Sensor-based Knowledge Discovery from a Large Quantity of Situational Variables

A new methodology called “sensor-based knowledge discovery”, which utilizes wearable sensors and statistical analysis, is proposed and evaluated. This methodology facilitates identifying new knowledge that can improve business outcome. It utilizes wearable sensors to unobtrusively capture people’s location, motion, and social interaction with others. The captured data is converted into multi-dimensional situational variables and then statistically analyzed to deliver a “rule set,” which forms the basis of new knowledge related to business outcome. The methodology was evaluated through a case study at a retail store. A hypothetical rule, that is, a particular area (a so-called “hot spot”) in the store where employee’s presence correlates with average sales per customer, was identified. Based on the identified rule, a measure to concentrate employees in that area was initiated. Consequently, increasing employees’ presence (“staying time”) in the hot spot by 70% increased average sales per customer by 15%. This result demonstrates the effectiveness of the methodology; namely, the new sensor-based knowledge discovery can improve actual business performance

Restriction-modification system with methyl-inhibited base excision and abasic-site cleavage activities

The restriction-modification systems use epigenetic modification to distinguish between self and nonself DNA. A modification enzyme transfers a methyl group to a base in a specific DNA sequence while its cognate restriction enzyme introduces breaks in DNA lacking this methyl group. So far, all the restriction enzymes hydrolyze phosphodiester bonds linking the monomer units of DNA. We recently reported that a restriction enzyme (R.PabI) of the PabI superfamily with half-pipe fold has DNA glycosylase activity that excises an adenine base in the recognition sequence (5′-GTAC). We now found a second activity in this enzyme: at the resulting apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) (abasic) site (5′-GT#C, # = AP), its AP lyase activity generates an atypical strand break. Although the lyase activity is weak and lacks sequence specificity, its covalent DNA–R.PabI reaction intermediates can be trapped by NaBH[subscript 4] reduction. The base excision is not coupled with the strand breakage and yet causes restriction because the restriction enzyme action can impair transformation ability of unmethylated DNA even in the absence of strand breaks in vitro. The base excision of R.PabI is inhibited by methylation of the target adenine base. These findings expand our understanding of genetic and epigenetic processes linking those in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

ヒト ハイガン サイボウ ニヨル ガンセイ キョウスイ ケイセイ ニオケル VEGF Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ノ イギ

The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular mechanisms that regulate the pathogenesis of malignant pleural effusion (PE) associated with advanced stage human non-small cell lung cancer. Intravenous injection of human PC14PE6 (adenocarcinoma) or H226 (squamous cell carcinoma) cells into nude mice yielded numerous lung lesions. PC14 PE6 lung lesions invaded the pleura and produced PE containing a high level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/vascular permeability factor (VPF), resulting in vascular hyperpermeability in the thoracic cavity. Lung lesions produced by H226 cells were confined to the lung parenchyma and did not induce PE. The expression of VEGF/VPF mRNA and protein by the cell lines directly correlated with PE formation. Transfection of H226 cells with either sense-VEGF 165 or sense-VEGF 121 genes did not increase cell invasion into the pleura nor induce formation of PE. However, the injection of the VEGF/ VPF-transfected H226 cells into the pleural space resulted in induction of vascular hyperpermeability and PE, indicating that the production of malignant PE requires tumor cells to invade the pleura and express high levels of VEGF/VPF. Therefore, targeting these steps may control malignant PE in lung cancer patients. PTK787, an inhibitor of VEGF/VPF receptor tyrosine kinase phosphorylation, does not affect the in vitro proliferation of PC14PE6 cells. Oral feeding with PTK787 significantly reduced the formation of PE, but not the number of lung lesions of PC14PE6 cells. Furthermore, treatment with PTK787 significantly suppressed vascular hyperpermeability of PE-bearing mice, suggesting that PTK787 reduced PE formation mainly by inhibition of vascular permeability. Therefore, the VEGF/VPF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor PTK787 could be useful clinically for the control of malignant PE in lung cancer patients

