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Supernumerary B chromosomes contribute to intraspecific karyotypic variation. B chromosomes have been detected in more than 2000 organisms; they possess unique and diverse features, including non-Mendelian inheritance. Here, we report one or more B chromosomes in the gynodioecious plant Atractylodes lancea. Among 54 A. lancea lines, 0–2 B chromosomes were detected in both hermaphroditic and female plants, with the B chromosomes appearing as DAPI-bright regions within the nuclei. Genomic in situ hybridization revealed that the B chromosomes had no conserved A chromosome DNA sequences, confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization probed with independently dissected B chromosomes. In male meiosis, the B chromosome did not pair with an A chromosome and was therefore eliminated; accordingly, only 20.1% and 18.6% of these univalent B chromosomes remained at the end of meiosis for the 1B lines of KY17-148 and KY17-118, respectively. However, we also found that B chromosomes were transmitted from male parents in 40.8%–44.2% and 47.2% of the next generation; although these transmission rates from male parents were not essentially different from Mendelian inheritance (0.5), the transmission of gametes carrying B chromosomes increased through fertilization or seed development. B chromosomes were transmitted from three of four 1B female parents to 64.3%–92.6% of the next generation, suggesting B chromosome accumulation. We propose that the B chromosome of A. lancea has a specific sequence and persists via non-Mendelian inheritance from female parents. Overall, A. lancea, with its unique characteristics, is a promising model for understanding the structure, evolution, and mechanism of non-Mendelian inheritance of B chromosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilocular thymic cysts (MTC) are acquired multilocular cysts caused by inflammation. The rarity of such lesions and a lack of recognition make diagnosis and treatment difficult. Herein, we present our experience with a multilocular mediastinal cyst that resulted in the development of thymic cancer with metastasis over a period of 13 years. Computed tomography findings revealed an anterior mediastinal mass that was suspected to be an MTC in a 49‐year‐old man. The mass shrank gradually over a period of 7 years; however, growth was observed at 10 years after initial detection. At 13 years after detection, thymic carcinoma with multiple lung metastases was diagnosed. Resection was recommended during the follow‐up period, but the patient refused treatment. A multilocular wall and location are factors that indicate MTC. However, even if a definitive diagnosis is not made, resection of multilocular anterior mediastinal cysts should be considered as determining the preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Nevertheless, our case suggests that the coexistence of tumors with cysts is possible, and the potential for malignant tumor development exists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lung adenocarcinoma progresses stepwise from atypical adenomatous hyperplasia to adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), followed by minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and then obvious invasive adenocarcinoma. In this study, we examined the protein expression profiles of early and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation‐positive lung adenocarcinomas. Methods: Fifteen cases of small and EGFR mutation‐positive adenocarcinomas were collected, including AIS, MIA, and small invasive adenocarcinoma (SIA). We examined their protein expression profiles by tandem mass tag (TMT)‐labeling liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and compared the results between AIS and MIA versus SIA. The differentially expressed proteins were then verified by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The clinicopathological implications of the proteins were also examined by IHC. Results: A total of 4220 proteins were identified by LC–MS/MS analysis. Pathway analysis of the differentially expressed proteins revealed that pathways related to interferon α/β signaling, glutamate and glutamine metabolism, and gluconeogenesis were upregulated in SIA relative to AIS. Among the 13 differentially expressed proteins, cellular retinoic acid binding protein 2 (CRABP2), delta(24)‐sterol reductase (DHCR24), and adenylate kinase 4 (AK4) were expressed significantly more strongly in SIA than in AIS. Patients with high expression of CRABP2, DHCR24, and AK4 showed a significantly poorer outcome than those with low expression. Conclusion: In comparison with AIS, SIA shows differences in several different protein expression pathways. Furthermore, CRABP2, DHCR24, and AK4 are useful IHC markers for diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma invasiveness and may be associated with malignant progression of AIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sucrose nonfermenting 2 (Snf2) family proteins, as the catalytic core of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes, play important roles in nuclear processes as diverse as DNA replication, transcriptional regulation, and DNA repair and recombination. The Snf2 gene family has been characterized in several plant species; some of its members regulate flower development in Arabidopsis. However, little is known about the members of the family in barley (Hordeum vulgare). Here, 38 Snf2 genes unevenly distributed among seven chromosomes were identified from the barley (cv. Morex) genome. Phylogenetic analysis categorized them into 18 subfamilies. They contained combinations of 21 domains and consisted of 3 to 34 exons. Evolution analysis revealed that segmental duplication contributed predominantly to the expansion of the family in barley, and the duplicated gene pairs have undergone purifying selection. About eight hundred Snf2 family genes were identified from 20 barley accessions, ranging from 38 to 41 genes in each. Most of these genes were subjected to purification selection during barley domestication. Most were expressed abundantly during spike development. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of barley Snf2 family members, which should help to improve our understanding of their potential regulatory roles in barley spike development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Decreased pulmonary function and poor deglutition are a major risk factor for poststroke aspiration pneumonia. We analyzed the benefits of pulmonary training on pulmonary function, deglutition, and quality of life (QOL) in community‐dwelling, frail elderly people with chronic stroke. Method: This study was designed as an open, randomized, controlled pilot trial. The participants, who were frail older adults with a history of stroke, were randomized to 2 rehabilitation groups: intervention group (n = 15) and control (n = 15). All participants (65–94 years) attended twelve 20‐min sessions twice a week for 6 weeks of either standard rehabilitation (control group) or standard rehabilitation with pulmonary training including home pulmonary exercise (intervention group). The main outcome measures were pulmonary function (%MIP), deglutition (DRACE), and QOL (SF8･PCS), while secondary outcomes were muscle strength (grip and abdominal), thorax flexibility, 6‐min walk distance, and activities in daily living. All outcomes were measured both prior to training and after the 12 sessions. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvement in %MIP (95% CI, 2.9–31.6; p < 0.01), DRACE (95% CI, −4.1–0.1; p < 0.01), and SF8･PCS (95% CI, 2.5–7.2; p < 0.01) compared with controls. There were no cognitive function decline and higher brain dysfunction. Conclusions: These results suggest that the addition of pulmonary training including home pulmonary exercise to a standard rehabilitation program could improve pulmonary function, deglutition, and QOL in frail elderly people with chronic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]