Iron absorption in Crohn\u27s Disease

Anemia is observed in a considerable number of patients with Chohn\u27s disease (CD). Iron absorption was investigated, using radioactive iron (^FeCl_3), in 12 normal subjects (controls), seven patients with iron deficiency anemia (ID), and 23 patients with CD. After oral administration of 1 μ Ci of ^Fe with 4 mg of FeSO_4 as a carrier, serum ^59Fe levels were determined for approximately three hours with a liquid scintillation counter. The proportion of iron remaining in the body two weeks after administration was also determined as the absorption ratio by whole-body counting. In investigating the factors affecting the absorption ratio, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, serum iron (Fe), serum transferrin (TS), and serum ferritin were used as dependent variables, and were subjected to a multiple regression analysis for the prediction of the absorption ratio. The analysis revealed that hemoglobin and ferritin levels correlated significantly with the absorption ratio. The absorption ratio was not useful in differentiating between ID and CD patient, while both TS and ferritin were useful in differentiating between CD, ID and normal subjects. The time-course change in serum ^Fe after administration of ^Fe showed slightly higher levels in ID and CD than in controls

RESEARCH ON ROBUSTNESS OF BRIDGE SYSTEMS USING SEISMIC ISOLATION BEARINGS AND SEISMIC DAMPERS

不確定性が高い地震外力に対してロバスト性の高い構造システムの重要性が示されており，そのような構造システムが求められている．免震構造と制震構造を組み合わせることにより，ロバスト性の高い橋梁構造を実現するための取り組みがなされている．本研究では，免震支承と制震ダンパーを併用した橋梁システムを対象とし，そのロバスト性に及ぼす免震・制震デバイスの特性の影響について検討を行った．地震応答特性の変動が小さいことをロバスト性が優れていることであると考え，免震支承と制震ダンパーを併用した橋梁システムを2質点2自由度系にモデル化し，地震応答解析結果に基づき橋脚の最大応答変位の変動係数等を評価した．検討の結果，免震支承と制震ダンパーの特性は，橋脚の最大応答変位の変動係数等に顕著な影響を与えることがわかった．The importance of a structural system with high robustness against seismic forces with high uncertainty has been shown, and such a structural system is required. Efforts are being made to realize a highly robust bridge structure by combining seismic isolation bearings and seismic dampers. In this study, we investigated the influence of characteristics of seismic isolation bearings and seismic dampers on the robustness of bridge systems using seismic isolation bearings and seismic dampers. It was found that characteristics of seismic isolation bearings and seismic dampers have a great influence on the coefficient of variation of the maximum response displacement of a pier and maximum plasticity rate

Domain-general auditory processing explains multiple dimensions of L2 acquisition in adulthood

In this study, we propose a hypothesis that domain-general auditory processing, a perceptual anchor of L1 acquisition, can serve as the foundation of successful post-pubertal L2 learning. This hypothesis was tested with 139 post-pubertal L2 immersion learners by linking individual differences in auditory discrimination across multiple acoustic dimensions to the segmental, prosodic, lexical, and morphosyntactic dimensions of L2 proficiency. Overall, auditory processing was a primary determinant of a range of participants’ proficiency scores, even after biographical factors (experience, age) were controlled for. The link between audition and proficiency was especially clear for L2 learners who had passed beyond the initial phase of immersion (length of residence > 1 year). The findings suggest that greater auditory processing skill benefits post-pubertal L2 learners immersed in naturalistic settings for a sufficient period of time by allowing them to better utilize received input, which results in greater language gains and leads to more advanced L2 proficiency in the long run (similar to L1 acquisition)

Domain-General Auditory Processing Explains Multiple Dimensions of L2 Acquisition in Adulthood

In this study, we propose a hypothesis that domain-general auditory processing, a perceptual anchor of L1 acquisition, can serve as the foundation of successful post-pubertal L2 learning. This hypothesis was tested with 139 post-pubertal L2 immersion learners by linking individual differences in auditory discrimination across multiple acoustic dimensions to the segmental, prosodic, lexical, and morphosyntactic dimensions of L2 proficiency. Overall, auditory processing was a primary determinant of a range of participants\u27 proficiency scores, even after biographical factors (experience, age) were controlled for. The link between audition and proficiency was especially clear for L2 learners who had passed beyond the initial phase of immersion (length of residence > 1 year). The findings suggest that greater auditory processing skill benefits post-pubertal L2 learners immersed in naturalistic settings for a sufficient period of time by allowing them to better utilize received input, which results in greater language gains and leads to more advanced L2 proficiency in the long run (similar to L1 acquisition).The project was funded by the Kansai University Fund for Supporting Young Scholars 2018.2018年度関西大学若手研究者育成経

