The human intestinal microbiome plays a major role in human health and diseases, including colorectal cancer. Colorectal carcinogenesis represents a heterogeneous process with a differing set of somatic molecular alte...The human intestinal microbiome plays a major role in human health and diseases, including colorectal cancer. Colorectal carcinogenesis represents a heterogeneous process with a differing set of somatic molecular alterations, influenced by diet, environmental and microbial exposures, and host immunity. Fusobacterium species are part of the human oral and intestinal microbiota. Metagenomic analyses have shown an enrichment of Fusobacterium nucleatum(F. nucleatum) in colorectal carcinoma tissue. Using 511 colorectal carcinomas from Japanese patients, we assessed the presence of F. nucleatum. Our results showed that the frequency of F. nucleatum positivity in the Japanese colorectal cancer was 8.6%(44/511), which was lower than that in United States cohort studies(13%). Similar to the United States studies, F. nucleatum positivityin Japanese colorectal cancers was significantly associated with microsatellite instability(MSI)-high status. Regarding the immune response in colorectal cancer, high levels of infiltrating T-cell subsets(i.e., CD3+, CD8+, CD45RO+, and FOXP3+ cells) have been associated with better patient prognosis. There is also evidence to indicate that molecular features of colorectal cancer, especially MSI, influence T-cell-mediated adaptive immunity. Concerning the association between the gut microbiome and immunity, F. nucleatum has been shown to expand myeloid-derived immune cells, which inhibit T-cell proliferation and induce T-cell apoptosis in colorectal cancer. This finding indicates that F. nucleatum possesses immunosuppressive activities by inhibiting human T-cell responses. Certain micro RNAs are induced during the macrophage inflammatory response and have the ability to regulate host-cell responses to pathogens. Micro RNA-21 increases the levels of IL-10 and prostaglandin E2, which suppress antitumor T-cell-mediated adaptive immunity through the inhibition of the antigen-presenting capacities of dendritic cells and T-cell proliferation in colorectal cancer cells. Thus, emerging evidence may 展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） has a decisive influence on the prognosis of cirrhotic patients. Although α-fetoprotein （AFP） is a known and specific tumor maker for HCC, it is not suitable for the screening and s...Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） has a decisive influence on the prognosis of cirrhotic patients. Although α-fetoprotein （AFP） is a known and specific tumor maker for HCC, it is not suitable for the screening and surveillance of HCC because of its poor predictive value and low sensitivity. The use of imaging modalities is essential for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Ultrasound （US） plays a major role among them, because it provides real-time and non-invasive observation by a simple and easy technique. In addition, US-guided needle puncture methods are frequently required for the diagnosis and/or treatment process of HCC. The development of digital technology has led to the detection of blood flow by color Doppler US, and the sensitivity for detecting tumor vascularity has shown remarkable improvement with the introduction of microbubble contrast agents. Moreover, near realtime 3-dimensional US images are now available. As for the treatment of HCC, high intensity focused ultrasound （HIFU） was developed as a novel technology that provides transcutaneous ablation effect without needle puncture. These advancements in the US field have led to rapid progress in HCC management, and continuing advances are expected. This article reviews the current application of US for HCC in clinical practice.展开更多
The mineral inclusions in zircon from gneisses in ultra-high pressure (UHP) zone of the Dabie Mountains were identified by using a laser Raman microspectrometer. Coesite occurs as inclusions in zircons from all types ...The mineral inclusions in zircon from gneisses in ultra-high pressure (UHP) zone of the Dabie Mountains were identified by using a laser Raman microspectrometer. Coesite occurs as inclusions in zircons from all types of gneiss. Other important minerals, such as jadeite, omphacite, aragonite, barite, and anhydrite were also found as inclusion minerals. These discoveries indicate that ( i) gneissic country rocks had metamorphosed at the same time as the enclosed eclogites; and (ii) SO4-2 -bearing fluids were presentin the UHP metamorphic process, which is manifested by occurrence of barite and anhydrite coexisting with coesite.展开更多
