Second language inner voice and identity

This study investigates the phenomena of second language (L2, hereafter) inner voice for three Japanese-American English bilinguals who had long-term exposure to the L2 in naturalistic contexts, that is, by living and/or working or studying in the U.S. American English learners of L2 Japanese were included in the study as well, although only one of them had naturalistic exposure, the other having traveled to Japan in addition to being married to a Japanese national. Data for the study reveals how and when L2 inner voice is utilized, how it appears to develop, how it leads to shifts in identity toward the L2 languaculture, and how and when this takes place. Moreover, the study distinguishes the functions of L2 inner voice from those of L2 inner speech, although the two were found to co-exist at times, functioning interchangeably. Furthermore, the emergence of the L2 inner voice appears to be dependent on the prior development of L2 inner speech. Overall, the main function of L2 inner voice proves to be a bridging of language and cultural gaps between the L1 and L2 languaculture

Oberlin partial ulnar nerve transfer for restoration in obstetric brachial plexus palsy of a newborn: case report

An 8 month old male infant with Erb's birth palsy was treated with two peripheral nerve transfers. Except for rapid motor reinnervations, elbow flexion was obtained by an Oberlin's partial ulnar nerve transfer, while shoulder abduction was restored by an accessory-to-suprascapular nerve transfer. The initial contraction of the biceps muscle occurred two months after surgery. Forty months after surgery, elbow flexion reached M5 without functional loss of the ulnar nerve. This case demonstrates an excellent result of an Oberlin's nerve transfer for restoration of flexion of the elbow joint in Erb's birth palsy. However, at this time partial ulnar nerve transfer for Erb's birth palsy is an optional procedure; a larger number of cases will need to be studied for it to be widely accepted as a standard procedure for Erb's palsy at birth

Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair in Japan: Experience with fenestrated stent grafts in the treatment of distal arch aneurysms

ObjectivesIn the West, stent grafts for endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms have been commercially available for several years, whereas in Japan, a manufactured stent graft was not approved for this application until March 2008. Nevertheless, endovascular thoracic intervention began to be performed in Japan in the early 1990s, with homemade devices used in most cases. Many researchers have continued to develop homemade devices. We have participated in joint design and assessment efforts with a stent graft manufacturer, focusing primarily on fenestrated stent grafts used in repairs at the distal arch, a site especially prone to aneurysm.MethodsFrom 1995 to February 2008, we performed about 1100 endovascular procedures to treat thoracic aortic aneurysms and 682 cases were performed at Tokyo Medical University. In 435 out of 682 the aneurysm was located in the area from the distal arch to the proximal descending aorta. Fenestrated stent grafts were inserted in 288 cases. Computed tomography scans were performed at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and annually thereafter.ResultsThe initial success rate in the entire series was 95.2%. Complications included 26 cerebral infarctions (3.8%), six of which (0.9%) resulted in serious paralysis and changes in consciousness. Among patients who received fenestrated stent grafts, paraplegia occurred in 2.6%, aortic injury in 1.2%, and iliofemoral artery injury in 6.0%. No complications resulted from occlusion of aortic arch branches. At ≥2 years after intervention, aneurysm diameter was reduced in 62% of patients, 33% had no change, and 5% had a diameter enlargement. The stent graft complication rate during follow-up was 8.4%, the device fracture rate was 1.4%, and the device migration rate was 7%. The 5-year survival rate was 62.4%, with follow-up in 96.8% of the patients.ConclusionEndovascular repair has promising results in the descending thoracic aortic region, although some stent grafts and their delivery systems can still be improved. Additional commercial developments and available stent grafts designed for use in the distal arch are urgently needed

