The Arabidopsis CERK1-associated kinase PBL27 connects chitin perception to MAPK activation

Perception of microbe-associated molecular patterns by host cell surface pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) triggers the intracellular activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. However, it is not known how PRRs transmit immune signals to MAPK cascades in plants. Here, we identify a complete phospho-signaling transduction pathway from PRR-mediated pathogen recognition to MAPK activation in plants. We found that the receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase PBL27 connects the chitin receptor complex CERK1-LYK5 and a MAPK cascade. PBL27 interacts with both CERK1 and the MAPK kinase kinase MAPKKK5 at the plasma membrane. Knockout mutants of MAPKKK5 compromise chitin-induced MAPK activation and disease resistance to Alternaria brassicicola PBL27 phosphorylates MAPKKK5 in vitro, which is enhanced by phosphorylation of PBL27 by CERK1. The chitin perception induces disassociation between PBL27 and MAPKKK5 in vivo Furthermore, genetic evidence suggests that phosphorylation of MAPKKK5 by PBL27 is essential for chitin-induced MAPK activation in plants. These data indicate that PBL27 is the MAPKKK kinase that provides the missing link between the cell surface chitin receptor and the intracellular MAPK cascade in plants.

Detection of serum melanoma-associated antigen D4 in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Despite improvements in surgical techniques, perioperative management, and multidisciplinary therapy, treatment outcomes of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain poor. Therefore, development of novel molecular biomarkers, which either predict patient survival or become therapeutic targets, is urgently required. In the present study, to facilitate early detection of ESCC and predict its clinical course, we investigated the relationship of the serum level of melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE)-D4 to patients' clinicopathological characteristics. Using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, we determined the levels of MAGE-D4 mRNA and protein in cell lysates and conditioned medium of cultures, respectively, of nine ESCC cell lines. Further, we determined MAGE-D4 levels in serum samples collected from 44 patients with ESCC who underwent radical esophagectomy without neoadjuvant therapy as well as from 40 healthy volunteers. Samples of conditioned medium and cell lysates contained comparable levels of MAGE-D4 that correlated closely with the levels of MAGE-D4 mRNA. Preoperative MAGE-D4 levels in the sera of 44 patients with ESCC, which varied from 0 to 2,354 pg/mL (314 ± 505 pg/mL, mean ± standard deviation), were significantly higher compared with those of healthy volunteers. By setting the cutoff at the highest value for healthy volunteers (50 pg/mL), the MAGE-D4-positive group of patients was more likely to have shorter disease-specific and disease-free survival compared with those of the MAGE-D4-negative group, although the differences were not statistically significant. Our results indicate that the elevation of preoperative serum MAGE-D4 levels in some patients with ESCC was possibly caused by excess production of MAGE-D4 by tumor cells followed by its release into the circulation. Clinical implications of serum MAGE-D4 levels should be validated in a large population of patients with ESCC.

Salvage pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy following definitive chemoradiotherapy

Historically, total pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy has been the standard radical surgical treatment for synchronous cancer of the thoracoabdominal esophagus and pharyngolaryngeal region, and for cancer of the cervical esophagus that has invaded as far as the thoracic esophagus. Although definitive chemoradiotherapy that enables preservation of the larynx has often been the first choice of treatment for cancers involving the cervical esophagus, total pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy is required as a salvage therapy for cases involving failure of complete remission or locoregional recurrence after chemoradiotherapy. However, salvage esophageal surgery after definitive high-dose chemoradiotherapy is generally associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to examine the short-term outcome of salvage total pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy. From 2001 to 2014, nine patients underwent salvage total pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy at the Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University. The mortality and morbidity rates were high at 22% and 89%, respectively. Four patients (44%) developed tracheal necrosis, which in two patients eventually led to lethal hemorrhage. Salvage total pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy is an uncommon and highly demanding surgical procedure that should be carefully planned and conducted in selected centers of excellence. Measures must be taken to preserve the tracheal blood supply, thus avoiding fatal complications.

