On Rotation Matrices of given Axes and Angles and the Group Structure on SO(3)

We treat rotation matrices of given axes and angles in the space R^3 = ImH of pure imaginary quaternions. We give a product formula of rotation matrices of given axes vectors and so explain the group structure on SO(3)～RP^3 from the view point of axes and angles

Spindle checkpoint activation at meiosis I advances anaphase II onset via meiosis-specific APC/C regulation

During mitosis, the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) inhibits the Cdc20-activated anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/CCdc20), which promotes protein degradation, and delays anaphase onset to ensure accurate chromosome segregation. However, the SAC function in meiotic anaphase regulation is poorly understood. Here, we examined the SAC function in fission yeast meiosis. As in mitosis, a SAC factor, Mad2, delayed anaphase onset via Slp1 (fission yeast Cdc20) when chromosomes attach to the spindle improperly. However, when the SAC delayed anaphase I, the interval between meiosis I and II shortened. Furthermore, anaphase onset was advanced and the SAC effect was reduced at meiosis II. The advancement of anaphase onset depended on a meiosis-specific, Cdc20-related factor, Fzr1/Mfr1, which contributed to anaphase cyclin decline and anaphase onset and was inefficiently inhibited by the SAC. Our findings show that impacts of SAC activation are not confined to a single division at meiosis due to meiosis-specific APC/C regulation, which has probably been evolved for execution of two meiotic divisions

A Consideration on the Relation of the Hemosiderosis in the Spleen of Fishes to the Waste from Chemical Plants

1. Histological examinations were made on the common gobbies, Acanthogobius flavimanus, collected in the period from November of 1972 to December of 1973, from two rivers, the Higashi-okawa and the Nishi-okawa. Both the rivers flow, at Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, into the Hiro Bay adjoining the Aki-nada in the Seto Inland Sea. The Higashi-okawa was expected to be severely polluted by the waste from big chemical plants built along its banks, whereas the Nishi-okawa was not. The results of the examinations were as follows; A manifest hemosiderosis was observed in the spleens of all specimens from the Higashi-okawa but no such symptom was found in those from the Nishi-okawa. These results suggested some relation between the hemosiderosis in the spleens of fishes and a pollution caused by waste from chemical plant. 2. A series of experiments on a laboratory scale were carried out on Tilapia mossambica, a euryhaline species easier to handle in a laboratory than the goby, for the purpose of verifying the above suggested relation of the hemosiderosis in the spleens of fishes to chemical pollution. The results were as follows; a) A hemosiderosis was observed markedly in the spleens of the animals which had been exposed for only one month to dilutions of the waste from the Fukuyama plant of the Nihon Kayaku K.K. though the animals could keep their vital and spawning functions at normal level for more than six months in these dilutions: The degree of development of hemosiderosis appeared to depend upon concentration of waste in the dilutions. A hematological examination on the animals which showed hemosiderosis in the spleens revealed a hypochromic and microcytic anemia. In the case of sudden death within 20 hours or so of exposure to dilutions of higher concentrations of waste, no hemosiderosis was found in the spleens of the animals, but other types of histopathological symptoms were noticed. b) Phenol, one of the principal components of the waste from the Fukuyama plant of the Nihon Kayaku K.K., was found to be the causing factor of the hemosiderosis in the spleen of the animal; when exposed to a phenol solution with a chronic toxic level of concentration (2 ppm), the animal showed a manifest hemosiderosis in the spleen. However, at higher concentration above the acute toxic level (50 ppm), the exposure of the animals to phenol solution did not result in the hemosiderosis in the spleen but in other types of histopathological symptoms. In conclusion, it should be emphasized that in the spleen of fishes exposed to waste from chemical plants, hemosiderosis will develop as a result of chronic hemolytic anemias even though the fishes themselves do not show any apparent abnormality, also that phenol can be one of the causes of such hemosiderosis

Molecular Approach to Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: LMP2-Deficient Mice as an Animal Model of Spontaneous Uterine Leiomyosarcoma

