TPよりも小さな範疇内で見られる拡大投射の原理の効果

The standard generalization concerning the traditional EPP (Extended projection principle) is that Spec, TP must always be filled by some element, even when no apparent semantic or Case-related reason is detected. Recent research reveals that EPP effects are observed in a language, like Japanese, that lacks expletive subjects (Kishimoto 2001, Miyagawa 2001, Miyagawa & Arikawa 2007). Hirata (2006b) further demonstrates that the alleged EPP effects in the language do not disappear in tenseless conjuncts in predicate coordination structures, from which it is claimed that the EPP in Japanese works in a projection under TP. The present article yields additional support for this claim by examining an example of Case alternation in Japanese. Evidence is provided that the tenseless coordination construction at issue cannot be analyzed as a case of TP coordination and thus that EPP effects can definitely be detected under TP

キンダイ ニ オケル アイデンティティ ノ ケイセイ ト ソノ ルイケイカ ニ ツイテ

現代におけるアクチュアルな諸問題はアイデンティティを巡る諸問題であると言って良い。しかもそういったアイデンティティは近代において形成されたものである。そこで先ずアイデンティティの近代における背景について、個人的アイデンティティはテイラーの研究により、集団的アイデンティティはその典型としてのナショナリズムについてのグリーンフェルドの研究によりながら見ていく。テイラー、グリーンフェルドはそれぞれ個人的アイデンティティーやナショナリズムについての諸類型を見出したのであるが、この論文ではそういった彼らの諸類型をアイデンティティの一般的類型へとまとめる。そしてその一般的類型へ現代の諸問題を位置づけることにより、そういった諸問題同士の関係について、全体的な見通しを得ることにする

The Role of RANTES Promoter Polymorphism in Functional Dyspepsia

Altered inflammatory immune responses have been shown to be associated with functional gastro intestinal disorder. We aimed to clarify the effect of functional promoter polymorphism of RANTES, which is a potent chemoattractant peptide for memory T lymphocytes and eosinophils, on the risk of functional dyspepsia in a Japanese population. RANTES promoter C-28G polymorphism was genotyped in 246 subjects including 134 FD patients according to Roma III criteria and 112 non-symptomatic healthy controls. Although frequency of RANTES promoter polymorphisms in overall dyspeptic patients and non-symptomatic healthy controls did not show any significant differences, a significant association was found between G carrier and reduced risk of PDS according to Roma III criteria (age, sex, H. pylori infection adjusted OR  = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.06–0.80). We also found that the same genotype held a lower risk of PDS in H. pylori positive PDS subjects (age, sex adjusted OR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.01–0.94). Our data suggest that RANTES promoter -28G carriers is associate with a reduced risk of PDS especially in H. pylori positive subjects

Absence of Common Polymorphisms of Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4): Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile in Patients with Gastroduodenal Diseases in Japan

Host genetic factors may play a key role in determining the long-term outcome of the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mediated recognition of lipo-polysaccharide (LPS) is required for efficient recognition of gram-negative bacterial infections. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of common polymorphisms of TLR4 Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile in patients with gastroduodenal diseases in Japanese population. The study was performed in 149 gastric cancer (GC) cases (mean age 64.0 ± 12.4, M:F = 109:40) and 94 patients without evidence of GC (mean age 64.1 ± 12.3, M:F = 65:25) as the control group. TLR4 Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile were determined by Polymerase chain reaction-length of polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) in all the patients. Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile were not detected in all 243 patients enrolled in this study. In conclusion, our data suggest that TLR4 Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile are very rare in Japanese population and thus they may not be a important factor in determining the outcome of H. pylori infected individuals in Japan

Analysis of Beta-Tubulin Gene Exon 4 Mutations in Advanced Stage III or IV Gastric Cancer

The mechanisms that cause chemoresistance of gastric cancer have yet to be elucidated. Taxanes and promising agents that were recently approved for treatment of advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. Mutations of beta-tubulin, which is a target of taxianes, have been shown to confer chemoresistance against these agents. The aim of the present study is to investigate the presence of mutations of the beta-tubulin in gastric cancer tissues. Sixty-six patients with advanced stage III or IV gastric cancer patients enrolled in this study. Paired samples of gastric cancer tissue and normal mucosa were obtained by endoscopy. The guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding site in exon 4 of the beta-tubulin gene was examined by polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis, followed by sequencing of the products with abnormally shifted bands. SSCP analysis showed abnormal bands upstream of the GTP-binding site in 7 of the 66 patients, but sequence analysis found no nucleotide substitutions in these patients. Three variant bands were also detected down stream of the the GTP-binding site, but the sequences of the 3 products corresponded to those of two independent pseudogenes. Thus, none of the tumor samples showed mutation of the beta-tubulin exon 4 GTP-binding site. In conclusion, these findings suggest that mutations of the beta-tubulin gene are rare and are unlikely to be an important cause of taxane resistance to taxians

