In-cell NMR as a sensitive tool to monitor physiological condition of Escherichia coli

Sugiki, T., Yamaguchi, Y., Fujiwara, T. et al. In-cell NMR as a sensitive tool to monitor physiological condition of Escherichia coli. Sci Rep 10, 2466 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59076-2

The association of Toll-like receptor 4 gene polymorphisms with the development of emphysema in Japanese subjects: a case control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The principal role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is the induction of immune responses to lipopolysaccharides. Previously, mice deficient in the <it>TLR4 </it>gene exhibited up-regulation of the NADPH oxidase system in the lungs. This resulted in increased oxidant generation and elastolytic activity, which led to pulmonary emphysema. It was suggested that TLR4 might maintain constitutive lung integrity by modulating oxidant generation. We investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the <it>TLR4 </it>gene were associated with the emphysema phenotype in Japanese subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven SNPs in the <it>TLR4 </it>gene (<it>rs10759930</it>, <it>rs1927914</it>, <it>rs12377632</it>, <it>rs2149356, rs11536889</it>, <it>rs7037117</it>, and <it>rs7045953</it>) were genotyped with allelic discrimination assays. The frequencies of SNPs were compared between 106 patients with the emphysema phenotype of COPD and 137 healthy smokers. We found that the positivity of the individuals with the major G allele of <it>rs11536889 </it>was significantly less in the emphysema group than the control group (<it>p </it>= 0.019). The frequencies of the minor C allele and the distribution of the CC genotype as well as the frequency of the major haplotype that carried the minor C allele of <it>rs11536889 </it>were all significantly higher in the emphysema group than the control group (<it>p </it>= 0.0083, 0.019, and 0.004, respectively). Furthermore, the strength of the association of the CC genotype with the emphysema phenotype was in an odds ratio of 2.60 with 95% confidence intervals from 1.17 to 5.78. However, these significances were not apparent after adjust for age and smoking history by logistic regression. No associations were observed between the <it>rs11536889 </it>and the low attenuation area score, the forced expiratory volume, and the carbon monoxide diffusion capacity in the emphysema group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The minor C allele of the <it>rs11536889 </it>SNP in the <it>TLR4 </it>gene is likely associated with the risk of developing emphysema in the Japanese population.</p

Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for the Diagnosis of Intrathoracic Lesions : Experience of a Single Academic Medical Center

Article信州医学雑誌 60(5): 249-255(2012)journal articl

Near-Surface Defects in Boron-Doped Diamond Schottky Diodes Studied From Capacitance Transients

3 pagesInternational audienceTransient capacitance spectroscopy of deep energy levels (DLTS) in the band gap of boron-doped homoepitaxial diamond displays two types of defect when temperature is raised from 250 to 650 K. The first trap is a strongly attractive center for holes while the second one is repulsive, with respective activation energies of 1.57 and 1.15 eV. Concentration profile is non-monotonic for the first trap and changes when the diode undergoes repetitive temperature cycles. Analysis of all the data shows that the deep centers found in this study come fromstructural defects, eventually associated with a charged impurity. © 2008 The Japan Society of Applied Physic

Evaluating Opt-In Vaginal Human Papillomavirus Self-Sampling: Participation Rates and Detection of High-Grade Lesions (CIN2+) among Unscreened Japanese Women Aged 30–39

Cervical cancer incidence is increasing among Japanese women, which is partly attributed to low screening rates. This study examined the implementation of opt-in human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling among Japanese women aged 30–39 years who had not undergone cervical cancer screening, focusing on those requiring preconception care. The responses to the opt-in approach and effectiveness in detecting cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or worse (CIN2+) were evaluated. Participants used the Evalyn® Brush for self-sampling, with HPV testing conducted using the Cobas 4800 system (version 2.2.0). Out of 3489 eligible, unscreened women from four municipalities in Fukui Prefecture, only 10.6% (370/3489) requested the self-sampling kit. Of these, 77.3% (286/370) returned the kit (HPV testing rate: 8.2% (286/3489)). The HPV positivity rate was 13.7% (39/285), yet only 61.5% (24/39) of those with positive HPV results proceeded to cytology testing. Subsequently, three cases of CIN2+ were detected (10.5/1000). While this study demonstrated a reasonable kit return rate and indicated the capability of opt-in HPV self-sampling to detect CIN2+ cases in unscreened women, the low ordering rate of kits and suboptimal compliance for follow-up cytology testing highlight significant challenges. The findings suggest the need for more effective strategies to enhance participation in cervical cancer screening programs