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1.
Plant Cell ; 35(7): 2615-2634, 2023 06 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37052931

ABSTRACT

Ascorbate (vitamin C) is an essential antioxidant in fresh fruits and vegetables. To gain insight into the regulation of ascorbate metabolism in plants, we studied mutant tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) that produce ascorbate-enriched fruits. The causal mutation, identified by a mapping-by-sequencing strategy, corresponded to a knock-out recessive mutation in a class of photoreceptor named PAS/LOV protein (PLP), which acts as a negative regulator of ascorbate biosynthesis. This trait was confirmed by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and further found in all plant organs, including fruit that accumulated 2 to 3 times more ascorbate than in the WT. The functional characterization revealed that PLP interacted with the 2 isoforms of GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase (GGP), known as the controlling step of the L-galactose pathway of ascorbate synthesis. The interaction with GGP occurred in the cytoplasm and the nucleus, but was abolished when PLP was truncated. These results were confirmed by a synthetic approach using an animal cell system, which additionally demonstrated that blue light modulated the PLP-GGP interaction. Assays performed in vitro with heterologously expressed GGP and PLP showed that PLP is a noncompetitive inhibitor of GGP that is inactivated after blue light exposure. This discovery provides a greater understanding of the light-dependent regulation of ascorbate metabolism in plants.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Galactose , Galactose/metabolism , Antioxidants/metabolism , Ascorbic Acid , Light , Fruit/genetics , Fruit/metabolism , Phosphorylases/genetics , Phosphorylases/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
2.
J Exp Bot ; 75(9): 2631-2643, 2024 May 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38349339

ABSTRACT

Ascorbate is involved in numerous vital processes, in particular in response to abiotic but also biotic stresses whose frequency and amplitude increase with climate change. Ascorbate levels vary greatly depending on species, tissues, or stages of development, but also in response to stress. Since its discovery, the ascorbate biosynthetic pathway has been intensely studied and it appears that GDP-l-galactose phosphorylase (GGP) is the enzyme with the greatest role in the control of ascorbate biosynthesis. Like other enzymes of this pathway, its expression is induced by various environmental and also developmental factors. Although mRNAs encoding it are among the most abundant in the transcriptome, the protein is only present in very small quantities. In fact, GGP translation is repressed by a negative feedback mechanism involving a small open reading frame located upstream of the coding sequence (uORF). Moreover, its activity is inhibited by a PAS/LOV type photoreceptor, the action of which is counteracted by blue light. Consequently, this multi-level regulation of GGP would allow fine control of ascorbate synthesis. Indeed, experiments varying the expression of GGP have shown that it plays a central role in response to stress. This new understanding will be useful for developing varieties adapted to future environmental conditions.


Subject(s)
Ascorbic Acid , Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases , Ascorbic Acid/biosynthesis , Ascorbic Acid/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism , Arabidopsis Proteins/genetics
3.
No Shinkei Geka ; 52(3): 570-578, 2024 May.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38783500

ABSTRACT

The basal vein of Rosenthal, the vein of Galen, and the straight sinus are important venous communication routes connecting the deep, superficial, and dural sinuses. The basal vein is divided into three parts since it originates secondarily from three different areas and its venous areas are diverse. However, care should be taken because disconnection between these segments causes variations that change the venous flow path. Endovascular treatment warrants a proper understanding of this anatomical area and requires consideration of vascular occlusion and venous drainage changes.