Plasma Membrane Microdomains Are Essential for Rac1-RbohB/H-Mediated Immunity in Rice

Numerous plant defense-related proteins are thought to congregate in plasma membrane microdomains, which consist mainly of sphingolipids and sterols. However, the extent to which microdomains contribute to defense responses in plants is unclear. To elucidate the relationship between microdomains and innate immunity in rice (Oryza sativa), we established lines in which the levels of sphingolipids containing 2-hydroxy fatty acids were decreased by knocking down two genes encoding fatty acid 2-hydroxylases (FAH1 and FAH2) and demonstrated that microdomains were less abundant in these lines. By testing these lines in a pathogen infection assay, we revealed that microdomains play an important role in the resistance to rice blast fungus infection. To illuminate the mechanism by which microdomains regulate immunity, we evaluated changes in protein composition, revealing that microdomains are required for the dynamics of the Rac/ROP small GTPase Rac1 and respiratory burst oxidase homologs (Rbohs) in response to chitin elicitor. Furthermore, FAHs are essential for the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after chitin treatment. Together with the observation that RbohB, a defense-related NADPH oxidase that interacts with Rac1, is localized in microdomains, our data indicate that microdomains are required for chitin-induced immunity through ROS signaling mediated by the Rac1-RbohB pathway.

A Case of Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Malignant Melanoma

A 62-year-old man with a complaint of back pain lasting 2 months was admitted. He also presented a huge abdominal tumor. Diagnostic imaging showed metastatic tumors in the liver, lumbar vertebrae and bilateral lung. An ultrasound-guided needle biopsy revealed a lung tumor containing melanic tissue. Subsequently, there was an evident elevation in uric acid, phosphoric acid, potassium and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations in serum. Continuous hemodiafiltration and administration of rasburicase was initiated following the diagnosis of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). However, he died on the fourth day owing to arrhythmia. An autopsy revealed metastatic deposits in the liver, lung, spine, ribs, and lymph nodes along the biliary system. Microscopic examinations revealed massive necrosis of normal hepatocytes and tumor cells with disseminated tumor thrombi in the portal system. The catastrophic progression of TLS appears to be influenced by a persistent portal blood flow deficiency by portal tumor thrombus in this case.

Ingenol Derivatives are Highly Potent and Selective Inhibitors of HIV Replication in Vitro

Ingenol 3,5,20-triacetate has recently been identified as a highly potent and selective inhibitor of HIV replication in vitro. To evaluate the potential of ingenol derivatives as anti-HIV agents, several ingenol derivatives have been synthesized and investigated for their anti-HIV activities, structure-activity relationships, and possible mechanisms of action. Among the ingenol derivatives, 13-hydroxyingenol-3-(2,3-dimethylbutanoate)-13-dodecanoate (RD4-2138) proved to be a highly potent and selective inhibitor of HIV replication. Its 50% effective concentration for viral replication in MT-4 cells was 0.07-0.5 nM depending on viral strains, including HIV-2. This concentration was approximately 105-fold lower than its cytotoxic threshold. RD4-2138 was also inhibitory to the syncytium formation induced by cocultivation of Molt-4 cells with Molt-4/IIIB cells (Molt-4 cells chronically infected with HIV-1). Some correlation was observed with the ingenol derivatives between their inhibitory effects on HTLV-IIIB replication and surface CD4 expression in MT-4 cells, suggesting that the mechanism of inhibition is in part attributed to the inhibition of virus adsorption through down-regulation of CD4 molecules in the host cells. However, such correlation was not identified between the inhibition of HTLV-IIIB and the activation of protein kinase C. Thus, they might have a potential as effective anti-HIV agents when toxicity in vivo could be elucidated.

Interference Effect between ϕ and Λ(1520) Production Channels in the γp→K^{+}K^{-}p Reaction near Threshold

The ϕ-Λ(1520) interference effect in the γp→K^{+}K^{-}p reaction has been measured for the first time in the energy range from 1.673 to 2.173 GeV. The relative phases between ϕ and Λ(1520) production amplitudes were obtained in the kinematic region where the two resonances overlap. The measurement results support strong constructive interference when K^{+}K^{-} pairs are observed at forward angles but destructive interference for proton emission at forward angles. Furthermore, the observed interference effect does not account for the sqrt[s]=2.1  GeV bump structure in forward differential cross sections for ϕ photoproduction. This fact suggests possible exotic structures such as a hidden-strangeness pentaquark state, a new Pomeron exchange, or rescattering processes via other hyperon states.

