Avascular necrosis of bone in severe acute respiratory syndrome

AIM: To report the incidence of avascular osteonecrosis (AVN) in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven SARS patients who had large joint pain between March 2003 and May 2003 underwent both plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination on the same day. All patients received steroids and ribavirin treatment. All plain radiographs and MR images were analysed by two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists. Any abnormalities, location, extent, morphology, the number, size and signal intensity of lesions were evaluated.

RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were identified with AVN, The mean time to diagnosis of AVN was 119 days after the onset of SARS, or 116 days after steroid use. Three patients had early bilateral AVN of the femoral head, four patients of one femoral head, five patients of the bilateral hips and knees, four patients of the ipsilateral hip and knees, 10 patients of the knee(s), one patient of the right proximal fibula, and one patient of the knees and talus. Results of hip, knee and ankle plain radiographs were negative.

CONCLUSION: AVN can occur in the patients with SARS. AVN had a strong association with steroid use. More studies are required to confirm whether the virus itself can also lead to AVN.

Microwave-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from grape seed

A microwave-assisted extraction technique was developed to optimize the extraction of phenolic compounds from grape seeds. The microwave power (300-150W) and time of extraction (20-200s) were varied during the optimization process. The polyphenol content of the resulting extracts were measured as mg of tannic acid equivalent per gram of crude extract (mg TAE/g of crude extract), using a Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. In general, neither the time nor the power had a significant effect on the overall % yield (average of 13.5%) and on the polyphenol content (392 mg TAE/g of crude extract) of the extracts. However, when the solvent polarity was changed by the addition of 10% water, the yield increased to 15.2% and the polyphenol content increased to 429 mg TAE/g of crude extract.

Differences in the recognition of glucan elicitor signals between rice and soybean: beta-glucan fragments from the rice blast disease fungus Pyricularia oryzae that elicit phytoalexin biosynthesis in suspension-cultured rice cells

Partial acid/enzymatic hydrolysis of the beta-(1-->3, 1-->6)-glucan from the cell walls of the rice blast disease fungus Pyricularia oryzae (Magnaporthe grisea) released elicitor-active fragments that induced phytoalexin biosynthesis in suspension-cultured rice cells. From the digestion of the glucan by an endo-beta-(1-->3)-glucanase, one highly elicitor-active glucopentaose was purified as a reduced compound, tetraglucosyl glucitol. The structure of this tetraglucosyl glucitol as well as two other related tetraglucosyl glucitols was elucidated as follows: (1) Glcbeta(1-->3)Glcbeta(1-->3)(Glcbeta(1-->6)) Glcbeta(1-->3)Glucitol (most active fragment); (2) Glcbeta(1-->3)(Glcbeta(1-->6))Glcbeta(1-->3)Glcbeta (1-->3)Glucitol; and (3) Glcbeta(1-->6) Glcbeta(1-->3)Glcbeta(1-->3)Glcbeta(1-->3)Glucitol. However, a synthetic hexa-beta-glucoside, known as a minimal structural element for the phytoalexin elicitor for soybean cotyledon cells, did not induce phytoalexin biosynthesis in the rice cells. Conversely, the beta-glucan fragment from P. oryzae did not induce phytoalexin biosynthesis in the soybean cotyledon cells, indicating differences in the recognition of glucooligosaccharide elicitor signals in these two plants. Because rice cells have been shown to recognize chitin fragments larger than pentamers as potent elicitors, these results also indicate that the rice cells can recognize at least two types of oligosaccharides from fungal cell walls as signal molecules to initiate defense response.

Medaka piwi is essential for primordial germ cell migration

Piwi controls the number of primordial germ cells (PGCs) via protecting maternal mRNA from decay and adult germ stem cell division in Drosophila. In mouse and zebrafish, piwi controls maintenance and differentiation of adult germ stem cell during gametogenesis. Whether piwi plays a role in PGC development of vertebrates remains unsolved. We addressed this issue by using medaka (Oryzias latipes) as a vertebrate model. Molecular cloning, sequence comparison and analyses of genomic organization and chromosome synteny led to the identification in this fish of a single piwi gene, called Opiwi. By RT-PCR analyses and in situ hybridization, the Opiwi transcript is maternally supplied and becomes restricted to PGCs and the central nervous system (CNS). Opiwi knockdown did not prevent PGC formation even in the absence of any somatic structures but did significantly reduce the number of PGCs in vivo and in vitro and affect the distribution of PGCs in developing embryos. Surprisingly, depletion of zygotic Opiwi severely and specifically affected PGC migration. We conclude that Opiwi is required not only for determining the PGC number but also for controlling PGC migration. Our results demonstrate that piwi plays a generally conserved role in germ cell development from Drosophila to vertebrate and a specific role in PGC migration.

Downregulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor function and cytochrome P450 1A1 induction by expression of Ha-ras oncogenes

The immortalized human epithelial cell line MCF10A has the phenotypic characteristics of normal breast cells. Exposure of MCF10A cultures to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) stimulated the transcriptional activation of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), and CYP1B1, and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase. Northern blot hybridization and nuclear run-on assays demonstrated that transcriptional activation of these genes was suppressed in stably transfected cultures expressing an Ha-ras oncogene (the MCF10A-NeoT line). Similar suppression did not occur in stably transfected lines carrying the expression vector or a normal c-Ha-ras protooncogene. Western blot analyses and immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that the lack of inducibility in MDF10A-NeoT cells reflected neither reductions in aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator protein nor prevention of TCDD-induced AHR translocation to the nucleus. Suppression did correlate with reductions in DNA-AHR complex formation, as analyzed by gel retardation assays of soluble cell extracts treated in vitro with TCDD. The induction of Cyp1a-1 by TCDD was also analyzed in transgenic mice that expressed a v-Ha-ras oncogene exclusively in their keratinocytes. Relative to littermates lacking the transgene, the induction of Cyp1a-1 by TCDD was partially suppressed (about 50%) in the epidermises of v-Ha-ras-positive transgenic mice. However, normal levels of Cyp1a-1 induction occurred in the livers of the same mice. induction of Cyp1a-1 by TCDD was also suppressed (more than 98%) in chemically induced skin papillomas having Ha-ras mutations, relative to uninvolved surrounding skin. These studies suggest that the p21-ras protein controls signal transduction pathways capable of modulating AHR function.

Structure-activity relationships of oligo-beta-glucoside elicitors of phytoalexin accumulation in soybean

The abilities of a family of chemically synthesized oligo-beta-glucosides, ranging in size from hexamer to decamer, to induce phytoalexin accumulation in soybean cotyledons were investigated to determine which structural elements of the oligoglucosides are important for their biological activity. The results of the biological assays established that the following structural motif is necessary for the oligo-beta-glucosides to have high elicitor activity: [formula; see text] The branched trisaccharide at the nonreducing end of the oligoglucosides was found to be essential for maximum elicitor activity. Substitution of either the nonreducing terminal backbone glucosyl residue or the side-chain glucosyl residue closest to the nonreducing end with glucosaminyl or N-acetylglucosaminyl residues reduced the elicitor activity of the oligoglucosides between 10-fold and 10,000-fold. Elicitor activity was also reduced 1000-fold if the two side-chain glucosyl residues were attached to adjacent backbone glucosyl residues rather than to glucosyl residues separated by an unbranched residue. In contrast, modifications of the reducing terminal glucosyl residue of an elicitor-active hepta-beta-glucoside by conjugation with tyramine and subsequent iodination had no significant effect on the elicitor activity of the hepta-beta-glucoside. These results demonstrate that oligo-beta-glucosides must have a specific structure to trigger the signal transduction pathway, which ultimately leads to the de novo synthesis of phytoalexins in soybean.

Effect of Preparation Designs on the Prognosis of Porcelain Laminate Veneers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective:

To investigate the association between preparation designs and prognosis of porcelain laminate veneers (PLVs).

Methods:

Electronic and manual literature searches were performed in Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, and Scopus databases for randomized controlled trials and retrospective and prospective cohort studies comparing any two of three preparation designs. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Pooled hazard ratios and risk ratios were used to evaluate the difference between two preparation designs. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analysis, and evaluation of publication bias were performed if possible.

Results:

Of 415 screened articles, 10 studies with moderate to high quality were included in the meta-analysis. Comparison of preparations with incisal coverage to preparations without coverage revealed a significant result based on time-to-event data (hazard ratio=1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.18-2.78, I2=12.5%), but the result was insignificant based on dichotomous data (risk ratio=1.04, 95% CI=0.59-1.83, I2=42.3%). The other comparisons between any two of overlap, butt-joint, and window types revealed no statistically significant difference. Subgroup analyses regarding the porcelain materials, location of prosthesis, and tooth vitality could account for only part of the heterogeneity. No evidence of publication bias was observed.

Conclusions:

Within the limitation of the present study, it can be concluded that preparation design with incisal coverage for PLVs exhibits an increased failure risk compared to those without incisal coverage. The failure risk of the overlap type may be higher than the butt-joint type but must be validated in further studies.

Skeletal survey of Cayo Santiago rhesus macaques: osteoarthritis and articular plate excrescences

OBJECTIVES

This study was performed to complement studies on spondyloarthropathy in rhesus macaques by quantifying and characterizing another major form of arthritis and contrasting it with osteoarthritis.

METHODS

Skeletons of 269 macaques of known age and troop affiliation from the free-ranging Cayo Santiago colony (Caribbean Primate Research Center) were macroscopically surveyed for the presence of articular changes of osteoarthritis, articular plate excrescences, and calcifications that project back over the joint surface in all diarthrodial joints. Statistical tests were used to establish the independence of pathological conditions, age, gender, troop membership, and specific joint involvement.

