A Probability-based Evolutionary Algorithm with Mutations to Learn Bayesian Networks

Bayesian networks are regarded as one of the essential tools to analyze causal relationship between events from data. To learn the structure of highly-reliable Bayesian networks from data as quickly as possible is one of the important problems that several studies have been tried to achieve. In recent years, probability-based evolutionary algorithms have been proposed as a new efficient approach to learn Bayesian networks. In this paper, we target on one of the probability-based evolutionary algorithms called PBIL (Probability-Based Incremental Learning), and propose a new mutation operator. Through performance evaluation, we found that the proposed mutation operator has a good performance in learning Bayesian networks

Esophageal Cancer Initially Thought to be Accompanied by a Solitary Metastasis to an Intrathoracic Paraaortic Lymph Node

Esophageal cancers usually exhibit lymph-node metastases. Although a solitary lymph-node metastasis is occasionally found, the involvement of an intrathoracic paraaortic node is rare. We present here an intrathoracic mid-esophageal cancer case in which an accompanying solitary retroaortic mass was found within the posterior mediastinum by integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography. For diagnosis, thoracoscopic resection of the mass was performed from a left thoracic approach, and histology revealed it to be a squamous cell carcinoma metastasized from the esophageal cancer. Upon radical esophagectomy after neoadjuvant therapy as a T3N1M0 Stage IIIa (AJCC/UICC) cancer, the esophageal cancer was found to have invaded unexpectedly deeply in the vicinity of the descending aorta. Another lymph node within the paraaortic region was also involved (T4N1M0 Stage IIIc). The present case and other cases we review here inform our understanding of metastasis to intrathoracic paraaortic nodes as follows:1) its existence may indicate extensive lymph-node metastasis or direct tumor invasion nearby, and 2) it may be accompanied by other lymph-node involvements in this region, even if it appears solitary upon preoperative investigation. Thus, for radical esophagectomy, sufficient lymph-node dissection is required, even at locations not reached by the usual right thoracic approach. Definitive chemoradiotherapy may be a better choice for preoperatively recognized T3 esophageal cancer when the cancer is accompanied by paraaortic lymph node metastasis

Sarcoidosis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous inflammation of unknown etiology, and seems to involve the liver parenchyma in most cases. However, sarcoidosis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma is rare. We report here a case in which a hepatocellular carcinoma occurred within the liver, which was probably involved as a result of systemic sarcoidosis. A 57-year-old Japanese man had been followed up for 2 years because of diabetic nephropathy and sarcoidosis. On admission for pneumonia, imaging studies revealed an unexpected hepatic tumor. Histology revealed a hepatocellular carcinoma accompanied by T-lymphocytic infiltration and marked granulomatous inflammation, which was surrounding some tumor nodules. The background liver parenchyma exhibited a moderate degree of fibrosis with granulomatous inflammation. The patient had no other apparent liver disease such as viral hepatitis, steatohepatitis, or primary biliary cirrhosis. Therefore, in the present case, sarcoidosis may be considered the probable background etiology for hepatocarcinogenesis

Regional contributions through athletic lessons for elementary school children

We have provided athletic lessons for elementary school children for four years. These lessons are at the center of a project that aims to contribute to the local community. Initially, we decided on the following theme: “Have fun, learn to run fast, and stand on the Big Swan track.” To improve children’s competitive abilities, we focused on engaging them in fun activities that would lay the foundation for a life filled with sports; to motivate and engage the children, we gave them a chance to attend track meets as part of the program. This project has great potential, both as a practical approach to Track and Field instruction and as a basis for student volunteer activities in the elementary school teaching course. We believe that faculty members and students of Niigata University of Health and Welfare will be able to connect with many more children in the region through this project

Paramagnetic nitroxide radical liquid crystalline compounds with methyl di(ethylene glycol) chain