Optimised paediatric CT dose at a tertiary children's hospital in Japan: a 4-y single-centre analysis

Since diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for children are not currently established in Japan, the authors determined local DRLs for the full range of paediatric CT examinations in a single tertiary care children's hospital. A retrospective review of 4801 CT performance records for paediatric patients (<15 y old) who had undergone CT examinations from 2008 to 2011 was conducted. The most frequent examinations were of the head (52 %), followed by cardiac (15 %), temporal bone (9 %), abdomen (7 %), chest (6 %) and others (11 %). Approximately one-third of children received two or more CT scans. The authors' investigation showed that mean CTDIvol and DLP for head, chest and abdomen increased as a function of age. Benchmarking of the results showed that CTDIvol, DLP and effective dose for chest and abdomen examinations in this hospital were below average, whereas those for the head tended to be at or slightly above average of established DRL values from five countries. The results suggest that CT examinations as performed in a tertiary children's hospital in Japan are well optimised.

Plastid Proteomic Analysis in Tomato Fruit Development

To better understand the mechanism of plastid differentiation from chloroplast to chromoplast, we examined proteome and plastid changes over four distinct developmental stages of 'Micro-Tom' fruit. Additionally, to discover more about the relationship between fruit color and plastid differentiation, we also analyzed and compared 'Micro-Tom' results with those from two other varieties, 'Black' and 'White Beauty'. We confirmed that proteins related to photosynthesis remain through the orange maturity stage of 'Micro-Tom', and also learned that thylakoids no longer exist at this stage. These results suggest that at a minimum there are changes in plastid morphology occurring before all related proteins change. We also compared 'Micro-Tom' fruits with 'Black' and 'White Beauty' using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. We found a decrease of CHRC (plastid-lipid-associated protein) and HrBP1 (harpin binding protein-1) in the 'Black' and 'White Beauty' varieties. CHRC is involved in carotenoid accumulation and stabilization. HrBP1 in Arabidopsis has a sequence similar to proteins in the PAP/fibrillin family. These proteins have characteristics and functions similar to lipocalin, an example of which is the transport of hydrophobic molecules. We detected spots of TIL (temperature-induced lipocalin) in 2D-PAGE results, however the number of spots and their isoelectric points differed between 'Micro-Tom' and 'Black'/'White Beauty'. Lipocalin has various functions including those related to environmental stress response, apoptosis induction, membrane formation and fixation, regulation of immune response, cell growth, and metabolism adjustment. Lipocalin related proteins such as TIL and HrBP1 could be related to the accumulation of carotenoids, fruit color and the differentiation of chromoplast.

miR-199a Links MeCP2 with mTOR Signaling and Its Dysregulation Leads to Rett Syndrome Phenotypes

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by MECP2 mutations. Although emerging evidence suggests that MeCP2 deficiency is associated with dysregulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), which functions as a hub for various signaling pathways, the mechanism underlying this association and the molecular pathophysiology of RTT remain elusive. We show here that MeCP2 promotes the posttranscriptional processing of particular microRNAs (miRNAs) as a component of the microprocessor Drosha complex. Among the MeCP2-regulated miRNAs, we found that miR-199a positively controls mTOR signaling by targeting inhibitors for mTOR signaling. miR-199a and its targets have opposite effects on mTOR activity, ameliorating and inducing RTT neuronal phenotypes, respectively. Furthermore, genetic deletion of miR-199a-2 led to a reduction of mTOR activity in the brain and recapitulated numerous RTT phenotypes in mice. Together, these findings establish miR-199a as a critical downstream target of MeCP2 in RTT pathogenesis by linking MeCP2 with mTOR signaling.

