High-resolution sequence stratigraphy in an incised-valley system on the basis of sedimentary organic matter, sulfur content and fossil diatom: An example from Miocene to Pliocene Tatsunokuchi Formation, Iwate Prefecture, Northeast Japan

This paper discusses relationship among depositional environments, origin of the sedimentary organic matter and diatom fossil assemblage, combined with sequence stratigraphy in an incised-valley system. Interpretation of the environments and their changes was based on sedimentary facies, total sulfur (TS) content, and diatom assemblages. The quantity and composition of organic matter were estimated for the environmental interpretation on the basis of the total organic carbon (TOC) content, reflected-light fluorescent microscopy, and stable carbon isotope ratios of the organic matter (δ13Corg). The Miocene to Pliocene Ishibane, Tatsunokuchi and Motohata formations in northeast Japan consist of estuarine and fluvial deposits that were formed during a rise and fall of sea level. The proportions of vitrinite and cutinite that are coarse-grained and terrestrial in origin are relatively high in fluvial deposits of the lowstand systems tract. The proportion of marine alginite, TOC content, and δ13Corg values increase upward in estuary deposits of the transgressive systems tract. This implies the increase in the influence of the sea and the estuarine bottom conditions becoming anoxic. The proportions of vitrinite and cutinite increase upward in the highstand systems tract, whereas the δ13Corg values and TOC content decrease upward. These reflect the strong influence of river discharge. Variations of diatom fossil assemblage of fresh water, brackish water, intertidal, coastal marine and open marine species indicate the same repetitions of transgression and regression in the Tatsunokuchi Formation. Therefore, the transgressive systems tract in the Tatsunokuchi Formation includes four cycles of transgression and regression, while highstand systems tract shows one cycle of transgression and regression. / 岩手県南部の北上市に分布する中新統～鮮新統の石羽根，竜の口，本畑層は，エスチュアリーと河川環境での堆積を示している．また，1回の海水準上昇と引き続く低下で堆積した地層で，低海水準期堆積体，海進期堆積体，高海水準期堆積体に区分できる．その周期は約100万年と推定できる．河川成堆積物からなる低海水準期堆積体では陸源有機物片を多く含み，有機物は低い安定炭素同位体比（δ13Corg）を示す．引き続くエスチュアリー環境を示す海進期堆積体では，上方に向かって，海棲有機物が増え，δ13Corgの値が大きくなり，さらに全有機炭素量も増加する傾向にある．海進初期ではこれらは，小さな増減を4回繰り返しているが，やがて最大海進面に向かって安定して増加するようになる．最大海進面より上位の高海水準期堆積体では陸源有機物量が増大し，δ13Corgと全有機炭素量は減少し，陸域からの物質供給が増加したことが示される．珪藻化石の淡水種，汽水種，潮間帯種，沿岸性種，外洋種の比率変化も同一の海進海退の繰り返しを竜の口層中に記録している．したがって，竜の口層の海進期堆積体は短周期の4回の海進海退と引き続く海進から構成され，一方，高海水準期堆積体は1回の海退を示す．これらは数10万年周期の海水準変動に対応するかもしれない．ArticleJournal of the Sedimentological Society of Japan. 70(2):63-69 (2011)journal articl

発症早期の座位能力が低下した脳卒中患者に対する対角平面上の座位傾斜練習が座位バランスに与える効果 : 無作為化比較試験

首都大学東

Pusher現象例の主観的垂直認知にUSNが及ぼす影響

Pusher behavior (PB) impairs verticality in the frontal plane and is often associated with unilateral spatial neglect (USN). However, it is unclear whether USN affects verticality among patients with PB. We aimed to clarify the characteristics of verticality among PB, with and without USN. The study included 43 patients with right hemisphere stroke, including 12 without PB or USN, 10 with only USN, 10 with PB only, and 11 with PB and USN, and 15 age-matched healthy individuals. The subjective visual vertical (SVV), subjective postural vertical with eyes closed (SPV), and subjective postural vertical with eyes open were assessed. Under each condition, the mean (tilt direction) and standard deviation (variability) across trials were calculated. The variability of SVV was significantly greater among patients with only USN (6.9°±5.9°) or those with PB and USN (7.6 ± 4.3°). On SPV, the contralesional tilt was significantly greater, with higher variability, in patients with only PB (-2.2°±1.1° and 6.3°±1.4°, respectively) and those with PB and USN (-2.1°±2.0° and 6.6°±2.0°, respectively) than in the other groups. In patients with PB, SVV differed depending on the presence of USN, but it was suggested that SPV might not be affected by USN. These findings are important to plan PB treatment.首都大学東京学位論文甲第966号副論

