Reforestation following harvesting of conifer plantations in Japan: Current issues from silvicultural and ecological perspectives

Following the Second World War, the number of Cupressaceae plantations in Japan increased, in accordance with government policy for the restoration of timber resources and conservation of soil and water. Currently, these even-aged plantations occupy approximately 44% of the forested area and 24% of the national land area of Japan. Although many of these plantations have become available as timber resources, there are several silviculture-related problems associated with reforestation following clear-cutting of these plantations. The abundant annual precipitation in Japan allows for dominance by competitive vegetation, which makes natural regeneration difficult and increases the cost of silvicultural operations during and after the planting of seedlings. Because the number of seedling producers has decreased, there has been little incentive to keep seedling production techniques up to date. Additionally, damage to planted seedlings by the overabundant sika deer (Cervus nippon) population has increased dramatically in the last dozen years or so. To determine how to overcome these difficulties, various studies are underway in Japan. For example, seedling studies have examined the relationship between seedling size and competitive ability with other species in reforested areas, and have led to the development of lower-cost systems to produce customized Cupressaceae seedlings, as well as measures to minimize transplanting damage to seedlings. Previous studies have shown that no-weeding operations might lower the risk of sika deer browsing seedlings, although this silvicultural countermeasure may potentially reduce seedling growth. Studies have also examined the types of physical protection against sika deer browsing that are most efficient. We must combine these findings into a unified silvicultural system for successful restoration via lower-cost plantations

Evaluation of fat-free mass by whole-body counter in Japanese healthy young adults

Whole-body counters (WBCs) are special instruments for measuring internal irradiation doses and are usually housed within or around nuclear facilities in the event of unexpected radiation emergencies. As a substantial proportion of total body potassium (TBK) is found in fat-free mass (FFM), FFM volume can be predicted from WBC-measured 40K. We screened TBK in Japanese healthy young adults using a WBC and found strong linear correlations between TBK and lean body mass (LBM) and body mass index (r = 0.97, P < 0.01 and r = 0.47, P < 0.01, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis, following adjustments for sex, indicates that only LBM has a significant correlation with TBK (P < 0.01). These results strongly support the feasibility of using WBCs for estimating FF

Sialyl LewisX mimic-decorated liposomes for anti-angiogenic everolimus delivery to E-selectin expressing endothelial cells

In this study, we developed novel E-selectin-targeting liposomes, i.e., 3′-(1-carboxy)ethyl sialyl LewisX (3′-CE sLeX) mimic liposomes, for targeted delivery of everolimus (EVE) in anti-angiogenic therapy. We investigated the uptake and efficacy of these E-selectin targeting liposomes in inflammatory cytokine-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The uptake of EVE in 3′-CE sLeX mimic liposomes increased steadily and almost caught up with the uptake of plain EVE at 3 h, which was higher than that in PEGylated liposomes (PEG-liposomes). Inhibition of uptake by anti-E-selectin antibody suggested involvement of E-selectin-mediated endocytotic processes. Migration in cells treated with EVE/3′-CE sLeX mimic liposomes was suppressed by more than half when compared to the control. This treatment was also seen to significantly inhibit the formation of capillary tubes and networks. In addition, Thr389 phosphorylation of pS6 kinase, as a marker of mTOR activity, was remarkably suppressed to less than endogenous levels by EVE/3′-CE sLeX mimic liposomes. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that EVE/3′-CE sLeX mimic liposomes were intracellularly taken up by E-selectin and prompted anti-angiogenic effects of EVE involved in the mTOR signaling pathway. However, moderate retention of EVE in the liposomes might limit the targeting ability of 3′-CE sLeX mimic liposomes

社会人ラグビーフットボール選手におけるポジション別栄養アセスメント

A rugby football team consists of 15 players: 8 forwards and 7 backs. Rugby football players must improve their performance according to role of their position. The purpose of this study was to assess nutritional status based on body composition and clinical parameters to compare the forward and back positions in rugby football players. Forty-one male amateur rugby football players （23 forwards and 18 backs, age 24±4 years） playing in the Top West A1 league participated in this study. Body composition and circumference were measured in the preseason. The following were significantly higher in forwards than in backs: height; body weight; body fat percentage; lean body mass; visceral fat area（VFA）; and neck, chest, flexed arm, forearm, hip, thigh, and calf circumference. Six forwards and one back had a VFA of over 100 cm^2. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly higher in forwards than in backs. In some forwards, clinical parameters such as triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or ALT were outside the normal range. The result of nutritional assessment based on body composition and these clinical parameters suggests that physical characteristics such as body weight, lean body mass, body fat percentage, and circumference are higher in rugby football forwards compared with backs. However, some players have higher abdominal visceral fat accumulation, indicating higher risk of lifestyle-related diseases, regardless of positions