Subject(s)
Cerebral Veins , Cranial Sinuses , Humans , Cranial Sinuses/diagnostic imaging
4.
New Phytol ; 240(1): 242-257, 2023 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37548068

ABSTRACT

The ascorbate-glutathione (ASC-GSH) cycle is at the heart of redox metabolism, linking the major redox buffers with central metabolism through the processing of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pyridine nucleotide metabolism. Tomato fruit development is underpinned by changes in redox buffer contents and their associated enzyme capacities, but interactions between them remain unclear. Based on quantitative data obtained for the core redox metabolism, we built an enzyme-based kinetic model to calculate redox metabolite concentrations with their corresponding fluxes and control coefficients. Dynamic and associated regulations of the ASC-GSH cycle throughout the whole fruit development were analysed and pointed to a sequential metabolic control of redox fluxes by ASC synthesis, NAD(P)H and ROS availability depending on the developmental phase. Furthermore, we highlighted that monodehydroascorbate reductase and the availability of reducing power were found to be the main regulators of the redox state of ASC and GSH during fruit growth under optimal conditions. Our kinetic modelling approach indicated that tomato fruit development displayed growth phase-dependent redox metabolism linked with central metabolism via pyridine nucleotides and H2 O2 availability, while providing a new tool to the scientific community to investigate redox metabolism in fruits.


Subject(s)
Solanum lycopersicum , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Fruit , Oxidation-Reduction , Pyridines , Glutathione/metabolism , Ascorbic Acid
5.
Br J Neurosurg ; 37(4): 840-842, 2023 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31566006

ABSTRACT

Meningioma originating from the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus is rare with only two reported cases. A 67-year-old man presented with recent memory disturbance and partial seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-demarcated and homogeneously enhanced mass lesion originating from the lateral wall of the left cavernous sinus. Total tumor removal was performed through a combined epi- and intradural approach. Histological diagnosis was transitional meningioma. Postoperative course was uneventful. This combined approach was helpful for cranial nerve preservation, total tumor removal, and bleeding control from the feeder of the tumor.


Subject(s)
Cavernous Sinus , Meningeal Neoplasms , Meningioma , Male , Humans , Aged , Meningioma/diagnostic imaging , Meningioma/surgery , Cavernous Sinus/diagnostic imaging , Cavernous Sinus/surgery , Cavernous Sinus/pathology , Meningeal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Meningeal Neoplasms/surgery
6.
Br J Neurosurg ; 37(4): 836-839, 2023 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31597495

ABSTRACT

Dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is known to occur after craniotomy, but mixed pial and dural AVF after craniotomy has not been reported. A 45-year-old man who had undergone surgical clipping of an unruptured aneurysm 2 years previously presented with small subcortical hemorrhage from mixed pial and dural AVF. Surgical disconnection could not be cured completely due to the granulomatous tissue around the aneurysm, and the presence of an undetected shunt. Postoperative digital subtraction angiography showed a new pial AVF supplied by the middle cerebral artery pial branches. Many branches were associated with the remnant aneurysm and pial AVF, so we did not try to embolize the fistula. Gamma knife surgery was performed as adjuvant radiotherapy, which achieved angiographically complete occlusion of the shunt points. Multimodal approaches including surgery, endovascular intervention, and radiotherapy are needed for radiological and clinical cure of mixed pial and dural AVF. Long-term follow up is essential.


Subject(s)
Arteriovenous Fistula , Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations , Male , Humans , Middle Aged , Cerebral Angiography , Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations/diagnostic imaging , Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations/surgery , Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations/complications , Craniotomy/adverse effects , Arteriovenous Fistula/diagnostic imaging , Arteriovenous Fistula/etiology , Arteriovenous Fistula/surgery , Arteries/surgery
7.
Br J Neurosurg ; 37(6): 1680-1684, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34148464

ABSTRACT

We herein report a case of developmental venous anomaly (DVA) with venous congestion caused by stenosis of the collecting vein that presented with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A 74-year-old woman was referred to our hospital a few days after the onset of motor aphasia. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed ICH in the left frontal lobe. Angiography revealed DVA in the left frontal lobe in the late venous phase. Stenosis of the collecting vein of DVA at the entrance to the superior sagittal sinus was detected and accompanied by cavernous malformation (CM) beside DVA. Cone-beam CT revealed the absence of the left septal vein and hypoplastic transverse caudate veins. The patient was treated by blood pressure management and no additional neurological symptoms were detected. DVA develops to compensate for the absence of pial or deep venous systems, and generally benign and clinically asymptomatic. However, the outflow restriction of DVA causes chronic venous hypertension and the formation of CM. These abnormalities are considered to occur during post-natal life and may result in ICH. The risk of hemorrhage needs to be considered in cases of DVA with restricted venous outflow or CM.


Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations , Cerebral Veins , Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System , Female , Humans , Aged , Constriction, Pathologic/diagnostic imaging , Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations/complications , Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations/diagnostic imaging , Cerebral Veins/diagnostic imaging , Cerebral Veins/abnormalities , Cerebral Hemorrhage/etiology , Cerebral Hemorrhage/complications , Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System/complications , Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System/diagnostic imaging
8.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36423591

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenia, characterized by low skeletal muscle mass, and the outcome of cancer therapy are closely related based on recent research. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between skeletal muscle mass and prognosis in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. METHODS: In this study, 51 male patients with HNC treated nonsurgically between January 2016 and April 2018 at Shinshu University Hospital were evaluated. Skeletal muscle mass was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the skeletal mass index (SMI) was calculated to classify the patients. RESULTS: The low-SMI group had a significantly worse overall survival (OS) than the normal-SMI group (3-year OS: 72.0% vs. 93.0%, p = 0.014), and there was a trend toward worse progression-free survival (PFS) in the low-SMI group (3-year PFS: 49.6% vs. 79.3%, p = 0.064). Multivariate analysis also showed that low SMI (p = 0.04) and severe N stage (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with poorer OS. CONCLUSION: The pretreatment assessment of SMI using bioelectrical impedance analysis is useful for identifying patients with poor prognoses. To improve the treatment outcome in HNC, we need to think of the intervention, such as cancer rehabilitation and nutritional support, during or before treatment, especially for patients with low SMI.


Subject(s)
Head and Neck Neoplasms , Sarcopenia , Humans , Male , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , Sarcopenia/therapy , Prognosis , Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy , Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology , Treatment Outcome , Retrospective Studies
9.
Oncology ; 100(4): 203-211, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35042219

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nivolumab, a programmed death-1 antibody, is an immune checkpoint inhibitor approved in Japan in March 2017 for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers (RM-HNCs) after platinum drug administration. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of nivolumab and to determine the prognostic factors affecting the treatment outcome, in a real-world setting in Japanese RM-HNCs. METHODS: Forty-six patients with RM-HNCs treated with nivolumab between April 2017 and April 2021 at Shinshu University Hospital were retrospectively assessed in this cohort study. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 17.4%, and the disease control rate was 41.3%. The median first and second progression-free survival (PFS1 and PFS2) were 2.6 and 10.3 months, respectively. The median overall survival (OS) was 14.8 months. Multivariate analysis showed that performance status (PS) (p = 0.003) and a decrease in neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with a better OS, and a decrease in NLR (p = 0.035) was associated with a better PFS2. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first report of PFS2 in RM-HNCs treated with nivolumab; the long PFS2 may contribute to prolonged OS. We propose that the PS and a decrease in NLR could be useful clinical prognostic markers of nivolumab therapy, which can easily be evaluated in the clinical setting.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological , Head and Neck Neoplasms , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/adverse effects , Cohort Studies , Head and Neck Neoplasms/drug therapy , Humans , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy , Nivolumab/therapeutic use , Retrospective Studies
10.
Neuroradiology ; 64(4): 693-702, 2022 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34559244

