Kyushu University

About: Kyushu University is a education organization based out in Fukuoka, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 68284 authors who have published 135190 publications receiving 3055928 citations. The organization is also known as: Kyūshū Daigaku.

Inherent calcineurin inhibitor FKBP38 targets Bcl-2 to mitochondria and inhibits apoptosis

Abstract: The mitochondrial localization of the membrane proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) is essential for their anti-apoptotic function. Here we show that mitochondrial FK506-binding protein 38 (FKBP38), unlike FKBP12, binds to and inhibits calcineurin in the absence of the immunosuppressant FK506, suggesting that FKBP38 is an inherent inhibitor of this phosphatase. FKBP38 is associated with Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) in immunoprecipitation assays and colocalizes with these proteins in mitochondria; in addition, the expression of FKBP38 mutant proteins induces a marked redistribution of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L). Overexpression of FKBP38 blocks apoptosis, whereas functional inhibition of this protein by a dominant-negative mutant or by RNA interference promotes apoptosis. Thus, FKBP38 might function to inhibit apoptosis by anchoring Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) to mitochondria.

Jet energy measurement and its systematic uncertainty in proton-proton collisions at s√=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: The jet energy scale (JES) and its systematic uncertainty are determined for jets measured with the ATLAS detector using proton-proton collision data with a centre-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text] TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]. Jets are reconstructed from energy deposits forming topological clusters of calorimeter cells using the anti-[Formula: see text] algorithm with distance parameters [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], and are calibrated using MC simulations. A residual JES correction is applied to account for differences between data and MC simulations. This correction and its systematic uncertainty are estimated using a combination of in situ techniques exploiting the transverse momentum balance between a jet and a reference object such as a photon or a [Formula: see text] boson, for [Formula: see text] and pseudorapidities [Formula: see text]. The effect of multiple proton-proton interactions is corrected for, and an uncertainty is evaluated using in situ techniques. The smallest JES uncertainty of less than 1 % is found in the central calorimeter region ([Formula: see text]) for jets with [Formula: see text]. For central jets at lower [Formula: see text], the uncertainty is about 3 %. A consistent JES estimate is found using measurements of the calorimeter response of single hadrons in proton-proton collisions and test-beam data, which also provide the estimate for [Formula: see text] TeV. The calibration of forward jets is derived from dijet [Formula: see text] balance measurements. The resulting uncertainty reaches its largest value of 6 % for low-[Formula: see text] jets at [Formula: see text]. Additional JES uncertainties due to specific event topologies, such as close-by jets or selections of event samples with an enhanced content of jets originating from light quarks or gluons, are also discussed. The magnitude of these uncertainties depends on the event sample used in a given physics analysis, but typically amounts to 0.5-3 %.

The evolution of mate preferences for multiple sexual ornaments.

Abstract: Males of many species use multiple sexual ornaments in their courtship display. We investigate the evolution of female sexual preferences for more than a single male trait by the handicap process. The handicap process assumes that ornaments are indicators of male quality, and a female benefits from mate choice by her offspring inheriting "good genes" that increase survival chances. A new handicap model is developed that allows equilibria to be given in terms of selection pressures, independent of genetic parameters. Multiple sexual preferences evolve if the overall cost of choice is not greatly increased by a female using additional male traits in her assessment of potential mates. However, only a single preference is evolutionarily stable if assessment of additional male traits greatly increases the overall cost of choice (more than expected by combining the cost of each preference independently). Any single preference can evolve, the outcome being determined by initial conditions. The evolution of one preference effectively blocks the evolution of others, even for traits that are better indicators of male quality. Comparison is made with sexual selection caused by Fisher's runaway process in which male traits are purely attractive characters. This shows that sexual preferences for multiple Fisher traits are likely to evolve alongside preference for a single handicap trait that indicates male quality. This is a general difference in the evolutionary outcome of these two causes of sexual selection.

Transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy for idiopathic and steroid-induced necrosis of the femoral head. Indications and long-term results.

Abstract: From 1972 until 1988, transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy was used to treat 474 hips in 378 patients with idiopathic and steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Two hundred twenty-nine of 295 hips with anterior rotation and follow-up periods ranging from three to 16 years had excellent surgical results (success rate, 78%). Outcome was chiefly dependent on the ratio of transposed intact posterior articular surface to the acetabular weight-bearing area after osteotomy. This relationship suggested that the transposed intact area should occupy more than 36% of the acetabular weight-bearing area by adequate rotation and intentional varus position in addition to rotation, especially for extensive lesions. Salvage operations, such as total hip arthroplasty, were performed on 18 hips, of which ten hips were cases of either relative indication for extensive lesions in young patients or other misindications for rotational osteotomy. Four hips sustained neck fracture, including three hips after 180 degrees of posterior rotation; two hips were complicated with avascular necrosis, and another two hips developed osteoarthrosis. Histologically, femoral heads with osteoarthrosis removed at the time of salvage operation showed complete healing of the necrotic lesion. The overall findings indicate that healing of the necrotic lesion of the femoral head may be brought about by rotational osteotomy if it spares the vulnerable site from the brunt of mechanical stress.