One primary objective of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 365, conducted as part of the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment, was to recover a temporary observatory emplaced to ...monitor formation pore fluid pressure and temperature within a splay fault in the Nankai subduction zone offshore SW Honshu, Japan. Here we use a 5.3 year time series of formation pore fluid pressure, and in particular the response to ocean tidal loading, to evaluate changes in pore pressure and formation and fluid elastic properties induced by earthquakes. Our analysis reveals 31 earthquake‐induced perturbations. These are dominantly characterized by small transient increases in pressure (28 events) and decreases in ocean tidal loading efficiency (14 events) that reflect changes to formation or fluid compressibility. The observed perturbations follow a magnitude‐distance threshold similar to that reported for earthquake‐driven hydrological effects in other settings. To explore the mechanisms that cause these changes, we evaluate the expected static and dynamic strains from each earthquake. The expected static strains are too small to explain the observed pressure changes. In contrast, estimated dynamic strains correlate with the magnitude of changes in both pressure and loading efficiency. We propose potential mechanism for the changes and subsequent recovery, which is exsolution of dissolved gas in interstitial fluids in response to shaking.
Key Points
Regional earthquakes (Mw > 5.0 and distance <1,000 km) produce hydrological perturbations of the formation
Estimated hydraulic diffusivity of the megasplay fault at Nankai is >9.1 × 10−6 m2s−1
The mechanisms of hydrological perturbations can be explained by exsolution of gas from pore water
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Compact Infrared Camera (CIRC) is a technology-demonstration instrument equipped with an uncooled infrared array detector (microbolometer) for space application. CIRC is the first microbolometer ...sensor without a calibration function in orbit, like a shutter system or an onboard blackbody. The main objective of the CIRC is to detect wildfires, which are major and chronic disasters affecting various countries of Southeast Asia, particularly considering the effects of global warming and climate change. The CIRC achieves a small size (approximately 200 mm), light mass (approximately 3 kg), and low electrical power consumption (<20 W) by employing athermal optics and a shutterless system. The CIRC can be consequently mounted on multiple satellites to enable highfrequency observation. Installation of CIRCs on the ALOS-2 and on the JEM/CALET is expected to increase observation frequency. We present the initial check-out results of the CIRC onboard ALOS-2. Since the initial check-out phase (July 4–14, 2014), the CIRC has acquired the images of Earth. CIRC was demonstrated to function according to its intended design. After the early calibration validation phase, which confirmed the temperature accuracy of observed data, CIRC data has been available to the public January 2015 onward. We also introduce a few observational results about wildfire, volcanoes, and heat-island.
BACKGROUND Although uterine leiomyomas or fibroids are the most common gynecological benign tumor and greatly affect reproductive health and well-being, the pathophysiology and epidemiology of ...uterine leiomyomas are poorly understood. Elevated blood pressure has an independent, positive association with risk for clinically detected uterine leiomyoma. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a key biological peptide in the renin-angiotensin system that regulates blood pressure. METHODS In this study, we investigated the potential role of Ang II (1–1000 nM) in the proliferation of rat ELT-3 leiomyoma cells in vitro. RT–PCR and western blot analysis with cell proliferation and DNA transfection assays were performed to determine the mechanism of action of Ang II. RESULTS Ang II induced ELT-3 leiomyoma cell proliferation (P < 0.01) and the expression of Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and AT2R mRNA and protein was confirmed. Regarding the intracellular signaling pathway, the Ang II-induced cell proliferation was AT1R-, epidermal growth factor receptor-, extracellular-regulated kinase- and protein kinase C-dependent but was not dependent on the AT2R or phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase or JAK kinase. The AT1R blocker telmisartan, effectively repressed Ang II-induced and estradiol-induced cell proliferation (P < 0.01). AT1R, but not AT2R, plays a role in Ang II-induced ELT-3 cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS These experimental findings in vitro highlight the potential role of Ang II in the proliferation of leiomyoma cells.
Abstract
Background/Introduction
Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a major health problem in the world. Several studies reported that ...autoimmune disorder is one of important risk factors for development of VTE. Furthermore, autoimmune disorder is thought to be a relatively strong risk factor for VTE recurrence, and extended anticoagulation therapy are recommended for prevention of VTE recurrence in patients with autoimmune disorders. However, it remains controversial whether patients with autoimmune disorders have higher risk for clinical events after VTE than those without.
Purpose
We sought to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management strategies, and long-term outcomes of patients with autoimmune disorders after excluding patients with active cancer in a large observational database in Japan.
Methods
The COMMAND VTE Registry is a multicenter registry enrolling 3027 consecutive patients with acute symptomatic VTE. After excluding patients with active cancer, the current study population consisted of 2332 patients, who were divided into 2 groups: patients with autoimmune disorders and those without. We estimated the cumulative incidences of the clinical outcomes. To adjust for the clinically relevant confounders, we used the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) for the risk of patients with autoimmune disorders relative to those without for the clinical outcome measures. Furthermore, we added corticosteroids use at discharge to explore the effect of corticosteroids use.
