Highly porous nature of a primitive asteroid revealed by thermal imaging.

Carbonaceous (C-type) asteroids1 are relics of the early Solar System that have preserved primitive materials since their formation approximately 4.6 billion years ago. They are probably analogues of carbonaceous chondrites2,3 and are essential for understanding planetary formation processes. However, their physical properties remain poorly known because carbonaceous chondrite meteoroids tend not to survive entry to Earth's atmosphere. Here we report on global one-rotation thermographic images of the C-type asteroid 162173 Ryugu, taken by the thermal infrared imager (TIR)4 onboard the spacecraft Hayabusa25, indicating that the asteroid's boulders and their surroundings have similar temperatures, with a derived thermal inertia of about 300 J m-2 s-0.5 K-1 (300 tiu). Contrary to predictions that the surface consists of regolith and dense boulders, this low thermal inertia suggests that the boulders are more porous than typical carbonaceous chondrites6 and that their surroundings are covered with porous fragments more than 10 centimetres in diameter. Close-up thermal images confirm the presence of such porous fragments and the flat diurnal temperature profiles suggest a strong surface roughness effect7,8. We also observed in the close-up thermal images boulders that are colder during the day, with thermal inertia exceeding 600 tiu, corresponding to dense boulders similar to typical carbonaceous chondrites6. These results constrain the formation history of Ryugu: the asteroid must be a rubble pile formed from impact fragments of a parent body with microporosity9 of approximately 30 to 50 per cent that experienced a low degree of consolidation. The dense boulders might have originated from the consolidated innermost region or they may have an exogenic origin. This high-porosity asteroid may link cosmic fluffy dust to dense celestial bodies10.

Microseizures Induced by Topiramate.

A 22-year-old Japanese male with trisomy 21 was diagnosed with West syndrome at 4 months old. After the suppression of epileptic spasms using adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy, he had complex partial seizures and bilateral frontal epileptic discharges on EEG. Although the introduction of topiramate (TPM) decreased the seizures during wakefulness, frequent episodes of brief eye-opening appeared during sleep while the patient was taking TPM (400 mg/day). EEG showed fast activity at the times of eye-opening. The episodes of eye-opening during sleep and the fast activities disappeared upon TPM discontinuation. This is the first report of TPM-induced microseizures similar to benzodiazepine-induced microseizures.

Anti-arthritic actions of ß-cryptoxanthin against the degradation of articular cartilage in vivo and in vitro.

An inverse correlation between the morbidity of rheumatoid arthritis and daily intake of ß-cryptoxanthin has been epidemiologically shown. In this study, we investigated the effects of ß-cryptoxanthin on the metabolism of cartilage extracellular matrix in vivo and in vitro. Oral administration of ß-cryptoxanthin (0.1-1 mg/kg) to antigen-induced arthritic rats suppressed the loss of glycosaminoglycans in articular cartilage, which is accompanied by the interference of aggrecanase-mediated degradation of aggrecan. Inhibition of the interleukin 1α (IL-1α)-induced aggrecan degradation by ß-cryptoxanthin was also observed with porcine articular cartilage explants in culture. ß-Cryptoxanthin (1-10 µM) dose-dependently down-regulated the IL-1α-induced gene expression of aggrecanase 1 (ADAMTS-4) and aggrecanase 2 (ADAMTS-5) in cultured human chondrocytes. Moreover, ß-cryptoxanthin was found to augment the gene expression of aggrecan core protein in chondrocytes. These results provide novel evidence that ß-cryptoxanthin exerts anti-arthritic actions and suggest that ß-cryptoxanthin may be useful in blocking the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

High serum carotenoids are associated with lower risk for developing elevated serum alanine aminotransferase among Japanese subjects: the Mikkabi cohort study.

