Face-centred cubic to body-centred cubic martensitic transformation of Fe-Co particles in a copper matrix

金沢大学大学院自然科学研究科機能創成システム金沢大学工学

In Vitro Phosphorylation of Proteins in IAA-Treated Primary Roots and Coleoptiles in Zea mays

Five-mm sections of elongation zones which were cut from primary roots or coleoptiles of Zea mays were incubated for designated periods with various concentrations of IAA. In vitro protein phosphorylation in the soluble fractionsprepared from these sections was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The phosphorylation of proteins in sections of primary roots incubated for 20 or 40 min in the presenceof 10^-7 M IAA was greater than that in the sections incubated in the absence ofIAA. The phosphorylation of proteins in sections of primary roots incubated for 20 min or 2h in the presence of 10^-8,10^-7 or 10^-6 M IAA was higher than that in the sections incubated in the absence of IAA. An incuba-tion for 20 min or 2h with 10^-4 M IAA inhibited the phosphorylation of proteins in sections of primary roots. The growth of the sections of primary roots incubated for 2h in the presence of 10^-7 M IAA or higher concentrations was lower than that of the sections incubated in the absence of IAA. These results suggest that the phosphorylation of proteins which was increased by IAA treatment is independent of an inhibition of the growth induced by IAA in maize primary roots. The phosphorylation of proteins in sections of coleoptiles incubated for 10, 20 or 40 min in the presence of 10^-7 or 10^-5 M IAA was equal to that in the sectionsincubated in the absence of IAA. These results show that IAA regulates growth ofmaize coleoptiles in no relation with phosphorylation of the proteins and that IAA regulates growth of maize mesocotyls via phosphorylation of the proteins, comparing with earlier results [Kato et al. (1996) Plant Cell Phsiol. 37:667].　Coleoptile―IAA treatment―Primary root―Protein phosphorylation―Zea mays

Inhibitions of Growth and Lateral Branch Development by Calmodulin Antagonists in Hairy Roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Atropa belladonna and Daucus carota

Hairy roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, belladonna and carrot, which were induced by inoculation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes harboring the Ri plasmid, were cultured on a medium containing 0.1, 1, 10, 30 or 100μM W-7 or W-5, calmodulin antagonists. Growth rates of L. erythrorhizon and belladonna hairy roots cultured on all media containing W-7 were lower than that of the roots cultured without W-7. Growth of carrot hairy roots was inhibited by W-7 above 30μM. Inhibition rates of the root growth by high concentrations of W-5 were lower than those of the growth by the same concentrations of W-7. In the case ofthe development of lateral roots on hairy roots, 30 and 100μM W-7 or W-5 inhibited formation of lateral roots. The number of lateral roots formed by culturing on a medium containing W-7 was lower than that of the roots formed on the medium containing W-5. These results strictly suggest that calmodulin acts upon the growth of hairy roots and the development of lateral roots on hairy roots

Seismic Riks Evaluation of Spatial Structures by Using Grid Computing System

p. 366-377The present study propose a simple procedure to evaluate the seismic risk of the spatial structures by using grid computing system. As an example for calculating the seismic risk by using the system, numerical studies for single layer lattice domes supported by substructure implemented with buckling restricted braces are presented considering a simple rule for judging the damages of the structural and non-structural elements. The effectiveness of the system is discussed through the numerical example for dome structures.Nakazawa, S.; Kato, S.; Shibata, R. (2009). Seismic Riks Evaluation of Spatial Structures by Using Grid Computing System. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/652

Electron gun using coniferous carbon nano-structure

We have measured the emission stability of a coniferous carbon nano-structure (CCNS) field emis-sion electron source. Stable emission over the 1274 h measurement was observed at an emission current density of 20 mA·cm−2. The CCNS emitter can generate an emission current of more than 10 mA making it a practical choice for many applications requiring high electron current. For exam-ple, we are currently developing a CCNS based electron gun for electron accelerators and a portable X-ray source. Recent progress on both these applications is presented. 1

