Search

A report on the new species Eomarteilia (=Marteilia) granula infecting Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum from Japan in 2014 suggests the possibility of E. granula infecting other Manila clam populations in the Northwest Pacific region, including Korea. In this study, we report the first infections by E. granula in Manila clams off the south coast of Korea. Histology revealed Marteilia-like plasmodia in the digestive tubule epithelia. Tissue imprints demonstrated that each parasite sporangium enclosed 4 spores and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed ultrastructure of primary cells enclosing secondary cells, which contained spores. Mature spores consisted of 3 sporoplasms: outermost, intermediate, and innermost. The outermost sporoplasm showed a peripheral electron-dense monolayer characteristic of E. granula. The 18S rDNA amplified from the Marteilia-like parasite yielded 1784-bp PCR amplicon sequences which were 99.8% similar to that of E. granula previously reported (as M. granula) from Japan. In the molecular phylogenetic analysis, the novel Marteilia-like organism formed a well-supported clade with E. granula. Accordingly, we concluded that the novel Marteilia-like parasite that we found infecting some Korean Manila clams is Eomarteilia granula. Field surveys revealed that the infection was limited to clams of the south coast of Korea, with the prevalence ranging from 3.3 to 5.0%.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to clarify the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak on the levels of activity among older patients with frailty or underlying diseases. A total of 175 patients (79.0±7.0 years) undergoing outpatient or home-based rehabilitation, stratified into groups, based on frailty status. The percentage of patients who went out at least once a week decreased after the outbreak from 91% to 87%, from 65% to 46%, and from 47% to 36% in the non-frail, frail, and nursing care requirement groups, respectively. The proportion of older patients participating in exercise during the outbreak was 75%, 51%, and 41% in the non-frail, frail, and nursing care requirement groups, respectively. The proportion of older patients participating in voluntary exercise after instruction was lowest in the frail group (35%). Older patients with frailty are susceptible to the negative effects of refraining from physical activity and require careful management.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most prevalent form of lung cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Using an integrative approach, we analyzed a publicly available merged NSCLC transcriptome dataset using machine learning, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and bayesian modeling to pinpoint key cellular factors and pathways likely to be involved with the onset and progression of NSCLC. First, we generated multiple prediction models using various machine learning classifiers to classify NSCLC and healthy cohorts. Our models achieved prediction accuracies ranging from 0.83 to 1.0, with XGBoost emerging as the best performer. Next, using functional enrichment analysis (and gene co-expression network analysis with WGCNA) of the machine learning feature-selected genes, we determined that genes involved in Rho GTPase signaling that modulate actin stability and cytoskeleton were likely to be crucial in NSCLC. We further assembled a PPI network for the feature-selected genes that was partitioned using Markov clustering to detect protein complexes functionally relevant to NSCLC. Finally, we modeled the perturbations in RhoGDI signaling using a bayesian network; our simulations suggest that aberrations in ARHGEF19 and/or RAC2 gene activities contributed to impaired MAPK signaling and disrupted actin and cytoskeleton organization and were arguably key contributors to the onset of tumorigenesis in NSCLC. We hypothesize that targeted measures to restore aberrant ARHGEF19 and/or RAC2 functions could conceivably rescue the cancerous phenotype in NSCLC. Our findings offer promising avenues for early predictive biomarker discovery, targeted therapeutic intervention and improved clinical outcomes in NSCLC.

Medical information is valuable information obtained from humans regarding the phenotype of diseases. Omics data is informative to understand diseases at biomolecular level. We aimed to detect patient stratification patterns in a data-driven manner and identify candidate drug targets by investigating biomolecules that are linked to phenotype-level characteristics of a targeted disease. Such data integration is challenging because the data types of them are different, and these data contain many items that are not directly related to the disease. Hence, we developed an algorithm, subset binding, to find inter-related attributes in heterogeneous data. To search for potential drug targets for intractable IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), we collected medical information and proteome data of serum extracellular vesicles from patients with interstitial pneumonia including IPF. Our approach detected 20 proteins linked with IPF characteristics, whose expression intensities were confirmed to be high in fibrotic areas of human lung tissues. Furthermore, ponatinib, which inhibits these proteins, suppressed EMT (epithelial mesenchymal transition) in vitro. This workflow paves the way for data-driven drug target discovery even for intractable diseases whose mechanisms of pathogenesis are not fully understood.

