Applicability of environmental DNA metabarcoding for the hyporheic zone of a stream bed

Hyporheic zones play a crucial role in ecological processes primarily orchestrated by hyporheic organisms, known as hyporheos. Our understanding of riverine biodiversity, encompassing hyporheic zones, remains limited. Therefore, the development of a method for the facile and accurate detection of hyporheic communities is imperative. Thus, we evaluated the applicability of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding surveys in the hyporheic zone in a small stream in Japan. We conducted simultaneous direct sampling and eDNA surveys at two different locations (head and tail of a rapid and a bar) and during two different seasons (less and more disturbed periods). Subsequently, we compared the outcomes of these sampling methods, locations, and seasons. Through eDNA metabarcoding targeting the cytochrome-c oxidase subunit I (COI) regions, we successfully identified a diverse array of hyporheic and benthic taxa in all samples. Remarkably, the performance of eDNA metabarcoding was comparable to the identification of directly sampled benthos and hyporheos. We observed a 62%–78% concordance between direct sampling and eDNA metabarcoding. Notably, eDNA metabarcoding revealed a higher number of hyporheic taxa compared to direct sampling. Moreover, the relative detectability of hyporheos by eDNA metabarcoding differed between the seasons, unlike direct sampling. Our findings underscore the importance of conducting both eDNA surveys and direct sampling to comprehensively assess the composition of the stream community while accounting for seasonal variations. This study demonstrates the utility of eDNA metabarcoding as a non-destructive approach for investigating the hyporheic zone, enabling a more effective assessment of riverine biodiversity

SDGs をめぐるESG 投資を通じた グローバル・ガバナンスの可能性 ― ビッグデータを用いた株保有ネットワークの分析 ―

要　旨本稿はESG 投資を通したSDGs 達成のためのグローバル・ガバナンスの可能性を模索すべく、ビッグデータを用いてグローバルな株保有ネットワークと、上場投資信託（ETF）の分析を行なった。その際、これまでのESG 投資に関する分析の射程を拡大するため二つの新機軸を打ち出した。一つは、ESG 投資の基準として、これまでは非ESG 企業への直接的な投融資に着目していたところ、本稿は、複数リンク先への株保有の連結を分析する方法を提示することで、間接投資を分析射程に収めることが可能であることを示した。もう一つは、ESG投資の実践手法として、ICAN のネガティブキャンペーンに代表されるような非ESG 企業からの投資撤退ではなく、個人・機関投資家が保有する非ESG 企業の株式を合従して集合的に経営決定に対して影響力を発揮するスチュワードシップの可能性を可視化した

Effect of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine on thyroid autoimmunity: A twelve-month follow-up study

ObjectivesGraves’ disease (GD) has been highlighted as a possible adverse effect of the respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine. However, it is unknown if the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine disrupts thyroid autoimmunity. We aimed to present long-term follow-up of thyroid autoimmunity after the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine.MethodsSerum samples collected from seventy Japanese healthcare workers at baseline, 32 weeks after the second dose (pre-third dose), and 4 weeks after the third dose of the vaccine were analyzed. The time courses of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody, thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb), and thyroid function were evaluated. Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) were additionally evaluated in thirty-three participants.ResultsThe median age was 50 (IQR, 38-54) years and 69% were female. The median anti-spike IgG antibody titer was 17627 (IQR, 10898-24175) U/mL 4 weeks after the third dose. The mean TRAb was significantly increased from 0.81 (SD, 0.05) IU/L at baseline to 0.97 (SD, 0.30) IU/L 4 weeks after the third dose without functional changes. An increase in TRAb was positively associated with female sex (β = 0.32, P = 0.008) and low basal FT4 (β = -0.29, P = 0.02) and FT3 (β = -0.33, P = 0.004). TgAb was increased by the third dose. Increase in TgAb was associated with history of the thyroid diseases (β = 0.55, P <0.001).ConclusionsSARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine can disrupt thyroid autoimmunity. Clinicians should consider the possibility that the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine may disrupt thyroid autoimmunity

Uncovering dehydration in cytochrome c refolding from urea- and guanidine hydrochloride-denatured unfolded state by high pressure spectroscopy

To investigate the dehydration associated with protein folding, the partial molar volume changes for protein kunfolding (Delta V-u) in cytochrome c (Cyt c) were determined using high pressure absorption spectroscopy. Delta V-u values for the unfolding to urea- and guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl)-denatured Cyt c were estimated to be 56 +/- 5 and 29 +/- 1 mL mol(-1), respectively. Considering that the volume change for hydration of hydrophobic groups is positive and that Cyt c has a covalently bonded heme, a positive Delta V-u reflects the primary contribution of the hydration of heme. Because of the marked tendency of guanidium ions to interact with hydrophobic groups, a smaller number of water molecules were hydrated with hydrophobic groups in GdnHCl-denatured Cyt c than in urea-denatured Cyt c, resulting in the smaller positive Delta V-u. On the other hand, urea is a relatively weak denaturant and urea-denatured Cyt c is not completely hydrated, which retains the partially folded structures. To unfold such partial structures, we introduced a mutation near the heme binding site, His26, to Gln, resulting in a negatively shifted Delta V-u (4 +/- 2 mL mol(-1)) in urea- denatured Cyt c. The formation of the more solvated and less structured state in the urea-denatured mutant enhanced hydration to the hydrophilic groups in the unfolding process. Therefore, we confirmed the hydration of amino acid residues in the protein unfolding of Cyt c by estimating Delta V-u, which allows us to discuss the hydrated structures in the denatured states of proteins

The flow of corporate control in the global ownership network

We propose a model and algorithm to measure the amount of influence a shareholder has over the flow of corporate control held by the ultimate owners. Existing models of corporate ownership and control either focus on the ultimate owners’ influence or inadequately evaluate the influence possessed by intermediate shareholders in a ownership network. As it extends Network Power Index (NPI) that describes the the power of corporate control possessed by the ultimate owners, our new model, Network Power Flow (NPF), delineates the distribution of ownership influence among shareholders across the network and identifies the channels through which the ultimate owners’ corporate control travel through the global shareholding network. Our analysis of NPI and NPF values for 7 million ultimate owners and 16 million shareholders reveals a new landscape of ownership and control in the global shareholding network that remained opaque before

A case of volar lunate subluxation after volar locking plate fixation for volarly displaced distal radius fracture

We report a rare case of volar lunate subluxation that occurred after volar locking plate fixation for a volarly displaced distal radius fracture. The patient was a 63-year-old male who was injured when his motorcycle collided with a car. He had a right volarly displaced distal radius fracture (AO/OTA classification 2R3B3), an ipsilateral femoral neck, segmental shaft, and distal femur fracture that extended to the knee joint, as well as a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage as complicating injuries. The distal radius fracture was internally fixed with a volar locking plate (VALCP Plate). At re-examination five months postoperatively, plain radiographs and computed tomography images showed that the distal radius fragments were fused while being volarly displaced and the lunate was volarly subluxated. Although the patient only reported mild pain, radiocarpal arthrodesis, and ulnar head resection were performed nine months after the original procedure due to concerns about future rupture of the finger flexor tendon. As of 12 months after the additional operation, the patient was engaged in design work, as he was before the injury, and had ‘good’ wrist function, achieving 70 points in the evaluation criteria by the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand. The causes of postoperative volar subluxation of the lunate were thought to be insufficient fixation force on volar lunate fossa fragments, femoral fractures as complicating injuries, and axial pressure applied to the radial joint surface when the patient used his hands to walk with a walker or stand up.Acta medica Nagasakiensia, 67(2), pp.85-90; 202