Lunar cycle-associated physiology has been found in a wide variety of organisms. Recent study has revealed that mRNA levels of Cryptochrome (Cry), one of the circadian clock genes, were significantly higher on a full moon night than on a new moon night in coral, implying the involvement of a photoreception system in the lunar-synchronized spawning. To better establish the generalities surrounding such a mechanism and explore the underlying molecular mechanism, we focused on the relationship between lunar phase, Cry gene expression, and the spawning behavior in a lunar-synchronized spawner, the goldlined spinefoot (Siganus guttatus), and we identified two kinds of Cry genes in this animal. Their mRNA levels showed lunar cycle-dependent expression in the medial part of the brain (mesencephalon and diencephalon) peaking at the first quarter moon. Since this lunar phase coincided with the reproductive phase of the goldlined spinefoot, Cry gene expression was considered a state variable in the lunar phase recognition system. Based on the expression profiles of SgCrys together with the moonlight's pattern of timing and duration during its nightly lunar cycle, we have further speculated on a model of lunar phase recognition for reproductive control in the goldlined spinefoot, which integrates both moonlight and circadian signals in a manner similar to photoperiodic response.

Aim:To evaluate the long-term outcome of stereotactic body radiotherapy in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma who were ineligible for resection or ablation therapies.Methods: A total of 65 patients with 74 hepatocellular carcinomas (median tumor size 16 mm) were enrolled in the present study. They were treated with the prescribed dose of 48 Gy in four fractions at the isocenter. We extended the observation period and analyzed long-term outcomes, including overall survival, progression-free survival, local control, and various prognostic factors, in these patients. Results:The median follow-up period was 41 months for all patients and 62 months for surviving patients. The 3-and 5-year overall survival rates were 56.3% (95% confidence interval, 44.1-68.5%) and 41.4% (95% confidence interval, 28.7-54.1%), respectively. The 3-and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 25.4% (95% confidence interval, 14.0-36.8%) and 10.6% (95% confidence interval, 1.5-19.8%), respectively. The 3-and 5-year local control rates were both 100% (95% confidence interval 100%). Liver toxicities exceeding grade 3 were observed in 15 patients (23.1%). The proportion of patients who had grade ≥3 toxicities did not increase. Adverse effects (grade ≤2) presented as significant prognostic factors of overall survival, while TNM stage (T1N0M0) was a significant prognostic factor of progression-free survival after multivariate analysis.Conclusions: Stereotactic body radiotherapy was effective for patients with small hepatocellular carcinomas who were ineligible for resection or ablation therapies. The incidence of grade ≥3 adverse effects did not increase, even after longer follow-up times.

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The golden rabbitfish Siganus guttatus is a reef fish with a restricted lunar-synchronized spawning cycle. It is not known how the fish recognizes cues from the moon and exerts moon-related activities. In order to evaluate the perception and utilization of moonlight by the fish, the present study aimed to clone and characterize Period2 (Per2), a light-inducible clock gene in lower vertebrates, and to examine daily variations in rabbitfish Per2 (rfPer2) expression as well as the effect of light and moonlight on its expression in the pineal gland. The partially-cloned rfPer2 cDNA (2933 bp) was highly homologous (72%) to zebrafish Per2. The rfPer2 levels increased at ZT6 and decreased at ZT18 in the whole brain and several peripheral organs. The rfPer2 expression in the pineal gland exhibited a daily variation with an increase during daytime. Exposing the fish to light during nighttime resulted in a rapid increase of its expression in the pineal gland, while the level was decreased by intercepting light during daytime. Two hours after exposing the fish to moonlight at the full moon period, the rfPer2 expression was upregulated. These results suggest that rfPer2 is a light-inducible clock gene and that its expression is affected not only by daylight but also by moonlight. Since the rfPer2 expression level during the full moon period was higher than that during the new moon period, the monthly variation in the rfPer2 expression is likely to occur with the change in amplitude between the full and new moon periods.

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