The threshold of hypothyroidism after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: a retrospective analysis of 116 cases

The purpose of the present study was to determine the risk factors for developing thyroid disorders based on a dose-volume histograms (DVHs) analysis. Data from a total of 116 consecutive patients undergoing 3D conformal radiation therapy for head and neck cancers was retrospectively evaluated. Radiation therapy was performed between April 2007 and December 2010. There were 108 males and 8 females included in the study. The median follow-up term was 24 months (range, 1-62 months). The thyroid function was evaluated by measuring thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels. The mean thyroid dose, and the volume of thyroid gland spared from doses ≥10, 20, 30 and 40 Gy (VS10, VS20, VS30 and VS40) were calculated for all patients. The thyroid dose and volume were calculated by the radiotherapy planning system (RTPS). The cumulative incidences of hypothyroidism were 21.1% and 36.4% at one year and two years, respectively, after the end of radiation therapy. In the DVH analyses, the patients who received a mean thyroid dose <30 Gy had a significantly lower incidence of hypothyroidism. The univariate analyses showed that the VS10, VS20, VS30 and VS40 were associated with the risk of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism was a relatively common type of late radiation-induced toxicity. A mean thyroid dose of 30 Gy may be a useful threshold for predicting the development of hypothyroidism after radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.

High speed prototype quantum key distribution system and long term field trial

Securing information in communication networks is an important challenge in today's world. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) can provide unique capabilities towards achieving this security, allowing intrusions to be detected and information leakage avoided. We report here a record high bit rate prototype QKD system providing a total of 878 Gbit of secure key data over a 34 day period corresponding to a sustained key rate of around 300 kbit/s. The system was deployed over a standard 45 km link of an installed metropolitan telecommunication fibre network in central Tokyo. The prototype QKD system is compact, robust and automatically stabilised, enabling key distribution during diverse weather conditions. The security analysis includes an efficient protocol, finite key size effects and decoy states, with a quantified key failure probability of ε = 10⁻¹⁰.

Correlation analysis of proteins responsive to Zn, Mn, or Fe deficiency in Arabidopsis roots based on iTRAQ analysis

For discovering the functional correlation between the identified and quantified proteins by iTRAQ analysis, here we propose a correlation analysis method with cosine correlation coefficients as a powerful tool. iTRAQ analysis is a quantitative proteomics approach that enables identification and quantification of a large number of proteins. In order to obtain proteins responsive to Zn, Mn, or Fe mineral deficiency, we conducted iTRAQ analysis using a microsomal fraction of protein extractions from Arabidopsis root tissues. We identified and quantified 730 common proteins in three biological replicates with less than 1 % false discovery rate. To determine the role of these proteins in tolerating mineral deficiencies and their relation to each other, we calculated cosine correlation coefficients and represented the outcomes on a correlation map for visual understanding of functional relations among the identified proteins. Functionally similar proteins were gathered into the same clusters. Interestingly, a cluster of proteins (FRO2, IRT1, AHA2, PDR9/ABCG37, and GLP5) highly responsive to Fe deficiency was identified, which included both known and unknown novel proteins involved in tolerating Fe deficiency. We propose that the correlation analysis with the cosine correlation coefficients is a powerful method for finding important proteins of interest to several biological processes through comprehensive data sets.

Polaprezinc reduces the severity of radiation-induced mucositis in head and neck cancer patients

Polaprezinc (PZ), an antiulcer drug, has been reported to have antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of administering PZ for radiation-induced mucositis in head and neck cancer patients. Patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer were enrolled in this prospective study. PZ was prepared as an oral rinse. The PZ oral rinse was used four times per day during the course of radiotherapy. Sequential changes in radiation mucositis were assessed during and after radiotherapy according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0. Furthermore, a retrospective comparison analysis was performed to assess the efficacy of PZ for radiation-induced mucositis. A total of 32 patients were enrolled in the prospective study of the PZ oral rinse. Radiotherapy was performed up to a total dose of 60-66 Gy using a conventional schedule combined with chemotherapy. Of the 32 patients, 30 (93.8%) reported no complaints due to the PZ oral rinse. In addition, PZ was not associated with severe adverse effects. Among the patients who received PZ, grade 3 mucositis was observed in 29.0% based on the mucosal findings and in 39.3% based on the symptoms. In the patients who did not receive PZ, the incidence of grade 3 mucositis was 40.0% based on the mucosal findings and 60.7% based on the symptoms. Moreover, PZ promoted the recovery from mucositis caused by chemoradiotherapy and was not associated with reduced tumor response to radiotherapy. Therefore, the PZ oral rinse was well tolerated and proved to be efficient for the treatment of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis.