CTを用いた成人日本人における股関節寛骨臼計測の基準値の性差および加齢が計測値に与える影響

Background: It is very important to understand the acetabular morphology of the normal hip joint to assist in diagnosis and surgical planning of hip disorders. The purpose of the present study was to obtain gender-based reference values for the acetabular measurements of a normal hip using computed tomography data and investigate the effect of aging on the measurement values. Methods: We measured acetabular parameters (center-edge angle, Sharp angle, vertical center anterior angle, acetabular anteversion) on computed tomography corrected for changing the obliquity, rotation, and tilt of the pelvis. We performed measurements in 245 patients (490 joints; 120 men [240 joints] and 125 women [250 joints]). The mean age was 64.7 ± 14.3 (31-88) years for men and 63.2 ± 15.2 (30-88) years for women. Results: In men and women, the mean center-edge angle was 31.8° ± 6.4° and 30.6° ± 6.5°, the mean Sharp angle was 38.6° ± 3.2° and 40.6° ± 3.8°, the mean vertical center anterior angle was 44.3° ± 7.9° and 40.0° ± 8.5°, and the mean acetabular anteversion angle was 14.3° ± 5.2° and 18.8° ± 5.4°, respectively. All differences were statistically significant. The center-edge angle increased with age in women; however, such an effect was not observed in men. The other measurements showed a similar trend, such as larger vertical center anterior angle and smaller Sharp and acetabular anteversion angles, with aging in both men and women. Conclusions: We used computed tomography data to quantitatively assess the coverage and shape of the acetabulum in adult Japanese subjects and obtain the estimated reference ranges by gender. The results also proved that the measurements changed with aging in both sexes. These facts must be taken into account during the diagnosis of hip disease and planning of surgery.博士（医学）・甲第784号・令和3年3月15日© 2020 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Tumor-specific exon creation of the HELLS/SMARCA6 gene in non-small cell lung cancer

In an attempt to identify tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 10 in non-small cell lung cancers, we isolated 10 types of splicing variants of the HELLS/ SMARCA6 gene transcripts. HELLS/SMARCA6 is a novel member of SNF2 family, which is implicated in cellular function like chromatin remodeling. Variant 1 was an alternatively spliced isoform containing an insertion of a 44-ntd intronic sequence between exons 3 and 4, giving rise to a premature termination of translation. The expression of the variant 1 was detected exclusively in the lung cancer specimens (11 of 43 cases, 26%), but was not detected in corresponding normal tissues. D10S520 marker in the proximity of the HELLS/SMARCA6 gene showed prevalent allelic loss (41%) as compared with flanking markers (25-31%). These results suggest that loss of function of HELLS/SMARCA6 by allelic loss and aberrant proteins by tumor-specific exon creation may result in epigenetic deregulation, leading the lung cells to malignancy or its progression

The Satb1 Protein Directs Hematopoietic Stem Cell Differentiation toward Lymphoid Lineages

SummaryHow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) produce particular lineages is insufficiently understood. We searched for key factors that direct HSC to lymphopoiesis. Comparing gene expression profiles for HSCs and early lymphoid progenitors revealed that Satb1, a global chromatin regulator, was markedly induced with lymphoid lineage specification. HSCs from Satb1-deficient mice were defective in lymphopoietic activity in culture and failed to reconstitute T lymphopoiesis in wild-type recipients. Furthermore, Satb1 transduction of HSCs and embryonic stem cells robustly promoted their differentiation toward lymphocytes. Whereas genes that encode Ikaros, E2A, and Notch1 were unaffected, many genes involved in lineage decisions were regulated by Satb1. Satb1 expression was reduced in aged HSCs with compromised lymphopoietic potential, but forced Satb1 expression partly restored that potential. Thus, Satb1 governs the initiating process central to the replenishing of lymphoid lineages. Such activity in lymphoid cell generation may be of clinical importance and useful to overcome immunosenescence

ミズ カンキョウ オセン ブッシツ ノ ドウタイ ヒョウカ ケンキュウ キョテン ノ コウチク

本拠点形成では、地球規模での省資源･持続･循環社会の実現において中核となる環境科学の分野で画期的な貢献をするために、熊本大学の立地条件に配慮し、緊急性の高い水環境汚染物質の動態評価研究拠点の構築を目指す。とくに、環境悪化の原因とメカニズムが不明のまま疲弊状態にある有明･八代海の再生修復への貢献を念頭に置き、環境ホルモンなどの環境汚染物質の生物モニタリング科学創成、沿岸域における栄養塩除去などに有効な環境汚染物質のバイオ・レミディエーションの科学技術研究の展開、陸水と海水に跨る沿岸域水環境の計測･解析･評価手法の高度化と応用、微量で多様な環境汚染物質の高精度定量手法の開発と応用などの先導的研究を推進する。また、これらの研究を通じて総合的な研究能力と高度な洞察力を有する創造性豊かな人材を育成するとともに、環境産業創成に貢献する

