Sectoral Approaches in Global Warming Measures - Expectations, Expected Roles and Its Challenges.

The term sectoral approaches has come to be frequently used in forums for global warming negotiations, particularly on a future framework. In the intensified debate on a post-Kyoto framework, the establishment of an equitable framework embracing major greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters is sought and sectoral approaches have been discussed as a possible solution. This paper therefore seeks to study the background for the current call for sectoral approaches to analyse the different stances taken by Japan, the US and the EU towards them, thus identifying the features of various types of sectoral approaches and how the can actually function.Global warming, sectoral approach, Government Policy

Colonic Paneth cell metaplasia is pre-neoplastic condition of colonic cancer or not?

BACKGROUND: The carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer has been accepted by a model for a cascade of genetic alterations, named the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. In order to elucidate the carcinogenesis of the colorectal cancer more clearly, the genetic abnormalies of the non-neoplastic mucosal epithelium of the colon and rectum should be investigated. It has been speculated that colonic Paneth cell metaplasia (PaM) is one of the pre-neoplastic mucosa of colonic cancer. Therefore, we studied the propria mucosa of the right colon with PaM from the standpoints of the frequency of the K-ras codon 12 mutations (K-ras), which is initial genetic abnormality in colorectal cancer, and the loss of heterozygosity of microsatellite markers (LOH-MS), which has a relationship to development of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Fifty-two regions with PaM histopathologically from 12 surgically resected right colon specimens were studied. DNA extraction of the colonic mucosa with PaM was obtained using a microdissection method, and the frequency of the K-ras of PaM was investigated by enriched polymerase chain reaction-enzyme linked mini-sequence assay, and the frequency of the LOH-MS (D2S123, D17S250 and D5S346) of PaM was examined by high resolution fluorescenced labeled PCR primers. RESULTS: K-ras mutation was detected in fifteen regions among 52 PaM (28.9%). All mutations were a single mutation and GGT changed to AGT in eleven and GAT in four. LOH-MS were detected in twenty-one regions among 52 PaM (40.4%) (D2S123: 35.4%, 17/48 regions, D17S250: 13.7%, 7/51 regions, and D5S346: 0%, 0/52 regions). No K-ras mutations and LOH-MS were detected in the controls (Colorectal mucosa with no PaM). CONCLUSIONS: Colonic mucosa with Paneth cell metaplasia may be one of the pre-neoplastic mucosa in the development of the colonic epithelial neoplasia

Suramin prevents the development of diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in KK-Ay mice

Aims/Introduction Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes produce IL-18 upon being activated by various stimuli via the P2 receptors. Previously, we showed that serum and urine IL-18 levels are positively associated with albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes, indicating the involvement of inflammasome activation in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). In the present study, we investigated whether the administration of suramin, a nonselective antagonist of the P2 receptors, protects diabetic KK.Cg-A(y)/TaJcl (KK-Ay) mice against DKD progression. Materials and Methods Suramin or saline was administered i.p. to KK-Ay and C57BL/6J mice once every 2 weeks for a period of 8 weeks. Mouse mesangial cells (MMCs) were stimulated with ATP in the presence or absence of suramin. Results Suramin treatment significantly suppressed the increase in the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial matrix expansion, and glomerular fibrosis in KK-Ay mice. Suramin also suppressed the upregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome-related genes and proteins in the renal cortex of KK-Ay mice. P2X4 and P2X7 receptors were significantly upregulated in the isolated glomeruli of KK-Ay mice and mainly distributed in the glomerular mesangial cells of KK-Ay mice. Although neither ATP nor suramin affected NLRP3 expression in MMCs, suramin inhibited ATP-induced NLRP3 complex formation and the downstream expression of caspase-1 and IL-18 in MMCs. Conclusions These results suggest that the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in a diabetic kidney and that inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome with suramin protects against the progression of early stage DKD

INFLUENCE OF THE BALL SPEED ON THE DISPLACEMENT OF THE CENTER OF GRAVITY DURING BASEBALL BATTING MOTION

The purpose of this study was to investigate the modification in batting motion with different pitching speeds focusing on differences in batting technical level. The subjects were 10 experienced university baseball player. The subjects batted toward the center field, both fastballs and slowballs, aimed near the center of the strike zone from a pitching machine. Data were collected using a three dimensional automatic motion analysis system (Vicon MX). The displacement of the center of gravity(CG) were computed. Significant differences were seen due to difference in pitching speed in unskilled player. Conversely, in skilled player, no significant difference was found in the movement of CG due to the difference in pitching speed. It was revealed that it was not preferable for movement of the CG to fluctuate by difference in pitching speeds

KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF BASEBALL BATTING MOTION WHEN BATTING PITCHES WITH VARYING VELOCITIES

The purpose of this study was to identify effect of moving the center of gravity of the body and rotating the torso when batting pitches with varying velocity. The subjects were 10 experienced university baseball player. The subjects batted toward the center field, both fastballs and slowballs, aimed near the center of the strike zone from a pitching machine. Data were collected using a three dimensional automatic motion analysis system (Vicon MX). The rotation angle of the torso and displacement of the center of gravity were computed. Due to differences in the shoulder rotation from the latter half of stepping leg touchdown through impact, we believe that the motion is adapted to pitch differences starting from the latter half of stepping leg touchdown. Comparing the shift in the center of gravity of the body during fastballs and slowballs, the forward motion and downward sinking of the center of gravity were significantly larger for slowballs