AIM： To investigate and predict enteral nutrition problems after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy （PEG）. METHODS： We retrospectively analyzed data for 252 out of 285 patients who underwent PEG at our hospital f...AIM： To investigate and predict enteral nutrition problems after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy （PEG）. METHODS： We retrospectively analyzed data for 252 out of 285 patients who underwent PEG at our hospital from 1999 to 2008 after PEG were defined as： Enteral nutrition problems （1） patients who required ≥ 1 mo after surgery to switch to complete enteral nutrition, or who required additional parenteral alimentation continuously; or （2） patients who abandoned switching to enteral nutrition using the gastrostoma and employed other nutritional methods. We attempted to identify the predictors of problem cases by using a logistic regression analysis that examined the patients＇ backgrounds and the specific causes that led to their problems. RESULTS： Mean age of the patients was 75 years, and in general, their body weight was low and their overall condition was markedly poor. Blood testing revealed that patients tended to be anemic and malnourished. A total of 44 patients （17.5%） were diagnosed as having enteral nutrition problems after PEG. Major causes of the problems included pneumonia, acute enterocolitis （often Clostridium difficile-related）, paralytic ileus and biliary tract infection. A multivariate analysis identified the following independent predictors for problem cases： （1） enteral nutrition before gastrectomy （a risk reduction factor）; （2） presence of esophageal hiatal hernia; （3） past history of paralytic ileus; and （4） presence of chronic renal dysfunction. CONCLUSION： Enteral nutrition problems after PEG occurred at a comparatively high rate. Patient background analysis elucidated four predictive factors for the problem cases.展开更多
Coesite inclusions, together with omphacite, jadeite, garnet and phengite inclusions, were identified in zircons separates from almost all gneissic core samples of pre-pilot drillhole CCSD-PP2 by the Laser Raman spect...Coesite inclusions, together with omphacite, jadeite, garnet and phengite inclusions, were identified in zircons separates from almost all gneissic core samples of pre-pilot drillhole CCSD-PP2 by the Laser Raman spectros-copy and the cathodoluminescence method. These data indicate that gneissic rocks consisting of paragneisses and or-thogneisses ubiquitously experienced UHP metamorphism. This research may be of great significance for an in-depth study of the subduction-exhumation mechanism of the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt and selecting the drilling site for the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project.展开更多
Advances in materials are an important contributor to our technological progress,and yet the process of materials discovery and development itself is slow.Our current research process is human-centred,where human rese...Advances in materials are an important contributor to our technological progress,and yet the process of materials discovery and development itself is slow.Our current research process is human-centred,where human researchers design,conduct,analyse and interpret experiments,and then decide what to do next.We have built an Autonomous Research System(ARES)—an autonomous research robot capable of first-of-its-kind closed-loop iterative materials experimentation.ARES exploits advances in autonomous robotics,artificial intelligence,data sciences,and high-throughput and in situ techniques,and is able to design,execute and analyse its own experiments orders of magnitude faster than current research methods.We applied ARES to study the synthesis of singlewalled carbon nanotubes,and show that it successfully learned to grow them at targeted growth rates.ARES has broad implications for the future roles of humans and autonomous research robots,and for human-machine partnering.We believe autonomous research robots like ARES constitute a disruptive advance in our ability to understand and develop complex materials at an unprecedented rate.展开更多
A 39-year-old male underwent distal gastrectomy for a high grade gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) . Computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) 107 mo after the operation,revealed a cystic mass(14 ...A 39-year-old male underwent distal gastrectomy for a high grade gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) . Computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) 107 mo after the operation,revealed a cystic mass(14 cm in diameter) and a solid mass(9 cm in diameter) in the right and left lobes of the liver,respectively. A biopsy specimen of the solid mass showed a liver metastasis of GIST. The patient received imatinib mesylate(IM) treatment,400 mg/day orally. Following the IM treatment for a period of 35 mo,the patient underwent partial hepatectomy(S4 + S5) . The effect of IM on the metastatic lesions was interpreted as pathologic complete response(CR) . Pathologically verified cases showing therapeutic efficacy of IM have been rarely reported.展开更多