While both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are multifactorial disorders characterized by distinct clinical and pathological features, their commonalities and differences have not been fully elucidated. We sought to investigate the preventive roles of tetraspanins Cd151 and Cd9 -that are involved in diverse cellular processes in lung pathophysiology- in pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, respectively, and to obtain a deeper understanding of their underlying molecular mechanisms toward facilitating improved therapeutic outcomes. Using an integrative approach, we examined the transcriptomic changes in the lungs of Cd151- and Cd9-deficient mice using functional-enrichment-analysis, pathway-perturbation-analysis and protein-protein-interaction (PPI) network analysis. Circadian-rhythm, extracellular-matrix (ECM), cell-adhesion and inflammatory responses and associated factors were prominently influenced by Cd151-deletion. Conversely, cellular-junctions, focal-adhesion, vascular-remodeling, and TNF-signaling were deeply impacted by Cd9-deletion. We also highlighted a “common core” of factors and signaling cascades that underlie the functions of both Cd151 and Cd9 in lung pathology. Circadian dysregulation following Cd151-deletion seemingly facilitated progressive fibrotic lung phenotype. Conversely, TGF-β signaling attenuation and TNF-signaling activation emerged as potentially novel functionaries of Cd9-deletion-induced emphysema. Our findings offer promising avenues for developing novel therapeutic treatments for pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema.

Metabolomic analysis in fibrotic mouse models revealed high levels of proline and methionine in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid but low levels in the serum. Analysis of public RNA‐Seq data from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patient lungs showed a high expression of proline‐ and methionine‐related genes. The metabolic network generated by the integration of the two omics data suggests proline and methionine as potential biomarkers for IPF., Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe lung disease with poor survival that warrants early and precise diagnosis for timely therapeutic intervention. Despite accumulating genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and lipidomic data on IPF, evidence from water‐soluble metabolomics is limited. To identify biomarkers for IPF from water‐soluble metabolomic data, we measured the levels of various metabolites in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum samples from a bleomycin‐induced murine pulmonary fibrotic model using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Thirty‐two of 73 BALF metabolites and 29 of 74 serum metabolites were annotated. We observed that the levels of proline and methionine were higher in BALF but lower in serum than those in the control. Furthermore, analysis of public RNA‐Seq data from the lungs of patients with IPF revealed that proline‐ and methionine‐related genes were significantly upregulated compared to those in the lungs of healthy controls. These results suggest that proline and methionine may be potential biomarkers for IPF and may help to deepen our understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. Based on our results, we propose a model capable of recapitulating the proline and methionine metabolism of fibrotic lungs, thereby providing better means for studying the disease and developing novel therapeutic strategies for IPF.

Akabane virus (AKAV) is teratogenic to the foetus of domestic ruminants and causes a significant reproduction loss in cattle in Japan. In several past epizootics in cattle, AKAV was also associated with post-natal encephalomyelitis, mainly in calves and young stock. Previously analysed AKAV isolates in East Asia form two major clusters, genogroups I and II, with isolates involved in encephalomyelitis belonging mainly to the former. Between 2007 and 2013, AKAV epizootics were regularly observed in Japan during the summer/autumn season, and abnormal deliveries and post-natal encephalomyelitis caused by the virus in cattle were reported. During this period, 30 AKAV isolates were obtained from diseased and sentinel cattle, a piglet and Culicoides biting midges throughout Japan and were subjected to genetic comparison and phylogenetic analysis with previous isolates. In 2007, 2011 and 2013, AKAV belonging to genogroup I was identified in the central nervous systems of calves showing neurological disorders. Notably, a total of 165 cases of bovine encephalomyelitis were reported in 2011 and the isolated viruses from affected animals shared high genetic identities with a South Korean isolate that was associated with a large outbreak in 2010, suggesting some epidemiological linkage between these epizootics. Epizootics of genogroup II were observed in 2008 and 2010, but bovine post-natal encephalomyelitis cases rarely occurred. Our findings suggest that the frequent incursion of genogroup I isolates has increased the frequency of post-natal encephalomyelitis cases in Japan in recent years. Infection by genogroup I virus was also identified in piglets with neurological disorders or congenital malformations in 2011 and 2013. The aetiological role of AKAV in pigs should be elucidated in the future.