Many recent studies have shown that antioxidant vitamins and/or carotenoids may reduce liver disease, but this association has not been well established with thorough longitudinal cohort studies. The objective of this study was to longitudinally investigate whether serum carotenoids at baseline are associated with the risk of developing elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) among Japanese subjects. We conducted a follow-up study of 1073 males and females aged between 30 and 79 years at baseline from the Mikkabi prospective cohort study. Those who participated in the baseline study and completed follow-up surveys were examined longitudinally. Exclusions included excessive alcohol consumption (≥60 g alcohol/d), hepatitis B and C and having a history of medication use for liver disease. A cohort of 213 males and 574 females free of elevated serum ALT (>30 IU/ml) at baseline was studied. Over a mean follow-up period of 7·4 (sd 3·1) years, thirty-one males and forty-nine females developed new elevated serum ALT. After adjustments for confounders, the hazard ratios for elevated serum ALT in the highest tertiles of basal serum ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin and total provitamin A carotenoids against the lowest tertiles were 0·43 (95 % CI 0·22, 0·81), 0·51 (CI 0·27, 0·94) and 0·52 (CI 0·28, 0·97), respectively. For α-carotene and lycopene, borderline reduced risks were also observed; however, these were not significant. Our results further support the hypothesis that antioxidant carotenoids, especially provitamin A carotenoids, might help prevent earlier pathogenesis of non-alcoholic liver disease in Japanese subjects.

High serum carotenoids associated with lower risk for the metabolic syndrome and its components among Japanese subjects: Mikkabi cohort study.

Recent epidemiological studies show the association of carotenoids with the metabolic syndrome (MetS), but thorough longitudinal cohort studies regarding this association have not been well conducted. The objective of this study was to investigate longitudinally whether serum carotenoids are associated with the risk of developing the MetS and its components in Japanese subjects. We conducted a follow-up study on 1073 men and women aged 30-79 years at the baseline from the Mikkabi prospective cohort study. Those who participated in the baseline and completed follow-up surveys were examined longitudinally. Over the 10-year period, 910 subjects (295 men and 615 women) took part in the follow-up survey at least once. Over a mean follow-up period of 7·8 (sd 2·9) years, thirty-six men and thirty-one women developed new MetS. After adjustments for confounders, the hazard ratio (HR) for the MetS in the highest tertile of serum ß-carotene against the lowest tertile was 0·47 (95 % CI 0·23, 0·95). On the other hand, significantly lower risks for dyslipidaemia were observed in the highest tertiles of serum α- and ß-carotene and ß-cryptoxanthin (HR 0·66; 95 % CI 0·46, 0·96; HR, 0·54; 95 % CI 0·37, 0·79; and HR 0·66; 95 % CI 0·44, 0·99, respectively). Other significant associations between the risks for obesity, high blood pressure and hyperglycaemia with serum carotenoids were not observed. Our results further support the hypothesis that eating a diet rich in carotenoids might help prevent the development of the MetS and its complications in Japanese subjects.

In situ detection and identification of hesperidin crystals in satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) peel cells.

INTRODUCTION: Hesperidin, a flavonoid known to have important pharmacological effects, accumulates particularly in the peels of satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu). Although histochemical studies have suggested that hesperidin forms crystals in some tissues of the Rutaceae and Umbelliferae, there has been no rigorous in situ detection or identification of hesperidin crystals in C. unshiu. OBJECTIVE: To characterise the chemical component of the crystals found in C. unshiu peels using Raman microscopy. METHODS: Sections of C. unshiu peels were made. The distribution and morphology of crystals in the sections were analysed microscopically. Raman microscopy was used to detect hesperidin in the sections directly. RESULTS: The crystals were more abundant in immature peel and were observed particularly in areas surrounding vascular bundles, around the border between the flavedo and albedo layers and just below the epidermal cells. In the morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy, needle-shaped crystals aggregated and formed clusters of spherical crystals. Spectra obtained by Raman microscopy of the crystals in the peel sections were consistent with those of the hesperidin standard. CONCLUSION: This study showed the detailed distribution of crystals in C. unshiu peels and their main component was identified using Raman microscopy to be hesperidin for the first time.

Comparison of bioavailability between ß-cryptoxanthin and ß-carotene and tissue distribution in its intact form in rats.

