Double Q2Q^2-rescaling model and the nuclear effect of the parton distribution functions

In order to overcome the shortcoming of nonconservation of nuclear momentum existing in the original $Q^2$-rescaling model(O$Q^2$RM) and avoid introducing nuclear shadowing factor, we proposed a double $Q^2$-rescaling model(D$Q^2$RM) for the parton distributions of the bound nucleon. Using the experimental data of lepton-nucleus deep inelastic scattering(DIS) and the condition of the nuclear momentum conservation, the $Q^2$-rescaling parameters of various partons for Sn, Fe, Ca and C nuclei are determined. The rescaling parameters of valence quark distributions are larger than unity and graduauly increases with atomic number A, on the contrary, the rescaling parameters of sea quark distributions and gluon distributions are smaller than unity, and slowly decreases with A. By using this model, the experimental data of the DIS process, the nuclear Drell-Yan process and $J/\psi$ photoproduction process are consistently and quite satisfactorily explained. Key words --- parton distribution functions, Nuclear effect, Double $Q^2$-rescaling model.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures (to be published in Z. Phys. C

Nest Structure, Seasonality and Female Behavior of Epicharis (Anepicharis) dejeanii Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Centridini) in a Restinga Ecosystem, in Southern Brazil

We investigated the nesting behavior of females of Epicharis dejeanii and the architecture of their nests, in a large aggregation in a Restinga area, on Ilha do Superagui, southern Brazil. Surveys were carried out intermittently through the warm-wet seasons from different years between 2013 and 2017. The nest aggregation occupied an area of approximately 2,000 m2 and was situated on a sand bank and on flat sandy soil. Each nest consisted of a long unbranched tunnel, averaging 1.45 ± 0.35 m (N = 8), connected to a single brood cell with a mean length of 3.13 ± 0.2 cm (N = 13) and mean diameter of 1.2 ± 0.1 cm (N = 11). On average, females carried out 4.0 ± 2.4 foraging trips per day (N = 109) to collect floral resources for provisioning brood cells. Similar times were spent by females in their foraging trips for: only pollen (15.8 ± 14.3 min, N = 72), oil (22.5 ± 15.7 min, N = 45), or both resources (17.0 ± 15.1, N = 63).  Our findings reveal that some variation in both nesting architecture and female behavior of E. dejeanii during nesting activities can occur in different locations from the same region

複雑先天性心疾患患者における心房細動の病因 : より良い治療戦略のために

Background: The demographics of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) differ significantly from the general population. The etiology and treatment strategy for AF in CHD patients have been investigated but are to date inconclusive. Methods: To determine the etiology of AF in CHD and to seek a better treatment strategy, we retrospectively evaluated the atrial overload in 42 complex CHD cases with normal atrial arrangements and AF (age 25; range, 9-66 years) and the impact of a reduction in the atrial overload on the atrial rhythm. Results: Cardiac defect diagnoses varied, with 17% of the patients having a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). In regard to the volume overload, the frequencies of an overload in the right atrium (RA), left atrium (LA), or both, were 50 %, 23%, and 10%, respectively (p = 0.015). Other sustained supraventricular tachycardias were observed in 29 patients (69%) before and after the onset of AF. Among these 29 patients, 26 had intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia. Fifteen patients (36%), 10 of whom had chronic AF, died during the follow-up including 3 with arrhythmias and 10 because of heart failure. Fourteen (33%) patients had no AF at the last follow-up due to medical interventions, 8 of which underwent solely an RA-sided catheter ablation and/or surgical RA overload reduction. Conclusions: AF in complex CHD with a normal atrial arrangement correlates with a higher RA-sided overload than an LA-sided and exhibits a high incidence of PLSVCs, high comorbidity of intra-atrial reentrant tachycardias, and high mortality rate. In a substantial number of patients, RA-sided interventions were effective in controlling AF. To effectively manage AF in complex CHD it is essential to understand each individual's hemodynamics and consider hemodynamic interventions.博士（医学）・甲第853号・令和4年9月28日© 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Japanese College of Cardiology

