Two disease symptoms, sooty mould and dimples usually solitary on the side of fruit, have been observed on Actinidia chinensis ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit in Japan and Korea since 2009. Anetiological study ...showed that each symptom is caused by different pathogens. The sooty mould caused by Pseudocercospora actinidiae and dimple caused by P. hangzhouensis. The distinction of two types of symptoms was revealed. Sooty mould: Distinct and blackish brown spots with sooty mould were observed on lower leaf surface. On the side of fruit, a large concavity (2-5 cm) is developed. The flesh of the fruit under the lesion is turned into spongy, light brown. Blackish brown conidial masses are often observed. These symptoms are observed mainly in maturation period on tree. Fruit softening and rotting are mainly started after the harvesting. Dimple lesion: Spots on upper leaf surface are distinct, brown with dark brown border, irregular to angular. Small concavity (1-2 cm) is developed on the fruit. The flesh of the fruits under the lesion is turned into corky and brownish. Symptoms are observed mainly through the period of maturation on tree and that of storage or ripening after harvest. On the other hand, fruit softening and rotting mainly start with ripening. From the results of exposure-tests in Japan, it is suggested that pathogens mainly infect to fruits from end of May to June. In addition, conidia of P. actinidiae and P. hangzhouensis were trapped on May, June, and August in orchards in Korea. These seasons are synchronized with rainy season in both places. And also, these results are related to the emergence pattern of these diseases in the field.
Summary
Infliximab is a tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α blocking drug classified as a biological response modifier. It has been suggested that the risk of malignancies, especially lymphomas, is ...increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with anti‐TNF‐α antibody therapy. We present a case of malignant lymphoma during the treatment of RA with infliximab and methotrexate.
Background Nonsense mutations in filaggrin (FLG) represent a significant genetic factor in the cause of atopic dermatitis (AD). Objective It is of great importance to find drug candidates that ...upregulate FLG expression and to determine whether increased FLG expression controls the development of AD. Methods We screened a library of bioactives by using an FLG reporter assay to find candidates that promoted FLG mRNA expression using a human immortalized keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). We studied the effect of the compound on keratinocytes using the human skin equivalent model. We examined the effect of the compound on AD-like skin inflammation in NC/Nga mice. Results JTC801 promoted FLG mRNA and protein expression in both HaCaT and normal human epidermal keratinocytes. Intriguingly, JTC801 promoted the mRNA and protein expression levels of FLG but not the mRNA levels of other makers for keratinocyte differentiation, including loricrin, keratin 10, and transglutaminase 1, in a human skin equivalent model. In addition, oral administration of JTC801 promoted the protein level of Flg and suppressed the development of AD-like skin inflammation in NC/Nga mice. Conclusion This is the first observation that the compound, which increased FLG expression in human and murine keratinocytes, attenuated the development of AD-like skin inflammation in mice. Our findings provide evidence that modulation of FLG expression can be a novel therapeutic target for AD.
A pure-electron plasma has been confined in a toroidal magnetic-surface configuration for as long as classical diffusion time due to neutral collisions. By controlling the potential of the internal ...conductor, long-term stable confinement of electrons has been achieved in a toroidal geometry.
Abstract
Background
Right atrial (RA) deformation by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography has a relatively new technique to evaluate right heart function with pulmonary hypertension and ...cardiomyopathy. Reproducibility between observers of this technique is important to develop into a robust and reliable tool. Experience may pose significant challenges.
Purpose
The aim of this study is to evaluate reproducibility of RA strain (global and regional) between novice and expert.
Methods
One hundred thirty-three patients (n = 133) underwent 2D-Speckle tracking derived RA strain analysis by 3 independent blinded readers (expert and 2 novices). The novice observers were medical interns with no prior experience in performing strain analysis. Echocardiographic images were acquired from iE33 (Philips Medical System) but were analysed offline using single vendor dependent software (QLAB version 11.0; Philips Medical System). The result of novice observer was calculated by the average of novice observers. RA strain parameters were assessed: global RA strain and segmental (Basal, Mid, Roof). Intraobserver and interobserver analyses were performed using intra class correlation coefficients (ICC) between expert and novice.
Results
Expert and novice observer demonstrated good interobserver reproducibility of global RA strain (ICC 0.88) and segmental parameters (Basal: ICC 0.89, Mid: ICC 0.87, Roof: ICC 0.84). Of all parameters, the basal segment of RA strain showed the greatest interobserver agreement. Intraobserver agreement for novice observer was excellent for global RA strain and segmental parameters (ICC > 0.88).
Conclusions
Global RA strain and segmental parameters were highly reproducible by novice and expert strain observer.
In this study, we compared the impact of health problems (HPs) on everyday activities and depressive symptoms between middle-aged and older adults. We also examined what type and source of social ...interactions moderate the noxious effects of HPs. Longitudinal analyses of data with 1,802 Japanese community-dwelling adults indicated that HPs were significantly related to (a) an increase in depressive symptoms among middle-aged adults and (b) a decline in everyday activities among older adults. The former was buffered by emotional family support, whereas the latter (b) was buffered by instrumental family support and, surprisingly, by negative interactions with family. In contrast, social interactions with other friends and acquaintances did not show any moderating effect.
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