The bioavailability of two intact carotenoids in several tissues of ß-cryptoxanthin- and ß-carotene-fed rats (20 mg/kg of diet) was investigated. Although metabolites of provitamin A are not included in our study, ß-cryptoxanthin was found at higher concentrations in majority of the tissues. The results show that the bioavailability of intact ß-cryptoxanthin seemed to be higher than that of ß-carotene.

Absorption, storage and distribution of ß-cryptoxanthin in rat after chronic administration of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu MARC.) juice.

Fruits and vegetables contain numerous antioxidants, such as carotenoids. Recent epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that a high dietary consumption of fruit and vegetables rich in carotenoids or with high serum carotenoid concentrations results in lower risks of certain cancers, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. These results indicate that absorbed carotenoids are stored in various organs. Previously, we found that ß-cryptoxanthin, found especially in Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu MARC.), is easily absorbed and can also survive for a relatively long time in the human body; however, little is known about the absorption, storage, and tissue distribution of ß-cryptoxanthin. In this study, we measured serum and the content of ß-cryptoxanthin in several rat tissues after chronic ingestion of Satsuma mandarin extract rich in ß-cryptoxanthin. Rats were fed a standard commercial diet containing Satsuma mandarin extract (containing ß-cryptoxanthin at 11.7 mg/kg diet) for eight weeks. After 3 h of fasting, serum, liver, spleen, kidney, lung, heart, testis, brain, and epididymal fat were collected. The concentrations of ß-cryptoxanthin in serum and tissues were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. There was a wide range in the tissue levels of ß-cryptoxanthin; liver had the greatest value, with 1265.3 ng/g tissue, followed by spleen, kidney, lung, heart, brain, and testis. Epididymal fat had the lowest value, with 6.99 ng/g tissue. ß-Cryptoxanthin was also detected in serum in a concentration of 5.76 ng/mL. These results indicate that ß-cryptoxanthin is easily absorbed and accumulated in several organs.

The protective effects of ß-cryptoxanthin on inflammatory bone resorption in a mouse experimental model of periodontitis.

We examined the effects of ß-cryptoxanthin, a typical carotenoid, on inflammatory periodontitis. ß-Cryptoxanthin suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced osteoclast formation in co-cultures of bone marrow cells and osteoblasts. In a mouse model of periodontitis, it suppressed bone resorption in the mandibular alveolar bone in vitro and restored alveolar bone loss induced by LPS in vivo. ß-Cryptoxanthin might protect against periodontal disease.

[The effectiveness of lamotrigine in a case of ring chromosome 14 with refractory epilepsy].

A 25-month old boy was admitted to our hospital due to intractable seizures and developmental retardation. At birth, the patient's head circumference was within normal limits and development appeared normal until approximately six months of age, when symptoms of mental and motor retardation, and microcephaly, gradually appeared. From three months of age, refractory complex partial seizures, secondary generalization of partial seizures, and convulsive status epilepticus occurred. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) taken prior to the patient's referral to our hospital displayed focal spikes at the right occipital region, and at 25 months of age, EEGs showed focal fast activity in the same region. Abnormalities were not detected in the patient's MRI and there was no congenital malformation. Chromosome analysis (G-banding) revealed 46, XY, r (14) (p13q32.3) [28]/45, XY, -14 [2], mosaic ring chromosome 14, and monosomy 14. Clinical experience has shown that even in the absence of malformations, children with developmental delay and refractory seizures may have chromosomal abnormalities, and this was true for our patient. Although consistent clinical characteristics of ring chromosome 14 have not yet been described, the refractory partial seizures that began in early infancy, and the gradual appearance of developmental delay with acquired microcephaly exhibited by our patient are characteristic. However, the patient's refractory seizures have been completely suppressed through an add-on therapy consisting of a relatively low dose of lamotrigine (0.7 mg/kg/day), despite the likely aggravating effect of topiramate.

Finch: Prosthetic Arm With Three Opposing Fingers Controlled by a Muscle Bulge.

