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Showing papers by "Mitsubishi published in 2006"


Journal ArticleDOI
15 Jun 2006-Nature
TL;DR: The results suggest that the continuous clearance of diffuse cytosolic proteins through basal autophagy is important for preventing the accumulation of abnormal proteins, which can disrupt neural function and ultimately lead to neurodegeneration.
Abstract: Autophagy is an intracellular bulk degradation process through which a portion of the cytoplasm is delivered to lysosomes to be degraded. Although the primary role of autophagy in many organisms is in adaptation to starvation, autophagy is also thought to be important for normal turnover of cytoplasmic contents, particularly in quiescent cells such as neurons. Autophagy may have a protective role against the development of a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Here we report that loss of autophagy causes neurodegeneration even in the absence of any disease-associated mutant proteins. Mice deficient for Atg5 (autophagy-related 5) specifically in neural cells develop progressive deficits in motor function that are accompanied by the accumulation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in neurons. In Atg5-/- cells, diffuse, abnormal intracellular proteins accumulate, and then form aggregates and inclusions. These results suggest that the continuous clearance of diffuse cytosolic proteins through basal autophagy is important for preventing the accumulation of abnormal proteins, which can disrupt neural function and ultimately lead to neurodegeneration.

3,684 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A comprehensive statistical model is described for ultrawideband propagation channels that is valid for a frequency range from 3-10 GHz, and a critical assessment of the applicability of the model and possible generalizations and improvements is presented.
Abstract: A comprehensive statistical model is described for ultrawideband (UWB) propagation channels that is valid for a frequency range from 3-10 GHz. It is based on measurements and simulations in the following environments: residential indoor, office indoor, builtup outdoor, industrial indoor, farm environments, and body area networks. The model is independent of the used antennas. It includes the frequency dependence of the path gain as well as several generalizations of the Saleh-Valenzuela model, like mixed Poisson times of arrival and delay-dependent cluster decay constants. A separate model is specified for the frequency range below 1 GHz. The model can thus be used for realistic performance assessment of UWB systems. It was accepted by the IEEE 802.15.4a Task Group as standard model for evaluation of UWB system proposals. This paper also presents a critical assessment of the applicability of the model and possible generalizations and improvements

730 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that activated T and B cells can be the cellular source of RANKL for bone resorption in periodontal diseased gingival tissue.
Abstract: Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANKL)-mediated osteoclastogenesis plays a pivotal role in inflammatory bone resorption. The aim of this study was to identify the cellular source of RANKL in the bone resorptive lesions of periodontal disease. The concentrations of soluble RANKL, but not its decoy receptor osteoprotegerin, measured in diseased tissue homogenates were significantly higher in diseased gingival tissues than in healthy tissues. Double-color confocal microscopic analyses demonstrated less than 20% of both B cells and T cells expressing RANKL in healthy gingival tissues. By contrast, in the abundant mononuclear cells composed of 45% T cells, 50% B cells, and 5% monocytes in diseased gingival tissues, more than 50 and 90% of T cells and B cells, respectively, expressed RANKL. RANKL production by nonlymphoid cells was not distinctly identified. Lymphocytes isolated from gingival tissues of patients induced differentiation of mature osteoclast cells in a RANKL-dependent manner in vitro. However, similarly isolated peripheral blood B and T cells did not induce osteoclast differentiation, unless they were activated in vitro to express RANKL; emphasizing the osteoclastogenic potential of activated RANKL-expressing lymphocytes in periodontal disease tissue. These results suggest that activated T and B cells can be the cellular source of RANKL for bone resorption in periodontal diseased gingival tissue.

481 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The production of mice that lack Peg10 indicates that Peg10 is critical for mouse parthenogenetic development and provides the first direct evidence of an essential role of an evolutionarily conserved retrotransposon-derived gene in mammalian development.
Abstract: By comparing mammalian genomes, we and others have identified actively transcribed Ty3/gypsy retrotransposon-derived genes with highly conserved DNA sequences and insertion sites1,2,3,4,5,6. To elucidate the functions of evolutionarily conserved retrotransposon-derived genes in mammalian development, we produced mice that lack one of these genes, Peg10 (paternally expressed 10)1,2,3,7, which is a paternally expressed imprinted gene on mouse proximal chromosome 6. The Peg10 knockout mice showed early embryonic lethality owing to defects in the placenta. This indicates that Peg10 is critical for mouse parthenogenetic development and provides the first direct evidence of an essential role of an evolutionarily conserved retrotransposon-derived gene in mammalian development.

