Osaka University

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

LGP2 is a positive regulator of RIG-I– and MDA5-mediated antiviral responses

Abstract: RNA virus infection is recognized by retinoic acid-inducible gene (RIG)-I-like receptors (RLRs), RIG-I, and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) in the cytoplasm RLRs are comprised of N-terminal caspase-recruitment domains (CARDs) and a DExD/H-box helicase domain The third member of the RLR family, LGP2, lacks any CARDs and was originally identified as a negative regulator of RLR signaling In the present study, we generated mice lacking LGP2 and found that LGP2 was required for RIG-I- and MDA5-mediated antiviral responses In particular, LGP2 was essential for type I IFN production in response to picornaviridae infection Overexpression of the CARDs from RIG-I and MDA5 in Lgp2(-/-) fibroblasts activated the IFN-beta promoter, suggesting that LGP2 acts upstream of RIG-I and MDA5 We further examined the role of the LGP2 helicase domain by generating mice harboring a point mutation of Lys-30 to Ala (Lgp2 (K30A/K30A)) that abrogated the LGP2 ATPase activity Lgp2 (K30A/K30A) dendritic cells showed impaired IFN-beta productions in response to various RNA viruses to extents similar to those of Lgp2(-/-) cells Lgp2(-/-) and Lgp2 (K30A/K30A) mice were highly susceptible to encephalomyocarditis virus infection Nevertheless, LGP2 and its ATPase activity were dispensable for the responses to synthetic RNA ligands for MDA5 and RIG-I Taken together, the present data suggest that LGP2 facilitates viral RNA recognition by RIG-I and MDA5 through its ATPase domain

Metagenomic and metabolomic analyses reveal distinct stage-specific phenotypes of the gut microbiota in colorectal cancer

Abstract: In most cases of sporadic colorectal cancers, tumorigenesis is a multistep process, involving genomic alterations in parallel with morphologic changes. In addition, accumulating evidence suggests that the human gut microbiome is linked to the development of colorectal cancer. Here we performed fecal metagenomic and metabolomic studies on samples from a large cohort of 616 participants who underwent colonoscopy to assess taxonomic and functional characteristics of gut microbiota and metabolites. Microbiome and metabolome shifts were apparent in cases of multiple polypoid adenomas and intramucosal carcinomas, in addition to more advanced lesions. We found two distinct patterns of microbiome elevations. First, the relative abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum spp. was significantly (P < 0.005) elevated continuously from intramucosal carcinoma to more advanced stages. Second, Atopobium parvulum and Actinomyces odontolyticus, which co-occurred in intramucosal carcinomas, were significantly (P < 0.005) increased only in multiple polypoid adenomas and/or intramucosal carcinomas. Metabolome analyses showed that branched-chain amino acids and phenylalanine were significantly (P < 0.005) increased in intramucosal carcinomas and bile acids, including deoxycholate, were significantly (P < 0.005) elevated in multiple polypoid adenomas and/or intramucosal carcinomas. We identified metagenomic and metabolomic markers to discriminate cases of intramucosal carcinoma from the healthy controls. Our large-cohort multi-omics data indicate that shifts in the microbiome and metabolome occur from the very early stages of the development of colorectal cancer, which is of possible etiological and diagnostic importance. Colorectal cancer stages are associated with distinct microbial and metabolomic profiles that could shed light on cancer progression.

Solar fusion cross sections II: the pp chain and CNO cycles

Abstract: The available data on nuclear fusion cross sections important to energy generation in the Sun and other hydrogen-burning stars and to solar neutrino production are summarized and critically evaluated. Recommended values and uncertainties are provided for key cross sections, and a recommended spectrum is given for {sup 8}B solar neutrinos. Opportunities for further increasing the precision of key rates are also discussed, including new facilities, new experimental techniques, and improvements in theory. This review, which summarizes the conclusions of a workshop held at the Institute for Nuclear Theory, Seattle, in January 2009, is intended as a 10-year update and supplement to 1998, Rev. Mod. Phys. 70, 1265.

Solar Neutrino Data Covering Solar Cycle 22.

Abstract: Results from 1036 days of solar neutrino data accumulated in the upgraded Kamiokande detector (Kamiokande III) are presented. The $^{8}\mathrm{B}$ solar neutrino flux observed in Kamiokande III is ${2.82}_{\ensuremath{-}0.24}^{+0.25}$ (stat) \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.27 (syst) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{6}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$${\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$; the combined flux from Kamiokande II and III (2079 days in total) is 2.80 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.19 (stat) \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.33 (syst) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{6}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$${\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, which is 49% to 64% of the standard solar models. These combined data from January 1987 to February 1995, covering an entire period of solar cycle 22, enabled us to study a correlation between the neutrino flux and the solar activity in detail: no strong correlation of the solar neutrino flux with the sunspot numbers was found within experimental errors. The result on a search for the daytime and nighttime flux difference is also reported.

Expansion of operating limits for permanent magnet motor by current vector control considering inverter capacity

Abstract: The current vector control method of PM (permanent magnet) motors is examined to expand the operating limits associated with inverter capacity. This control method is optimum in the sense of deriving maximum output torque within the voltage and current constraints. The effects of motor parameters are examined by computer simulation. The operating limits are greatly expanded by controlling the d- and q-axis components of the armature current according to the rotor speed. The operating limits are examined considering the demagnetization of the permanent magnet. If the permanent magnet has a straight demagnetization curve, like a rare-earth permanent magnet, the PM motor can be safely operated until the demagnetizing coefficient becomes 1.0. If wide speed range or constant power operation is desirable, a permanent magnetic with a high coercivity and a linear demagnetization curve must be used for the PM motor. >