Echocardiographic evaluation of velocity ratio, velocity time integral ratio, and pulmonary valve area in dogs with pulmonary valve stenosis.

BackgroundVelocity ratio, velocity time integral (VTI) ratio, and pulmonary valve area indexed to body surface area (iPVA) are methods of assessment of pulmonary valve stenosis (PS) severity that are less dependent on blood flow. Studies evaluating these methods are limited.ObjectivesTo determine the effects of butorphanol, atenolol, and balloon valvuloplasty (BV) on velocity ratio, VTI ratio, iPVA, mean PG, and max PG.AnimalsTwenty-seven dogs with PS (max PG >50 mm Hg).MethodsProspective study. All dogs underwent an echocardiogram at baseline, 5-minutes after administration of butorphanol (0.2-0.25 mg/kg IV), and 2-to-4 weeks after atenolol (1-1.5 mg/kg q12h). Twenty-one of these were evaluated 24-hours after BV.ResultsThere were no significant differences (P > .05) amongst any of the methods of assessment of PS severity after butorphanol. After atenolol, mean (SD) of mean (57.0 [21.0] mm Hg) and max PG (93.1 [33.8] mm Hg) were significantly decreased (P ≤ .047) compared with baseline (65.2 [26.2] mm Hg and 108 [44.4] mm Hg, respectively). After atenolol, there were no significant (P ≥ .12) differences in velocity ratio (0.29 [0.09]), VTI ratio (0.18 [0.05]), or iPVA (0.43 [0.16] cm2 /m2 ) compared with baseline (0.30 [0.09], 0.19 [0.09], 0.44 [0.17] cm2 /m2 , respectively).Conclusions and clinical importanceAtenolol might reduce mean and max PG but does not alter less flow-dependent methods of assessment of PS severity (velocity ratio, VTI ratio, and iPVA) in dogs with PS. Results support an integrative approach to assessment of PS severity that includes less flow-dependent methods, particularly in states of altered flow or right ventricular function

Visiting report of 4 Libraries in England

海外報告Visiting report

Conflicts Related to Implementing the Individualized Education Program for Students with Disabilities in the United States: Parent and Student Rights and School Responsibilities under the Special Education Law

アメリカ合衆国における特殊教育関連サービスの提供をめぐる係争事例を検討し、法制度の実践的応用に伴う課題について明らかにすることを目的とした。とりわけ、個別教育計画(IEP)の記載内容とサービス提供の関係が議論された2つの係争事例をとりあげた。その結果、事例における議論の主な背景要因として、①サービス提供を組織的確立するための学校システムの構築、②共通理解を深めるための関係者における連携の強化が課題となっていた。これらの課題を踏まえ、組織的な管理・支援体制を構成し、子どもに関わる全ての者が適切に情報・理解を共有するための継続的な機会確保の必要性が示唆された

Structural visualization of key steps in nucleosome reorganization by human FACT

Facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT) is a histone chaperone, which accomplishes both nucleosome assembly and disassembly. Our combined cryo-electron microscopy (EM) and native mass spectrometry (MS) studies revealed novel key steps of nucleosome reorganization conducted by a Mid domain and its adjacent acidic AID segment of human FACT. We determined three cryo-EM structures of respective octasomes complexed with the Mid-AID and AID regions, and a hexasome alone. We discovered extensive contacts between a FACT region and histones H2A, H2B, and H3, suggesting that FACT is competent to direct functional replacement of a nucleosomal DNA end by its phosphorylated AID segment (pAID). Mutational assays revealed that the aromatic and phosphorylated residues within pAID are essential for octasome binding. The EM structure of the hexasome, generated by the addition of Mid-pAID or pAID, indicated that the dissociation of H2A-H2B dimer causes significant alteration from the canonical path of the nucleosomal DNA

Identification of Physiologically Active Substances as Novel Ligands for MRGPRD

Mas-related G-protein coupled receptor member D (MRGPRD) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) which belongs to the Mas-related GPCRs expressed in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). In this study, we investigated two novel ligands in addition to beta-alanine: (1) beta-aminoisobutyric acid, a physiologically active substance, with which possible relation to tumors has been seen together with beta-alanine; (2) diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic estrogen hormone. In addition to the novel ligands, we found that transfection of MRGPRD leads fibroblast cells to form spheroids, which would be related to oncogenicity. To understand the MRGPRD novel character, oncogenicity, a large chemical library was screened in order to obtain MRGPRD antagonists to utilize in exploring the character. The antagonist in turn inhibited the spheroid proliferation that is dependent on MRGPRD signaling as well as MRGPRD signals activated by beta-alanine. The antagonist, a small-molecule compound we found in this study, is a potential anticancer agent