399 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
15 Jan 2006-Blood
TL;DR: Deep molecular weight forms of ADAMTS13 were found in the plasma of patients with sepsis-induced DIC, suggesting that the deficiency of ADamTS13 was partially caused by its cleavage by proteases in addition to decreased synthesis in the liver.

360 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 2006-Nature
TL;DR: This work shows an alternative mechanism that gives rise to asymmetric amplification based on the equilibrium solid-liquid phase behaviour of amino acids in solution, which is robust and can operate in aqueous systems, making it an appealing proposition for explaining one of the most tantalizing examples of asymmetric amplified.
Abstract: Ever since Pasteur noticed that tartrate crystals exist in two non-superimposable forms that are mirror images of one another--as are left and right hands--the phenomenon of chirality has intrigued scientists. On the molecular level, chirality often has a profound impact on recognition and interaction events and is thus important to biochemistry and pharmacology. In chemical synthesis, much effort has been directed towards developing asymmetric synthesis strategies that yield product molecules with a significant excess of either the left-handed or right-handed enantiomer. This is usually achieved by making use of chiral auxiliaries or catalysts that influence the course of a reaction, with the enantiomeric excess (ee) of the product linearly related to the ee of the auxiliary or catalyst used. In recent years, however, an increasing number of asymmetric reactions have been documented where this relationship is nonlinear, an effect that can lead to asymmetric amplification. Theoretical models have long suggested that autocatalytic processes can result in kinetically controlled asymmetric amplification, a prediction that has now been verified experimentally and rationalized mechanistically for an autocatalytic alkylation reaction. Here we show an alternative mechanism that gives rise to asymmetric amplification based on the equilibrium solid-liquid phase behaviour of amino acids in solution. This amplification mechanism is robust and can operate in aqueous systems, making it an appealing proposition for explaining one of the most tantalizing examples of asymmetric amplification-the development of high enantiomeric excess in biomolecules from a presumably racemic prebiotic world.

342 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a database of whole Japanese strong ground motion records between 1963 and 2003 is established in order to identify a new standard attenuation relation for Japan, for response acceleration as well as peak value.
Abstract: Following the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu Kobe. Earthquake, the Japanese government, in an effort to prevent future earthquake disasters, installed networks consisting of a large number of strong-motion observation stations. Further, national seismic hazard maps were made available to the public on an Internet website in March 2005 by the Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion. However, these maps indicate only the local seismic intensity for Japan, as empirically con- verted from predicted peak velocity in consolidated soils. For various applications, other strong-motion indexes such as the response spectral acceleration are required. In this study, a database of whole Japanese strong ground motion records between 1963 and 2003 is established in order to identify a new standard attenuation relation for Japan, for response acceleration as well as peak value. It is usually very difficult to determine a suitable model form due to the large variability of strong-motion data and correlation among the model variables, because the strong coupling of variables in an attenuation model, and the statistical power of the data is often not large enough to determine the necessity of these parameters. Therefore, in this study, our model has only three variables: earthquake magnitude, shortest distance to the seismic fault plane, and focal depth. To improve predictions given by the model, site correction terms are adopted and additional terms for correcting regional anomalous seismic intensity with respect to the base model are determined. The good fit between the model and observed strong-motion records suggests that the new model is reasonably robust.

336 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 May 2006-Chest
TL;DR: The frequency of PH in Japanese sarcoidosis patients was 5.7% evaluated with Doppler echocardiography, and Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that decreased %TLC was independently associated with PH.