High-dose chemotherapy for high-risk retinoblastoma: clinical course and outcome of 14 cases in the National Cancer Center, Japan

The prognosis of high-risk retinoblastoma (RB) with extraocular disease, relapse, or invasion of the cut end of the optic nerve is extremely poor. Following the discontinuation of thiotepa production in Japan, BU- and melphalan (Mel)-based regimens have been used, followed by the standard treatment for neuroblastoma. This study retrospectively analyzed 14 high-risk RB patients who underwent high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and hematopoietic SCT; 8 received a BU/Mel conditioning regimen and 6 received other regimens. The disease status at HDC was relapse in 8 patients and extraocular involvement in 5. All patients received peripheral blood stem cell infusion >1.5 × 10(6)/kg. Engraftment occurred within a median of 11 days (BU/Mel: 10-13, others: 9-13). Primary toxicities included mucositis (⩾grade 3) in 9 patients (4 with BU/Mel, 5 with others). Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) occurred in two 1-year-old patients in the BU/Mel group. There were no treatment-related deaths. Of 4 (2 with BU/Mel, 2 with others) patients with central nervous system (CNS) relapse after HDC, 3 died. In conclusion, the BU/Mel regimen may be feasible for high-risk RB under careful monitoring for VOD, particularly in younger patients. CNS relapse associated with a lethal prognosis occurred after all regimens; therefore, further evaluation of HDC efficacy for high-risk RB is required.

Arabidopsis dynamin-related proteins, DRP2A and DRP2B, function coordinately in post-Golgi trafficking

Dynamin-related proteins (DRPs) are large GTPases involved in a wide range of cellular membrane remodeling processes. In Arabidopsis thaliana, two paralogous land plant-specific type DRPs, DRP2A and DRP2B, are thought to participate in the regulation of post-Golgi trafficking. Here, we examined their molecular properties and functional relationships. qRT-PCR and GUS assays showed that DRP2A and DRP2B were expressed ubiquitously, although their expressions were strongest around root apical meristems and vascular bundles. Yeast two-hybrid, bi-molecular fluorescent complementation, and co-immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry analyses revealed that DRP2A and DRP2B interacted with each other. In observations with confocal laser scanning microscopy and variable incidence angle fluorescent microscopy, fluorescent fusions of DRP2A and DRP2B almost completely co-localized and were mainly localized to endocytic vesicle formation sites of the plasma membrane, clathrin-enriched trans-Golgi network and the cell plate in root epidermal cells. Treatments with wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-/4-kinases, latrunculin B, an inhibitor of actin polymerization, and oryzalin, an inhibitor of microtubule polymerization, increased the resident time of DRP2A and DRP2B on the plasma membrane. These results show that DRP2A and DRP2B function coordinately in multiple pathways of post-Golgi trafficking in phosphatidylinositol 3- or 4-kinase and cytoskeleton polymerization-dependent manners.

Heterotrimeric G proteins control stem cell proliferation through CLAVATA signaling in Arabidopsis

Cell-to-cell communication is a fundamental mechanism for coordinating developmental and physiological events in multicellular organisms. Heterotrimeric G proteins are key molecules that transmit extracellular signals; similarly, CLAVATA signaling is a crucial regulator in plant development. Here, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana Gβ mutants exhibit an enlarged stem cell region, which is similar to that of clavata mutants. Our genetic and cell biological analyses suggest that the G protein beta-subunit1 AGB1 and RPK2, one of the major CLV3 peptide hormone receptors, work synergistically in stem cell homeostasis through their physical interactions. We propose that AGB1 and RPK2 compose a signaling module to facilitate meristem development.