The transcription repressors Bach2 and Bach1 promote B cell development by repressing the myeloid program.

Mature lymphoid cells express the transcription repressor Bach2, which imposes regulation on humoral and cellular immunity. Here we found critical roles for Bach2 in the development of cells of the B lineage, commencing from the common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) stage, with Bach1 as an auxiliary. Overexpression of Bach2 in pre-pro-B cells deficient in the transcription factor EBF1 and single-cell analysis of CLPs revealed that Bach2 and Bach1 repressed the expression of genes important for myeloid cells ('myeloid genes'). Bach2 and Bach1 bound to presumptive regulatory regions of the myeloid genes. Bach2(hi) CLPs showed resistance to myeloid differentiation even when cultured under myeloid conditions. Our results suggest that Bach2 functions with Bach1 and EBF1 to promote B cell development by repressing myeloid genes in CLPs.

Usefulness of adhesive strapping for umbilical hernias of infants.

BACKGROUND: Using a controlled trial, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of adhesive strapping to improve the natural healing rate of umbilical hernia. METHODS: This prospective, observational study included 128 patients from Kumamoto, Japan (97 in the adhesive strapping group, and 31 in observation group), from 2012-2015. The duration from first hospital visit to the hernia orifice closure was compared between the two groups. RESULT: Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the probability of umbilical hernia in the adhesive strapping group was lower until approximately 200 days, but it was not statistically significant in the log rank test. According to multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, the hazard risk of umbilical hernia in the adhesive strapping group was significantly higher within 0-60 days after adjusting for confounding factors such as hernial cavity and hernia orifice area (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Adhesive strapping of umbilical hernia was significantly associated with earlier closure of the hernia orifice from baseline until at least 60 days.

Bach2 Promotes B Cell Receptor-Induced Proliferation of B Lymphocytes and Represses Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors.

BTB and CNC homology 2 (Bach2) is a transcriptional repressor that is required for the formation of the germinal center (GC) and reactions, including class switch recombination and somatic hypermutation of Ig genes in B cells, within the GC. Although BCR-induced proliferation is essential for GC reactions, the function of Bach2 in regulating B cell proliferation has not been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that Bach2 is required to sustain high levels of B cell proliferation in response to BCR signaling. Following BCR engagement in vitro, B cells from Bach2-deficient (Bach2-/-) mice showed lower incorporation of BrdU and reduced cell cycle progression compared with wild-type cells. Bach2-/- B cells also underwent increased apoptosis, as evidenced by an elevated frequency of sub-G1 cells and early apoptotic cells. Transcriptome analysis of BCR-engaged B cells from Bach2-/- mice revealed reduced expression of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl2l1 encoding Bcl-xL and elevated expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) family genes, including Cdkn1a, Cdkn2a, and Cdkn2b Reconstitution of Bcl-xL expression partially rescued the proliferation defect of Bach2-/- B cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments showed that Bach2 bound to the CKI family genes, indicating that these genes are direct repression targets of Bach2. These findings identify Bach2 as a requisite factor for sustaining high levels of BCR-induced proliferation, survival, and cell cycle progression, and it promotes expression of Bcl-xL and repression of CKI genes. BCR-induced proliferation defects may contribute to the impaired GC formation observed in Bach2-/- mice.

Identification of a novel major locus for gray leaf spot resistance in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.).

