Touchdown of the Hayabusa Spacecraft at the Muses Sea on Itokawa

After global observations of asteroid 25143 Itokawa by the Hayabusa spacecraft, we selected the smooth terrain of the Muses Sea for two touchdowns carried out on 19 and 25 November 2005 UTC for the first asteroid sample collection with an impact sampling mechanism. Here, we report initial findings about geological features, surface condition, regolith grain size, compositional variation, and constraints on the physical properties of this site by using both scientific and housekeeping data during the descent sequence of the first touchdown. Close-up images revealed the first touchdown site as a regolith field densely filled with size-sorted, millimeter- to centimeter-sized grains.

Genetic diversity of Legionella pneumophila inferred from rpoB and dotA sequences

This study characterised the population structure of Legionella pneumophila by comparing the rpoB (300-bp) and dotA (360-bp) sequences of 267 isolates (18 reference strains, 149 Korean isolates and 100 Japanese isolates). In addition to the six clonal subgroups established previously, four subgroups, P-V to P-VIII, were identified. Subgroupings based on rpoB and dotA sequences were found to correlate with the source of the isolates, and this data may be useful for future epidemiological studies. Fourteen (five Korean and nine Japanese) isolates showed incongruent subgroupings in the rpoB and dotA trees, suggesting that genetic exchange among subgroups, and even among subspecies, may occur frequently in nature.

Pulmonary parenchymal infiltrates in a patient with CD20-positive multiple myeloma

A 53-yr-old woman developed a dry cough after the completion of multi-agent chemotherapy. The biopsy specimens showed diffuse infiltrates with multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive staining in MM cells with surface CD20, surface CD38, and cytoplasmic IgG. This report represents the first reported case of pulmonary parenchymal infiltrates in a patient with CD20-positive MM.

Preoperative diagnosis of malignant transformation in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary

OBJECTIVE

Malignant transformation of mature cystic teratomas (MCT) of the ovary is extremely rare. There are no established criteria of diagnosis before surgery for carcinoma arising from MCT of the ovary. Thus, we analyzed retrospectively tumor size and preoperative values of tumor markers in patients with MCT and investigated the possibility of preoperative diagnosis.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case series of 278 patients with MCT of the ovary. Data were obtained from hospital charts and the pathology registry. Average tumor size (greatest diameter) was determined by the preoperative findings of both MRI and ultrasound examination.

RESULTS

Malignant transformation was seen in five patients (11%) among those whose tumor was > or = 10 cm in diameter, four patients (23%) among those whose pretreatment serum SCC level was > or = 2.0 ng/ml, two patients (13%) among those over 60 years of age and five patients (2%) with a tumor on one side. Mean tumor size and serum SCC level were significantly higher than those of benign MCT.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that patients over 60 years old who have unilateral MCT with SCC value of < or = 2.0 ng/ml and > or = 10 cm tumors may be a high-risk group for malignant transformation.

Reinforcement learning with via-point representation

In this paper, we propose a new learning framework for motor control. This framework consists of two components: reinforcement learning and via-point representation. In the field of motor control, conventional reinforcement learning has been used to acquire control sequences such as cart-pole or stand-up robot control. Recently, researchers have become interested in hierarchical architecture, such as multiple levels, and multiple temporal and spatial scales. Our new framework contains two levels of hierarchical architecture. The higher level is implemented using via-point representation, which corresponds to macro-actions or multiple time scales. The lower level is implemented using a trajectory generator that produces primitive actions. Our framework can modify the ongoing movement by means of temporally localized via-points and trajectory generation. Successful results are obtained in computer simulation of the cart-pole swing up task.