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Recently, various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities have been developed to easily detect carotid and aortic plaques, but these techniques are time-consuming and vulnerable to motion artifacts. We investigated the utility of a gradient echo MRI technique known as liver acquisition with volume acceleration flexible (LAVA-Flex) to detect carotid and aortic atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS: Ten patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) were assessed regarding the correspondence between LAVA-Flex findings and the histopathology of excised carotid plaques. In addition, 47 patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke underwent LAVA-Flex and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for detection of embolic sources in the thoracic aorta. We analyzed the relationship between the thickness of the aortic plaque measured by TEE and the presence of high-intensity lesions on LAVA-Flex. RESULTS: Nine of 10 patients (90.0%) who underwent CEA showed a high-intensity carotid lesion on LAVA-Flex, which corresponded pathologically to plaques containing large lipid cores and hemorrhage. Twenty-four (51.1%) of 47 cryptogenic stroke patients showed a high-intensity lesion in the thoracic aorta on LAVA-Flex; of these, 21 (87.5%) also demonstrated a large plaque (thickness ≥4 mm) on TEE. Twenty-two (95.7%) of 23 patients without a high-intensity lesion on LAVA-Flex demonstrated no large plaque on TEE. LAVA-Flex had a sensitivity of 95.5% and a specificity of 88.0% in patients with large plaques. CONCLUSION: This study showed that LAVA-Flex successfully detected carotid and aortic plaques. This imaging technique may be useful to rapidly diagnose and evaluate carotid and aortic plaques, which are critical risk factors for aortogenic stroke.


Subject(s)
Plaque, Atherosclerotic , Stroke , Angiography/adverse effects , Carotid Arteries/pathology , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/complications , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnostic imaging , Stroke/etiology
11.
Endocr J ; 69(5): 539-546, 2022 May 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34866068

ABSTRACT

Inteletin1 (Itln1) is an adipokine that is abundantly expressed in intestine, ovary, and lung. The expression levels of ITLN1 are decreased in the presence of diabetes or obesity, but the mechanisms of its production and function are still controversial. The aim of this study is to elucidate the mechanisms of ITLN1 synthesis and ITLN1-associated macrophage activation. To analyze the effects of high fat and high-carbohydrate diet (HFHCD) on the expression of ITLN1 in the intestine, the mice were fed a HFHCD for 8 weeks. HFHCD feeding enhanced the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress in the intestine and inhibited the expression of Itln1 in the intestinal endocrine cells and lowered circulating ITLN1 levels. In contrast, treatment with a chemical chaperone and reduction of ER-stress restored the expression of Itln1 in the intestine of HFHCD-fed mice. Furthermore, in vitro studies indicated that ITLN1 physically interacts with adiponectin receptor 1 and suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and phagocytosis activities via inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa B-signaling pathway in macrophages. These results suggest that diet-induced ER-stress decreases circulating ITLN1 via inhibition of its synthesis in the intestine, and a reduction of circulating ITLN1 might enhanced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and macrophage activation, following exacerbate the chronic inflammation of metabolic syndrome.


Subject(s)
Cytokines/metabolism , GPI-Linked Proteins/metabolism , Lectins/metabolism , Macrophage Activation , NF-kappa B , Animals , Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress , Female , Inflammation , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Signal Transduction
12.
Adv Tech Stand Neurosurg ; 44: 265-275, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35107685

ABSTRACT

Pterional approach via standard fronto-temporal craniotomy and interhemispheric approach via bifrontal craniotomy are the gold standards for clipping of cerebral aneurysms in the anterior circulation. Endovascular treatment is now widely used, but subsets of aneurysms are still indicated for surgical clipping. Modern technological advances allow less invasive clipping techniques such as the keyhole approach. This chapter discusses the surgical indications, preoperative simulation, surgical techniques, and pros and cons of keyhole (supraorbital) clipping. Selection of standard craniotomy or keyhole craniotomy should be uncontroversial, but keyhole clipping requires definite surgical indications based on the characteristics of the target aneurysm for safe clipping.


