Relationship between Human Evolution and Neurally Mediated Syncope Disclosed by the Polymorphic Sites of the Adrenergic Receptor Gene α2B-AR

The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of disease on neurally mediated syncope (NMS) during an acute stress reaction. We analyzed the mechanism of the molecular interaction and the polymorphisms of the alpha-2 adrenoreceptor (α2B-AR) gene as the potential psychiatric cause of incentive stress. We focused on the following three genotypes of the repeat polymorphism site at Glu 301–303 in the α2B-AR gene: Glu12/12, Glu12/9, and Glu9/9. On the basis of our clinical research, NMS is likely to occur in people with the Glu12/9 heterotype. To verify this, we assessed this relationship with the interaction of Gi protein and adenylate cyclase by in silico analysis of the Glu12/9 heterotype. By measuring the difference in the dissociation time of the Gi-α subunit twice, we found that the Glu12/9 heterotype suppressed the action of adenylate cyclase longer than the Glu homotypes. As this difference in the Glu repeat number effect is thought to be one of the causes of NMS, we investigated the evolutionary significance of the Glu repeat number. Glu8 was originally repeated in simians, while the Glu12 repeats occurred over time during the evolution of bipedalism in humans. Taken with the Glu12 numbers, NMS would likely become a defensive measure to prevent significant blood flow to the human brain.     

Synergism between stem cell factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on cell proliferation by induction of cyclins

Synergism between stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been shown to be essential for hematopoietic cell proliferation. Since HML-2 cells proliferate exponentially in the presence of SCF and GM-CSF together, we analyzed the molecular mechanism of the interaction between these two factors in the cells. An immediate-early gene product, c-myc, was additively upregulated in HML-2 cells by addition of a combination of SCF and GM-CSF. c-myc antisense oligonucleotides effectively suppressed cell proliferation and downregulated the induction of D3, E, A, and B cyclins in HML-2 cells stimulated with the two-factor combination. HML-2 cells arrested at the G0/G1 phase with SCF alone and expressed modest amounts of c-myc and cyclin D3, but not cyclin E. With GM-CSF treatment alone, the cells could not progress to the G2/M phase and expressed c-myc, cyclin D3 and cyclin E but not cyclins A or B. The addition of the counterpart cytokine resulted in cell cycle completion by induction of the deficient cyclins. Taken together, it appears that the induction of c-myc is an indispensable event in the proliferation of HML-2 cells and that the cytokines SCF and GM-CSF interact reciprocally for expression of all cyclins required for cell cycle progression.     

Diastereomer Separation of Azobenzene-Tethered Oligodeoxyribonucleotides and Determination of Their Absolute Configurations by Enzymatic Digestion

Two diastereomers were produced by the introduction of azobenzene-tethering prochiral linker (2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid) in the modified ODN, which had been used for the photoregulation of DNA functions. We found that this modified ODN with sequence 5′-…pNpXpN…-3′ (p = phosphate; N = nucleoside; X = azobenzene residue) could be digested to pX (the phosphate at the 5′ side of X was left) by an over excess of Phosphodiesterase I. By comparing the retention time of pX from the separated diastereomer with that of authentic R- or S-pX on chiral HPLC, absolute configuration could be easily determined.     

Rare earth metal ions for unprecedentedly fast RNA hydrolysis.

Adenylyl(3'-5')adenosine (ApA) and uridyl(3'-5')uridine (UpU) are hydrolyzed at unprecedentedly large rates by rare earth metal ions at pH 8, 30 degrees C. With 0.01 M Tm(III), the half-lives are 10 min and 51 min, respectively. Potentiality of these ions as catalytic center of artificial ribonuclease is proposed.     