Objective: Spatio-temporal parameters are typically used for gait analysis. Although these parameters are measured by sophisticated systems such as 3D motion capture system or optoelectronic bars, these systems cannot be deployed easily because of their high costs, large space requirements and elaborate set-up. The purpose of this study is to develope a system for measuring spatiotemporal gait parameters using a laser range scanner during treadmill gait. Approach: To calculate accurate spatiotemporal parameters, the differences between the laser range scanner measured values and the reference values obtained from a 3D motion capture system were investigated in thirty subjects. From measurements in time and position at foot contact/off, adjustments to compensate for the differences in time and position were derived. Then, to determine the validity of the proposed system, values from the proposed system and the reference system were compared in four additional subjects. Main results: The results indicate that the data from the laser range scanner demonstrate certain differences in time and position compared with reference values. However, when compensation values were introduced, each spatiotemporal parameter correlated well with the reference values. Significance: This newer system is smaller, is easier to deploy and requires less training than the 3D motion capture system.

Background Central sensitization, including dysfunction of descending inhibitory pain pathways, may contribute to multisite pain in patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Duloxetine is a centrally acting analgesic that effectively reduces pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Here we assessed the efficacy of duloxetine (60 mg/day) in Japanese patients (N = 353) with pain due to knee osteoarthritis based on the number of painful body sites, determined using the Michigan Body Map. Methods Post hoc analysis of a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov ; NCT02248480). Results At Week 14, the change from baseline in Brief Pain Inventory-Severity average pain score (“pain reduction”) was significantly greater with duloxetine compared with placebo in patients with 3, 4, or ≥5 painful sites, but not in patients with 1 or 2 painful sites. In patients with ≥3 painful sites (57% of patients), pain reduction was significantly greater with duloxetine (n = 100) compared with placebo (n = 101) throughout the study (least squares mean change from baseline to Week 14: −2.68 vs −1.68). Greater pain reduction with duloxetine (n = 77) than placebo (n = 75) also occurred in patients with ≤2 painful sites, although the between-group difference was significant only at Week 4. Conclusions These results are consistent with duloxetine enhancing the activity of descending inhibitory pain pathways that are dysfunctional in patients with central sensitization and multisite pain. In addition, these results suggest that duloxetine may be an effective choice of analgesic for patients with knee osteoarthritis and multisite pain.

Biological data analysis is the key to new discoveries in disease biology and drug discovery. The rapid proliferation of high-throughput ‘omics’ data has necessitated a need for tools and platforms that allow the researchers to combine and analyse different types of biological data and obtain biologically relevant knowledge. We had previously developed TargetMine, an integrative data analysis platform for target prioritisation and broad-based biological knowledge discovery. Here, we describe the newly modelled biological data types and the enhanced visual and analytical features of TargetMine. These enhancements have included: an enhanced coverage of gene–gene relations, small molecule metabolite to pathway mappings, an improved literature survey feature, and in silico prediction of gene functional associations such as protein–protein interactions and global gene co-expression. We have also described two usage examples on trans-omics data analysis and extraction of gene-disease associations using MeSH term descriptors. These examples have demonstrated how the newer enhancements in TargetMine have contributed to a more expansive coverage of the biological data space and can help interpret genotype–phenotype relations. TargetMine with its auxiliary toolkit is available at https://targetmine.mizuguchilab.org. The TargetMine source code is available at https://github.com/chenyian-nibio/targetmine-gradle.

The exact mechanisms and the attendant variability of biological systems remain to be fully elucidated. Genetics, molecular and cell biology and biochemistry have been long and widely used to understand the functioning of individual components of living systems. The next step in biology is to understand how these parts come together to form functional systems; such an approach forms the fundamental element of systems biology. The field of systems biology aims to characterise a biological system, and utilise this knowledge to predict the system’s response to stimuli such as environmental cues and exposures to biotic and abiotic stresses. A multi-omics approach, typically defined as combining and analysing data from genomics , transcriptomics , proteomics , metabolomics datasets will allow a more comprehensive analysis of the underlying cellular networks that determine the functioning of the living system as a whole. In this review, we provide an overview of different omics data types and their integration into an integrated data analysis platform such as TargetMine. We also provide an overview of different methods that have been employed for characterising and analysing the different “omes” of biological systems, and the relevance of multi-omics data in understanding their functioning.