Augmented cytoplasmic Smad4 induces acceleration of TGF-?1 signaling in renal tubulointerstitial cells of hereditary nephrotic ICGN mice with chronic renal fibrosis; possible role for myofibroblastic differentiation

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)-derived glomerulonephritis (ICGN) mouse is a hereditary model animal for nephrotic syndrome with chronic renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In most fibrotic diseases, myofibroblastic differentiation is considered to play crucial roles in pathogenesis of fibrosis and is dominantly regulated by the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 signaling system. To reveal the pathogenic mechanism of chronic renal fibrosis in ICGN mice, we examined the expression and localization of TGF-beta1 signal transducer proteins (TGF-beta receptor-I and -II, Smad2/3 and Smad4) in kidney sections and in primarily cultured tubulointerstitial fibroblasts (TIFs). In kidneys of ICGN mice, many tubulointerstitial cells were differentiated to myofibroblastic cells and were alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA)-positive. The numbers of alphaSMA-positive TIFs prepared from kidneys of ICGN mice (ICGN-TIFs), but not those of ICR control mice (ICR-TIFs), increased during cell culture. No significant differences in production or activation of TGF-beta1 between ICGN-TIFs and ICR-TIFs were seen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro transcriptional reporter assay for TGF-beta1 and Western immunoblotting for TGF-beta1 signal transducers showed no notable differences in the expression levels of TGF-beta receptor-I or -II or Smad2/3 between these TIFs. However, augmented cytoplasmic Smad4 protein in ICGN-TIFs, but not ICR-TIFs, seemed to cause hypersensitivity against TGF-beta1, and the eventual nuclear localization of Smad2/3-Smad4 complex was increased in ICGN-TIFs. Thus, the abnormal cytoplasmic augmentation of Smad4 induces acceleration of TGF-beta1 signaling in the renal tubulointerstitial cells of ICGN mice.

222THE ROLE OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-RELATED APOPTOSIS INDUCING LIGAND DURING FOLLICULAR ATRESIA IN PIG OVARIES

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can induce cell death by binding to its receptors (DR4 and DR5). However, binding to DcR1 or DcR2 cannot induce apoptosis. DcRs compete with DRs. TRAIL has been reported to induce apoptosis in various tumor cells but not in normal cells. However, a recent study revealed that TRAIL induces apoptosis in normal hepatocytes of human but not in those of rat, mouse, or rhesus monkey, indicating that there are species-specific differences in TRAIL and receptor systems. In the present study, we demonstrated Immunohistochemical, Western immunoblotting, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses (RT-PCR) of TRAIL and DR4 in granulosa cells during follicular atresia in pig ovaries. For immunohistochemistry, pig ovaries obtained at a local slaughterhouse were fixed with 20% buffered formalin. For Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis, individual preovulatory antral follicles were dissected from the ovaries. Based on morphological and endocrinological criteria, the antral follicles were divided into three categories as follows: healthy, early stage of atresia, progressed stage of atresia. Significant increases were demonstrated in TRAIL protein and mRNA levels during atresia, but not in DR4 protein. Moreover in an in vitro apoptosis-inducing assay using cultured granulosa cells prepared from healthy follicles, we showed that more than 200ng/mL TRAIL could activate caspase-3 and induce apoptotic cell death in a dose-and time-dependent manner, but less than 100ng/mL of TRAIL could not induce apoptosis. When DcR1 was removed from the cell membrane of granulosa cells, a lower dose of TRAIL could induce apoptosis. The present findings suggested that the TRAIL can induce granulosa cell apoptosis, and that DcR1 blocks TRAIL-induced apoptosis in granulosa cells of healthy follicles in porcine ovaries.

TRAUMATIC SPONDYLOLISTHESIS OF THE LUMBOSACRAL SPINE WITH MULTIPLE FRACTURES OF THE POSTERIOR ELEMENTS

We describe a patient with a traumatic spondylolisthesis of L5 and multiple, bilateral pedicle fractures from L2 to L5. Conservative treatment was chosen, with eventual neurological recovery and bony union. We are not aware of previous reports of this pattern of injury.

Traumatic spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine with multiple fractures of the posterior elements

We describe a patient with a traumatic spondylolisthesis of L5 and multiple, bilateral pedicle fractures from L2 to L5. Conservative treatment was chosen, with eventual neurological recovery and bony union. We are not aware of previous reports of this pattern of injury.