ミズ カンキョウ オセン ブッシツ ノ ドウタイ ヒョウカ ケンキュウ キョテン ノ コウチク

本拠点形成では、地球規模での省資源･持続･循環社会の実現において中核となる環境科学の分野で画期的な貢献をするために、熊本大学の立地条件に配慮し、緊急性の高い水環境汚染物質の動態評価研究拠点の構築を目指す。とくに、環境悪化の原因とメカニズムが不明のまま疲弊状態にある有明･八代海の再生修復への貢献を念頭に置き、環境ホルモンなどの環境汚染物質の生物モニタリング科学創成、沿岸域における栄養塩除去などに有効な環境汚染物質のバイオ・レミディエーションの科学技術研究の展開、陸水と海水に跨る沿岸域水環境の計測･解析･評価手法の高度化と応用、微量で多様な環境汚染物質の高精度定量手法の開発と応用などの先導的研究を推進する。また、これらの研究を通じて総合的な研究能力と高度な洞察力を有する創造性豊かな人材を育成するとともに、環境産業創成に貢献する

Global, regional, and national burden of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) are increasingly recognised as global health priorities in view of the preventability of most injuries and the complex and expensive medical care they necessitate. We aimed to measure the incidence, prevalence, and years of life lived with disability (YLDs) for TBI and SCI from all causes of injury in every country, to describe how these measures have changed between 1990 and 2016, and to estimate the proportion of TBI and SCI cases caused by different types of injury. METHODS: We used results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study 2016 to measure the global, regional, and national burden of TBI and SCI by age and sex. We measured the incidence and prevalence of all causes of injury requiring medical care in inpatient and outpatient records, literature studies, and survey data. By use of clinical record data, we estimated the proportion of each cause of injury that required medical care that would result in TBI or SCI being considered as the nature of injury. We used literature studies to establish standardised mortality ratios and applied differential equations to convert incidence to prevalence of long-term disability. Finally, we applied GBD disability weights to calculate YLDs. We used a Bayesian meta-regression tool for epidemiological modelling, used cause-specific mortality rates for non-fatal estimation, and adjusted our results for disability experienced with comorbid conditions. We also analysed results on the basis of the Socio-demographic Index, a compound measure of income per capita, education, and fertility. FINDINGS: In 2016, there were 27·08 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 24·30-30·30 million) new cases of TBI and 0·93 million (0·78-1·16 million) new cases of SCI, with age-standardised incidence rates of 369 (331-412) per 100 000 population for TBI and 13 (11-16) per 100 000 for SCI. In 2016, the number of prevalent cases of TBI was 55·50 million (53·40-57·62 million) and of SCI was 27·04 million (24·98-30·15 million). From 1990 to 2016, the age-standardised prevalence of TBI increased by 8·4% (95% UI 7·7 to 9·2), whereas that of SCI did not change significantly (-0·2% [-2·1 to 2·7]). Age-standardised incidence rates increased by 3·6% (1·8 to 5·5) for TBI, but did not change significantly for SCI (-3·6% [-7·4 to 4·0]). TBI caused 8·1 million (95% UI 6·0-10·4 million) YLDs and SCI caused 9·5 million (6·7-12·4 million) YLDs in 2016, corresponding to age-standardised rates of 111 (82-141) per 100 000 for TBI and 130 (90-170) per 100 000 for SCI. Falls and road injuries were the leading causes of new cases of TBI and SCI in most regions. INTERPRETATION: TBI and SCI constitute a considerable portion of the global injury burden and are caused primarily by falls and road injuries. The increase in incidence of TBI over time might continue in view of increases in population density, population ageing, and increasing use of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles. The number of individuals living with SCI is expected to increase in view of population growth, which is concerning because of the specialised care that people with SCI can require. Our study was limited by data sparsity in some regions, and it will be important to invest greater resources in collection of data for TBI and SCI to improve the accuracy of future assessments