RESULTS

Subchondral articular surface excrescences or calcific plate-like articular surface overgrowth were noted in 17% and osteoarthritis in 18% of Cayo Santiago macaques. Distribution of joint involvement and sex ratio (1:1) of the former condition were independent of either troop membership or the distribution of osteoarthritis.

CONCLUSION

Three major forms of arthritis are common in rhesus macaques: osteoarthritis, spondyloarthropathy, and a category that might be referred to as apical plate excrescences (APE). The latter is very different from spondyloarthropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and infectious arthritis. It is quite similar to what in the past has been referred to as the radiographic form of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) in humans. A new name has not been offered for the identification/categorization of this phenomenon in dry bone. Its occurrence in rhesus macaques appears to present a natural model for characterization of genetic, immunologic, and environmental aspects of this phenomenon. The acronym APE is offered for consideration in naming this category of arthritis in skeletal material.

First Report of Colletotrichum fructicola Causing Bitter Rot of Pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) in China

Pyrus bretschneideri cv. Dangshansuli is the most important commercial Asiatic pear cultivar worldwide. In recent years, a fruit rot disease of unknown etiology have caused considerable fresh market losses in the 'Dangshansuli' production operations in Dangshan county, Anhui Province, China. Fresh market losses typically range from 60 to 90% and in 2008 were estimated at US$150 million. Symptomatic mature 'Dangshansuli' pears were collected from an orchard in Dangshan County in February 2008. A thin section (about 1 mm³) of symptomatic tissue was sterilized in a bleach and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium for isolation. From all fruit, a single fungus was recovered displaying gray-white dense aerial mycelium. Identical fungi were isolated from six additional symptomatic 'Dangshansuli' pears collected from other orchards in the county. Pathogenicity tests using one isolate (DS-0) were conducted in triplicate by placing 4 mm diameter discs from 7-day-old PDA plates onto the mature 'Dangshansuli' pear fruit that were incubated in an incubator at 25°C with a 12-h photoperiod for 30 days. An equal number of noncolonized PDA inoculations were included as a control. Isolate DS-0 caused symptoms similar to those in the field within 7 days and complete collapse of cortical tissues within 30 days. No symptoms were observed on control fruit. Round brownish lesions with a diameter of about 3 cm on inoculated fruit was populated by sunken, rotiform acervuli on which numerous, colorless, oblong single cell shape conidia with width/length of 6 × 20 μm were produced. A comparison of morphology and sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions in pre- and post-inoculation cultures from inoculated fruit confirmed the presence DS-0. To further characterize DS-0, aliquots of extracted genomic DNA from the fungus were subjected to PCR amplification and sequencing of seven gene regions from the ITS, actin (ACT), β-tubulin 2 (TUB2), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), manganese-superoxide dismutase (SOD2), chitin synthase (CHS-1), and calmodulin (CAL), using the primers listed by Weir et al (4), except for the primer pair of ITS1 (5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3') and ITS4 (5'-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3') for ITS amplification, and SODglo2-R (5'-TAGTACGCGTGCTCGGACAT-3') and SODglo2-R (5'-TAGTACGCGTGCTCGGACAT-3') for TBU2 amplification. Two or three clones of PCR products of each gene were sequenced and compared (GenBank Accession Nos. KC410780 to KC410786) to published data at http://www.cbs.knaw.nl/colletotrichum . The result indicated that DS-0 shared the highest similarity of 99.91% with Colletotrichum fructicola, corroborating numerous reports of Colletotrichum spp. causing bitter rot of pear on P. pyrifolia (1,2,3,4). C. fructicola was only recently reported as causing bitter rot of P. pyrifolia (4) and to our knowledge, this is the first report of C. fructicola causing bitter rot of P. bretschneideri, which will help producers select the best management practices for this devastating disease. References: (1) P. F. Cannon et al. Stud. Mycol. 73:181, 2012. (2) N. Tashiro et al. J. Gen. Plant Pathol. 78:221, 2012. (3) G. K. Wan et al. Mycobiology 35:238, 2007. (4) B. S. Weir et al. Stud. Mycol. 73:115, 2012.

