Abundance and diversity of predominant sulfate-reducing bacteria in the gut of pufferfish

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) exist in anaerobic environments, such as marine sediments, and produce hydrogen sulfide, which is toxic to marine animals. However, little is known about the ecology of SRB in the gut of fish. In the present study, we used molecular techniques to analyze the predominant SRB community in the gut of pufferfish inhabiting coastal areas of Japan. The density of the dissimilatory sulfite reductase alpha gene, dsrA, derived from SRB and total count of bacteria in guts of pufferfish was 4.4í—106 - 1.8í—107 copies/g and 3.5í—108 - 6.3í—109 cells/g, respectively, in all specimens. Clones of dsrA associated with Desulfobulbus oligotrophicus, a dominant SRB species, were detected in all 12 libraries, accounting for 57.7-94.3% of clones in each library. These results strongly suggest that SRB are indigenous bacteria in the gut of pufferfish and that hydrogen sulfide produced by SRB may be a risk factor for fish health

Vascular Gap Junctions Contribute to Forepaw Stimulation-Induced Vasodilation Differentially in the Pial and Penetrating Arteries in Isoflurane-Anesthetized Rats

Somatosensory stimulation causes dilation of the pial and penetrating arteries and an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the representative region of the somatosensory cortex. As an underlying mechanism for such stimulation-induced increases in CBF, cerebral artery dilation has been thought to propagate in the vascular endothelium from the parenchyma to the brain surface. Vascular gap junctions may propagate vasodilation. However, the contribution of vascular gap junctions to cerebrovascular regulation induced by somatosensory stimulation is largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the contribution of vascular gap junctions to the regulation of the pial and penetrating arteries during neuronal activity attributed to somatosensory stimulation. Experiments were performed on male Wistar rats (age: 7–10 weeks) with artificial ventilation under isoflurane anesthesia. For somatosensory stimulation, the left forepaw was electrically stimulated (1.5 mA, 0.5 ms and 10 Hz, for 5 s). The artery in the forelimb area of the right somatosensory cortex was imaged through a cranial window using a two-photon microscope and the diameter was measured. Carbenoxolone (CBX) was intravenously (i.v.) administered, at a dose of 100 mg/kg, to block vascular gap junctions. The forepaw electrical stimulation increased the diameter of the pial and penetrating arteries by 7.0% and 5.0% of the pre-stimulus diameter, respectively, without changing the arterial pressure. After CBX administration, the change in pial artery diameter during forepaw stimulation was attenuated to 3.2%. However, changes in the penetrating artery were not significantly affected. CBF was measured using a laser speckle flowmeter, together with somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) recorded in the somatosensory cortex. The extent of CBF increase (by 24.1% of the pre-stimulus level) and amplitude of SEP were not affected by CBX administration. The present results suggest that vascular gap junctions, possibly on the endothelium, contribute to pial artery dilation during neuronal activity induced by somatosensory stimulation

Formation kinetics of levoglucosan from glucose in high temperature water

金沢大学理工研究域自然システム学系The application of high temperature water to produce levoglucosan from glucose was studied. The reactions were performed using a tube reactor, and the kinetics for the decomposition of glucose and levoglucosan in high temperature water was examined. The temperature dependence of the reaction rate of the glucose decomposition was of the Arrhenius type. In contrast, the reaction rates for the decomposition of levoglucosan decreased with the increasing temperature at the constant pressure of 25 MPa. The yields of levoglucosan were examined in the temperature range from 200 to 410 °C and the pressure from 5 to 25 MPa. It was found that the yields of levoglucosan increased with the decreasing pressure. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

教員養成におけるICTを活用した授業改善に関する実証的研究－タブレット端末を活用した算数科演習授業の取り組み－

小学校教員志望の学生を対象に，タブレット端末を主要な教具として模擬授業を計画・実施する講義を行い，学生の「模擬授業におけるタブレット端末活用」の意識の変容を明らかにすることを通して，教科指導法の授業改善の視点を得ることを目的とした。その結果，学生たちに次の3 つの変化（①ICT は授業の目標を達成するためのツールであるという認識が強まったこと，②ICT を活用することで，教材研究の必要性を再認識したこと，③ICT を活用することへの抵抗が小さくなり，ICT をさらに学びたいという意欲が向上したこと）が現れた

The relationship between physical signs of aging and social functioning in persons with Down syndrome in Japan

Background: In Japan, there have been no substantial studies of social function and physical aging in adults with Down syndrome. The aim of the present study was to examine social functions (movement, conversation, and daily living skills) and physical signs of aging in adults with Down syndrome in Japan, and to analyze the relationship between changes in social function and age.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of persons with Down syndrome who were 15 years of age or older (15-65 years old) was conducted. The survey was conducted in patients associations, institutes, group homes, and workplaces from July to December 2009. Primary caregivers, such as family members and institute staff, were asked to complete a questionnaire on the subjects’ living situation, movement ability, conversational skills, daily living skills, and 10 characteristics of physical aging at the time of the survey.Results: The total number of subjects was 315. Subjects’ movement ability, conversational ability, and daily living skills declined as a function of age. Canities (40.6%) were the most prevalent physical sign of aging, followed by missing teeth, hump back, and skin wrinkling. Further, physical aging was related to a decline in social functions (p < 0.001).Conclusion: The present study showed that adults with Down syndrome exhibit signs of physical aging earlier than do the general population, and that physical aging is associated with social functioning. Thus, the appearance of physical aging might indicate a decline in social functioning

