蛍光性ESIPT液晶材料の光電子機能性に関する研究

京都大学新制・課程博士博士(工学)甲第23160号工博第4804号新制||工||1751(附属図書館)京都大学大学院工学研究科分子工学専攻(主査)教授 関 修平, 教授 今堀 博, 教授 梶 弘典学位規則第4条第1項該当Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering)Kyoto UniversityDFA

Identification and comparison of imputed and genotyped variants for genome-wide association study of orofacial cleft case-parent trios

Background: Orofacial clefts (OFCs) – cleft lip with/without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate (CP) – are the most common craniofacial malformations among newborns. Both CL/P and CP show strong familial aggregation resulting in high estimated heritability. Previously identified genetic risk factors account for about a quarter of the estimated total heritability of risk to OFCs, indicating additional genetic risk loci remain to be identified. The aim of this thesis is to update imputed genotypes generated from a genome-wide marker panel and use both observed and imputed genetic variants to identify the genetic risk factors for OFCs in a case-parent trio study of OFC. Methods: We imputed genotypes on case-parent trios from the Genes and Environment Association (GENEVA) consortium using the Michigan Imputation Server, and then conducted genome-wide association analysis to identify genetic variants associated with risk of CL/P and CP separately. For each cleft subtype, we performed genotypic transmission disequilibrium test (gTDT) using the trio R package on common single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers (i.e. those with a minor allele frequency [MAF] ≥ 5%) in all the trios together, and then stratified by ethnicity (Asian and European sub-groups). Results: We identified two genes not previously reported as associated with risk to CL/P - 18q12 (TTR) and 4q22 (GRID2). The most significant SNP in the region of TTR (rs1375445) reached genome-wide significance in the combined set of all trios (p = 4.33 x 10-8) with RR=1.35 [95%CI: (1.21, 1.51)], despite not achieving this level of significance in either the European sub-group (p = 2.94 x 10-5) or Asian sub-group (p = 5.52 x 10-5) separately. However, the most significant SNP of GRID2 (rs1471079) reached genome-wide significance only in the Asian sub-group (p = 1.82 x 10-7) with estimated RR = 0.70 [95%CI: (0.60, 0.80)]. Both of these imputed SNPs have high imputation accuracy (rs1375445 R2 = 0.96; rs1471079 R2 = 0.97). Additionally, for CL/P, we replicated significant association of 8 regions identified in previous studies of these case-parent trios, including 8q24 (recognized as a gene desert), 1q32 (IRF6), 20q12 (MAFB), 17p13 (NTN1) and 1p22 (ABCA4). The most significant SNPs in six of these regions were imputed. The most significant SNP (rs17242358) in the 8q24 region showed genome-wide significance (p = 1.75 x 10-16) in the combined set of all trios. This imputed SNP showed over-transmission of A allele (over G allele) with estimated RR = 2.09 [95%CI: (1.76, 2.49)]. This imputed SNP achieved quite different levels of significance in the European (p = 7.11 x 10-14) and Asian sub-groups (p = 7.3 x 10-4) primarily because the MAF differed across the two sub-groups (MAF = 23% in Europeans and 2% in Asians). We did not detect any genome-wide significant locus for the OFC subtype CP. Conclusions: Our findings confirm the complex genetic architecture and the heterogeneity of genes influencing risk to OFCs. We replicated most previously reported genetic risk factors for these GENEVA case-parent trios. We also identified two new genetic risk factors for CL/P that require further investigation. Stratification by racial groups helped detect OFC risk loci specific to certain groups. In addition, imputation helped improve the statistical power to detect genetic risk factors for OFC

