Integration of Multi-Sensor Data to Estimate Plot-Level Stem Volume Using Machine Learning Algorithms–Case Study of Evergreen Conifer Planted Forests in Japan

The development of new methods for estimating precise forest structure parameters is essential for the quantitative evaluation of forest resources. Conventional use of satellite image data, increasing use of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), and emerging trends in the use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) highlight the importance of modern technologies in the realm of forest observation. Each technology has different advantages, and this work seeks to incorporate multiple satellite, TLS- and UAS-based remote sensing data sets to improve the ability to estimate forest structure parameters. In this paper, two regression analysis approaches are considered for the estimation: random forest regression (RFR) and support vector regression (SVR). To collect the dependent variable, in situ measurements of individual tree parameters (tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH)) were taken in a Japanese cypress forest using the nondestructive TLS method, which scans the forest to obtain dense and accurate point clouds under the tree canopy. Based on the TLS data, the stem volume was then computed and treated as ground truth information. Topographic and UAS information was then used to calculate various remotely sensed explanatory variables, such as canopy size, canopy cover, and tree height. Canopy cover and canopy shapes were computed via the orthoimages derived from the UAS and watershed segmentation method, respectively. Tree height was computed by combining the digital surface model (DSM) from the UAS and the digital terrain model (DTM) from the TLS data. Topographic variables were computed from the DTM. The backscattering intensity in the satellite imagery was obtained based on L-band (Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2 (ALOS-2) Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar-2 (PALSAR-2)) and C-band (Sentinel-1) synthetic aperture radar (SAR). All satellite (10–25 m resolution), TLS (3.4 mm resolution) and UAS (2.3–4.6 cm resolution) data were then combined, and RFR and SVR were trained; the resulting predictive powers were then compared. The RFR method yielded fitting R2 up to 0.665 and RMSE up to 66.87 m3/ha (rRMSE = 11.95%) depending on the input variables (best result with canopy height, canopy size, canopy cover, and Sentinel-1 data), and the SVR method showed fitting R2 up to 0.519 and RMSE up to 80.12 m3/ha (rRMSE = 12.67%). The RFR outperformed the SVR method, which could delineate the relationship between the variables for better model accuracy. This work has demonstrated that incorporating various remote sensing data to satellite data, especially adding finer resolution data, can provide good estimates of forest parameters at a plot level (10 by 10 m), potentially allowing advancements in precision forestry

12(S)-hydroxyheptadeca-5Z, 8E, 10E–trienoic acid is a natural ligand for leukotriene B4 receptor 2

Activated blood platelets and macrophages metabolize prostaglandin H2 into thromboxane A2 and 12(S)-hydroxyheptadeca-5Z, 8E, 10E–trienoic acid (12-HHT) in an equimolar ratio through the action of thromboxane synthase. Although it has been shown that 12-HHT is abundant in tissues and bodily fluids, this compound has long been viewed as a by-product lacking any specific function. We show that 12-HHT is a natural ligand for leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor-2 (BLT2), a G protein–coupled receptor that was originally identified as a low-affinity receptor for LTB4. BLT2 agonistic activity in lipid fractions from rat small intestine was identified as 12-HHT using high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Exogenously expressed BLT2 in mammalian cells was activated by synthetic 12-HHT, as assessed by guanosine 5′-O-(3-thio) triphosphate binding, the activation of intracellular signaling pathways, and chemotaxis assay. Displacement analysis using [3H]LTB4 showed that 12-HHT binds to BLT2 with a higher affinity than LTB4. Lipid extracts from cyclooxygenase 1–deficient mice failed to activate BLT2. Bone marrow–derived mast cells (BMMCs) isolated from wild-type mice migrated toward a low concentration of 12-HHT, whereas BMMCs from BLT2-deficient mice did not. We conclude that 12-HHT is a natural lipid agonist of BLT2 in vivo and induces chemotaxis of mast cells

Ameloblastin regulates osteogenic differentiation

Ameloblastin, the most abundant non-amelogenin enamel matrix protein, plays a role in ameloblast differentiation. Here we found that ameloblastin was expressed in osteosarcoma cells; to explore the potential functions of ameloblastin in osteoblasts, we investigated whether this protein is involved in osteogenic differentiation and bone formation on the premise that CD63, a member of the transmembrane-4 glycoprotein superfamily, interacts with integrins in the presence of ameloblastin. Ameloblastin bound to CD63 and promoted CD63 binding to integrin β1. The interaction between CD63 and integrin β1 induced Src kinase inactivation via the binding of CD63 to Src. The reduction of Src activity and osteogenic differentiation mediated by ameloblastin was abrogated by treatment with anti-CD63 antibody and overexpression of constitutive active Src, respectively. Moreover, amelobastin upregulated the formation of stress-fibre and focal adhesions and downregulated cell migration in association with RhoA regulation via Src activity. Therefore, our results suggest that ameloblastin is expressed in osteoblasts and functions as a promoting factor for osteogenic differentiation via a novel pathway through the interaction between CD63 and integrin β1