Subject(s)
Intracranial Aneurysm , Craniotomy , Humans , Intracranial Aneurysm/surgery , Neurosurgical Procedures , Vascular Surgical Procedures
13.
No Shinkei Geka ; 50(3): 595-604, 2022 May.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35670173

ABSTRACT

The combined epidural and subdural approach pioneered by Dolenc allows opening of the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus(CS)to treat various pathologies such as tumors and aneurysms in the cavernous, para-cavernous, and central skull base regions. The Dolenc's approach is occasionally performed with the orbitozygomatic approach(OZA), which enables us to look up highly located lesions. We prefer the two-piece method when performing OZA: it involves removing the orbitozygomatic bar separately after frontotemporal craniotomy. Dolenc's approach requires dividing the meningo-orbital band and opening the superior orbital fissure to expose the junction between the dura propria of the temporal lobe and inner membrane of the CS, which separates the neurovascular structures and the venous plexus inside. Peeling of the dura propria from the inner membrane is continued until the anterior clinoid process is exposed epidurally. Extradural clinoidectomy and optic canal opening are then performed. After the epidural procedures, intradural procedures are also performed. The falciform ligament and the distal dural ring are incised to mobilize the optic nerve and the internal carotid artery. The tentorium is incised along the anterior petroclinoid ligament. Dolenc's approach allows extradural retraction of the temporal lobe, which provides a surgical corridor to the retro-carotid space and the inter-peduncular cistern through the opened anterior part of the CS.


Subject(s)
Cavernous Sinus , Intracranial Aneurysm , Carotid Artery, Internal/surgery , Cavernous Sinus/surgery , Craniotomy/methods , Humans , Intracranial Aneurysm/surgery , Neurosurgical Procedures/methods , Skull Base/surgery
14.
Stroke ; 52(1): 20-27, 2021 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33349011

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage still has a poor prognosis. This randomized controlled clinical trial evaluated intracisternal magnesium sulfate infusion combined with intravenous hydrogen therapy in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage were randomized to Mg+H2, Mg, and control groups. Mg and Mg+H2 groups received intracisternal magnesium sulfate infusion (2.5 mmol/L) at 20 mL/h for 14 days. Mg+H2 group also received intravenous hydrogen-rich solution infusion for 14 days. Primary outcome measures were occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia and cerebral vasospasm. Secondary outcome measures were modified Rankin Scale and Karnofsky performance status at 3 and 12 months, Barthel index at 12 months, and serum and cerebrospinal fluid malondialdehyde and neuron-specific enolase. RESULTS: Serum neuron-specific enolase levels were significantly lower in the Mg+H2 group from days 3 to 14 than in the control group. Cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase levels were also significantly lower in the Mg+H2 group from days 3 to 7 than in the control group. Incidences of cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia were significantly higher in the control group than in other groups. Modified Rankin Scale and Karnofsky performance status did not significantly differ between the three groups at 3 months. Modified Rankin Scale scores 0 to 2 were more common in the Mg and Mg+H2 groups at 1 year. Barthel index was higher in the Mg+H2 group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Intracisternal magnesium sulfate infusion started immediately after surgery reduces the incidence of cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia and improves clinical outcomes without complications in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage. Intracisternal magnesium sulfate infusion combined with intravenous hydrogen therapy decreases serum malondialdehyde and neuron-specific enolase and improves Barthel index, indicating hydrogen has additional effects. Registration: URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm. Unique identifier: UMIN000014696.


Subject(s)
Hydrogen/administration & dosage , Magnesium Sulfate/administration & dosage , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/drug therapy , Aged , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Infusions, Intravenous , Infusions, Intraventricular , Male , Middle Aged , Neuroprotective Agents/administration & dosage , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/complications , Vasospasm, Intracranial/etiology , Vasospasm, Intracranial/prevention & control
15.
J Exp Bot ; 72(4): 1181-1197, 2021 02 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33097930

