Iron Emission Lines on the Galactic Ridge Observed with Suzaku

In order to elucidate origin of the Galactic Ridge X-ray Emission, we analyzed Suzaku data taken at various regions along the Galactic plane and studied their Fe-K emission line features. Suzaku resolved the Fe line complex into three narrow lines at ~6.4 keV,~6.7 keV and ~6.97 keV, which are K-lines from neutral (or low-ionized), He-like, and H-like iron ions, respectively. The 6.7 keV line is clearly seen in all the observed regions and its longitudinal distribution is consistent with that determined from previous observations. The 6.4 keV emission line was also found in various Galactic plane regions (b~0). Differences in flux ratios of the 6.4 keV/6.7 keV and 6.97 keV/6.7 keV lines between the Galactic plane and the Galactic center regions are studied and its implication is discussed.Comment: Accepted for publication in PASJ Suzaku 3rd special issu

閉塞型睡眠時無呼吸症候群患者における早朝の高分子量フォンウィルブランド因子減少は無呼吸の重症度を反映する

Plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF), produced in and released from vascular endothelial cells by various stimuli including hypoxia, induces platelet aggregation under high shear stress and plays dual pivotal roles in haemostasis and thrombosis within arterioles, which are regulated by the size of vWF multimers (VWFMs). Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) have increased risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events, but the pathogenesis is unclear. We examined the relationship between VWF and OSA by measuring VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), VWFMs, VWF collagen binding activity (VWF:CB) and a disintegrin-like, metalloproteinase, and thrombospiondin type 1 motifs 13. A total of 58 OSA patients were enrolled. Blood samples were collected before sleep, after sleep, and after one night of nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy. Based on VWFM analysis, OSA patients were classified into three groups; consistently normal VWFMs (group 1, n=29), increased high molecular weight (HMW)-VWFMs at 06:00 h (group 2, n=18), and decreased or absent HMW-VWFMs at 06:00 h (group 3, n=11). Patients in group 3 had significantly worse apnoea/hypopnoea index; VWF:CB followed a similar pattern. We observed a significant decrease in platelet count between 21:00 h and 06:00 h in OSA patients, potentially associated with reduced larger VWFMs together with decreased VWF:Ag levels. Severe OSA may contribute to an arterial pro-thrombotic state.博士（医学）・乙第1294号・平成24年5月28日Copyright © 2012 by the European Respiratory Societ

Professional Skills of Expert Teachers in Music Teaching: The Dynamic Nature of Effective Instruction

　本研究では，音楽科授業において，達人教師たちが子どもたちに効果的に説明しているさまざまな指導場面を切り出し，「即座に反応する応答力」と「音楽に関連する専門的知識」の２つの視点に則って，ワザの個別事例を分析した。その結果，（１）「即座に反応する応答力」は，指導の中で常に行われる学習者理解によって，教育内容を調整しどのような教授行為を行うかという判断を伴うもので，教師個人内の音楽に関する概念的知識と身体知に基づき間断なく行われる。また，（２）「音楽に関連する専門的知識」は，「音楽する」行為がもたらす身体知を教師と学習者が往還させながら教授・学習されるという特徴がある。したがって「達人教師達が効果的に説明する」というのは，教師と学習者の身体知を往還させながら，教授ストラテジーを巧みに選択し「即座に反応する応答力」を発揮していく創造性豊かな教授的行為である，と考えられた

Nocturnal hypoxic stress activates invasive ability of monocytes in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Backgrounds: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is known to be a risk factor of cardiovascular events. However, the precise mechanism has not been fully elucidated. OSAS-induced hypoxic stress may promote the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by monocytes, which has a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis. In addition, adhesion to the vascular endothelium and transendothelial migration of monocytes are considered to induce atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hypoxic stress on the invasive ability of monocytes in OSAS. Methods; Twenty-one male OSAS patients and 17 male healthy control subjects, age- and body mass index-matched, were enrolled. Venous blood samples were collected not only before and after sleep but also after CPAP titration for the purpose of monocyte isolation. The invasive ability of monocytes was evaluated by counting the number of invasive cells using a BD BioCoat Matrigel Invasion Chamber. Results; The number of cells which represents invasive ability was significantly higher in OSAS patients as compared to control subjects in the early morning (p<0.001). Invasive ability in the early morning was significantly elevated as compared to that before sleep in OSAS patients (p<0.001), and it was positively correlated with oxygen desaturation index (p<0.05). CPAP titration led to alleviation of the invasive ability (p<0.001). Conclusions; The results indicate that OSAS-induced hypoxic stress activates the invasive ability of monocytes, and that this phenomenon observed during sleep may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis in OSAS.The definitive version is available at " http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1843.2009.01540.x "アジア太平洋呼吸器学会（APSR：Asia Pacific Society of Respirology）第1回最優秀論文賞「Fukuchi Award」受賞論

Role of α6 integrin subunit in branching morphogenesis of fetal mouse submandibular gland : investigation by mesenchyme-free epithelial culture system