Relationship between family support and nutrient intake status in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

【目的】通院中の2型糖尿病外来患者を対象に、情動的サポート、行動的サポート、また情報的サポートに着目し、家族による支援の有無別に栄養素等摂取状況の検討を行った。【方法】2016年3月～8月、新潟市Ｂ病院の2型糖尿病外来患者42名（年齢中央値68.0歳、男性比率66.7％）を対象に実施した、自記式質問紙調査及び食物摂取頻度調査データを用いた（有効回答率70.0％）。質問紙調査より得た、家族による支援の有無によって対象者を2群に区分した。食物摂取頻度調査より得たデータを用いて、2群のエネルギー及び栄養素等摂取量、食品群別摂取量（密度法によって調整）についてMann-Whitney のU 検定を用いて検討した。【結果】「食事療法を守っていることをほめる」の問いでは、支援あり7名（16.7％）、支援なし35名（83.3％）であった。2群の1000kcal あたりの栄養素等・食品群別摂取量で差がみられた項目はなかった。「同じ時間に食事をする」の問いでは、支援あり32名（76.2％）、支援なし10名（23.8％）であった。支援ありの者で相対的に、たんぱく質（p＝0.045）、豆類（p＝0.022）摂取量が多く、菓子類（p＝0.020）、油脂類（p＝0.039）の摂取量が少なかった。「家族の糖尿病の知識の有無」では、知識ありの者で油脂類のみ摂取量が相対的に多かった（p＝0.013）。また、「家族の食事療法の知識の有無」では、知識ありの者で嗜好飲料のみ摂取量が相対的に多かった（p＝0.028）。【結論】2 型糖尿病外来患者が受ける家族による支援として、「ほめる」という情動的サポートや疾患や食事療法の知識という情報的サポートに比べ、「同じ時間に食事をする」という家族の存在、家族の行動的サポートが栄養素等摂取状況に関連することが示唆された。Objective: To investigate the relationship between family support, specifically emotional, practical, and informational support, and nutrient intake status in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) outpatients. Methods: We distributed a self-report questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire to 42 outpatients with type 2 DM (median age: 68.0 years; men: 66.7%) from a community hospital-based registry in Niigata City between March to August 2016. From the self-report questionnaire, the patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received family support or not. Energy and nutrient intake and intake by food groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test between the two groups.Results: Regarding the item “Praise for complying with medical nutritional therapy,” 7 patients (16.7%) were praised and 35 patients (83.3%) were not. There was no significant difference in nutrient intake or intake by food group between these two groups. For the item “family eating at the same time,” 32 patients (76.2%) responded that they had family meals together versus 10 patients (23.8%) who did not. Regarding energy and nutrient intake and intake by food group, families who ate together had meals with significantly higher protein (p= 0.045) and beans (p= 0.022) content with less confectionary (p= 0.010) and oil and fat (p= 0.039) content compared with families who did not eat together. Fat and oil intake was significantly higher among families with knowledge of DM and intake of beverage was higher among families with knowledge of dietary treatment than among families without such knowledge. Conclusion: For family support, our findings suggested that practical support such as eating at same time was more strongly related to nutrient intake among type 2 DM patients in comparison with emotional support such as praising patients

Dietary intake in Japanese outpatients with type 2 diabetes: 2-year follow up study

