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Y chromosome haplogroups are associated with birth size in Japanese men
Get PDFThe Y chromosome is classified into haplogroups (A-T) based on a combination of several DNA polymorphisms. Japanese men are mainly classified into haplogroups C, D, and O, which have been further subdivided. The distribution of Y-chromosome haplogroups varies by ethnicity. The phylogenetic age, origin, and migration also differ. I hypothesized that Y chromosome haplogroups may be associated with height and/or weight at birth. An association analysis of height and weight at birth with Y chromosome haplogroups was performed in 288 Japanese men. Men belonging to haplogroup O1b2 were significantly associated with short stature at birth (beta = −1.88, standard error (SE) = 0.55, P = 0.00076), and those belonging to D1a2a-12f2b were significantly associated with increased birth weight (beta = 174, SE = 64, P = 0.0069). Y chromosome haplogroups are associated with physical birth characteristics in modern Japanese men.journal articl
Dynamic wide gamut color generation using highly lossy metal-based metal-dielectric-metal structure
Get PDFDynamic structural color control across a wide spectral range was experimentally achieved via phase retardation between orthogonal polarization states in a Ni/SiO2/Ni-subwavelength grating (SWG) structure. The fabricated Ni/SiO2/Ni-SWG structure exhibited spectrally broadened resonant reflection dips due to the optical damping of Ni. The resonances induced a large phase retardation between the p- and s-polarizations over a wide spectral range, and the retardation changed the reflected polarization states depending on the wavelength. The rotation of the analyzing polarizer enabled the dynamic variation of the reflected structural color from the sample across the wide visible color gamut.journal articl
Cymric, a Maternal and Zygotic HTK-16-Like SHARK Family Tyrosine Kinase Gene, Is Disrupted in Molgula occulta, a Tailless Ascidian
Get PDFWe describe the cloning and expression of a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, cymric (Uro-1), a HTK16-like (HydraTyrosineKinase-16) gene, identified in a subtractive screen for maternal ascidian cDNAs in Molgula oculata, an ascidian species with a tadpole larva. Cymric encodes a 4 kb mRNA expressed in gonads, eggs, and embryos in the tailed M. oculata, but is not detected in eggs or embryos of the closely related tailless species, M. occulta. There is a large insertion in cymric in the M. occulta genome, as shown by transcriptome and genome analyses, resulting in it becoming a pseudogene. The cymric amino acid sequence encodes a non-receptor tyrosine kinase (TK) with an N-terminal region containing two SH2 domains and five ankyrin repeats, similar to the HTK-16-like gene found in other ascidians. Thus, the ascidian cymric genes are members of the SHARK (Src-homology ankyrin-repeat containing tyrosine kinase) family of non-receptor TKs, which have been found throughout invertebrates. We show that cymric is lacking the tyrosine kinase domain in the tailless M. occulta, although the truncated mRNA is still expressed in transcriptome data. This maternal and zygotic HTK-16-like tyrosine kinase is another described pseudogene from M. occulta and appears to not be necessary for adult development.journal articl
令和6年能登半島地震により被災した保育施設の保育継続および避難所運営に関する課題
Get PDFThis report describes the results of a survey conducted on the damage to day-care facilities caused by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake and the status of continuation of day-care services. Interviews were conducted with nursery schools, kindergartens, and certified childcare centers that were affected by the disaster, as well as with the local government divisions in charge of childcare. After the disaster, childcare facilities were required to resume and continue childcare, provide psychological care for children and their parents, and prepare for full-scale restoration. As for the method of resumption of childcare centers, many childcare facilities resumed childcare services in stages with shortened hours due to delays in securing manpower for caregivers and infrastructure development. It was also confirmed that there were several childcare centers that served as voluntary evacuation centers.本稿では，令和6年能登半島地震による保育施設の被災と保育継続状況について調査した結果について報告する。被災した保育所，幼稚園，認定こども園および自治体の保育担当課を対象としたヒアリング調査を行った。被災後の保育所には，保育の再開・継続，子どもや保護者の心理的なケア，本格的な復旧の準備が求められていた。保育所の再開方法として，保育者の人手の確保やインフラ整備が遅れたことから，保育時間を短縮して段階的に保育を再開していた保育施設が多かった。また，自主避難所としての役割を果たしていた園が複数あったことが確かめられた。journal articl
Enumeration of Cyclic Automorphic Hypergraphs
Get PDFA counting formula for cyclic automorphic hypergraphs is given. The result can be understood as a generalization of a theorem proved by A. Nakamoto, T. Shirakura and S. Tazawa, which was originally called Royle’s conjecture.departmental bulletin pape
肺癌外科治療の課題解決を目指して
Get PDFVideo-assisted thoracic surgery （VATS） is the mainstream surgical approach for primary lung cancer, but in recent years, single-port VATS and robot-assisted surgery are new options. Regarding the extent of resection, a phase 3 trial showed that segmentectomy for lung cancers less than 2 cm in size is superior to lobectomy, which has been the conventional standard procedure, and segmentectomy has become one of the standard procedures. In the future, the prevention of local recurrence during sublober resection will be a topic of discussion. Transbronchial metallic coil marking developed at Tokushima University can achieve precise lung resection and prevent local recurrence. We are also developing new visualization techniques to diagnose pleural invasion and lymph node metastasis during surgery. For advanced lung cancer, we have adopted preoperative treatment with a combination of chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors, and have obtained good treatment outcomes. In addition, we conduct preoperative simulations and surgical training to safely perform highly difficult surgeries.journal articl
