Understanding how environmental adaptation varies among families within a species is critical to adapt forestry activities such as management and breeding to possible future climate change.The present study examined h...Understanding how environmental adaptation varies among families within a species is critical to adapt forestry activities such as management and breeding to possible future climate change.The present study examined home-site advantage and local advantage in growth and basic density of wood in 36 families of Chamaecyparis obtuse(Siebold et Zucc.)Endl.,reciprocally planted at two progeny test sites with differing climatic conditions in Japan.A significant home-site advantage for growth was detected between the lowland and mountainous regions within the Kanto breeding region.In addition,the effects of climate differentials between the selection site of mating parents and the progeny test site on growth and basic density were inves-tigated.As a result,temperature was identified as the most significant climatic factor attributed to local adaptation for growth traits.Elongation and radial growth were adversely influenced when the progeny test site temperature exceeded the provenance temperature by more than 2°C.Therefore,it is crucial to account for temperature differences between the provenance and the planting site to adapt afforestation and forest tree breeding to climate change in the future.展开更多
Recent comprehensive investigations clarified that immune microenvironment surrounding tumor cells are deeply involved in tumor progression,metastasis,and response to treatment.Furthermore,several immunotherapeutic tr...Recent comprehensive investigations clarified that immune microenvironment surrounding tumor cells are deeply involved in tumor progression,metastasis,and response to treatment.Furthermore,several immunotherapeutic trials have achieved successful results,and the immunotherapeutic agents are available in clinical practice.To enhance their demonstrated efficacy,combination of immunotherapy and ablation has begun to emerge.Local ablations have considerable advantages as an alternative therapeutic option,especially its minimal invasiveness.In addition,local ablations have shown immune-regulatory effect in preclinical and clinical studies.Although the corresponding mechanisms are still unclear,the local ablations combined with immunotherapy have been suggested in the treatment of several solid malignancies.This article aims to review the published data on the immune-regulatory effects of local ablations including stereotactic body radiotherapy,cryoablation,radiofrequency ablation,and high-intensityfocused ultrasound.We also discuss the value of local ablations combined with immunotherapy.Local ablations have the potential to improve future patient outcomes;however,the effectiveness and safety of local ablations combined with immunotherapy should be further investigated.展开更多
Two-dimensional(2D) numerical simulations of thermochemical nonequilibrium inductively coupled plasma(ICP) flows inside a 10-kW inductively coupled plasma wind tunnel(ICPWT) were carried out with nitrogen as the...Two-dimensional(2D) numerical simulations of thermochemical nonequilibrium inductively coupled plasma(ICP) flows inside a 10-kW inductively coupled plasma wind tunnel(ICPWT) were carried out with nitrogen as the working gas.Compressible axisymmetric NavierStokes(N-S) equations coupled with magnetic vector potential equations were solved.A fourtemperature model including an improved electron-vibration relaxation time was used to model the internal energy exchange between electron and heavy particles.The third-order accuracy electron transport properties(3rd AETP) were applied to the simulations.A hybrid chemical kinetic model was adopted to model the chemical nonequilibrium process.The flow characteristics such as thermal nonequilibrium,inductive discharge,effects of Lorentz force were made clear through the present study.It was clarified that the thermal nonequilibrium model played an important role in properly predicting the temperature field.The prediction accuracy can be improved by applying the 3rd AETP to the simulation for this ICPWT.展开更多
Numerical simulations of 10 kW and 110 kW inductively coupled plasma (ICP) wind tunnels were carried out to study physical properties of the flow inside the ICP torch and vacuum chamber with air as tile working gas....Numerical simulations of 10 kW and 110 kW inductively coupled plasma (ICP) wind tunnels were carried out to study physical properties of the flow inside the ICP torch and vacuum chamber with air as tile working gas. Two-dimensional compressible axisymmetric Navier- Stokes (N-S) equations that took into account 11 species and 49 chemical reactions of air, were solved. A heat source model was used to describe the heating phenomenon instead of solving the electromagnetic equations. In the vacuum chamber, a four-temperature model was coupled with N-S equations. Numerical results for tile 10 kW ICP wind tunnel are presented and discussed in detail as a representative case. It was found that the plasma flow in the vacuum chamber tended to be in local thermoehemical equilibrium. To study the influence of operation conditions on the flow field, simulations were carried out for different chamber pressures and/or input powers. The computational results for the above two ICP wind tunnels were compared with corresponding experimental data. The computational and experimental results agree well, therefore the flow fields of ICP wind tunnels can be clearly understood.展开更多
