Phenotyping of P105-Negative B Cell Subsets in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

This study aimed to investigate phenotype of RP105(−) B cell subsets in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Flow cytometry was used for phenotyping RP105-negaive B cell subsets. Based on CD19, RP105, and CD138 expression, RP105(−) B cells consist of at least 5 subsets of late B cells, including CD19(+)RP105(int), CD19(+) RP105(−), CD19(low) RP105(−) CD138(−), CD19(low) RP105(−)CD138(int), and CD19(low) RP105(−) CD138(++) B cells. Especially, CD19(+)RP105(int) and CD19(low) RP105(−)CD138(int) B cells are significantly larger than other RP105(−) B cell subsets in SLE. By comparison of RP105(−) B cell subsets between patients with SLE and normal subjects, these subsets were detectable even in normal subjects, but the percentages of RP105(−) B cell subsets were significantly larger in SLE. The phenotypic analysis of RP105(−) B cell subsets suggests dysregulation of later B cell subsets in SLE and may provide new insights into understanding regulation of B cells in human SLE

Consideration of impact factors on data acquisition for ocean radar with VHF band

An ocean radar with a VHF band is a useful tool for surveying coastal currents in a wide area. We have conducted a field observation of currents in Ariake Bay, the large inner sea located in the western part of Japan. Although the number of valid data acquired (hereafter, data acquisition) varies temporally and spatially, the mechanism of such variation is not yet well understood. Our aim in this study is to investigate the impact factor affecting data acquisition through field observations of current, salinity and wind in Ariake Bay. As a result, the data acquisition and the maximum measurement distance of the radar decreased owing to the decreases in salinity and wind speed. After receiving much rainfall, the data acquisition decreased rapidly in accordance with the decrease in surface salinity influenced by run-off from adjacent rivers and a flood control dike. Also, when wind speed became less than 2 m/s, the intensity of the signals received was not sufficient for the detection of current velocity. In conclusion, salinity and wind speed are important factors for steady-current observation using ocean radars.2008 International Conference on Radar (Radar 2008) : Adelaide, 2008.09.2-2008.09.

Endoscopic therapy using an endoscopic variceal ligation for minute cancer of the esophagogastric junction complicated with esophageal varices: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Standard endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection is a procedure for patients with minute cancers, complicated with esophageal varices that puts them at high risk of bleeding.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the case of a 77-year-old Japanese man with alcoholic cirrhosis who underwent a routine endoscopy examination as a screening procedure for esophageal varices and was incidentally diagnosed as having minute cancer of the esophagogastric junction with esophageal varices. Endoscopic ultrasonography findings suggested that the minute cancer was a non-invasive carcinoma (carcinoma <it>in situ</it>) and a 2 mm in diameter blood vessel, feeding the esophageal varices, pierced the lesion. Following the examination, we carried out endoscopic treatment of the minute cancer and esophageal varices. Endoscopic variceal ligation was performed using a pneumo-activated device (Sumitomo Bakelite, Tokyo, Japan). Two years after the treatment, during the follow-up endoscopic examination on the patient, recurrence of carcinoma was not detected endoscopically or histologically.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Endoscopic therapy using an endoscopic variceal ligation device for minute cancer of the esophagogastric junction, complicated with esophageal varices, may be an acceptable and easily applicable method.</p

Investigating Japanese EFL University Students’ Needs, Motivations and Perceptions of the New EAP Program

The School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences (SGHSS) at Nagasaki University introduced a new curriculum for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses in 2022. “The KEY Program: Academic English for Unlocking Futures” breaks with tradition; unlike the General English Courses at Nagasaki University, the courses in the KEY program explore innovative ways to build communicative competence, especially academic English competence in the target language. In addition to English classes that meet once a week, some of the core classes of the newly introduced KEY program meet twice a week for 90 minutes. The program is designed to empower SGHSS students so that they progress in their English to meet the language requirement to register for upper-level course subjects taught in English (TOEFL ITP 500 or equivalent). This paper, based on students’ progress and program experience, reports on the implemented KEY program, students’ needs, motivations, and perceptions of their first year in the Program. Pre-(n=101) and post-program surveys (n=84) have been conducted to understand students’ learning experiences, as well as to design, analyze, and assess the overall curriculum. The primary findings provide fresh insight into the current state of EAP courses in higher education. The results of the first-year program help identify areas for improvement so that SGHSS students’ learning experience in the KEY program is enriched as we take a several steps toward our goal of “unlocking futures.

DOCK2 is involved in the host genetics and biology of severe COVID-19

「コロナ制圧タスクフォース」COVID-19疾患感受性遺伝子DOCK2の重症化機序を解明 --アジア最大のバイオレポジトリーでCOVID-19の治療標的を発見--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-08-10.Identifying the host genetic factors underlying severe COVID-19 is an emerging challenge. Here we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 2, 393 cases of COVID-19 in a cohort of Japanese individuals collected during the initial waves of the pandemic, with 3, 289 unaffected controls. We identified a variant on chromosome 5 at 5q35 (rs60200309-A), close to the dedicator of cytokinesis 2 gene (DOCK2), which was associated with severe COVID-19 in patients less than 65 years of age. This risk allele was prevalent in East Asian individuals but rare in Europeans, highlighting the value of genome-wide association studies in non-European populations. RNA-sequencing analysis of 473 bulk peripheral blood samples identified decreased expression of DOCK2 associated with the risk allele in these younger patients. DOCK2 expression was suppressed in patients with severe cases of COVID-19. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis (n = 61 individuals) identified cell-type-specific downregulation of DOCK2 and a COVID-19-specific decreasing effect of the risk allele on DOCK2 expression in non-classical monocytes. Immunohistochemistry of lung specimens from patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia showed suppressed DOCK2 expression. Moreover, inhibition of DOCK2 function with CPYPP increased the severity of pneumonia in a Syrian hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by weight loss, lung oedema, enhanced viral loads, impaired macrophage recruitment and dysregulated type I interferon responses. We conclude that DOCK2 has an important role in the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of severe COVID-19, and could be further explored as a potential biomarker and/or therapeutic target

Study on the Characteristics of Surface Layer’s Currents around the Mouth of Isahaya Bay

This study deals with the field observations on surface layer’s currents by means of Digital Beam Forming marine radar (Its abbreviation is DBF ocean radar.), Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (Its abbreviation is ADCP.) and floating buoys in order to realize the flow characteristic in the center of Ariake Sound. As a result, it is obvious that tidal current along the north coastline of the Shimabara Peninsula is dominant during flood tide and that there is outflow into Ariake Sound from Isahaya Bay near Takezaki Island in the best part of one tidal cycle at spring tide. Furthermore, it is found out that the maximum current velocity of flood tide measured using DBF ocean radar branches off to both Isahaya Bay and the head of Ariake Sound significantly. It is also obvious that the flow velocity vector observed by DBF ocean radar accords with the one obtained by ADCP. That is to say, DBF ocean radar is one of the powerful remote sensing tools to measure surface layer’s currents from the land widely and continuously without being affected by weather conditions.Nagasaki University Major Research Project: Restoration of Marine Environment and Resources in East Asi