Multidimensional inequality for current status of Japanese private companies' employees

In this paper, we show a method for measuring multidimensional inequality. We use a Bayesian method for a multivariate ordered probit model to obtain a single index, which we refer to as a probability associated with an individual's overall status, from a multivariate distribution representing a number of attributes. We evaluate multidimensional inequality by the Gini coefficient and the generalized entropy measure of inequality using this index. This method is used for the employee data of Japanese private companies, which include income and attributes related to subjective perception such as job satisfaction

Production and Peripheral Roles of 5-HTP, a Precursor of Serotonin

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) has been implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological functions. Multiple steps of enzyme reactions enable biosynthesis of 5-HT. The first and rate-limiting step of the reaction is the synthesis of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) from L-tryptophan. This step is dictated by an enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH). TPH requires 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) as a co-substrate of TPH. 5-HTP has been simply regarded as a precursor of 5-HT and it is believed that the biological significance of 5-HTP is essentially ascribed to the production of 5-HT. However, recent works shed light on the specific functions of 5-HTP in the periphery. In this review article, we focus on the specific roles of exogenous 5-HTP as well as the endogenous 5-HTP in the gut epithelial cells. Since systemic treatment with 5-HTP is applied to patients with lower 5-HT levels, the studies on the specific role of 5-HTP might create an opportunity to explore the effects of exogenously-applied 5-HTP in the gut in man

Endometriosis of the Appendix Resulting in Perforated Appendicitis

Endometriosis is a relatively common disease among women of reproductive age. However, gastrointestinal endometriosis is rare and endometriosis of the appendix resulting in perforated appendicitis is even rarer. We experienced a case of endometriosis of the appendix manifesting as panperitonitis caused by perforation of the appendix. The patient was a 35-year-old woman who was hospitalized with an acute abdomen. She was diagnosed with panperitonitis and underwent urgent laparotomy. When perforation of the appendix was detected, appendectomy and intraperitoneal drainage were performed. Pathological examination revealed endometriosis extending from the muscularis propria to the subserosa, and a diagnosis of endometriosis of the appendix was made. We consider the relevant literature describing the mechanism by which endometriosis of the appendix occurs, and the association between endometriosis of the appendix and acute appendicitis

Saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass under mild condition using ionic liquid

Biomass is expected to be an alternative resource to fossil resources. In this study, the development of a biomass conversion method into the valuable chemical, reducing sugar, was examined. For the conversion, thermochemical technology was focused on for its advantage of short reaction time, and ionic liquid was focused on as a reagent to overcome the unpreferable disadvantage of thermochemical technology, which is the low selectivity. Cedar and crystalline cellulose were pretreated with ionic liquid for reforming into desirable precursors of reducing sugar. Especially when they were pretreated by 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylphosphonate at 150°C for 1 h, the pretreatment worked effectively by decreasing the crystallinity of samples. Pretreated cedar and crystalline cellulose were converted into reducing sugar under hydrothermal conditions, respectively, by 39 C-% and 90 C-%. Recovery of ionic liquid was also examined. When cedar was used as a material, lignin was dissolved into ionic liquid through pretreatment, which was undesirable because of difficult separation thereof. When crystalline cellulose was used as a material, 98.3% of the ionic liquid was recovered after the conversion with the highest yield of reducing sugar (90 C-%)

Selective production of valuable chemicals from biomass by two-step conversion combining pre-oxidation and hydrothermal degradation

Biomass is getting notable as a new energy resource to replace fossil resources and to restrain CO₂ emission recently. However, it is obvious that the energy use of biomass is unsuitable for its limit of available amounts. Consequently, we investigated the possibility of new refinery scheme of biomass to utilize biomass as an alternative raw material to fossil resources with suggested two-step treatment method. We oxidized cellulose and biomass with H₂O₂ first and put the residue into hydrothermal condition to obtain some specific chemicals. Through the first oxidation of cellulose, 0.26 g/g-cellulose of organic acid was obtained, and 0.35 g/g-cellulose of oxalic acid was obtained under the catalytic condition. Both cedar and cellulose decreased their crystallinity through the first oxidation and increased their reactivity, we could obtain hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF) from cellulose and biomass through the hydrothermal degradation, 0.11 g/g-cellulose and 0.12 g/g-cedar respectively

