The complete mitochondrial genome and gene rearrangements in a gall wasp species, Dryocosmus liui (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Cynipidae).

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been widely used in comparative and evolutionary genomics, molecular evolution, phylogenetics, and population genetics, but very limited information is available for the family Cynipidae. In this report, we describe the mitogenome of Dryocosmus liui Pang, Su et Zhu, providing the first complete mitogenomic data for a cynipid gall wasp species. The mitogenome of D. liui is 16,819 bp in length, and contains the typical set of 37 genes. Two control regions were detected, with the second being a perfect inverted repeat of the major portion of the first. Gene rearrangements were found in transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, protein-coding genes (PCGs) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, compared with the putative ancestral mitogenome. Similar to two other Cynipidae species with mitogenome data available, D. liui has a novel tRNA gene cluster trnL1-trnI-trnL2-trnW-trnM-trnQ between nad1 and nad2. Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of PCGs and rRNA genes with D. liui included obtained topologies identical to previous studies supporting the a relationship of (Cynipoidea , (Platygastroidea, Proctotrupoidea)) within the monophyletic Proctotrupomorpha and (Cynipidae, Figitidae), Ibaliidae) within the Cynipoidea.

Extinction Threat to a Previously Undescribed Species of Gall Wasp (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) and Two Associated Parasitoid Species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae and Eulophidae) on a Threatened Rose.

Diplolepis ogawai Abe and Ide sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) induces galls on Rosa hirtula (Regel) Nakai (Rosales: Rosaceae), which is endemic to a restricted area of Honshu, the main island of Japan. The gall is induced mainly on the leaf of R. hirtula in spring and the mature gall falls to the ground in early summer. The gall-inducing wasp emerges from the gall on the ground in the following spring, suggesting that D. ogawai is univoltine. From spring to summer, the braconid Syntomernus flavus Samartsev and Ku and the eulophid Aprostocetus sp. are parasitic on the larva of D. ogawai in the gall, and the adult wasp of both parasitoid species emerges from the gall on the ground in summer. For S. flavus, this is the first distribution record in Japan and the first host record. Since R. hirtula is threatened with extinction by succession and deforestation, D. ogawai and its two parasitoid wasp species are considered to be at risk of coextinction with the threatened rose. In the event that the population size of this rose species is further reduced, D. ogawai and its parasitoids may -become extinct prior to the extinction of R. hirtula. To conserve these three wasp species associated with R. hirtula, protection of remnant vegetation where individuals of this threatened rose species grow is necessary.

Pangenomic analysis of Wolbachia provides insight into the evolution of host adaptation and cytoplasmic incompatibility factor genes.

Introduction: The genus Wolbachia provides a typical example of intracellular bacteria that infect the germline of arthropods and filarial nematodes worldwide. Their importance as biological regulators of invertebrates, so it is particularly important to study the evolution, divergence and host adaptation of these bacteria at the genome-wide level. Methods: Here, we used publicly available Wolbachia genomes to reconstruct their evolutionary history and explore their adaptation under host selection. Results: Our findings indicate that segmental and single-gene duplications, such as DNA methylase, bZIP transcription factor, heat shock protein 90, in single monophyletic Wolbachia lineages (including supergroups A and B) may be responsible for improving the ability to adapt to a broad host range in arthropod-infecting strains. In contrast to A strains, high genetic diversity and rapidly evolving gene families occur in B strains, which may promote the ability of supergroup B strains to adapt to new hosts and their large-scale spreading. In addition, we hypothesize that there might have been two independent horizontal transfer events of cif genes in two sublineages of supergroup A strains. Interestingly, during the independent evolution of supergroup A and B strains, the rapid evolution of cif genes in supergroup B strains resulted in the loss of their functional domain, reflected in a possible decrease in the proportion of induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) strains. Discussion: This present study highlights for reconstructing of evolutionary history, addressing host adaptation-related evolution and exploring the origin and divergence of CI genes in each Wolbachia supergroup. Our results thus not only provide a basis for further exploring the evolutionary history of Wolbachia adaptation under host selection but also reveal a new research direction for studying the molecular regulation of Wolbachia- induced cytoplasmic incompatibility.

Human lipoproteins comprise at least 12 different classes that are lognormally distributed.