Our blue planet Earth has long been regarded to carry full of nutrients for hosting life since the birth of the planet.Here we speculate the processes that led to the birth of early life on Earth and its aftermath, fi...Our blue planet Earth has long been regarded to carry full of nutrients for hosting life since the birth of the planet.Here we speculate the processes that led to the birth of early life on Earth and its aftermath, finally leading to the evolution of metazoans.We evaluate：（1） the source of nutrients,（2） the chemistry of primordial ocean,（3） the initial mass of ocean,and（4） the size of planet.Among the life-building nutrients,phosphorus and potassium play a key role.Only three types of rocks can serve as an adequate source of nutrients：（a） continent-forming TTG（granite）,enabling the evolution of primitive life to metazoans;（b） primordial continents carrying anorthosite with KREEP（Potassium,Rare Earth Elements, and Phosphorus） basalts,which is a key to bear life;（c） carbonatite magma,enriched in radiogenic elements such as U and Th,which can cause mutation to speed up evolution and promote the birth of new species in continental rift settings.The second important factor is ocean chemistry.The primordial ocean was extremely acidic（pH = 1-2） and enriched in halogens（CI,F and others）,S,N and metallic elements（Cd,Cu,Zn,and others）,inhibiting the birth of life.Plate tectonics cleaned up these elements which interfered with RNA.Blue ocean finally appeared in the Phanerozoic with pH = 7 through extensive interaction with surface continental crust by weathering,erosion and transportation into ocean.The initial ocean mass was also important.The birth of life and aftermath of evolution was possible in the habitable zone with 3-5 km deep ocean which was able to supply sufficient nutrients. Without a huge landmass,nutrients cannot be supplied into the ocean only by ridge-hydrothermal circulation in the Hadean.Finally,the size of the planet plays a crucial role.Cooling of massive planets is less efficient than smaller ones,so that return-flow of seawater into mantle does not occur until central stars finish their main sequence.Due to the suitable size of Earth,the dawn of Phan展开更多
AIM： To determine the efficacy of an interferon alpha and ribavirin combination treatment for Japanese patients infected with hepatitis C virus （HCV） of genotype 2, a multi-center study was retrospectively analyzed...AIM： To determine the efficacy of an interferon alpha and ribavirin combination treatment for Japanese patients infected with hepatitis C virus （HCV） of genotype 2, a multi-center study was retrospectively analyzed. METHODS： In total, 173 patients with HCV genotype 2 started to receive interferon-alpha subcutaneously thrice a week and 600-800 mg of ribavirin daily for 24 wk. RESULTS： The overall sustained virological response （SVR）, defined as undetectable HCV RNA in serum, 24 wk after the end of treatment, was remarkably high by 84.4%, （146/173） by an intention-to-treat analysis. A significant difference in SVR was found between patients with and without the discontinuation of ribavirin （46.9% vs 92.9 %）, but no difference was found between those with and without a dose reduction of ribavirin. A significant difference in SVR was also found between patients with less than 16 wk and patients with 16 or more weeks of ribavirin treatment （34.8 % vs 92.0 %）. CONCLUSION： The 24-wk interferon and ribavirin treatment is highly effective for Japanese patients with HCV genotype 2. The significant predictor of SVR is continuation of the ribavirin treatment for up to 16展开更多
