Map-based cloning of a fertility restorer gene, Rf-1, in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A rice nuclear gene, Rf-1, restores the pollen fertility disturbed by the BT-type male sterile cytoplasm, and is widely used for commercial seed production of japonica hybrid varieties. Genomic fragments carrying Rf-1 were identified by conducting chromosome walking and a series of complementation tests. Isolation and analysis of cDNA clones corresponding to the fragments demonstrated that Rf-1 encodes a mitochondrially targeted protein containing 16 repeats of the 35-aa pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) motif. Sequence analysis revealed that the recessive allele, rf-1, lacks one nucleotide in the putative coding region, presumably resulting in encoding a truncated protein because of a frame shift. Rice Rf-1 is the first restorer gene isolated from cereal crops that has the property of reducing the expression of the cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS)-associated mitochondrial gene like many other restorer genes. The present findings may facilitate not only elucidating the mechanisms of male sterility by the BT cytoplasm and its restoration by Rf-1 but also isolating other restorer genes from cereal crops, especially rice.     

Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery: A Consensus Statement of the International Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) 2009

OBJECTIVE:: This purpose of this consensus conference was to determine whether surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation during cardiac surgery improves clinical and resource outcomes compared with cardiac surgery alone in adults undergoing cardiac surgery for valve or coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS:: Before the consensus conference, the consensus panel reviewed the best available evidence, whereby systematic reviews, randomized trials, and nonrandomized trials were considered in descending order of validity and importance. Evidence-based statements were created, and consensus processes were used to determine the ensuing recommendations. The American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology system was used to label the level of evidence and class of recommendation. RESULTS:: The consensus panel agreed on the following statements in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery concomitant surgical ablation: CONCLUSIONS:: Given these evidence-based statements, the consensus panel stated that, in patients with persistent and permanent AF undergoing cardiac surgery, concomitant surgical ablation is recommended to increase incidence of sinus rhythm at short- and long-term follow-up (class 1, level A); to reduce the risk of stroke and thromboembolic events (class 2a, level B); to improve EF (class 2a, level A); and to exercise tolerance (class 2a, level A) and long-term survival (class 2a, level B).     

Tandem repeat structure of rhamnose-binding lectin from catfish (Silurus asotus) eggs

The primary structure of catfish (Silurus asotus) egg lectin (SAL) was determined. SAL cDNA contained 1448-bp nucleotides and 308 amino acid residues, deduced from open reading frame. The SAL mature protein composed of 285-amino acid residues was followed by a predicted signal sequence having 23 residues. The mRNA of SAL was found to be expressed in eggs, but not in liver. SAL is composed of three tandem repeat domain structures divided into exactly 95 amino acid residues each, and all cysteine positions of each domain were completely conserved. Sequence homologies between the three domains, termed D1 (1-95), D2 (96-190) and D3 (191-285), were as follows; D1-D2, 28%; D2-D3, 33%; D1-D3, 43%. Two conserved peptide motifs, -(AN)YGR(TD)S(T)XCS(TGR)P- and -DPCX(G)T(Y)KY(L)-, appear to exist at the N- and C-terminal regions of each domain, respectively. The kinetic parameters of SAL obtained by measuring surface plasmon resonance were as follows: K(a) (M(-1)) for neohesperidosyl-BSA, 7. 1 x 10(6); for melibiosyl-BSA, 4.9 x 10(6); and for lactosyl-BSA, 5. 2 x 10(5). These results show that RBLs including SAL comprise a family of alpha-galactosyl binding lectins having characteristic tandem repeat domain structures.     

Activation of prothrombin by ASP, a serine protease released from Aeromonas sobria

The effect of a serine protease (ASP) secreted from Aeromonas sobria on plasma coagulation was investigated. Proteolytically active ASP promoted human plasma coagulation in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with the preference for a factor Xa-specific oligo-peptide substrate, ASP produced enzymatic activity from human prothrombin but not from factors IX and X. ASP cleaved prothrombin to produce enzymatically active 37 kDa-fragment displaying the same molecular mass as alpha-thrombin. ASP is the first bacterial serine protease that produces alpha-thrombin, through which ASP may contribute to the induction of thrombotic tendency in disseminated intravascular coagulation complicated with sepsis caused by A. sobria infections.     

