Multi-object and long-slit spectroscopy of very low mass brown dwarfs in the Orion Nebular Cluster

We present the results of an H-and K-band multi-object and long-slit spectroscopic survey of substellar mass candidates in the outer regions of the Orion Nebula Cluster. The spectra were obtained using MOIRCS on the 8.2m Subaru telescope and ISLE on the 1.88m telescope of Okayama Astrophysical Observatory. Eight out of twelve spectra show strong water absorption and we confirm that their effective temperatures are ≤3000K (spectral type ≥M6) from a chi-square fit to synthetic spectra. We plot our sources on an HR diagram overlaid with theoretical isochrones of low-mass objects and identify three new young brown dwarf candidates. One of the three new candidates is a cool object near the brown dwarf and planetary mass boundary. Based on our observations and those of previous studies, we determine the stellar (0.08Peer reviewe

Continuous ERK Activation Downregulates Antiproliferative Genes throughout G1 Phase to Allow Cell-Cycle Progression

SummaryBackgroundThe ERK family of MAP kinase plays a critical role in growth factor-stimulated cell-cycle progression from G0/G1 to S phase. It has been suggested that sustained activation, but not transient activation, of ERK is necessary for inducing S phase entry. Although the essential role of ERK MAP kinase in growth factor-stimulated gene expression, especially expression of immediate-early genes, is well established, it has remained unclear how ERK activity duration affects the promotion of G1 phase progression to S phase.ResultsWe have found that inhibition of ERK activation by the MEK inhibitor or dominant-negative MEK1 even immediately before the onset of S phase leads to the cessation of S phase entry. Our analyses reveal that there are ERK-dependent downregulated genes, whose expression levels return to their original levels rapidly after ERK inactivation, and that their downregulation mostly requires AP-1 activity. Remarkably, microinjection experiments demonstrate that many of the downregulated genes act as antiproliferative genes during G1 phase and that their forced expression to the levels before growth factor stimulation even in late G1 phase blocks S phase entry.ConclusionsThus, continuous ERK activation downregulates antiproliferative genes until the onset of S phase to allow successful G1 phase progression. This mechanism may also work as a fail-safe mechanism, which prevents inappropriate stimuli that induce transient ERK activation from causing S phase entry

H.265/HVC における高性能符号化アルゴリズムに関する研究

This work proposes a novel INTRA coding algorithm which can achieve high coding efficiency using temporal-spatial prediction for H.264/AVC. The proposed prediction algorithm can compensate the weak point of individual usage of spatial or temporal prediction. Firstly, a new prediction block is selected in the temporal previous frame. Next, the selected block in the previous frame is used as the reference data to perform spatial prediction with the same reference direction as traditional INTRA modes. The coding process can also be reconstructed in decoder side without additional bit transfer. The simulation results show that the proposed new INTRA modes can achieve about 1dB improvement than the original H.264/AVC

Novel CHD7 mutation in CHARGE syndrome

CHARGE syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant developmental disorder involving multiple organs. CHD7 is a major causative gene of CHARGE syndrome. We performed targeted-exome sequencing using a next-generation sequencer for molecular diagnosis of a 4-month-old male patient who was clinically suspected to have CHARGE syndrome, and report a novel monoallelic mutation in CHD7, NM_017780.3(CHD7_v001):c.2966del causing a reading frameshift [p.(Cys989Serfs*3)]

99m-Technetium galactosyl human serum albumin scanning to evaluate liver function after stereotactic body radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report

The primary choice among treatment options for liver malignancies is surgery. However, if surgery cannot be performed, Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) may be effective. 99m-technetium galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging is useful for the assessment of liver function before surgery. We report the case of a 77-year-old man who had undergone SBRT for hepatocellular carcinoma of the left lobe of the liver 2 years previously. Follow-up revealed a 15-mm hepatocellular carcinoma at the edge of the right lobe of the liver. 99m-technetium GSA SPECT was performed before SBRT to confirm that there was no accumulation in the left lobe and to ensure that there was good function of the right lobe. Three months after SBRT, the tumor had responded, and decreases in GSA accumulation were observed in line with the radiation beam. Because hepatocellular carcinoma often relapses, it is important to assess the anatomic site of liver dysfunction before and after radiation. This case demonstrates that 99m-technetium GSA SPECT is useful for this purpose

Post-transcriptional regulation of human pregnane X receptor by micro-RNA affects the expression of cytochrome P450 3A4.

