FISH DIVERSITY DETECTION AT THE INNER PART OF OSAKA BAY USING ENVIRONMENTAL DNA ANALYSIS

大阪湾奥に位置する尼崎運河において，環境DNA調査と捕獲調査を比較して運河内スケールにおける環境DNAの有効性と問題点を検討し，各調査地点の魚類相の比較および環境条件との関連を明らかにした．東堀では1月の表層のORPやDOが回復し，同時期の環境DNAにより検出された種数が最も多かった．このことから，この場所が水質の回復によって魚類の利用場所となるポテンシャルを持っている可能性が示唆された．環境DNA調査はより環境の異なる港湾との比較や季節変化については差の検出が可能であった．環境DNA調査は検出は不安定で，検出できない種もあるが，採捕調査よりも多くの魚種を検出する傾向にあり，直接採捕の調査と合わせると互いの調査方法の結果を補い，魚類相全体の把握に有効な手法であると考えられる．Fish diversity at at Amagasaki canal in the Inner Part of Osaka Bay were investigated by environmental DNA analysis (eDNA) to clarify whether this method is valuable in eutrophic conditions. A ORP and DO was restored in January in Higashi-bori sampling point and the detected fish species was larger number than the other time. The result suggests that Higashi-bori has a potential for fish habitat with a water quality recovery. The number of detected species and fish fauna suggests that eDNA is efficient in comparison among sampling points which has sharp contrast of environmental factors and monitoring seasonal difference. The eDNA is unable to detected a certain species, but allow to detect larger number of species than the conventional sampling methods. eDNA is most effective when used in conjunction with conventional sampling method for investigation of fish diversity

Percentile-Based Reference Values of Umbilical Cord Blood Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 in Japanese Newborns

We aimed to create percentile-based reference values of the umbilical cord blood insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in Japanese newborns, as these values have not yet been established. A total of 259 newborns were classified into four gestational-age-at-birth (GA) groups: extremely preterm (p < 0.001). The umbilical cord blood IGF-1 levels in the SGA newborns were significantly lower than those in the non-SGA newborns in all subgroups. In multivariate analyses, the GA and birth weight standard deviation scores were independent determinant factors for the umbilical cord blood IGF-1 levels. Thus, we established percentile-based reference values of umbilical cord blood IGF-1 in Japanese newborns; these reference values can be applied on the basis of the extent of prematurity and the SGA status

Effect of Japanese Cedar Pollen Sublingual Immunotherapy on Asthma Patients with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis Caused by Japanese Cedar Pollen

Allergen immunotherapy is a promising treatment for allergic diseases that induce immune tolerance through the administration of specific allergens. In this study, we investigate the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in asthmatic patients with SAR-JCP and the dynamics of the parameters before and after treatment in a real-world setting. This was a prospective single-center observational study. Patients with asthma and SAR-JCP (n = 24) were recruited for this study and assessed using symptom questionnaires before SLIT and a year after the SLIT. In addition, a respiratory function test, forced oscillation technique, and blood sampling test were performed during the off-season before and after SLIT. The one-year SLIT for asthma patients with SAR-JCP significantly improved not only allergic rhinitis symptoms, but also asthma symptoms during the JCP dispersal season, and significantly improved airway resistance during the off-season. The change in the asthma control test and the visual analog scale score during the season before and after SLIT was negatively and positively correlated with the change in peripheral blood &gamma;&delta; T cells off-season before and after SLIT, respectively. It was suggested that improvement in asthma symptoms during the JCP dispersal season after SLIT was associated with reduced peripheral blood &gamma;&delta; T cells