Long-Term Outcomes of S-1 Combined With Low-Dose Docetaxel as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (N-1 Study, Phase II Trial) in Patients With Operable Breast Cancer
No full textBackground: We previously reported that S-1 and low-dose docetaxel (DOC) (N-1 study, phase II trial) could be a well-tolerated and effective neoadjuvant chemotherapies (NACs) for patients with operable breast cancer. Herein, we analyzed the long-term outcomes and developed clinicopathological and molecular predictors of pathological complete response (pCR). Patients and Methods: Eighty-three patients received S-1 (40 mg/m2 orally on days 1-14) and DOC (40 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1) every 3 weeks for 4 to 8 cycles. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed for each population with a pCR status. To assess the relationship between pCR and clinicopathological factors such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs, 1+ 50%) and nuclear grade (NG), microarray was used to compare the microRNA profiles of the pCR and non-pCR groups using core needle biopsy specimens. Results: With a median follow-up duration of 99.0 (range, 9.0-129.0) months, the 5-year DFS and OS rates were 80.7% and 90.9%, respectively. The 5-year OS rate of the pCR group was significantly better than that of the non-pCR group (100% vs. 86.2%, p = .0176). Specifically, in triple-negative patients, the difference was significant (100% vs. 60.0%, p = .0224). Multivariate analysis revealed that high TILs (≥2–3+) and NG 2–3 independently predicted pCR. Microarray data revealed that 3 miRNAs (miR-215-5p, miR-196a-5p, and miR-196b-5p) were significantly upregulated in the pCR group. Conclusion: Our NAC regimen achieved favorable long-term outcomes and significantly improved OS in the pCR group. High TILs, NG 2–3, and some miRNAs may be predictors of pCR.doctoral thesi
Advanced Insulin Synthesis by One-pot/Stepwise Disulfide Bond Formation Enabled by S-Protected Cysteine Sulfoxide
Get PDFAn advanced insulin synthesis is presented that utilizes one-pot/stepwise disulfide bond formation enabled by acid-activated S-protected cysteine sulfoxides in the presence of chloride anion. S-chlorocysteine generated from cysteine sulfoxides reacts with an S-protected cysteine to afford S-sulfenylsulfonium cation, which then furnishes the disulfide or reversely returns to the starting materials depending on the S-protection employed and the reaction conditions. Use of S-acetamidomethyl cysteine (Cys(Acm)) and its sulfoxide (Cys(Acm)(O)) selectively give the disulfide under weak acid conditions in the presence of MgCl2 even if S-p-methoxybenzyl cysteine (Cys(MBzl)) and its sulfoxide (Cys(MBzl)(O)) are also present. In contrast, the S-MBzl pair yields the disulfide under more acidic conditions in the presence of a chloride anion source. These reaction conditions allowed a one-pot insulin synthesis. Additionally, lipidated insulin was prepared by a one-pot disulfide-bonding/lipidation sequence.journal articl
Elevated luminal inorganic phosphate suppresses intestinal Zn absorption in 5/6 nephrectomized rats
Get PDFZinc (Zn) is an essential trace element in various biological processes. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often leads to hypozincemia, resulting in further progression of CKD. In CKD, intestinal Zn absorption, the main regulator of systemic Zn metabolism, is often impaired; however, the mechanism underlying Zn malabsorption remains unclear. Here, we evaluated intestinal Zn absorption capacity in a rat model of CKD induced by 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx). Rats were given Zn and the incremental area under the plasma Zn concentration-time curve (iAUC) was measured as well as the expression of ZIP4, an intestinal Zn transporter. We found that 5/6 Nx rats showed lower iAUC than sham-operated rats, but expression of ZIP4 protein was upregulated. We therefore focused on other Zn absorption regulators to explore the mechanism by which Zn absorption was substantially decreased. Because some phosphate compounds inhibit Zn absorption by coprecipitation and hyperphosphatemia is a common symptom in advanced CKD, we measured inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels. Pi was elevated in not only serum but also the intestinal lumen of 5/6 Nx rats. Furthermore, intestinal intraluminal Pi administration decreased the iAUC in a dose-dependent manner in normal rats. In vitro, increased Pi concentration decreased Zn solubility under physiological conditions. Furthermore, dietary Pi restriction ameliorated hypozincemia in 5/6 Nx rats. We conclude that hyperphosphatemia or excess Pi intake is a factor in Zn malabsorption and hypozincemia in CKD. Appropriate management of hyperphosphatemia will be useful for prevention and treatment of hypozincemia in patients with CKD.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrated that elevated intestinal luminal Pi concentration can suppress intestinal Zn absorption activity without decreasing the expression of the associated Zn transporter. Increased intestinal luminal Pi led to the formation of an insoluble complex with Zn while dietary Pi restriction or administration of a Pi binder ameliorated hypozincemia in chronic kidney disease model rats. Therefore, modulation of dietary Pi by Pi restriction or a Pi binder might be useful for the treatment of hypozincemia and hyperphosphatemia.doctoral thesi