Pulsating aurora from electron scattering by chorus waves.

Auroral substorms, dynamic phenomena that occur in the upper atmosphere at night, are caused by global reconfiguration of the magnetosphere, which releases stored solar wind energy. These storms are characterized by auroral brightening from dusk to midnight, followed by violent motions of distinct auroral arcs that suddenly break up, and the subsequent emergence of diffuse, pulsating auroral patches at dawn. Pulsating aurorae, which are quasiperiodic, blinking patches of light tens to hundreds of kilometres across, appear at altitudes of about 100 kilometres in the high-latitude regions of both hemispheres, and multiple patches often cover the entire sky. This auroral pulsation, with periods of several to tens of seconds, is generated by the intermittent precipitation of energetic electrons (several to tens of kiloelectronvolts) arriving from the magnetosphere and colliding with the atoms and molecules of the upper atmosphere. A possible cause of this precipitation is the interaction between magnetospheric electrons and electromagnetic waves called whistler-mode chorus waves. However, no direct observational evidence of this interaction has been obtained so far. Here we report that energetic electrons are scattered by chorus waves, resulting in their precipitation. Our observations were made in March 2017 with a magnetospheric spacecraft equipped with a high-angular-resolution electron sensor and electromagnetic field instruments. The measured quasiperiodic precipitating electron flux was sufficiently intense to generate a pulsating aurora, which was indeed simultaneously observed by a ground auroral imager.

Collaborative Research Activities of the Arase and Van Allen Probes.

This paper presents the highlights of joint observations of the inner magnetosphere by the Arase spacecraft, the Van Allen Probes spacecraft, and ground-based experiments integrated into spacecraft programs. The concurrent operation of the two missions in 2017-2019 facilitated the separation of the spatial and temporal structures of dynamic phenomena occurring in the inner magnetosphere. Because the orbital inclination angle of Arase is larger than that of Van Allen Probes, Arase collected observations at higher L -shells up to L ∼ 10 . After March 2017, similar variations in plasma and waves were detected by Van Allen Probes and Arase. We describe plasma wave observations at longitudinally separated locations in space and geomagnetically-conjugate locations in space and on the ground. The results of instrument intercalibrations between the two missions are also presented. Arase continued its normal operation after the scientific operation of Van Allen Probes completed in October 2019. The combined Van Allen Probes (2012-2019) and Arase (2017-present) observations will cover a full solar cycle. This will be the first comprehensive long-term observation of the inner magnetosphere and radiation belts.

The Space Physics Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS).

With the advent of the Heliophysics/Geospace System Observatory (H/GSO), a complement of multi-spacecraft missions and ground-based observatories to study the space environment, data retrieval, analysis, and visualization of space physics data can be daunting. The Space Physics Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS), a grass-roots software development platform (www.spedas.org), is now officially supported by NASA Heliophysics as part of its data environment infrastructure. It serves more than a dozen space missions and ground observatories and can integrate the full complement of past and upcoming space physics missions with minimal resources, following clear, simple, and well-proven guidelines. Free, modular and configurable to the needs of individual missions, it works in both command-line (ideal for experienced users) and Graphical User Interface (GUI) mode (reducing the learning curve for first-time users). Both options have "crib-sheets," user-command sequences in ASCII format that can facilitate record-and-repeat actions, especially for complex operations and plotting. Crib-sheets enhance scientific interactions, as users can move rapidly and accurately from exchanges of technical information on data processing to efficient discussions regarding data interpretation and science. SPEDAS can readily query and ingest all International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP)-compatible products from the Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF), enabling access to a vast collection of historic and current mission data. The planned incorporation of Heliophysics Application Programmer's Interface (HAPI) standards will facilitate data ingestion from distributed datasets that adhere to these standards. Although SPEDAS is currently Interactive Data Language (IDL)-based (and interfaces to Java-based tools such as Autoplot), efforts are under-way to expand it further to work with python (first as an interface tool and potentially even receiving an under-the-hood replacement). We review the SPEDAS development history, goals, and current implementation. We explain its "modes of use" with examples geared for users and outline its technical implementation and requirements with software developers in mind. We also describe SPEDAS personnel and software management, interfaces with other organizations, resources and support structure available to the community, and future development plans. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s11214-018-0576-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The use of repetitive DNA in cytogenetic studies of plant sex chromosomes.

