Dynamic Time-Alignment Kernel in Support Vector Machine.

A new class of Support Vector Machine (SVM) that is applicable to sequential-pattern recognition such as speech recognition is developed by incorporating an idea of non-linear time alignment into the kernel function. Since the time-alignment operation of sequential pattern is embedded in the new kernel function, standard SVM training and classification algorithms can be employed without further modifications. The proposed SVM (DTAK-SVM) is evaluated in speaker-dependent speech recognition experiments of hand-segmented phoneme recognition. Preliminary experimental results show comparable recognition performance with hidden Markov models (HMMs)

Establishment of dsDNA-dsDNA interactions by the condensin complex

Condensin is a structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complex family member thought to build mitotic chromosomes by DNA loop extrusion. However, condensin variants unable to extrude loops, yet proficient in chromosome formation, were recently described. Here, we explore how condensin might alternatively build chromosomes. Using bulk biochemical and single-molecule experiments with purified fission yeast condensin, we observe that individual condensins sequentially and topologically entrap two double-stranded DNAs (dsDNAs). Condensin loading transitions through a state requiring DNA bending, as proposed for the related cohesin complex. While cohesin then favors the capture of a second single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), second dsDNA capture emerges as a defining feature of condensin. We provide complementary in vivo evidence for DNA-DNA capture in the form of condensin-dependent chromatin contacts within, as well as between, chromosomes. Our results support a “diffusion capture” model in which condensin acts in mitotic chromosome formation by sequential dsDNA-dsDNA capture

トクシマシ イシカイ ノ トウニョウビョウ タイサク

Tokushima City Medical Association has founded the committee for the means to prevent diabetesmellitus, because the mortality rate by diabetes mellitus in Tokushima Prefecture remainedranked first for 14 years from 1993 to 2006. It has enlightened a large number of people, such asdiabetic patients and candidates for diabetes, and also healthy citizens in Tokushima for preventingdiabetes mellitus. For this aim, Tokushima City Medical Association has made the home pagenamed Tokushima City Diabetic Network to show clearly the means to prevent diabetes mellitusfor the citizens. By this Web site, the citizens can get a correct knowledge about diabetes mellitus,a useful information about the treatments including exercises, diets and medications, and an informationabout medical institutions by utilizing the search page to receive a proper diabetic treatment.Tokushima City Medical Association held several events, such as Tokushima citizens’extension courses and diabetes forums for the citizens to understand diabetes mellitus clearly.Fortunately, in 2007, Tokushima got out of the first rank of diabetic mortality rate. TokushimaCity Medical Association will continue efforts to prevent diabetes mellitus by approaching the citizensof all ages from various aspects

Low Lipoprotein(a) Concentration Is Associated with Cancer and All-Cause Deaths: A Population-Based Cohort Study (The JMS Cohort Study)

Background: Experimental studies support the anti-neoplastic effect of apo(a), but several clinical studies have reported contradictory results. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a low lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentration is related to mortality from major causes of death, especially cancer. Methods The subjects were 10,413 participants (4,005 men and 6,408 women) from a multi-center population-based cohort study in Japan (The Jichi Medical School cohort study). The average age at registration was 55.0 years, and the median observation period was 4,559 days. As the estimated hazard ratio was high for both the low and very high Lp(a) levels, we defined two Lp(a) groups: a low Lp(a) group [Lp(a)<80 mg/L] and an intermediate-to-high Lp(a) group [Lp(a)≥80]. Participants who died from malignant neoplasms (n = 316), cardiovascular disease (202), or other causes (312) during the observation period were examined. Results: Cumulative incidence plots showed higher cumulative death rates for the low Lp(a) group than for the intermediate-to-high Lp(a) group for all-cause, cancer, and miscellaneous-cause deaths (p<0.001, p = 0.03, and p = 0.03, respectively). Cox proportional hazards analyses with the sex and age of the participants, body mass index, and smoking and drinking histories as covariates showed that a low Lp(a) level was a significant risk for all-cause, cancer, and miscellaneous-cause deaths (p<0.001, p = 0.003, and p = 0.01, respectively). The hazard ratio (95% CI) [1.48, 1.15–1.92] of a low Lp(a) level for cancer deaths was almost the same as that for a male sex (1.46, 1.00–2.13). Conclusions: This is the first report to describe the association between a low Lp(a) level and all-cause or cancer death, supporting the anti-neoplastic effect of Lp(a). Further epidemiological studies are needed to confirm the present results

Dynamic Time-Alignment Kernel in Support Vector Machine Hiroshi Shimodaira

A new class of Support Vector Machine (SVM) that is applicable to sequential-pattern recognition such as speech recognition is developed by incorporating an idea of non-linear time alignment into the kernel function. Since the time-alignment operation of sequential pattern is embedded in the new kernel function, standard SVM training and classification algorithms can be employed without further modifications. The proposed SVM (DTAK-SVM) is evaluated in speaker-dependent speech recognition experiments of hand-segmented phoneme recognition. Preliminary experimental results show comparable recognition performance with hidden Markov models (HMMs).

A novel role for the condensin II complex in cellular senescence

<p>Although cellular senescence is accompanied by global alterations in genome architecture, how the genome is restructured during the senescent processes is not well understood. Here, we show that the hCAP-H2 subunit of the condensin II complex exists as either a full-length protein or an N-terminus truncated variant (ΔN). While the full-length hCAP-H2 associates with mitotic chromosomes, the ΔN variant exists as an insoluble nuclear structure. When overexpressed, both hCAP-H2 isoforms assemble this nuclear architecture and induce senescence-associated heterochromatic foci (SAHF). The hCAP-H2ΔN protein accumulates as cells approach senescence, and hCAP-H2 knockdown inhibits oncogene-induced senescence. This study identifies a novel mechanism whereby condensin drives senescence via nuclear/genomic reorganization.</p