Shift Energies of Characteristic X-rays and Auger Electrons for Ionized Atoms

Shift energies of characteristic X-rays and Auger electrons for several ionized atoms of Z＝6～17 have been computed as a function of the degree of ionization, taking Larkins' Hartree-Fock-Slater calculations for neon (Z＝10) and argon (Z＝18) as standards. A reasonable agreement is seen with the observed shift energies of X-rays for multiply ionized aluminium

Cloning of an isoform of mouse TGF-β type II receptor gene

AbstractA variant of transforming growth factor-β type II receptor (TGF-βRII) cDNA was isolated from a mouse brain cDNA library. The predicted receptor is identical to previously reported mouse TGF-βRII except that the isoform has an insertion sequence of 25 amino acids in the predicted ligand-binding domain. By the use of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), transcripts for both isoforms were detected in all tissues and developing embryos examined. The isoform transiently expressed in COS cells showed a similar ligand-binding specificity to authentic TGF-βRII. These results suggest that the mouse TGF-βRII gene generates multiple isoforms, possibly by alternative splicing, as reported for activin type IIB receptor; and an isoform which has the extra sequence in the ligand-binding domain is also involved in the TGF-β signal transduction

民族建築と観光開発 : 中国・西双版納州における家屋の変容

This paper focuses on the transformation of Architecture in Xishuangbanna, China. The tourism development in Xishuangbanna emphasized the protection of the ethnic culture. However, the actual state of preservation in a village was delayed, if not hardly witnessed. In the mean time, a lot of people have rebuilt their houses without government authorization. Recently, the government of Xishuangbanna accelerated its call to protect elements of village culture, such as traditional architecture and fashions. Since this time, the reconstruction of houses has come to be severely criticized. In a tourism area in the village, a number of newly rebuilt houses were demolished. In recent years however, the mode of traditional architecture has shifted from house building to repair and restoration of interiors. This has been made possible by local government subsidies to the people living in the area

HRAS1 Variable Number of Tandem Repeats Polymorphism in Japanese Patients with Colorectal Adenoma and Cancer

The highly polymorphic HRAS1 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) has been described as an inherited predisposing factor in various human cancers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the presence of rare HRAS1 VNTR alleles and colorectal adenoma and cancer. A total of 165 Japanese patients underwent total colonoscopy with informed consent, and were divided into 2 groups: colorectal neoplastic and non-neoplastic patients. Two hundred and sixteen HRAS1 VNTR alleles from 108 colorectal neoplastic patients (67 adenomas and 41 cancers) and 114 alleles from 57 non-neoplastic patients were genotyped using PCR-based long-agarose gel electrophoresis assay of peripheral blood leukocyte DNA. Rare alleles were differentiated from 4 types of common allele (a1, a2, a3 and a4) by shifts in electrophoretic mobility. The prevalence of rare HRAS1 VNTR alleles was higher in colorectal neoplastic patients than in non-neoplastic patients (25.4% and 34.1% versus 8.8%). The adjusted odds ratio with at least one rare allele was 8.65 (95% confidence interval = 2.93 ? 25.53, P < 0.0001) in colorectal neoplastic patients. The presence of rare HRAS1 VNTR alleles could be a genetic predisposing factor for risk of colorectal neoplasm in Japanese people

Functional Polymorphisms in the Promoter Regions of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2, -3, -7, -9 and TNF-alpha Genes, and the Risk of Colorectal Neoplasm in Japanese

Colorectal carcinogenesis involves environmental factors and genetic predispositions. Recent studies have suggested the associations between colorectal neoplasm and functional polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cytokine genes. In this study, we analyzed polymorphisms of MMPs and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha genes, focusing on the susceptibility to colorectal neoplasm and the tumor progression. The subjects were 186 patients (95 men and 91 women) who underwent total colonoscopy, and were classified into cancer, adenoma and non-neoplasm (control) groups of 47, 72 and 67 patients, respectively. The polymorphisms at the MMP-2 ?1306C/T, MMP-3 ?1171 5A/6A, MMP-7 ?181A/G, MMP-9 ?1562C/T and TNF-alpha ?308G/A loci were analyzed. Regarding background factors, significant differences were found in the age, sex ratio and alcohol-drinking and cigarette-smoking histories in the adenoma and cancer groups, compared to those in the control group. On these factors-adjusted logistic regression analysis of polymorphisms and disease susceptibility, no significant difference was noted in the frequency of any polymorphism in the adenoma and cancer groups, compared to those in the control group. The analysis of the involvement of polymorphisms in tumor progression in the adenoma and cancer groups revealed that the odds ratio for the MMP-3 5A allele was significantly higher in the cancer group (2.74; 95% confidence interval = 1.11?6.74, P = 0.02). The polymorphisms of MMP genes and TNF-alpha genes were not associated with the susceptibility to colorectal neoplasm, but the involvement of the MMP-3 5A allele in the progression of adenoma to cancer was suggested

Ultrasonographic changes in quadriceps femoris thickness in women with normal pregnancy and women on bed rest for threatened preterm labor

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in quadriceps femoris muscle thickness during the pregnancy and postpartum periods and to elucidate the effect of bed rest for threatened preterm labor on muscle thickness. In 26 women with normal pregnancy, quadriceps femoris thickness was measured at 11–13, 26, 30, and 35 weeks’ gestation, and at 3–5 days and 1 month postpartum using ultrasonography. In 15 pregnant women treated with bed rest for threatened premature labor, quadriceps femoris thickness was measured at 30 and 35 weeks’ gestation and postpartum. In women with normal pregnancy, quadriceps femoris thickness increased, peaking at 35 weeks’ gestation, followed by a postpartum decrease. In women on bed rest, quadriceps femoris thickness showed no significant change during the pregnancy and postpartum periods, and the muscle was significantly thinner at 35 weeks’ gestation than that in women with normal pregnancy. In conclusion, a significant increase in quadriceps femoris muscle thickness during normal pregnancy was found using ultrasonography. Meanwhile, in pregnant women on bed rest treatment, the quadriceps femoris was significantly thinner in the late third trimester than that in normal pregnant women. Prolonged bed rest can affect normal changes in the quadriceps femoris muscle thickness during the pregnancy and postpartum periods

Effect of hospitalization on fetal growth

Objective : We aimed to demonstrate the effect of prolonged hospitalization on fetal growth in cases of threatened preterm labor (TPL). Methods : In this retrospective cohort study, we included women who received prenatal care for TPL but delivered their child after 36 weeks of gestation. These were compared with a control group of healthy pregnant women and fetuses delivered at term. Fetal growth was compared using biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference (AC), femur length, and estimated fetal weight (EFW) assessed using ultrasonography at 18, 26, 30, and 36 weeks of gestation. Neonatal parameters at birth were also compared. Results : In total, we enrolled 228 control women and 114 women with TPL who were treated with hospitalization, including bed rest. The AC at 30 and 36 weeks of gestation and EFW at 36 weeks of gestation were smaller in women treated with bed rest than for normal pregnant women. The mean duration of pregnancy was shorter in the hospitalization group than in the control group. Neonatal weight, length, head circumference, and chest circumference at birth were smaller after prolonged hospitalization for TPL than after normal pregnancy. Conclusion : Prolonged hospitalization for threatened preterm labor is associated with impaired fetal growth, particularly AC