Apart from previously reported Small Shelly Fossils （SSFs）, a macroscopic fossil assemblage, comprising abundant algae, cone-shaped tubular fossil forms, and probable impressions of a megascopic metazoan, comes from...Apart from previously reported Small Shelly Fossils （SSFs）, a macroscopic fossil assemblage, comprising abundant algae, cone-shaped tubular fossil forms, and probable impressions of a megascopic metazoan, comes from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area of western Hubei Province, south China. The visible fossils are preserved in thinlaminated siltstone or muddy siltstone intercalated between 8-15 ram-thick carbonate deposits, probably representing sedimentary settings of a constrained local depression in the shallow water carbonate platform during the Early Cambrian Meishucunian Stage. The macroscopic fossil association provides significant fossil evidence about the evolution of life from the late Precambrian to the ＇Cambrian explosion＇ interval.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy of leukocytapheresis (LCAP) in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC), and to elucidate the mechanisms by determining the changes in the cytokine levels in the periphera...AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy of leukocytapheresis (LCAP) in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC), and to elucidate the mechanisms by determining the changes in the cytokine levels in the peripheral blood and of the functions of the peripheral blood leukocytes in these patients. METHODS: The subjects were 19 patients with active UC, with a mean clinical activity index (CAI) of 9.2. The LCAP was conducted using Cellsorba E. In each session of LCAP, 2-3 L of blood at the flow rate of 30-50 mL/min was processed. The treatment was carried out in approximately 1-h sessions, once a week, for 5-10 wk. Blood samples for determination of the cytokine levels were collected from the inflow side of the column (site of dehematization; at the start of LCAP) and outflow side of the column (at the end of LCAP). Blood samples for the determination of reactive-oxygen-producing cells were collected from the peripheral blood before and after LCAP. RESULTS: LCAP resulted in clinical improvement in all the 19 patients of UC recruited for this study. Remission (CAI: ≤4) was noted in 15 (79%) of the 19 patients. The blood level of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was found to be decreased following treatment by LCAP, and the level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 at the outflow side of the LCAP column was found to be significantly elevated as compared to that at the inflow side of the column. The reactive-oxygen-producing granulocytes in the peripheral blood of UC patients was increased as compared to that in healthy persons and the increase was found to be decreased following treatment by LCAP. CONCLUSION: LCAP exerted a high therapeutic efficacy in patients with active UC. Our findings suggest that LCAP is associated with enhanced production of the inhibitory cytokine IL-10 to indirectly inhibit the functions of the inflammatory leukocytes, and that inflammation is also considerably attenuated by the direct removal of reactive-oxygen-producing neutrophils from the peripheral blood.展开更多
The weather in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, can be roughly classified into four types according to principal component analysis and k-means clustering. We predicted the extreme values of the maximum daily and hourly prec...The weather in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, can be roughly classified into four types according to principal component analysis and k-means clustering. We predicted the extreme values of the maximum daily and hourly precipitation in Nagano Prefecture using the extreme value theory. For the maximum daily precipitation, the vales of ξ in Matsumoto, Karuizawa, Sugadaira, and Saku were positive;therefore, it has no upper bound and tends to take large values. Therefore, it is dangerous and caution is required. The values of ξ in Nagano, Kisofukushima, and Minamishinano were determined to be zero, therefore, there was no upper limit, the probability of obtaining a large value was low, and caution was required. We predicted the maximum return levels for return periods of 10, 20, 50, and 100 years along with respective 95% confidence intervals in Nagano, Matsumoto, Karuizawa, Sugadaira, Saku, Kisofukushima, and Minamishinano. In Matsumoto, the 100-year return level was 182 mm, with a 95% CI [129, 236]. In Minamishinano, the 100-year return level was 285 mm, with a 95% CI [173, 398]. The 100-year return levels for the maximum daily rainfall were 285, 271, and 271 mm in Minamishinano, Saku, and Karuizawa, respectively, where the changes in the daily maximum rainfall were larger than those at other points. Because these values are large, caution is required during heavy rainfall. The 100-year return levels for the maximum daily and hourly precipitation were similar in Karuizawa and Saku. In Sugadaira, the 100-year return level for a maximum hourly rainfall of 107.2 mm was larger than the maximum daily rainfall. Hence, it is necessary to be careful about short-term rainfall events.展开更多