244 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
05 Jan 2006
TL;DR: A set of bimanual continuous gestures that embody these principles are developed and explored within a prototype tabletop publishing application and carried out a user evaluation to assess the usability of these gestures and use the results and observations to suggest future design guidelines.
Abstract: Freehand gestural interaction with direct-touch computation surfaces has been the focus of significant research activity. While many interesting gestural interaction techniques have been proposed, their design has been mostly ad-hoc and has not been presented within a constructive design framework. In this paper, we develop and articulate a set of design principles for constructing - in a systematic and extensible manner - multi-hand gestures on touch surfaces that can sense multiple points and shapes, and can also accommodate conventional point-based input. To illustrate the generality of these design principles, a set of bimanual continuous gestures that embody these principles are developed and explored within a prototype tabletop publishing application. We carried out a user evaluation to assess the usability of these gestures and use the results and observations to suggest future design guidelines.

236 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A newly cloned human virus of the genus Bocavirus was detected by PCR from nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from children with lower respiratory tract infections, suggesting HBoV may be one of the causative agents of lower respiratory tracts infections in young children.
Abstract: Human bocavirus (HBoV), a newly cloned human virus of the genus Bocavirus, was detected by PCR from nasopharyngeal swab samples (8 of 318; 5.7%) collected from children with lower respiratory tract infections. HBoV may be one of the causative agents of lower respiratory tract infections in young children.

232 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The analogy between Mvh-Tdrd1 in mouse spermatogenic cells and vasa-tudor in Drosophila oocytes suggests that this molecular pathway retains an essential role(s) that functions in divergent species and in different stages/sexes of the germ line.
Abstract: Embryonic patterning and germ-cell specification in mice are regulative and depend on zygotic gene activities However, there are mouse homologues of Drosophila maternal effect genes, including vasa and tudor, that function in posterior and germ-cell determination We report here that a targeted mutation in Tudor domain containing 1/mouse tudor repeat 1 (Tdrd1/Mtr-1), a tudor-related gene in mice, leads to male sterility because of postnatal spermatogenic defects TDRD1/MTR-1 predominantly localizes to nuage/germinal granules, an evolutionarily conserved structure in the germ line, and its intracellular localization is downstream of mouse vasa homologue/DEAD box polypeptide 4 (Mvh/Ddx4), similar to Drosophila vasa-tudor Tdrd1/Mtr-1 mutants lack, and Mvh/Ddx4 mutants show, strong reduction of intermitochondrial cement, a form of nuage in both male and female germ cells, whereas chromatoid bodies, another specialized form of nuage in spermatogenic cells, are observed in Tdrd1/Mtr-1 mutants Hence, intermitochondrial cement is not a direct prerequisite for oocyte development and fertility in mice, indicating differing requirements for nuage and/or its components between male and female germ cells The result also proposes that chromatoid bodies likely have an origin independent of or additional to intermitochondrial cement The analogy between Mvh-Tdrd1 in mouse spermatogenic cells and vasa-tudor in Drosophila oocytes suggests that this molecular pathway retains an essential role(s) that functions in divergent species and in different stages/sexes of the germ line