Differential induction of Cyp1a1, Cyp1b1, Ahd4, and Nmo1 in murine skin tumors and adjacent normal epidermis by ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Products of several phase I and II genes transcriptionally activated by ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) were quantitated in cutaneous samples isolated from non-tumor-bearing SENCAR or SSIN mice, and animals bearing skin tumors generated in initiation-promotion protocols. The constitutive 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities in papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas were less than or equal to 37% of the values measured in the adjacent normal cutaneoustissue. Dermal and epidermal EROD specific activities in microsomal samples prepared from both tumor-bearing and non-tumor-bearing mice were elevated 9- to 14- and 43- to 77-fold, respectively, above constitutive levels 16-20 h after a single topical application of 100 nmol of dibenz[a,c]anthracene (DB[a,c]A). EROD specific activities in tumors were maximally elevated two-fold after topical application of DB[a,c]A. Western blot, northern blot, and reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses confirmed that the EROD measurements reflected cutaneous cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 protein, mature mRNA, and heterogeneous nuclear RNA contents, respectively. Analyses of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase class 3, and NAD(P)H:menadione oxidoreductase (NMO1) mRNA content by RT-PCR revealed significant increases in all four mRNAs in the normal tissue adjacent to papillomas after exposure to 4 nmol of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) but no increases in the tumors. NMO1 mRNA content in acetone-treated papillomas approached the levels detected in TCDD-treated normal skin. RT-PCR analyses also demonstrated elevated constitutive aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator mRNA content (an approximately two-fold increase) in skin tumors. In contrast, AHR mRNA content in the tumors was about 20% of that measured in adjacent normal tissue. Collectively, these studies demonstrated that ligand-induced, AHR-mediated processes are absent in murine skin tumors that develop in initiation-promotion protocols.

Characterization of Causal Agents of a Novel Disease Inducing Brown-Black Spots on Tender Tea Leaves in China

A novel disease characterized by small brown-black spots (1 to 2 mm in diameter) on tender tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) has been observed in many regions of Hubei Province, China, which severely affects the yield and quality of tea. Tea leaf samples with typical symptoms were collected from three major tea-cultivation regions of Hubei, and were subjected to pathogen isolation for etiological analysis. As a result, 34 Pestalotiopsis isolates were obtained from 20 samples, and they were identified as Pestalotiopsis theae (14 isolates), P. camelliae (12), and P. clavispora (8), determined by morphologies and phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer, and partial β-tubulin and translation elongation factor 1-alpha genes. Pathogenicity tests on detached tea leaves showed that no matter what mycelial discs or conidium suspensions were used, inoculation of the Pestalotiopsis fungi could result in small brown-black spots (1 to 2 mm in diameter) on wounded leaves, similar to those observed in the field in the sizes and colors. It also revealed that only P. theae had pathogenicity on unwounded tea leaves, and P. theae and P. clavispora showed significantly higher virulence than P. camelliae. Inoculation test with conidium suspension on intact tea leaves in the field further confirmed that P. theae as the pathogen of brown-black spots. Reisolation of the pathogens from diseased leaves confirmed that the symptom was caused by the inoculation of Pestalotiopsis fungi. The P. theae isolates responsible for brown-black spots were also compared with those for tea gray blight disease in growth rate, pathogenicity, and molecular characteristics in parallel. To our knowledge, this is the first report that the Pestalotiopsis fungi cause brown-black spot disease on tender tea leaves. The results provide important implications for the prevention and management of this economically important disease.

Effect of Baicalein on Matrix Metalloproteinases and Durability of Resin-Dentin Bonding

OBJECTIVE

In an attempt to increase resin-dentin bonding quality, this study used baicalein as a preconditioner in an etch-and-rinse adhesive to evaluate its effect on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and adhesive durability.

METHODS

As a MMP inhibitor and potential collagen cross-linking agent, baicalein was used as a preconditioner in an etch-and-rinse adhesive system. The degree of conversion was evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. EnzChek gelatinase/collagenase assay kits were then used to detect the MMP inhibitory effect of different concentrations of baicalein (0.1, 0.5, 2.5, and 5.0 μg/mL) on dentin powders. During in vitro bonding procedures, flat dentin surfaces on sound third molars were preconditioned with 2.5 μg/mL baicalein after being acid-etched; this step was followed by continuation of adhesive processes and build-up of resin composite. After resin-dentin stick preparation, bonding strength, failure mode, and interface nanoleakage were respectively evaluated via microtensile testing, stereomicroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy either immediately or after storage in artificial saliva for three or six months. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey test (α=0.05).

RESULTS

Baicalein at a concentration of 0-5.0 μg/mL did not influence the conversion of adhesives. However, it inhibited the activities of dentin-bond gelatinase and collagenase, especially at a concentration of 2.5 μg/mL, while effectively increasing microtensile bonding strength and decreasing nanoleakage in vitro, both immediately and after aging.

CONCLUSIONS

Baicalein used as preconditioner in an etch-and-rinse adhesive system has an anti-MMP function and effectively improves resin-dentin bonding durability in vitro, which has potential value in clinical bonding procedures.

