On the super Hilbert scheme of constant Hilbert polynomials

In this thesis we mainly consider supermanifolds and super Hilbert schemes. In the first part of this dissertation, we construct the Hilbert scheme of $0$-dimensional subspaces on dimension $1 | 1$ supermanifolds. By using a flattening stratification, we compute the local defining equation for the super Hilbert scheme. From local defining equations, we conclude that the Hilbert scheme of constant Hilbert polynomials on dimension $1| 1$ supermanifolds is smooth. The second part of this thesis concerns the smoothness and the non smoothness of $0$-dimensional subspaces on some supermanifolds of higher dimensions, which is related with the future study chapter. The last part is devoted to the splitness of the Hilbert scheme. The non-splitness of supermanifolds can be deduced from the non vanishing of some cohomology class, called the obstruction class. We find examples of both split and non-split super Hilbert schemes. For the split case, we find a split model which is isomorphic to $Hilb^{1|1}(\Pi O_{\mathbb{P}^1}(k))$ for any $k$. For the non-split case, we compute the obstruction class of the super Hilbert scheme Hilb^{2|1}( \Pi \oo_{\mathbb{P}^1}(k) ) and show that this class is not vanishing for $k \neq 0$ and vanishing for $k=0$. Moreover, since the odd dimension of this Hilbert scheme is 2, we can see that $Hilb^{2|1}(\Pi V)$ is projected for $k=0$ and not projected for all $k \neq 0$

Clinical Impact of Prophylactic Antibiotic Treatment for Self-Expandable Metallic Stent Insertion in Patients with Malignant Colorectal Obstruction

Purpose. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics (PA) for reducing the infectious complications and the potential risk factors responsible for the infectious complications after stent insertion for malignant colorectal obstruction. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of 224 patients who underwent self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) insertion for malignant colorectal obstruction from May 2004 to December 2012. Results. There were 145 patients in the PA group and 79 in non-PA group. The CRP level in PA group was significantly higher than that in non-PA. Abdominal tenderness and mechanical ileus were significantly more frequent in PA group than those in non-PA. The frequency of post-SEMS insertion fever, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and bacteremia was not significantly different between PA and non-PA groups. In multivariate analysis, the CRP level was risk factor related to post-SEMS insertion SIRS. However, in propensity score matching analysis, there was no independent risk factor related to post-SEMS insertion fever, SIRS, and bacteremia. Conclusion. The use of PA in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction may be not effective to prevent the development of infectious complications after SEMS insertion

Large-scale preparation of active caspase-3 in E. coli by designing its thrombin-activatable precursors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Caspase-3, a principal apoptotic effector that cleaves the majority of cellular substrates, is an important medicinal target for the treatment of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. Large amounts of the protein are required for drug discovery research. However, previous efforts to express the full-length caspase-3 gene in <it>E. coli </it>have been unsuccessful.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overproducers of thrombin-activatable full-length caspase-3 precursors were prepared by engineering the auto-activation sites of caspase-3 precursor into a sequence susceptible to thrombin hydrolysis. The engineered precursors were highly expressed as soluble proteins in <it>E. coli </it>and easily purified by affinity chromatography, to levels of 10–15 mg from 1 L of <it>E. coli </it>culture, and readily activated by thrombin digestion. Kinetic evaluation disclosed that thrombin digestion enhanced catalytic activity (<it>k</it>_cat/<it>K</it>_<it>M</it>) of the precursor proteins by two orders of magnitude.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A novel method for a large-scale preparation of active caspase-3 was developed by a strategic engineering to lack auto-activation during expression with amino acid sequences susceptible to thrombin, facilitating high-level expression in <it>E. coli</it>. The precursor protein was easily purified and activated through specific cleavage at the engineered sites by thrombin, generating active caspase-3 in high yields.</p

Black rice (Oryza sativa L.) extract attenuates hepatic steatosis in C57BL/6 J mice fed a high-fat diet via fatty acid oxidation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Two major risk factors for the onset of fatty liver disease are excessive alcohol intake and obesity, the latter being associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of black rice extract (BRE) on hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in high-fat diet-fed mice, providing a model of NAFLD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8 in each group): normal fat diet (ND), high fat diet (HF), and high fat diet supplemented with 1% (w/w) BRE (HF +1% BRE). The experimental diets were fed for seven weeks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A HF induced hepatic steatosis with significant increases in the serum levels of free fatty acids (FFAs), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and insulin. By contrast, supplementary BRE (10 g/kg of diet) included in the HF alleviated hepatic steatosis and significantly decreased serum TG and TC levels (p < 0.01 for both). Dietary BRE also increased expression of fatty acid metabolism-related genes, including carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT1A), acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO), cytochrome P450 (CYP4A10), and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-α (p < 0.05 for all).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Dietary BRE supplementation improved serum lipid profiles and significantly enhanced mRNA expression levels of fatty acid metabolism-related genes, primarily via β-oxidation and ω-oxidation in the liver. Taken together, these findings suggest that a BRE-supplemented diet could be useful in reducing the risks of hepatic steatosis and related disorders, including hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia.</p

Deficiency of antidiuretic hormone: a rare cause of massive polyuria after kidney transplantation

A 15-year-old boy, who was diagnosed with Alport syndrome and end-stage renal disease, received a renal transplant from a living-related donor. On postoperative day 1, his daily urine output was 10,000 mL despite normal graft function. His laboratory findings including urine, serum osmolality, and antidiuretic hormone levels showed signs similar to central diabetes insipidus, so he was administered desmopressin acetate nasal spray. After administering the desmopressin, urine specific gravity and osmolality increased abruptly, and daily urine output declined to the normal range. The desmopressin acetate was tapered gradually and discontinued 3 months later. Graft function was good, and urine output was maintained within the normal range without desmopressin 20 months after the transplantation. We present a case of a massive polyuria due to transient deficiency of antidiuretic hormone with the necessity of desmopressin therapy immediately after kidney transplantation in a pediatric patient