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper reports the two-photon absorbing and orange-red fluorescence emitting properties of a series of new 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BTD)-based D-pi-A-Pi-D-type and star-burst-type fluorescent dyes.
Abstract: This paper reports the two-photon absorbing and orange-red fluorescence emitting properties of a series of new 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BTD)-based D-pi-A-pi-D-type and star-burst-type fluorescent dyes. In the D-pi-A-pi-D-type dyes 1-6, a central BTD core was connected with two terminal N,N-disubstituted amino groups via various pi-conjugated spacers. The star-burst-type dyes 8 and 10 have a three-branched structure composed of a central core (benzene core in 8 and triphenylamine core in 10) and three triphenylamine-containing BTD branches. All the BTD-based dyes displayed intense orange-red color fluorescence in a region of 550-689 nm, which was obtained by single-photon excitation with good fluorescent quantum yield up to 0.98 as well as by two-photon excitation. Large two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-sections (110-800 GM) of these BTD dyes were evaluated by open aperture Z-scan technique with a femtosecond Ti/sapphire laser. The TPA cross-sections of D-pi-A-pi-D-type dyes 2-6 with a benzene, thiophene, ethene, ethyne, and styrene moiety, respectively, as an additional pi-conjugated spacer are about 1.5-2.5 times larger than that of 1c with only a benzene spacer. The TPA cross-sections significantly increased in three-branched star-burst-type BTDs 8 (780 GM) with a benzene core and 10 (800 GM) with a triphenylamine core, which are about 3-5 times larger than those of the corresponding one-dimensional sub-units 9 (170 GM) and 11 (230 GM), respectively. The ratios of sigma/e(pi) between three-branched and one-dimensional dyes were 6.5:3.8 (for 8 and 9) and 6.0:4.0 (for 10 and 11), which are larger than those predicted simply on the basis of the chromophore number density (1:1), according to a cooperative enhancement of the two-photon absorbing nature in the three-branched system.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A model for mobile radio channels that includes consideration of directions of arrival and is thus suitable for simulations of the performance of wireless systems that use smart antennas is described, based on the specification of directional channel impulse response functions.
Abstract: This paper describes a model for mobile radio channels that includes consideration of directions of arrival and is thus suitable for simulations of the performance of wireless systems that use smart antennas. The model is specified for 13 different types of environments, covering macro- micro- and picocells. In this paper, a hierarchy of modeling concepts is described, as well as implementation aspects that are valid for all environments. The model is based on the specification of directional channel impulse response functions, from which the impulse response functions at all antenna elements can be obtained. A layered approach, which distinguishes between external (fixed), large-scale-, and small-scale- parameters allows an efficient parameterization. Different implementation methods, based on either a tapped-delay line or a geometrical model, are described. The paper also derives the transformation between those two approaches. Finally, the concepts of clusters and visibility regions are used to account for large delay and angular spreads that have been measured. In two companion papers, the environment-specific values of the model parameters are explained and justified

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a new host lattice material whose red phosphors for white LEDs have been investigated in the ternary system Ca 3 N 2 -AlN-Si 3 N 4, just as Ca 2 Si 5 N 8 and CaSiN 2 : Eu were found in the binary system.
Abstract: New host lattice materials whose red phosphors for white LEDs have been investigated in the ternary system Ca 3 N 2 -AlN-Si 3 N 4 , just as Ca 2 Si 5 N 8 and CaSiN 2 : Eu were found in the binary system Ca 3 N 2 -Si 3 N 4 . A new red phosphor of CaAlSiN 3 : Eu which is effectively excited by blue-GaN and near UV-GaInN LED chips has been synthesized at 1600 °C for 2 h and subsequently at 1800 °C for 2 h under nitrogen pressure of 1 MPa. The host-compound has an orthorhombic structure with the space group Cmc2 1 (No. 36), which is isotypic with LiSi 2 N 3 and NaSi 2 N 3 . The red phosphor showed the emission peak around 650 nm which was assinged to 5d → 4f of Eu 2+ ion, and its color coordinates were estimated to be 0.667 and 0.327. The optimum concentration of Eu 2+ ion was 1.6 mol%. The phosphor also had a high chemical stability, high quantum output, and especially a good thermal property compared to the other phosphors, Ca 2 Si 5 N 8 :Eu 2+ and CaSiN 2 : Eu 2+ . CaAlSiN 3 : Eu 2+ maintained 83% of the initial efficiency above 150 °C.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a theoretical performance assessment of chemically disordered fcc-phase FePt MNPs and calculate heat generation and heat transfer in the tissue when an MNP-loaded tumor is placed on an external alternating magnetic field.
Abstract: FePt magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are expected to be a high-performance nanoheater for magnetic hyperthermia because of their high Curie temperature, high saturation magnetization, and high chemical stability. Here, we present a theoretical performance assessment of chemically disordered fcc-phase FePt MNPs. We calculate heat generation and heat transfer in the tissue when an MNP-loaded tumor is placed on an external alternating magnetic field. For comparison, we estimate the performances of magnetite, maghemite, FeCo, and L10-phase FePt MNPs. We find that an fcc FePt MNP has a superior ability in magnetic hyperthermia

