Discovery of possible molecular counterparts to the infrared Double Helix Nebula in the Galactic center

We have discovered two molecular features at radial velocities of -35 km/s and 0 km/s toward the infrared Double Helix Nebula (DHN) in the Galactic center with NANTEN2. The two features show good spatial correspondence with the DHN. We have also found two elongated molecular ridges at these two velocities distributed vertically to the Galactic plane over 0.8 degree. The two ridges are linked by broad features in velocity and are likely connected physically with each other. The ratio between the 12CO J=2-1 and J=1-0 transitions is 0.8 in the ridges which is larger than the average value 0.5 in the foreground gas, suggesting the two ridges are in the Galactic center. An examination of the K band extinction reveals a good coincidence with the CO 0 km/s ridge and is consistent with a distance of 8 +/-2 kpc. We discuss the possibility that the DHN was created by a magnetic phenomenon incorporating torsional Alfv\'en waves launched from the circumnuclear disk (Morris, Uchida & Do 2006) and present a first estimate of the mass and energy involved in the DHN.Comment: 32 pages, 23 figures, Accepted by Ap

Phylogeographic Analysis Elucidates the Influence of the Ice Ages on the Disjunct Distribution of Relict Dragonflies in Asia

Unusual biogeographic patterns of closely related groups reflect events in the past, and molecular analyses can help to elucidate these events. While ample research on the origin of disjunct distributions of different organism groups in the Western Paleartic has been conducted, such studies are rare for Eastern Palearctic organisms. In this paper we present a phylogeographic analysis of the disjunct distribution pattern of the extant species of the strongly cool-adapted Epiophlebia dragonflies from Asia. We investigated sequences of the usually more conserved 18 S rDNA and 28 S rDNA genes and the more variable sequences of ITS1, ITS2 and CO2 of all three currently recognised Epiophlebia species and of a sample of other odonatan species. In all genes investigated the degrees of similarity between species of Epiophlebia are very high and resemble those otherwise found between different populations of the same species in Odonata. This indicates that substantial gene transfer between these populations occurred in the comparatively recent past. Our analyses imply a wide distribution of the ancestor of extant Epiophlebia in Southeast Asia during the last ice age, when suitable habitats were more common. During the following warming phase, its range contracted, resulting in the current disjunct distribution. Given the strong sensitivity of these species to climatic parameters, the current trend to increasing global temperatures will further reduce acceptable habitats and seriously threaten the existences of these last representatives of an ancient group of Odonata

Heterozygous Midnolin Knockout Attenuates Severity of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice Fed a Western-Style Diet High in Fat, Cholesterol, and Fructose

Although midnolin has been studied for over 20 years, its biological roles in vivo remain largely unknown, especially due to the lack of a functional animal model. Indeed, given our recent discovery that the knockdown of midnolin suppresses liver cancer cell tumorigenicity and that this antitumorigenic effect is associated with modulation of lipid metabolism, we hypothesized that knockout of midnolin in vivo could potentially protect from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the Western world. Accordingly, in the present study, we have developed and now report on the first functional global midnolin knockout mouse model. Although the overwhelming majority of global homozygous midnolin knockout mice demonstrated embryonic lethality, heterozygous knockout mice were observed to be similar to wild-type mice in their viability and were used to determine the effect of reduced midnolin expression on NAFLD. We found that global heterozygous midnolin knockout attenuated the severity of NAFLD in mice fed a Western-style diet, high in fat, cholesterol, and fructose, and this attenuation in disease was associated with significantly reduced levels of large lipid droplets, hepatic free cholesterol, and serum LDL, with significantly differential gene expression involved in cholesterol/lipid metabolism. Collectively, our results support a role for midnolin in regulating cholesterol/lipid metabolism in the liver. Thus, midnolin may represent a novel therapeutic target for NAFLD. Finally, our observation that midnolin was essential for survival underscores the broad importance of this gene beyond its role in liver biology

No association for Chinese HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility SNP in other East Asian populations.