Forearm amputees can use body-powered hooks and myoelectric hands for their daily activities. The body-powered hooks are suitable for delicate manipulation. However, their appearance is not always preferred by amputees, and a harness to pull a control cable is not easy to wear. Although the myoelectric hands have a natural appearance similar to the human hand and can be intuitively controlled by a myoelectric control system, they are not easy to try out and are heavy. This paper reports on the Finch, a prosthetic arm with three opposing fingers controlled by a muscle bulge. The aim of developing the Finch is to realize a lightweight prosthetic arm that is easy to wear and use. Three opposing fingers are controlled according to the degree of muscle bulge measured with a muscle bulge sensor on the user's forearm caused by muscle contraction. A supporter socket, consisting of a resin socket frame and a fabric supporter, allows easy fitting. A simple design using a linear actuator and 3D-printed parts achieved light weight (330 g) and low cost. Six functional tests and user tests using Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure showed that the Finch had a practical function that could be used in daily activities.

Examination of the traction effect in an artificial muscle-type dynamic traction orthosis using computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Dart-throwing motion from radial dorsiflexion to palmar flexion has recently attracted attention as a functional movement direction of the wrist joint. We developed a novel artificial muscle-type dynamic traction orthosis (DTSaM) that includes these movements. This prospective crossover controlled study aimed to compare the traction effects in the presence and absence of DTSaM using computed tomography. METHODS: Healthy participants with no history of finger disease (6 men: 6 fingers, 4 women: 4 fingers; average age [range]: 29.4 [34-24] years) were examined. The distance and area of the joint space between the radiolunate (RL) and capitolunate (CL) joints were evaluated using 2 types of computed tomography: automatic movement and DTSaM. RESULTS: Participants with DTSaM showed more dilated joint space distance on the dorsal and central sides ( p < 0.05) and larger joint space areas on the dorsal side ( p < 0.05) of the RL and CL joints than those without orthosis. Significant differences in the magnitude of change in each joint were observed between the RL and CL joints regarding the joint space distance on the dorsal ( p = 0.021) and central ( p = 0.038) sides and the joint space area on the dorsal side ( p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The movement of the CL joint is important in the dorsiflexion direction. Our results suggest that the dilated CL joint allows dorsiflexion and that combined traction and dart-throwing motion exercises may be possible for wrist joint contracture.

Beta-cryptoxanthin, plentiful in Japanese mandarin orange, prevents age-related cognitive dysfunction and oxidative damage in senescence-accelerated mouse brain.

Increased oxidative stress is known to accelerate age-related pathologies. Beta-cryptoxanthin (ß-CRX, (3R)-ß,ß-caroten-3-ol) is a potent antioxidant that is highly rich in Satsuma mandarin orange (mandarin), which is the most popular fruit in Japan. We investigated the antioxidative and anti-aging effects of ß-CRX and mandarin using senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP10), which were characterized by a short lifespan, high generation of superoxide anions in the brain and poor learning ability with aging. ß-CRX (0.5-5.0 µg/ml) or mandarin juice (3.8-38.0%) was added to drinking water of SAMP10 one to 12 months of age. ß-CRX was dose-dependently incorporated into the cerebral cortex and the contents were similar to the concentration of ß-CRX in the human frontal lobe. These mice also had higher learning ability. The level of DNA oxidative damage was significantly lower in the cerebral cortex of mice that ingested ß-CRX and mandarin than control mice. In addition, the mice that ingested ß-CRX (>1.5 µg/ml) and mandarin (>11.3%) exhibited a higher survival when 12 month-old, the presenile age of SAMP10, than control mice. These results suggest that ß-CRX is incorporated into the brain and has an important antioxidative role and anti-aging effect.