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The roles of jmj and jumonji family proteins in chromatin regulation and development are highlighted.
Abstract: The jumonji (jmj) gene was identified by a mouse gene trap approach and has essential roles in the development of multiple tissues. The Jmj protein has a DNA binding domain, ARID, and two conserved jmj domains (jmjN and jmjC). In many diverse species including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals, there are many jumonji family proteins that have only the jmjC domain or both jmj domains. Recently, Jmj protein was found to be a transcriptional repressor. Several proteins in the jumonji family are involved in transcriptional repression and/or chromatin regulation. Most recently, one of the human members has been shown to be a histone demethylase, and the jmjC domain is essential for the demethylase activity. Meanwhile, more and more evidence indicating that the jumonji family proteins play important roles during development is accumulating. Many proteins in the jumonji family may regulate chromatin and gene expression, and control development through various signaling pathways. Here, we highlight the roles of jmj and jumonji family proteins in chromatin regulation and development.

Journal ArticleDOI
Takashi Mizuochi1
TL;DR: Recent progress in forward error correction (FEC) for optical communications is reviewed and the error count function has proved useful for the adaptive equalization of both chromatic dispersion and PMD.
Abstract: Recent progress in forward error correction (FEC) for optical communications is reviewed. The various types of FEC are classified as belonging to one of three generations. A third-generation FEC, based on a block turbo code, has been fully integrated in very large scale integration, and thanks to the use of 3-bit soft decision, a net coding gain of 10.1 dB was demonstrated experimentally. That has brought a number of positive impacts to existing systems. The Shannon limit is discussed for hard and soft decision decoding. The interplay between FEC and error bursts is discussed. Fast polarization scrambling with FEC has been effective in mitigating polarization mode dispersion (PMD). The error count function has proved useful for the adaptive equalization of both chromatic dispersion and PMD

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that T cells expressing the Vα19i TCR transgene inhibited the induction and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, suggesting an immunoregulatory function for Vα 19i T cells.
Abstract: T cells expressing an invariant V(alpha)19-J(alpha)33 T cell receptor alpha-chain (V(alpha)19i TCR) are restricted by the nonpolymorphic major histocompatibility complex class Ib molecule MR1. Whether V(alpha)19i T cells are involved in autoimmunity is not understood. Here we demonstrate that T cells expressing the V(alpha)19i TCR transgene inhibited the induction and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Similarly, EAE was exacerbated in MR1-deficient mice, which lack V(alpha)19i T cells. EAE suppression was accompanied by reduced production of inflammatory mediators and increased secretion of interleukin 10. Interleukin 10 production occurred at least in part through interactions between B cells and V(alpha)19i T cells mediated by the ICOS costimulatory molecule. These results suggest an immunoregulatory function for V(alpha)19i T cells.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper designs, implemented, and studied a variety of tabletop user interfaces, interaction techniques, and usage scenarios, including the need for input methods that transcend traditional mouse- and keyboard-based designs.
Abstract: Tables provide a large and natural interface for supporting direct manipulation of visual content for human-to-human interactions. Such surfaces also support collaboration, coordination, and parallel problem solving. However, the direct-touch table metaphor also presents considerable challenges, including the need for input methods that transcend traditional mouse- and keyboard-based designs. In this paper, we've designed, implemented, and studied a variety of tabletop user interfaces, interaction techniques, and usage scenarios

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Aug 2006-Blood
TL;DR: A reproducible, flow cytometric scoring system is constructed for LGw/oRS diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes and various abnormalities of CD34(+) cells-eg, decrease in CD 34(+) B-cell precursors, aberrant expression or overexpression of various antigens on CD34 (+) myeloblasts-were observed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings indicate that TTLL7 is a β-tubulin polyglutamylase and is required for the growth of MAP2-positive neurites in PC12 cells.