published_or_final_versio

持久的作業能に及ぼす姿勢変化の影響

The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of body position on circulatory responses and muscular endurance work capacity. Thirty four subjects participated in the study. Body position used to this study were three kinds. Horizontal-supine position(S), Head-down position(D), Head-up position(U). Each subject performed hand grip exercise in three different body positions. Forearm and lower leg blood flow was measured by using mercury-in-rubber strain gauge method. Blood sample were obtained from cubital vein and brachial artery in selected ten subjects. The results were summarized as follows : 1) The significant difference of resting blood flow was observed among three body positions. 2) In work of one-third work load of maximal hand grip strength, significant difference of performance was not observed among three body positions, but in 1/6 max. work, significant difference was observed between Head-up position and other two body positions. 3) As to the peak blood flow, difference between Head-up position and other two body positions was statistically significant. 4) Blood lactate and arterial-venous oxygen difference of immediately after exercise showed highest value in Head-up position. 5) Circulatory responses with body position change (hydrostatic effect, nervous regulation, etc.) seem to have influence on endurance work capacity. The longer the work time become, the more remarkable the effect of body position seem to be remarkable

New susceptibility and resistance HLA-DP alleles to HBV-related diseases identified by a trans-ethnic association study in Asia

Previous studies have revealed the association between SNPs located on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes, including HLA-DP and HLA-DQ, and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, mainly in Asian populations. HLA-DP alleles or haplotypes associated with chronic HBV infection or disease progression have not been fully identified in Asian populations. We performed trans-ethnic association analyses of HLA-DPA1, HLA-DPB1 alleles and haplotypes with hepatitis B virus infection and disease progression among Asian populations comprising Japanese, Korean, Hong Kong, and Thai subjects. To assess the association between HLA-DP and chronic HBV infection and disease progression, we conducted high-resolution (4-digit) HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1 genotyping in a total of 3,167 samples, including HBV patients, HBV-resolved individuals and healthy controls. Trans-ethnic association analyses among Asian populations identified a new risk allele HLA-DPB1*09 ratio 01 (P = 1.36 x 10(-6); OR= 1.97; 95% CI, 1.50-2.59) and a new protective allele DPB1*02 ratio 01 (P = 5.22 x 10(-6); OR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.58-0.81) to chronic HBV infection, in addition to the previously reported alleles. Moreover, DPB1*02 ratio 01 was also associated with a decreased risk of disease progression in chronic HBV patients among Asian populations (P = 1.55 x 10(-7); OR = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.39-0.65). Trans-ethnic association analyses identified Asian-specific associations of HLA-DP alleles and haplotypes with HBV infection or disease progression. The present findings will serve as a base for future functional studies of HLA-DP molecules in order to understand the pathogenesis of HBV infection and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.published_or_final_versio

自転車エルゴメーター作業中の呼吸循環機能に及ぼす作業姿勢の影響

Ten healthy and well motivated male subjects (19-33years of age) of average fitness participated in this study. The subjects performed leg exercise using Monark bicycle ergometer at submaximal and maximal work loads in three different postures ; A, sitting position ; B, horizontal supine position ; and C, supine position with legs 45°up. The results obtained from the present study were summarized as follows : 1) The significant high correlation coefficient was found in all three different postures between oxygen uptake and heart rate for submaximal work loads. This result indicates that the almost same relationship was obtained between oxygen uptake and heart rate and muscle mass involved were identica] irrespective of the type of exercise. 2) The exhaustion time in horizontal position and in supine position with legs 45°up were on the average 24% and 29% shorter than the exhaustion time in sitting position respectively. 3) The VO_2 max in sitting position, horizontal position and supine position with legs 45°up were 3.00, 2.84, and 2.62 l/min respectively. The significantly higher VO_2 max was obtained from sitting position. 4) It may be suggested that local fatigue limits work performance before central circulation maximally engaged in both horizontal position and supine position with legs 45°up in maxima] leg exercise. Moreover, change of hemodynamic responses with postural change may influence work performance