Kinematic analysis of punt kick in football goalkeepers based on the level of kick effort

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the differences in punt kicks by football goalkeepers based on the level of effort required. Twelve experienced goalkeepers participated in the study. The participants were instructed to kick the ball as far as possible in the maximum distance trial (100% trial) and to have a more controlled approach for the 80% and 60% trials. Each punt kick was divided into three events: release of the ball from the left hand (BR), pivot foot ground-contact (LFC), and ball impact (IMP). Right lower limb joint velocity, right hip and knee joint angles, flight distance, ball velocity, and kick angle were calculated. The 80% and 100% trials yielded almost the same velocity for each part of the right leg; however, in the 60% trial, the level of kicking effort was managed by adjusting the velocity of the right ankle joint, starting from BR, in addition to adjustment of the velocity of the right knee joint at LFC. Compared to punt kicks with a lower level of effort, the punt kicks with a higher level of effort involved an increase in the hip joint extension angle for the right leg during the backswing and the lowering of the knee joint angle of the right leg at the start of the forward swing, thus producing forward swing velocity for the right foot

Emphysematous Cystitis in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

A 62-year-old woman with a history of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus was admitted to our hospital with a 3-week history of mild fever, vomiting, and anorexia. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral hydronephrosis and gas accumulation in the urinary bladder wall and left ureter. Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein level. Urine culture showed heavy growth of Escherichia coli. The final diagnosis was emphysematous cystitis. The patient was treated with systemic antibiotics and drainage using a urethral catheter. The clinical and radiographic findings resolved rapidly, and she was discharged from the hospital on day 28. Emphysematous cystitis is a relatively rare urinary tract infection associated with gas formation, and has the potential for a serious outcome if untreated. Early detection by imaging studies such as CT is important in providing prompt treatment and favorable clinical outcome

Discrete chiral organic nanotubes by stacking pillar[5]arenes using covalent linkages

Owing to their unique one-dimensional hollow structures, organic nanotubes have been widely explored in recent years. Covalent organic nanotubes (CONs) can be prepared by stacking building blocks, such as macrocycles, through covalent linkages. However, because of the mismatched covalent connections, controllable synthesis of the discrete CONs with clear structures, such as sidewall and chirality, is a challenging target. In this work, by coupling two pillar[5]arenes through dynamic covalent bonds, thermodynamically stable discrete CONs with 5-fold symmetry are successfully prepared. Three different chiral CONs are separated, including homo-CONs, consisting of two enantiomers (pR, pR and pS, pS), and hetero-CON, consisting of the meso form (pR, pS). These CONs show negative allosteric binding affinities toward guest molecules, which are not observed in individual pillar[5]arenes

Reduction in the magnitude of serum potassium elevation in combination therapy with esaxerenone (CS‐3150) and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor in patients with diabetic kidney disease: Subanalysis of two phase III studies

Aims/Introduction: We evaluated the effect of co-administration of esaxerenone and a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor on the magnitude of serum potassium elevation in Japanese patients with diabetic kidney disease. Materials and Methods: We carried out a prespecified subanalysis of data from two phase III studies: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria (J308); and a multicenter, single-arm, open-label trial in patients with type 2 diabetes and macroalbuminuria (J309). Changes in serum potassium levels during the studies and other measures were evaluated according to SGLT2 inhibitor use. Results: In both studies, time-course changes in serum potassium levels, and incidence rates of serum potassium elevation were lower in patients with co-administration of SGLT2 inhibitor in both the placebo and esaxerenone groups than those without the inhibitor. In contrast, time-course changes and mean percentage changes from baseline in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, the proportion of patients with albuminuria remission and time-course changes in blood pressure did not change with or without SGLT2 inhibitor, whereas the albumin-to-creatinine ratio and blood pressure were reduced with esaxerenone. The blood glucose-lowering effect of SGLT2 inhibitor was not affected by esaxerenone. Conclusions: In Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuria treated with esaxerenone, concomitant use of SGLT2 inhibitor reduced the magnitude of serum potassium elevation without any change of its antihypertensive and albuminuria-suppressing effects. Co-administration of esaxerenone and SGLT2 inhibitor might be a beneficial treatment option for patients with diabetic kidney disease

Involvement of MAPKs in ICAM-1 Expression in Glomerular Endothelial Cells in Diabetic Nephropathy

Inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways for induction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in glomerular endothelial cells under diabetic conditions. We examined the expression of ICAM-1 in the kidneys of experimental diabetic rats. Human glomerular endothelial cells (GE cells) were exposed to normal glucose concentration, high glucose concentration (HG), or high mannitol concentration (HM), and then the expression of the ICAM-1 protein and the phosphorylation of the 3 subfamilies of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined using Western blot analysis. Next, to evaluate the involvement of MAPKs in HG- or HM-induced ICAM-1 expression, we preincubated GE cells with the inhibitors for ERK, p38 or JNK 1h prior to the application of glucose or mannitol. Expression of ICAM-1 was increased in the glomeruli of diabetic rats. Both HG and HM induced ICAM-1 expression and phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK in GE cells. Expression of ICAM-1 was significantly attenuated by inhibitors of ERK, p38 and JNK. We conclude that activation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK cascades may be involved in ICAM-1 expression in glomerular endothelial cells under diabetic conditions