Rho and Anillin-dependent Control of mDia2 Localization and Function in Cytokinesis

Diaphanous-related formin, mDia, is an actin nucleation/polymerization factor functioning downstream of the small GTPase Rho. We found that, in addition to the Rho GTPase-mediated activation, the interaction between mDia2 and anillin is required for the localization and function of mDia2 in cytokinesis

Intake of Radionuclides in the Trees of Fukushima Forests 3. Removal of Radiocesium from Stem Wood, Cryptomeria Japonica (L.f.) D. Don.

Nuclear power plant accidents have dispersed radiocesium into the atmosphere to contaminate trees with no turnover in heartwood, as occurred in Fukushima, and as has persisted for over 30 years around Chernobyl. Here we employ the ponding method, in which radiocesium can be flushed out from the cross-cut edges of Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica (L.f.) D. Don., stem with water due to xyloglucan degradation in tracheids. Furthermore, lab-scale ponding experiments have shown that a non-detectable level of radiocesium has been observed not only in the pool water used for 575 days but also in the water containing recombinant xyloglucanase. This traditional technology is now a new biotechnology

ヒ ボゴ ワシャ ニホンゴ キョウシ ムケ ブンポウ カイセツ ノ ココロミ - 『ニホンゴ キョイク ツウシン』 「ブンポウ ヲ ヤサシク」 ヲ シッピツ シテ -

中級者向け初級文法解説記事「文法をやさしく」は、非母語話者日本語教師向け情報誌『日本語教育通信』に3年間連載された。この記事は、日本語で書かれた教師向け文法参考書を使いこなすことが難しい、運用力が中級段階にある非母語話者日本語教師を読者に想定して書かれた。筆者らはこの記事の執筆にあたり、使用語彙や文型、文体を調整し、挿絵などの視覚的な補助手段を用いて、「やさしい文法解説」の具体化を図った。2003年実施の『日本語教育通信』に関するアンケートでは、想定外の読者、例えば、母語話者教師からも反響があり、日本語でやさしく書かれた文法解説の需要や効果の一端がわかった。但し、解説に多くの抽象的概念や文法用語を要する項目は取り上げにくく、各現場の多様性(母語・文化等)まで踏まえた説明が困難だという限界もある。これらが今後こうした企画を展開する際の留意点と考えられる。We serialized articles named “Approachable Japanese Grammar” on NIHONGO-KYOÔIKU TSÛSHIN, a newsletter for non-native Japanese language teachers (NNTs) for 3 years. More than half of NNTs are presumably occupied with those at or under an intermediate level of competence. For them, reference books in Japanese are not approachable, obstructed by the language incompetence. Our attempt was to serve them interpretative articles in simple Japanese, in a teachers-talk-like style, also with visual aids such as illustrations, etc.. Answers on questionaires in 2003 tell us it attracted not only NNTs including those under intermediate level, but also native teachers as the readers. Accepting difficulty to detour technical terms demanding vocabulary beyond intermediate level for its interpretation, we wish our attempt may suggest a way to make Japanese grammar more comprehensible for teaching and learning

A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Management of Chronic Pain through a Self-managed Behavioral Exercise Program : A Pilot Study in Japan

We conducted this study to determine the short-term treatment outcomes of multidisciplinary approaches to chronic pain management for outpatients in Japan. We evaluated pain reduction and improvement in quality of life (QOL) after treatment. We analyzed 32 patients who had experienced intractable chronic pain for > 3 months. The patients received multidisciplinary therapeutic self-managed exercise instructions and then underwent evaluations 1 and 3 months after the treatment. We used the Pain Disability Short Form-36 (SF-36), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Pain Disability Assessment Scale (PDAS) to evaluate QOL. Although the pain levels were the same before and after the physical exercise program, the patients showed significant improvements in physical function on the SF-36 (48.5 vs. 54.5, 3 months vs. 1 month; p=0.0124), the magnification subscale on the PCS (6.8 vs. 5.9, 1 month vs. before; p=0.0164) and the PDAS (29.2 vs. 23.4, 3 months vs. before; p=0.0055). Chronic pain should be treated with a biopsychosocial approach, but time constraints and costs have limited the implementation of multidisciplinary and behavioral approaches to chronic pain management. Our findings demonstrate that clinical improvements are possible for patients with chronic pain, using multidisciplinary team resources widely available in Japanese clinical practice