The structure of sex chromosomes in plants was analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with repetitive DNAs. FISH probes were successfully obtained from DNA libraries that were amplified from microdissected sex chromosomes. Some probes hybridized to the subtelomeric regions, where many kinds of repetitive DNAs are located with intrachromosomal similarity of their repeat units rather than interchromosomal similarity. For example, FISH with the subtelomeric repetitive sequence can easily show the location of the pseudoautosomal region (PAR) on the X chromosome of Silene latifolia. The other probes were localized on the interstitial region of the sex chromosomes. The interstitial region contains chloroplast DNAs or neighboring sequences of the internal telomeres, suggesting insertion or translocation occurred during differentiation of the sex chromosome. These data are very informative for understanding the structure of the plant sex chromosomes and their evolutionary process.

Estimation of thyroxine and triiodothyronine distribution and of the conversion rate of thyroxine to triiodothyronine in man.

Studies on peripheral metabolism of simultaneously administered 125-I-labeled L-thyroxine ([125-I]T4) and 131-I labeled L-trilodothyronine ([131-I]T3) were performed in five normal subjects, in four patients with untreated hypothyroidism, and in 3 hypothyroid patients made euthyroid by the administration of T4. The fractional turnover rate (lambda 03) of thyroid hormones irreversibly leaving the site of degradation and the volumes of pool 1 (serum V1) of pool (interstitial fluid, V2), and of pool 3 (all tissues, V3)were obtained by using a three-compartment analysis. In addition to the turnover studies, the ratios for the in vivo T4 to T3 conversion were determined by paper chromatographic study in sera obtained 4, 7, and 10 daysafter the injection. The rate (K12) of the extrathyroidal conversion of T4 to T3 was also estimated by the compartment analysis. The T3 distribution volume (V3) of pool 3, in which T3 is utilized and degraded, was about 60% of totaldistribution volume (V=V1+V2+V3) in normal subjects, whereas only about 25% of the extrathyroidal T4 pool was in the intracellular compartment, indicating that T3 is predominantly an intracellular hormone..

Genomic structure and promoter activity of the human tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 gene.

Human type-2 tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI-2), also known as placental protein 5, is a 32 kDa serine proteinase inhibitor consisting of three tandemly arranged Kunitz-type inhibitor domains homologous to tissue factor pathway inhibitor. TFPI-2 strongly inhibits a wide variety of serine proteinases including trypsin, chymotrypsin, plasmin, kallikrein and blood coagulation factor XIa. In this study, we have isolated and characterized a genomic clone from an artificial chromosome genomic library that encodes the entire human TFPI-2 gene. The human TFPI-2 gene spans approximately 7 kb and consists of five exons and four introns. Each Kunitz-type domain is encoded by a single exon, similar to that observed for murine TFPI-2 and other Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors. A total of 535 bp of the 3'-flanking region contain two probable polyadenylation sites (AATAAA) at +4297 and +4314. A single transcription initiation site was identified by oligo-capping and reverse transcription-PCR analysis. Transient transfection of reporter plasmids containing segments of the 5'-flanking region into human transformed bone marrow endothelial cells and glioblastoma cells identified an 85 bp region (-224 to -139) sufficient for transcription of the human TFPI-2 gene.

The importance of the binding of factor Xa to phospholipids in the inhibitory mechanism of tissue factor pathway inhibitor: the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of tissue factor are not essential for the inhibitory action of tissue factor pathway inhibitor.