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) develops more often in the muscle tissue layer of the uterine body than in the uterine cervix. The development of gynecologic tumors is often correlated with female hormone secretion; however, the development of uterine LMS is not substantially correlated with hormonal conditions, and the risk factors are not yet known. Importantly, a diagnostic-biomarker which distinguishes malignant LMS from benign tumor leiomyoma (LMA) is yet to be established. Accordingly, it is necessary to analyze risk factors associated with uterine LMS, in order to establish a treatment method. LMP2-deficient mice spontaneously develop uterine LMS, with a disease prevalence of ~40% by 14 months of age. We found LMP2 expression to be absent in human LMS, but present in human LMA. Therefore, defective LMP2 expression may be one of the risk factors for LMS. LMP2 is a potential diagnostic-biomarker for uterine LMS, and may be targeted-molecule for a new therapeutic approach

位相的データ解析への機械学習的アプローチ

Open House, ISM in Tachikawa, 2017.6.16統計数理研究所オープンハウス（立川）、H29.6.16ポスター発

位相的データ解析とその物質科学への応用

Open House, ISM in Tachikawa, 2016.6.17統計数理研究所オープンハウス（立川）、H28.6.17ポスター発

Older boys benefit from higher initial prednisolone therapy for nephrotic syndrome

Older boys benefit from higher initial prednisolone therapy for nephrotic syndrome.BackgroundA long course of the initial prednisolone therapy has been shown to be more effective than standard-course therapy in reducing relapse rates in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, but it is commonly accompanied by corticosteroid toxicities. There has been no study on prednisolone dosage for the effective treatment of nephrotic syndrome.MethodsSixty-eight children (42 boys and 26 girls) with an initial attack of nephrotic syndrome were randomly allocated into two different long-course treatment groups. Patients in Group 1 received a daily prednisolone dose of 60 mg/m2 for six weeks, followed by an alternate-day dose of 40 mg/m2 for six weeks. Patients in Group 2 had a daily dose of 40 mg/m2 instead of 60 mg/m2.ResultsFour children in each group did not respond within six weeks. Group 1 was associated with a significantly earlier response but more frequent corticosteroid toxicities than Group 2. Boys in Group 1 had a higher rate of sustained remission than boys in Group 2 (P = 0.0073), especially boys four years old or more (P = 0.0027), but girls did not show a significant difference (P = 0.863). Boys four years old or more in Group 1 had a course of frequent relapsing less often than those in Group 2 (2 of 13 vs. 6 of 8, P = 0.0075).ConclusionThese findings indicate that efficient prednisolone doses may vary between sexes and ages, and that a higher initial prednisolone therapy may be of greater benefit to older boys

Ten Initial Cases of Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Treatment of Esophageal Motility Disorders at Okayama University Hospital

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for treatment of esophageal motility disorders has recently been reported to be highly effective and less invasive than other treatment. POEM was recently introduced in Okayama University Hospital under the supervision of a physician from a high-volume center. To verify the safety and efficacy of POEM during its introduction in our institution. We examined 10 cases in whom POEM was performed between January 2016 and April 2017. The patients included 7 men and 3 women, with a median age (range) of 49 years (17-74) and median symptom duration of 6 years (1-21). Seven patients had a straight esophagus, and the remaining 3 had a sigmoid esophagus. According to the Chicago classification, 6 patients were diagnosed with type I achalasia, 2 with type II achalasia, and 2 with distal esophagus spasm. Treatment outcomes and adverse events were evaluated. Treatment success was defined as a > 3 decrease in Eckardt score or a score of <3 at the time of discharge. The treatment success rate was 90%, with the average Eckardt score decreasing significantly, from 4.7 to 0.9 (p<0.05). No mucosal perforation, severe infection, mediastinitis, severe bleeding, or gastroesophageal reflux occurred intraoperatively or postoperatively. POEM was introduced to Okayama University Hospital, and the first 10 cases were accomplished safely and effectively under the supervision of an expert physician from a high-volume center