Origin of metal-troilite aggregates in six ordinary chondrites

Coarse metal-troilite aggregates several mms in sizes have been studied in six ordinary chondrites, Yamato (Y)-794006 (L4), Y-793211 (L6), Y-793213 (L6), Y-791629 (H4), Y-791686 (H5), and Y-791555 (H6). In each sample, textures of an aggregate and host meteorite show an evidence for the aggregate being solidified from metal-sulfide melt under a slow cooling condition. Metal and silicate texture in the host meteorite suggest a formation of the metal-sulfide melt by weak or moderate reheating by an impact process on the parent body. Bulk Fe-S compositions of the aggregates show variations in melting temperatures which correlate with petrologic grades of the host meteorites. These evidences suggest that the aggregates formed by impact melting on the "hot" parent bodies by weak or moderate reheating piled on the pre-impact temperatures during thermal metamorphism

Interpersonal Trust and Quality-of-Life: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in psychosocial factors with positive attitudes, such as interpersonal trust, as determinants for Quality-of-life (QOL) or subjective well-being. Despite their longevity, Japanese people report a relatively poor subjective well-being, as well as lower interpersonal trust. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the possible association between interpersonal trust and QOL among Japanese people. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Based on the cross-sectional data for Japanese adults (2008), we analyzed the relationship between interpersonal trust and each of four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Interpersonal trust was assessed using three scales for trust in people, in human fairness and in human nature. In a total of 1000 participants (mean age: 45 years; 49% women), greater trust was recognized among women (vs. men), those aged 60-69 (vs. 20-29), or the high-income group (vs. low-income). Each of three trust scales was positively correlated with all domains of QOL. Multiple linear-regression models were constructed for each of QOL and the principal component score of the trust scales, adjusted for age, gender, area size of residence, income, education, and occupation. For all QOL domains, interpersonal trust was significantly and positively associated with better QOL with p<0.001 for all four domains including physical, psychological, social, and environmental QOL. Other factors associated with QOL included gender, age class, area size of residence, and income. Education and occupation were not associated with QOL. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Greater interpersonal trust is strongly associated with a better QOL among Japanese adults. If a causal relationship is demonstrated in a controlled interventional study, social and political measures should be advocated to increase interpersonal trust for achieving better QOL

FRET probe for detecting two mutations in one EGFR mRNA

Technologies for visualizing and tracking RNA are essential in molecular biology, including in disease-related fields. In this study, we propose a novel probe set (DAt-probe and T-probe) that simultaneously detects two mutations in the same RNA using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The DAt-probe carrying the fluorophore Atto488 and the quencher Dabcyl were used to detect a cancer mutation (exon19del), and the T-probe carrying the fluorophore Tamra was used to detect drug resistance mutations (T790M) in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA. These probes were designed to induce FRET when both mutations were present in the mRNA. Gel electrophoresis confirmed that the two probes could efficiently bind to the mutant mRNA. We measured the FRET ratios using wild-type and double-mutant RNAs and found a significant difference between them. Even in living cells, the FRET probe could visualize mutant RNA. As a result, we conclude that this probe set provides a method for detecting two mutations in the single EGFR mRNA via FRET

現代沖縄文学の研究- 〈戦争〉 表象を中心に

早大学位記番号:新7302早稲田大

Electrofusion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Islet Cells for Diabetes Therapy: A Rat Model

膵島細胞と間葉系幹細胞の融合細胞を用いた糖尿病治療実験に成功 -新しい重症糖尿病治療法の開発に期待-. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2013-05-29.Islet transplantation is a minimally invasive treatment for severe diabetes. However, it often requires multiple donors to accomplish insulin-independence and the long-term results are not yet satisfying. Therefore, novel ways to overcome these problems have been explored. Isolated islets are fragile and susceptible to pro-apoptotic factors and poorly proliferative. In contrast, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are highly proliferative, anti-apoptotic and pluripotent to differentiate toward various cell types, promote angiogenesis and modulate inflammation, thereby studied as an enhancer of islet function and engraftment. Electrofusion is an efficient method of cell fusion and nuclear reprogramming occurs in hybrid cells between different cell types. Therefore, we hypothesized that electrofusion between MSC and islet cells may yield robust islet cells for diabetes therapy. We establish a method of electrofusion between dispersed islet cells and MSCs in rats. The fusion cells maintained glucose-responsive insulin release for 20 days in vitro. Renal subcapsular transplantation of fusion cells prepared from suboptimal islet mass (1, 000 islets) that did not correct hyperglycemia even if co-transplanted with MSCs, caused slow but consistent lowering of blood glucose with significant weight gain within the observation period in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In the fusion cells between rat islet cells and mouse MSCs, RT-PCR showed new expression of both rat MSC-related genes and mouse β-cell-related genes, indicating bidirectional reprogramming of both β-cell and MSCs nuclei. Moreover, decreased caspase3 expression and new expression of Ki-67 in the islet cell nuclei suggested alleviated apoptosis and gain of proliferative capability, respectively. These results show that electrofusion between MSCs and islet cells yield special cells with β-cell function and robustness of MSCs and seems feasible for novel therapeutic strategy for diabetes mellitus

A Case of a Solitary Cortical Tuber with No Other Manifestations of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Mimicking Focal Cortical Dysplasia Type II with Calcification

Cortical tubers are one of the typical intracranial manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Multiple cortical tubers are easy to diagnose as TSC; however, a solitary cortical tuber without any other cutaneous or visceral organ manifestations can be confused with other conditions, particularly focal cortical dysplasia. We report a surgical case of refractory epilepsy caused by a solitary cortical tuber mimicking focal cortical dysplasia type II, and describe the radiological, electrophysiological, and histopathological findings of our case

A Case of Focal Bone Marrow Reconversion Mimicking Bone Metastasis: The Value of 111Indium Chloride

We present a case of a 66-year-old man with esophageal carcinoma. 18Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) for evaluating distant metastasis and staging revealed 18F-FDG uptake in the third lumbar vertebra and other vertebrae. Magnetic resonance imaging could not differentiate bone metastases from benign bone lesions. We considered the possibility of bone marrow reconversion. 111Indium chloride (111In-Cl3) scintigraphy with single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) revealed erythroid bone marrow components in the bone lesions. The diagnosis of bone marrow reconversion was pathologically confirmed by a bone biopsy of the third lumbar vertebra. The patient underwent esophagectomy and has remained disease-free in the 2 years since. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the usefulness of 111In-Cl3 with SPECT/CT for the diagnosis of bone marrow reconversion

Comparison of properties between Pr-Fe-B and Nd-Fe-B thick-film magnets applied to MEMS

We investigated the possibility of R (Nd or Pr)-Fe-B thick-film magnets applied to MEMS. First, an enhancement in the thickness of the Si oxide layer on a Si substrate enabled us to increase the adhesion force between the Si substrate and Nd-Fe-B film. Then, after depositing a glass buffer layer on the Si substrate to obtain a thicker Si oxide layer, we compared the mechanical characteristics and magnetic properties of both Pr-Fe-B and Nd-Fe-B films. As the thickness of the glass buffer layer increased, the thickness of the Pr-Fe-B film could be enhanced without mechanical destruction. We had difficulty in exceeding the thickness of 100 μm in Nd-Fe-B films. Moreover, the (BH)max value of a 127-μm-Thick Pr-Fe-B film was higher by approximately 30 kJ m-3 than that of a 92-μm-Thick Nd-Fe-B film. The obtained results suggest that a Pr-Fe-B thick-film magnet is more suitable for MEMS applications