Gonadal soma-derived factor (Gsdf) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily and a teleost-specific gene. Early studies suggested that Gsdf promotes spermatogonial ...proliferation; however recent reports have shed light on its role in sex differentiation based on expression profiles and gain- and loss-of-function studies. This paper discusses the involvement of Gsdf in gonadal sex differentiation and sex changes in teleosts.
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•Novel crown ether AcDB20C6 based conjugate material was fabricated for Cs uptake.•The conjugate material was effectively taken up the Cs with high adsorption.•The radioactive Cs was ...efficiently decontaminated even in the presence of K and Na.
Crown ether based conjugate material was enabling the high functionality for stable complexation mechanism with cesium (Cs) and attracted the scientific community for potential real radioactive contaminated water treatment. This study was focused on ligand anchored conjugate material for radioactive Cs disposal based on adsorption techniques from nuclear liquid waste in Fukushima with high selectivity. A macrocyclic ligand of acetyl dibenzo-20-crown-6-ethers (AcDB20C6) was synthesized and directly embedded onto mesoporous inorganic silica. The Cs adsorption behavior was carried out with batch equilibrium techniques. The affecting experimental parameters such as solution pH, contact time, initial Cs concentration and competitive adsorption of Na and K ion concentrations were measured and optimized systematically. The sensitive pH range for high Cs removal was with broad range of 5.5–9.0, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 65.06 mg/g by the material at pH 7.0. The results clarified that conjugate material was high selectivity towards Cs even in the presence of a high level of Na and K ions rather than inorganic adsorbent because of the possible Cs-π interaction of the benzene ring from the crown ether ligand. The material was successfully investigated for radioactive Cs disposal for the potential treatment in Fukushima in the connection of in nuclear contaminated water treatment. The adsorbed Cs was desorbed with the eluent of 0.20 M HCl and then simultaneously regenerated at the same into the initial form for the next disposal operation after washing with water. The conjugate material was kept high functionality even in several cycles during adsorption–elution–regeneration processes. Then the proposed material could be used as promising material for selective radioactive Cs disposal from contaminated water in Fukushima, Japan.
BACKGROUND:Kawasaki disease is an acute vasculitis of childhood that leads to coronary artery aneurysms in ≈25% of untreated cases. It has been reported worldwide and is the leading cause of acquired ...heart disease in children in developed countries.
METHODS AND RESULTS:To revise the previous American Heart Association guidelines, a multidisciplinary writing group of experts was convened to review and appraise available evidence and practice-based opinion, as well as to provide updated recommendations for diagnosis, treatment of the acute illness, and long-term management. Although the cause remains unknown, discussion sections highlight new insights into the epidemiology, genetics, pathogenesis, pathology, natural history, and long-term outcomes. Prompt diagnosis is essential, and an updated algorithm defines supplemental information to be used to assist the diagnosis when classic clinical criteria are incomplete. Although intravenous immune globulin is the mainstay of initial treatment, the role for additional primary therapy in selected patients is discussed. Approximately 10% to 20% of patients do not respond to initial intravenous immune globulin, and recommendations for additional therapies are provided. Careful initial management of evolving coronary artery abnormalities is essential, necessitating an increased frequency of assessments and escalation of thromboprophylaxis. Risk stratification for long-term management is based primarily on maximal coronary artery luminal dimensions, normalized as Z scores, and is calibrated to both past and current involvement. Patients with aneurysms require life-long and uninterrupted cardiology follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS:These recommendations provide updated and best evidence-based guidance to healthcare providers who diagnose and manage Kawasaki disease, but clinical decision making should be individualized to specific patient circumstances.
We study the structure and evolution of networks of inventors involved in university licensing and patenting. In particular, we focus on networks of inventors that have successfully licensed a ...university patent (i.e.,
licensing networks
), and investigate levels of their fragmentation, cliquishness, and whether they exhibit the small world phenomenon. We find that these licensing networks are more fragmented and cliquish than the networks of inventors engaged in all (not necessarily licensed) patents (i.e.,
patenting networks
), and that they are not small worlds. Additionally, by comparing the created licensing networks to random subnetworks of the patenting networks, we find that concerns in regard to the potential effects of opportunistic behavior are, to some degree, justified. We detect an interesting collaboration behavior of inventors who license, which we designate as dualistic opportunistic behavior.