Rearrangements of actin cytoskeleton during infection with Escherichia coli O157 in macrophages

The lamina propria of the large intestine is rich in macrophages, and they might be one of the first lines of the host defense in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 infection. Although macrophages were infected with them, they can survive the EHEC O157 infection. We examined the structural rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton during the microbial infection process. Macrophage actin filaments were rearranged in the following sequence; 1) disappearance of the actin filament bundles in the cytoplasm, 2) accumulation of actin filaments under the cell surface, and 3) construction of actin networks underlying the endosome membrane. Before infection, actin filaments were distributed under the cell surface and in bundles located in the macrophage cytoplasm. Within 2 min, infection caused a rapid and marked loss of the actin filament bundles that had run parallel to the long axis of the cell. Concomitant with the loss, actin filaments became more markedly distributed under the cell surface. In the formation of the endosome, new networks of actin filaments were constructed below the phagosome membrane. The networks contained a large amount of actin as well as a fodrin-like immunoreactivity. The thickness of the networks reached about 400 nm under the phagosome membrane. The actin networks disappeared again after the bacterial digestion. The results of this study showed that actin filaments undergo three major rearrangements of the actin filaments during the infection in macrophages, and suggested that the third rearrangement is mediated by actin-binding proteins, such as a fodrin-like molecules. These morphological changes in macrophages were not clear after infection with other strains of Escherichia coli.     

A new species of Benedenia Diesing, 1858 (Monogenea: Capsalidae) parasitic on Lethrinus haematopterus Temminck & Schlegel (Perciformes: Lethrinidae) from Japan

Systematic Parasitology - A new species of capsalid monogenean, Benedenia armata n. sp., is described from Lethrinus haematopterus Temminck & Schlegel (Perciformes: Lethrinidae) from off...     

Association between high voltage overhead transmission lines and mental health: a cross-sectional study

We examined the association between residential proximity to 60 Hz high voltage (22-500 kV) overhead transmission lines (HVOTLs) and mental health (MH). The subjects were 223 mothers with a mean age of 37 years. The distance from the subject's residence to the closest HVOTL was measured on a map. MH status was assessed by the SF-36 Health Survey, which was scored on a 0-100 point scale, and an individual with a score of 52 points or less was defined as having poor MH. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the distance from the subjects' residence to the closest HVOTL and MH status. The prevalence of poor MH was 15%. Among the 223 subjects, 10 lived within 100 m of a HVOTL. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) for poor MH among those who lived 101-300 m or within 100 m from HVOTL were 1.29 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.35-10.13) and 1.87 (95% CI: 0.35-10.13), respectively, against the reference category (300+ m). MH status was not significantly associated with the distance between the subject's residence and the closest HVOTL.     

Morphological features of an endangered Japanese strain of Cyprinus carpio: reconstruction based on seven SNP markers

Morphological analyses of 183 specimens of Japanese common carp Cyprinus carpio (171 from Lake Biwa and 12 from nursery ponds) using genetic hybrid indices demonstrated that the typical native Japanese strain of C. carpio has a more elongate body, more branched dorsal‐fin rays, fewer and shorter gill rakers, more developed pneumatic bulb, more coiled pneumatic duct, longer posterior swimbladder and shorter intestine than the typical introduced C. carpio. These results provide a basis for a better understanding of the ecological characteristics and taxonomic status of the endangered Japanese strain of C. carpio.     

Identification of a novel transthyretin variant (Val30----Leu) associated with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.

A novel variant transthyretin which contains a leucine-for-valine substitution at position 30 was isolated and identified in the serum of a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). The amino acid substitution was proven to result from a guanine-to-cytosine change at the first base of codon 30 located in exon 2 in the mutated transthyretin gene by restriction fragment length analysis on the amplified transthyretin gene using Cfr13 I. The study indicates that the point mutation of the transthyretin gene is a cause of the disorder.