This study presents the results of HPLC, a gentler and rapid separation method in comparison with the conventional ultracentrifugation, for 55 human serum samples. The elution patterns were analysed parametrically, and the attribute of each class was confirmed biochemically. Human samples contained 12 classes of lipoproteins, each of which may consist primarily of proteins. There are three classes of VLDLs. The level of each class was distributed lognormally, and the standard amount and the 95% range were estimated. Some lipoprotein classes with a narrow range could become ideal indicators of specific diseases. This lognormal character suggests that the levels are controlled by the synergy of multiple factors; multiple undesirable lifestyle habits may drastically increase the levels of specific lipoprotein classes. Lipoproteins in medical samples have been measured by enzymatic methods that coincide with conventional ultracentrifugation; however, the high gravity and time required for ultracentrifugation can cause sample degradation. Actually, the enzymatic methods measured the levels of several mixed classes. The targets of enzymatic methods have to be revised.

Wide QRS complex tachycardia and alternating bundle branch block aberration: What is the mechanism?

A 70-year-old man was referred for evaluation and treatment of wide QRS complex tachycardia with left bundle branch block morphology. Electrocardiography showed atrial bigeminy with an alternating bundle branch block (ABBB) aberration. Atrial burst stimulation reproducibly demonstrated ABBB. What is the mechanism?

Comparison of Radiofrequency and Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Ablation for the Early and Late Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation.

Objective Early recurrence (ER) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is expected to resolve within the recommended 3-month blanking period, irrespective of the ablation device used. To compare the occurrence and relationship of AF within the blanking period and subsequent late recurrence (LR) with radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (CB) ablation. Methods A retrospective analysis of 294 patients (mean age=62±9, 70.0% male) undergoing PVI for drug-refractory paroxysmal AF was done. After categorizing the patients into the RF group (n=152) and the CB group (n=142), a group-wise comparison was done to investigate the impact of ER on LR throughout a 2-year follow-up. Results The groups were similar regarding the occurrence of ER (RF=22.4%, CB=24.6%, p=0.62), while LR was significantly higher in the RF group (p=0.003). ER was associated with LR in the RF group (p<0.01) but not in the CB group (p=0.08), while a significant independent association with an increased LR risk was observed [hazard ratio (HR) 6.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.56-10.51, p<0.01]. RF ablation also significantly increased the risk of LR (HR=2.93; 95% CI=1.64-5.23, p<0.01). Conclusion A recurrence of atrial arrhythmia is more frequent with RF-PVI than with CB-PVI for patients with paroxysmal AF. ER and RF-ablation are strong predictors for LR after the 3-month blanking period.

A Case of Intragenic Recombination Dramatically Impacting the Phage WO Genetic Diversity in Gall Wasps.

The phage WO was characterized in Wolbachia, a strictly intracellular bacterium causing several reproductive alterations in its arthropod hosts. This study aimed to screen the presence of Wolbachia and phage WO in 15 gall wasp species from six provinces of southern China to investigate their diversity and prevalence patterns. A high incidence of Wolbachia infection was determined in the gall wasp species, with an infection rate of 86.7% (13/15). Moreover, seven species had double or multiple infections. All Wolbachia-infected gall wasp species were found to harbor phage WO. The gall wasp species infected with a single Wolbachia strain were found to harbor a single phage WO type. On the contrary, almost all species with double or multiple Wolbachia infections harbored a high level of phage WO diversity (ranging from three to 27 types). Six horizontal transfer events of phage WO in Wolbachia were found to be associated with gall wasps, which shared identical orf7 sequences among their respective accomplices. The transfer potentially took place through gall inducers and associated inquilines infected with or without Wolbachia. Furthermore, 10 putative recombination events were identified from Andricus hakonensis and Andricus sp2, which harbored multiple phage WO types, suggesting that intragenic recombination was the important evolutionary force, which effectively promoted the high level of phage WO diversity associated with gall wasps.

Neutron flux evaluation model provided in the accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy system employing a solid-state lithium target.

An accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) system employing a solid-state Li target can achieve sufficient neutron flux for treatment although the neutron flux is reduced over the lifetime of its target. In this study, the reduction was examined in the five targets, and a model was then established to represent the neutron flux. In each target, a reduction in neutron flux was observed based on the integrated proton charge on the target, and its reduction reached 28% after the integrated proton charge of 2.52 × 106 mC was delivered to the target in the system. The calculated neutron flux acquired by the model was compared to the measured neutron flux based on an integrated proton charge, and the mean discrepancies were less than 0.1% in all the targets investigated. These discrepancies were comparable among the five targets examined. Thus, the reduction of the neutron flux can be represented by the model. Additionally, by adequately revising the model, it may be applicable to other BNCT systems employing a Li target, thus furthering research in this direction. Therefore, the established model will play an important role in the accelerator-based BNCT system with a solid-state Li target in controlling neutron delivery and understanding the neutron output characteristics.