We have synthesized a racemic and enantiomerically enriched all-organic paramagnetic nitroxide radical (NR) liquid crystalline (LC) compound, which contains a chiral NR unit in the mesogen core and a methyl di(ethylene glycol) chain as one of their terminal units. These new compounds showed remarkable substituent effects of the methyl di(ethylene glycol) chain on the phase transition behaviors and hydrophilic properties in contrast to structural analogs of the previous reported NR-LC compounds containing alkoxy chains.This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Ferroelectrics on 2 May 2016, available at https://doi.org/10.1080/00150193.2016.1136767

Drug Repositioning for the Treatment of Glioma: Current State and Future Perspective

Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors. Among them, glioblastoma (GBM) possesses the most malignant phenotype. Despite the current standard therapy using an alkylating anticancer agent, temozolomide, most patients with GBM die within 2 years. Novel chemotherapeutic agents are urgently needed to improve the prognosis of GBM. One of the solutions, drug repositioning, which broadens the indications of existing drugs, has gained attention. Herein, we categorize candidate agents, which are newly identified as therapeutic drugs for malignant glioma into 10 classifications based on these original identifications. Some drugs are in clinical trials with hope. Additionally, the obstacles, which should be overcome in order to accomplish drug repositioning as an application for GBM and the future perspectives, have been discussed

Signal amplification in electrochemical detection of buckwheat allergenic protein using field effect transistor biosensor by introduction of anionic surfactant

AbstractFood allergens, especially buckwheat proteins, sometimes induce anaphylactic shock in patients after ingestion. Development of a simple and rapid screening method based on a field effect transistor (FET) biosensor for food allergens in food facilities or products is in demand. In this study, we achieved the FET detection of a buckwheat allergenic protein (BWp16), which is not charged enough to be electrically detected by FET biosensors, by introducing additional negative charges from anionic surfactants to the target proteins. A change in the FET characteristics reflecting surface potential caused by the adsorption of target charged proteins was observed when the target sample was coupled with the anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate; SDS), while no significant response was detected without any surfactant treatment. It was suggested that the surfactant conjugated with the protein could be useful for the charge amplification of the target proteins. The surface plasmon resonance analysis revealed that the SDS-coupled proteins were successfully captured by the receptors immobilized on the sensing surface. Additionally, we obtained the FET responses at various concentrations of BWp16 ranging from 1ng/mL to 10μg/mL. These results suggest that a signal amplification method for FET biosensing is useful for allergen detection in the food industry

Interactive Learning Environment for Posing 1-step Multiplication Word Problem and Its Experimental Use

筆者らはこれまでに，1 回の加減で解決できる算数文章題を対象として，三文構成モデルによる作問学習支援システムを開発している．本研究では，システムを小学校2年生で学習する乗算の領域へと拡張するものであり，システムの拡張から1クラス9時限の実践利用までを行ったので，報告する．結果としては，システムを利用することで問題解決能力はあっても，構造の理解が浅い学習者に対して，構造理解を深められることを示唆する結果が得られた

RNA-binding protein ptbp1 regulates alternative splicing and transcriptome in spermatogonia and maintains spermatogenesis in concert with nanos3

Manami SENOO, Hiroshi HOZOJI, Yu ISHIKAWA-YAMAUCHI, Takashi TAKIJIRI, Sho OHTA, Tomoyo UKAI, Mio KABATA, Takuya YAMAMOTO, Yasuhiro YAMADA, Masahito IKAWA, Manabu OZAWA, RNA-binding protein Ptbp1 regulates alternative splicing and transcriptome in spermatogonia and maintains spermatogenesis in concert with Nanos3, Journal of Reproduction and Development, 2020, Volume 66, Issue 5, Pages 459-467, Released October 13, 2020, [Advance publication] Released July 06, 2020, Online ISSN 1348-4400, Print ISSN 0916-8818, https://doi.org/10.1262/jrd.2020-060, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jrd/66/5/66_2020-060/_article/-char/e