Search for neutrinos from annihilation of captured low-mass dark matter particles in the sun by super-kamiokande

Super-Kamiokande (SK) can search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) by detecting neutrinos produced from WIMP annihilations occurring inside the Sun. In this analysis, we include neutrino events with interaction vertices in the detector in addition to upward-going muons produced in the surrounding rock. Compared to the previous result, which used the upward-going muons only, the signal acceptances for light (few-GeV/c^{2}-200-GeV/c^{2}) WIMPs are significantly increased. We fit 3903 days of SK data to search for the contribution of neutrinos from WIMP annihilation in the Sun. We found no significant excess over expected atmospheric-neutrino background and the result is interpreted in terms of upper limits on WIMP-nucleon elastic scattering cross sections under different assumptions about the annihilation channel. We set the current best limits on the spin-dependent WIMP-proton cross section for WIMP masses below 200  GeV/c^{2} (at 10  GeV/c^{2}, 1.49×10^{-39}  cm^{2} for χχ→bb[over ¯] and 1.31×10^{-40}  cm^{2} for χχ→τ^{+}τ^{-} annihilation channels), also ruling out some fraction of WIMP candidates with spin-independent coupling in the few-GeV/c^{2} mass range.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of (+/-)-benzo[a]pyrene-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol in CYP1A1-expressing human fibroblasts quantitatively correlate with CYP1A1 expression level

Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) activity is associated with increased susceptibility to lung cancer induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo[a]pyrene (BP). In non-hepatic human tissues, CYP1A1 is the principal enzyme responsible for the metabolic activation of the proximate BP mutagenic metabolite, (-)-benzo[a]pyrene-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol, to (+)-anti-benzo[a]pyrene-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide, the ultimate BP mutagen. We have genetically engineered both DNA repair-deficient (xeroderma pigmentosum group A) and DNA repair-proficient human skin fibroblasts to express human CYP1A1 under control of the inducible mouse metallothionein-I promoter. CYP1A1 activity was induced by CdSO4 and monitored by following the O-deethylation of ethoxy fluorescein ethyl ester or of 7-ethoxyresorufin. Induced CYP1A1 activities were similar in both cell lines and were dependent on CdSO4 concentration and induction time. Maximal CYP1A1 activities were obtained in 4-6 h with 5-7 microM CdSO4. BPD-induced cytotoxicity and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase mutagenicity were both quantitatively correlated with the level of CYP1A1 activity and were greater in DNA repair-deficient cells than in DNA repair-proficient cells. The results suggest that modestly induced CYP1A1 activity is a risk factor in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced carcinogenesis.

Defining an international cut-off of two-legged countermovement jump power for sarcopenia and dysmobility syndrome

We aimed to establish jump power cut-offs for the composite outcome of either sarcopenia (EWGSOP2) or dysmobility syndrome using Asian and Caucasian cohorts. Estimated cut-offs were sex specific (women: < 19.0 W/kg; men: < 23.8 W/kg) but not ethnicity specific. Jump power has potential to be used in definitions of poor musculoskeletal health.

PURPOSE

Weight-corrected jump power measured during a countermovement jump may be a useful tool to identify individuals with poor musculoskeletal health, but no cut-off values exist. We aimed to establish jump power cut-offs for detecting individuals with either sarcopenia or dysmobility syndrome.

METHODS

Age- and sex-matched community-dwelling older adults from two cohorts (University of Wisconsin-Madison [UW], Korean Urban Rural Elderly cohort [KURE], 1:2) were analyzed. Jump power cut-offs for the composite outcome of either sarcopenia defined by EWGSOP2 or dysmobility syndrome were determined.

RESULTS

The UW (n = 95) and KURE (n = 190) cohorts were similar in age (mean 75 years) and sex distribution (68% women). Jump power was similar between KURE and UW women (19.7 vs. 18.6 W/kg, p = 0.096) and slightly higher in KURE than UW in men (26.9 vs. 24.8 W/kg, p = 0.050). In UW and KURE, the prevalence of sarcopenia (7.4% in both), dysmobility syndrome (31.6% and 27.9%), or composite of either sarcopenia or dysmobility syndrome (32.6% and 28.4%) were comparable. Low jump power cut-offs for the composite outcome differed by sex but not by ethnicity (< 19.0 W/kg in women; < 23.8 W/kg in men). Low jump power was associated with elevated odds of sarcopenia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.07), dysmobility syndrome (aOR 4.32), or the composite of sarcopenia or dysmobility syndrome (aOR 4.67, p < 0.01 for all) independent of age, sex, height, and ethnicity.

CONCLUSION

Sex-specific jump power cut-offs were found to detect the presence of either sarcopenia or dysmobility syndrome in older adults independent of Asian or Caucasian ethnicity.