Results
There were 188 patients (8.1%) with autoimmune disorders and 2144 patients (92%) without autoimmune disorders. Patients with autoimmune disorders were more often women (74%), and more often received corticosteroids at discharge (69%). The discontinuation rate of anticoagulation therapy was not significantly different between patients with autoimmune disorders and those without (38.0% vs. 39.7% at 3-year, P=0.35). The cumulative 5-year incidences of recurrent VTE and major bleeding were significantly higher in patients with autoimmune disorders than in those without (recurrent VTE: 14.3% vs. 8.3%, P=0.01; major bleeding: 14.9% vs. 8.8%, P=0.02). Even after adjusting confounders of patient characteristic, the excess risk of patients with autoimmune disorders relative to those without remained significant for recurrent VTE (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.08–2.88, P=0.03) and major bleeding (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.05–2.63, P=0.03). However, after adjusting for corticosteroids use at discharge, the excess risk was no longer significant for recurrent VTE (HR 1.42, 95% CI 0.75–2.61, P=0.27) nor major bleeding (HR 1.53, 95% CI 0.84–2.69, P=0.16).
Conclusions
Patients with autoimmune disorders had a higher risk for recurrent VTE and major bleeding than those without, and the excess risk could at least partly be attributable to corticosteroids use.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Research Institute for Production Development, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation
STK15 is a putative oncogene that codes for a centrosome-associated, serine/threonine kinase, the normal function of which is to
ensure accurate segregation of chromosomes during mitosis. ...Amplification of STK15 has been reported in ovarian tumors, suggesting a role in ovarian cancer pathology. STK15 is polymorphic with two single nucleotide substitutions ( 449t/a and 527g/a ) in evolutionarily conserved regions causing amino acid changes (F31I and V57I). Two other nucleotide substitutions ( 287c/g and 1891g/c ) of unknown significance are in 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTR), respectively. To learn more about the involvement of
STK15 in ovarian cancer, we genotyped and haplotyped these polymorphisms in three population-based ovarian cancer case-control
studies from the United Kingdom, United States, and Denmark with 1,821 combined cases and 2,467 combined controls and calculated
risks for developing ovarian cancer. Genotypes of individual polymorphisms in control groups of the United Kingdom, United
States, and Denmark conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In combined cases and combined controls, rare allele frequencies
were 0.23 and 0.21 for I31, 0.16 and 0.17 for I57, 0.08 and 0.07 for 5′ UTR g , and 0.25 and 0.24 for 3′ UTR c , respectively. Using FF common homozygotes of F31I as comparator, there was increased ovarian cancer risk to FI heterozygotes
(odds ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.36), II homozygotes (odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-1.75),
and I31 allele carriers (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.35) in the combined group data. For either V57I,
5′ UTR C/G , or 3′ UTR G/C , all genotypic ovarian cancer risks were essentially in unity relative to their respective common homozygotes, VV, cc , or gg . Haplotype analysis of combined group data revealed seven haplotypes with frequencies between 0.02 and 0.5, with c -F-V- g the most common. None of the haplotype-specific risks significantly differed from unity relative to c -F-V- g . These results suggest a model of dominant inheritance of ovarian cancer risk by the I31 allele of F31I and that the I31
allele may be a common ovarian cancer susceptibility allele of low penetrance.
Summary Objective The role of postmenopause on the pathogenesis of cartilage degeneration has been an open question. We assessed cartilage degeneration in estrogen receptor (ER)α null mice and ...examined the role of glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) in the ERα-dependent transcription of a type II collagen gene ( col2a1 ) with special reference to a crosstalk with the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway. Methods The vertebral cartilaginous endplate from female ERα null mice was subjected to histological analyses. Col2a1 expression of primary chondrocytes (PCs) obtained from ERα null mice after 17β-estradiol (E2 ) and TGF-β1 stimulation was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Estrogen response element (ERE) or col2a1 promoter–enhancer luciferase reporter system was used to investigate the crosstalk among ERα, GRIP1, and MKK6. Col2a1 expression and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content were measured in ATDC5 cells treated with GRIP1 small interfering RNA (siRNA). Results ERα deficiency clearly accelerated impairment of the vertebral cartilaginous endplate. E2 and TGF-β1 stimulation increased col2a1 expression in PC from wild-type mice, but not that from ERα null mice. The same stimulation increased the col2a1 promoter–enhancer reporter activity, and the elevated activity was decreased by dominant-negative ERα and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor. GRIP1 increased the E2 -dependent ERE activation in the presence of ERα and constitutive-active MKK6. GRIP1 siRNA repressed col2a1 expression and GAG production in ATDC5 cells. Conclusions Crosstalks between ERα/GRIP1 and TGF-β/MKK6/p38 MAPK pathway have protective roles on cartilage metabolism via regulating the extracellular matrices expression. The finding may lead to the development of a novel therapeutic approach for cartilage degeneration.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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