The Constrained Maximal Expression Level Owing to Haploidy Shapes Gene Content on the Mammalian X Chromosome.

X chromosomes are unusual in many regards, not least of which is their nonrandom gene content. The causes of this bias are commonly discussed in the context of sexual antagonism and the avoidance of activity in the male germline. Here, we examine the notion that, at least in some taxa, functionally biased gene content may more profoundly be shaped by limits imposed on gene expression owing to haploid expression of the X chromosome. Notably, if the X, as in primates, is transcribed at rates comparable to the ancestral rate (per promoter) prior to the X chromosome formation, then the X is not a tolerable environment for genes with very high maximal net levels of expression, owing to transcriptional traffic jams. We test this hypothesis using The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) and data from the Functional Annotation of the Mammalian Genome (FANTOM5) project. As predicted, the maximal expression of human X-linked genes is much lower than that of genes on autosomes: on average, maximal expression is three times lower on the X chromosome than on autosomes. Similarly, autosome-to-X retroposition events are associated with lower maximal expression of retrogenes on the X than seen for X-to-autosome retrogenes on autosomes. Also as expected, X-linked genes have a lesser degree of increase in gene expression than autosomal ones (compared to the human/Chimpanzee common ancestor) if highly expressed, but not if lowly expressed. The traffic jam model also explains the known lower breadth of expression for genes on the X (and the Z of birds), as genes with broad expression are, on average, those with high maximal expression. As then further predicted, highly expressed tissue-specific genes are also rare on the X and broadly expressed genes on the X tend to be lowly expressed, both indicating that the trend is shaped by the maximal expression level not the breadth of expression per se. Importantly, a limit to the maximal expression level explains biased tissue of expression profiles of X-linked genes. Tissues whose tissue-specific genes are very highly expressed (e.g., secretory tissues, tissues abundant in structural proteins) are also tissues in which gene expression is relatively rare on the X chromosome. These trends cannot be fully accounted for in terms of alternative models of biased expression. In conclusion, the notion that it is hard for genes on the Therian X to be highly expressed, owing to transcriptional traffic jams, provides a simple yet robustly supported rationale of many peculiar features of X's gene content, gene expression, and evolution

Isolation and characterization of antibacterial substances produced by marine actinomycetes in the presence of seawater

Actinomycetes, which produced antibacterial substances against Gram-positive bacteria in the presence of seawater only, were isolated from marine environment and characterized. Of the 100 isolates from Otsuchi Bay in Iwate, 41 failed to produce any antibacterial substances in the absence of seawater. However, of the 41, two were found to produce antibacterial substances in the presence of seawater. Strain No. 18 exhibited higher activity than strain No. 28 and was, therefore, selected for further studies. Phylogenetic analysis and physiological characterization showed a high similarity between strain No. 18 and Micromonospora globosa. However, M. globosa JCM 3126 did not produce any antibiotics in the presence of seawater. Therefore, the effect of seawater on the growth of strain No. 18 and its production of antibacterial substances was investigated. Strain No. 18 grew in a medium prepared with artificial seawater at a concentration range of 0–140% (v/v). The optimal concentration of growth ranged from 10 to 30% (v/v). However, production of antibacterial substances was observed in the concentration range 60–110% (v/v) despite poor growth. Thus, the production of antibacterial substances is seawater-dependent. The purification and characterization of the substances is now in progress

認知行動療法トレーニングにおける基本構成要素の検討—英国のガイドラインに基づく検討—

The aim of the present study was to examine educational content necessary for cultivating capable cognitive behavioural practitioners. First, data were collected regarding the curricula of cognitive behavioural courses from 35 faculties accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). Second, the collected data were analyzed and categorized based on the British guidelines. Subsequently, 3 categories, comprising 62 items, were extracted, from which a list was compiled of educational content critical for cognitive behavioural therapy in Japan. The discussion suggests that, in the future, when educational content is being developed, it should be based on the results of the present study

認知行動療法の実践で必要とされるコンピテンスの概念構成の検討—英国のImproving Access to Psychological Therapies制度における実践家養成モデルに基づく検討—:Based on "Improving Access to Psychological Therapies" developed in England

The present study aimed to summarize the competencies required in order to be able to deliver effective cognitive and behavioral therapy, based on “Improving Access to Psychological Therapies”, which was developed in England. Clinical psychologists (n＝2), a professor (n＝1), associate professors (n＝3), and a graduate student (n＝1) reviewed and discussed a competency list. After that, the competencies were summarized in 45 general categories and 108 more specific categories. The discussion recommends that future studies develop checklists and confirm their reliability and validity

臨床心理士養成大学院におけるCBTトレーニングの基本構成要素と教育方法 - 日本 のトレーニング・ガイドラインの策定に向けた実態調査 -:原著

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of the basic components and training methods of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in Japan. The participants in this study were 74 university faculty specializing in CBT and affiliated with certified master's degree courses in clinical psychology graduate program training institutions in Japan. They were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the components and methods of CBT training, and to provide a free description of educational components. The results indicated that the basic constituent elements of CBT were generally insufficiently covered. In particular, while basic education on CBT theory and techniques is relatively thorough, practical education and training seems to be lacking. In addition, the amount of instruction on these components varies widely among faculty members, showing a tendency for education to depend on the discretion of each faculty member. Finally, since it is thought that a number of constituent elements have become newly necessary for CBT training in the Japanese context, it is necessary to develop CBT training guidelines specific to Japan

英国のCBTトレーニングにおける基本構成要素と教育方法—日本におけるCBTトレーニング・ガイドライン策定に向けた取り組み—:Implications for establishing CBT training guidelines in Japan

The purpose of the present study was to investigate basic components and methods of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) training in the UK. The course directors of the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Accredited Level 2 CBT Training Courses completed questionnaires that assessed the components and methods of the cognitive behavioral therapy training used in their programs. The results revealed that most of the accredited courses provide comprehensive training based on the BABCP guidelines. Especially, a strong emphasis is placed on practical training during clinical placements, with supervision focusing on building skills for establishing therapeutic relationships, addressing individual needs, and using supervision effectively. Finally, implications of the findings for establishing cognitive behavioral therapy training guidelines in Japan were discussed