First indication of terrestrial matter effects on solar neutrino oscillation

We report an indication that the elastic scattering rate of solar B8 neutrinos with electrons in the Super-Kamiokande detector is larger when the neutrinos pass through Earth during nighttime. We determine the day-night asymmetry, defined as the difference of the average day rate and average night rate divided by the average of those two rates, to be [-3.2 ± 1.1(stat) ± 0.5(syst)]%, which deviates from zero by 2.7 σ. Since the elastic scattering process is mostly sensitive to electron-flavored solar neutrinos, a nonzero day-night asymmetry implies that the flavor oscillations of solar neutrinos are affected by the presence of matter within the neutrinos' flight path. Super-Kamiokande's day-night asymmetry is consistent with neutrino oscillations for 4 × 10(-5)  eV(2) ≤ Δm 2(21) ≤ 7 × 10(-5) eV(2) and large mixing values of θ12, at the 68% C.L.

Teriparatide therapy for severe, refractory osteoradionecrosis of the jaw

Although osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a serious complication of craniofacial radiotherapy, the current management methods remain suboptimal. Teriparatide (TPTD), a recombinant human parathyroid hormone (1-34), has shown beneficial effects on osseous regeneration in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw or periodontitis. However, TPTD therapy in irradiated bones has not been indicated yet because of the theoretical risk of osteosarcoma seen in rat models. Hence, we first report here two patients with tongue cancer with late-emerging ORN who were successfully treated with TPTD for 4-6 months with serum calcium and vitamin D supplementation. In contrast to the usual progress of ORN, the bone defect regenerated well and bone turnover markers including serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen and osteocalcin were restored with TPTD therapy. Our experience might suggest that TPTD therapy with careful monitoring can provide an effective treatment option for patients with ORN in select refractory cases, with the benefits outweighing the potential risks.

The First Report of Leaf Spots in Aloe vera Caused by Nigrospora oryzae in China

Aloe vera L. var Chinese (Haw) Berg is a popular ornamental plant cultivated worldwide, whose extracts are used in cosmetics and medicine. Aloe plants are commonly affected by leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata in Pakistan, India, and the United States (1). An outbreak of Alternaria leaf spot recently threatened aloe gel production and the value of ornamental commerce in Louisiana (1). During the summer of 2011, leaf spot symptoms were observed on A. vera plants growing in several greenhouses and ornamental gardens in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. In two of the greenhouses, disease incidence reached 50 to 60%. The initial symptoms included chlorotic and brown spots that expanded to 2 to 4 mm in diameter and became darker with age. Lesions also developed on the tips of 30 to 50% of the leaves per plant. In severe infections, the lesions coalesced causing the entire leaf to become blighted and die. In September of 2012 and February of 2013, 10 symptomatic A. vera leaves were collected randomly from two greenhouses and gardens in Wuhan. A fungus was consistently recovered from approximately 80% of the tissue samples using conventional sterile protocols, and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The colonies were initially white, becoming grey to black, wool-like, and growing aerial mycelium covering the entire petri dish (9 cm in diameter) plate within 5 days when maintained in the dark at 25°C. The conidia were brown or black, spherical to subspherical, single celled (9 to 13 μm long × 11 to 15 μm wide), borne on hyaline vesicles at the tip of conidiophores. The conidiophores were short and rarely branched. These colonies were identified as Nigrospora oryzae based on the described morphological characteristics of N. oryzae (2). Genomic DNA was extracted from a representative isolate, LH-1, and the internal transcribed spacer region was amplified using primer pair ITS1/ITS4 (3). A 553-bp amplicon was obtained and sequenced. The resulting nucleotide sequence (GenBank Accession No. KC519728) had a high similarity of 99% to that of strain AHC-1 of N. oryzae (JQ864579). Pathogenicity tests for strain LH-1 were conducted in triplicate by placing agar pieces (5 mm in diameter) containing 5-day-old cultures on A. vera leaves. Four discs were placed on each punctured surface of each leaf. Noncolonized PDA agar pieces were inoculated as controls. Leaves were placed in moist chambers at 25°C with a 12-h photoperiod. After 3 days, the inoculated leaves showed symptoms similar to those observed in the greenhouses. N. oryzae was reisolated from these spots on the inoculated leaves. No visible symptoms developed on the control leaves. The pathogenicity tests were performed twice with the same results. Based on the results, N. oryzae was determined as a pathogen responsible for the leaf spots disease on A. vera. N. oryzae has been described as a leaf pathogen on fig (Ficus religiosa), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) (4), and to our knowledge, this is the first report of N. oryae causing leaf spot disease on A. vera worldwide. References: (1) W. L. da Silva and R. Singh. Plant Dis. 86:1379, 2012. (2) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes, CAB, Kew, Surrey, England, 1971. (3) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, San Diego, 1990. (4) L. X. Zhang et al. Plant Dis. 96:1379, 2012.

The diagnostic value of phase angle, an integrative bioelectrical marker, for identifying individuals with dysmobility syndrome: the Korean Urban-Rural Elderly study

Low phase angle, a non-invasive bioimpedance marker, is associated with elevated odds of dysmobility syndrome and its components. Phase angle (estimated cutoffs: < 4.8° in men; < 4.5° in women) can be used to detect dysmobility syndrome in community-dwelling older adults as a simple, integrative screening tool.

