659/cm; P < 0.001). We have identified significant expression of pSmad2/3L-Thr in the specific epithelial cells of murine esophagi. We suggest that these cells are slow-cycling epithelial stem-like cells before re-entry to the cell cycle.