Journal Article
TL;DR: It is presumed that FTY720-induced lymphocyte sequestration is due to the inhibition of S1P/S1P1-dependent lymphocyte egress from secondary lymphoid tissues and thymus by its active metabolite (S)-FTY720-P.
Abstract: Circulation of mature lymphocytes between blood and secondary lymphoid tissues plays a central role in the immune system. Homing of lymphocytes from blood into secondary lymphoid tissues beyond high endothelial venules is highly dependent on the interaction between the chemokines CCL19, CCL21, CXCL12, and CXCL13, and their receptors CCR7, CXCR4 and CXCR5. However, the molecular mechanism(s) of lymphocyte egress from secondary lymphoid tissues to lymph remained unclear. We have found a new class of immunomodulator, FTY720 by chemical modification of vegetative wasp-derived natural product, ISP-I (myriocin). FTY720 has been shown to be highly effective in experimental allograft and autoimmune disease models. A striking feature of FTY720 is the induction of a marked decrease in peripheral blood lymphocytes at doses that show immunomodulating activity in these models. The reduction of circulating lymphocytes by FTY720 is caused by sequestration of lymphocytes into secondary lymphoid tissues and thymus. FTY720 is rapidly converted to (S)-enantiomer of FTY720-phosphate [(S)-FTY720-P] by sphingosine kinase 2 in vivo. (S)-FTY720-P acting as a potent agonist of S1P receptor type 1 (S1P1), induces long-term down-regulation of S1P1 on lymphocytes, and thereby inhibits the migration of lymphocytes toward S1P. Thus, it is presumed that FTY720-induced lymphocyte sequestration is due to the inhibition of S1P/S1P1-dependent lymphocyte egress from secondary lymphoid tissues and thymus by its active metabolite (S)-FTY720-P. Throughout the analysis of the mechanism of action of FTY720, it is clarified that S1P/S1P1 interaction plays an important role for lymphocyte egress from secondary lymphoid tissues and thymus.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
05 Jan 2006
TL;DR: Observations of user experience "in the wild" on interactive tables in four different real world contexts - all noncontrolled settings are presented.
Abstract: The design of multitouch multiuser tabletop user interfaces is still in its infancy and is not yet well understood. To date, published experimental results have primarily focused on controlled user studies. In this paper, we present observations of user experience "in the wild" on interactive tables in four different real world contexts - all noncontrolled settings. We reflect upon our collective experience, report our observations, and summarize lessons learned by identifying design considerations relating to several aspects of interactive tables, such as simultaneous touching, ambiguous input, one-fingered touch, finger resolution, alternate touch input, crowding and clutter, text input, orientation, multiuser coordination, occlusion, ergonomic issues, and mental models.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
05 Jan 2006
TL;DR: Five different rotation and translation techniques for objects displayed on a direct touch digital tabletop display are surveyed and their suitability for interactive tabletops is analyzed in light of their respective input and output degrees of freedom, as well as the precision and completeness provided by each.
Abstract: A digital tabletop offers several advantages over other groupware form factors for collaborative applications However, users of a tabletop system do not share a common perspective for the display of information: what is presented right side up to one participant is upside down for another In this paper, we survey five different rotation and translation techniques for objects displayed on a direct touch digital tabletop display We analyze their suitability for interactive tabletops in light of their respective input and output degrees of freedom, as well as the precision and completeness provided by each We describe various tradeoffs that arise when considering which, when and where each of these techniques might be most useful

