The structure of coasting trade in British India from 1905 to 1931

During the early 20th century, South Asia experienced its most regionally integrated period in history, and under British rule, port cities were well connected via coasting trade. This paper examines the trade structure within British India between 1905 to 1931 and shows how South Asia was regionally integrated both through quantitative measures and various maps

Development of Bilayered Bone Marrow-derived Cell-Gelatin Grafts for Augmentation Cystoplasty and Reconstruction of Bladder Tissues in Rats

Background : This study attempted to produce a novel graft composed of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cell (BMC) layer-gelatin sheets for bladder augmentation cystoplasty. Then, we determined if the grafts could reconstruct bladder tissues. Methods : BMCs harvested from the femurs of green fluorescence protein (GFP)-transfected Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were adherent and proliferating cells on collagen dishes. The cells were then cultured on temperatureresponsive culture dishes. Following this, the BMCs maintaining cell-cell contacts within the monolayer itself were applied to a gelatin sheet. Two BMC layer-gelatin sheets were overlaid together with the cell sides juxtaposed with one another (bilayered BMC-gelatin graft). Bladder top of SD rats were incised and transplanted with the bilayered BMC-gelatin grafts. Similarly, urinary bladders irradiated with 2 Gy once a week for 5 weeks were also conducted. As control, bilayered acellular-gelatin grafts were used. At 4 weeks after transplantation, the bladders were histologically investigated. Results : At 4 weeks after transplantation into either normal or radiation-injured urinary bladders, incised regions closed. The closed regions of bladder top had reconstructed tissues that were formed with urothelium, and smooth muscle layers. Within the reconstructed tissues, the thickness of the smooth muscle layers in the bilayered BMC-gelatin graft-transplanted bladders were larger compared to controls. The GFP-positive transplanted BMCs were detected. Some of the cells were simultaneously positive for smooth muscle or nerve cell markers. Conclusion : This study showed that the bilayered BMC-gelatin grafts that were experimentally produced could reconstruct bladder tissues. The grafts would be developed as grafts for bladder augmentation cystoplasty.Article信州医学雑誌 71(3) : 167-177, (2023)journal articl

Study of Views on Posthumous Reproduction, Focusing on Its Relation with Views on Family and Religion in Modern Japan

Posthumous reproduction has been performed in Japan several times, without sufficient civic discussion on its appropriateness or legislative regulation. There have even been several lawsuits on posthumous acknowledgment (in which a baby born to a deceased father has the same birthright as a baby born to a living father), and some judgments have proposed the need to develop societal agreement on posthumous reproduction and suggested legislative settlement. With this background, this study aims to clarify the views of the Japanese people regarding posthumous reproduction. In December 2007, we distributed a questionnaire on posthumous reproduction in relation to beliefs about family and religion to 32 universities across the country, and received 3,719 replies. It was found that about 60&#65397; of respondents agreed with posthumous reproduction. Statistical analysis was applied to the relationship between this overall position on posthumous reproduction and views on assisted reproduction technologies, family, religion, and so on. The degree of support for posthumous reproduction was strongly correlated with the degree of affirmation of assisted reproduction technologies and a liberal worldview with emphasis on self-determination. On the other hand, there was also a strong correlation with having a traditional view of family, such as family succession. The degree of support for posthumous reproduction was also highly correlated with the intimacy among family members, underlying which was a strong connection to the traditional religious belief in Japan that deceased family members watch the living ones. The view on posthumous reproduction is culturally complex and cannot be explained by a simple dichotomy between traditional conservatives and liberals.</p

PEDE (Pig EST Data Explorer) has been expanded into Pig Expression Data Explorer, including 10 147 porcine full-length cDNA sequences

We formerly released the porcine expressed sequence tag (EST) database Pig EST Data Explorer (PEDE; ), which comprised 68 076 high-quality ESTs obtained by using full-length-enriched cDNA libraries derived from seven tissues. We have added eight tissues and cell types to the EST analysis and have integrated 94 555 additional high-quality ESTs into the database. We also fully sequenced the inserts of 10 147 of the cDNA clones that had undergone EST analysis; the sequences and annotation of the cDNA clones were stored in the database. Further, we constructed an interface that can be used to perform various searches in the database. The PEDE database is the primary resource of expressed pig genes that are supported by full-length cDNA sequences. This resource not only enables us to pick cDNA clones of interest for a particular analysis, but it also confirms and thus contributes to the sequencing integrity of the pig genome, which is now being compiled by an international consortium (). PEDE has therefore evolved into what we now call ‘Pig Expression Data Explorer’

Cloning of a Putative Vesicle Transport-related Protein, RA410, from Cultured Rat Astrocytes and Its Expression in Ischemic Rat Brain