Direct Measurement of the Thermodynamic Parameters of Amyloid Formation by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry

This research was originally published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. József Kardos, Kaori Yamamoto, Kazuhiro Hasegawa, Hironobu Naiki and Yuji Goto. Direct Measurement of the Thermodynamic Parameters of Amyloid Formation by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry. J. Biol. Chem. 2004; 279, 55308-55314. © the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biolog

Eisenhart Lift of 22--Dimensional Mechanics

The Eisenhart lift is a variant of geometrization of classical mechanics with $d$ degrees of freedom in which the equations of motion are embedded into the geodesic equations of a Brinkmann-type metric defined on $(d+2)$-dimensional spacetime of Lorentzian signature. In this work, the Eisenhart lift of $2$-dimensional mechanics on curved background is studied. The corresponding $4$-dimensional metric is governed by two scalar functions which are just the conformal factor and the potential of the original dynamical system. We derive a conformal symmetry and a corresponding quadratic integral, associated with the Eisenhart lift. The energy--momentum tensor is constructed which, along with the metric, provides a solution to the Einstein equations. Uplifts of $2$-dimensional superintegrable models are discussed with a particular emphasis on the issue of hidden symmetries. It is shown that for the $2$-dimensional Darboux--Koenigs metrics, only type I can result in Eisenhart lifts which satisfy the weak energy condition. However, some physically viable metrics with hidden symmetries are presented.Comment: 20 page

Different membrane targeting of prostaglandin EP3 receptor isoforms dependent on their carboxy-terminal tail structures

AbstractMouse prostaglandin EP3 receptor consists of three isoforms, EP3α, β and γ, with different carboxy-terminal tails. To assess the role of their carboxy-terminal tails in membrane targeting, we examined subcellular localization of myc-tagged EP3 isoforms expressed in MDCK cells. Two isoforms, EP3α and EP3β, were localized in the intracellular compartment but not in the plasma membrane, while the EP3γ isoform was found in the lateral plasma membrane and in part in the intracellular compartment. Mutant EP3 receptor lacking the carboxy-terminal tail was localized in the intracellular compartment but not in the plasma membrane. Thus, EP3 isoforms differ in subcellular targeting, and the carboxy-terminal tails play an important role in determination of the membrane targeting of EP3 receptor

Clinical impact of bladder biopsies with TUR-BT according to cytology results in patients with bladder cancer: a case control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There seems to be no consensus concerning taking bladder biopsies during transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT). We investigate the clinical significance of bladder biopsy with TUR-BT and the relationship between urinary cytology and the biopsy results.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We reviewed a total of 424 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treated with TUR-BT between 1998 and 2005. Of the total, 293 patients also underwent a bladder biopsy. Biopsies from suspicious-appearing urothelium (N = 59) and those from normal-appearing urothelium (N = 234) were evaluated separately.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Bladder cancer was observed in 23 cases (39.0%) who underwent a biopsy of suspicious-appearing urothelium. Among these 23 cases, 9 cases with visible tumor resection had carcinoma in situ (CIS) only in the biopsies from suspicious-appearing urothelium. Urinary cytology was negative in 3 of the 9 cases. Bladder cancer was observed in 26 cases (11.1%) who underwent a biopsy of normal-appearing urothelium. Of them, 5 cases with visible tumors had CIS only in the multiple biopsies from normal-appearing urothelium. Urinary cytology was positive in all of the 5 cases. No upstaging or upgrading cases were found in these patients by the addition of these two types of biopsy. Furthermore, therapy was not altered in these patients. With or without bladder biopsy was not a significant factor for tumor recurrence in either the univariate or multivariate analysis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the results, it is concluded the multiple biopsies from normal-appearing urothelium are not necessary in patients with negative cytology results because of the low detection rate and lack of influence on therapeutic decisions. Meanwhile, biopsy of suspicious-appearing urothelium is needed in patients with negative cytology results in order to detect CIS due to staging properties. This result supports a recent EAU guideline.</p