A challenge to dam improvement for the protection of both salmon and human livelihood in Shiretoko,Japan’s third Natural Heritage Site

The Shiretoko Peninsula was placed on the World Heritage List in July 2005 as Japan’s third Natural Heritage Site, being valued for its unique ecosystems formed by the interaction between marine and terrestrial environments. Prior to its listing, however, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources requested the development of measures to allow for the free movement of salmonids through the nominated area via artificial in-stream structures. This report introduces a pioneering effort to modify check dams in order to improve ecosystem linkages. The River Construction Working Group has intensively discussed and implemented restoration projects for 3 years, and the results have been monitored after implementation. Of 44 streams within the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site, 14 streams have had one or more in-stream structure(s) built. A total of 123 structures, mainly soil conservation dams, are distributed sporadically in these streams. Following assessment, the Working Group concluded that it would be reasonable to modify 31 structures in five streams, including 18 structures that were to be modified before listing. The most suitable design that met local stream conditions was selected, after accounting for salmon passage, adverse impacts on stream environments above and below the construction sites and on fishing grounds, efficiency of construction, and ease of postmodification maintenance. Working in cooperation with the group members and parties concerned, we succeeded in restoring salmonids’ upstream runs and extending their spawning habitat in streams above some of the dams, while keeping the disaster prevention function of the dams intact.     

Measurements of gamma (γ)-emitting radionuclides with a high-purity germanium detector: the methods and reliability of our environmental assessments on the Fukushima 1 Nuclear Power Plant accident

The severe accident of Fukushima 1 Nuclear Power Plant due to the Tohoku Region Pacific Coast Earthquake in 11 March 2011 caused wide contamination and pollution by radionuclides in Fukushima and surrounding prefectures. In the current JPR symposium, a group of plant scientists attempted to examine the impact of the radioactive contamination on wild and cultivated plants. Measurements of gamma (γ) radiation from radionuclides in “Fukushima samples”, which we called and collected from natural and agricultural areas in Fukushima prefecture were mostly done with a high-purity Ge detector in the Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, Kobe University. In this technical note, we describe the methods of sample preparation and measurements of radioactivity of the samples and discuss the reliability of our data in regards to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Interlaboratory comparisons and proficiency test (IAEA proficiency test).     

Enhancement of bone formation ex vivo and in vivo by a helioxanthin-derivative

To effectively treat serious bone defects using bone-regenerative medicine, a small chemical compound that potently induces bone formation must be developed. We previously reported on the osteogenic effect of 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyrido[40,30:4,5]thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-2-carboxamide (TH), a helioxanthin-derivative, in vitro. Here, we report on TH’s osteogenic effects ex vivo and in vivo. TH-induced new bone formation in both calvarial and metatarsal organ cultures. A novel monitoring system of osteoblastic differentiation using MC3T3-E1 cells revealed that TH was released from α-TCP bone cement and this release continued for more than one month. Lastly, the implantation of the α-TCP carrier containing TH into defects in mouse skull resulted in increased new bone areas within the defects after 4 weeks. A TH-containing scaffold may help establish a more efficient bone regeneration system.     

Radioactive pollution and accumulation of radionuclides in wild plants in Fukushima

The radionuclide status of wild plants and soil in the Fukushima area was investigated during the period May 2011 to October 2012, using an imaging plate (autoradiograms) or a high purity germanium detector. Analyses of autoradiograms showed that wild plants grown in March 2011 were strongly polluted with fallout released from the Fukushima 1 Nuclear Power Plant. The radioactivity was mostly due to fallout adsorbed on the surface of the plants. On the other hand, a number of herbaceous plants were regularly collected in the Fukushima area and their radionuclide concentrations were measured with a high-purity germanium detector. Plants grown in March 2011 showed very high levels of ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs, but these radioactivity levels decreased rapidly after July 2011 and eventually became lower than that of endogenous ⁴⁰K. During this period, the radioactivity of the soil remained high. We therefore suppose that a significant proportion of the radioactivity detected from plants harvested after July 2011 was most likely derived from soil dust attached on the plant surface. Autoradiograms of rice plants were virtually identical between plants cultivated in Fukushima and Osaka area, reflecting the background radiation due to ⁴⁰K.