Background:Eurasian Collared Dove(Streptopelia decaocto)is a species distributed in the Eurasian continent and North Africa,and inhabiting mainly in Saitama Prefecture in Japan.Eurasian Collared Dove is one of the mos...Background:Eurasian Collared Dove(Streptopelia decaocto)is a species distributed in the Eurasian continent and North Africa,and inhabiting mainly in Saitama Prefecture in Japan.Eurasian Collared Dove is one of the most prosper-ous invaders in the world,and Japanese Eurasian Collared Dove has also been introduced from overseas.The Japa-nese population has declined to one-hundredth over 30 years and is being protected.In this study,we analyzed its genetic diversity in order to understand the genetic differences between wild populations of Eurasian Collared Dove and those bred in zoos.Methods:A sequence of about 1.9 kb mtDNA was determined for 20 wild Eurasian Collared Doves living in Saitama,Japan and 20 zoo-bred Eurasian Collared Doves,and population genetic analysis was performed.Results:In the COI gene,778 bp had the same sequence in all the 40 individuals examined,and no mutation sites could be confirmed.In the control region,two base substitution sites were confirmed in 1140 bp long sequence.Three haplotypes were detected in 20 individuals in wild,whereas all 20 zoo-bred individuals possessed the same haplotypes possessed in the wild population.Conclusion:Haplotypes of zoo-bred individuals were also retained among the wild individuals,confirming that no genetic problems could occur if the zoo-bred individuals were released to the wild for the Japanese Eurasian Collared Dove propagation program.展开更多
The chrysotile asbestos was converted to the forsterite-type compounds by calcination at 740 and 800oC (F7-740 and F7-800), which were used as a catalyst for the polycondensation of bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate aff...The chrysotile asbestos was converted to the forsterite-type compounds by calcination at 740 and 800oC (F7-740 and F7-800), which were used as a catalyst for the polycondensation of bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate affording poly (ethylene terephthalate). The obtained forsterite-type compounds did not show any catalytic activity. However, the products obtained by simply treating them with acetic acid significantly promoted the polymerization that produced a THFinsoluble polymer. It was found that the polymer prepared with the acetic acid-treated F7-740 at 160oC for 2 h showed a 93% yield and the number average molecular weight of 6.4 × 103. The observed catalytic activity was higher than that for the acetic acid-treated magnesium oxide, as well as the typical polycondensation catalysts, such as magnesium acetate and antimony oxide.展开更多
In order to investigate a key factor for the appearance of proton conductivity in chitin-chitosan mixed compounds, the chitin-chitosan mixed compounds (chitin)x(chitosan)1-x were prepared and these proton conductiviti...In order to investigate a key factor for the appearance of proton conductivity in chitin-chitosan mixed compounds, the chitin-chitosan mixed compounds (chitin)x(chitosan)1-x were prepared and these proton conductivities have been investigated. DC proton conductivity σ is obtained from Nyquist plot of impedance measurement data, and the relationship between σ and mixing ratio x has been made clear. It was found that the x dependence of σ is non-monotonous. That is, σ shows the anomalous behavior, and has peaks around x = 0.4 and 0.75. This result indicates that there exist optimal conditions for the realization of high-proton conductivity in the chitin-chitosan mixed compound in which the number of acetyl groups is different. From the FT-IR measurement, we have found that the behavior of proton conductivity in (chitin)x(chitosan)1-x is determined by the amount of water content changed by x. Using these results, proton conductivity, which is important for the application of conducting polymers in chitin-chitosan mixed compounds, will be able to be easily controlled by adjusting the mixing ratio x.展开更多
Previous studies by us and others demonstrated that activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a pathogenic role in chronic kidney diseases(CKD).Wnt co-receptor LRP5 variants are reported to associate with autosomal...Previous studies by us and others demonstrated that activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a pathogenic role in chronic kidney diseases(CKD).Wnt co-receptor LRP5 variants are reported to associate with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease;but their exact roles in this disease and renal fibrosis have not been explored.Here,we observed the upregulation of LRP5 in the renal tubules of both type 1 and type 2 diabetic models and of an obstructive nephropathy model.In the obstructed kidneys,Lrp5 knockout significantly ameliorated tubulointerstitial fibrosis and tubular injury without changing Wnt/β-catenin signaling.Instead,decreased levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-βreceptors(TβRs)were detected in Lrp5 knockout kidneys,followed by attenuated activation and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3 in the renal tubules,suggesting a regulatory effect of LRP5 on TGF-β/Smad signaling.In consistent with this hypothesis,LRP5 overexpression resulted in enhanced TGF-β/Smad signaling activation in renal tubule epithelial cells.Furthermore,LRP5 was co-immunoprecipitated with TβRI and TβRII,and its extracellular domain was essential for interacting with TβRs and for its pro-fibrotic activity.In addition to stabilizing TβRs,LRP5 increased the basal membrane presentation and TGF-β1-induced internalization of these receptors.Notably,TGF-β1 also induced LRP5 internalization.These findings indicate that LRP5 promotes tubulointerstitial fibrosis,at least partially,via direct modulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling,a novel,Wnt-independent function.展开更多