ABSTRACT

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are steroid hormones that play key roles in plant development and defense. Our goal is to harness the extensive knowledge of the Arabidopsis BR signaling network to improve productivity in crop species. This first requires identifying components of the conserved network and their function in the target species. Here, we investigated the function of SlBIM1a, the closest tomato homolog of AtBIM1, which is highly expressed in fruit. SlBIM1a-overexpressing lines displayed severe plant and fruit dwarfism, and histological characterization of different transgenic lines revealed that SlBIM1a expression negatively correlated with fruit pericarp cell size, resulting in fruit size modifications. These growth phenotypes were in contrast to those found in Arabidopsis, and this was confirmed by the reciprocal ectopic expression of SlBIM1a/b in Arabidopsis and of AtBIM1 in tomato. These results determined that BIM1 function depends more on the recipient species than on its primary sequence. Yeast two-hybrid interaction studies and transcriptomic analyses of SlBIM1a-overexpressing fruit further suggested that SlBIM1a acts through its interaction with SlBZH1 to govern the transcriptional regulation of growth-related BR target genes. Together, these results suggest that SlBIM1a is a negative regulator of pericarp cell expansion, possibly at the crossroads with auxin and light signaling.


Subject(s)
Brassinosteroids , Solanum lycopersicum , Fruit/genetics , Fruit/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Solanum lycopersicum/genetics , Solanum lycopersicum/metabolism , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics , Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism , Transcription Factors/metabolism
16.
J Exp Bot ; 72(8): 3091-3107, 2021 04 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33530105

ABSTRACT

Ascorbate is a major antioxidant buffer in plants. Several approaches have been used to increase the ascorbate content of fruits and vegetables. Here, we combined forward genetics with mapping-by-sequencing approaches using an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized Micro-Tom population to identify putative regulators underlying a high-ascorbate phenotype in tomato fruits. Among the ascorbate-enriched mutants, the family with the highest fruit ascorbate level (P17C5, up to 5-fold wild-type level) had strongly impaired flower development and produced seedless fruit. Genetic characterization was performed by outcrossing P17C5 with cv. M82. We identified the mutation responsible for the ascorbate-enriched trait in a cis-acting upstream open reading frame (uORF) involved in the downstream regulation of GDP-l-galactose phosphorylase (GGP). Using a specific CRISPR strategy, we generated uORF-GGP1 mutants and confirmed the ascorbate-enriched phenotype. We further investigated the impact of the ascorbate-enriched trait in tomato plants by phenotyping the original P17C5 EMS mutant, the population of outcrossed P17C5 × M82 plants, and the CRISPR-mutated line. These studies revealed that high ascorbate content is linked to impaired floral organ architecture, particularly anther and pollen development, leading to male sterility. RNA-seq analysis suggested that uORF-GGP1 acts as a regulator of ascorbate synthesis that maintains redox homeostasis to allow appropriate plant development.


Subject(s)
Solanum lycopersicum , Ascorbic Acid , Fertility , Fruit/genetics , Solanum lycopersicum/genetics , Pollen/genetics
17.
Appl Opt ; 60(29): 9012-9028, 2021 Oct 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34623981

ABSTRACT

In our previous paper [Appl. Opt.59, 4466 (2020)10.1364/AO.389600], we presented a fundamental-ray aberration analysis that extends ray matrix analysis to the third-order aberration region. The analysis results shown in that paper were applicable to coaxial rotationally symmetric optical systems. This time, we have extended the fundamental-ray aberration analysis so that it can be applied to off-axial optical systems. Here we present new analysis formulae for fundamental-ray aberration analysis of the first-order aberration region. In addition, we newly present first-order aberration expansion formulae for four-element fundamental-ray aberrations and calculation formulae for the fundamental-ray aberration coefficients of the first order, which are necessary for this extension.

18.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(14)2021 Jul 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34298949

ABSTRACT

Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors inhibit the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). We determined whether changes in perirenal fat (PRAT) by a SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin (Ipra) contribute to the suppression of DN development. High-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were used as a DN model and were treated with or without Ipra for 6 weeks. Ipra treatment reduced urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and glomerular hypertrophy in HFD-fed mice. In the PRAT of Ipra-treated mice, adipocyte size was increased, and inflammation, fibrosis, and adipocyte death were suppressed. In conditioned medium made from PRAT (PRAT-CM) of Ipra-treated mice, the concentration of leptin was significantly lower than PRAT-CM of mice without Ipra treatment. Serum leptin concentration in renal vein positively correlated with UAE. PRAT-CM from HFD-fed mice showed greater cell proliferation signaling in mouse glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) than PRAT-CM from standard diet-fed mice via p38MAPK and leptin-dependent pathways, whose effects were significantly attenuated in PRAT-CM from Ipra-treated mice. These findings suggest that Ipra-induced PRAT expansion may play an important role in the improvement of DN in HFD-fed mice. In vitro experiments suggest that reduced PRAT-derived leptin by Ipra could inhibit GECs proliferation, possibly contributing to the suppression of DN development.