To elucidate the role of astrocytes in the stress response of the central nervous system to ischemia, early gene expression was evaluated in cultured rat astrocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation. Using differential display, a novel putative vesicle transport-related factor (RA410) was cloned from reoxygenated astrocytes. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence showed RA410 to be composed of domains common to vesicle transport-related proteins of the Sec1/Unc18 family, including Sly1p and Sec1p (yeast), Rop (Drosophila), Unc18 (Caenorhabditis elegans), and Munc18 (mammalian), suggesting its possible role in vesicular transport. Northern analysis of normal rat tissues showed the highest expression of RA410 transcripts in testis. When astrocyte cultures were subjected to a period of hypoxia followed by reoxygenation, induction of RA410 mRNA was observed within 15 min of reoxygenation, reaching a maximum by 60 min. At the start of reoxygenation, the addition of diphenyl iodonium, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, blocked in parallel astrocyte generation of reactive oxygen intermediates and expression of RA410 message. In contrast, cycloheximide did not affect RA410 mRNA levels, indicating that RA410 is an immediate-early gene in the setting of reoxygenation. Using polyclonal antibody raised against an RA410-derived synthetic peptide, Western blotting of lysates from reoxygenated astrocytes displayed an immunoreactive band of ≈70 kDa, the expression of which followed induction of the mRNA. Fractionation of astrocyte lysates on sucrose gradients showed RA410 antigen to be predominantly in the plasma membrane. Immunoelectron microscopic analysis demonstrated RA410 in large vesicles associated with the Golgi, but not in the Golgi apparatus itself, consistent with its participation in post-Golgi transport. Consistent with thesein vitro data, RA410 expression was observed in rat brain astrocytes following transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. These data provide insight into a new protein (RA410) that participates in the ischemia-related stress response in astrocytes

Identification of Antigenic Site Within hsc 70 by Serum Autoantibody in Patients with Cancer-associated Retinopathy

In our previous studies, both recoverin and heat shock cognate protein 70 (hsc 70) were found as autoantigens recognized by sera from four patients with cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) . In the present study on the mole-cular mechanism of antibody generation in CAR, we identified the antigenic site within hsc 70 by the patients\u27 sera using deletion mutants of hsc 73. We expressed a series of deletion mutants of hsc 73 proteins and subjected then to western blot analysis. In western blot analysis, CAR patient\u27s serum reacted with wild type hsp 70, but not with the C-terminal truncated mutants. This data demonstrated that the antigenic site was located within the C-terminus region of hsc 73 as identified by CAR patient\u27s serum

Ultra-high-molecular-weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Wing Method for Strong Cranioplasty

We developed a new cranioplasty method that utilizes artificial bone made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, with a wedge-shaped edge (UHMWPE Wing). This study shows the methods and data of case series and finite element analyses with the UHMWPE Wing. A circumferential wing was preoperatively designed for a custom-made artificial bone made of UHMWPE to achieve high fixed power and to minimize the usage of cranial implants. Here, we present 4 years of follow-up data and finite element analyses for patients treated with the UHMWPE Wing between February 2015 and February 2019. Eighteen consecutive patients underwent cranioplasty using our UHMWPE Wing design. There were no postoperative adverse events in 17 of the patients for at least 18 months. One case of hydrocephalus experienced screw loosening and graft uplift due to shunt malfunction. Placement of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt immediately returned the artificial bone to normal position. Finite element analyses revealed that a model using the UHMWPE Wing had the highest withstand load and lowest deformation. This is the first report on the UHMWPE Wing method. This method may enable clinicians to minimize dead space and achieve high strength in cranioplasty

Alternative mRNA Splicing in Three Venom Families Underlying a Possible Production of Divergent Venom Proteins of the Habu Snake, Protobothrops flavoviridis

Snake venoms are complex mixtures of toxic proteins encoded by various gene families that function synergistically to incapacitate prey. A huge repertoire of snake venom genes and proteins have been reported, and alternative splicing is suggested to be involved in the production of divergent gene transcripts. However, a genome-wide survey of the transcript repertoire and the extent of alternative splicing still remains to be determined. In this study, the comprehensive analysis of transcriptomes in the venom gland was achieved by using PacBio sequencing. Extensive alternative splicing was observed in three venom protein gene families, metalloproteinase (MP), serine protease (SP), and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). Eleven MP and SP genes and a VEGF gene are expressed as a total of 81, 61, and 8 transcript variants, respectively. In the MP gene family, individual genes are transcribed into different classes of MPs by alternative splicing. We also observed trans-splicing among the clustered SP genes. No other venom genes as well as non-venom counterpart genes exhibited alternative splicing. Our results thus indicate a potential contribution of mRNA alternative and trans-splicing in the production of highly variable transcripts of venom genes in the habu snake

Involvement of NGF in the Rat Model of Persistent Muscle Pain Associated With Taut Band

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is an important clinical condition characterized by chronic muscle pain and a myofascial trigger point (MTrP) located in a taut band (TB). However, its pathogenic mechanism is still unclear. We developed an animal model relevant to conditions of MPS, and analyzed the mechanism of the muscle pain in this model. We applied eccentric contraction (EC) to a rat\u27s gastrocnemius muscle (GM) for 2 weeks, and examined the mechanical withdrawal thresholds, histological changes, and expressions and contents of nerve growth factor (NGF). The mechanical withdrawal threshold decreased significantly at the next day of first EC and continued up to 9 days after EC. TBs were palpable at 3 to 8 days after initiation of EC. In EC animals, necrotic and regenerating muscle cells were found significantly more than in control animals. In EC animals, NGF expressions in regenerating muscle cells and NGF contents of GM were significantly higher than control animals. Administration of NGF receptor (TrkA) inhibitor K252a showed significant suppression of mechanical hyperalgesia in EC animals. Repeated EC induced persistent mechanical muscle hyperalgesia associated with TB. NGF expressed in regenerating muscle cells may have an important role in persistent mechanical muscle hyperalgesia which might be relevant to pathogenesis of MPS. Perspective: The present study shows that NGF expressed in regenerating muscle cells is involved in persistent muscular mechanical hyperalgesia. NGF-TrkA signaling in primary muscle afferent neurons may be one of the most important and promising targets for MPS. © 2011 American Pain Society