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.

SCF FBW7 regulates cellular apoptosis by targeting MCL1 for ubiquitylation and destruction

Abstract: This is one of two papers demonstrating that in several cancer types including ovarian cancer and T-cell leukaemias, the apoptosis regulator MCL1 is targeted for degradation by the FBW7 tumour suppressor. This study finds that this mechanism can determine the response to drugs targeting BCL2 family apoptosis factors. Deletion or mutation of FBW7 found in cancer patients therefore can render tumours resistant to these therapies.

Biochemical and Genetic Analysis of the Effects of Amylose-Extender Mutation in Rice Endosperm

Abstract: Biochemical analysis of amylose-extender (ae) mutant of rice (Oryza sativa) revealed that the mutation in the gene for starch-branching enzyme IIb (BEIIb) specifically altered the structure of amylopectin in the endosperm by reducing short chains with degree of polymerization of 17 or less, with the greatest decrease in chains with degree of polymerization of 8 to 12 The extent of such change was correlated with the gelatinization properties of the starch granules, as determined in terms of solubility in urea solution The ae mutation caused a dramatic reduction in the activity of BEIIb The activity of soluble starch synthase I (SSI) in the ae mutant was significantly lower than in the wild type, suggesting that the mutation had a pleiotropic effect on the SSI activity In contrast, the activities of BEI, BEIIa, ADP-Glc pyrophosphorylase, isoamylase, isoamylase, pullulanase, and Suc synthase were not affected by the mutation Therefore, it is stressed that the function of BEIIb cannot be complemented by BEIIa and BEI These results strongly suggest that BEIIb plays a specific role in the transfer of short chains, which might then be extended by SS to form the A and B1 chains of amylopectin cluster in rice endosperm

Expanding frontiers in materials chemistry and physics with multiple anions

Abstract: During the last century, inorganic oxide compounds laid foundations for materials synthesis, characterization, and technology translation by adding new functions into devices previously dominated by main-group element semiconductor compounds. Today, compounds with multiple anions beyond the single-oxide ion, such as oxyhalides and oxyhydrides, offer a new materials platform from which superior functionality may arise. Here we review the recent progress, status, and future prospects and challenges facing the development and deployment of mixed-anion compounds, focusing mainly on oxide-derived materials. We devote attention to the crucial roles that multiple anions play during synthesis, characterization, and in the physical properties of these materials. We discuss the opportunities enabled by recent advances in synthetic approaches for design of both local and overall structure, state-of-the-art characterization techniques to distinguish unique structural and chemical states, and chemical/physical properties emerging from the synergy of multiple anions for catalysis, energy conversion, and electronic materials.

Clinical diagnostic criteria of autoimmune pancreatitis: revised proposal.

Abstract: In 1961, Sarles et al.1 asked the following question regarding the particular cases of pancreatitis with hypergammaglobulinemia: “Chronic inflammatory sclerosis of the pancreas—an autoimmune pancreatic disease?” As similar cases were rarely observed, a relationship between such pancreatitis and autoimmunity was viewed skeptically during the following several decades. In 1992, Toki et al.2 have reported 4 cases with unusual diffuse irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct and diffuse enlargement of the entire pancreas due to lymphocyte infiltration. In 1995, Japanese investigators3 firstly proposed a concept of “autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP)”, in which the patients showed diffusely enlarged pancreas, narrowing pancreatogram, increased serum IgG, presence of autoantibodies, fibrotic changes with lymphocytic infiltration and steroidal efficacy. Thereafter, many AIP cases have been reported from Japan, and AIP has been accepted as a new clinical entity.4,5 The histopathological findings of AIP show massive infiltration of lymphoplasmacytes with fibrosis, which is consistent with lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis (LPSP).6 Many Japanese investigators have paid great attention to AIP, especially with regard to its unique pancreatic images,2 IgG4,7 disease-associated autoantibodies,8 extrapancreatic lesions,6,9–14 and steroidal efficacy.14,15 Currently in Japan, diagnosis of AIP is based on the “diagnostic criteria 2002 of autoimmune pancreatitis”16 proposed by the Japan Pancreas Society. However, the accumulation of many AIP cases shows that the concept of AIP has changed slightly to include extrapancreatic lesions and associated disorders, which suggests that the current diagnostic criteria are becoming inadequate. In 2003, the Research Committee of Intractable Diseases of the Pancreas, supported by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Chairman, M. Otsuki), began to review the current diagnostic criteria in light of recently acquired information and knowledge. The team organized a working group (WG), consisting of the team members and researchers specializing in autoimmune pancreatitis, to develop a proposal for the revision of the current diagnostic criteria. On 7 October 2005 and 22 April 2006, the Research Committee of Intractable Diseases of the Pancreas and the Japan Pancreas Society jointly held open forums to discuss the proposed amendments. This report describes the background of the proposed amendments and the final proposal for the revised version of the clinical diagnostic criteria of AIP.

Reversible Surface Morphology Changes of a Photochromic Diarylethene Single Crystal by Photoirradiation

Abstract: The surface morphology of a diarylethene single crystal [1,2-bis(2,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene] determined by atomic force microscopy changed reversibly upon photoirradiation. The crystal underwent a thermally irreversible but photochemically reversible color change (colorless to blue) upon alternate irradiation with ultraviolet (wavelength λ = 366 nm) and visible (λ > 500 nm) light that drove reversible photocyclization reactions. Upon irradiation with 366-nm light, new steps appeared on the (100) single-crystalline surface that disappeared upon irradiation with visible light (λ > 500 nm). The step height, about 1 nm, corresponds to one molecular layer. Irradiation with 366-nm light formed valleys on the (010) surface that also disappeared by bleaching upon irradiation with visible light (λ > 500 nm). The surface morphological changes can be explained by the molecular structural changes of diarylethenes regularly packed in the single crystal. These crystals could potentially be used as photodriven nanometer-scale actuators.