From Inquilines to Gall Inducers: Genomic Signature of a Life-Style Transition in Synergus Gall Wasps.

Gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) induce complex galls on oaks, roses, and other plants, but the mechanism of gall induction is still unknown. Here, we take a comparative genomic approach to revealing the genetic basis of gall induction. We focus on Synergus itoensis, a species that induces galls inside oak acorns. Previous studies suggested that this species evolved the ability to initiate gall formation recently, as it is deeply nested within the genus Synergus, whose members are mostly inquilines that develop inside the galls of other species. We compared the genome of S. itoensis with that of three related Synergus inquilines to identify genomic changes associated with the origin of gall induction. We used a novel Bayesian selection analysis, which accounts for branch-specific and gene-specific selection effects, to search for signatures of selection in 7,600 single-copy orthologous genes shared by the four Synergus species. We found that the terminal branch leading to S. itoensis had more genes with a significantly elevated dN/dS ratio (positive signature genes) than the other terminal branches in the tree; the S. itoensis branch also had more genes with a significantly decreased dN/dS ratio. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that the positive signature gene set of S. itoensis, unlike those of the inquiline species, is enriched in several biological process Gene Ontology terms, the most prominent of which is "Ovarian Follicle Cell Development." Our results indicate that the origin of gall induction is associated with distinct genomic changes, and provide a good starting point for further characterization of the genes involved.

Egg Maturation and Daily Progeny Production in the Parasitoid, Gronotoma micromorpha (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae).

An ovigeny index, which is the initial egg load divided by the potential lifetime fecundity, was developed for the parasitoid, Gronotoma micromorpha (Perkins), on the host Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae). The value obtained for the index was estimated to be 0.54, based on the initial egg load (mean ± SD: 41.0 ± 13.5) observed in the present study and the lifetime fecundity (75.6 ± 32.6) estimated in a previous study. Gronotoma micromorpha was previously regarded as being strictly pro-ovigenic based on daily progeny production data; however, the findings of the present study showed that this parasitoid is prosynovigenic. A 3-d cycle in daily progeny production was previously reported to occur during the lifetime of adult females (6.6 d) in this species. The present study showed that the initial egg load is nearly equal to the total number of eggs deposited in 3 d following adult emergence. Therefore, it is considered that the mature eggs stored during the pupal stage are deposited during the first 3 d after adult emergence and that egg maturation in the adult stage starts on day 1 and requires 3 d to complete in G. micromorpha. To clarify the relationship between the daily progeny production and the initial egg load, a reproductive cycle consisting of maturation, deposition, and depletion of eggs is proposed. In G. micromorpha, the reproductive cycle is considered to occur twice during the female lifetime. Furthermore, it is proposed that other prosynovigenic parasitoid species have a similar reproductive cycle.

Comparison of 18FBPA uptake with 18FDG uptake in cancer patients.

For the patients who underwent 18fluorinated para-boronophenylalanine (18FBPA) positron emission tomography (PET) and 18fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) PET within a period of 2 weeks, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), tumor-to-normal tissue ratio (TNR), and tumor-to-blood ratio (TBR) for 18FBPA were compared with SUVmax for 18FDG. A total of 30 patients were selected for comparison. SUVmax for 18FBPA was correlated the best with SUVmax for 18FDG. Subsequently, the SUVmax correlation between 18FBPA and 18FDG were verified among 82 patients. The correlation factor was 0.4825.

Characterization of the relationship between neutron production and thermal load on a target material in an accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy system employing a solid-state Li target.

An accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) system that employs a solid-state Li target can achieve sufficient neutron flux derived from the 7Li(p,n) reaction. However, neutron production is complicated by the large thermal load expected on the target. The relationship between neutron production and thermal load was examined under various conditions. A target structure for neutron production consists of a Li target and a target basement. Four proton beam profiles were examined to vary the local thermal load on the target structure while maintaining a constant total thermal load. The efficiency of neutron production was evaluated with respect to the total number of protons delivered to the target structure. The target structure was also evaluated by observing its surface after certain numbers of protons were delivered. The yield of the sputtering effect was calculated via a Monte Carlo simulation to investigate whether it caused complications in neutron production. The efficiency of neutron production and the amount of damage done depended on the proton profile. A more focused proton profile resulted in greater damage. The efficiency decreased as the total number of protons delivered to the target structure increased, and the rate of decrease depended on the proton profile. The sputtering effect was not sufficiently large to be a main factor in the reduction in neutron production. The proton beam profile on the target structure was found to be important to the stable operation of the system with a solid-state Li target. The main factor in the rate of reduction in neutron production was found to be the local thermal load induced by proton irradiation of the target.

OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION EXPOSURE DOSE OF THE EYE IN DEPARTMENT OF CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA PHYSICIAN.

Interventional radiology (IR) procedures tend to be complex, which delivers high radiation exposure to patient. In the present study, we measured the radiation exposure dose [Hp(3)] in the eye using a direct eye dosemeter placed next to the physician's eye during procedures. Physicians wore a direct eye dosemeter just lateral to eyes and an additional direct eye dosemeter outside the radiation protective eyeglasses close to their eyes. Additionally, a neck glass badge was worn at the neck. Although we found a positive correlation between the left neck glass badge dose [Hp(0.07)] and the left eye lens dose [Hp(3)], the value of R2 of the regression equation were 0.62 and 0.71 (outside and inside). We thought that the exact eye lens dose might not be estimated from the neck glass badge. In conclusion, a correct evaluation of the lens dose [Hp(3)] using the direct eye dosemeter is recommended for tachyarrhythmia physicians.

Heterogony in Cycloneuroterus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) From Rearing Experiments and DNA Barcoding.

Heterogony was confirmed in the cynipid genus Cycloneuroterus Melika and Tang in rearing experiments with DNA barcoding. These experiments involved Cycloneuroterus gilvus Tang and Melika, which was previously only described from the sexual generation adult. The first rearing experiment was conducted using unidentified asexual generation females collected from Quercus gilva Blume, and gall formation by the sexual generation offspring was confirmed on folded or unfolded young leaves of Q. gilva. The second experiment was conducted using sexual generation males and females reared from the leaf galls collected from Q. gilva, and gall formation by the asexual generation offspring was observed on leaves of Q. gilva. Based on the morphological features of the sexual generation adults and galls, this species was identified as C. gilvus. The species identity of wasp specimens of sexual and asexual generations used in the rearing experiments was cross-checked using DNA barcoding with the partial sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region (658 bp). The asexual generation adult and gall of C. gilvus are described based on these results. The importance of 'closing the life cycle,' in this case a demonstration of heterogony, in oak gall wasps (Cynipini) is discussed.

[On-line Adaptive Radiotherapy Using MRI-Guided Technique].

In our institution, we installed MRI-guided radiotherapy system (MRIdian, ViewRay Inc.), allowing to perform on-line adaptive radiotherapy (ART). The MRIdian has three 60Co sources with 120 degrees apart, equipped with MRI system using a static magnetic field of 0.35 T. The tumor can be monitored and identified in real-time Cine-MRI during treatments, and gated-radiotherapy is possible based on the boundaries. On-line ART can provide the optimum delivery where high dose coverages to the tumor and sparing dose to health organs can be achieved. However, patient specific QA in on-line ART has a limitation of activities, because patients stay in the couth while planning. In this report, we summarized the commissioning of the MRIdian, and the patient specific QA established in on-line ART was described.

Dependence of neutrons generated by 7Li(p,n) reaction on Li thickness under free-air condition in accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy system employing solid-state Li target.

PURPOSE: An accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) system with a solid-state Li target is reported to have degradation of the Li target. The degradation reduces the Li thickness, which may change spectra of the generated neutrons corresponding to the Li thickness. This study aims to examine the relationship between the Li thickness and the generated neutrons and to investigate the effects of the Li thickness on the absorbed dose in BNCT. METHOD: The neutron energy spectra were calculated via Monte Carlo simulation for Li thicknesses ranging from 20 to 150 µm. Using the system, the saturated radioactivity of gold induced by reactions between 197Au and the generated neutrons was evaluated with the simulation and the measurement, and those were compared. Additionally, for each Li thickness, the saturated radioactivity was compared with the number of generated neutrons. The absorbed doses delivered by 10B(n,α)7Li, 14N(n,p)14C, 1H(n, g)2H, and (n,n') reactions in water were also calculated for each Li thickness. RESULTS: The measurement and simulation indicated a reduction in the number of neutrons due to the degradation of the Li target. However, the absorbed doses were comparable for each Li thickness when the requisite number of neutrons for BNCT was delivered. Additionally, the saturated radioactivity of 198Au could be a surrogate for the number of neutrons even if the Li thickness was varied. CONCLUSIONS: No notable effect to the absorbed dose was observed when required neutron fluence was delivered in the BNCT even if the degradation of the Li was observed.