The reported prevalence of sarcopenia has shown a wide range, crucially based on the diagnostic criteria and setting. This cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of sarcopenia and sought to identify factors associated with sarcopenia on admission in a specialized geriatric rehabilitation setting based on the newly developed the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia algorithm. Among 87 participants (mean age, 76.05 ± 7.57 years), 35 (40.2%) were classified as showing sarcopenia on admission. Prevalence was high, particularly among participants ≥80 years old, with tendencies toward lower body mass index, smoking habit, lower cognitive function, and greater functional impairment compared with the non-sarcopenic group. Identification of sarcopenia in elderly patients before rehabilitation and consideration of risk factors may prove helpful in achieving rehabilitation outcomes.

The demonstration of competency and equivalence for the assessment of levels of contaminants and nutrients in primary foodstuffs is a priority within the 10-year strategy for the CCQM Organic Analysis WG series of Track A core comparisons. The area of low polarity analytes in high fat foods had not been covered by the OAWG for many years since the key comparison CCQM-K21 p,p'-DDT in fish oil occurring in 2000. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is one of the markers for the occurrence of PAHs in foods, for which maximum residue limits are enforced in many countries. Edible oil and fats are the main source of human PAH intake. BaP may form in edible oils by pyrolytic processes, such as incomplete combustion of organic substances. Worldwide regulatory limits of BaP in edible fats and oils are from 2.0 μg/kg to 10 μg/kg. Comparable and traceable measurement results for BaP in oil are important worldwide. Thus BaP in edible oil was the model system selected to align within the OAWG strategy. 16 NMIs and DIs participated in CCQM-K146. Different methods such as liquid-liquid extraction, GPC and SPE were applied in the sample pre-treatment and HPLC-FLD, HPLC-MS/MS, and GC-MS or GC-MS/MS were applied for detection by the participants. Most participants either used their own CRMs, other NMI's CRMs or pure materials assessed in house to guarantee traceability to SI for the calibrants. One lab was excluded from the KCRV evaluation, as they did not meet the CIPM metrological traceability requirements for their calibrant. Regarding the data evaluation, five labs withdrew their results from the statistical evaluation of the KCRV for technical reasons. In line with the OAWG guidance document for KCRV estimator selection, the Hierarchical Bayes option was selected for the KCRV value, which was determined as 2.74 μg/kg with a standard uncertainty of 0.03 μg/kg. The remaining ten institutes that were included in the calculation of the consensus KCRV all agreed within their standard uncertainties. In general, the majority of CCQM-K146 participants performed very well. Therefore, this Track A Key Comparison directly illustrates the capabilities in determining mass fraction of organic compounds, with molecular mass of 100 g/mol to 500 g/mol, having low polarity pKow < -2, in mass fraction range from 0.1 μg/kg to 1000 μg/kg in a high fat, low protein, low carbohydrate food matrix. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (Disc1) is a key molecular driver for the biology of mental diseases. In order to investigate its role in brain function, we previously generated mice lacking exons 2 and 3 of Disc1 on a C57BL/6J genetic background (Disc1

The Fgf family comprises 22 members with diverse functions in development, repair, metabolism, and neuronal activities. Fgf10 mediates biological responses by activating Fgf receptor 2b (Fgfr2b) with heparin/heparan sulfate in a paracrine manner. Fgf10 and Fgfr2b are expressed in mesenchymal and epithelial tissues, respectively. Fgf10 is an epithelial-mesenchymal signaling molecule. Fgf10 knockout mice show severe phenotypes with complete truncation of the fore- and hindlimbs and die shortly after birth due to impaired lung development, indicating that Fgf10 serves as an essential regulator of lung and limb formation. Fgf10 also has roles in the development of white adipose tissue, heart, liver, brain, kidney, cecum, ocular glands, thymus, inner ear, tongue, trachea, eye, stomach, prostate, salivary gland, mammary gland, and whiskers. The diverse phenotypes of Fgf10 knockout mice are closely related to those of Fgfr2 knockout mice, suggesting that Fgf10 acts as a major ligand for Fgfr2b in mouse multi-organ development. Aplasia of lacrimal and salivary glands and lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital syndrome are caused by Fgf10 mutations in humans. Variants in Fgf10 may be involved in an increased risk for limb deficiencies and cleft lip and palate. Patients with Fgf10 haploinsufficiency have lung function parameters indicating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Fgf10 induces migration and invasion in pancreatic cancer cells. Fgf10 signaling may be involved in an increased risk for breast cancer. Fgf10 also induces the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into a gut-like structure, cardiomyocytes, and hepatocytes. These findings indicate the crucial roles of Fgf10 in development, disease, and regenerative medicine.

