Association study of the vesicular monoamine transporter 1 (VMAT1) gene with schizophrenia in a Japanese population

BACKGROUND: Vesicular monoamine transporters (VMATs) mediate accumulation of monoamines such as serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline from the cytoplasm into storage organelles. The VMAT1 (alternatively solute carrier family 18: SLC18A1) regulates such biogenic amines in neuroendocrine systems. The VMAT1 gene maps to chromosome 8p21.3, a locus with strong evidence of linkage with schizophrenia. A recent study reported that a non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the gene (Pro4Thr) was associated with schizophrenia. METHODS: We attempted to replicate this finding in a Japanese sample of 354 schizophrenics and 365 controls. In addition, we examined 3 other non-synonymous SNPs (Thr98Ser, Thr136Ile, and Val392Leu). Genotyping was performed by the TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in genotype or allele distribution of the three SNPs of Pro4Thr, Thr136Ile, or Val392Leu between patients and controls. There was, however, a significant difference in genotype and allele distributions for the Thr98Ser polymorphism between the two groups (P = 0.01 for genotype and allele). When sexes were examined separately, significant differences were observed in females (P = 0.006 for genotype, P = 0.003 for allele), but not in males. The Thr98 allele was more common in female patients than in female controls (odds ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.19–2.40, P = 0.003). Haplotype-based analyses also provided evidence for a significant association in females. CONCLUSION: We failed to replicate the previously reported association of Pro4Thr of the VMAT1 gene with schizophrenia. However, we obtained evidence for a possible role of the Thr98Ser in giving susceptibility to schizophrenia in women

Ontogeny of gene expression of group IB phospholipase A(2) isoforms in the red sea bream, Pagrus (Chrysophrys) major

The red sea bream (Pagrus major) was previously found to express mRNAs for two group IB phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) isoforms, DE-1 and DE-2, in the digestive organs, including the hepatopancreas, pyloric caeca, and intestine. To characterize the ontogeny of the digestive function of these PLA(2)s, the present study investigated the localization and expression of DE-1 and DE-2 PLA(2) genes in red sea bream larvae/juveniles and immature adults, by in situ hybridization. In the adults, DE-1 PLA(2) mRNA was expressed in pancreatic acinar cells. By contrast, DE-2 PLA(2) mRNA was detected not only in digestive tissues, such as pancreatic acinar cells, gastric glands of the stomach, epithelial cells of the pyloric caeca, and intestinal epithelial cells, but also in non-digestive ones, including cardiac and lateral muscle fibers and the cytoplasm of the oocytes. In the larvae, both DE-1 and DE-2 PLA(2) mRNAs first appeared in pancreatic tissues at 3 days post-hatching (dph) and in intestinal tissue at 1 dph, and expression levels for both gradually increased after this point. In the juvenile stage at 32 dph, DE-1 PLA(2) mRNA was highly expressed in pancreatic tissue, and DE-2 PLA(2) mRNA was detected in almost all digestive tissues, including pancreatic tissue, gastric glands, pyloric caeca, and intestine, including the myomere of the lateral muscles. In conclusion, both DE-1 and DE-2 PLA(2) mRNAs are already expressed in the digestive organs of red sea bream larvae before first feeding, and larvae will synthesize both DE-1 and DE-2 PLA(2) proteins

Spectroscopic Observations of the WZ Sge-Type Dwarf Nova GW Librae during the 2007 Superoutburst

We carried out an international spectroscopic observation campaign of the dwarf nova GW Librae (GW Lib) during the 2007 superoutburst. Our observation period covered the rising phase of the superoutburst, maximum, slowly decaying phase (plateau), and long fading tail after the rapid decline from the plateau. The spectral features dramatically changed during the observations. In the rising phase, only absorption lines of H$\alpha$, H$\beta$, and H$\gamma$ were present. Around the maximum, the spectrum showed singly-peaked emission lines of H$\alpha$, He I 5876, He I 6678, He II 4686, and C III/N III as well as absorption lines of Balmer components and He I. These emission lines significantly weakened in the latter part of the plateau phase. In the fading tail, all the Balmer lines and He I 6678 were in emission, as observed in quiescence. We find that the center of the H$\alpha$ emission component was mostly stable over the whole orbital phase, being consistent with the low inclination of the system. Comparing with the observational results of WZ Sge during the 2001 superoutburst, the same type of stars as GW Lib seen with a high inclination angle, we interpret that the change of the H$\alpha$ profile before the fading tail phase is attributed to a photoionized region formed at the outer edge of the accretion disk, irradiated from the white dwarf and inner disk.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

The Simons Observatory: A fully remote controlled calibration system with a sparse wire grid for cosmic microwave background telescopes

For cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization observations, calibration of detector polarization angles is essential. We have developed a fully remote controlled calibration system with a sparse wire grid that reflects linearly polarized light along the wire direction. The new feature is a remote-controlled system for regular calibration, which has not been possible in sparse wire grid calibrators in past experiments. The remote control can be achieved by two electric linear actuators that load or unload the sparse wire grid into a position centered on the optical axis of a telescope between the calibration time and CMB observation. Furthermore, the sparse wire grid can be rotated by a motor. A rotary encoder and a gravity sensor are installed on the sparse wire grid to monitor the wire direction. They allow us to achieve detector angle calibration with expected systematic error of $0.08^{\circ}$. The calibration system will be installed in small-aperture telescopes at Simons Observatory

A pristine record of outer Solar System materials from asteroid Ryugu’s returned sample

Volatile and organic-rich C-type asteroids may have been one of the main sources of Earth’s water. Our best insight into their chemistry is currently provided by carbonaceous chondritic meteorites, but the meteorite record is biased: only the strongest types survive atmospheric entry and are then modified by interaction with the terrestrial environment. Here we present the results of a detailed bulk and microanalytical study of pristine Ryugu particles, brought to Earth by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. Ryugu particles display a close compositional match with the chemically unfractionated, but aqueously altered, CI (Ivuna-type) chondrites, which are widely used as a proxy for the bulk Solar System composition. The sample shows an intricate spatial relationship between aliphatic-rich organics and phyllosilicates and indicates maximum temperatures of ~30 °C during aqueous alteration. We find that heavy hydrogen and nitrogen abundances are consistent with an outer Solar System origin. Ryugu particles are the most uncontaminated and unfractionated extraterrestrial materials studied so far, and provide the best available match to the bulk Solar System composition

Electron fluctuations observed by the EXOS-C satellite

Remarkable electron fluctuations in the energy range less than 16keV were observed by a low-energy particle analyzer (ESP) on board the EXOS-C satellite (OHZORA) during an observation period for two weeks from November 26 to December 8,1984. The detected electron fluctuations are modulated at a frequency of about 1Hz, and appear only in the region from 0300 to 0900 MLT which corresponds to the result of the X-ray "Microburst". The electron fluctuation indicates a strong dependence on pitch angle

後部尿道断裂の再建術 自験例および文献からみた成功のコツ

著者が行った後部尿道破裂に対する, 特に偏位を伴う完全断裂例における再建成功の技術的, 戦略的コツについて報告した.9例の後部尿道完全断裂症例で, 経会陰的あるいは経会陰腹的に修復術を試みた結果, 以前に複数の再建術が不成功であった4例を含む, 8例で再建に成功したが, 術前, 膀胱頸部の開いていた1例は尿失禁が残存していた.1例は術後, 再断裂し, 膀胱瘻での管理となった.著者らの経験より, 成功の鍵は球部尿道と前立腺尖部の粘膜-粘膜吻合を妥協しないことである.そのために経会陰的に前立腺尖部が瘢痕組織や, 骨折片により, 十分に露出できないときは, 引き続き経腹的なアプローチで前立腺尖部を露出することが大切である.また必要に応じて, 恥骨下面を部分切除する.この両アプローチにより, 恥骨弓下に広いトンネルを作成し, 吻合し易くするとともに, 場合によっては瘢痕組織を迂回して球部尿道を前立腺尖部付近に吻合することも可能であるRepair of a posterior urethral disruption associated with a pelvic fracture is a challenge for urologic surgeons. Here, we provide surgical and strategic tips to facilitate the delayed surgical repair of urethral distraction defects. Nine patients each with a traumatic posterior urethral distraction defect underwent delayed transperineal or transperineoabdominal bulboprostatic anastomosis. Four patients had previously undergone multiple procedures. Seven patients regained satisfactory urination without incontinence, although one other patient is suffering from incontinence. In one patient, urethral disruption occurred again after removal of the urethral catheter, and he is being managed by suprapubic catheter. In our experience, the key to success is to perform a true bulboprostatic mucosa-to-mucosa anastomosis without tension. For this purpose, a transperineoabdominal approach is of particular importance when the healthy mucosa of the prostatic apex cannot be revealed through a perineal approach due to dense fibrous scar or fractured bone. A partial pubectomy may be necessary according to the situation. By the transperineoabdominal approach, the scar tissue can be bypassed through a broad sub-pubic-arch tunnel, and a reliable anastomosis achieved

膀胱癌による直腸輪状狭窄の3例

Invasive bladder cancers frequently show lymphatic or hematogenous metastasis. Furthermore, aggressive local invasion into adjacent structures is also commonly observed. However, the occurrence of rectal stricture due to infiltration by bladder cancer is relatively rare. Here, we report three patients with aggressive bladder cancer causing rectal obstruction.浸潤型の膀胱癌においては, リンパ行性や血行性の転移はよくみられ, また隣接臓器への局所浸潤も稀ではない.しかしながら膀胱癌の進展に伴う直腸狭窄症例は比較的稀である.われわれは膀胱癌に伴う直腸狭窄を3例経験し, その機序につき考察した(著者抄録