New real-time patient radiation dosimeter for use in radiofrequency catheter ablation.

In a previous study, we reported on a novel (prototype) real-time patient dosimeter with non-toxic phosphor sensors. In this study, we developed new types of sensors that were smaller than in the previous prototype, and clarified the clinical feasibility of our newly proposed dosimeter. Patient dose measurements obtained with the newly proposed real-time dosimeter were compared with measurements obtained using a calibrated radiophotoluminescence glass reference dosimeter (RPLD). The reference dosimeters were set at almost the same positions as the new real-time dosimeter sensors. We found excellent correlations between the reference RPLD measurements and those obtained using our new real-time dosimeter (r2 = 0.967). However, the new type of dosimeter was found to underestimate radiation skin dose measurements when compared with an RPLD. The most probable reason for this was the size reduction in the phosphor sensor of the new type of dosimeter. We believe that, as a result of reducing the phosphor sensor size, the backscattered X-ray irradiation was underestimated. However, the new dosimeter can accurately determine the absorbed dose by correcting the measured value with calibration factors. The calibration factor for the new type dosimeter was determined (by linear regression) to be ~1.15. New real-time patient dosimeter design would be an effective tool for the real-time measurement of patient skin doses during interventional radiology treatments.

Monte Carlo modeling of a 60Co MRI-guided radiotherapy system on Geant4 and experimental verification of dose calculation under a magnetic field of 0.35 T.

Our purpose was to establish the commissioning procedure of Monte Carlo modeling on a magnetic resonance imaging-guided radiotherapy system (MRIdian, Viewray Inc.) under a magnetic field of 0.345 T through experimental measurements. To do this, we sought (i) to assess the depth-dose and lateral profiles generated by the Geant4 using either EBT3 film or the BJR-25 data; (ii) to assess the calculation accuracy under a magnetic field of 0.345 T. The radius of the electron trajectory caused by the electron return effect (ERE) in a vacuum was obtained both by the Geant4 and the theoretical methods. The surface dose on the phantom was calculated and compared with that obtained from the film measurements. The dose distribution in a phantom having two air gaps was calculated and measured with EBT 3 film. (i) The difference of depth-dose profile generated by the Geant4 from the BJR-25 data was 0.0 ± 0.8% and 0.3 ± 1.5% for field sizes of 4.5 and 27.3 cm2, respectively. Lateral dose profiles generated by Geant4 agreed well with those generated from the EBT3 film data. (ii) The radius of the electron trajectory generated by Geant4 agreed well with the theoretical values. A maximum of ~50% reduction of the surface dose under a magnetic field of 0.345 T was observed due to elimination of the electron contamination caused by the magnetic field, as determined by both the film measurements and the Geant4. Changes in the dose distributions in the air gaps caused by the ERE were observed on the Geant4 and in the film measurements. Gamma analysis (3%/3 mm) showed a pass rate of 95.1%. Commissioning procedures for the MRI-guided radiotherapy system on the Geant4 were established, and we concluded that the Geant4 had provided high calculation accuracy under a magnetic field of 0.345 T.

[Efforts toward Patient Safety: Development of System and Education of Non-Technical Skill].

Advanced radiotherapy such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy offers many advantages of high accuracy and efficiency of radiotherapy. To date, many technical guidelines with description of quality assurance and quality control have been reported. However, some reports indicated that human factor and environment is major cause of radiotherapy incidents. If radiotherapy systems depend on automation and computer system, individual risk management is degraded and ability of preventing radiotherapy incidents weaken. Recently, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) task group-100 was reported and it has a new concept guideline, which proposed the comprehensive risk management and education of non-technical skills for overall radiotherapy processes. The TG-100 recommends implementation of process map, reporting system, risk assessment such as failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and fault tree analysis (FTA) especially for advanced radiotherapy. In this paper, we described effective and efficient procedures to improve the treatment processes and education of non-technical skills using the such management tools proposed by the TG-100 guide-lines.