Bronchial thermoplasty for severe asthma

Despite the relatively short follow-up period in our previous study, we had reported that increased cough reflex sensitivity (CRS) may predict the efficacy of bronchial thermoplasty (BT) for treating asthma. Herein, we examined whether CRS predicts the efficacy of BT 2 years after the final BT treatment. We also investigated the influence of BT on CRS. We reviewed 10 patients 2 years after their final BT treatment. CRS, asthma-related symptoms, asthma exacerbations, and cough-related quality of life were assessed at baseline and 2 years after BT. Five patients responded positively to BT (BT responders) and their asthma control improved. No significant difference in CRS at baseline was detected between the BT responders and nonresponders. In contrast, BT responders exhibited significant improvements in CRS 2 years after BT. CRS at baseline could not predict the BT efficacy after 2 years. This is the first report demonstrating BT desensitized CRS in consecutive case series

Comets, historical records and vedic literature

A verse in book I of Rigveda mentions a cosmic tree with rope-like aerial roots held up in the sky. Such an imagery might have ensued from the appearance of a comet having `tree stem' like tail, with branched out portions resembling aerial roots. Interestingly enough, a comet referred to as `heavenly tree' was seen in 162 BC, as reported by old Chinese records. Because of weak surface gravity, cometary appendages may possibly assume strange shapes depending on factors like rotation, structure and composition of the comet as well as solar wind pattern. Varahamihira and Ballala Sena listed several comets having strange forms as reported originally by ancient seers such as Parashara, Vriddha Garga, Narada and Garga. Mahabharata speaks of a mortal king Nahusha who ruled the heavens when Indra, king of gods, went into hiding. Nahusha became luminous and egoistic after absorbing radiance from gods and seers. When he kicked Agastya (southern star Canopus), the latter cursed him to become a serpent and fall from the sky. We posit arguments to surmise that this Mahabharata lore is a mythical recounting of a cometary event wherein a comet crossed Ursa Major, moved southwards with an elongated tail in the direction of Canopus and eventually went out of sight. In order to check whether such a conjecture is feasible, a preliminary list of comets (that could have or did come close to Canopus) drawn from various historical records is presented and discussed.Comment: This work was presented in the International Conference on Oriental Astronomy held at IISER, Pune (India) during November, 201

Usefulness Differs Between the Visual Assessment and Specific Binding Ratio of 123I-Ioflupane SPECT in Assessing Clinical Symptoms of Drug-Naïve Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Background: In clinical practice, assessment of the striatal accumulation in 123I-ioflupane single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is commonly performed calculating the specific binding ratio (SBR) for the whole striatum. On the other hand, visual assessment of striatal accumulation in the SPECT was recently established. However, correlations of visual assessment with motor and cognitive functions in Parkinson’s disease (PD) have rarely been examined. Differences in the usefulness of these assessments at clinics are uncertain.Objective: We performed this study to compare correlations of cognitive and motor functions in drug-naive PD between the SBR and visual assessment using 123I-ioflupane SPECT.Methods: Cognitive and motor assessments and 123I-ioflupane SPECT were performed in 47 drug-naïve PD patients with Mini-mental State Examination scores of ≥25. Cognitive function was assessed using the total score and 6 subscores of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and 10 separate subtests of the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (COGNISTAT). Motor function was assessed using the Hoehn and Yahr scale and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. Accumulation of 123I-ioflupane was determined by visual assessment based on five grades: 1, burst striatum; 2, egg-shaped; 3, mixed type; 4, eagle wing; 5, normal striatum; and by calculating SBR averaged for the bilateral striatum using the DaTView computer software commonly used in clinical practice. Each SPECT assessment was compared with each subscore for cognitive and motor assessments.Results: Spearman correlation analysis showed SBR was significantly correlated with the MoCA subscores of visuospatial function and attention, and with COGNISTAT subtests of attention. Visual assessment showed significant negative correlation with the Hoehn and Yahr scale. Mean score of postural instability in patients with visual grade of 1 was significantly higher than those in patients with visual grades of 2 and 3.Conclusion: Clinical symptoms reflected by 123I-ioflupane SPECT differ between the SBR and visual assessment. SBR reflects some cognitive functions, whereas a visual assessment grade of 1, which signifies decreased uptake of 123I-Ioflupane in the caudate nucleus, reflects postural instability. Thus, the caudate nucleus may play an important role in posture maintenance. Our results suggest that performing both assessments is of value

Chronic treatment with an erythropoietin receptor ligand prevents chronic kidney disease–induced enlargement of myocardial infarct size

慢性腎臓病による心筋梗塞の拡大には，心筋リンゴ酸アスパラギン酸シャトル抑制を介したAkt活性化障害が関与し，慢性的なエリスロポエチン受容体刺激はこれらの障害を修復して心筋梗塞の拡大を予防する