The establishment of university spin-offs differs across schools as a result of the interactions among different intuitional settings. This study examines the role of institutional factors in the ...context of state-controlled universities, which are the majority in East Asia, but have not been the focus of the existing literature. The University of Tokyo experienced a significant shift from an anti-industry university collaboration culture to a leading entrepreneurial university in the mid-2000s. This study proposes a chronological investigation of the policies and culture of this state-owned top research university and addresses its significant efforts to create an entrepreneurial environment. First, despite the regulatory constraints, the university has established an incubator and early-stage investment resource, benefiting from prior experimental experiences in an independent research centre. Second, it opened a special non-degree entrepreneurship education programme for students and postdoctoral researchers. These facts show the importance of an organisational initiative even in a state-controlled context. Regarding the reasons why such changes did not cause internal cultural conflict, our case studies suggest that the academic and commercial bicultural system introduced by the University of Tokyo balanced the fulfilment of traditional academic roles with the drive for innovation.
To ascertain whether habitual green tea consumption is associated with sarcopenia among Japanese older adults, using the screening tool for sarcopenia (SARC-F). This cross-sectional study in Mukawa, ...Hokkaido, Japan, was conducted between June and September 2022 and included 364 Japanese participants older than 65 y. Habitual green tea consumption and energy intake were ascertained using a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Sarcopenia was evaluated using the SARC-F. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of sarcopenia risk across participant tertiles of green tea consumption, with adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, living alone, habitual exercise, walking hours, current smoking status, current alcohol consumption status, energy intake, protein intake, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. In this study of 364 participants (154 men and 210 women), the prevalence of sarcopenia risk was 9.3%. The multivariable-adjusted OR 95% CI of green tea consumption for ≥1 cup/d compared with that of <1 cup/wk of sarcopenia was 0.312 0.129–0.752. Higher habitual green tea consumption was inversely associated with sarcopenia among Japanese older adults. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings.
Background: Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) is an essential catheterization procedure for congenital heart lesions. Recently, a balloon catheter for static BAS was approved for the first time in ...Japan as an alternative to the conventional pull-through BAS. Despite the expected increase in the use of static BAS, reports on its safety are scarce worldwide.Methods and Results: Data on static and pull-through BAS registered in a national registry between 2016 and 2018 were collected. During the study period, 247 sessions of static BAS and 588 sessions of pull-through BAS were performed on a total of 674 patients. Patients who underwent static BAS were older (P<0.001). The incidence of serious adverse events (4.3% vs. 0.9%, P=0.03) and the overall incidence of adverse events (8.1% vs. 3.2%, P=0.03) were higher in static BAS than in pull-through BAS. Among patients who underwent static BAS, the risk factor for adverse events was a body weight <3 kg at the time of the procedure (odds ratio: 4.3 confidence interval: 1.7–11, P=0.003).Conclusions: This nationwide study revealed differences in patient background between static and pull-through BAS, as well as a higher incidence of adverse events related to static BAS. Patients weighing <3 kg are at high risk for adverse events after static BAS and may require surgical and circulatory support backup.
Background:Giant coronary aneurysm is the most severe sequela in Kawasaki disease, occurring in approximately 0.2% of patients in Japan. Regression is rare, while myocardial infarction (MI) and ...sudden death are relatively common. Herein, we reviewed patients with giant coronary aneurysm in a 10-year period.Methods and Results:A nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted based on a national epidemiological database from 1999 to 2010. We identified 355 giant coronary aneurysm patients, of whom 209 were analyzed. The 5- and 10-year total cardiac event-free rates were 0.72 and 0.68, respectively. Twelve patients died, and MI was observed in 32 patients (18.1%). Five and 6 deaths were due to coronary rupture and MI, respectively. All ruptures occurred within 1 month of onset, while most MI occurred within 18 months. There was no death beyond 2 years. Aneurysm size was significantly related to the occurrence of MI in both the right and left coronary arteries. At the time of writing, 55% of patients had no exercise limitations. And including patients who cannot perform strenuous exercises, 81% of patients were leading ordinary lives.Conclusions:Severe cardiac events are likely to occur within 2 years from onset of Kawasaki disease, while no deaths occurred beyond this time. Hence, careful monitoring is needed especially for the first 2 years. Most patients with giant coronary aneurysms can lead ordinary lives with appropriate management.
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