Organic molecules that exhibit long persistent luminescence (LPL) are rapidly gaining attention for a variety of applications. In this study, organic molecules with simple structures were selected and organic long per...Organic molecules that exhibit long persistent luminescence (LPL) are rapidly gaining attention for a variety of applications. In this study, organic molecules with simple structures were selected and organic long persistent luminescence (OLPL) crystals were prepared. The crystal structure of the prepared OLPL crystal was elucidated and the guideline for the design of OLPL crystal was clarified. LPL was observed in OLPL crystals prepared with TMB as the guest molecule and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane as the host molecule. XRD measurements of the OLPL crystals suggest that the guest molecule is a solid solution substituted in the stable crystal structure of the host molecule in a lattice-shrinking direction.展开更多
基金Supported by Japanese Society of Gastroenterology Research Foundation(to Nosho K)Pancreas Research Foundation of Japan(to Nosho K)+4 种基金Medical Research Encouragement Prize of The Japan Medical Association(to Nosho K)The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Challenging Exploratory Researchgrant No.25670371(to Shinomura Y)Ono Cancer Research Foundation(to Ito M)
文摘The human intestinal microbiome plays a major role in human health and diseases, including colorectal cancer. Colorectal carcinogenesis represents a heterogeneous process with a differing set of somatic molecular alterations, influenced by diet, environmental and microbial exposures, and host immunity. Fusobacterium species are part of the human oral and intestinal microbiota. Metagenomic analyses have shown an enrichment of Fusobacterium nucleatum(F. nucleatum) in colorectal carcinoma tissue. Using 511 colorectal carcinomas from Japanese patients, we assessed the presence of F. nucleatum. Our results showed that the frequency of F. nucleatum positivity in the Japanese colorectal cancer was 8.6%(44/511), which was lower than that in United States cohort studies(13%). Similar to the United States studies, F. nucleatum positivityin Japanese colorectal cancers was significantly associated with microsatellite instability(MSI)-high status. Regarding the immune response in colorectal cancer, high levels of infiltrating T-cell subsets(i.e., CD3+, CD8+, CD45RO+, and FOXP3+ cells) have been associated with better patient prognosis. There is also evidence to indicate that molecular features of colorectal cancer, especially MSI, influence T-cell-mediated adaptive immunity. Concerning the association between the gut microbiome and immunity, F. nucleatum has been shown to expand myeloid-derived immune cells, which inhibit T-cell proliferation and induce T-cell apoptosis in colorectal cancer. This finding indicates that F. nucleatum possesses immunosuppressive activities by inhibiting human T-cell responses. Certain micro RNAs are induced during the macrophage inflammatory response and have the ability to regulate host-cell responses to pathogens. Micro RNA-21 increases the levels of IL-10 and prostaglandin E2, which suppress antitumor T-cell-mediated adaptive immunity through the inhibition of the antigen-presenting capacities of dendritic cells and T-cell proliferation in colorectal cancer cells. Thus, emerging evidence may
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） has a decisive influence on the prognosis of cirrhotic patients. Although α-fetoprotein （AFP） is a known and specific tumor maker for HCC, it is not suitable for the screening and surveillance of HCC because of its poor predictive value and low sensitivity. The use of imaging modalities is essential for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Ultrasound （US） plays a major role among them, because it provides real-time and non-invasive observation by a simple and easy technique. In addition, US-guided needle puncture methods are frequently required for the diagnosis and/or treatment process of HCC. The development of digital technology has led to the detection of blood flow by color Doppler US, and the sensitivity for detecting tumor vascularity has shown remarkable improvement with the introduction of microbubble contrast agents. Moreover, near realtime 3-dimensional US images are now available. As for the treatment of HCC, high intensity focused ultrasound （HIFU） was developed as a novel technology that provides transcutaneous ablation effect without needle puncture. These advancements in the US field have led to rapid progress in HCC management, and continuing advances are expected. This article reviews the current application of US for HCC in clinical practice.
