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Technological change is essential to balance economic growth and environmental sustainability. This study documents energy-saving technological change to understand the trends and differences therein in OECD countries. We estimate sector-level production functions with factor-augmenting technologies using cross-country and cross-industry panel data and shift-share instruments, thereby measuring energy-saving technological change for each country and sector. Our results show how the levels and growth rates of energy-saving technology vary across countries, sectors, and time. In addition, we evaluate the extent to which factor-augmenting technologies contribute to economic growth and how this contribution differs across countries and sectors.

Background Numerous studies have suggested that an immune system imbalance plays an important role in schizophrenia. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine. It plays multiple roles in various biological processes, including inflammation and neurogenesis. Furthermore, several exhaustive serum proteomic profiling studies have identified MIF as a potential biomarker of schizophrenia. Here, we investigate MIF protein levels in serum and postmortem prefrontal cortex in patients with schizophrenia and controls. Moreover, we investigate the association of two functional polymorphisms in the MIF gene promoter region (MIF-794CATT5–8 microsatellite and MIF-173G/C single-nucleotide polymorphism [SNP]) with schizophrenia. Methods We measured serum MIF levels with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (51 patients vs. 86 controls) and postmortem brain MIF levels with a western blotting assay (18 patients vs. 22 controls). Subsequently, we genotyped the MIF-794CATT5–8 microsatellite with a fluorescence-based fragment assay and the MIF-173G/C SNP with a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay (1483 patients vs. 1454 controls). Results Serum MIF levels were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia than in controls (p = 0.00118), and were positively correlated with antipsychotic dose (Spearman's r = 0.222, p = 0.0402). In addition, an earlier age of onset was observed in patients with a high serum MIF level (≥ 40 ng/mL) than those with a low serum MIF level ( Conclusions These results suggest that serum MIF level is a potential pharmacodynamic and/or monitoring marker of schizophrenia, and is related to a novel antipsychotic effect beyond dopamine antagonism. Furthermore, the MIF gene polymorphisms are associated with the risk for schizophrenia especially in adolescent females, and are potential stratification markers of schizophrenia. Further studies of MIF are warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and the effects of antipsychotics.

Juvenile hyaline fibromatosis (JHF) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by the presence of tissue nodules, joint contractures, and gingival hyperplasia. With a 1-year-9-month-old female patient scheduled for a gingivectomy and excision of a lower lip mass under general anesthesia, it was anticipated that airway management would be difficult because of trismus and limited cervical movement. Intubation with video-laryngoscopic assistance could not be achieved because gingival hyperplasia and trismus prevented blade insertion and manipulation. Therefore, 2 endotracheal tubes were used: 1 used as a nasopharyngeal airway for assisted ventilation, and 1 used for intubation along with a flexible fiberoptic scope. This case demonstrated a useful method for managing ventilation and intubation in patients with JHF, particularly when the use of oral airway devices is difficult.

Aim Rare gene variations are thought to confer substantial risk for schizophrenia. We performed a three-stage study to identify rare variations that have a strong impact on the risk of developing schizophrenia. Methods In the first stage, we prioritized rare missense variations using whole-exome sequencing (WES) data from three families, consisting of a proband, an affected sibling, and parents. In the second stage, we performed targeted resequencing of the PDCD11 coding region in 96 patients. In the third stage, we conducted an association study of rare PDCD11 variations with schizophrenia in a total of 1,357 patients and 1,394 controls. Results Via WES, we identified two rare missense PDCD11 variations, p.(Asp961Asn) and p.(Val1240Leu), shared by two affected siblings within families. Targeted resequencing of the PDCD11 coding region identified three rare non-synonymous variations: p.(Asp961Asn), p.(Phe1835del), and p.(Arg1837His). The case–control study demonstrated no significant associations between schizophrenia and four rare PDCD11 variations: p.(Asp961Asn), p.(Val1240Leu), p.(Phe1835del), and p.(Arg1837His). Conclusion Our data do not support the role of rare PDCD11 variations in conferring substantial risk for schizophrenia in the Japanese population.