The off-axis constant fatigue life diagrams for a unidirectional carbon/epoxy laminate in different fiber orientations are identified over the whole range of stress ratio. The experimental results show that the off-axis constant fatigue life diagram plotted in the plane of alternating and mean stresses tends to shrink and incline to the left of the alternating stress axis more significantly as the off-axis angle of a specimen increases. The overall shapes of the off-axis constant fatigue life envelopes for different constant values of life are highly non-linear and asymmetric about the alternating stress axis, regardless of fiber orientation. These observations suggest that the sensitivity to mean stress in off-axis fatigue differs depending on the mode of fatigue loading, i.e. tension–tension, tension–compression, and compression–compression loading, and the difference is associated with the different modes of failure under different modes of fatigue loading. To deal with the off-axis fatigue strength of a unidirectional composite for any fiber orientation over the whole range of stress ratio, a most general form of the anisomorphic constant fatigue life diagram is developed that can take into account different sensitivities to mean stress in fatigue and distinguish between the tensile- and compressive-dominated failure modes. It is demonstrated that the generalized anisomorphic constant fatigue life diagram allows accommodating itself to a significant change in shape of a constant fatigue life envelope that depends on the range of stress ratio, and thus it can successfully be applied to accurate description of the off-axis constant fatigue life diagram for the unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced plastic laminate, regardless of fiber orientation.

In order to develop a new technique to evaluate fatigue damage non-destructively based on magnetic information, changes in the magnetic flux density around fatigue cracks during their propagation process were observed. The correlation between the change behavior of the distribution of the magnetic flux density and the stress intensity factor was examined. Four-point bending fatigue tests were carried out under six different conditions on JIS SCM440 steel specimens with an artificial slit. Magnetic flux density distributions near the fatigue crack tips were observed using a newly developed apparatus consisting of an MI sensor (Magneto-Impedance sensor) and an x-y stage. It was found that the distribution of magnetic flux density moved with crack propagation. A strong correlation between the movements of the magnetic flux density distribution and stress intensity factor was recognized, regardless of the loading conditions, maximum load or stress ratio. The results suggest that non-destructive evaluation of the stress intensity factor of fatigue cracks would be possible using this relationship. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of ICM11

Introduction/Background Standing balance test for imbalance and disequilibrium (SIDE) was developed as a predictive measure for the fall prevention of the patients in hospital. Excellent predictive validity of SIDE was defined with the patients who admitted to reminiscence rehabilitation ward. On the other hand, the prevention of fall after discharge for the patients with fracture is essential to avoid recurrence of fracture. In this study, we use SIDE to predict fall event after the discharge for the patients after the surgery for proximal femoral fracture. Material and method Participants of this study were the patients who discharged and returned to home from reminiscence rehabilitation ward after the surgery for proximal femoral fracture during the period from April, 2014 to September 2016. They were 10 male and 35 female patients and their average age was 78.3 (SD: 8.9). We sent questionnaire about the fall event and recurrence of fracture. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with age, duration of admission, the result of Mini Mental State Examination, FIM, SIDE and comfortable gait velocity at discharge as the independent factor according to the fall event occurrence. Results The fall event was occurred for seven patients (15.6%). Two of them (4.4%) experienced recurrence of fracture at femoral neck and vertebral body. SIDE (P = 0.049) and comfortable gait velocity (P = 0.027) had the significant effect on fall event and their odds ratio and 90% confidential interval were 0.32 (0.11 − 0.99) and 1119.47 (2.18 − 574866.87), respectively. Conclusion In addition to comfortable gait velocity, SIDE was the significant factor to predict the fall event for the one year after discharge. Cutting point of comfortable gait velocity would be warranted to use it as predictive measure. Discreet selection of walking aids and modification of home environment are necessary for the patients with high fall risk detected by SIDE.

