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Kazuhiro Shimizu,1 Mao Takahashi,1 Shuji Sato,1 Atsuhito Saiki,1 Daiji Nagayama,1 Masashi Harada,2 Chikao Miyazaki,2 Akira Takahara,3 Kohji Shirai1 1Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Sakura, Chiba, Japan; 2Department of Neurosurgery, Toho University Omori Medical Center, Omori, Tokyo, Japan; 3Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, Funabashi, Chiba, JapanCorrespondence: Kohji ShiraiDepartment of Internal Medicine, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, 561-4 Shimoshizu, Sakura City, Chiba, 285-8741, JapanTel +81-43-462-8811Fax +81-43-462-8820Email kshirai@kb3.so-net.ne.jpAbstract: Cardiovascular diseases have been recognized as the main cause of death all over the world. Recently, the established cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) has become known as an index of arterial stiffness of the arterial tree from the origin of the aorta to the ankle. CAVI reflects the progress of arteriosclerosis, and a rapid rise in CAVI indicates arterial smooth muscle cell contraction. Considering the vasculature of the atheroma where vasa vasorum penetrates the smooth muscle cell layer and supplies blood to the intimal atheromatous lesion, a rapid rise of CAVI means “choked” atheroma. Thus, we proposed a “smooth muscle cell contraction” hypothesis of plaque rupture.Keywords: arterial stiffness, atherosclerosis, smooth muscle cell contraction, CAVI

We surveyed the central mountains and southeastern region of Taiwan and collected 11 specimens of a new species of mole, genus Mogera. The specimens were characterized by a small body size, dark fur, a protruding snout, and a long tail; these characteristics are distinct from those of the Taiwanese lowland mole, M. insularis (Swinhoe, 1862). A phylogenetic study of morphological, karyological and molecular characters revealed that Taiwanese moles should be classified as two distinctive species: M. insularis from the northern and western lowlands and the new species from the central mountains and the east and south of Taiwan. The skull of the new species was slender and delicate compared to that of M. insularis. Although the karyotypes of two species were identical, the genetic distance between them was sufficient to justify considering each as a separate species. Here, we present a detailed specific description of the new species and discuss the relationship between this species and M. insularis based on ecological characteristics and geographic distributions.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Perny's long-nosed squirrel (Dremomys pernyi) was firstly sequenced and characterized. The genome was 16,573 bp in length, and its composition and arrangement of genes were analogous to other rodents. The sequences of 13 protein-coding genes were used to construct phylogenetic tree for D. pernyi and other 13 sciurid species available on GenBank. To date, this is the first species whose complete mitochondrial genome sequence was sequenced in genus Dremomys. Our results will provide information for further molecular studies.

In this study, we report the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of a Chinese pygmy dormouse Typhlomys cinereus (Rodentia: Platacanthomyidae). The 15,011 bp genome is consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 16S rRNA, 21 tRNAs, partial 12S rRNA and control region. A phylogenetic tree was built using 12 protein-coding genes of 19 species from Dipodoidea and Muroidea. Our result shows that T. cinereus represents the earliest split within Muroidea. The genome would contribute to further study of phylogeny in Muroidea and Rodentia.

Few studies have ever dealt with Japanese male gay and bisexual identity. This exploratory study investigated gay and bisexual identity through interviews of 34 Japanese gay and bisexual men. Though Japan has unique cultural aspects that are different from Western countries, it can be shown that Western concepts or models of homosexual identity are applicable to a considerable extent to Japanese gay and bisexual men. The results of this study suggest that there are two distinct types of Japanese men sexually interested in men, which the author will call "bisexual" and "gay." These two types are compared in terms of three aspects: self-identity, sexual preference, and social identity and role. A significant number of respondents have careers or vocations in the arts. This study touches on the correlation between art and male-male sexual orientation in Japan.

The complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome of the mandarin vole (Lasiopodomys mandarinus) was completed and annotated in this study. The circular genome is 16,375 bp in length and contains the typical 37 genes that are arranged in the same order as that of the putative ancestor of vertebrate, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 2 non-coding regions. This study will provide genetic resource to clarify the taxonomic position of genus Lasiopodomys.