文摘Understanding how environmental adaptation varies among families within a species is critical to adapt forestry activities such as management and breeding to possible future climate change.The present study examined home-site advantage and local advantage in growth and basic density of wood in 36 families of Chamaecyparis obtuse(Siebold et Zucc.)Endl.,reciprocally planted at two progeny test sites with differing climatic conditions in Japan.A significant home-site advantage for growth was detected between the lowland and mountainous regions within the Kanto breeding region.In addition,the effects of climate differentials between the selection site of mating parents and the progeny test site on growth and basic density were inves-tigated.As a result,temperature was identified as the most significant climatic factor attributed to local adaptation for growth traits.Elongation and radial growth were adversely influenced when the progeny test site temperature exceeded the provenance temperature by more than 2°C.Therefore,it is crucial to account for temperature differences between the provenance and the planting site to adapt afforestation and forest tree breeding to climate change in the future.
文摘Recent comprehensive investigations clarified that immune microenvironment surrounding tumor cells are deeply involved in tumor progression,metastasis,and response to treatment.Furthermore,several immunotherapeutic trials have achieved successful results,and the immunotherapeutic agents are available in clinical practice.To enhance their demonstrated efficacy,combination of immunotherapy and ablation has begun to emerge.Local ablations have considerable advantages as an alternative therapeutic option,especially its minimal invasiveness.In addition,local ablations have shown immune-regulatory effect in preclinical and clinical studies.Although the corresponding mechanisms are still unclear,the local ablations combined with immunotherapy have been suggested in the treatment of several solid malignancies.This article aims to review the published data on the immune-regulatory effects of local ablations including stereotactic body radiotherapy,cryoablation,radiofrequency ablation,and high-intensityfocused ultrasound.We also discuss the value of local ablations combined with immunotherapy.Local ablations have the potential to improve future patient outcomes;however,the effectiveness and safety of local ablations combined with immunotherapy should be further investigated.
基金supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(No.23560954)sponsored by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
文摘Two-dimensional(2D) numerical simulations of thermochemical nonequilibrium inductively coupled plasma(ICP) flows inside a 10-kW inductively coupled plasma wind tunnel(ICPWT) were carried out with nitrogen as the working gas.Compressible axisymmetric NavierStokes(N-S) equations coupled with magnetic vector potential equations were solved.A fourtemperature model including an improved electron-vibration relaxation time was used to model the internal energy exchange between electron and heavy particles.The third-order accuracy electron transport properties(3rd AETP) were applied to the simulations.A hybrid chemical kinetic model was adopted to model the chemical nonequilibrium process.The flow characteristics such as thermal nonequilibrium,inductive discharge,effects of Lorentz force were made clear through the present study.It was clarified that the thermal nonequilibrium model played an important role in properly predicting the temperature field.The prediction accuracy can be improved by applying the 3rd AETP to the simulation for this ICPWT.
基金supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(No.23560954)sponsored by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
文摘Numerical simulations of 10 kW and 110 kW inductively coupled plasma (ICP) wind tunnels were carried out to study physical properties of the flow inside the ICP torch and vacuum chamber with air as tile working gas. Two-dimensional compressible axisymmetric Navier- Stokes (N-S) equations that took into account 11 species and 49 chemical reactions of air, were solved. A heat source model was used to describe the heating phenomenon instead of solving the electromagnetic equations. In the vacuum chamber, a four-temperature model was coupled with N-S equations. Numerical results for tile 10 kW ICP wind tunnel are presented and discussed in detail as a representative case. It was found that the plasma flow in the vacuum chamber tended to be in local thermoehemical equilibrium. To study the influence of operation conditions on the flow field, simulations were carried out for different chamber pressures and/or input powers. The computational results for the above two ICP wind tunnels were compared with corresponding experimental data. The computational and experimental results agree well, therefore the flow fields of ICP wind tunnels can be clearly understood.