Perovskite BiFeO 3 ―SrTiO 3 ceramics have been prepared using solid-state reactions. Also, effects of SrTi0 3 content on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of a BiFeO 3 ―SrTiO 3 system have been studied. Single-phase perovskite BiFe0 3 -SrTi0 3 ceramics have been fabricated/ Pure BiFe0 3 ceramics contain a small amount of a second phase, such as Bi 36 Fe 2 O 57 in perovskite BiFe0 3 . The crystallographic symmetry of BiFeO 3 ―SrTiO 3 changes from rhombohedral to cubic when SrTi0 3 exceeds 20 mol%. Moreover, Mn doping to BiFeO 3 ―SrTiO 3 is very effective in controlling the grain growth and improving the sintered density. In particular, dielectric loss for the resultant ceramics is greatly reduced by Mn doping. The rhombohedrally distorted 0.9BiFeO 3 ―0.1SrTiO 3 shows a high Curie temperature (> 750°C) and weak ferromagnetism at 10-300 K.

BiFeO 3 -based materials are expected to have both ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism simultaneously. In this study, BiFeO 3 -based ceramics have been fabricated by the solid state reaction. The effect of BaTiO 3 content in BiFeO 3 -BaTiO 3 system on the crystal structure, the magnetic properties and the electrical properties were investigated. Perovskite BiFeO 3 was stabilized through the formation of solid solution with BaTiO 3 . Rhombohedrally distorted BiFeO 3 -BaTiO 3 showed weak ferromagnetism. The resistivity of resultant ceramics was greatly improved by a small amount of Mn doping. 0.8 mol% Mn-doped 0.8BiFeO 3 -0.2BaTiO 3 ceramics exhibited typical P-E hysteresis loops.

For the Ti/Al contact to n-type GaN, the impact of Si+ implantation on the reduction of contact resistance is investigated. The undoped GaN, grown on the sapphire substrate, is implanted by Si ions with the energy of 150 keV at the dose ranging from 5 x 1013 to 5 x 1014/cm2 and subsequently annealed at 1200 °C for 1 min in N2 gas flow. For the Ti(50 nm)/Al(200 nm) contacts annealed at 550 and 600 °C, as Si ion dose is increased, the specific contact resistance is decreased with the Schottky barrier height of 0.27 eV. The Ti/Al contact annealed at 600 °C reveals the exteremly low contact resistance as low as 1.2 x 10–7 Ωcm2 for the Si ion dose of 5 x 1014/cm2. Ti/Al contact annealed above 700 °C shows Rc in the order of 10–6 Ωcm2 even though Si ion dose increases. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

An animal PET scanner using CdTe detectors was developed for the purpose of biomedical study using mice and rats. A spatial resolution of 0.8 mm FWHM within the central 20 mm-diameter of the field of view (FOV) was obtained by small CdTe elements of 1.1 mm×5.0 mm×1.0 mm. This spatial resolution is the first achievement of a practical semiconductor animal PET scanner. The determination of the depth of the γ interaction in the detector was carried out by the use of two detector layers. The FOV is 64 mm in diameter and 26 mm in axis. Fine [ 18 F]FDG images of the heads of a mouse and a rat, where the cerebral cortex, the gray matter and the corpus striatum could be respectively distinguished, were successfully obtained. This work inspires the dawn of the high resolution semiconductor PET scanner age as the next generation.

Jumping translocation breakpoint (JTB) is a gene located on human chromosome 1 at q21 that suffers an unbalanced translocation in various types of cancers, and potentially encodes a transmembrane protein of unknown function. The results of cancer profiling indicated that its expression was suppressed in many cancers from different organs, implying a role in the neoplastic transformation of cells. Recently, we isolated JTB as a TGF-beta1-inducible clone by differential screening. In this study, we characterized its product and biological functions. We found that it was processed at the N-terminus and located mostly in mitochondria. When expressed in cells, JTB-induced clustering of mitochondria around the nuclear periphery and swelling of each mitochondrion. In those mitochondria, membrane potential, as monitored with a JC-1 probe, was significantly reduced. Coinciding with these changes in mitochondria, JTB retarded the growth of the cells and conferred resistance to TGF-beta1-induced apoptosis. These activities were dependent on the N-terminal processing and induced by wild-type JTB but not by a mutant resistant to cleavage. These findings raised the possibility that aberration of JTB in structure or expression induced neoplastic changes in cells through dysfunction of mitochondria leading to deregulated cell growth and/or death.