Infrequent RAS mutation is not associated with specific histological phenotype in gliomas

BACKGROUND: Mutations in driver genes such as IDH and BRAF have been identified in gliomas. Meanwhile, dysregulations in the p53, RB1, and MAPK and/or PI3K pathways are involved in the molecular pathogenesis of glioblastoma. RAS family genes activate MAPK through activation of RAF and PI3K to promote cell proliferation. RAS mutations are a well-known driver of mutation in many types of cancers, but knowledge of their significance for glioma is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to reveal the frequency and the clinical phenotype of RAS mutant in gliomas. METHODS: This study analysed RAS mutations and their clinical significance in 242 gliomas that were stored as unfixed or cryopreserved specimens removed at Kyoto University and Osaka National Hospital between May 2006 and October 2017. The hot spots mutation of IDH1/2, H3F3A, HIST1H3B, and TERT promoter and exon 2 and exon 3 of KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS were analysed with Sanger sequencing method, and 1p/19q codeletion was analysed with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. DNA methylation array was performed in some RAS mutant tumours to improve accuracy of diagnosis. RESULTS: RAS mutations were identified in four gliomas with three KRAS mutations and one NRAS mutation in one anaplastic oligodendroglioma, two anaplastic astrocytomas (IDH wild-type in each), and one ganglioglioma. RAS-mutant gliomas were identified with various types of glioma histology. CONCLUSION: RAS mutation appears infrequent, and it is not associated with any specific histological phenotype of glioma

A crossover comparison of urinary albumin excretion as a new surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease among 4 types of calcium channel blockers

Background: At the intervention for cardiovascular disease (CVD), albuminuria is a new pivotal target. Calcium channel blocker (CCB) is one of the most expected agents. Currently CCBs have been classified by delivery system, half-life and channel types. We tested anti-albuminuric effect among 4 types of CCBs. Methods: Subjects were 50 hypertensives (SBP/DBP 164.7 ± 17.1/92.3 ± 12.2 mm Hg, s-Cr 0.81 ± 0.37 mg/dl, urinary albumin excretion (UAE) 69.4 (33.5-142.6) mg/gCr). Four CCBs were administered in a crossover setting: nifedipine CR, a long biological half-life L type by controlled release; cilnidipine, an N/L type; efonidipine, a T/L type; and amlodipine, a long biological half-life L type. Results: Comparable BP reductions were obtained. UAE at endpoints ware as follows (mg/gCr,*P < 0.01): nifedipine CR 30.8 (17.3-81.1),* cilnidipine 33.9 (18.0-67.7),* efonidipine 51.0 (21.2-129.8), amlodipine 40.6 (18.7-94.7). By all agents, significant augmentations were observed in PRA, angiotensin I and angiotensin II (AngII). AngII at cilnidipine was significantly lower than that at amlodipine. PAC at cilnidipine and efonidipine was significantly lower than that at amlodipine. Nifedipine CR significantly reduced ANP concentration. Conclusions: It is revealed that only nifedipine CR and cilnidipine could reduce albuminuria statistically. Thus, it is suggested that the 2 CCBs might be favorable for organ protection in hypertensives. © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd

デントウ ケンチク デントウ コウゲイ ノ ギジュツ ト ブンカ ノ ケイショウ ニ カンスル タクミ リョウイキ ノ キョウイク ケンキュウ

　伝統的な建築・工芸についての知識と基本技能を修得し、現代社会と呼応しうる新たなデザインを生み出す人材を養成することを目的に、2019年デザイン学科に匠領域が増設された。2017年から継続している伝統建築を通した教育・研究・地域連携の成果、「工芸」「匠」の位置づけ、匠ものデザインプロジェクト、遠州地域との関わりと「織」教育プログラム、旧田代家住宅を活用した学生作品展について報告し、伝統建築・工芸の技術と文化の継承という大きな課題の中での、デザイン教育における「匠」について検証するものである。　In 2019, the Department of Design was expanded to include the field of TAKUMI, with the aim of acquiring knowledge and basic skills in traditional architecture and crafts, cultivating human resources capable of creating new designs that can respond to modern society. This study reports on the results of education, research, and regional collaboration through traditional architecture that have been continuing since 2017, the positions of "KOUGEI" and "TAKUMI", the craftsmanship design project of “TAKUMIMONO”, the relationship with the Enshu region and the "weaving" education program, as well as the exhibition of student works using former Tashiro residence. It also examines "TAKUMI" in design education amid the major issue of inheriting traditional architecture, craft techniques, and culture

Current status of tertiary debulking surgery and prognosis after secondary debulking surgery for recurrent Müllerian epithelial cancer in Japan: a retrospective analysis of 164 patients (KCOG-G1402)

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the current status of secondary debulking surgery (SDS) and tertiary debulking surgery (TDS; performed for recurrence after SDS) and to assess the overall survival after recurrence of Müllerian epithelial cancer in Japan. We also evaluated the data of patients who underwent a fourth debulking surgery (i.e., quaternary debulking surgery (QDS)).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 164 patients with recurrent Müllerian epithelial cancers (i.e., ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers). The SDS was performed between January 2000 and September 2014 in 20 Japanese hospitals. Clinicopathological data were collected and analyzed.ResultsOf the 164 patients, 66 patients did not have a recurrence or died after SDS. Ninety-eight patients had a recurrence after SDS. Forty-three of the 98 patients underwent TDS; 55 of the 98 patients did not undergo TDS and were classified into the non-TDS group. The overall survival (OS) after SDS was significantly better in the TDS group than in the non-TDS group. The median OS after SDS was 123 and 42 months in the TDS group and non-TDS group, respectively. Of the 43 patients who received TDS, 11 patients were further treated with QDS. The median OS after SDS was 123 months for patients who underwent QDS.ConclusionsThis multicenter study on the prognosis of post-SDS is apparently the first report on QDS in Japan. Patients undergoing TDS have a good prognosis, compared to patients in the non-TDS group. Novel drugs are being evaluated; however, debulking surgery remains a necessary treatment for recurrence

Gene Organization in Rice Revealed by Full-Length cDNA Mapping and Gene Expression Analysis through Microarray

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a model organism for the functional genomics of monocotyledonous plants since the genome size is considerably smaller than those of other monocotyledonous plants. Although highly accurate genome sequences of indica and japonica rice are available, additional resources such as full-length complementary DNA (FL-cDNA) sequences are also indispensable for comprehensive analyses of gene structure and function. We cross-referenced 28.5K individual loci in the rice genome defined by mapping of 578K FL-cDNA clones with the 56K loci predicted in the TIGR genome assembly. Based on the annotation status and the presence of corresponding cDNA clones, genes were classified into 23K annotated expressed (AE) genes, 33K annotated non-expressed (ANE) genes, and 5.5K non-annotated expressed (NAE) genes. We developed a 60mer oligo-array for analysis of gene expression from each locus. Analysis of gene structures and expression levels revealed that the general features of gene structure and expression of NAE and ANE genes were considerably different from those of AE genes. The results also suggested that the cloning efficiency of rice FL-cDNA is associated with the transcription activity of the corresponding genetic locus, although other factors may also have an effect. Comparison of the coverage of FL-cDNA among gene families suggested that FL-cDNA from genes encoding rice- or eukaryote-specific domains, and those involved in regulatory functions were difficult to produce in bacterial cells. Collectively, these results indicate that rice genes can be divided into distinct groups based on transcription activity and gene structure, and that the coverage bias of FL-cDNA clones exists due to the incompatibility of certain eukaryotic genes in bacteria