文摘Background:Eurasian Collared Dove(Streptopelia decaocto)is a species distributed in the Eurasian continent and North Africa,and inhabiting mainly in Saitama Prefecture in Japan.Eurasian Collared Dove is one of the most prosper-ous invaders in the world,and Japanese Eurasian Collared Dove has also been introduced from overseas.The Japa-nese population has declined to one-hundredth over 30 years and is being protected.In this study,we analyzed its genetic diversity in order to understand the genetic differences between wild populations of Eurasian Collared Dove and those bred in zoos.Methods:A sequence of about 1.9 kb mtDNA was determined for 20 wild Eurasian Collared Doves living in Saitama,Japan and 20 zoo-bred Eurasian Collared Doves,and population genetic analysis was performed.Results:In the COI gene,778 bp had the same sequence in all the 40 individuals examined,and no mutation sites could be confirmed.In the control region,two base substitution sites were confirmed in 1140 bp long sequence.Three haplotypes were detected in 20 individuals in wild,whereas all 20 zoo-bred individuals possessed the same haplotypes possessed in the wild population.Conclusion:Haplotypes of zoo-bred individuals were also retained among the wild individuals,confirming that no genetic problems could occur if the zoo-bred individuals were released to the wild for the Japanese Eurasian Collared Dove propagation program.
文摘The chrysotile asbestos was converted to the forsterite-type compounds by calcination at 740 and 800oC (F7-740 and F7-800), which were used as a catalyst for the polycondensation of bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate affording poly (ethylene terephthalate). The obtained forsterite-type compounds did not show any catalytic activity. However, the products obtained by simply treating them with acetic acid significantly promoted the polymerization that produced a THFinsoluble polymer. It was found that the polymer prepared with the acetic acid-treated F7-740 at 160oC for 2 h showed a 93% yield and the number average molecular weight of 6.4 × 103. The observed catalytic activity was higher than that for the acetic acid-treated magnesium oxide, as well as the typical polycondensation catalysts, such as magnesium acetate and antimony oxide.
文摘In order to investigate a key factor for the appearance of proton conductivity in chitin-chitosan mixed compounds, the chitin-chitosan mixed compounds (chitin)x(chitosan)1-x were prepared and these proton conductivities have been investigated. DC proton conductivity σ is obtained from Nyquist plot of impedance measurement data, and the relationship between σ and mixing ratio x has been made clear. It was found that the x dependence of σ is non-monotonous. That is, σ shows the anomalous behavior, and has peaks around x = 0.4 and 0.75. This result indicates that there exist optimal conditions for the realization of high-proton conductivity in the chitin-chitosan mixed compound in which the number of acetyl groups is different. From the FT-IR measurement, we have found that the behavior of proton conductivity in (chitin)x(chitosan)1-x is determined by the amount of water content changed by x. Using these results, proton conductivity, which is important for the application of conducting polymers in chitin-chitosan mixed compounds, will be able to be easily controlled by adjusting the mixing ratio x.
基金supported by a grant from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology(HR16-041)and NIH grants EY012231,EY018659,EY028949,EY019309,GM122744a grant from National Nature Science Foundation of China NO.81700631Science&Technology Development Fund of Tianjin Education Commission for Higher Education 2016YD05.
文摘Previous studies by us and others demonstrated that activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a pathogenic role in chronic kidney diseases(CKD).Wnt co-receptor LRP5 variants are reported to associate with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease;but their exact roles in this disease and renal fibrosis have not been explored.Here,we observed the upregulation of LRP5 in the renal tubules of both type 1 and type 2 diabetic models and of an obstructive nephropathy model.In the obstructed kidneys,Lrp5 knockout significantly ameliorated tubulointerstitial fibrosis and tubular injury without changing Wnt/β-catenin signaling.Instead,decreased levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-βreceptors(TβRs)were detected in Lrp5 knockout kidneys,followed by attenuated activation and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3 in the renal tubules,suggesting a regulatory effect of LRP5 on TGF-β/Smad signaling.In consistent with this hypothesis,LRP5 overexpression resulted in enhanced TGF-β/Smad signaling activation in renal tubule epithelial cells.Furthermore,LRP5 was co-immunoprecipitated with TβRI and TβRII,and its extracellular domain was essential for interacting with TβRs and for its pro-fibrotic activity.In addition to stabilizing TβRs,LRP5 increased the basal membrane presentation and TGF-β1-induced internalization of these receptors.Notably,TGF-β1 also induced LRP5 internalization.These findings indicate that LRP5 promotes tubulointerstitial fibrosis,at least partially,via direct modulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling,a novel,Wnt-independent function.