基金This work was sup- ported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.49972029) the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant No. G1999075501).
文摘The mineral inclusions in zircon from gneisses in ultra-high pressure (UHP) zone of the Dabie Mountains were identified by using a laser Raman microspectrometer. Coesite occurs as inclusions in zircons from all types of gneiss. Other important minerals, such as jadeite, omphacite, aragonite, barite, and anhydrite were also found as inclusion minerals. These discoveries indicate that ( i) gneissic country rocks had metamorphosed at the same time as the enclosed eclogites; and (ii) SO4-2 -bearing fluids were presentin the UHP metamorphic process, which is manifested by occurrence of barite and anhydrite coexisting with coesite.
文摘AIM： To investigate and predict enteral nutrition problems after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy （PEG）. METHODS： We retrospectively analyzed data for 252 out of 285 patients who underwent PEG at our hospital from 1999 to 2008 after PEG were defined as： Enteral nutrition problems （1） patients who required ≥ 1 mo after surgery to switch to complete enteral nutrition, or who required additional parenteral alimentation continuously; or （2） patients who abandoned switching to enteral nutrition using the gastrostoma and employed other nutritional methods. We attempted to identify the predictors of problem cases by using a logistic regression analysis that examined the patients＇ backgrounds and the specific causes that led to their problems. RESULTS： Mean age of the patients was 75 years, and in general, their body weight was low and their overall condition was markedly poor. Blood testing revealed that patients tended to be anemic and malnourished. A total of 44 patients （17.5%） were diagnosed as having enteral nutrition problems after PEG. Major causes of the problems included pneumonia, acute enterocolitis （often Clostridium difficile-related）, paralytic ileus and biliary tract infection. A multivariate analysis identified the following independent predictors for problem cases： （1） enteral nutrition before gastrectomy （a risk reduction factor）; （2） presence of esophageal hiatal hernia; （3） past history of paralytic ileus; and （4） presence of chronic renal dysfunction. CONCLUSION： Enteral nutrition problems after PEG occurred at a comparatively high rate. Patient background analysis elucidated four predictive factors for the problem cases.
基金This work was supported by the Project "1 :250000 Regional Geological Survey of the Lianyungang Sheet (I50C002004) of China" and "Geological Research for Selecting the Drillhole in the Donghai Area of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project"
文摘Coesite inclusions, together with omphacite, jadeite, garnet and phengite inclusions, were identified in zircons separates from almost all gneissic core samples of pre-pilot drillhole CCSD-PP2 by the Laser Raman spectros-copy and the cathodoluminescence method. These data indicate that gneissic rocks consisting of paragneisses and or-thogneisses ubiquitously experienced UHP metamorphism. This research may be of great significance for an in-depth study of the subduction-exhumation mechanism of the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt and selecting the drilling site for the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project.
文摘Advances in materials are an important contributor to our technological progress,and yet the process of materials discovery and development itself is slow.Our current research process is human-centred,where human researchers design,conduct,analyse and interpret experiments,and then decide what to do next.We have built an Autonomous Research System(ARES)—an autonomous research robot capable of first-of-its-kind closed-loop iterative materials experimentation.ARES exploits advances in autonomous robotics,artificial intelligence,data sciences,and high-throughput and in situ techniques,and is able to design,execute and analyse its own experiments orders of magnitude faster than current research methods.We applied ARES to study the synthesis of singlewalled carbon nanotubes,and show that it successfully learned to grow them at targeted growth rates.ARES has broad implications for the future roles of humans and autonomous research robots,and for human-machine partnering.We believe autonomous research robots like ARES constitute a disruptive advance in our ability to understand and develop complex materials at an unprecedented rate.
