Sequence-specific cleavage of RNA by a hybrid ribonuclease H

AbstractSite-specific cleavage of the 22-, 132- and 534-base RNAs by the DNA/protein hybrid R Nase H were examined. The 22-base RNA was chemically synthesized, and 132- and 534-base RNAs were prepared by run-off transcription. The hybrid enzyme cleaves these RNAs, which contain a single target sequence, primarily at the unique phosphodiester bond within the target sequence. The hybrid enzyme performs multiple turnovers, and at a substrate/enzyme ratio of 10:1 the RNAs are almost completely cleaved by the hybrid enzyme at 37°C within 1 h. We propose that hybrid RNase H molecules with various oligodeoxyribonucleotides function as RNA restriction enzymes and are useful for structural and functional studies of RNA

Comparison of Targeted vs Random Biopsies for Surveillance of Ulcerative Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer

Background & AimsA random biopsy is recommended for surveillance of ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated colorectal cancer. However, a targeted biopsy might be more effective. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare rates of neoplasia detection by targeted vs random biopsies in patients with UC.MethodsWe performed a study of 246 patients with UC for 7 years or more, seen at 52 institutions in Japan from October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010. Patients were randomly assigned to the random group (4 random biopsies collected every 10 cm in addition to targeted biopsies, n = 122) or the target group (biopsies collected from locations of suspected neoplasia, n = 124). The primary end point was the number of neoplastic lesions detected in a single surveillance colonoscopy. We estimated the ratio and difference in the mean number of neoplastic lesions between the groups. We also evaluated the non-inferiority between the groups as an exploratory study. A non-inferiority margin of 0.65 (0.13 of 0.20) was considered for the ratio of the mean number of neoplastic lesions between groups.ResultsThe mean number of biopsies found to contain neoplastic tissue per colonoscopy was 0.211 (24 of 114) in the target group and 0.168 (18 of 107) in the random group (ratio of 1.251; 95% confidence interval, 0.679–2.306). The lower limit was above the non-inferiority margin of 0.65. Neoplasias were detected in 11.4% of patients in the target group and 9.3% of patients in the random group (P = .617). Larger numbers of biopsy samples per colonoscopy were collected in the random group (34.8 vs 3.1 in the target group; P < .001), and the total examination time was longer (41.7 vs 26.6 minutes in the target group; P < .001). In the random group, all neoplastic tissues found in random biopsies were collected from areas of the mucosa with a history or presence of inflammation.ConclusionsIn a randomized controlled trial, we found that targeted and random biopsies detect similar proportions of neoplasias. However, a targeted biopsy appears to be a more cost-effective method. Random biopsies from areas without any signs of present or past inflammation were not found to contain neoplastic tissues. Clinical Trial Registry: UMIN000001608

療育手帳に係る統一的な判定基準の検討ならびに児童相談所等における適切な判定業務を推進させるための研究

金沢大学人間社会研究域人間科学系療育手帳制度は、昭和48 年に都道府県知事および指定都市長宛になされた厚生事務次官通知に基づき開始され、その判定基準は都道府県及び指定都市ごとに定められている。これまで、療育手帳の判定基準のばらつきによる弊害が多く指摘されてきたが、未だ療育手帳の判定方法や重症度に関する統一基準は確立されていない。このような療育手帳の弊害の是正を図るため、本研究は６つの分担研究を通じて、療育手帳の判定業務および障害等級の基準の統一化に向けた基礎資料を作成することを目的とした。本研究の結果から、療育手帳の判定の基準の統一化を図るためには、１：知的障害者福祉法における知的障害の定義の明確化、２：ICD-11 の知的障害の診断基準に沿った判定を行うため、偏差IQ および標準指数の算出が可能な知能検査および適応行動の評価尺度を実施できるなど、知的障害の診断・評価ができるトレーニングを受けた専門家の養成、３：知能、適応行動双方の合成値を用いることが知的障害者の判別の精度を高め、知能検査としてはウェクスラー式検査、適応行動尺度としてはVineland-II が療育手帳判定に推奨されること、4：ICD-11 に基づいた療育手帳の判定の方法・基準・重症度（障害区分）の整備、5：現在の療育手帳の業務のあり方に関する全国規模での再検討が必要であることが示唆厚生労働科学研究費補助金 (障害者政策総合研究事業: 療育手帳に係る統一的な判定基準の検討ならびに児童相談所等における適切な判定業務を推進させるための研究