To investigate the inhibitory mechanism of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), an attempt was made to examine the inhibitory activity of TFPI toward the factor VIIa-truncated tissue factor (TF1-219) complex, which lacks its transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. Factor VIIa-TF1-219 activity was significantly inhibited by TFPI-factor Xa complex in the presence of phospholipids, but was not in the absence of phospholipids. In addition, TFPI did not inhibit factor VIIa-TF1-219 activity in the presence of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-domainless factor Xa. The ability of TFPI-factor Xa complex to inhibit factor VIIa-TF1-219 activity was totally dependent on the presence of phospholipids and was neutralized by prothrombin fragment 1 in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of tissue factor are not essential for the inhibitory mechanism of TFPI and confirm that the binding of factor Xa to phospholipids through its gamma-carboxyglutamic acid domain is essential for this reaction.

Modulation of protein C inhibitor activity by histidine-rich glycoprotein and platelet factor 4: role of zinc and calcium ions in the heparin-neutralizing ability of histidine-rich glycoprotein.

Effects of zinc and calcium ions on the heparin-neutralizing abilities of histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) were examined. Both HRG and PF4 effectively neutralized the ability of heparin to accelerate the activated protein C (APC) and the thrombin inhibitions by protein C inhibitor (PCI). the heparin-neutralizing ability of HRG in the APC inhibition by PCI, however, was decreased in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner and apparently lost at 1 mM Ca2+, while it was enhanced by Zn2+ regardless of the presence or absence of Ca2+. The heparin-neutralizing ability of HRG in the thrombin inhibition by PCI was not affected by Ca2+. In contrast to HRG, there was no significant difference in the heparin-neutralizing ability of PF4 in the presence or absence of 1 mM Ca2+. These results strongly suggest additional physiological functions of HRG and PF4 as modulators of PCI.

Nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding murine tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2), also known as placental protein 5, is a 32 kDa extracellular matrix-associated serine proteinase inhibitor consisting of three tandemly-arranged Kunitz-type domains. Two overlapping genomic clones containing sequences encoding murine TFPI-2 were isolated from a lambda FIXII 129 SVJ mouse genomic library, and the complete nucleotide sequence of the gene was determined. The murine TFPI-2 gene spans approximately 9.3 kilobases and consists of five exons and four introns. The nucleotide sequences surrounding all the exon-intron boundaries are highly conserved and obey the GT-AG rule. Each Kunitz-type domain is encoded by a single exon, similar to that observed for other Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors. A total of 1,577 bp of the 3'-flanking region contains a probable polyadenylation site (ATTAAA) at +5,759 and an apparent cleavage or termination site (CATTG) at +6,170. The 5'-flanking region of the murine TFPI-2 gene contains a prototypical TATA box, a GC box and two CAAT boxes. In addition, several candidate transcription factor binding sites responsible for placenta-, endothelial cell-, and smooth muscle cell-specific expression of the TFPI-2 gene were also identified.

Ruptured aneurysm of aortic sinus of Valsalva into right ventricle.

We report a patient with ruptured aneurysm of the aortic sinus of Valsalva into the right ventricle, whose heart murmur represented only a diastolic element without aortic regurgitation. Surgery revealed a small opening through myocardium of the ventricular septum without ventricular septal defect. During systole, the opening was constricted and presumably closed with myocardial contraction, and left-to-right shunt might have occurred only in diastole. This might lead to only a diastolic murmur.

Influence of immunotherapy on the cellular immunity of unexplained recurrent aborters.