せん妄の遷延化に関連する因子についての後方視研究

Background: It has been reported that delirium causes various problems. Many researchers have reported the risk factors associated with the onset of delirium; however, there are few reports focused on persistent delirium. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with persistent delirium. Methods: A total of 573 patients hospitalised in Nara Prefecture General Medical Centre from October 2014 through September 2017 who were referred to the psychiatry consultation service were included in this study. Persistent delirium was defined as delirium lasting for 14 days or more. A retrospective study was carried out based on the patients' records. The relationship between various background factors and persistent delirium was statistically analysed. Results: Of the 573 hospitalised patients, 295 were diagnosed as having delirium. Forty-six patients with persistent delirium and 181 patients with nonpersistent delirium were included in this study. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that male gender, opioid analgesics use, non-opioid analgesics use, and low serum sodium were significantly and independently associated with persistent delirium. Ramelteon or trazodone was used significantly more in persistent delirium, although each use was not significant. Conclusion: This is the first study to reveal that male gender and use of analgesics were associated with persistent delirium in general hospital. However, as this is a case-control study and may contain bias, future cohort studies and intervention studies are needed. It is also necessary to investigate the relevance of the 'degree of pain' behind the use of analgesics.博士（医学）・乙第1516号・令和3年12月21日© 2021 Japanese Psychogeriatric Society.This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/psyg.12655], which has been published in final form at [https://doi.org/10.1111/psyg.12655]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited

Porphyromonas gingivalis Outer Membrane Vesicles Stimulate Gingival Epithelial Cells to Induce Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines via the MAPK and STING Pathways

Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is a keystone pathogen associated with chronic periodontitis and produces outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that contain lipopolysaccharide (LPS), gingipains, and pathogen-derived DNA and RNA. Pg-OMVs are involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Pg-OMV-activated pathways that induce the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 in the human gingival epithelial cell line, OBA-9, were investigated. The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB in levels of Pg-OMV-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines was investigated using Western blot analysis and specific pathway inhibitors. Pg-OMVs induced IL-6 and IL-8 production via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK, and NF-κB signaling pathways in OBA-9 cells. In addition, the stimulator of interferon genes (STING), an essential innate immune signaling molecule, was triggered by a cytosolic pathogen DNA. Pg-OMV-induced IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression and production were significantly suppressed by STING-specific small interfering RNA. Taken together, these results demonstrated that Pg-OMV-activated Erk1/2, JNK, p38 MAPK, STING, and NF-κB signaling pathways resulting in increased IL-6 and IL-8 expression in human gingival epithelial cells. These results suggest that Pg-OMVs may play important roles in periodontitis exacerbation by stimulating various pathways

Psychophysical evaluation of calibration curve for diagnostic LCD monitor

金沢大学大学院医学系研究科量子医療技術学Purpose. In 1998, Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine (DICOM) proposed a calibration tool, the grayscale standard display function (GSDF), to obtain output consistency of radiographs. To our knowledge, there have been no previous reports of investigating the relation between perceptual linearity and detectability on a calibration curve. Materials and methods. To determine a suitable calibration curve for diagnostic liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors, the GSDF and Commission Internationale de l\u27Eclairage (CIE) curves were compared using psychophysical gradient δ and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for clinical images. Results. We succeeded in expressing visually recognized contrast directly using δ instead of the just noticeable difference (JND) index of the DICOM standard. As a result, we found that the visually recognized contrast at low luminance areas on the LCD monitor calibrated by the CIE curve is higher than that calibrated by the GSDF curve. On the ROC analysis, there was no significant difference in tumor detectability between GSDF and CIE curves for clinical thoracic images. However, the area parameter Az of the CIE curve is superior to that of the GSDF curve. The detectability of tumor shadows in the thoracic region on clinical images using the CIE curve was superior to that using the GSDF curve owing to the high absolute value of δ in the low luminance range. Conclusion. We conclude that the CIE curve is the most suitable tool for calibrating diagnostic LCD monitors, rather than the GSDF curve. © Japan Radiological Society 2006

Single-molecule imaging of full protein synthesis by immobilized ribosomes

How folding of proteins is coupled to their synthesis remains poorly understood. Here, we apply single-molecule fluorescence imaging to full protein synthesis in vitro. Ribosomes were specifically immobilized onto glass surfaces and synthesis of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was achieved using modified commercial Protein Synthesis using Recombinant Elements that lacked ribosomes but contained purified factors and enzyme that are required for translation in Escherichia coli. Translation was monitored using a GFP mutant (F64L/S65T/F99S/M153T/V163A) that has a high fluorophore maturation rate and that contained the Secretion Monitor arrest sequence to prevent dissociation from the ribosome. Immobilized ribosomal subunits were labeled with Cy3 and GFP synthesis was measured by colocalization of GFP fluorescence with the ribosome position. The rate of appearance of colocalized ribosome GFP was equivalent to the rates of fluorescence appearance coupled with translation measured in bulk, and the ribosome–polypeptide complexes were stable for hours. The methods presented here are applicable to single-molecule investigation of translational initiation, elongation and cotranslational folding