著者

Hironori ISHIZAKI

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.80, no.5, pp.195-203, 2004 (Released:2004-09-03)

参考文献数

43

被引用文献数

7 11

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Molecular characterization of the brain secretory peptides, PTTH and bombyxin, of Bombyx mori is reviewed. PTTH is a 30-kDa homodimeric glycoprotein, the monomer of which consists of 109 amino acids. Two monomers are held together by a disulfide bond. cDNA and gene coding for PTTH were cloned and the precursor protein for PTTH monomer was deduced. A novel 5-kD brain secretory peptide named bombyxin has been discovered from Bombyx brain. Bombyxin is highly homologous to vertebrate insulin-family peptides and possesses the prothoracicotropic activity when injected into brain-removed pupae of a heterologous moth, Samia cynthia ricini, though inactive to Bombyx from which it was derived. cDNA and gene coding for bombyxin were cloned, preprobombyxin protein was deduced, and posttranslational processing to generate mature bombyxin was suggested. The Bombyx genome contains highly multiple copies of the gene coding for bombyxins. Immunohistochemically, PTTH- and bombyxin-producing brain neurosecretory cells were identified. (Communicated by Saburo TAMURA, M.J.A.)

著者

Koichi FURUKAWA Yuhsuke OHMI Yuji KONDO Robiul H. BHUIYAN Orie TAJIMA Pu ZHANG Yuki OHKAWA Keiko FURUKAWA

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.95, no.3, pp.136-149, 2019-03-11 (Released:2019-03-11)

参考文献数

82

被引用文献数

4 4

---

Since globotetraosylceramide was defined as a major glycosphingolipid in human erythrocytes, various glycolipids have been found in normal cells and diseased organs. However, the implications of their polymorphic structures in the function of individual cells and tissues have not been clarified. Genetic manipulation of glycosphingolipids in cultured cells and experimental animals has enabled us to substantially elucidate their roles. In fact, great progress has been achieved in the last 70 years in revealing that glycolipids are essential in the maintenance of integrity of nervous tissues and other organs. Furthermore, the correct composition of glycosphingolipids has been shown to be critical for the protection against inflammation and degeneration. Here, we summarized historic information and current knowledge about glycosphingolipids, with a focus on their involvement in inflammation and degeneration. This topic is significant for understanding the biological responses to various stresses, because glycosphingolipids play roles in the interaction with various intrinsic and extrinsic factors. These findings are also important for the application of therapeutic interventions of various diseases.

著者

Niu Kiyoshi

出版者

日本学士院

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy. Ser. B: Physical and Biological Sciences (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.84, no.1, pp.1-16, 2008

被引用文献数

7

---

This is a historical review of the discovery of naked charm particles and lifetime differences among charm species. These discoveries in the field of cosmic-ray physics were made by the innovation of nuclear emulsion techniques in Japan. A pair of naked charm particles was discovered in 1971 in a cosmic-ray interaction, three years prior to the discovery of the hidden charm particle, J/&Psi;, in western countries. Lifetime differences between charged and neutral charm particles were pointed out in 1975, which were later re-confirmed by the collaborative Experiment E531 at Fermilab. Japanese physicists led by K.Niu made essential contributions to it with improved emulsion techniques, complemented by electronic detectors. This review also discusses the discovery of artificially produced naked charm particles by us in an accelerator experiment at Fermilab in 1975 and of multiple-pair productions of charm particles in a single interaction in 1987 by the collaborative Experiment WA75 at CERN.<BR><BR>(Communicated by Toshimitsu YAMAZAKI, M.J.A.)

著者

Hideki INNAN Takahiro SAKAMOTO

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.97, no.3, pp.134-143, 2021-03-11 (Released:2021-03-11)

参考文献数

41

被引用文献数

1

---

One of the ultimate goals of population genetics is to theoretically describe the behavior of allele frequency. Diffusion theory has been commonly used for this purpose mainly in one-locus one-population models, although it is not easy to handle diffusion theory in models with multiple loci or with multiple populations. This review introduces several successful cases, where multi-dimensional diffusion equations contributed to addressing evolutionary questions, thereby demonstrating its strong potential in population genetics.

著者

Hirotaka SUGAWARA

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.97, no.1, pp.22-49, 2021-01-08 (Released:2021-01-08)

参考文献数

12

被引用文献数

4

---

Search and find methods*) such as cluster tracing1)–6) or large-scale PCR testing**) of those who exhibit no symptoms or only mild symptoms of COVID-19 is shown by data analysis to be a powerful means to suppress the spread of COVID-19 instead of, or in addition to, lockdown of the entire population. Here we investigate this issue by analyzing the data from some cities and countries and we establish that search and find method is as powerful as lockdown of a city or a country. Moreover, in contrast to lockdown, it neither causes inconvenience to citizens nor does it disrupt the economy. Generally speaking, it is advisable that both social distancing and increased test numbers be employed to suppress spread of the virus. The product of the total test number with the rate of positive cases is the crucial index.