Aim Rare variations are suggested to play a role in the genetic etiology of schizophrenia, and to further investigate their role, we performed a three-stage study in a Japanese population. Methods In the first stage, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) of two parent-affected offspring trios. In the second stage, we resequenced the FBXO18 coding region in 96 patients. In the third stage, we tested rare non-synonymous FBXO18 variations for association with schizophrenia in two independent populations comprising a total of 1,376 patients and 1,496 controls. Results A rare frameshift variation (L116fsX) in the FBXO18 gene was recurrently identified by WES in both trios. Resequencing FBXO18 coding regions, we detected three rare non-synonymous variations (V15L, L116fsX and V1006I). However, there were no significant associations between these rare FBXO18 variations and schizophrenia in the case–control study. Conclusion Our present study does not provide evidence for the contribution of rare non-synonymous FBXO18 variations to the genetic etiology of schizophrenia in the Japanese population. However, to draw a definitive conclusion, further studies should be performed using sufficiently large sample sizes.

Background Growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), a synaptic protein involved in axonal growth and synaptic plasticity, is implicated in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. To examine the role of rare GAP43 variants in the genetic etiology of ASD and schizophrenia in a Japanese population, we performed resequencing and association analysis. Methods First, we resequenced the GAP43 coding region in 295 ASD patients, 323 schizophrenia patients and 304 controls. Second, we genotyped rs561268447 in 273 ASD patients, 1,150 schizophrenia patients and 1,022 controls. Third, we performed an association analysis of rs561268447 in 568 ASD patients, 1,473 schizophrenia patients and 10,127 controls. Results We identified a rare putatively damaging missense variant (rs561268447) in an ASD patient via resequencing. However, we did not detect the variant in 2,445 individuals via genotyping. The variant was not significantly associated with ASD or schizophrenia in the association analysis. Conclusion This study does not provide evidence for the contribution of rare GAP43 variants to ASD or schizophrenia susceptibility in the Japanese population.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in the attitudes of Japan’s post-war youth towards gender equality and sexuality, and to examine whether these attitudes bore a relationship to school education...

Aims Rare heterozygous truncating variations in multiplex families with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are suggested to play a major role in the genetic etiology of ASD. To further investigate the role of rare heterozygous truncating variations, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in a multiplex ASD family with four affected individuals (two siblings and two maternal cousins), and a follow-up case–control study in a Japanese population. Methods WES was performed in four individuals (a proband, his affected and unaffected siblings, and their putative carrier mother) from the multiplex ASD family. Rare heterozygous truncating variations prioritized in WES were genotyped in 243 patients and 667 controls. Results By WES of the multiplex family, we prioritized two rare heterozygous truncating variations, RPS24 Q191X and CD300LF P261fsX266. However, we did not identify these variations in patients or controls in the follow-up study. Conclusions Our findings suggest that two rare heterozygous truncating variations (RPS24 Q191X and CD300LF P261fsX266) are risk candidates for ASD.

Aims The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) is implicated in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A recent study found a rare non-synonymous OXTR gene variation, rs35062132 (R376G), associated with ASD in a Japanese population. In order to investigate the association between rare non-synonymous OXTR variations and ASD, we resequenced OXTR and performed association analysis with ASD in a Japanese population. Methods We resequenced the OXTR coding region in 213 ASD patients. Rare non-synonymous OXTR variations detected by resequencing were genotyped in 213 patients and 667 controls. Results We detected three rare non-synonymous variations: rs35062132 (R376G/C), rs151257822 (G334D), and g.8809426G>T (R150S). However, there was no significant association between these rare non-synonymous variations and ASD. Conclusions Our present study does not support the contribution of rare non-synonymous OXTR variations to ASD susceptibility in the Japanese population.

Two truncating variations (WDR90 V1125fs and EFCAB5 L1210fs), identified by whole-exome sequencing in a family with a monozygotic twin pair concordant for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), were not detected in 257 ASD patients, 677 schizophrenia patients or 667 controls in a follow-up study. Thus, these variations were exclusively identified in the family, suggesting that rare truncating variations may have a role in the genetic etiology of ASD, at least in a subset of ASD patients.

