CENP-B box is required for de novo centromere chromatin assembly on human alphoid DNA

Centromere protein (CENP) B boxes, recognition sequences of CENP-B, appear at regular intervals in human centromeric α-satellite DNA (alphoid DNA). In this study, to determine whether information carried by the primary sequence of alphoid DNA is involved in assembly of functional human centromeres, we created four kinds of synthetic repetitive sequences: modified alphoid DNA with point mutations in all CENP-B boxes, resulting in loss of all CENP-B binding activity; unmodified alphoid DNA containing functional CENP-B boxes; and nonalphoid repetitive DNA sequences with or without functional CENP-B boxes. These four synthetic repetitive DNAs were introduced into cultured human cells (HT1080), and de novo centromere assembly was assessed using the mammalian artificial chromosome (MAC) formation assay. We found that both the CENP-B box and the alphoid DNA sequence are required for de novo MAC formation and assembly of functional centromere components such as CENP-A, CENP-C, and CENP-E. Using the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we found that direct assembly of CENP-A and CENP-B in cells with synthetic alphoid DNA required functional CENP-B boxes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported evidence of a functional molecular link between a centromere-specific DNA sequence and centromeric chromatin assembly in humans

Predictive factors of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination series completion: a one-year longitudinal web-based observational study in Japan

IntroductionAddresing vaccine hesitancy is considered an important goal in management of the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to understand what factors influenced people, especially those initially hesitant, to receive two or more vaccine doses within a year of the vaccine’s release.MethodsWe conducted longitudinal Web-based observational studies of 3,870 individuals. The surveys were conducted at four different time points: January 2021, June 2021, September 2021, and December 2021. In the baseline survey (January 2021), we assessed vaccination intention (i.e., “strongly agree” or “agree” [acceptance], “neutral” [not sure], and “disagree” or “strongly disagree” [hesitance]), and assumptions about coronavirus disease (COVID-19), COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19-related health preventive behavior, and COVID-19 vaccine reliability. In subsequent surveys (December 2021), we assessed vaccination completion (i.e., ≥2 vaccinations). To investigate the relationship between predictors of COVID-19 vaccination completion, a multivariable logistic regression model was applied. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated while adjusting for gender, age, marital status, presence of children, household income category, and presence of diseases under treatment. In a stratified analysis, predictors were determined based on vaccination intention.ResultsApproximately 96, 87, and 72% of those who demonstrated acceptance, were not sure, or hesitated had been vaccinated after 1 year, respectively. Overall, significant factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine compliance included the influence of others close to the index participant (social norms) (AOR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.56–2.08; p < 0.001), vaccine confidence (AOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.18–1.64; p < 0.001) and structural constraints (no time, inconvenient location of medical institutions, and other related factors) (AOR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.70–0.91; p = 0.001). In the group of individuals classified as hesitant, significant factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine compliance included social norms (AOR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.83–3.22; p < 0.001), confidence (AOR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.10–1.88; p = 0.008), and knowledge (AOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53–0.88; p = 0.003).DiscussionWe found that dissemination of accurate information about vaccines and a reduction in structural barriers to the extent possible enhanced vaccination rates. Once the need for vaccination becomes widespread, it becomes a social norm, and further improvements in these rates can then be anticipated. Our findings may help enhance vaccine uptake in the future

ビデオ・ホーム・トレーニングを用いた自閉症児とその母親のコミュニケーションの促進

This case study was explored a facilitation of emotional communicability between a child with autism and profound mental retardation and her mother by the Video Home Training (VHT) method. It has been reported that behavior of children with autism is difficult for parents to understand their reasons and intentions. The mother of the child participated in this study also faced on the same problem including self injurious behavior. In this study I focused a therapeutic goal on rather diverting her attention to positive emotional expression of the child than the problems themselves. Then VHT was applied for the goal. The mother was assigned to view each of 7 video clips, which featured positive emotional expressions of the child in their interactions, for 8 months at her home, with therapist and by herself. Results showed that repeated viewing the same clips promoted the mother\u27s sensitive perceptions and sympathetic statements on her child\u27s emotional expressions. This effect was discussed from the viewpoint that it would be useful to promote an intersubjective relationship between mothers and their children with autism

高周波数の音を受容しやすい一言語障害児

The reception of sound by a language retarded child was examined. The case was a 7-year-old boy, who rarely spoke or received what was spoken to him but mimicked commercial songs. Seventy-nine commercial songs or melodies were presented to him. He showed preference for 35 commercial songs or melodies but paid no attention to the other 44. Those he paid attention to had high frequency components or had the high fundamental frequency. It is inferred that such acoustic properties enabled him to discriminate the sounds from environmental noise. This finding provides useful information for planning the treatment for language retarded children

Immunological Changes in Mesothelioma Patients and Their Experimental Detection

It is common knowledge that asbestos exposure causes asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma (MM) not only in people who have handled asbestos in the work environment, but also in residents living near factories that handle asbestos. These facts have been an enormous medical and social problem in Japan since the summer of 2005. We focused on the immunological effects of asbestos and silica on the human immune system. In this brief review, we present immunological changes in patients with MM and outline their experimental detection. For example, there is over-expression of bcl-2 in CD4+ peripheral T-cells, high plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß, and multiple over-representation of T cell receptor (TcR)-Vß in peripheral CD3+ T-cells found in MM patients. We also detail an experimental long-term exposure T-cell model. Analysis of the immunological effects of asbestos may help our understanding of the biological effects of asbestos

Breaking the HAC Barrier: Histone H3K9 acetyl/methyl balance regulates CENP-A assembly

Establishment of Human Artificial Chromosomes (HACs) depends on an interplay of H3 lysine 9 modifications at centromeres, providing insights into the pathways that control incorporation of the kinetochore-specificing histone H3 variant CENP-A