Osaka University

About: Osaka University is a education organization based out in Osaka, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Laser & Population. The organization has 83778 authors who have published 185669 publications receiving 5158122 citations. The organization is also known as: Ōsaka daigaku.

Induction of filopodium formation by a WASP-related actin-depolymerizing protein N-WASP

Abstract: Cdc42 is a small GTPase of the Rho family which regulates the formation of actin filaments to generate filopodia1,2. Although there are several proteins such as PAK3, ACK4 and WASP (Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein)5 that bind Cdc42 directly, none of these can account for the filopodium formation induced by Cdc42. Here we demonstrate that before it can induce filopodium formation, Cdc42 must bind a WASP-related protein, N-WASP, that is richest in neural tissues6 but is expressed ubiquitously. N-WASP induces extremely long actin microspikes only when co-expressed with active Cdc42, whereas WASP, which is expressed in haematopoietic cells, does not, despite the structural similarities between WASP and N-WASP. In a cell-free system, addition of active Cdc42 significantly stimulates the actin-depolymerizing activity of N-WASP, creating free barbed ends from which actin polymerization can then take place. This activation seems to be caused by exposure of N-WASP's actin-depolymerizing region induced by Cdc42 binding.

Global consensus on keratoconus and ectatic diseases.

Abstract: Background Despite extensive knowledge regarding the diagnosis and management of keratoconus and ectatic corneal diseases, many controversies still exist. For that reason, there is a need for current guidelines for the diagnosis and management of these conditions. Purpose This project aimed to reach consensus of ophthalmology experts from around the world regarding keratoconus and ectatic diseases, focusing on their definition, concepts, clinical management, and surgical treatments. Methods The Delphi method was followed with 3 questionnaire rounds and was complemented with a face-to-face meeting. Thirty-six panelists were involved and allocated to 1 of 3 panels: definition/diagnosis, nonsurgical management, or surgical treatment. The level of agreement considered for consensus was two thirds. Results Numerous agreements were generated in definitions, methods of diagnosing, and management of keratoconus and other ectatic diseases. Nonsurgical and surgical treatments for these conditions, including the use of corneal cross-linking and corneal transplantations, were presented in a stepwise approach. A flowchart describing a logical management sequence for keratoconus was created. Conclusions This project resulted in definitions, statements, and recommendations for the diagnosis and management of keratoconus and other ectatic diseases. It also provides an insight into the current worldwide treatment of these conditions.

Double beta Decay and Majorana Neutrino

Abstract: This review consists of three parts: Various properties of the quantized neutrino fields are summarized in part I from the viewpoint that a Dirac neutrino consists of two Majorana neutrinos with a degenerate mass but with opposite CP sings. It is shown why the Dirac neutrino has a freedom of the phase transformation to guarantee the lepton number conservation, while the Majorana neutrino does not.

Analysis of chemical modification of RNA from formalin-fixed samples and optimization of molecular biology applications for such samples

Abstract: Formalin-fixed archival samples are known to be poor materials for molecular biological applications We conducted a series of experiments to understand the alterations in RNA in fixed tissue We found that formalin-fixed tissue was resistant to solubilization by chaotropic agents However, proteinase K completely solubilized the fixed tissue and enabled the extraction of almost the same amount of RNA as from a fresh sample The extracted RNA did not show apparent degradation However, as reported, successful PCR amplification was limited to short targets The nature of such 'fixed' RNA was analyzed using synthetic homo-oligo RNAs The heterogeneous increase in molecular weight of the RNAs, measured by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, showed that all four bases showed addition of mono-methylol (-CH(2)OH) groups at various rates The modification rate varied from 40% for adenine to 4% for uracil In addition, some adenines underwent dimerization through methylene bridging The majority of the methylol groups, however, could be removed from bases by simply elevating the temperature in formalin-free buffer This demodification proved effective in restoring the template activity of RNA from fixed tissue The improvement in PCR results suggested that more than half of the modification was removed by this demodification