The submandibular gland (SMG) of the fetal mouse is a well-studied model for the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions required for branching morphogenesis (BrM), which involves cleft formation and stalk elongation. In a previous report, we showed that α6 integrin subunit is involved in BrM of this gland rudiment, since the neutralizing antibody against α6 integrin subunit, GoH3, strongly inhibited branching of cultured intact E13 SMG. In this study, we investigated whether GoH3 inhibits cleft formation and/ or stalk elongation during BrM of cultured mesenchyme-free epithelial rudiments of fetal SMG and also analyzed by Western blotting the levels of phosphorylation of ERK1/2, which is a signaling molecule known to regulate BrM of the fetal mouse SMG

Detection of EGF-dependent microRNAs of the fetal mouse submandibular gland at embryonic day 13

Fetal murine submandibular salivary gland (SMG) is known as a model to study organogenesis including branching morphogenesis, which is a basic developmental process for formation of a wide variety of arborized organs. Branching morphogenesis is under the control of a complex network of regulatory proteins, such as the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase receptors, activated by members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of ligands. Recent reports identify critical roles for micro RNAs (miRNAs) on many developmental processes through regulation of gene expression. We hypothesize that miRNAs regulating branching morphogenesis are expressed in fetal murine SMG and that expression of the miRNAs associated with branching morphogenesis is modulated in part by EGF. Using cloning methods, we obtained the expression profiles on miRNAs derived from fetal murine SMG under three different conditions : (1) native E13 SMGs (freshly isolated), (2) E13 SMGs cultured for 24 hours with no added EGF (controls), or (3) cultured with EGF. There were 44 known miRNAs and four novel miRNAs candidates in native SMG at E13. Comparing the three profiles revealed that several miRNAs were expressed specifically at each condition. These results suggested that these miRNAs were associated with regulating organogenesis, possibly including branching morphogenesis

Branching morphogenesis in the fetal mouse submandibular gland is codependent on growth factors and extracellular matrix

Branching morphogenesis (BrM) is a basic developmental process for the formation of the lung, kidney, and all exocrine glands, including the salivary glands. This process proceeds as follows. An epithelial downgrowth invaginates into underlying mesenchyme, and forms a cleft at its distal end, which is the site of dichotomous branching and elongation ; this process of clefting and elongation is repeated many times at the distal ends of the invading epithelium until the desired final extent of branching is reached. The distal ends of the epithelium differentiate into the secretory endpieces, and the elongated segments become the ducts. This presentation is a brief historical review of studies on BrM during the development of the submandibular gland (SMG)

CPAPアドヒランスの予測因子としてのCPAP装着下覚醒時の呼吸不規則性

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. However, long-term adherence remains at ~50% despite improvements in behavioural and educational interventions. Based on prior work, we explored whether regularity of breathing during wakefulness might be a physiologic predictor of CPAP adherence. METHODS: Of the 117 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with OSA and prescribed CPAP, 79 CPAP naïve patients were enrolled in this prospective study. During CPAP initiation, respiratory signals were collected using respiratory inductance plethysmography while wearing CPAP during wakefulness in a seated position. Breathing regularity was assessed by the coefficient of variation (CV) for breath-by-breath estimated tidal volume (VT ) and total duration of respiratory cycle (Ttot). In a derivation group (n = 36), we determined the cut-off CV value which predicted poor CPAP adherence at the first month of therapy, and verified the validity of this predetermined cut-off value in the remaining participants (validation group; n = 43). RESULTS: In the derivation group, the CV for estimated VT was significantly higher in patients with poor adherence than with good adherence (median (interquartile range): 44.2 (33.4-57.4) vs 26.0 (20.4-33.2), P 34.0 confirmed to be predicting poor CPAP adherence (sensitivity, 0.78; specificity, 0.83). CONCLUSION: At the initiation of therapy, breathing regularity during wakefulness while wearing CPAP is an objective predictor of short-term CPAP adherence.博士（医学）・乙第1391号・平成29年3月15日© 2016 Asian Pacific Society of RespirologyThis is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Respirology Vol.22 No.2 p.386-393 (2017 Feb), which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/resp.12900. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving

慢性閉塞性肺疾患患者における骨塩量の分布と体重および運動能との関連

Background: Although low bone mineral density is highly prevalent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the distribution of the reduced bone mass has not been fully elucidated. Objectives: To determine regional bone mass loss in patients with COPD and investigate whether the change in distribution may be associated with body weight loss and functional capacity. Methods: Body mass index (BMI) was assessed, and height squared indices were derived for the bone mineral content index (BMCI) of the arms, legs and trunk by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 45 male patients with COPD and 12 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Pulmonary function tests were performed, and maximal oxygen uptake (V·O2max) was measured. Results: The BMCI was lower in the total bone, legs and trunk of patients with COPD than in control subjects, although the BMCI in the arms was similar between the groups. BMI correlated significantly with the BMCI in all 3 segments. Bone mineral content (BMC) in the trunk, expressed as a percentage of total BMC (BMC trunk/total BMC), correlated significantly with BMI. The BMCI in the trunk was closely related with V·O2max but not with airflow limitation. Conclusions: There was a regional difference in BMC reduction, but a predominant reduction of bone mass in the trunk was not associated with the severity of airflow limitation but rather with body weight loss and exercise intolerance. These data suggest that body weight loss and exercise intolerance are important risk factors for vertebral fracture in patients with COPD.博士（医学）・乙第1341号・平成26年7月22日The definitive version is available at " http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000355095