Background and Objective: Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) is used clinically to promote periodontal tissue regeneration, and it has been reported that EMD can induce the formation of osteoclasts in mouse marrow cultures. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of EMD-induced osteoclast formation using a mouse monocytic cell line, RAW 264.7. Material and Methods: Bioactive fractions were purified from EMD by reverse-phase HPLC using a C18 hydrophobic support, following which RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with EMD or its purified fractions in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) for 8 d. Following staining with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), TRAP-positive multinucleated cells were counted. The expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), as well as phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, in RAW 264.7 cells were detected using immunoblotting. To determine whether EMD has an effect on osteoclast function, differentiated RAW 264.7 cells were cultured on Osteologic™ Multitest slides with RANKL in the presence of EMD. Results: Purified EMD fractions (fraction numbers 21–25; EMD peak 2) were found to enhance the formation and function of RAW 264.7 cells induced by RANKL. Moreover, EMD peak 2 enhanced the levels of phosphorylation of ERK p38 and RANK in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with RANKL. Conclusion: Our results indicate that EMD induces the formation of osteoclasts through interaction with RANKL, while ERK and p38 MAPK may play a critical role in the enhancement of osteoclast formation in RAW 264.7 cells.

Generally speaking, the reception of high bit rate transmissions such as high definition television (HDTV) in automobiles is poor. In this study, we developed an adaptive beam steering reception system and experimentally investigated the performance of this new system on a mobile terminal for HDTV reception. The experimental results show that the reception quality was significantly improved by the new system. It was found that by using the adaptive beam steering technique we can expect good performance of HDTV reception on an automobile across a larger area.

Mobile reception of digital terrestrial broadcasting carrying an 18-Mb/s digital HDTV signals is achieved. The effect of diversity reception in moving automobiles for a 64 quadrature amplitude modulation-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (QAM-OFDM) signal is investigated by prototype hardware. There are two methods for diversity reception of OFDM signals. The first is the Doppler compensation directivity control system. For this method, high-performance on-glass antennas and new diversity reception systems for OFDM reception have been developed to verify HDTV service availability in mobile reception environments. Novel horizontally polarized on-glass antennas suitable for DTV were developed. The antenna elements were printed on the inside surface of the rear window glass of a passenger van. OFDM signals received by the four antenna elements were weighted and combined using maximal ratio combining (MRC). The experiments were conducted in urban areas and they showed that employing diversity techniques would make HDTV mobile reception possible in many areas. The other method is post-FFT diversity. In the receiver, MRC is performed after an FFT operation on each branch signal. Experimental results show that accurate HDTV mobile reception can be achieved by using a four-branch MRC system. Also, the minimum usable electric field strength could be reduced compared with that of a single dipole antenna.

Postmortem myoliquefaction associated with multivalvulid myxozoans was found in fillets of red barracuda (Sphyraena pinguis) and splendid alfonso (Beryx splendens), which were imported to Japan from China and South Africa, respectively. Morphological examinations of the myxozoans from the somatic muscle of red barracuda revealed that spores (30.3-44.7 microm in maximum thickness) had 4 distinct winglike valves, in which 1 extremely large (12.7 x 5.8 microm), 2 small, and 1 vestigial polar capsule were present. The small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence analysis showed that the myxozoan cluster within a clade was composed of Kudoa thyrsites, Kudoa minithyrsites, and Kudoa lateolabracis, all having stellate spores with 1 polar capsule larger than the other 3. On the basis of these characteristics, we describe this parasite as Kudoa megacapsula n. sp. Morphological and molecular analyses of the myxozoan from splendid alfonso identified it as K. thyrsites, which has been described from many marine fishes. To our knowledge, this is the first record of K. thyrsites in splendid alfonso.

The effects of hydrogen in the catalytic reforming of n-hexane, which consists of successive isomerization, cyclization, hydrogenolysis, and dehydrogenation, were examined using a palladium membran...