In vivo Dissection of Long Range Inputs to the Rat Barrel Cortex

Layer 1 (L1) of the cerebral cortex is a largely acellular layer that consists mainly of long-range projection axons and apical dendrites of deeper pyramidal neurons. In the rodent barrel cortex, L1 contains axons from both higher motor and sensory areas of the brain. Despite the abundance of synapses in L1 their actual contribution to sensory processing remains unknown. We investigated the impact of activating long-range axons on barrel cortex L2/3 pyramidal neurons in vivo using a combination of optogenetics and eletrophysiological techniques. The reason we target our investigation on L2/3 is because of its well-known sparse sensory responses. We hypothesize that long-range top-down inputs via L1 can provide the additional inputs necessary to unleash L2/3 and strongly influence sensory processing in S1. We focused on three main sources of BC-projecting synapses: the posterior medial nucleus of the thalamus (POm, the secondary somatosensory nucleus), the primary motor cortex (M1), and the secondary somatosensory cortex (S2). Here we report that while activation of POm axons elicits strong EPSPs in most recorded L2/3 cells, activation of M1 or S2 axons elicited small or no detectable responses. Only POm activation boosted sensory responses in L2/3 pyramidal neurons. We also found that during wakefulness and under sedation, POM activation not only elicited a strong fast-onset EPSP in L2/3 neurons, but also a delayed persistent response. Pharmacological inactivation of POM abolished this persistent response but not the initial synaptic volley to L2/3. We conclude that the persistent response requires intrathalamic or thalamocortical circuits and cannot be mediated by specialized synaptic terminals or intracortical circuitry. Overall, our study suggests that the higher order thalamic nucleus provides more powerful network effect on L2/3 sensory processing than higher order cortical feedback inputs. POm activation not only directly boosts L2/3 sensory responses, but is also capable of influencing S1 signal processing for prolonged periods of time after stimulus onset and can potentially be important for other cognitive aspects of sensory computation

Anti-diabetic effect of the polyphenol-rich extract from Tadehagi triquetrum in diabetic mice

Purpose: To clarify the diabetes-reducing abilities of the polyphenol-rich extract from Tadehagi triquetrum (HC) in diabetic ob/ob mice.Methods: Aerial parts of T. triquetrum were extracted under reflux and partitioned by n-butanol to generate HC. The effects of HC consumption on blood glucose and lipids, insulin resistance, and liver glucose metabolism were evaluated in vivo. The main compounds of HC were tested for their effects on stimulating glucose consumption and uptake by HepG2 hepatocytes and C2C12 myotubes.Results: After HC treatment, body fat, subcutaneous fat, and epidydimal fat masses decreased (p <0.05), while mean daily food intake was  unaffected. HC (200–400 mg/kg) decreased fasting blood glucose, glycosylated serum protein (GSP), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc); it also lowered hyperinsulinemia, improved oral glucose tolerance, and reduced hyperlipidemia and liver fat content (p < 0.05). HC treatment markedly elevated liver glycogen content and activity of hepatic glucokinase and pyruvate kinase (p < 0.05). Eight polyphenols were isolated from HC, six of which potently stimulated glucose consumption and uptake in vivo.Conclusion: HC has potent antidiabetic activities. Polyphenols are the main compounds accounting for these effects. Chronic oral administration of HC may be an alternative therapy for managing diabetes, but this has to be subjected first to clinical studies. Keywords: Tadehagi triquetrum, Diabetes, Phenylpropanoid glucosides, Pyruvate kinase, Glucokinas

A Two-Wheeled Self-Balancing Robot with the Fuzzy PD Control Method

A two-wheeled self-balancing robot with a fuzzy PD control method is described and analyzed as an example of a high-order, multiple-variable, nonlinear, strong-coupling, and unstable system. Based on a system structure model, a kinetic equation is constructed using Newtonian dynamics and mechanics. After a number of simulation experiments, we get the best , , and state-feedback matrices. Then a fuzzy PD controller is designed for which the position and speed of the robot are inputs and for which the angle and angle rate of the robot are controlled by a PD controller. Finally, this paper describes a real-time control platform for the two-wheeled self-balancing robot that controls the robot effectively, after some parameter debugging. The result indicates that the fuzzy PD control algorithm can successfully achieve self-balanced control of the two-wheeled robot and prevent the robot from falling