INTRODUCTION

Dysmobility syndrome uses a score-based approach to predict fracture risk that incorporates the concepts of osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and obesity. Low phase angle (PhA), a simple, non-invasive bioelectrical impedance marker, was associated with low lean mass, high fat mass, and poor muscle function. We aimed to investigate the association between PhA and dysmobility syndrome, with the exploration of the diagnostic cutoffs.

METHODS

In a community-dwelling Korean older adult cohort, dysmobility syndrome was defined as the presence of ≥ 3 of the following components: osteoporosis, low lean mass, falls in the preceding year, low grip strength, high fat mass, and poor timed up and go performance.

RESULTS

Among the 1825 participants (mean age 71.6, women 66.7%), subjects were classified into sex-stratified PhA tertiles. The prevalence of dysmobility syndrome increased from the highest PhA tertile group to the lowest (15.50 to 2.45% in men; 33.41 to 12.25% in women, P for trend < 0.001). The mean PhA values decreased as the dysmobility score increased (5.33° to 4.65° in men; 4.76° to 4.39° in women, P for trend < 0.001). Low PhA (cutoff: < 4.8° in men; < 4.5° in women) was associated with twofold elevated odds of dysmobility syndrome after adjusting for age, sex, and conventional risk factors. Low PhA improved the identification of individuals with dysmobility syndrome when added to the conventional risk model (area under the curve, 0.73 to 0.75, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Low PhA was associated with dysmobility syndrome and its components, independent of age, sex, body mass index, nutritional status, and inflammation.

First Report of Actinidia virus A and Actinidia virus B on Kiwifruit in China

At present, two viruses affecting kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.), Actinidia virus A (AcVA) and Actinidia virus B (AcVB), both belonging to the genus Vitivirus in the family Betaflexiviridae, have been reported from New Zealand (2). The infected trees showed leaf vein chlorosis, flecking, and ringspots. China is the largest commercial kiwifruit producer. During field investigations in the growing season of 2013, symptoms of leaf chlorosis or ringspots, similar to those caused by AcVA and AcVB (1), were observed on some kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) plants in Hubei Province in the central China. Leaf samples were collected from three symptomatic and two symptomless plants of two A. chinensis cultivars. Total nucleic acids were extracted from the samples using a CTAB-based protocol described by Li et al. (3) and used as template in RT-PCR for the detection of AcVA and AcVB. Each virus was detected using two sets of primers reported by Blouin et al. (1). Primer sets AcVA 1F/1R and AcVA5F/5R were used for the AcVA detection, and AcVB1F/1R and AcVB5F/Viti3'R were used for the AcVB detection. AcVA was detected in three symptomatic plants (ID: Ac-HN-1, Ac-HN-3, and Ac-HN-5), and AcVB was detected in two symptomatic plants (ID: Ac-HN-1 and Ac-HN-3) and in one symptomless plant (ID: Ac-HN-2). Neither virus was detected in the second symptomless plant (ID: Ac-HN-4). Samples Ac-HN-1 and Ac-HN-3 had mixed infection of AcVA and AcVB, and sample Ac-HN-2 had the latent infection of AcVB. The sequenced 283-bp RT-PCR amplicons of the replicase-encoding gene from AcVA isolates AC-HN-3 and AC-HN-5 using AcVA1F/1R shared 90.8% nucleotide (nt) identity with the corresponding sequence of the New Zealand AcVA isolate (GenBank Accession No. JN427014.1). The 269-bp fragments of the RNA-binding protein-encoding gene obtained by using AcVA5F/5R shared 85.5 to 85.9% nt identities with the corresponding sequence of JN427014.1. The AcVB5F/Viti3'R products of 365 to 369 bp from three AcVB isolates shared 85.5 to 88.6% nt identities with the corresponding sequence of the New Zealand AcVB isolate. The representative sequences were submitted to GenBank with accession numbers KJ696776 and KJ696777 for the 269-bp fragments of AcVA-HN-1 and AcVA-HN-3, and KJ696778 and KJ696779 for the 365-bp and 369-bp fragments of AcVB-HN-1 and AcVB-HN-2, respectively. In addition, 12 and 14 out of 42 kiwi samples (excluding HN-1 to HN-5) collected randomly were positive for AcVA and AcVB as detected by RT-PCR. Meanwhile, the sample affected by AcVA-HN-5 was subjected to deep sequencing of the small RNAs (sRNAs) for complete survey of the infecting viruses. De novo assembly of sRNAs generated four sequence contigs, with lengths ranging from 161 to 285 nt, matching to ORFs 1 to 3 of the genome of the New Zealand AcVA isolate with significant nucleotide (91 to 95%) and amino acid (80 to 94%) similarities, and some other contigs from a new virus (unpublished). The result further confirmed AcVA infection in the kiwi plant. To our knowledge, this is the first report of both AcVA and AcVB outside of New Zealand. The Chinese isolates of the two viruses are distinct from those reported from New Zealand. The results provide valuable information for improving the viral sanitary status of the kiwifruit germplasm in China. References: (1) A. G. Blouin et al. Arch. Virol. 157:713, 2012. (2) A. G. Blouin et al. J. Plant Pathol. 95:221, 2013. (3) R. Li et al. J. Virol. Methods 154:48, 2008.

