The γ-subunit of ATP synthase from spinach chloroplasts Primary structure deduced from the cloned cDNA sequence

AbstractcDNA clones encoding the γ-subunit of chloroplast ATP synthase were isolated from a spinach library using synthetic oligonucleotide probes. The predicted amino acid sequence indicated that the mature chloroplast γ-subunit consists of 323 amino acid residues and is highly homologous (55% identical residues) with the sequence of the cyanobacterial subunit. The positions of the four cysteine residues were identified. The carboxyl-terminal region of the choloroplast γ-subunit is highly homologous with those of the γ-subunits from six other sources (bacteria and mitochondria) sequenced thus far

Establishment of a new method for precisely determining the functions of individual mitochondrial genes, using Dictyostelium cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Disruption of mitochondrial genes may become a powerful tool for elucidating precisely the functions of individual mitochondrial genes. However, it is generally difficult to manipulate genetically mitochondrial genes, because 1) a mitochondrion is surrounded by inner and outer membranes, and 2) there are a large number of mtDNA copies in a single cell. This is the reason why we tried to establish a novel method for disrupting a certain mitochondrial gene (<it>rps4</it>), using <it>Dictyostelium </it>cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we have developed a new method for specifically disrupting a mitochondrial gene (<it>rps4 </it>; ribosomal protein subunit S4), by a combination of homologous recombination and delivery of an appropriate restriction endonuclease (<it>Sfo</it>I) into mitochondria. First, mitochondrially targeted <it>Sfo</it>I whose expression is under control of the tetracycline (Tet)-regulated gene expression system was introduced into cells heteroplasmic with respect to the <it>rps4 </it>gene. Then, the heteroplasmic cells were produced by homologous recombination by use of the construct in which the unique <it>Sfo</it>I site and the 5'-half of the <it>rps4 </it>coding region were deleted not to be digested by <it>Sfo</it>I, and therefore their mitochondria have both the wild-type mtDNA and the mutant mtDNA with the disrupted <it>rps4 </it>gene. In response to removal of Tet from growth medium, <it>Sfo</it>I was selectively delivered into mitochondria and digested only the wild-type mtDNA but not the mutated <it>rps4</it>. Thus one can gain <it>rps4</it>-null cells with only the mutated mtDNA, under the Tet-minus condition.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The mitochondrial gene-disruption method presented here must be widely useful for precisely determining the functions of individual mitochondrial genes. This is the first report to demonstrate complete and specific mitochondrial gene disruption.</p

Approximate Optimization Algorithms in Markov Random Field Model Based on Statistical-Mechanical Techniques

An image restoration can be often formulated as an energy minimization problem. When an energy function is expressed by using the hamiltonian of a classical spin system only with finite range interactions, the probabilistic model, which is described in the form of Gibbs distribution for the energy function, can be regarded as a Markov random field (MRF) model. Some approximate optimization algorithms for the energy minimization problem were proposed in the standpoint of statistical-mechanics. In this paper, the approximate optimization algorithms are summarized and are applied to the image restoration for natural image.特集 : 「産業におけるソフトコンピューティングに関する国際会議\u2799」発表論文選

Demand for weekend outpatient chemotherapy among patients with cancer in Japan

Background Advanced cancer therapeutics have improved patient survival, leading to an increase in the number of patients who require long-term outpatient chemotherapy. However, the available schedule options for chemotherapy are generally limited to traditional business hours. Method In 2017, we surveyed 721 patients with cancer in Okayama, Japan, regarding their preferences for evening and weekend (Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday) chemotherapy appointments. Results A preference for evening and weekend appointment options was indicated by 37% of the respondents. Patients who requested weekend chemotherapy were younger, female, with no spouse or partner, living alone, employed, and currently receiving treatment. Among these factors, age and employment status were significantly associated with a preference for weekend chemotherapy, according to multivariate analysis. Conclusion Our findings reveal a demand for evening and weekend outpatient chemotherapy, especially among young, employed patients

ファジィ領域成長アルゴリズムを用いた自然画像の領域分割

We present a new method that integrates intensity features and a local fractal-dimension feature into a region growing algorithm for the segmentation of natural images. A fuzzy rule is used to integrate different types of features into a segmentation algorithm. In the proposed algorithm, intensity features are used to produce an accurate segmentation, while the fractal-dimension feature is used to yield a rough segmentation in a natural image. The effective combination of the different features provides the segmented results similar to the ones by a human visual system. Experimental results demonstrates the capabilities of the proposed method to execute the segmentation of natural images using the fuzzy region-growing algorithm.特集 : 「産業におけるソフトコンピューティングに関する国際会議\u2799」発表論文選

Anti-Tumor Effect in Human Lung Cancer by a Combination Treatment of Novel Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: SL142 or SL325 and Retinoic Acids

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors arrest cancer cell growth and cause apoptosis with low toxicity thereby constituting a promising treatment for cancer. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor activity in lung cancer cells of the novel cyclic amide-bearing hydroxamic acid based HDAC inhibitors SL142 and SL325. In A549 and H441 lung cancer cells both SL142 and SL325 induced more cell growth inhibition and cell death than the hydroxamic acid-based HDAC inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). Moreover, the combination treatment using retinoid drugs ATRA or 9-cis RA along with SL142 or SL325 significantly induced more apoptosis and suppressed colony formation than the single use of either. The expression of the retinoic acid receptors RARα, RARβ, RXRα and RXRβ were unchanged with the treatment. However a luciferase reporter construct (pGL4. RARE 7x) containing seven tandem repeats of the retinoic acid responsible element (RARE) generated significant transcriptional activity after the combination treatment of retinoic acids and SL142 or SL325 in H441 lung cancer cells. Moreover, apoptosis-promoting Bax expression and caspase-3 activity was increased after the combination treatment. These results suggest that the combination treatment of SL142 or SL325 with retinoic acids exerts significant anti-tumor activity and is a promising therapeutic candidate to treat human lung cancer

Reliability and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale in Kidney Transplant Recipients

A valid and reliable instrument that can measure adherence is needed to identify nonadherent patients and to improve adherence. However, there is no validated Japanese self-report instrument to evaluate adherence to immunosuppressive medications for transplant patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale (BAASIS).; We translated the BAASIS into Japanese and developed the Japanese version of the BAASIS (J-BAASIS) according to the International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research task force guidelines. We analyzed the reliability (test-retest reliability and measurement error) and validity of the J-BAASIS (concurrent validity with the medication event monitoring system and the 12-item Medication Adherence Scale) referring to the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist.; A total of 106 kidney transplant recipients were included in this study. In the analysis of test-retest reliability, Cohen's kappa coefficient was found to be 0.62. In the analysis of measurement error, the positive and negative agreement were 0.78 and 0.84, respectively. In the analysis of concurrent validity with the medication event monitoring system, sensitivity and specificity were 0.84 and 0.90, respectively. In the analysis of concurrent validity with the 12-item Medication Adherence Scale, the point-biserial correlation coefficient for the "medication compliance" subscale was 0.38 (; P; < 0.001).; The J-BAASIS was determined to have good reliability and validity. Using the J-BAASIS to evaluate adherence can help clinicians to identify medication nonadherence and institute appropriate corrective measures to improve transplant outcomes