【目的】食事療法は2型糖尿病患者の自己管理に必須であるが、その経年的な実践状況についての検討は不足している。そこで本研究では、2型糖尿病患者における2年間の食事摂取状況の実態把握を行った。【方法】外来に通院する2型糖尿病患者60名 (平均年齢：66.8歳, 男性比率：65.0%) について、食物摂取頻度調査法を用い2014年とその2年後に把握した食品群・栄養素摂取状況を経年的に比較した。【結果】対象者の調査開始時の平均値は、罹病期間：10.2 ± 6.6 年，HbA1c：7.4 ± 1.1 %，BMI（Body Mass Index）：23.6 ± 4.4 kg/m2 であった。2年後は、BMI や血糖、血中脂質に有意差はみられず、収縮期血圧のみ調査開始時より高値であった(137.3 ± 13.6 vs. 132.8 ± 14.7 mmHg, p=0.031)。食事摂取状況は、2年間でエネルギー摂取量に有意差はみられなかったが、脂質エネルギー比が増加し(25.8 ± 5.3 vs. 27.3 ± 6.2 %, p= 0.030)、食物繊維摂取量が低下した(13.8 ± 4.6 vs.12.5 ± 3.6 g, p= 0.030)。食品群別では、野菜総量は摂取量が低下し(280 ± 132 vs. 229 ± 114 g, p=0.004)、肉類摂取量が増加した(45 ± 31 vs. 57 ± 48 g, p= 0.029)。調査開始時のHbA1c 値とBMI による層別解析では、HbA1c＜7%群で食物繊維と野菜類の総量摂取量が2年後に低値となり(p=0.048, 0.001)、HbA1c≧7%群で脂質摂取量が高値であるが( p= 0.042)、脂質エネルギー比でみると有意差は認められなかった。BMI 25kg/m2 未満群では、脂質エネルギー比が2年間で増加し(p= 0.043)、食物繊維と野菜類の総量摂取量が低下し(p= 0.003, 0.003)、乳類の摂取量が増加した(p= 0.022)。BMI 25kg/m2 以上群は、エネルギーや三大栄養素摂取に有意差は認められず、食品群別で、緑黄色野菜のみ2 年後の摂取量が低値となった(p= 0.008)。【結論】外来2型糖尿病患者の2年間の食事摂取状況の変化が明らかとなった。糖尿病療養状況を考慮した、各患者の食事摂取状況の経時的な把握を行う必要性が示唆された。Objective: The dietary intake across the ages of patients with type 2 diabetes is sparse though nutritional therapy is essential for self-managing for diabetes. We aimed to clarify 2-year dietary intake among Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes from a community hospital-based registry. Methods: This study was analyzed in 60 patients with type 2 diabetes (Men%:65.0%, Age: 66.8y, BMI: 23.6kg/m2, HbA1c:7.4%) using the food frequency questionnaire based on food groups using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: BMI, HbA1c, and serum lipid revels did not show significant difference over 2 years. Systolic blood pressure level in 2 years was significantly high than the value of baseline (137.3±13.6 vs. 132.8±14.7mmHg, p= 0.031). There was no significant difference in mean energy intake and proportions of protein and carbohydrate comprising total energy intake over 2 years. The proportion of fat intake increased (25.8±5.3 vs. 27.3±6.2%, p=0.030) and the fiber intake decreased in the 2 years (13.8±4.6 vs. 12.5±3.6g, p=0.030). As a dietary intake by food groups, vegetable intake was decreased (280±132 vs. 229±114g, p=0.004) and meat intake increased (45±31 vs. 57±48g, p= 0.029) in the 2 years. In addition, among patients who had HbA1c <7%, the intake of fiber and vegetable intakes in 2 years decreased compared with those at baseline (p= 0.048, 0.001), and patients with HbA1c ≥7% had higher fat intake value in 2 years than that of baseline (p= 0.043), though the proportion of fat intake did not show significant difference over 2 years. According to BMI, patients without overweight (BMI< 25kg/m2)raised the proportion of fat intake and milk/milk products intakes (p= 0.043 and 0.022, respectively) and reduced fiber and vegetable intakes (p= 0.003 and 0.003, respectively) in 2 years. The patients with overweight show higher green vegetable intake in 2 years, but the intakes of other nutrients and food group did not significantly changed. Conclusion: Our study clarified the characteristics and change of dietary intake of Japanese outpatients with type 2 diabetes and considering the treatment status would be useful for understanding each dietary intake of each patients with type 2 diabetes

An interaction between Nrf2 polymorphisms and smoking status affects annual decline in FEV1: a longitudinal retrospective cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An Nrf2-dependent response is a central protective mechanism against oxidative stress. We propose that particular genetic variants of the <it>Nrf2 </it>gene may be associated with a rapid forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) decline induced by cigarette smoking.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 915 Japanese from a general population. Values of annual decline in FEV₁were computed for each individual using a linear mixed-effect model. Multiple clinical characteristics were assessed to identify associations with annual FEV₁decline. Tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the <it>Nrf2 </it>gene (rs2001350, rs6726395, rs1962142, rs2364722) and one functional SNP (rs6721961) in the <it>Nrf2 </it>promoter region were genotyped to assess interactions between the <it>Nrf2 </it>polymorphisms and smoking status on annual FEV₁decline.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Annual FEV₁decline was associated with smoking behavior and inversely correlated with FEV₁/FVC and FEV₁% predicted. The mean annual FEV₁declines in individuals with rs6726395 G/G, G/A, or A/A were 26.2, 22.3, and 20.8 mL/year, respectively, and differences in these means were statistically significant (p_corr= 0.016). We also found a significant interaction between rs6726395 genotype and smoking status on the FEV₁decline (p for interaction = 0.011). The haplotype rs2001350T/rs6726395A/rs1962142A/rs2364722A/rs6721961T was associated with lower annual decline in FEV₁(p = 0.004).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study indicated that an Nrf2-dependent response to exogenous stimuli may affect annual FEV₁decline in the general population. It appears that the genetic influence of <it>Nrf2 </it>is modified by smoking status, suggesting the presence of a gene-environment interaction in accelerated decline in FEV₁.</p