A 1.8-V embedded 18-Mb DRAM macro with a 9-ns row-address-strobe access time and memory-cell area efficiency of 33% has been successfully developed with a single-side interface architecture, high-speed circuit design, and low-voltage design. In the high-speed circuit design, a multiword redundancy scheme and Y-select merged sense scheme are developed to achieve the performance goal. In the low-voltage design, a dual-complement charge-pump scheme and a decoupling capacitor utilizing a tantalum-oxide capacitor are developed to retain high performance at low supply voltage.

Several death-signaling or death-inducing molecules have been implicated in β cell destruction, including Fas, perforin, and TNFR-1. In this study, we examined the role of each death-signaling molecule in the IL-10-accelerated diabetes of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. Groups of IL-10-NOD mice, each deficient in either Fas, perforin, or TNFR-1 molecules, readily developed insulitis, and subsequently succumbed to diabetes with an accelerated kinetics and incidence similar to that observed in their wild-type or heterozygous IL-10-NOD littermates. Similarly, a TNFR-2 deficiency did not block accelerated diabetes in IL-10-NOD mice and spontaneous diabetes in NOD mice. These results demonstrate that pancreatic IL-10 promotes diabetes independent of Fas, perforin, TNFR-1, and TNFR-2 molecules. Subsequently, when cyclophosphamide, a diabetes-inducing agent, was injected into insulitis-free NOD.lpr/lpr mice, none of these mice developed insulitis or diabetes. Our data suggest that cyclophosphamide- but not IL-10-induced diabetes is Fas dependent. Overall, these findings provide evidence that pancreatic expression of IL-10 promotes diabetes independent of the major death pathways and provide impetus for identification of novel death pathways precipitating autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β cells.

To establish an efficient process for hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexane as one of the candidates for transportable, chemical hydrogen carriers, a combined scheme of water electrolysis and hydrogenation in the polymer electrolyte cell was proposed. A Rh–Pt electrode, which was found to be more active for electrochemical hydrogenation of benzene, was formed on a polymer electrolyte (Nafion, Du Pont) by means of soaking-reduction. Using an electrochemical cell, hydrogen pumping rate, electrochemical hydrogenation of benzene and water electrolysis were investigated at temperatures 25–70°C and atmospheric pressure, followed by combined electrochemical hydrogenation of benzene and water electrolysis. It became clear that benzene could be electrochemically hydrogenated on the cathode with hydrogen (proton), which was produced by water electrolysis at the anode and then pumped. The combined effects were recognized as a drop in decomposition voltage of water as well as a rise in current.

Hydrogen separation from binary gas mixtures, Ar−H2 and CO−H2, using a double-tube type of palladium membrane reactor (PMR) was carried out and analyzed by solving mathematical models taking into account mixing diffusion of hydrogen in the radial direction of the catalyst-packed bed. The experiment showed that carbon monoxide prevented hydrogen permeation through the membrane at temperatures less than 280 °C. The decline in hydrogen permeation could be estimated by solving a model describing the concentration polarization and the hindrance by cabon monoxide. Furthermore, the mathematical models were applied to analyze methanol decomposition in the same PMR, showing that a drop in hydrogen permeation due to both the factors had a significant influence on the performance of the PMR.

We studied the clinical efficacy of oral treatment with ciprofloxacin (CPFX) alone and combined with clarithromycin (CAM) in patients with complicated urinary tract infection with or without an indwelling catheter. Patients were randomly allocated to 600 mg CPFX (CPFX group) or to 600 mg CPFX plus 600 mg CAM (combination group) for 14 days. Evaluation was done on day 14 according to the criteria advocated by the Japanese Urinary Tract Infection Committee. In patients with a urinary catheter, the combination achieved a higher complete bacterial elimination rate (50.0%) and clinical efficacy rate (83.9%) than CPFX alone (30.0 and 61.5%, respectively). While no significant difference was found in the bacterial elimination rate between the two groups, the clinical efficacy of the combination (40.0%) was superior to that of CPFX alone (23.3%) in patients with an indwelling catheter. The better clinical efficacy of the combination may partly be attributed to the antibiofilm effect of CAM in the clinical setting. The results also indicate that difficulties still remain in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections in patients with an indwelling catheter.