著者

Fumiyo IKEDA

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.96, no.9, pp.431-439, 2020-11-11 (Released:2020-11-11)

参考文献数

54

---

Ubiquitin is a small protein used for posttranslational modification and it regulates every aspect of biological functions. Through a three-step cascade of enzymatic action, ubiquitin is conjugated to a substrate. Because ubiquitin itself can be post-translationally modified, this small protein generates various ubiquitin codes and triggers differing regulation of biological functions. For example, ubiquitin itself can be ubiquitinated, phosphorylated, acetylated, or SUMOylated. Via the type three secretion system, some bacterial effectors also modify the ubiquitin system in host cells. This review describes the general concept of the ubiquitin system as well as the fundamental functions of ubiquitin in the regulation of cellular responses during inflammation and bacterial infection.

著者

FURUTA Yousuke KOMENO Takashi NAKAMURA Takaaki

出版者

日本学士院

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy. Ser. B: Physical and Biological Sciences (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.93, no.7, pp.449-463, 2017

被引用文献数

750

---

<p>Favipiravir (T-705; 6-fluoro-3-hydroxy-2-pyrazinecarboxamide) is an anti-viral agent that selectively and potently inhibits the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of RNA viruses. Favipiravir was discovered through screening chemical library for anti-viral activity against the influenza virus by Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd. Favipiravir undergoes an intracellular phosphoribosylation to be an active form, favipiravir-RTP (favipiravir ribofuranosyl-5′-triphosphate), which is recognized as a substrate by RdRp, and inhibits the RNA polymerase activity. Since the catalytic domain of RdRp is conserved among various types of RNA viruses, this mechanism of action underpins a broader spectrum of anti-viral activities of favipiravir. Favipiravir is effective against a wide range of types and subtypes of influenza viruses, including strains resistant to existing anti-influenza drugs. Of note is that favipiravir shows anti-viral activities against other RNA viruses such as arenaviruses, bunyaviruses and filoviruses, all of which are known to cause fatal hemorrhagic fever. These unique anti-viral profiles will make favipiravir a potentially promising drug for specifically untreatable RNA viral infections.</p>

著者

Hitoshi OKAZAWA

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.93, no.6, pp.361-377, 2017-06-09 (Released:2017-06-12)

参考文献数

68

被引用文献数

2 7

---

The concept of neurodegenerative diseases and the therapeutics targeting these intractable diseases are changing rapidly. Protein aggregation as the top of pathological cascade is now challenged, and many alternative ideas are proposed. Early molecular pathologies before microscopic detection of diseases protein aggregates, which I propose to call “Ultra-Early Phase pathologies or phase 0 pathologies”, are the focus of research that might explain the failures of clinical trials with anti-Aβ antibodies against Alzheimer’s disease. In this review article, I summarize the critical issues that should be successfully and consistently answered by a new concept of neurodegeneration. For reevaluating old concepts and reconstructing a new concept of neurodegeneration that will replace the old ones, non-biased comprehensive approaches including proteome combined with systems biology analyses will be a powerful tool. I introduce our recent efforts in this orientation that have reached to the stage of non-clinical proof of concept applicable to clinical trials.

著者

Hirokazu YOSHIMURA

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.72, no.10, pp.197-201, 1996 (Released:2006-10-17)

参考文献数

18

被引用文献数

4 1

---

We found that the time profile of the land air temperature anomalies followed the time profile of the magnetic field variation with remarkable similarity and delay time of about 200 years for both cases of the instrumentally measured temperature data and the data reconstructed from tree ring growth rates of the northern north American continent and the polar Ural mountains of northern Siberia. If this is indeed the case, (i) the present global warming will turn to global cooling in near future. If we assume that the land air temperature anomalies can be a good proxy of the solar total irradiance variation, the present result means that (ii) the present global warming of the Earth is a result of release of heat which has been stored in the solar convection zone in the Maunder Minimum in the 17th century.

著者

Takashi NISHIKAZE

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.95, no.9, pp.523-537, 2019-11-11 (Released:2019-11-11)

参考文献数

76

被引用文献数

39

---

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a well-accepted means for analyzing glycans. Before glycan analysis by MS, several chemical derivatizations are generally carried out. These are classified into three categories; (1) labeling of the reducing end of glycans, (2) permethylation, and (3) sialic acid derivatization. Because sialic acid residues are unstable, they are easily lost during pretreatment and during or after ionization in a mass spectrometer. Sialic acid derivatization can prevent the loss of this residue. Recently, new types of sialic acid derivatization techniques have been developed, which allow straight-forward sialic acid linkage analysis (α2,3-/α2,6-linkages) as well as residue stabilization. This review summarizes the developments in sialic acid derivatization techniques, especially the varied methods of sialic acid linkage-specific derivatization.