In vitro metabolism of nobiletin, a polymethoxy-flavonoid, by human liver microsomes and cytochrome P450.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) in the liver metabolize drugs prior to excretion, with different enzymes acting at different molecular motifs. At present, the human CYPs responsible for the metabolism of the flavonoid, nobiletin (NBL), are unidentified. We investigated which enzymes were involved using human liver microsomes and 12 cDNA-expressed human CYPs. Human liver microsomes metabolized NBL to three mono-demethylated metabolites (4'-OH-, 7-OH- and 6-OH-NBL) with a relative ratio of 1:4.1:0.5, respectively, by aerobic incubation with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). Of 12 human CYPs, CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 showed high activity for the formation of 4'-OH-NBL. CYP3A4 catalyzed the formation of 7-OH-NBL with the highest activity and of 6-OH-NBL with lower activity. CYP3A5 also catalyzed the formation of both metabolites but considerably more slowly than CYP3A4. In contrast, seven CYPs (CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP2E1) were inactive for NBL. Both ketoconazole and troleandomycin (CYP3A inhibitors) almost completely inhibited the formation of 7-OH- and 6-OH-NBL. Similarly, α-naphthoflavone (CYP1A1 inhibitor) and furafylline (CYP1A2 inhibitor) significantly decreased the formation of 4'-OH-NBL. These results suggest that CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 are the key enzymes in human liver mediating the oxidative demethylation of NBL in the B-ring and A-ring, respectively.

Analysis of a New Artificial Muscle Type Dynamic Orthosis for Wrist Joint Disease Using a Three-dimensional Motion Analyzer.

OBJECTIVES: Recently, the dart-throwing motion (DTM) has attracted attention as a functional direction of wrist joint motion. Consequently, we devised a new artificial muscle-type dynamic orthosis (Dynamic Traction Splint by Artificial Muscle, DTSaM) to reproduce DTM. This study analyzed the automatic motion of the wrist joint using a three-dimensional motion analysis system to assess how closely the DTSaM replicates DTM. METHODS: The DTSaM orthosis incorporates two McKibben-type rubber artificial muscles, and measurements were performed using image analysis software and a three-dimensional motion analysis system. The wrist radial angle (WRA) was defined as the angle between the line connecting the head of the index finger metacarpal to the radial styloid process and the line connecting the radial styloid process to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. WRAs were investigated from 60° of palmar flexion to 60° of dorsiflexion. RESULTS: For dorsiflexion, comparisons of radial deviation and wrist ulnar angle (WUA) between the motion obtained using the DTSaM orthosis and active DTM showed a significant difference (P <0.05) at 30° and 60°, respectively. For palmar flexion, the same comparison showed a significant difference for both the ulnar and radial deviations (30°, P <0.05; and 60°, P <0.01, respectively). Furthermore, WUA showed a significant difference at 50° (P <0.05). Intraclass correlation coefficient analyses yielded good reliability with an average value of ≥0.8. CONCLUSION: The DTSaM orthosis produces a motion similar to the DTM. It is hoped that the use of the DTSaM orthosis will help to shorten the treatment period for patients with wrist disease.

Spectrally blue hydrated parent body of asteroid (162173) Ryugu.

Ryugu is a carbonaceous rubble-pile asteroid visited by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. Small rubble pile asteroids record the thermal evolution of their much larger parent bodies. However, recent space weathering and/or solar heating create ambiguities between the uppermost layer observable by remote-sensing and the pristine material from the parent body. Hayabusa2 remote-sensing observations find that on the asteroid (162173) Ryugu both north and south pole regions preserve the material least processed by space weathering, which is spectrally blue carbonaceous chondritic material with a 0-3% deep 0.7-µm band absorption, indicative of Fe-bearing phyllosilicates. Here we report that spectrally blue Ryugu's parent body experienced intensive aqueous alteration and subsequent thermal metamorphism at 570-670 K (300-400 °C), suggesting that Ryugu's parent body was heated by radioactive decay of short-lived radionuclides possibly because of its early formation 2-2.5 Ma. The samples being brought to Earth by Hayabusa2 will give us our first insights into this epoch in solar system history.

Impact of Autophagy on Gene Expression and Tapetal Programmed Cell Death During Pollen Development in Rice.