Search for Nucleon and Dinucleon Decays with an Invisible Particle and a Charged Lepton in the Final State at the Super-Kamiokande Experiment

Search results for nucleon decays p→e^{+}X, p→μ^{+}X, n→νγ (where X is an invisible, massless particle) as well as dinucleon decays np→e^{+}ν, np→μ^{+}ν, and np→τ^{+}ν in the Super-Kamiokande experiment are presented. Using single-ring data from an exposure of  273.4  kton·yr, a search for these decays yields a result consistent with no signal. Accordingly, lower limits on the partial lifetimes of τ_{p→e^{+}X}>7.9×10^{32} yr, τ_{p→μ^{+}X}>4.1×10^{32} yr, τ_{n→νγ}>5.5×10^{32} yr, τ_{np→e^{+}ν}>2.6×10^{32}  yr, τ_{np→μ^{+}ν}>2.2×10^{32} yr, and τ_{np→τ^{+}ν}>2.9×10^{31} yr at a 90% confidence level are obtained. Some of these searches are novel.

First Report of Cucumber mosaic virus in Taro Plants in China

Taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) is an important crop worldwide. In China, the growing area and productivity of taro increased greatly in recent years. During the 2010 to 2013 growing seasons (from May to July), the incidence of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in taro was determined. Leaf samples from 91 taro plants, including 26 plants of cv. Hongyayu grown in Jiangxi Province in eastern China, 33 plants of cv. Eyu no.1 grown in Hubei Province in central China, and 32 plants of cv. Baiyu grown in Guangxi Province in southwest China were collected randomly and tested for the presence of CMV by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Some sampled plants of cv. Hongyayu and Eyu no.1 showed leaf chlorosis or chlorotic spots, and most of the plants of these three cultivars showed feather-like mosaic symptom on their leaves, which was confirmed to be associated with the infection of Dasheen mosaic virus (DsMV) in our previous studies (3). Total RNA was extracted from leaves using CTAB protocol reported by Li et al. (1). Primer set forward 5'-ATGGACAAATCTGAATCAACC-3'/reverse 5'-TAAGCTGGATGGACAACCCGT-3' (4) was used for the amplification of a 777-bp fragment, which contains the complete capsid protein (CP) gene of 657 bp. PCR products of the expected size were identified from 11 taro samples, including two samples of Hongyayu, three Eyu no.1, and six Baiyu plants. The result did not show any specific association between the symptoms observed and CMV infection. The obtained PCR products were cloned individually into the vector pMD18-T (TaKaRa, Dalian, China). Three independent clones derived from each product were sequenced by Genscript Corp., Nanjing, China. Pairwise comparison of CP gene sequences (Accession No. of one representation CP sequence: KF564789) showed 99.7 to 99.8% nucleotide (nt) and 99.1 to 99.5% deduced amino acid (aa) sequence identity among themselves, and 92.0 to 94.3% and 76.5 to 77.7% nt identities with corresponding sequences of CMV isolates in subgroup I and subgroup II (2), respectively. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees of nt and aa sequences generated by Clustal X v1.8 revealed that all these CMV isolates from taro in China fell into subgroup I. To further confirm the CMV infection, leaf saps of CMV infected taro plants of cv. Eyu no.1 were mechanically inoculated onto Pinellia ternate and Cucumis sativus. Plants of P. ternate showed local chlorotic lesions on the inoculated leaves and downward curl of newly grown leaves, and C. sativus showed local chlorotic lesions on the inoculated leaves and crinkle of newly grown leaves at 10 to 15 days post inoculation. The RT-PCR detection confirmed the CMV infection in those inoculated plants, and that the plants of P. ternate were also positive to DsMV, further complementing the results obtained above. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CMV occurrence in taro plants grown in China. Our results indicated that taro plants were widely infected by CMV isolates in subgroup I. This study provides important information for further evaluating the viral sanitary status of taro germplasm and improving the certification program of taro propagation materials in China. References: (1) R. Li et al. J. Virol. Methods 154:48, 2008. (2) P. Palukaitis et al. Adv. Virus. Res. 62:241, 2003. (3) S. M. Shi et al. Acta Hortic. Sin. 39:509, 2012. (4) P. D. Xu et al. Chinese J. Virol. 15:164, 1999.