実際の遺伝的パラメータ，育種目標の変更を仮定した場合での３集団モデルの遺伝的有利性

Breeding efficiency was compared among three population schemes; a single population, a population with two sub-populations and a population with three sub-populations when sets of realistics genetic parameters were assumed, and when breeding objectives were changed in the middle of selection program. A simulation experiment of selection was carried out for 10 generations with 20 replications each by comparing average breeding values and inbreeding coefficients among the three population schemes. Genetic gain of growth trait was the largest, then that of meat quality trait was the second largest, and that of reproductive trait was the smallest. The amount of the genetic gain was dependent on their genetic variance. Among the three population schemes, the single population scheme had similar genetic level with the other two schemes under a selection with same economic weights for the traits, however, the multiple sub-populations scheme had the highest genetic level after crossbreeding between sub-populations when inbreeding depression was assumed. The population shceme with three sub-populations can enjoy full advantage of heterosis when different economic weights were applied to the traits. The change of breeding objective made impact on genetic gain of population scheme when different economic weights were applied to the traits, where the population scheme with three sub-populations had higher genetic than the older population schemes

Proximal Tubule Cell Hypothesis for Cardiorenal Syndrome in Diabetes

Incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is remarkably high among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), even in the early microalbuminuric stages with normal glomerular filtration rates. Proximal tubule cells (PTCs) mediate metabolism and urinary excretion of vasculotoxic substances via apical and basolateral receptors and transporters. These cells also retrieve vasculoprotective substances from circulation or synthesize them for release into the circulation. PTCs are also involved in the uptake of sodium and phosphate, which are critical for hemodynamic regulation and maintaining the mineral balance, respectively. Dysregulation of PTC functions in CKD is likely to be associated with the development of CVD and is linked to the progression to end-stage renal disease. In particular, PTC dysfunction occurs early in diabetic nephropathy, a leading cause of CKD. It is therefore important to elucidate the mechanisms of PTC dysfunction to develop therapeutic strategies for treating cardiorenal syndrome in diabetes

Molecular Mechanisms of Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis in the Renal Proximal Tubular Epithelium

Receptor-mediated endocytosis is a pivotal function of renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) to reabsorb and metabolize substantial amounts of proteins and other substances in glomerular filtrates. The function accounts for the conservation of nutrients, including carrier-bound vitamins and trace elements, filtered by glomeruli. Impairment of the process results in a loss of such substances and development of proteinuria, an important clinical sign of kidney disease and a risk marker for cardiovascular disease. Megalin is a multiligand endocytic receptor expressed at clathrin-coated pits of PTEC, playing a central role in the process. Megalin cooperates with various membrane molecules and interacts with many intracellular adaptor proteins for endocytic trafficking. Megalin is also involved in signaling pathways in the cells. Megalin-mediated endocytic overload leads to damage of PTEC. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of megalin-mediated endocytosis and develop strategies for preventing the damage of PTEC

ゲンダイ GP タイケン ゼミ ヨシノガワ ゲンリュウ ノ シゼン ト ブンカ オ ミテ シッテ カンガエテミル : ゲンダイ GP ホウジョウナ ヨシノガワ オ ジゾク カノウ トスル キョウセイ カンキョウ キョウイク ノ イッカン トシテ

吉野川は、その流域に豊穣な土地を生み出し、藍作により地域産業の基盤が築かれて発展してきた。 これまでの現代GP体験ゼミでは、吉野川下流域の自然を利用した地域文化の歴史的意義を体験して考 える目的で、吉野川第十堰の改築問題、藍作と食文化、下流域の植生と水生昆虫の生息などを取り上げ てきた。この取組の結果、徳島の文化の基盤が吉野川の自然の思恵を受けて築かれてきたことに関して、 体験を通して考えるきっかけを提供することができた。今回は、吉野川源流の一つである剣山の植物、 動物の生態と山岳信仰を取り上げ、郷土の自然を体験しながら学びを深めるゼミを実施した。その結果、 野生のカモシカや鹿の生息を直接観察することができた。また、鹿の生息域が剣山の稜線近くまで上昇 していることなど、生態系の変動から環境の変異を体験する機会となった。さらに稜線近くに生息して いる鹿が樹木の立ち枯れを起こる原因になっていることを直接目で確かめることが出来た。今回の取組 のような地域の自然をフィールドとした体験型授業の実施は、学生に対して主体的な学びの意義に対す る理解を深めることができることが明らかになった。本稿では、今回の取組の概要を紹介し、その意義 を考察した

Effect of magnetocrystalline anisotropy on magnetocaloric properties of AlFe2_{2}B2_{2} compound

It is well known that the temperature dependence of the effective magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy obeys the $l(l+1)/2$ power law of magnetization in the Callen-Callen theory. Therefore, according to the Callen-Callen theory, the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy is assumed to be zero at the critical temperature where the magnetization is approximately zero. This study estimates the temperature dependence of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy by integrating the magnetization versus magnetic field ($M$--$H$) curves, and found that the magnetocrystalline anisotropy is still finite even above the Curie temperature in the uniaxial anisotropy, whereas this does not appear in the cubic anisotropy case. The origin is the fast reduction of the anisotropy field, which is the magnetic field required to saturate the magnetization along the hard axis, in the case of cubic anisotropy. Therefore, the magnetization anisotropy and anisotropic magnetic susceptibility, those are the key factors of magnetic anisotropy, could not be established in the case of cubic anisotropy. In addition, the effect of magnetocrystalline anisotropy on magnetocaloric properties, as the difference between the entropy change curves of AlFe$_{2}$B$_{2}$ appears above the Curie temperature, which is in good agreement with a previous experimental study. This is proof of magnetic anisotropy at slightly above Curie temperature

Comparative study on the immunogenicity between an HLA-A24-restricted cytotoxic T-cell epitope derived from survivin and that from its splice variant survivin-2B in oral cancer patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We previously reported an HLA-A24-restricted cytotoxic T-cell epitope, Survivin-2B80-88, derived from a splice variant of survivin, survivin-2B. In this report, we show a novel HLA-A24-restricted T-cell epitope, Survivin-C58, derived from a wild type survivin, and compared their immunogenicity in oral cancer patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>By stimulating peripheral blood lymphocytes of HLA-A24-positive cancer patients with Survivin-C58 peptide <it>in vitro</it>, the peptide-specific CTLs were induced. In order to compare the immunogenic potential between C58 peptide and 2B80-88 peptide, peripheral blood T-cells from thirteen HLA-A24-positive oral cancer patients were stimulated with either or both of these two peptides.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Survivin-2B80-88 peptide-specific CTLs were induced from four patients, and C58 peptide-specific CTLs were induced from three out of eight patients with over stage II progression. The CTLs exerted cytotoxicity against HLA-A24-positive tumor cells. In contrast, CTL induction failed from a healthy volunteer and all four patients with cancer stage I.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It was indicated that a splicing variant-derived peptide and wild type survivin-derived peptide might have a comparable potency of CTL induction, and survivin targeting immunotherapy using survivin-2B80-88 and C58 peptide cocktail should be suitable for HLA-A24+ oral cancer patients.</p