Technological innovation has recently become more essential than ever. To examine the factors that might induce environmental technological innovation, we focus on ISO 14001, a voluntary approach to environmental management, and scrutinise how the proficiency or maturity level of ISO 14001 in facilities influences environment-related research and development (R&D) expenditures that promote environmental technological innovation. We measure the maturity level based on the length of time since a given facility adopted ISO 14001. Using Japanese facility-level data from “Environmental Policy Tools and Firm-Level Management and Practices: An International Survey” (OECD Survey), we estimate two Tobit models by addressing an endogeneity issue in ISO 14001. The estimation results provide empirical evidence that as the ISO 14001 is improved in facilities, those facilities are likely to spend more on environmental R&D. The facility age and market concentration also positively affect environmental R&D. These findings suggest that the maturity level of ISO 14001 is an important factor influencing the investment in environmental R&D.

Rare gene variations are thought to confer substantial risk for schizophrenia. We performed a three-stage study to identify rare variations that have a strong impact on the risk of developing schizophrenia.In the first stage, we prioritized rare missense variations using whole-exome sequencing (WES) data from three families, consisting of a proband, an affected sibling, and parents. In the second stage, we performed targeted resequencing of the PDCD11 coding region in 96 patients. In the third stage, we conducted an association study of rare PDCD11 variations with schizophrenia in a total of 1357 patients and 1394 controls.Via WES, we identified two rare missense PDCD11 variations, p.(Asp961Asn) and p.(Val1240Leu), shared by two affected siblings within families. Targeted resequencing of the PDCD11 coding region identified three rare non-synonymous variations: p.(Asp961Asn), p.(Phe1835del), and p.(Arg1837His). The case-control study demonstrated no significant associations between schizophrenia and four rare PDCD11 variations: p.(Asp961Asn), p.(Val1240Leu), p.(Phe1835del), and p.(Arg1837His).Our data do not support the role of rare PDCD11 variations in conferring substantial risk for schizophrenia in the Japanese population.

Rare variations are suggested to play a role in the genetic etiology of schizophrenia; to further investigate their role, we performed a three-stage study in a Japanese population.In the first stage, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) of two parent-affected offspring trios. In the second stage, we resequenced the FBXO18 coding region in 96 patients. In the third stage, we tested rare non-synonymous FBXO18 variations for association with schizophrenia in two independent populations comprising a total of 1376 patients and 1496 controls.A rare frameshift variation (L116fsX) in the FBXO18 gene was recurrently identified by WES in both trios. Resequencing FBXO18 coding regions, we detected three rare non-synonymous variations (V15L, L116fsX, and V1006I). However, there were no significant associations between these rare FBXO18 variations and schizophrenia in the case-control study.Our present study does not provide evidence for the contribution of rare non-synonymous FBXO18 variations to the genetic etiology of schizophrenia in the Japanese population. However, to draw a definitive conclusion, further studies should be performed using sufficiently large sample sizes.

Rare genomic variations inherited in multiplex schizophrenia families are suggested to play a role in the genetic etiology of the disease. To identify rare variations with large effects on the risk of developing schizophrenia, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in two affected and one unaffected individual of a multiplex family with 10 affected individuals. We also performed follow-up resequencing of the unc-13 homolog B (Caenorhabditis elegans) (UNC13B) gene, a potential risk gene identified by WES, in the multiplex family and undertook a case-control study to investigate association between UNC13B and schizophrenia. UNC13B coding regions (39 exons) from 15 individuals of the multiplex family and 111 affected offspring for whom parental DNA samples were available were resequenced. Rare missense UNC13B variations identified by resequencing were further tested for association with schizophrenia in two independent case-control populations comprising a total of 1,753 patients and 1,602 controls. A rare missense variation (V1525M) in UNC13B was identified by WES in the multiplex family; this variation was present in five of six affected individuals, but not in eight unaffected individuals or one individual of unknown disease status. Resequencing UNC13B coding regions identified five rare missense variations (T103M, M813T, P1349T, I1362T, and V1525M). In the case-control study, there was no significant association between rare missense UNC13B variations and schizophrenia, although single-variant meta-analysis indicated that M813T was nominally associated with schizophrenia. These results do not support a contribution of rare missense UNC13B variations to the genetic etiology of schizophrenia in the Japanese population. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Rare inherited variations in multiplex families with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are suggested to play a major role in the genetic etiology of ASD. To further investigate the role of rare inherited variations, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in two families, each with three affected siblings. We also performed a two-stage follow-up case-control study in a Japanese population. WES of the six affected siblings identified six novel rare missense variations. Among these variations, CLN8 R24H was inherited in one family by three affected siblings from an affected father and thus co-segregated with ASD. In the first stage of the follow-up study, we genotyped the six novel rare missense variations identified by WES in 241 patients and 667 controls (the Niigata sample). Only CLN8 R24H had higher mutant allele frequencies in patients (1/482) compared with controls (1/1334). In the second stage, this variation was further genotyped, yet was not detected in a sample of 309 patients and 350 controls (the Nagoya sample). In the combined Niigata and Nagoya samples, there was no significant association (odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval = 0.1–29.6). These results suggest that CLN8 R24H plays a role in the genetic etiology of ASD, at least in a subset of ASD patients.