Clinical Aspect of Peripheral Cholangiocarcinoma: A Study of 7 Hepatectomy Cases

To clarify the features and problems presented by a peripheral cholangiocarcinoma (CCC), seven patients with hepatectomy from the First Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University School of Medicine (6 patients), and from Department of Surgery, National Ureshino Hospital (one patient) were reviewed. Men predominate with ratio of 5:2, and an average age was 65.4 years. Tumor location was left lateral segment in 4 patients, right lobe, middle lobe and posterior segment in one, respectively. Three patients were associated with hepatolithiasis. Underlying liver disease was found in 4 patients (57%); cirrhosis in 3 patients, and chronic hepatitis in one. Initial symptoms were abdominal pain, fever and palpable abdominal mass. In imaging modalities available, the detection rates of tumor were 100% in CT and 67% in US and angiography, respectively. Combination of MRI and CT clearly showed tumor characteristics. The serum CEA was slightly elevated in 5 patients (83%), but serum CA19-9 rose strikingly in 3 patients. Most tumors showed an infiltrating growth along intrahepatic bile duct, with a portal vein thrombus and/or satellite tumors frequently. In 3 patients, early recurrence with intrahepatic metastasis occured within the first 6 months. The patient of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma containing a squamous or signet ring cell carinoma showed an extremely poor prognosis. This study suggests that early detection of small CCC and an extended resection are the most important factors for the survival of patient

Real-world management of treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema : 2-year visual outcome focusing on the starting year of intervention from STREAT-DMO study

Background/aims To investigate the yearly change of real-world outcomes for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after 2-year clinical intervention for treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema (DMO). Methods Retrospective analysis of aggregated, longitudinal medical records obtained from 27 retina specialised institutions in Japan from Survey of Treatment for DMO database. A total of 2049 treatment-naïve centre involving DMO eyes of which the initial intervention started between 2010 and 2015, and had been followed for 2 years, were eligible. As interventions, antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, local corticosteroids, macular photocoagulation and vitrectomy were defined. In each eye, baseline and final BCVA, the number of each intervention for 2 years was extracted. Each eye was classified by starting year of interventional treatment. Results Although baseline BCVA did not change by year, 2-year improvement of BCVA had been increased, and reached to +6.5 letters in the latest term. There is little difference among starting year about proportions of eyes which BCVA gained >15 letters, in contrast to those which lost >15 letters were decreased by year. The proportion of eyes receiving anti-VEGF therapy was dramatically increased, while those receiving the other therapies were gradually decreased. The proportion of eyes which maintained socially good vision of BCVA>20/40 has been increased and reached to 59.0% in the latest term. Conclusion For recent years, treatment patterns for DMO have been gradually but certainly changed; as a result, better visual gain, suppression of worsened eyes and better final BCVA have been obtained. Anti-VEGF therapy has become the first-line therapy and its injection frequency has been increasing

ラット肝S-9画分による硫黄化合物の不斉酸化反応

The stereoselective oxidation of sulfide by rat liver S-9 fraction was investigated. The stereoselectivity of the metabolic reaction was determined by the combination of chemical synthesis and HPLC method

Real-world management of treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema in Japan : two-year visual outcomes with and without anti-VEGF therapy in the STREAT-DME study

Background/Aims To investigate real-world outcomes for best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after 2-year clinical intervention for treatment-naïve, centr-involving diabetic macular oedema (DME). Methods Retrospective analysis of longitudinal medical records obtained from 27 institutions specialising in retinal diseases in Japan. A total of 2049 eyes with treatment-naïve DME commencing intervention between 2010 and 2015 who were followed for 2 years were eligible. Interventions for DME included anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, local corticosteroid therapy, macular photocoagulation and vitrectomy. Baseline and final BCVA (logMAR) were assessed. Eyes were classified by the treatment pattern, depending on whether anti-VEGF therapy was used, into an anti-VEGF monotherapy group (group A), a combination therapy group (group B) and a group without anti-VEGF therapy (group C). Results The mean 2-year improvement of BCVA was −0.04±0.40 and final BCVA of >20/40 was obtained in 46.3% of eyes. Based on the treatment pattern, there were 427 eyes (20.9%) in group A, 807 eyes (39.4%) in group B and 815 eyes (39.8%) in group C. Mean improvement of BCVA was −0.09±0.39, –0.02±0.40 and −0.05±0.39, and the percentage of eyes with final BCVA of >20/40 was 49.4%, 38.9%, and 52.0%, respectively. Conclusion Following 2-year real-world management of treatment-naïve DME in Japan, BCVA improved by 2 letters. Eyes treated by anti-VEGF monotherapy showed a better visual prognosis than eyes receiving combination therapy. Despite treatment for DME being selected by specialists in consideration of medical and social factors, a satisfactory visual prognosis was not obtained, but final BCVA remained >20/40 in half of all eyes