健常者における主観的身体垂直の再テスト法による信頼性と加齢による差異

The subjective postural vertical (SPV) reflects gravity perception when the eyes are closed. Changes in the SPV on both the frontal and sagittal planes occur in response to neurological disorders and aging; however, these changes on the diagonal plane are unclear. Here we examined test–retest reliability (n=16) of and age-related changes (n=38) in the SPVon the diagonal plane. Subjects sat on an electrical vertical board (EVB), which was used to measure the SPVon the diagonal plane. An experimenter controlled and moved the EVB seat at a constant speed on the diagonal plane and measured the seat’s tilt using a digital inclinometer when subjects verbally reported that they had reached a true vertical position. Measurement was performed for eight trials, and the mean (tilt direction) and standard deviation (variability) were calculated. To determine test–retest reliability, the same experimenter repeatedly measured the SPV 1 week later. To assess age-related changes, tilt direction and variability were compared between the young (n=20) and elderly (n=18) groups. Test–retest reliability on the right and left diagonal planes was 0.61 or more. Moreover, tilt direction on the right diagonal plane – but not on the left diagonal plane – indicated a significant diagonally backward deviation in the elderly group compared with that in the young group.Variability was significantly higher in the elderly group on both planes. SPV measurement on the diagonal plane was indicated, and age-related changes were identified. Thus, future studies should assess the potential clinical applications of SPV in neurological disorders.首都大学東京学位論文甲第966号副論

臍帯血移植が奏効した肝脾型T細胞リンパ腫

Cord blood for transplant is collected from the umbilical cord and donated cord blood is tested, frozen and stored for future use. Cord blood stem cell transplantation（CBT）do not have to be as closely matched as bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantations, therefore we are able to perform CBT for refractory patients at optimal timing. Here, we report a ３３ years old woman with refractory hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma（HSTL）who achieved complete response ; CR after unrelated CBT. She complained of fever and abdominal pain, she was diagnosed with HSTL. She was refractory to several chemotherapy regimens, we planned to allogenic transplantation for her. However, she had no HLA-matched sibling donors and we were not able to find favorable unrelated donors from Japan Marrow Donor Program. Therefore, we decided to perform CBT for her. We used fludarabine（１８０mg/m2）, busulfan（１２．８mg/kg）and melphalan（８０mg/m2） as conditioning regimens and we chose tacrolimus and MMF for graft versus host disease（GVHD） prophylaxis. On day ２２ after transplantation, her neutrophil count engrafted, she suffered from acute GVHD（skin, gastrointestinal tract, grade２）, she was improved by medical treatment. She achieved CR her disease status maintained over two years after CBT. HSTL is often refractory to chemotherapy, the clinical efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be expected. Our case suggests that CBT may be effective and feasible option for refractory HSTL who has no favorable HLA-matched donors

レゾルシル酸ラクトンLL-Z1640-2の成人T細胞白血病/リンパ腫に対する治療効果

Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL) remains incurable. The NF-κB and interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) signalling pathways are among the critical survival pathways for the progression of ATL. TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), an IκB kinase-activating kinase, triggers the activation of NF-κB. The resorcylic acid lactone LL-Z1640-2 is a potent irreversible inhibitor of TAK1/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2). We herein examined the therapeutic efficacy of LL-Z1640-2 against ATL. LL-Z1640-2 effectively suppressed the in vivo growth of ATL cells. It induced in vitro apoptosis and inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65/RelA in ATL cells. The knockdown of IRF4 strongly induced ATL cell death while downregulating MYC. LL-Z1640-2 as well as the NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 decreased the expression of IRF4 and MYC at the protein and mRNA levels, indicating the suppression of the NF-κB-IRF4-MYC axis. The treatment with LL-Z1640-2 also mitigated the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK along with the expression of CC chemokine receptor 4. Furthermore, the inhibition of STAT3/5 potentiated the cytotoxic activity of LL-Z1640-2 against IL-2-responsive ATL cells in the presence of IL-2. Therefore, LL-Z1640-2 appears to be an effective treatment for ATL. Further studies are needed to develop more potent compounds that retain the active motifs of LL-Z1640-2

Putative Neural Network Within an Olfactory Sensory Unit for Nestmate and Non-nestmate Discrimination in the Japanese Carpenter Ant: The Ultra-structures and Mathematical Simulation