Identification of non-coding RNAs embracing microRNA-143/145 cluster

In a variety of cancers, altered patterns of microRNA (miRNA) expression are reported and may affect the cell cycle and cell survival. Recent studies suggest that the expression level of miRNAs that act as tumor suppressors is frequently reduced in cancers because of chromosome deletions, epigenetical changes, aberrant transcription and disturbances in miRNA processing. miR-143 and -145, which are located approximately 1.3 kb from each other at chromosome 5q33, are highly expressed in several tissues, but down-regulated in most cancers. However, the mechanism of this down-regulation has not been investigated in detail. Here, we show that both miRNAs were expressed well under the same control program in human tissues, but were down-regulated equally in the most of the cancer cell lines tested. Then we identified the host gene encoding both miRNAs. The transcripts of this gene were approximately 11, 7.5, and 5.5 kb long; and the expression of these transcripts was coordinated with that of its resident miRNAs and down-regulated in the cancer cell lines tested as well as in colorectal cancer tissue samples. These data demonstrate that the host gene can function as a primary miRNA transcript and suggest that the down-regulation of host gene expression caused the low-expression of its encoded microRNAs-143 and -145 in human cancer cell lines and in cancer tissues

Endoscopic and clinical evaluation of treatment and prognosis of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome: a Japanese nationwide survey.

BackgroundFirst reported in 1955, Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS), a rare syndrome characterized by ectodermal abnormalities and inflammatory changes of the gastrointestinal tract mucosa, has been associated with a poor prognosis and life-threatening malignant complications. In a large population survey, we endeavored to characterize the course and treatment outcome of CCS through clinical and endoscopic assessment, and to explore its optimal treatment and surveillance strategy.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 210 patients with CCS was conducted via a questionnaire-based nationwide survey of 983 teaching hospitals located throughout Japan. We assessed clinical features, endoscopic findings, treatments used, and short- and long-term outcomes.ResultsThe average age at diagnosis was 63.5 years. In all cases, upper or lower gastrointestinal tract polyposis was confirmed, accompanied by characteristic ectodermal abnormalities. Of the treatments used, oral corticosteroids (30-49 mg/day) were the most effective treatment for active disease, with adjunctive nutritional support considered beneficial. With corticosteroid treatment, abdominal symptoms were relieved within a few months, whereas polyp regression often required more than 6 months. Maintenance of endoscopic remission with or without steroids for 3 years significantly lowered the development of CCS-related cancer, compared with relapsers or nonresponders, underscoring the importance of sustained endoscopic remission for cancer prevention.ConclusionsThe prognosis of CCS has greatly improved through the use of improved medical treatment. Although CCS continues to be relentlessly progressive, carrying a high cancer risk, a sufficient dose and duration of corticosteroid therapy accompanied by nutritional support and periodic endoscopic surveillance appears to improve its natural history

ハンシンロン ノ カノウセイ ホワイトヘッド ノ コスモロジー ノ ゲンダイテキ イギ

心が世界に遍在する、あるいはあらゆる事物が心を有するという汎心論は、特にこの科学の時代においては常識と衝突する考え方である。しかし興味深いことに近年分析哲学の心の哲学において汎心論が主要な論題となっている。それはG.ストローソンの議論が端緒となったものである。ただそこでの議論は、汎心論に基づく世界や自然像がどのようなものとなるのかということを論ずるよりも、物理主義を貫徹しようとしながらも、消去できない「心」をどのように扱うかというところで問題となっている。これに対して汎心論に立ちながら新たなコスモロジーを打ち立てようとしたのがA.N.ホワイトヘッドである。本稿では、彼のコスモロジーでも特に岩や椅子といった心を持っていそうにない日常的事物における心に注目する。そこでは人間と同じように岩や椅子がクオリアを有するということがポイントとなっており、それがどのくらい説得的なものなのかを探求する