文摘A 39-year-old male underwent distal gastrectomy for a high grade gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) . Computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) 107 mo after the operation,revealed a cystic mass(14 cm in diameter) and a solid mass(9 cm in diameter) in the right and left lobes of the liver,respectively. A biopsy specimen of the solid mass showed a liver metastasis of GIST. The patient received imatinib mesylate(IM) treatment,400 mg/day orally. Following the IM treatment for a period of 35 mo,the patient underwent partial hepatectomy(S4 + S5) . The effect of IM on the metastatic lesions was interpreted as pathologic complete response(CR) . Pathologically verified cases showing therapeutic efficacy of IM have been rarely reported.
文摘Our blue planet Earth has long been regarded to carry full of nutrients for hosting life since the birth of the planet.Here we speculate the processes that led to the birth of early life on Earth and its aftermath, finally leading to the evolution of metazoans.We evaluate：（1） the source of nutrients,（2） the chemistry of primordial ocean,（3） the initial mass of ocean,and（4） the size of planet.Among the life-building nutrients,phosphorus and potassium play a key role.Only three types of rocks can serve as an adequate source of nutrients：（a） continent-forming TTG（granite）,enabling the evolution of primitive life to metazoans;（b） primordial continents carrying anorthosite with KREEP（Potassium,Rare Earth Elements, and Phosphorus） basalts,which is a key to bear life;（c） carbonatite magma,enriched in radiogenic elements such as U and Th,which can cause mutation to speed up evolution and promote the birth of new species in continental rift settings.The second important factor is ocean chemistry.The primordial ocean was extremely acidic（pH = 1-2） and enriched in halogens（CI,F and others）,S,N and metallic elements（Cd,Cu,Zn,and others）,inhibiting the birth of life.Plate tectonics cleaned up these elements which interfered with RNA.Blue ocean finally appeared in the Phanerozoic with pH = 7 through extensive interaction with surface continental crust by weathering,erosion and transportation into ocean.The initial ocean mass was also important.The birth of life and aftermath of evolution was possible in the habitable zone with 3-5 km deep ocean which was able to supply sufficient nutrients. Without a huge landmass,nutrients cannot be supplied into the ocean only by ridge-hydrothermal circulation in the Hadean.Finally,the size of the planet plays a crucial role.Cooling of massive planets is less efficient than smaller ones,so that return-flow of seawater into mantle does not occur until central stars finish their main sequence.Due to the suitable size of Earth,the dawn of Phan
文摘AIM： To determine the efficacy of an interferon alpha and ribavirin combination treatment for Japanese patients infected with hepatitis C virus （HCV） of genotype 2, a multi-center study was retrospectively analyzed. METHODS： In total, 173 patients with HCV genotype 2 started to receive interferon-alpha subcutaneously thrice a week and 600-800 mg of ribavirin daily for 24 wk. RESULTS： The overall sustained virological response （SVR）, defined as undetectable HCV RNA in serum, 24 wk after the end of treatment, was remarkably high by 84.4%, （146/173） by an intention-to-treat analysis. A significant difference in SVR was found between patients with and without the discontinuation of ribavirin （46.9% vs 92.9 %）, but no difference was found between those with and without a dose reduction of ribavirin. A significant difference in SVR was also found between patients with less than 16 wk and patients with 16 or more weeks of ribavirin treatment （34.8 % vs 92.0 %）. CONCLUSION： The 24-wk interferon and ribavirin treatment is highly effective for Japanese patients with HCV genotype 2. The significant predictor of SVR is continuation of the ribavirin treatment for up to 16
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(40332016,04062003,40702005)National"973"Project(2006CB806401)"as well as by the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in Universities(G2000077702) and the Sino-Japan Cooperative Project
文摘Apart from previously reported Small Shelly Fossils （SSFs）, a macroscopic fossil assemblage, comprising abundant algae, cone-shaped tubular fossil forms, and probable impressions of a megascopic metazoan, comes from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area of western Hubei Province, south China. The visible fossils are preserved in thinlaminated siltstone or muddy siltstone intercalated between 8-15 ram-thick carbonate deposits, probably representing sedimentary settings of a constrained local depression in the shallow water carbonate platform during the Early Cambrian Meishucunian Stage. The macroscopic fossil association provides significant fossil evidence about the evolution of life from the late Precambrian to the ＇Cambrian explosion＇ interval.