BACKGROUND: Gray leaf spot (GLS), caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (anamorph Pyricularia oryzae), in ryegrasses is a very serious problem. Heavily infected small seedlings die within a matter of days, and stands of the grasses are seriously damaged by the disease. Thus, the development of GLS-resistant cultivars has become a concern in ryegrass breeding. RESULTS: Phenotypic segregations in a single cross-derived F1 population of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) indicated that the GLS resistance in the population was possibly controlled by one or two dominant genes with 66.5-77.9% of broad-sense heritability. In bulked segregant analyses, two simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, which have so far been reported to locate on linkage group (LG) 3 of Italian ryegrass, showed specific signals in the resistant parent and resistant bulk, indicating that the resistance gene locus was possibly in the LG 3. We thus constructed a genetic linkage map of the LG 3 covering 133.6 centimorgan with other SSR markers of the LG 3 of Italian ryegrass and grass anchor probes that have previously been assigned to LG 3 of ryegrasses, and with rice expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived markers selected from a rice EST map of chromosome (Chr) 1 since LG 3 of ryegrasses are syntenic to rice Chr 1. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis with the genetic linkage map and phenotypic data of the F1 population detected a major locus for GLS resistance. Proportions of phenotypic variance explained by the QTL at the highest logarithm of odds scores were 61.0-69.5%. CONCLUSIONS: A resistance locus was confirmed as novel for GLS resistance, because its genetic position was different from other known loci for GLS resistance. Broad-sense heritability and the proportion of phenotypic variance explained by the QTL were similar, suggesting that most of the genetic factors for the resistance phenotype against GLS in the F1 population can be explained by a function of the single resistance locus. We designated the putative gene for the novel resistance locus as LmPi2. LmPi2 will be useful for future development of GLS-resistant cultivars in combination with other resistance genes.

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the jejunum presenting with an intratumoral abscess: A case report and a literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The small intestine is the second-most frequent location where GISTs occur after the stomach. Attention should be paid to small intestinal GISTs because they infrequently present with acute abdomen, which necessitates emergency surgery. This report describes a patient with a small intestinal GIST developing a giant intratumoral abscess, in whom emergency surgery was performed. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 56-year-old woman presented with worsening abdominal pain. Computed tomography scan showed an approximately 9.5 cm × 9 cm tumor bearing a thick and hypervascularized wall with an internal air-fluid level. Emergency laparotomy revealed the tumor originated from the jejunum, and partial resection of the jejunum was performed. A large amount of pus was contained inside the tumor. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was diagnosed as a high risk GIST of the Cjejunum, and imatinib mesylate was initiated. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: When an intratumoral abscess in the abdomen is confirmed, GISTs should be listed as differential diagnosis. Complete surgical resetcion with careful handling and adjuvant chemotherapy with imatinib mesylate are considered to be important for this state.

Antegrade jejunogastric intussusception and common bile duct stones at 14 months after gastrectomy and cholecystectomy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Intussusception after gastrectomy is a minor complication after gastrectomy, while common bile duct stone (CBD) is also a rare complication post cholecystectomy. We report a case that simultaneously caused both intussusception and CBD stone following gastrectomy with prophylactic cholecystectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old woman underwent distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction and prophylactic cholecystectomy for gastric cancer. After 14 months, the patient reported nausea and vomiting. Abdominal computed tomography scanning showed antegrade intussusception of the Roux limb of the gastrojejunostomy and calculi in the common bile duct, with a diagnosis of jejunogastric intussusception and common bile duct stones. The patient was hospitalized and endoscopic examination was performed on day 3. Endoscopic treatment did not resolve the intussusception, which also obstructed the bile duct stones. Elective surgery was performed on day 10, in which the invaginated Roux limb of the gastrojejunostomy was resected after manual reinstatement to its original position. This was followed by open exploration of the common bile duct and T-tube drainage. The patient was discharged 25days post- surgery. DISCUSSION: Jejunogastric intussusception and CBD stone may require operative management, although the operation could be elective after sufficient examination and preparation. CONCLUSION: Jejunogastric intussusception and bile duct stones are rare after distal gastrectomy, physicians should be alerted to the possibility of these complications.

High-speed observation of the piston effect near the gas-liquid critical point.

We investigated adiabatic changes in a near-critical fluid on acoustic time scales using an ultrasensitive interferometer. A sound emitted by very weak continuous heating caused a stepwise adiabatic change at its front with a density change of order 10(-7) g/cm(3) and a temperature change of order 10(-5) K. Very small heat inputs at a heater produced short acoustic pulses with width of order 10 micros, which were broadened as they moved through the cell and interacted with the boundaries. The pulse broadening became enhanced near the critical point. We also examined theoretically how sounds are emitted from a heater and how applied heat is transformed into mechanical work. Our predictions agree well with our data.

Strangulated Small Bowel Obstruction After Renal Transplant With No History of Laparotomy: Case Report.