Reciprocal Interaction of Sleep and Synaptic Plasticity

Synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory has been proposed, on the basis of several experimental approaches, to be intimately related with sleep: 1) The idea that sleep contributes to stabilization of acquired memory arises from numerous studies depriving subjects or animals of sleep. 2) Evidence from developing technologies supports "offline" reprocessing of recent experiences during sleep. 3) Recent analysis of the thalamocortical system establishes the reciprocal observation that sleep itself is a plastic process affected by waking experience. This overview synthesizes these converging perspectives across a variety of brain regions and species. We propose the developing visual pathway as a fruitful model for comprehensive understanding of sleep and synaptic plasticity.

Serological analysis of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) patients in Far Eastern Russia and identification of the causative hantavirus genotype

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is endemic in East Asia and Europe. The disease is caused by several viruses belonging to the genus Hantavirus, including the Hantaan virus (HTNV), Seoul virus (SEOV), Dobrava Belgrade virus (DOBV), and Puumala virus (PUUV). Recently, HTNV-related viruses, Amur (AMR) and Far East (FE) genotypes were identified as causative agents of HFRS in Far Eastern Russia. To investigate the epidemiology of HFRS and virus transmission, we collected sera from 17 acute and 32 convalescent patients who were clinically diagnosed with HFRS in the Khabarovsk region of Far Eastern Russia, and detected anti-hantavirus antibodies using an ELISA that can differentiate the infected virus serotype using truncated hantavirus nucleocapsid protein antigen. Sixteen of the 17 acute phase patients had antibodies to hantavirus, and all the positive sera had higher optical densities for HTNV-specific antigen than for SEOV-, DOBV-, or PUUV-specific antigens. The partial M segment of the viral genome was amplified from blood clots from three acute patients by PCR. The nucleotide sequences had closer identities to the FE genotype (>96%) than to the prototype HTNV (88 to 89%) or AMR genotype (81 to 83%). A phylogenetic analysis found that the virus sequences from the patients clustered with the FE type, and were distinct from the AMR type. Thirty-one of 32 convalescent patient sera had antibodies to HTNV-specific antigen. These data suggest that our ELISA system can detect HTNV-specific antibodies to the FE type, which may be responsible for most of the HFRS in Khabarovsk.

Small vessel vasculitis limited to pleuropulmonary manifestations, possibly induced by endotoxin

AIMS

We investigated a rare case of small vessel vasculitis (SVV) limited to pleuropulmonary manifestations, possibly induced by endotoxin, to determine the activation of immuno-mediated cells and endothelia in the pleuropulmonary circulation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A 44-year-old man with a high fever was X-rayed, revealing bilateral pleural effusion and atelectasis in the chest. His laboratory data were within normal limits except for a high white blood cell count and a high C-reactive protein level. Autoantibodies including anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody were negative. Endotoxin was detected in his sera, but repeated cultures of sputa, urine, blood and the pleural effusion were negative for bacteria. Video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed and lung and parietal pleura specimens were obtained. Histology showed arterioles or small arteries infiltrated by monocytes or neutrophils with fibrinoid necrosis and acute or chronic venulitis. A diagnosis of SVV in the lung and pleura was made. Immunohistochemistry revealed that interleukin (IL)-1beta was expressed in monocytes and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 on endothelial cells in the vasculitic lesions in the lung.

CONCLUSIONS

Endotoxin possibly induced the inflammation in this apparently unique case of pleuropulmonary small vessel vasculitis. Immunohistochemistry revealed the expression of IL-1beta and VCAM-1 which may have caused activation of monocytes and endothelial cells within the vasculitic lesions.