The Impact of University-Specific WeChat Official Accounts on the Socialist Values of Art Students A Exploration Based on the “BIFT Art Sea Studio” WeChat Official Account

In contemporary higher education, the rise of social media has provided universities with new platforms for information dissemination, establishing connections, and shaping institutional culture. Universityspecific WeChat Official Accounts have emerged as crucial tools for interaction and information dissemination between universities and students. However, their influence on students' ideological perspectives, particularly in shaping socialist values, remains relatively underexplored. This research focuses on investigating the potential impact of the "BIFT ART SEA STUDIO" WeChat Official Account on the socialist values of art students. Socialist values, as an integral component of Chinese socialism, play a crucial role in guiding higher education. Art students, epitomizing creative thinking, contribute not only to the individual formation of values but also play a pivotal role in the inheritance and innovation of institutional culture. The "BIFT ART SEA STUDIO" WeChat Official Account, as a primary channel for information dissemination and interaction, is of particular interest in its potential influence on shaping the socialist values of art students. Through an in-depth exploration of the content, interactive strategies, and levels of student engagement on the "BIFT ART SEA STUDIO" WeChat Official Account, this research aims to unveil the mechanisms through which university-specific WeChat Official Accounts influence the socialist values of art students. The findings of this study contribute to a nuanced understanding of the role of social media in higher education and provide empirical insights for the development of informed educational management strategies. In essence, this research addresses existing gaps in the literature, delving into the substantive impact of university-specific WeChat Official Accounts on the socialist values of art students and offering practical recommendations and theoretical guidance for social media operations in higher education institutions

Potential methane and nitrous oxide production and respiration rates from penguin and seal colony tundra soils during freezing–thawing cycles under different water contents in coastal Antarctica

In coastal Antarctica, frequent freezing–thawing cycles (FTCs) and changes to the hydrological conditions may affect methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) production and respiration rates in tundra soils, which are difficult to observe in situ. Tundra soils including ornithogenic tundra soil (OAS), seal colony soil (SCS) and emperor penguin colony soil (EPS) were collected. In laboratory, we investigated the effects of FTCs and water addition on potential N2O and CH4 production and respiration rates in the soils. The CH4 fluxes from OAS and SCS were much less than that from EPS. Meanwhile, the N2O fluxes from OAS and EPS were much less than that from SCS. The N2O production rates from all soils were extremely low during freezing, but rapidly increased following thawing. In all cases, FTC also induced considerably enhanced soil respiration, indicating that soil respiration response was sensitive to the FTCs. The highest cumulative rates of CH4, N2O and CO2 were 59.5 mg CH4-C·kg−1 in EPS, 6268.8 μg N2O-N·kg−1 in SCS and 3522.1 mg CO2-C·kg−1 in OAS. Soil water addition had no significant effects on CH4 production and respiration rates, but it could reduce N2O production in OAS and EPS, and it stimulated N2O production in SCS. Overall, CH4 and N2O production rates showed a trade-off relationship during the three FTCs. Our results indicated that FTCs greatly stimulated soil N2O and CO2 production, and water increase has an important effect on soil N2O production in coastal Antarctic tundra

Sociocultural–psychological predictors influencing parents' decision-making regarding HPV vaccination for their adolescent daughters in mainland China: An extended TPB model