Changes in lymphocyte subsets in whole blood were analyzed sequentially by flow cytometry with an automated leukocyte differential system in 15 patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions, each of whom underwent vaccination(s) with her husband's lymphocytes. Mitogen responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were also examined in these patients. The reactivity of PBL against mitogens revealed no significant change in each patient before and after vaccination(s) with her husband's lymphocytes. The CD4:8 ratio was observed to decrease significantly during 22 and 28 days after the first vaccination with a significant increase in the percentage of T suppressor-cytotoxic (CD8) cells. This change was also observed after the second vaccination. The percentages of other subsets did not change significantly after vaccination(s). In 11 patients out of 15, the pregnancy continued successfully and correlated with a predominance of Ts/c (CD8) over TH/I (CD4) cells in the first trimester. These changes in lymphocyte subsets may indicate the induction of immune enhancing mechanisms and it is suggested that continuation of the predominance of Ts/c cells induced by immunotherapy might be important for the successful maintenance of pregnancy.

Effect of insulin on the production of prostacyclin and cell proliferation in cultured smooth muscle cells.

We have investigated the effects of insulin on the synthesis of prostacyclin and cell proliferation in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, which have been thought to play important roles in the development of atherosclerosis. Prostacyclin was measured as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in the culture medium, and cell proliferation as incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA. Our studies showed that insulin reduced production of prostacyclin and stimulated cell proliferation in SMC. Like insulin, dibutyryl cAMP inhibited the production of prostacyclin, whereas it did not stimulate cell proliferation. No significant changes in cAMP levels were found on the addition of insulin into the culture medium. Therefore, cAMP does not appear to be involved in the mechanisms of these insulin effects. These results again suggest that hyperinsulinemia could be one of the important factors in atherosclerosis.

Myelodysplastic syndrome progresses rapidly into erythroleukemia associated with synchronous double cancers of the stomach and the papilla of Vater.

Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) show a relatively high incidence of developing cancers. However, it is extremely rare that synchronous double cancers develop in an MDS patient. We report a case of MDS that progressed rapidly into erythroleukemia (M6 by French-American-British classification) complicated by gastric cancer and carcinoma of the papilla of Vater. A 66-year-old man was admitted because of pancytopenia with peripheral blasts. A diagnosis of MDS (with refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation [RAEB-T]) was made by bone marrow examination. Chromosome analysis revealed 46,XY. An early gastric cancer was also diagnosed by endoscopic examination. The peripheral blasts gradually proliferated and the disease progressed to M6. A chromosome abnormality 46,XY,del(1)(q42) was detected at the leukemic transformation. A CAG (low-dose cytarabine and aclarubicin in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) regimen was started as a remission-induction therapy. However, obstructive jaundice developed and a marked dilatation of bile ducts was observed by abdominal computed tomography (CT). A carcinoma of the papilla of Vater was detected by endoscopy. As remission was achieved and the pancytopenia improved, the patient subsequently underwent a surgical jejuno-choledochostomy to manage the jaundice. However, the leukemia relapsed thereafter and additional chromosome abnormalities including der(5)t(5;10)(p15:q11) were observed.

Specificity of sulfated polysaccharides to accelerate the inhibition of activated protein C by protein C inhibitor.

The ability of various sulfated polysaccharides to activate protein C inhibitor (PCI) and the effect of molecular weight (Mr) and sulfur content of dextran sulfates were investigated. Besides dextran sulfate, highly sulfated polysaccharides such as chondroitin polysulfates 1 and 5, and pentosan polysulfate were more active than heparin in enhancing the activated protein C inhibition by PCI. The molecular weight and the sulfur content of dextran sulfate were critical for the second-order rate constant of the reaction and for the optimal concentration of the polysaccharide, respectively. These results suggest that the carboxyl groups of polysaccharides are not necessarily required, but some sulfate groups within polymers may play a critical role in the interaction with PCI.

Evidence that an Arg79-->Gln substitution in human factor VII is not associated with a reduction in coagulant activity.

