Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential of Gravelly Soil Layer Based on Field Performance Data

In general, gravelly soil layers are considered to be less susceptible to liquefy during earthquakes than sandy soil layers. However, in 1995 Hyogoken-Nambu Earthquake, sand ejection due to liquefaction was observed in Port Island and Rokkco Island, which were man-made islands reclaimed by gravelly soils. In this paper, firstly, site investigation including sampling by freezing technique was conducted in Rokko Island where lots of ejected sand was not observed during the earthquake to know liquefaction strengths of the reclaimed deposits. Secondly, earthquake response analyses were conducted for a site in Rokko Island as well as a site in Port Island to evaluate maximum stress ratios which were generated in the reclaimed deposits during the earthquake. Finally, relationships between maximum shear stress ratios during earthquakes and penetration resistance were investigated for liquefied sites and nonliquefied sites in the man-made islands

Phamacogenomics of Clozapine-Induced Agranulocytosis

Background: Clozapine-induced agranulocytosis (CIA)/clozapine-induced granulocytopenia (CIG) (CIAG) is a life-threatening event for schizophrenic subjects treated with clozapine. Methods: To examine the genetic factor for CIAG, a genome-wide pharmacogenomic analysis was conducted using 50 subjects with CIAG and 2905 control subjects. Results: We identified a significant association in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region (rs1800625, p = 3.46 × 10−9, odds ratio [OR] = 3.8); therefore, subsequent HLA typing was performed. We detected a significant association of HLA-B*59:01 with CIAG (p = 3.81 × 10−8, OR = 10.7) and confirmed this association by comparing with an independent clozapine-tolerant control group (n = 380, p = 2.97 × 10−5, OR = 6.3). As we observed that the OR of CIA (OR: 9.3~15.8) was approximately double that in CIG (OR: 4.4~7.4), we hypothesized that the CIG subjects were a mixed population of those who potentially would develop CIA and those who would not develop CIA (non-CIA). This hypothesis allowed the proportion of the CIG who were non-CIA to be calculated, enabling us to estimate the positive predictive value of the nonrisk allele on non-CIA in CIG subjects. Assuming this model, we estimated that 1) ~50% of CIG subjects would be non-CIA; and 2) ~60% of the CIG subjects without the risk allele would be non-CIA and therefore not expected to develop CIA. Conclusions: Our results suggest that HLA-B*59:01 is a risk factor for CIAG in the Japanese population. Furthermore, if our model is true, the results suggest that rechallenging certain CIG subjects with clozapine may not be always contraindicated

Parkinsonism with organophosphate poisoning

Parkinsonism is a primary neurotoxic manifestation of organophosphate pesticide intoxication. We report here the case of a 67-year-old man who developed acute parkinsonism with tremors and rigidity following exposure to fenitrothion, an organophosphate pesticide. His parkinsonism disappeared, and 2 months later he was able to walk alone without antiparkinsonian drug treatment. To identify particular lesions in the brain, Z score images were obtained from SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) scans of the patient during the acute poisoning and a follow-up scan performed 2 months later. We indicate that reversible parkinsonism correlated with putaminal hyperperfusion as observed in the Z score images obtained during the acute event; this condition resolved later in concert with resolution of the clinical parkinsonism. We believe that the SPECT scan Z score images in this study are an important find in elucidating parkinsonism manifestations due to organophosphate poisoning

SHEPHERD is the Arabidopsis GRP94 responsible for the formation of functional CLAVATA proteins

The Arabidopsis shepherd (shd) mutant shows expanded shoot apical meristems (SAM) and floral meristems (FM), disorganized root apical meristems, and defects in pollen tube elongation. We have discovered that SHD encodes an ortholog of GRP94, an ER-resident HSP90-like protein. Since the shd phenotypes in SAM and FM are similar to those of the clavata (clv) mutants, we have explored the possibility that CLV complex members could be SHD targets. The SAM and FM morphology of shd clv double mutants are indistinguishable from those of clv single mutants, and the wuschel (wus) mutation is completely epistatic to the shd mutation, indicating that SHD and CLV act in the same genetic pathway to suppress WUS function. Moreover, the effects of CLV3 overexpression that result in the elimination of SAM activity were abolished in the shd mutant, indicating that CLV function is dependent on SHD function. Therefore, we conclude that the SHD protein is required for the correct folding and/or complex formation of CLV proteins