Expression and activity of Apaf1 and caspase-9 in granulosa cells during follicular atresia in pig ovaries

Apoptosis in granulosa cells plays a crucial role in ovarian follicular atresia, but the intracellular regulating mechanism, especially the mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis signalling pathway, is still largely unknown. This study examined whether the mitochondrial pathway is associated with granulosa cell apoptosis during atresia in pig ovaries. Both mRNAs of caspase-9 and apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf1), which are major signal transducing components in the mitochondrial pathway, were detected in granulosa cells in healthy, early atretic and progressed atretic follicles by RT-PCR. No changes in the expression of Apaf1 mRNA were seen during follicular atresia, but the expression of caspase-9 mRNA increased during atresia. Apaf1 protein was steadily detected in granulosa cells prepared from healthy, early atretic and progressed atretic follicles by western blot analysis, but high expression of the precursor of caspase-9 (procaspase-9) was detected only in granulosa cells of healthy follicles. Decreased procaspase-9 protein was demonstrated during follicular atresia. Proteolytic activity of caspase-9 increased during atresia, in agreement with the diminution of procaspase-9 protein. Intensive expression of caspase-9 mRNA was demonstrated in the granulosa cells of early atretic and progressed atretic follicles but not in those of healthy follicles. These results indicate that the mitochondrial signalling pathway, which is mediated by Apaf1 and caspase-9, plays a crucial role in determining the fate of granulosa cells during atresia in pig ovaries.

Experience-dependent slow-wave sleep development

Sleep enhances plasticity in neocortex, and thereby improves sensory learning. Here we show that sleep itself undergoes changes as a consequence of waking experience during a late critical period in cats and mice. Dark-rearing produced a robust and reversible decrement of slow-wave electrical activity during sleep that was restricted to visual cortex and impaired by gene-targeted reduction of NMDA receptor function.

Involvement of the multidomain regulatory protein XynR in positive control of xylanase gene expression in the ruminal anaerobe Prevotella bryantii B(1)4

The xylanase gene cluster from the rumen anaerobe Prevotella bryantii B(1)4 was found to include a gene (xynR) that encodes a multidomain regulatory protein and is downstream from the xylanase and beta-xylosidase genes xynA and xynB. Additional genes identified upstream of xynA and xynB include xynD, which encodes an integral membrane protein that has homology with Na:solute symporters; xynE, which is related to the genes encoding acylhydrolases and arylesterases; and xynF, which has homology with the genes encoding alpha-glucuronidases. XynR includes, in a single 833-amino-acid polypeptide, a putative input domain unrelated to other database sequences, a likely transmembrane domain, histidine kinase motifs, response regulator sequences, and a C-terminal AraC-type helix-turn-helix DNA binding domain. Two transcripts (3.7 and 5.8 kb) were detected with a xynA probe, and the start site of the 3.7-kb transcript encoding xynABD was mapped to a position upstream of xynD. The DNA binding domain of XynR was purified after amplification and overexpression in Escherichia coli and was found to bind to a 141-bp DNA fragment from the region immediately upstream of xynD. In vitro transcription assays demonstrated that XynR stimulates transcription of the 3.7-kb transcript. We concluded that XynR acts as a positive regulator that activates expression of xynABD in P. bryantii B(1)4. This is the first regulatory protein that demonstrates significant homology with the two-component regulatory protein superfamily and has been shown to be involved in the regulation of polysaccharidase gene expression.

Separable features of visual cortical plasticity revealed by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2A signaling

How individual receptive field properties are formed in the maturing sensory neocortex remains largely unknown. The shortening of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor currents by 2A subunit (NR2A) insertion has been proposed to delimit the critical period for experience-dependent refinement of circuits in visual cortex. In mice engineered to maintain prolonged NMDA responses by targeted deletion of NR2A, the sensitivity to monocular deprivation was surprisingly weakened but restricted to the typical critical period and delayed normally by dark rearing from birth. Orientation preference instead failed to mature, occluding further effects of dark rearing. Interestingly, a full ocular dominance plasticity (but not orientation bias) was selectively restored by enhanced inhibition, reflecting an imbalanced excitation in the absence of NR2A. Many of the downstream pathways involved in NMDA signaling are coupled to the receptor through a variety of protein-protein interactions and adaptor molecules. To further investigate a mechanistic dissociation of receptive field properties in the developing visual system, mice carrying a targeted disruption of the NR2A-associated 95-kDa postsynaptic density (PSD95) scaffolding protein were analyzed. Although the development and plasticity of ocular dominance was unaffected, orientation preference again failed to mature in these mice. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the cellular basis generating individual sensory response properties is separable in the developing neocortex.