Intracellular Bacterial Infection and Invariant NKT Cells

The invariant (i) natural killer (NK)T cells represent a unique subset of T lymphocytes which express the Vα14 chain of the T cell receptor (TCR), that recognizes glycolipid antigens presented by the nonpolymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-like antigen presentation molecule CD1d, and they participate in protection against some microbial pathogens. Although iNKT cells have originally been regarded as T cells co-expressing NKR-P1B/C (NK1.1: CD 161), they do not seem to consistently express this marker, since NK1.1 surface expression on iNKT cells undergoes dramatic changes following facultative intracellular bacterial infection, which is correlated with functional changes of this cell population. Accumulating evidence suggests that NK1.1 allows recognition of "missing-self", thus controling activation/inhibition of NK1.1-expressing cells. Therefore, it is tempting to suggest that iNKT cells participate in the regulation of host immune responses during facultative intracellular bacterial infection by controlling NK1.1 surface expression. These findings shed light not only on the unique role of iNKT cells in microbial infection, but also provide evidence for new aspects of the NK1.1 as a regulatory molecule on these cells

Estimating Tree Height and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) from Digital Surface Models and Orthophotos Obtained with an Unmanned Aerial System for a Japanese Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Forest

Methods for accurately measuring biophysical parameters are a key component for quantitative evaluation regarding to various forest applications. Conventional in situ measurements of these parameters take time and expense, encountering difficultness at locations with heterogeneous microtopography. To obtain precise biophysical data in such situations, we deployed an unmanned aerial system (UAS) multirotor drone in a cypress forest in a mountainous area of Japan. The structure from motion (SfM) method was used to construct a three-dimensional (3D) model of the forest (tree) structures from aerial photos. Tree height was estimated from the 3D model and compared to in situ ground data. We also analyzed the relationships between a biophysical parameter, diameter at breast height (DBH), of individual trees with canopy width and area measured from orthorectified images. Despite the constraints of ground exposure in a highly dense forest area, tree height was estimated at an accuracy of root mean square error = 1.712 m for observed tree heights ranging from 16 to 24 m. DBH was highly correlated with canopy width (R2 = 0.7786) and canopy area (R2 = 0.7923), where DBH ranged from 11 to 58 cm. The results of estimating forest parameters indicate that drone-based remote-sensing methods can be utilized to accurately analyze the spatial extent of forest structure

III. MYCOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE ANTARCTIC FUNGI : Part 1. HISTORICAL (REPORT OF THE JAPANESE SUMMER PARTIES IN DRY VALLEYS, VICTORIA LAND, 1963-1965)

The present authors reviewed the history of research and contributions in Antarctic mycology. Beginning with the first original study by EKELOF (1907, 1908) on the molds from the soil at Snow Hill Island, east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula (material collected during the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901-1903, led by NORDENSKJOLD), a number of reports concerning the fungi in Antarctica have been made in subsequent years. Particularly since the International Geophysical Year, 1957-1958, many studies have been made by mycologists of the fungi in Antarctica, e. g., Phycomycetes (HARDER and PERSIEL, 1962), yeasts (DI MENNA, 1960, 1966a, 1966b ; SONEDA, 1961), molds (TUBAKI, 1961a, 1961b ; CORTE and DAGLIO, 1962, 1963 ; TUBAKI and ASANO, 1965), and mushrooms (SINGER, 1954, 1957 ; SINGER and CORTE, 1962). Recently, SIEBURTH (1965) presented a comprehensive review on the development of studies in microbiology of Antarctica in general

IV. Mycological Studies of the Antarctic Fungi : Part 2. Mycoflora of Lake Vanda, an Ice-Free Lake (Report of the Japanese Summer Parties in Dry Valleys, Victoria Land, 1963-1965)

南極Victoria LandのDry ValleyにあるVanda湖の湖水と土壌の菌類相の研究を行なった.本研究の全供試試料は著者らの2人,鳥居鉄也および杉山純多によって,1964年12月から1965年1月の期間にVanda湖とその周辺で採取されたものである.分離培地3種類(potato-glucose agar, Czapek's solution agar, glucose-glutamate agar),その食塩濃度(0,30g/l, 100g/l),分離温度2段階(25℃,10℃)という条件下で約200の菌株が分離された 湖の表層から湖底へいくに従い分離菌株数は増加する傾向が観察され,特に湖底の堆積物中からは,25℃の培養条件下で最も多くの菌株が分離された Vanda湖の表面から湖底までの温度とCl^-含量の変化を考慮すると,上の事実は興味深い