陸上長距離選手における暑熱環境での唾液中免疫グロブリンAの分泌低下とその要因の検討

Depressed immune function during intensive training is associated with higher incidence of illness in athletes. Previous reports have suggested that resting salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels are correlated with the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate changes in sIgA of male long-distance runners during the summer. Fifteen male long-distance runners aged 19±0 years were examined during the summer (June to July) and fall (October to November). Wet-bulb globe temperature was measured during training. Heart rate and rate of perceived exertion were recorded to monitor exercise intensity. Saliva samples were collected before and after training, and saliva flow rate and sIgA concentration were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and expressed as secretion rate. Mood states, including total mood disturbance (TMD), were assessed using the Profile of Mood States. Energy and nutrient intake was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. After long-distance running during the summer, sIgA secretion rate was decreased and TMD was increased. Resting sIgA secretion rate was significantly lower during the summer than during the fall. There were no significant differences in energy or nutrient intake between summer and fall except for iron intake. These findings suggest that intensive exercise during the summer increases psychological stress and decreases sIgA secretion rate in long-distance runners

重度大動脈弁狭窄症患者の大動脈弁置換術後における血小板機能および高分子量 von Willebrand 因子多量体の急速な回復

AIM: Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) may have bleeding episodes due to the loss of high-molecular-weight (HMW) von Willebrand factor multimers (VWFMs). The absence of HMW-VWFMs and bleeding tendency are usually corrected after aortic valve replacement (AVR). To investigate the process of VWFM recovery and symptoms in patients with severe AS, we analyzed changes in VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), ADAMTS13 activity (ADAMTS13:AC), and platelet thrombus formation under high shear stress conditions. METHODS: Nine patients with severe AS undergoing AVR were analyzed. RESULTS: Evident deficiency of HMW-VWFMs was observed in six patients before surgery, which was rapidly restored within 8 days after AVR. Median levels of VWF:Ag before surgery, on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 8, 15, and 22, and one year after AVR were 78.1%, 130%, 224%, 155%, 134%, and 142%, respectively. In contrast, ADAMTS13:AC was 50.5%, 35.5%, 25.5%, 25.1%, 30.3%, and 84.6%, respectively. Preoperative thrombus formation but not surface coverage was significantly lower than that on POD 22, which was considered as normal level in each patient. Compared with preoperative levels, thrombus volume was significantly lower on POD 1, but rapidly increased by POD 8. CONCLUSION: Bleeding tendency and loss of HMW-VWFMs observed in patients with severe AS before surgery was rapidly corrected after AVR. Instead, patients were in a VWF-predominant state between POD 8 and 22.博士（医学）・乙第1395号・平成29年3月15日Copyright © 2016 Japan Atherosclerosis Society本論文の著作権は日本動脈硬化学会が保持しています。This article is distributed under the terms of the latest version of CC BY-NC-SA defined by the Creative Commons Attribution License

Does the bromocriptine-rebound method improve embryo quality?

Aim: To examine whether the bromocriptine-rebound (BR) method improves pregnancy outcomes after previous unsuccessful assisted reproductive technology (ART) attempts. Patients/study design : In this study we retrospectively analyzed data from a total of 121 women with normal serum prolactin (PRL) levels and a history of repeated unsuccessful ART procedures. Pregnancy outcomes and hormonal data were compared between the long protocol and BR method. Both procedures were similar, except that in the BR method, bromocriptine was administered daily from day 5 of the preceding cycle until 7 days before ovarian stimulation. Results : The number of fertilized oocytes, cleaved embryos and transplant embryos were significantly higher with the BR method than with the long protocol even though the numbers of retrieved oocyte were same in both groups. The ratio of the good embryos, the clinical pregnancy rate was higher with the BR method than with the long protocol. The embryo score with the BR method were significantly higher than that with the long protocol. Conclusion : BR method could provide the better embryos and improve the transplantation rate in women with previous unsuccessful ART attempts J. Med. Invest. 58 : 63-66, February, 201