Demand-side decarbonization and electrification: EMF 35 JMIP study

Japan’s long-term strategy submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change emphasizes the importance of improving the electrification rates to reducing GHG emissions. Using the five models participating in Energy Modeling Forum 35 Japan Model Intercomparison project (JMIP), we focused on the demand-side decarbonization and analyzed the final energy composition required to achieve 80% reductions in GHGs by 2050 in Japan. The model results show that the electricity share in final energy use (electrification rate) needs to reach 37–66% in 2050 (26% in 2010) to achieve the emissions reduction of 80%. The electrification rate increases mainly due to switching from fossil fuel end-use technologies (i.e. oil water heater, oil stove and combustion-engine vehicles) to electricity end-use technologies (i.e. heat pump water heater and electric vehicles). The electricity consumption in 2050 other than AIM/Hub ranged between 840 and 1260 TWh (AIM/Hub: 1950TWh), which is comparable to the level seen in the last 10 years (950–1035 TWh). The pace at which electrification rate must be increased is a challenge. The model results suggest to increase the electrification pace to 0.46–1.58%/yr from 2030 to 2050. Neither the past electrification pace (0.30%/year from 1990 to 2010) nor the outlook of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (0.15%/year from 2010 to 2030) is enough to reach the suggested electrification rates in 2050. Therefore, more concrete measures to accelerate dissemination of electricity end-use technologies across all sectors need to be established

Solitary pulmonary metastasis from prostate sarcomatoid cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pulmonary metastasis from prostate cancer is considered to be a late event, and patients can be treated with chemotherapy or hormonal manipulation. However, there has been only a few reports on surgical resection for pulmonary metastasis from prostate cancer.</p> <p>Case Presentation</p> <p>We present a surgical case of solitary pulmonary metastasis from prostate cancer. A 73-year-old man underwent pelvic evisceration for prostate cancer. Histopathological examination revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with a sarcomatoid carcinoma component. During postoperative follow-up, chest computed tomography showed a nodular shadow in the lung, and thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung was performed. Histopathological examination revealed a histological appearance similar to that of the prostate sarcomatoid carcinoma. This is the first reported case of solitary pulmonary metastasis from prostate sarcomatoid cancer.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Isolated pulmonary metastasis from prostate sarcomatoid cancer is extremely rare, but surgery could be the treatment of choice.</p

Decreased responsiveness of naturally occurring mutants of human estrogen receptor α to estrogens and antiestrogens

金沢大学大学院医学系研究科機能分子医薬学Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is a ligand-inducible transcription factor that mediates the biological effects of estrogens and antiestrogens. Many point mutations in the human ERα gene have been reported to be associated with breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and psychiatric diseases. However, functional analyses for most mutants with amino acid changes are still lacking. In the present study, to investigate the effects of point mutations on the function, gel-shift assays and luciferase assays were performed for eight kinds of mutated ERα proteins, including a single nucleotide change of C207G (N69K), G478T (G160C), T887C (L296P), A908G (K303R), C926T (S309F), A1058T (E353V), A1186G (M396V), and G1231deletion (411fsX7). The mutated ERα expression plasmids were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis. With gel-shift assays using in vitro translated ERα proteins, binding to the consensus estrogen response element (ERE) was observed for the mutated ERα proteins except ERα (G160C) and ERα (411fsX7), the binding of which was comparable with that of the wild type. Western blot analyses showed that ERα (G160C) could not be efficiently translated with the in vitro transcription/translation system and that ERα (411fsX7) produced a truncated protein. To investigate the transactivation potency, wild-type or mutated ERα expression plasmids were co-transfected with pGL3-3EREc38 reporter plasmid into human breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-435 cells. The concentration-response curves (10 pM-100 nM E2) of the mutant ERα proteins except ERα (E353V) and ERα (411fsX7) were similar to that of wild-type ERα. However, at a low level of E2 (100 pM), the mutants ERα (N69K), ERα (L296P), ERα (S309F), and ERα (M396V) showed a significant decrease of transactivation compared with that of the wild-type ERα. The mutants ERα (E353V) and ERα (411fsX7) did not show responsiveness to E2 and antiestrogens, 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT) and ICI 182,780. The mutant ERα (S309F) showed decreased responsiveness for the antiestrogenicity of 4OHT. In conclusion, we found that some of the naturally occurring human ERα mutants with amino acid changes may have an altered responsiveness to estrogen and antiestrogens. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Hemangioma in a pulmonary hilar lymph node: Case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Different types of vascular proliferation may occur in lymph nodes, but hemangiomas in lymph nodes are extremely rare.</p> <p>Case Presentation</p> <p>A 73-year-old man was found to have a 15-mm nodular shadow in the left lung on computed tomography, and bronchoscopic brush cytology yielded a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. Chest computed tomography showed no evidence of hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Left lower lobectomy with hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma and no lymph node metastasis. On the other hand, a lobar bronchial lymph node presented a small lesion showing the dense proliferation of capillary blood vessels with elastic change. Immunohistochemically, the lesion was positive for factor VIII and CD34, leading to a diagnosis of primary hemangioma of the lymph node.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature of hemangioma in a pulmonary hilar lymph node. Intranodal hemangioma needs to be differentiated from malignant vascular tumors.</p