Nesting and post-nesting studies of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) at Omaezaki, Japan

Organized by Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University ; JSPS Bangkok Liaison Office ; Japanese Society of Bio-logging Science ; Informatics Research Center for Development of Knowledge Society InfrastructureDecember 13-15, 2004, Imperial Tara Hotel, Bangkok, ThailandNesting biology, measurement of body size and mitochondrial (mt) DNA haplotypes of loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta at Omaezaki Beach, Japan were investigated by collecting data and samples during night observations from 6 July to 6 August 2004. In addition, seven post-nesting females, which nested during this observation period, were tracked by satellite telemetry. A total of 33 females were identified in this observation period. Seven females nested twice, with a mean inter-nesting interval of 18.0 days. Even though our observations did not cover the entire nesting beach and period, the frequency of nesting was estimated at three, using a calculation based on the total number of nests at this beach in this nesting season. The range of straight carapace length (SCL) was from 65.8 to 91.6 cm, and the mean (±SD) size was 81.5±5.83 cm. The SCL of females at Omaezaki Beach is significantly lower than at other nesting sites in Japan based on calculation of 90% confidence intervals for mean SCLs. Two haplotypes were detected among 33 females using mitochondrial (mt) DNA analysis. Composition of these two haplotypes of nesting females at Omaezaki Beach was similar to nesting females at other nesting beaches in Japan. Post-nesting feeding grounds of seven loggerhead turtles released from Omaezaki consist of two areas, the northwestern North Pacific and the East China Sea. It is confirmed that nesting females at Omaezaki Beach were from the two groups using the different post-nesting feeding grounds and these two groups can be distinguished by their body size criterion of 85 cm. If different factors impact females in each feeding ground, monitoring the number of females and the composition of body size can be useful in assessing the impact to females

シアノバクテリアを用いたイソプレノイドの光合成的生産に関する基礎研究

学位の種別: 課程博士審査委員会委員 : (主査)東京大学准教授 野口 航, 東京大学教授 福田 裕穂, 東京大学教授 和田 元, 東京大学教授 池内 昌彦, 千葉大学准教授 梅野 太輔University of Tokyo(東京大学

Postural muscle activity patterns during standing at rest and on an oscillating floor

金沢大学大学院医学系研究科環境社会医学Postural muscle activity pattern was examined in the eyes-closed state after adequate adaptation to floor anteroposterior oscillation. Twenty-three subjects were grouped almost evenly according to dominance of anterior or posterior postural muscles in the trunk and thigh during quiet stance. In the posterior-dominant group, this dominance was maintained at every frequency in most subjects. In the anterior-dominant group, this dominance was maintained in most subjects at 0.1 and 0.5 Hz but changed to posterior dominance at 1.0 and 1.5 Hz in about half the subjects. Periodicity of muscle activity was evaluated by EMG amplitude spectrum at the floor oscillation frequency. Periodicity of posterior-dominant muscles in the trunk and thigh increased with increasing oscillatory frequency. In the trunk, the periodicity did not differ significantly between posterior-dominant and anterior-dominant groups. However, in the thigh, periodicity was significantly lower in the anterior-dominant muscles. This was considered to be caused by nonperiodic alternating action of the anterior and posterior muscles. In the lower leg, posterior dominance was observed in quiet stance and at all oscillation frequencies. Periodicity of soleus and gastrocnemius increased at higher frequencies and was higher in gastrocnemius than in soleus. The periodicity difference between both muscles decreased with increasing oscillation frequency. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Feasibility study of immediate pharyngeal cooling initiation in cardiac arrest patients after arrival at the emergency room

AIM: Cooling the pharynx and upper oesophagus would be more advantageous for rapid induction of therapeutic hypothermia since the carotid arteries run in their vicinity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pharyngeal cooling on brain temperature and the safety and feasibility for patients under resuscitation. METHODS: Witnessed non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients (n=108) were randomized to receive standard care with (n=53) or without pharyngeal cooling (n=55). In the emergency room, pharyngeal cooling was initiated before or shortly after return of spontaneous circulation by perfusing physiological saline (5 °C) into a pharyngeal cuff for 120 min. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in tympanic temperature at 40 min after arrival (P=0.02) with a maximum difference between the groups at 120 min (32.9 ± 1.2°C, pharyngeal cooling group vs. 34.1 ± 1.3°C, control group; P<0.001). The return of spontaneous circulation (70% vs. 65%, P=0.63) and rearrest (38% vs. 47%, P=0.45) rates were not significantly different based on the initiation of pharyngeal cooling. No post-treatment mechanical or cold-related injury was observed on the pharyngeal epithelium by macroscopic observation. The thrombocytopaenia incidence was lower in the pharyngeal cooling group (P=0.001) during the 3-day period after arrival. The cumulative survival rate at 1 month was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of pharyngeal cooling before or immediately after the return of spontaneous circulation is safe and feasible. Pharyngeal cooling can rapidly decrease tympanic temperature without adverse effects on circulation or the pharyngeal epithelium