High-resolution prediction of leaf onset date in Japan in the 21st century under the IPCC A1B scenario.

Reports indicate that leaf onset (leaf flush) of deciduous trees in cool-temperate ecosystems is occurring earlier in the spring in response to global warming. In this study, we created two types of phenology models, one driven only by warmth (spring warming [SW] model) and another driven by both warmth and winter chilling (parallel chill [PC] model), to predict such phenomena in the Japanese Islands at high spatial resolution (500 m). We calibrated these models using leaf onset dates derived from satellite data (Terra/MODIS) and in situ temperature data derived from a dense network of ground stations Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System.

Cushing's disease presenting with gastrointestinal perforation: a case report.

Unlabelled: Gastrointestinal perforation is a complication associated with steroid therapy or hypercortisolism, but it is rarely observed in patients with Cushing's disease in clinical practice, and only one case has been reported as a presenting symptom. Herein, we report a rare case of Cushing's disease in which a patient presented with gastrointestinal perforation as a symptom. A 79-year-old man complained of discomfort in the lower abdomen for 6 months.

Optimization of culture conditions of the thraustochytrid Aurantiochytrium sp. strain 18W-13a for squalene production.

Optimum conditions of temperature, salinity and glucose concentration were investigated for squalene production of the strain of Aurantiochytrium sp. 18 W-13a, with a high content of squalene. Squalene production by this strain was optimum at 25 °C, 25-50% seawater concentration and 2-6% glucose concentration.

Smart siRNA delivery systems based on polymeric nanoassemblies and nanoparticles.

RNA interference is a post-transcriptional gene-silencing pathway induced by double-stranded small interfering RNA (siRNA). The potential use of siRNA as a therapeutic agent has attracted great attention as a novel approach to the treatment of several intractable diseases. Despite the rapid progress in the therapeutic use of siRNA, systemic application is still controversial due to the limitations of siRNA, such as low enzymatic tolerability, cellular internalization and body distribution after systemic administration.

Reconsideration of dynamic force spectroscopy analysis of streptavidin-biotin interactions.

To understand and design molecular functions on the basis of molecular recognition processes, the microscopic probing of the energy landscapes of individual interactions in a molecular complex and their dependence on the surrounding conditions is of great importance. Dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) is a technique that enables us to study the interaction between molecules at the single-molecule level. However, the obtained results differ among previous studies, which is considered to be caused by the differences in the measurement conditions.

Floral scent diversity is differently expressed in emitted and endogenous components in Petunia axillaris lines.

Background And Aims: Among the subspecies of Petunia axillaris are various lines emitting sensorially different scents. Analysis of variations in floral scent among genetically close individuals is a powerful approach to understanding the mechanisms for generating scent diversity.

Methods: Emitted and endogenous components were analysed independently to gain information about evaporation and endogenous production in 13 wild lines of P.

Effects of rhythmic muscle compression on cardiovascular responses and muscle oxygenation at rest and during dynamic exercise.

We examined the way in which the duration of rhythmic muscle compressions affects cardiovascular responses and muscle oxygenation at rest and during dynamic exercise. We measured the mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and oxygenation of the vastus lateralis muscle (by near-infrared spectroscopy) in eight healthy male subjects at rest and during supine bicycle exercise (50 and 100 W at 60 r.p.

Mannose binding lectin: genetics and autoimmune disease.

Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a serum protein with structure and functions similar to those of complement factor C1q, and is a key molecule in innate immunity. Interestingly, absence or extremely low concentration of serum MBL (MBL deficiency) seems to be a risk factor for occurrence of autoimmune diseases, in particular systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition, individuals with MBL deficiency are at risk of infection when in immunocompromised conditions.

Naïve (CD4+CD45RA+) T cell subpopulation is susceptible to various types of hazardous substances in the workplace.

To find the most susceptible lymphocyte subpopulation with exposure to various occupational hazardous substances, we reanalyzed our previous data. We measured T, B and natural killer NK cell subpopulations by means of flowcytometry among workers who were exposed to aromatic amines, chromate, mercury lead and organic-solvents. The exposed/non-exposed ratio was defined as the mean value of the absolute number of lymphocyte subpopulations in the exposed workers divided by the corresponding value of the non-exposed control group in 5 studies reported previously by us.

Positive or negative MARE-dependent transcriptional regulation is determined by the abundance of small Maf proteins.

The small Maf transcription factor proteins bind to Maf Recognition Elements (MAREs) by dimerizing with CNC proteins or themselves. We undertook experiments to clarify the functional relationship between the small Mafs and their partners in vivo. Embryos expressing abundant transgene-derived MafK died of severe anemia, while lines expressing lower levels of small Maf lived to adulthood.

Characterization of the mouse CD8 beta chain-encoding gene promoter region.

We identified a regulatory region of the mouse CD8 beta chain-encoding gene (CD8b) promoter. The CD8b 5' upstream sequence could not drive the expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene without T-cell receptor or SV40 enhancer elements. The results of transient transfection assays indicated that the dominant transcription-activating element within the CD8b-promoter is located at -45 to -40 base pairs (CCGCCC) from the transcriptional initiation site.