A recent report hypothesized that an Arg79-->Gln mutation in the first epidermal growth factor-like domain of human factor VII is the molecular basis for a severe (< 1%) factor VII functional deficiency. In the present study, a site-specific mutant human factor VII cDNA (Arg79-->Gln) was constructed, subcloned and expressed in baby hamster kidney cells. Mutant factor VII was purified to homogeneity and characterized with respect to gamma-carboxyglutamic acid content, ability to activate, tissue factor-dependent amidolytic activity and expression of factor VIIa proteolytic activity on tissue factor-bearing cells. Mutant factor VII was fully carboxylated and exhibited the same molecular weight and coagulant activity as plasma factor VII. Mutant factor VII was activated by factor Xa at the same rate, and to the same extent, as plasma factor VII. In the presence of tissue factor, mutant factor VII was converted to factor VIIa in an autocatalytic manner at a rate indistinguishable from that observed with plasma factor VII. In addition, the amidolytic activities of mutant factor VIIa and plasma factor VIIa towards S-2288 in the presence of relipidated tissue factor were identical. Finally, following complex formation with cell surface tissue factor, mutant factor VIIa activated factor X at essentially the same rate as plasma factor VIIa under comparable conditions. These results are not consistent with the notion that the arginine-79 residue in the first epidermal growth factor-like domain of human factor VII is essential for the expression of tissue factor-dependent factor VIIa proteolytic activity.

Brain metastases of malignant melanoma showing unbalanced whole arm chromosomal translocations der (8; 14) (q10; q10) and der (11; 15) (q10; q10) in a Japanese patient.

Since malignant melanoma is a rare malignancy in Japan, little is known about the cytogenetic abnormalities in Japanese patients. We report a case of malignant melanoma showing complex chromosomal abnormalities. A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of anorexia, delirium, and right hemiplegia. Cranial CT disclosed several metastatic brain tumors. Multiple subcutaneous and intra-abdominal metastases were also found. A diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma was made by biopsy of a subcutaneous tumor. Chromosomal analysis of the tumor cells disclosed complex karyotypic abnormalities including novel unbalanced whole arm translocations der (8; 14) (q10; q10) and der (11; 15) (q10; q10).

[Association of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and type 1 diabetes mellitus in a patient with sarcoidosis].

Occurrence of autoimmune diseases with sarcoidosis is well known. However, a case in which more than one of these diseases coexist with sarcoidosis is rare. We present a young man with suspected sarcoidosis, complicated by idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and type 1 A diabetes mellitus (DM). A 21-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of thrombocytopenia, hyperglycemia, and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL). Although a histological proof could not be obtained, the patient was considered to have sarcoidosis because 67-gallium scintigraphy disclosed "Lambda" and "Panda" signs which are highly specific for sarcoidosis. Type 1 A DM was also diagnosed as the patient had antiglutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies. The patient disclosed no hepatosplenomegaly or no lymphadenopathy and diagnosis of ITP was confirmed by bone marrow examination. High dose steroid was started as the thrombocytopenia progressed. The platelet number increased satisfactorily and shrinkage of BHL was also observed with the therapy.

[The influence of the operating positions on the prepared abutment contour of full cast crowns. Unanatomical artificial teeth for fixed bridge].

With a view to research the effect of the crown form, we made the unanatomical artificial teeth and some doctors to do the abutment tooth preparation with full cast crowns for the maxillar left fixed prosthodontics three-unit bridge in random position. After that, following are the results of a study made on the influence to the prepared tooth form. The prepared teeth are the second premolar and the second molar (The "second premolar" is abbreviated to "5" and the "second molar" is abbreviated to "7"). 1. The reductions of occlusal surface was excessively larger at 5 and 7 buccal cusp regions, while it was excessively smaller at central groove area. 2. The reductions of axial surface and subgingival area were excessively smaller at 5 and 7. 3. As for the degree of axial taper, its was steeper toward the buccal and distal surfaces at 5 and 7. 4. As for the relative degree of axial taper, it get the largest in degree on both sides between 5 medial surface and 7 distal surface. The results of this experiment are similar to the results that used anatomical artificial teeth. These results are affected by the operating posture.