Strangulated small bowel obstruction is a complication after abdominal surgery, which is rare in renal transplant patients. A 61-year-old man with a strangulated small bowel obstruction underwent renal transplant surgery 7 years before the current admission. He was admitted to our hospital for abdominal pain, nausea, and abdominal distention. An abdominal computed tomography and an ultrasound examination showed intestinal expansion and fluid collection without ascites. His disease was diagnosed as a small bowel obstruction and conservative treatment was begun. However, because of increasing abdominal pain and the collection of ascites, he underwent an emergency laparotomy and was diagnosed as having a strangulated small bowel obstruction. A fibrous cord had formed between the peritoneum (beside the transplanted kidney) and the root of the sigmoid mesocolon, strangulating the looped ileum and causing bleeding necrosis and hemorrhagic ascites collection. The cord and the necrotic ileum were resected, followed by an end-to-end anastomosis. He was discharged 17 days after the surgery in good condition. This is the first reported case of a person having a strangulated small bowel obstruction by a fibrous cord, who did not have a history of laparotomy after renal transplant. A strangulated small bowel obstruction after a renal transplant in a patient with no history of a laparotomy is a rare, but possible postoperative complications should be considered when making a differential diagnosis.

Development of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and construction of an SSR-based linkage map in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.).

In order to develop simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in Italian ryegrass, we constructed a genomic library enriched for (CA)n-containing SSR repeats. A total of 1,544 clones were sequenced, of which 1,044 (67.6%) contained SSR motifs, and 395 unique clones were chosen for primer design. Three hundred and fifty-seven of these clones amplified products of the expected size in both parents of a two-way pseudo-testcross F(1) mapping population, and 260 primer pairs detected genetic polymorphism in the F(1) population. Genetic loci detected by a total of 218 primer pairs were assigned to locations on seven linkage groups, representing the seven chromosomes of the haploid Italian ryegrass karyotype. The SSR markers covered 887.8 cM of the female map and 795.8 cM of the male map. The average distance between two flanking SSR markers was 3.2 cM. The SSR markers developed in this study will be useful in cultivar discrimination, linkage analysis, and marker-assisted selection of Italian ryegrass and closely related species.

Increased resistance to crown rust disease in transgenic Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) expressing the rice chitinase gene.

We introduced the rice chitinase (Cht-2; RCC2) gene into calli of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), with a hygromycin phosphotransferase (HPT) gene as a selectable marker, by particle bombardment. Hygromycin-resistant calli were selected and transferred to regeneration medium for shoot formation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed regenerants containing the HPT gene. The RCC2 gene was detected in 65.5% of those regenerants. Southern hybridization detected both HPT and RCC2 genes and indicated that the transgenic plants were independently transformed. Expression of the RCC2 gene in the transgenic plants was confirmed by Northern hybridization, reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting. Bioassay of detached leaves indicated increased resistance to crown rust (Puccinia coronata) in transgenic plants, which exhibited higher chitinase activity than a nontransgenic plant.

Development of EST-derived CAPS and AFLP markers linked to a gene for resistance to ryegrass blast (Pyricularia sp.) in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.).

Ryegrass blast, also called gray leaf spot, is caused by the fungus Pyricularia sp. It is one of the most serious diseases of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in Japan. We analyzed segregation of resistance in an F(1) population from a cross between a resistant and a susceptible cultivar. The disease severity distribution in the F(1) population suggested that resistance was controlled by a major gene (Lm Pi1). Analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphisms with bulked segregant analysis identified several markers tightly linked to Lm Pi1. To identify other markers linked to Lm Pi1, we used expressed sequence tag-cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (EST-CAPS) markers mapped in a reference population of Italian ryegrass. Of the 30 EST-CAPS markers screened, one marker, p 56, flanking the Lm Pi1 locus was found. The restriction pattern of p 56 amplification showed a unique fragment corresponding to the resistant allele at the Lm Pi1 locus. A linkage map constructed from the reference population showed that the Lm Pi1 locus was located in linkage group 5 of Italian ryegrass. Genotype results obtained from resistant and susceptible cultivars indicate that the p 56 marker is useful for introduction of the Lm Pi1 gene into susceptible germ plasm in order to develop ryegrass cultivars with enhanced resistance to ryegrass blast.