文摘AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy of leukocytapheresis (LCAP) in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC), and to elucidate the mechanisms by determining the changes in the cytokine levels in the peripheral blood and of the functions of the peripheral blood leukocytes in these patients. METHODS: The subjects were 19 patients with active UC, with a mean clinical activity index (CAI) of 9.2. The LCAP was conducted using Cellsorba E. In each session of LCAP, 2-3 L of blood at the flow rate of 30-50 mL/min was processed. The treatment was carried out in approximately 1-h sessions, once a week, for 5-10 wk. Blood samples for determination of the cytokine levels were collected from the inflow side of the column (site of dehematization; at the start of LCAP) and outflow side of the column (at the end of LCAP). Blood samples for the determination of reactive-oxygen-producing cells were collected from the peripheral blood before and after LCAP. RESULTS: LCAP resulted in clinical improvement in all the 19 patients of UC recruited for this study. Remission (CAI: ≤4) was noted in 15 (79%) of the 19 patients. The blood level of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was found to be decreased following treatment by LCAP, and the level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 at the outflow side of the LCAP column was found to be significantly elevated as compared to that at the inflow side of the column. The reactive-oxygen-producing granulocytes in the peripheral blood of UC patients was increased as compared to that in healthy persons and the increase was found to be decreased following treatment by LCAP. CONCLUSION: LCAP exerted a high therapeutic efficacy in patients with active UC. Our findings suggest that LCAP is associated with enhanced production of the inhibitory cytokine IL-10 to indirectly inhibit the functions of the inflammatory leukocytes, and that inflammation is also considerably attenuated by the direct removal of reactive-oxygen-producing neutrophils from the peripheral blood.
文摘The weather in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, can be roughly classified into four types according to principal component analysis and k-means clustering. We predicted the extreme values of the maximum daily and hourly precipitation in Nagano Prefecture using the extreme value theory. For the maximum daily precipitation, the vales of ξ in Matsumoto, Karuizawa, Sugadaira, and Saku were positive;therefore, it has no upper bound and tends to take large values. Therefore, it is dangerous and caution is required. The values of ξ in Nagano, Kisofukushima, and Minamishinano were determined to be zero, therefore, there was no upper limit, the probability of obtaining a large value was low, and caution was required. We predicted the maximum return levels for return periods of 10, 20, 50, and 100 years along with respective 95% confidence intervals in Nagano, Matsumoto, Karuizawa, Sugadaira, Saku, Kisofukushima, and Minamishinano. In Matsumoto, the 100-year return level was 182 mm, with a 95% CI [129, 236]. In Minamishinano, the 100-year return level was 285 mm, with a 95% CI [173, 398]. The 100-year return levels for the maximum daily rainfall were 285, 271, and 271 mm in Minamishinano, Saku, and Karuizawa, respectively, where the changes in the daily maximum rainfall were larger than those at other points. Because these values are large, caution is required during heavy rainfall. The 100-year return levels for the maximum daily and hourly precipitation were similar in Karuizawa and Saku. In Sugadaira, the 100-year return level for a maximum hourly rainfall of 107.2 mm was larger than the maximum daily rainfall. Hence, it is necessary to be careful about short-term rainfall events.
文摘Organic molecules that exhibit long persistent luminescence (LPL) are rapidly gaining attention for a variety of applications. In this study, organic molecules with simple structures were selected and organic long persistent luminescence (OLPL) crystals were prepared. The crystal structure of the prepared OLPL crystal was elucidated and the guideline for the design of OLPL crystal was clarified. LPL was observed in OLPL crystals prepared with TMB as the guest molecule and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane as the host molecule. XRD measurements of the OLPL crystals suggest that the guest molecule is a solid solution substituted in the stable crystal structure of the host molecule in a lattice-shrinking direction.