Cytokeratin 13, Cytokeratin 17, and Ki-67 Expression in Human Acquired Cholesteatoma and Their Correlation With Its Destructive Capacity

Objectives Cholesteatoma is a nonneoplastic destructive lesion of the temporal bone with debated pathogenesis and bone resorptive mechanism. Both molecular and cellular events chiefly master its activity. Continued research is necessary to clarify factors related to its aggressiveness. We aimed to investigate the expression of Ki-67, cytokeratin 13 (CK13) and cytokeratin 17 (CK17) in acquired nonrecurrent human cholesteatoma and correlate them with its bone destructive capacity. Methods A prospective quantitative immunohistochemical study was carried out using fresh acquired cholesteatoma tissues (n=19), collected during cholesteatoma surgery. Deep meatal skin tissues from the same patients were used as control (n=8). Cholesteatoma patients were divided into 2 groups and compared (invasive and noninvasive) according to a grading score for bone resorption based upon clinical, radiologic and intraoperative findings. To our knowledge, the role of CK17 in cholesteatoma aggressiveness was first investigated in this paper. Results Both Ki-67 and CK17 were significantly overexpressed in cholesteatoma than control tissues (P<0.001 for both Ki-67 and CK17). In addition, Ki-67 and CK17 were significantly higher in the invasive group than noninvasive group of cholesteatoma (P=0.029, P=0.033, respectively). Furthermore, Ki-67 and CK17 showed a moderate positive correlation with bone erosion scores (r=0.547, P=0.015 and r=0.588, P=0.008, respectively). In terms of CK13, no significant difference was found between cholesteatoma and skin (P=0.766). Conclusion Both Ki-67 and CK17 were overexpressed in cholesteatoma tissue and positively correlated with bone resorption activity. The concept that Ki-67 can be a predictor for aggressiveness of cholesteatoma was supported. In addition, this is the first study demonstrating CK17 as a favoring marker in the aggressiveness of acquired cholesteatoma

Elevated β-catenin pathway as a novel target for patients with resistance to EGF receptor targeting drugs

There is a high death rate of lung cancer patients. Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are effective in some lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR mutations. However, a significant number of patients show primary and acquire resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Although the Akt kinase is commonly activated due to various resistance mechanisms, the key targets of Akt remain unclear. Here, we show that the Akt-β-catenin pathway may be a common resistance mechanism. We analyzed gene expression profiles of gefitinib-resistant PC9M2 cells that were derived from gefitinib-sensitive lung cancer PC9 cells and do not have known resistance mechanisms including EGFR mutation T790M. We found increased expression of Axin, a β-catenin target gene, increased phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3, accumulation of β-catenin in the cytoplasm/nucleus in PC9M2 cells. Both knockdown of β-catenin and treatment with a β-catenin inhibitor at least partially restored gefitinib sensitivity to PC9M2 cells. Lung adenocarcinoma tissues derived from gefitinib-resistant patients displayed a tendency to accumulate β-catenin in the cytoplasm. We provide a rationale for combination therapy that includes targeting of the Akt-β-catenin pathway to improve the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs

Proteomic Biomarkers for Acute Interstitial Lung Disease in Gefitinib-Treated Japanese Lung Cancer Patients

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) events have been reported in Japanese non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We investigated proteomic biomarkers for mechanistic insights and improved prediction of ILD. Blood plasma was collected from 43 gefitinib-treated NSCLC patients developing acute ILD (confirmed by blinded diagnostic review) and 123 randomly selected controls in a nested case-control study within a pharmacoepidemiological cohort study in Japan. We generated ∼7 million tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) measurements with extensive quality control and validation, producing one of the largest proteomic lung cancer datasets to date, incorporating rigorous study design, phenotype definition, and evaluation of sample processing. After alignment, scaling, and measurement batch adjustment, we identified 41 peptide peaks representing 29 proteins best predicting ILD. Multivariate peptide, protein, and pathway modeling achieved ILD prediction comparable to previously identified clinical variables; combining the two provided some improvement. The acute phase response pathway was strongly represented (17 of 29 proteins, p = 1.0×10−25), suggesting a key role with potential utility as a marker for increased risk of acute ILD events. Validation by Western blotting showed correlation for identified proteins, confirming that robust results can be generated from an MS/MS platform implementing strict quality control