Survey of nasal colonization by, and assessment of a novel multiplex PCR method for detection of biofilm-forming methicillin-resistant staphylococci in healthy medical students

We surveyed the prevalence of nasal colonization by biofilm-forming methicillin-resistant staphylococci in healthy medical students, who had never had contact with patients, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect themec A gene, production of penicillin-binding protein 2' (PBP2'), and quantitative assay of biofilm formation on polystyrene. Anterior nasal swabs from 90 students were cultured on mannitol salt and oxacillin salt screening agar plates. In total, 231 staphylococcal isolates belonging to 10 species from 88 students were identified, of which 139 from 77 (88%) students were Staphylococcus epidermidis. The overall prevalences of methicillin-resistant and biofilm-forming staphylococci were 48% (43 of 90) and 59% (53 of 90) for the medical students, respectively. In total 30 (33%) students carried biofilm-forming methicillin-resistant staphylococci in the nares, all of which were identified as S. epidermidis. For rapid detection of biofilm-forming methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE), we devised a novel multiplex PCR method to assess a total of 243 staphylococcal isolates, including the 231 isolates from the students. The multiplex PCR assay used six primers to amplify atl E and ica ADB, which are responsible for the biofilm formation ofS. epidermidis, and mec A genes. The multiplex PCR assay revealed that 68 (96%) isolates were detectable in 71 biofilm-forming MRSE isolates, which corresponded to 93% (28 of 30) of biofilm-forming MRSE carriers. Surveillance of nasal colonization with biofilm-forming MRSE using this multiplex PCR in healthcare workers and patients, might provide useful information for the establishment of infection control procedures toward biofilm-forming MRSE.

Characterization of JNK-like protein derived from a mosquito cell line, C6/36

When Western blot analysis of heat-killed bacteria- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated Aedes albopictus mosquito cell line C6/36 was performed using antiphospholyrated c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) antibodies, approximately 46 kDa protein was clearly detected with a peak around 30 min. After the C6/36 cells were incubated at 45 degrees C in order to induce apoptosis, the 46 kDa protein continued to be detected for at least 3 h. The internalization of fluorescein-labelled bacteria was inhibited by a JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125, suggesting that phagocytosis involves the JNK signalling pathway in mosquito cells. Based on these results, we found one candidate for the nucleotide sequence of JNK (Ae-JNK) from the C6/36 cells. This study is the first report regarding the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) of mosquito.

Enzymatic depletion of serotonin in vivo and its consequences

The serotonin (5-HT) system in the brain is a global modulator thought to tune up a unique subset of brain keynotes such as emotion, motivation, and sleep/conscious states in the deepest seats of cognition and behavior. In pursuit for coherent accounts of such higher-order issues, we have been trying to deduce the system dynamics of 5-HT in full span from the perturbation-response couples elicited by our most quick, specific, extensive, and reversible depletion of the brain 5-HT so far available via plasma precursor annihilation by injection of a tryptophan degrading enzyme (TSO) (ISTRY meetings-1986 in Cardiff, -92 in Nagoya and -98 in Hamburg). Herein discussed are the dynamics of the 5-HT depletion both in the whole brain and regional dimensions, and then the perturbation-induced manifestation of a continuous behavioral quiescence underlain by chaotic patterns of sleep/waking states. This response in sharp contrast to those by earlier serotonin depletors, prompts us to consider a serious revision of the current 5-HT scenario. In the light of our research, future directions will be discussed together with the RTD (rapid tryptophan depletion) claiming the impaired brain 5-HT turnover by a partial decline of plasma tryptophan.