IntroductionEnhancing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake rates to protect women's health is an important public health issue worldwide. China has taken a series of measures in recent years to promote HPV vaccination among school-aged girls, but the vaccine uptake rate remains low. Investigating the factors influencing vaccination-related decision-making of adolescent girls' parents is key to solving the problem. This study aimed to examine the influence of sociocultural-psychological predictors, including exposure to HPV-related stories (positive/negative), affective reactions (pride/regret), injunctive norms on the Internet and perceived moral obligation, on parents' HPV vaccination-related decision-making for girls aged 13–15 years in mainland China.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey using quota sampling was conducted in February 2022. Four hundred and five valid and qualified questionnaires were obtained. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was performed by SmartPLS 3 (i) to evaluate the reliability and validity of the measurement models of 11 constructs, and (ii) to test the effect relationships of the sociocultural–psychological predictors on parents' intention to vaccinate their daughters.ResultsThe study findings showed that parental decision-making regarding HPV vaccination was influenced by sociocultural and psychological factors. At the level of individual psychological factors, exposure to positive stories was significantly associated with perceived vaccine effectiveness (β = 0.331, t = 8.448, p < 0.001), which strongly predicted the attitude toward vaccination (β = 0.521, t = 8.133, p < 0.001); anticipated pride had more positive influence on vaccination-related decision-making (β = 0.156, t = 2.176, p < 0.05) than anticipated regret. In terms of social influence, injunctive norms on the Internet had a significantly positive influence on vaccination intention (β = 0.127, t = 2.382, p < 0.05), similar to descriptive norms (β = 0.135, t = 3.358, p < 0.01). Perceived moral obligation at the cultural level was the strongest predictor of parental decision-making regarding HPV vaccination (β = 0.193, t = 2.139, p < 0.05).DiscussionThis study is the first in mainland China to systematically examine the sociocultural-psychological predictors of parents' decision-making to vaccinate their 13–15-year-old daughters against HPV. A new extended TPB model with a sociocultural-psychological approach was developed. This model can support the investigation of factors affecting HPV vaccine uptake rates in the mainland Chinese population and similar populations and help to understand the differences in vaccination-related decision-making between Eastern and Western cultures. Furthermore, the study provided some suggestions for HPV vaccination communication campaigns targeting adolescent girls' parents

Interactions of the apolipoprotein C-III 3238C>G polymorphism and alcohol consumption on serum triglyceride levels

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Both apolipoprotein (Apo) C-III gene polymorphism and alcohol consumption have been associated with increased serum triglyceride (TG) levels, but their interactions on serum TG levels are not well known. The present study was undertaken to detect the interactions of the ApoC-III 3238C>G (rs5128) polymorphism and alcohol consumption on serum TG levels.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 516 unrelated nondrinkers and 514 drinkers aged 15-89 were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized cluster samples. Genotyping of the ApoC-III 3238C>G was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis, and then confirmed by direct sequencing. Interactions of the ApoC-III 3238C>G genotype and alcohol consumption was assessed by using a cross-product term between genotypes and the aforementioned factor.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Serum total cholesterol (TC), TG, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ApoA-I and ApoB levels were higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers (<it>P </it>< 0.05-0.001). There was no significant difference in the genotypic and allelic frequencies between the two groups. Serum TG levels in nondrinkers were higher in CG genotype than in CC genotype (<it>P </it>< 0.01). Serum TC, TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and ApoB levels in drinkers were higher in GG genotype than in CC or CG genotype (<it>P </it>< 0.01 for all). Serum HDL-C levels in drinkers were higher in CG genotype than in CC genotype (<it>P </it>< 0.01). Serum TC, TG, HDL-C and ApoA-I levels in CC genotype, TC, HDL-C, ApoA-I levels and the ratio of ApoA-I to ApoB in CG genotype, and TC, TG, LDL-C, ApoA-I and ApoB levels in GG genotype were higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers (<it>P </it>< 0.05-0.01). But the ratio of ApoA-I to ApoB in GG genotype was lower in drinkers than in nondrinkers (<it>P </it>< 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of TC, TG and ApoB were correlated with genotype in nondrinkers (<it>P </it>< 0.05 for all). The levels of TC, LDL-C and ApoB were associated with genotype in drinkers (<it>P </it>< 0.01 for all). Serum lipid parameters were also correlated with age, sex, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, blood pressure, body weight, and body mass index in both groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study suggests that the ApoC-III 3238CG heterozygotes benefited more from alcohol consumption than CC and GG homozygotes in increasing serum levels of HDL-C, ApoA-I, and the ratio of ApoA-I to ApoB, and lowering serum levels of TC and TG.</p