Subject(s)
Adipose Tissue/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental , Diabetic Nephropathies , Glucosides/metabolism , Kidney Glomerulus/metabolism , Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors/pharmacology , Thiophenes/metabolism , Adipose Tissue/pathology , Animals , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/pathology , Diabetic Nephropathies/drug therapy , Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism , Diabetic Nephropathies/pathology , Kidney Glomerulus/pathology , Male , Mice
19.
Psychosom Med ; 82(1): 74-81, 2020 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31609923

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Personality traits have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality as well as life-style-related cardiovascular risk factors. However, the mediating effects of life-style behaviors in the association between personality factors and CVD mortality remain insufficiently understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the mediating effect of life-style behaviors on the association between personality traits and CVD mortality. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 29,766 Japanese adults aged 40 to 64 years at the baseline and followed them up for 20.8 years from 1990 to 2011. Personality was measured using the Japanese version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire - Revised Short Form in 1990. We estimated the multivariable hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval for CVD mortality using Cox proportional hazards models, and explored the mediating effects of life-style behaviors (smoking, drinking, body mass index, and time spent walking) on the association between personality traits and CVD mortality. RESULTS: We documented 1033 deaths due to CVD during 562,446 person-years of follow-up. Psychoticism represents tough-mindedness, aggressiveness, coldness, a lack of deliberateness, and egocentricity. After adjusting for confounding variables, higher psychoticism was associated with CVD mortality (base model hazard ratio = 1.36, 95% confidence interval = 1.14-1.61, p trend < .001). All the life-style behaviors together mediated this association by 19.2%, with smoking having the greatest effect at 15.7%. For the other personality traits, no significant associations with CVD mortality were found. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that life-style behaviors, especially smoking, partially mediate the association between psychoticism and CVD mortality.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality , Life Style , Personality , Smoking/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Independent Living , Japan/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged
20.
J Chem Inf Model ; 60(10): 4867-4880, 2020 10 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32910853

ABSTRACT

Enhanced conformational sampling, a genetic-algorithm-guided multidimensional virtual-system coupled molecular dynamics, can provide equilibrated conformational distributions of a receptor protein and a flexible ligand at room temperature. The distributions provide not only the most stable but also semistable complex structures and propose a ligand-receptor binding process. This method was applied to a system consisting of a receptor protein, 14-3-3ε, and a flexible peptide, phosphorylated myeloid leukemia factor 1 (pMLF1). The results present comprehensive binding pathways of pMLF1 to 14-3-3ε. We identified four thermodynamically stable clusters of MLF1 on the 14-3-3ε surface and free-energy barriers among some clusters. The most stable cluster includes two high-density spots connected by a narrow corridor. When pMLF1 passes the corridor, a salt-bridge relay (switching) related to the phosphorylated residue of pMLF1 occurs. Conformations in one high-density spot are similar to the experimentally determined complex structure. Three-dimensional distributions of residues in the intermolecular interface rationally explain the binding constant changes resulting from the alanine mutation experiment for the residues. We also performed a simulation of nonphosphorylated peptide and 14-3-3ε, which demonstrated that the complex structure was unstable, suggesting that phosphorylation of the peptide is crucially important for binding to 14-3-3ε.


Subject(s)
14-3-3 Proteins , Peptides , 14-3-3 Proteins/genetics , Molecular Dynamics Simulation , Protein Binding , Protein Conformation
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