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The present results are consistent with the notion that age‐related methylation is associated with cancer susceptibility in the elderly and a promising method for risk assessment in the development of gastric cancer.
Abstract: A number of tumor suppressor and tumor-related genes are silenced by promoter hypermethylation in gastric cancer. Hypermethylation is not restricted to cancer cells, but is also present in non-neoplastic cells during aging. Such age-related methylation in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia is postulated to constitute a field defect that increases the risk for development of gastric cancer. To quantitatively evaluate age-related methylation in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia, we used a fiber-type DNA microarray on which methylated and unmethylated sequence probes were mounted. After bisulfite modification, a part of the promoter CpG island of four tumor suppressor genes, lysyl oxidase (LOX), p16, RUNX3 and tazarotene-induced gene 1 (TIG1), were amplified by PCR using Cy5 end labeled primers. Methylation rates (MRs) were calculated as the ratio of the fluorescence intensity of a methylated sequence probe to the total fluorescence intensity of methylated and unmethylated probes. Non-neoplastic gastric mucosa was obtained from 24 non-cancer-bearing stomachs at autopsy. MRs ranged from 0.0% to 77.2% (mean, 15.8%) for LOX, 0.0% to 45.8% (mean, 10.0%) for p16, 0.0% to 83.8% (mean, 9.0%) for RUNX3, and 0.0% to 46.1% (mean, 6.6%) for TIG1, and significantly correlated with aging (P < 0.01). The regression curves were: y = 0.013x(2) - 0.6184x + 4.0512, R(2) = 0.5728 (P < 0.001) for LOX; y = 0.0107x(2) - 0.6055x + 5.2943, R(2) = 0.7891 (P < 0.00001) for p16; y = 0.0182x(2) - 1.2234x + 11.566, R(2) = 0.5595 (P < 0.001) for RUNX3; and y = 0.0068 x(2) - 0.3586 x + 2.4306, R(2) = 0.4670 (P < 0.01) for TIG1. Thus, our present results are consistent with the notion that age-related methylation is associated with cancer susceptibility in the elderly. Quantitative analysis of DNA methylation using DNA microarrays is a promising method for risk assessment in the development of gastric cancer.

Journal ArticleDOI
03 May 2006-Polymer
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of carbon black (CB) addition on the microstructure of injection-molded high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/polypropylene (PP) blends and effect of shear-induced polymer deformation on the conductive network structure was investigated.

Patent
23 Oct 2006
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provided a shaft sealing mechanism in which flutter behavior of the sheets can be reliably prevented, even in a case where eccentricity occurs in a parent machine.
Abstract: There is provided a shaft sealing mechanism in which, even in a case where eccentricity occurs in a parent machine, flutter behavior of the sheets can be reliably prevented, the sheets can be prevented from failing due to fatigue, and also a long life and reliability of the shaft sealing mechanism can be improved In a shaft sealing mechanism (25) which prevents fluid from flowing in an axial direction of a rotor (23) through an annular gap between the rotor (23) and a stator (24), there are provided a high pressure side plate (53) positioned on a high pressure side region of a plurality of sheets (29), and a low pressure side plate (54) positioned on a low pressure side region of a plurality of sheets (29), and the construction is such that in a state in which the plurality of sheets (29) is fixed on the stator side (24), and when under gas pressure, the parts (29) make contact with each other

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new photoinduced change in surface morphology that provides superhydrophobic properties, obtained by the photoinduced reversible formation of fine fibril structures on coated microcrystalline surfaces is reported.
Abstract: Herein, we report a new photoinduced change in surface morphology that provides superhydrophobic properties, obtained by the photoinduced reversible formation of fine fibril structures on coated microcrystalline surfaces. The origin of the reversible formation of fibrils is the photoisomerization of a photochromic diarylethene molecule 1 (see Scheme 1) of a thin film. The reversible changes in surface morphology of a thin film made from photochromic diarylethene 1 were followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy, and contact angle measurements of a water droplet. The film was prepared by coating a

Patent
Naoshi Adachi1
11 Aug 2006
TL;DR: In this article, a heat treatment jig for semiconductor silicon substrates, which can handle enlargement of the diameter of wafers to be treated and prevent slipping and dislocations that occur as a result of the stress caused by the weight of the wafer itself or the deflection of the heat treatment Jig itself, is presented.
Abstract: This invention provides a heat treatment jig for semiconductor silicon substrates, which, in respective heat treatment of hydrogen annealing or argon annealing, can handle enlargement of the diameter of wafers to be treated and can also prevent slipping and dislocations that occur as a result of the stress caused by the weight of the wafer itself or the deflection of the heat treatment jig itself.

Journal ArticleDOI
Kaoru Kobayashi1
TL;DR: Results from structural analysis suggest that purified rHSA possesses an identical conformation to plasma derived human albumin (pdHA) and no difference from pdHA has been observed in neo-antigenicity.