Autophagy has recently been shown to be required for tapetal programmed cell death (PCD) and pollen maturation in rice. A transcriptional regulatory network is also known to play a key role in the progression of tapetal PCD. However, the relationship between the gene regulatory network and autophagy in rice anther development is mostly unknown. Here, we comprehensively analyzed the effect of autophagy disruption on gene expression profile during the tapetal PCD in rice anther development using high-throughput RNA sequencing. Expression of thousands of genes, including specific transcription factors and several proteases required for tapetal degradation, fluctuated synchronously at specific stages during tapetal PCD progression in the wild-type anthers, while this fluctuation showed significant delay in the autophagy-deficient mutant Osatg7-1. Moreover, gene ontology enrichment analysis in combination with self-organizing map clustering as well as pathway analysis revealed that the expression patterns of a variety of organelle-related genes as well as genes involved in carbohydrate/lipid metabolism were affected in the Osatg7-1 mutant during pollen maturation. These results suggest that autophagy is required for proper regulation of gene expression and quality control of organelles and timely progression of tapetal PCD during rice pollen development.

Synergistic interaction of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking with serum carotenoid concentrations: findings from a middle-aged Japanese population.

Previous studies have indicated low serum carotenoid concentrations among cigarette smokers and/or alcohol drinkers, but little is known about the interaction of smoking and drinking with serum carotenoids. We tested the hypothesis that smoking and drinking reduce serum carotenoid concentrations synergistically. A total of 1073 subjects (357 male and 716 female) who had received health examinations in the town of Mikkabi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, participated in the study. The subjects were divided into six groups according to alcohol intake (non-drinkers, < 1 g/d; light drinkers, > or = 1, < 25 g/d; moderate-to-heavy drinkers, > or = 25 g/d) and smoking status (non-smokers and current smokers). The dietary intakes and serum concentrations of six carotenoids (lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin) within each group were evaluated cross-sectionally. The dietary intakes of all carotenoids did not differ in the six groups after adjusting for age and sex. The multivariate-adjusted means of the serum carotenoid concentrations in non-drinkers did not differ between non-smokers and current smokers. In contrast, the adjusted means of serum alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin were significantly lower than those with increased alcohol intake, and these lower serum carotenoids among alcohol drinkers were more evident in current smokers than in non-smokers. Serum lycopene of moderate-to-heavy drinkers was significantly lower than that of non-drinkers, but it was not influenced by smoking. Neither smoking nor drinking was associated with the serum concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin. These results suggest that smoking and drinking may reduce the serum alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin concentrations in a synergistic manner.

[Case of Sturge-Weber syndrome manifesting complex partial status epilepticus].

A three-year-old boy presented with status epilepticus with right hemiconvulsion and complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE) that were preceded by disturbance of consciousness and right hemiplegia just after a traumatic head injury. He was diagnosed as Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) because of the presence of a small cutaneous port-wine nevus and the nature of his MRI findings. The nevus was located in the middle of the forehead and was light in color. Intravenous drip infusion of lidocaine was effective for the treatment of CPSE, but the patient has experienced refractory complex partial seizures since then. It has not yet been reported that patients with SWS developed CPSE following head trauma, although it is known that patients with SWS can manifest convulsive status epilepticus. CPSE should be recognized as one of the seizure types of SWS.

Compact and Lightweight Transradial Electric Prosthesis for Children with Forearm Deficiency.

Children with congenital forearm deficiency have difficulty in daily activities and body balance problem. Since most electric prostheses have been developed for adult amputees, it is necessary to develop a compact and lightweight electric prosthesis for children to manipulate various daily objects. In this paper, we report a compact and lightweight transradial electric prosthesis for children with forearm deficiency. Based on an electric prosthesis termed as Finch for adult amputees, we designed a smaller electric prosthesis by using a compact actuator and a control unit. We downsized the fingers of the Finch without impairing the workability. The total weight of the developed prosthesis was 274 g, which was about 100 g lighter than that of the conventional electric prosthesis for children. The result of upper limb function evaluation using developed prosthesis participated in a child with congenital forearm deficiency demonstrated that the effectiveness of the prosthesis to manipulate daily objects.