金沢大学医薬保健研究域薬学系金沢大学医薬保健研究域薬学系Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a major transcription factor regulating the inducible expression of a variety of transporters and drug-metabolizing enzymes, including CYP3A4 (cytochrome P450 3A4). We first found that the PXR mRNA level was not correlated with the PXR protein level in a panel of 25 human livers, indicating the involvement of post-transcriptional regulation. Notably, a potential miR-148a recognition element was identified in the 3\u27-untranslated region of human PXR mRNA. We investigated whether PXR might be regulated by miR-148a. A reporter assay revealed that miR-148a could recognize the miR-148a recognition element of PXR mRNA. The PXR protein level was decreased by the overexpression of miR-148a, whereas it was increased by inhibition of miR-148a. The miR-148a-dependent decrease of PXR protein attenuated the induction CYP3A4 mRNA. Furthermore, the translational efficiency of PXR (PXR protein/PXR mRNA ratio) was inversely correlated with the expression levels of miR-148a in a panel of 25 human livers, supporting the miR-148a-dependent regulation of PXR in human livers. Eventually, the PXR protein level was significantly correlated with the CYP3A4 mRNA and protein levels. In conclusion, we found that miR-148a post-transcriptionally regulated human PXR, resulting in the modulation of the inducible and/or constitutive levels of CYP3A4 in human liver. This study will provide new insight into the unsolved mechanism of the large interindividual variability of CYP3A4 expression

Intergenerational Correlation of Household Wealth : Evidence from the JHPS Second-Generation Supplement

IPSE DP 2021F00

Novel CUL4B mutation in Cabezas syndrome

Cabezas syndrome is a syndromic form of X-linked intellectual disability primarily characterized by a short stature, hypogonadism and abnormal gait, with other variable features resulting from mutations in the CUL4B gene. Here, we report a clinically undiagnosed 5-year-old male with severe intellectual disability. A genome-first approach using targeted exome sequencing identified a novel nonsense mutation [NM_003588.3:c.2698G>T, p.(Glu900*)] in the last coding exon of CUL4B, thus diagnosing this patient with Cabezas syndrome

Aging and CMV Infection Affect Pre-existing SARS-CoV-2-Reactive CD8⁺ T Cells in Unexposed Individuals

加齢やサイトメガロウイルス感染が新型コロナウイルス反応性キラーT細胞に与える影響. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-08-23.Severe COVID-19 symptoms in the elderly are consistent with a weaker immune system. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-08-23.Age is a major risk factor for COVID-19 severity, and T cells play a central role in anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity. Because SARS-CoV-2-cross-reactive T cells have been detected in unexposed individuals, we investigated the age-related differences in pre-existing SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cells. SARS-CoV-2-reactive CD4⁺ T cells from young and elderly individuals were mainly detected in the central memory fraction and exhibited similar functionalities and numbers. Naïve-phenotype SARS-CoV-2-reactive CD8⁺ T cell populations decreased markedly in the elderly, while those with terminally differentiated and senescent phenotypes increased. Furthermore, senescent SARS-CoV-2-reactive CD8⁺ T cell populations were higher in cytomegalovirus seropositive young individuals compared to seronegative ones. Our findings suggest that age-related differences in pre-existing SARS-CoV-2-reactive CD8+ T cells may explain the poor outcomes in elderly patients and that cytomegalovirus infection is a potential factor affecting CD8⁺ T cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, this study provides insights for developing effective therapeutic and vaccination strategies for the elderly