A new gene encoding tRNAPro (GGG) is present in the chloroplast genome of black pine: a compilation of 32 tRNA genes from black pine chloroplasts

The chloroplast genome of black pine (Pinus thumbergii), a gymnosperm, contains 32 different tRNA genes, 30 of which correspond to those previously identified in tobacco and rice chloroplast genomes. Two additional genes encode tRNA^Pro (GGG) and tRNA^Arg (CCG); the former is newly identified while the latter is present in liverwort, Physcomitrella patens and Angiopteris lygodiifolia, chloroplast genomes. Moreover, a partial copy of the split tRNA^Gly (UCC) gene and full copies of tRNA^His (GUG), tRNA^Thr (GGU) and tRNA^Ser (GCU) genes are present in the large single-copy region of the genome, suggesting extensive rearrangements of the chloroplast genome during evolutio. No tRNA genes whose tRNA products can recognize codons CUU/C (Leu) and GCU/C (Ala) have been found. We propose that the 32 tRNAs are sufficient to read all the 61 sense codons in the black pine system using the two-out-of-three and the U:N wobble mechanisms.     

Study profile on baseline survey of Daiko Study in the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study (J-MICC Study)

The Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study (J-MICC Study) is a long-term cohort study to investigate the interactions among genotypes, lifestyles, and lifestyle-related diseases, especially cancer. This article reports the outline of the baseline survey of the Daiko Study, one site of the J-MICC Study. That survey was conducted between June 9, 2008 and May 31, 2010 at the Daiko Medical Center of Nagoya University in Nagoya, Japan. Subjects were registered residents of Nagoya City aged 35 to 69 years who had not participated in other J-MICC sites. Recruitment was mainly announced through leaflets distributed in mailboxes citywide, personal communications, and regional information, such as posters in public or commercial facilities. Participants provided blood plasma, serum, buffy coat, urine, and data on health check-ups. They also completed a self-reported questionnaire on lifestyle, disease history, family history, and for women, reproductive history. As of the end of September 2010, 4 out of 5172 registered participants had withdrawn from the study, leaving data from 5168 participants (1467 males and 3701 females) available for analysis. Mean age +/- standard deviation (SD) was 52.5 +/- 10.3 years. Current smokers accounted for 24.1% (n=354) of males and 6.9% (n=256) of females. Current drinkers included 74.9% (n=1099) of males and 45.9% (n=1699) of females. Lifestyle data and specimens were successfully collected to examine any associations among disease biomarkers, lifestyles, and genotypes.     

Nutritional Assessment in Adult Patients with Dysphagia: A Scoping Review

Malnutrition negatively affects the quality of life of patients with dysphagia. Despite the need for nutritional status assessment in patients with dysphagia, standard, effective nutritional assessments are not yet available, and the identification of optimal nutritional assessment items for patients with dysphagia is inadequate. We conducted a scoping review of the use of nutritional assessment items in adult patients with oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched to identify articles published in English within the last 30 years. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven nutritional assessment categories were identified: body mass index (BMI), nutritional screening tool, anthropometric measurements, body composition, dietary assessment, blood biomarkers, and other. BMI and albumin were more commonly assessed in adults. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM), defining new diagnostic criteria for malnutrition, includes the categories of BMI, nutritional screening tool, anthropometric measurements, body composition, and dietary assessment as its required components, but not the blood biomarkers and the “other” categories. We recommend assessing nutritional status, including GLIM criteria, in adult patients with dysphagia. This would standardize nutritional assessments in patients with dysphagia and allow future global comparisons of the prevalence and outcomes of malnutrition, as well as of appropriate interventions.     

Enhanced Selective Lymphatic Delivery of Cyclosporin A by Solubilizers and Intensified Immunosuppressive Activity Against Mice Skin Allograft

The absorption and lymphatic delivery of a new immunosuppressive drug, cyclosporin A (CsA), were studied in rats by administering CsA orally after solubilization with HCO-60 (polyoxyethylated hydrogenated castor oil), sugar ester, and oils. After the administration of solubilized CsA (7 mg/kg) to rats with thoracic lymph duct cannulas, both plasma and lymph CsA levels were measured over 6 hr. The lymph CsA levels were strongly affected by the solubilizers. The rank order of the solubilizers in enhancing lymph absorption was HCO-60 (57 µg/ml) > sugar ester (46 µg/ml) > sesame oil (3.5 µg/ml) > linoleic acid (0.4 µg/ml), where the parentheses show the maximum lymph CsA levels. Plasma CsA levels were below 2 µg/ml in each group of animals and were barely altered by the solubilizers. These results support the selective lymphatic delivery of CsA with solubilizers such as HCO-60 and sugar ester. The immunosuppressive activity of CsA (1 mg/kg) solubilized with HCO-60 was nearly equivalent to the sesame oil solution with 7 to 15 mg/kg CsA in the skin-allograft mice model.     

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma developing within cystosarcoma phyllodes--a case report

Malignancy in cystosarcoma phyllodes is uncommon and often confined to the stromal element. An extremely rare case of infiltrating ductal carcinoma developing within the stroma of cystosarcoma phyllodes is reported herein. A breast tumor with a diameter of 15 cm, which was diagnosed as cystosarcoma phyllodes, was excised from the right breast of a 47-year old woman. The histopathological examination revealed that hyperplastic ductal epithelial cells with dark cytoplasm and enlarged hyperchromatic nuclei were infiltrating the stroma. Thus, a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma within cystosarcoma was made. Subsequently, a standard radical mastectomy was performed. No recurrence or metastasis has been observed over the post-operative period of 5 years and 6 months.