Ants are known to use a colony-specific blend of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) as a pheromone to discriminate between nestmates and non-nestmates and the CHCs were sensed in the basiconic type of antennal sensilla (S. basiconica). To investigate the functional design of this type of antennal sensilla, we observed the ultra-structures at 2D and 3D in the Japanese carpenter ant, Camponotus japonicus, using a serial block-face scanning electron microscope (SBF-SEM), and conventional and high-voltage transmission electron microscopes. Based on the serial images of 352 cross sections of SBF-SEM, we reconstructed a 3D model of the sensillum revealing that each S. basiconica houses > 100 unbranched dendritic processes, which extend from the same number of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). The dendritic processes had characteristic beaded-structures and formed a twisted bundle within the sensillum. At the “beads,” the cell membranes of the processes were closely adjacent in the interdigitated profiles, suggesting functional interactions via gap junctions (GJs). Immunohistochemistry with anti-innexin (invertebrate GJ protein) antisera revealed positive labeling in the antennae of C. japonicus. Innexin 3, one of the five antennal innexin subtypes, was detected as a dotted signal within the S. basiconica as a sensory organ for nestmate recognition. These morphological results suggest that ORNs form an electrical network via GJs between dendritic processes. We were unable to functionally certify the electric connections in an olfactory sensory unit comprising such multiple ORNs; however, with the aid of simulation of a mathematical model, we examined the putative function of this novel chemosensory information network, which possibly contributes to the distinct discrimination of colony-specific blends of CHCs or other odor detection

A Histone-Like Protein of Mycobacteria Possesses Ferritin Superfamily Protein-Like Activity and Protects against DNA Damage by Fenton Reaction

Iron is an essential metal for living organisms but its level must be strictly controlled in cells, because ferrous ion induces toxicity by generating highly active reactive oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, through the Fenton reaction. In addition, ferric ion shows low solubility under physiological conditions. To overcome these obstacles living organisms possess Ferritin superfamily proteins that are distributed in all three domains of life: bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. These proteins minimize hydroxyl radical formation by ferroxidase activity that converts Fe2+ into Fe3+ and sequesters iron by storing it as a mineral inside a protein cage. In this study, we discovered that mycobacterial DNA-binding protein 1 (MDP1), a histone-like protein, has similar activity to ferritin superfamily proteins. MDP1 prevented the Fenton reaction and protects DNA by the ferroxidase activity. The Km values of the ferroxidase activity by MDP1 of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG-3007c), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Rv2986c), and Mycobacterium leprae (ML1683; ML-LBP) were 0.292, 0.252, and 0.129 mM, respectively. Furthermore, one MDP1 molecule directly captured 81.4±19.1 iron atoms, suggesting the role of this protein in iron storage. This study describes for the first time a ferroxidase-iron storage protein outside of the ferritin superfamily proteins and the protective role of this bacterial protein from DNA damage

Impurity emission characteristics of long pulse discharges in Large Helical Device

Line spectra from intrinsic impurity ions have been monitored during the three kinds of long-pulse discharges (ICH, ECH, NBI). Constant emission from the iron impurity shows no preferential accumulation of iron ion during the long-pulse operations. Stable Doppler ion temperature has been also measured from Fe XX, C V and C III spectra

Serological Surveillance Development for Tropical Infectious Diseases Using Simultaneous Microsphere-Based Multiplex Assays and Finite Mixture Models

Background:A strategy to combat infectious diseases, including neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), will depend on the development of reliable epidemiological surveillance methods. To establish a simple and practical seroprevalence detection system, we developed a microsphere-based multiplex immunoassay system and evaluated utility using samples obtained in Kenya.Methods:We developed a microsphere-based immuno-assay system to simultaneously measure the individual levels of plasma antibody (IgG) against 8 antigens derived from 6 pathogens: Entamoeba histolytica (C-IgL), Leishmania donovani (KRP42), Toxoplasma gondii (SAG1), Wuchereria bancrofti (SXP1), HIV (gag, gp120 and gp41), and Vibrio cholerae (cholera toxin). The assay system was validated using appropriate control samples. The assay system was applied for 3411 blood samples collected from the general population randomly selected from two health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) cohorts in the coastal and western regions of Kenya. The immunoassay values distribution for each antigen was mathematically defined by a finite mixture model, and cut-off values were optimized.Findings:Sensitivities and specificities for each antigen ranged between 71 and 100%. Seroprevalences for each pathogen from the Kwale and Mbita HDSS sites (respectively) were as follows: HIV, 3.0% and 20.1%; L. donovani, 12.6% and 17.3%; E. histolytica, 12.8% and 16.6%; and T. gondii, 30.9% and 28.2%. Seroprevalences of W. bancrofti and V. cholerae showed relatively high figures, especially among children. The results might be affected by immunological cross reactions between W. bancrofti-SXP1 and other parasitic infections; and cholera toxin and the enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), respectively.Interpretation:A microsphere-based multi-serological assay system can provide an opportunity to comprehensively grasp epidemiological features for NTDs. By adding pathogens and antigens of interest, optimized made-to-order high-quality programs can be established to utilize limited resources to effectively control NTDs in Africa