著者

Yoshiaki ARATA Yue-Chang ZHANG

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.66, no.1, pp.1-6, 1990 (Released:2006-10-13)

参考文献数

7

被引用文献数

5 4

著者

Yuki SATO Motoko YANAGITA

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.95, no.8, pp.468-478, 2019-10-11 (Released:2019-10-11)

参考文献数

61

被引用文献数

21

---

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem, affecting over 10% of the world’s population and more than half of the population aged over 70 years, imposing major costs on healthcare systems. Although the primary causes of CKD include various diseases such as diabetes, glomerulonephritis, and acute kidney injury (AKI), the progression of CKD is mediated by a common pathological pathway, which is mainly characterized by fibrosis and chronic inflammation. In this process, resident fibroblasts in the kidney play crucial roles. Accumulating evidence highlights the existence of functional heterogeneity and plasticity of fibroblasts and their diverse roles in kidney disease progression and resolution. In addition to renal fibrosis, renal anemia and peritubular capillary loss, two major complications of progressive CKD, are also caused by dysfunction of resident fibroblasts. Furthermore, age-dependent alterations in fibroblast behavior also contribute to age-dependent unique pathological conditions. In this article, we describe the current understanding regarding the behaviors of fibroblasts in the kidney in health, disease, and aging.

著者

Takeshi HORIE

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.95, no.6, pp.211-245, 2019-06-11 (Released:2019-06-11)

参考文献数

179

被引用文献数

36

---

Since the projection of global warming emerged in 1980s with the potential of laying enormous impacts on agriculture and food security of the world, we have conducted experimental and modeling studies for clarifying its effects on rice production in Asia and for developing adaptive rice production technologies. On the basis of measurement of rice responses to climate and carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]), the dynamic process model named SIMRIW was developed to predict global warming effects on irrigated rice. The model predicted differential regional effects of the projected global warming by doubling [CO2] on the rice yield over Asia, and indicated that high tolerance to heat-induced spikelet sterility and high yield potential under elevated [CO2] are the two important characteristics required for rice genotypes adaptive to global warming environment. Further, genetic traits associated with these characteristics and their genetic resources for breeding adaptive genotypes were identified from diverse rice germplasms. This article reviews our initiative studies in the light of the recent studies, and points out further research that is needed for better understanding and overcoming of this unprecedentedly large problem.

著者

Kazumasa MIKI

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.87, no.7, pp.405-414, 2011-07-25 (Released:2011-07-25)

参考文献数

82

被引用文献数

117 180

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The current status of screening for gastric cancer-risk (gastritis A, B, C, D) method using combined assay for serum anti-Helicobacter pylori (Hp) IgG antibody and serum pepsinogen (PG) levels, “ABC method”, was reviewed and the latest results of our ongoing trial are reported. It was performed using the following strategy: Subjects were classified into 1 of 4 risk groups based on the results of the two serologic tests, anti-Hp IgG antibody titers and the PG I and II levels: Group A [Hp(−)PG(−)], infection-free subjects; Group B [Hp(+)PG(−)], chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) free or mild; Group C [Hp(+)PG(+)], CAG; Group D [Hp(−)PG(+)]), severe CAG with extensive intestinal metaplasia. Continuous endoscopic follow-up examinations are required to detect early stages of gastric cancer. Asymptomatic Group A, which accounts for 50–80% of all the subjects may be excluded from the secondary endoscopic examination, from the viewpoint of efficiency. Hp-infected subjects should be administered eradication treatment aimed at the prevention of gastric cancer.(Communicated by Takashi SUGIMURA, M.J.A.)

著者

Nobuo SHUTO

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.95, no.4, pp.151-164, 2019-04-11 (Released:2019-04-11)

参考文献数

30

被引用文献数

7

---

The effect of giant tsunamis such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and the Great East Japan Earthquake Tsunami in 2011 has been devastating. In this study, a numerical simulation of the tsunami has been developed to estimate the physical characteristics of tsunamis and their effect on human society. Several laws and equations have been introduced for the simulation of tsunami propagation in the ocean, tsunami refraction, and tsunami run-up on land under a stable computational condition with acceptable accuracy. Our proposed method has been accepted as the world standard since 1997 and has been widely distributed to many countries through UNESCO.1) Computer graphic animations prepared by using the results of numerical simulation have been effectively used in public education and to increase the understanding of behaviors of the tsunami on the earth. When the numerical prediction of tsunami becomes possible with sufficient accuracy, then their results can be used to predict future damages and prevent the occurrence of a disaster. Data in the past were collected and expressed in terms of a newly introduced tsunami intensity which is related to the locally observed tsunami heights.

著者

Toshitaka GAMO Kiminori SHITASHIMA

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.94, no.1, pp.45-55, 2018-01-11 (Released:2018-01-11)

参考文献数

35

被引用文献数

9

---

Vertical profiles of potential temperature, salinity, and some chemical components were obtained at a trench station (29°05′N, 142°51′E; depth = 9768 m) in the Izu-Ogasawara (Bonin) Trench in 1984 and 1994 to characterize the hadal waters below ∼6000 m depth. We compared portions of both the 1984 and 1994 profiles with nearby data obtained between 1976 and 2013. Results demonstrated that the hadal waters had slightly higher potential temperature and nitrate and lower dissolved oxygen than waters at sill depths (∼6000 m) outside the trench, probably due to the effective accumulation of geothermal heat and active biological processes inside the trench. The silicate, iron, and manganese profiles in 1984 showed slight but significant increases below ∼6000 m depth, suggesting that these components may have been intermittently supplied from the trench bottom. Significant amounts of 222Rn in excess over 226Ra were detected in the hadal waters up to 2675 m from the bottom, reflecting laterally supplied 222Rn from the trench walls.

著者

Hiroshi SANO

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.78, no.10, pp.293-298, 2002 (Released:2006-10-17)

参考文献数

29

被引用文献数

6 14

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Jean Baptiste de Lamarck (1744-1829) maintained that characteristics that were acquired during an organism's lifetime are passed on to its offspring. This theory, known as Lamarckian inheritance, was later completely discredited. However, recent progress in epigenetics research suggests it needs to be reexamined in consideration of DNA methylation. In this article, I summarize our observations, which support Lamarckian inheritance. Initial experiments indicate that (1) artificially induced demethy-lation of rice genomic DNA results in heritable dwarfism, and (2) cold stress induces extensive demethy-lation in somatic cells of the maize root. Based on these results, I propose the hypothesis that traits that are acquired during plant growth are sometimes inherited by their progeny through persistent alteration of the DNA methylation status.

著者

Shuko ADACHI Hisayoshi IGO

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.56, no.8, pp.504-507, 1980 (Released:2006-10-06)

参考文献数

4

被引用文献数

8 13

著者

Tetsutaro OZAWA Osamu ONODERA

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.93, no.5, pp.251-258, 2017-05-11 (Released:2017-05-11)

参考文献数

23

被引用文献数

2 20

---

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder that has both clinical and pathological variants. Clinical examples include MSA with predominant cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C) and MSA with predominant parkinsonism (MSA-P), whereas olivopontocerebellar atrophy and striatonigral degeneration represent pathological variants. We performed systematic reviews of studies that addressed the relative frequencies of clinical or pathological variants of MSA in various populations to determine the clinicopathological characteristics in Japanese MSA. The results revealed that the majority of Japanese patients have MSA-C, while the majority of patients in Europe and North America have MSA-P. A comparative study of MSA pathology showed that the olivopontocerebellar-predominant pathology was more frequent in Japanese MSA than in British MSA. Demonstrated differences in pathological subtype thus appear consistent with differences in the clinical subtype of MSA demonstrated between Japan and European populations. We concluded that olivopontocerebellar-predominant pathology and MSA-C may represent clinicopathological characteristics in Japanese MSA. Factors determining predominant involvement of olivopontocerebellar regions in MSA should therefore be explored.

著者

Yasuo TERAO Hideki FUKUDA Okihide HIKOSAKA

出版者

The Japan Academy

雑誌

Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B (ISSN:03862208)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.93, no.10, pp.772-801, 2017-12-11 (Released:2017-12-11)

参考文献数

150

被引用文献数

38

---

Non-invasive and readily implemented in the clinical setting, eye movement studies have been conducted extensively not only in healthy human subjects but also in patients with neurological disorders. The purpose of saccade studies is to “read out” the pathophysiology underlying neurological disorders from the saccade records, referring to known primate physiology. In the current review, we provide an overview of studies in which we attempted to elucidate the patterns of saccade abnormalities in over 250 patients with neurological disorders, including cerebellar ataxia and brainstem pathology due to neurodegenerative disorders, and what they tell about the pathophysiology of patients with neurological disorders. We also discuss how interventions, such as deep brain stimulation, affect saccade performance and provide further insights into the workings of the oculomotor system in humans. Finally, we argue that it is important to understand the functional significance and behavioral correlate of saccade abnormalities in daily life, which could require eye tracking methodologies to be performed in settings similar to daily life.