Rare variations contribute substantially to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) liability. We recently performed whole-exome sequencing in two families with affected siblings and then carried out a follow-up study and identified ceroid-lipofuscinosis neuronal 8 (epilepsy, progressive with mental retardation) (CLN8) as a potential genetic risk factor for ASD. To further investigate the role of CLN8 in the genetic etiology of ASD, we performed resequencing and association analysis of CLN8 with ASD in a Japanese population. Resequencing the CLN8 coding region in 256 ASD patients identified five rare missense variations: g.1719291G>A (R24H), rs201670636 (F39L), rs116605307 (R97H), rs143701028 (T108M) and rs138581191 (N152S). These variations were genotyped in 568 patients (including the resequenced 256 patients) and 1017 controls. However, no significant association between these variations and ASD was identified. This study does not support a contribution of rare missense CLN8 variations to ASD susceptibility in the Japanese population.

Rare heterozygous truncating variations in multiplex families with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are suggested to play a major role in the genetic etiology of ASD. To further investigate the role of rare heterozygous truncating variations, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in a multiplex ASD family with four affected individuals (two siblings and two maternal cousins), and a follow-up case-control study in a Japanese population.WES was performed in four individuals (a proband, his affected and unaffected siblings, and their putative carrier mother) from the multiplex ASD family. Rare heterozygous truncating variations prioritized in WES were genotyped in 243 patients and 667 controls.By WES of the multiplex family, we prioritized two rare heterozygous truncating variations, RPS24 Q191X and CD300LF P261fsX266. However, we did not identify these variations in patients or controls in the follow-up study.Our findings suggest that two rare heterozygous truncating variations (RPS24 Q191X and CD300LF P261fsX266) are risk candidates for ASD.

The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) is implicated in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A recent study found a rare non-synonymous OXTR gene variation, rs35062132 (R376G), associated with ASD in a Japanese population. In order to investigate the association between rare non-synonymous OXTR variations and ASD, we resequenced OXTR and performed association analysis with ASD in a Japanese population.We resequenced the OXTR coding region in 213 ASD patients. Rare non-synonymous OXTR variations detected by resequencing were genotyped in 213 patients and 667 controls.We detected three rare non-synonymous variations: rs35062132 (R376G/C), rs151257822 (G334D), and g.8809426GT (R150S). However, there was no significant association between these rare non-synonymous variations and ASD.Our present study does not support the contribution of rare non-synonymous OXTR variations to ASD susceptibility in the Japanese population.

In prescription dispensing in Japan, to avoid adverse drug reactions (ADR) pharmacists provide patients with information concerning the initial symptoms (IS) of any ADR that might be caused by the drugs they have been prescribed. However, the usefulness of such information for preventing ADR has not been quantitatively evaluated. We previously performed a trial calculation of the usefulness of rash as a predictor of drug-induced liver disorders by applying Bayes’ theorem and showed that the predictive utility of IS can be quantitatively evaluated using likelihood ratios. However, for other drug-ADR-IS combinations it was difficult to obtain the information required for the calculations from Japanese data alone. In this study, using the Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) database of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we evaluated 132 drug-ADR-IS combinations that were considered to be potentially clinical significant. Regarding bezafibrate-associated rhabdomyolysis and cibenzoline-associated hypoglycemia, these ADR were not detected in cases involving monotherapy. For 58 combinations, no events that were considered to be IS of the target ADR developed. Fever, nausea, and decreased appetite were the IS of many ADR, making them very useful predictors. In contrast, pruritus and rash were not very useful. Fever might be a predictor of thiamazole-induced agranulocytosis or levofloxacin- or terbinafine-induced liver disorder, tremors might be useful for predicting paroxetine-induced serotonin syndrome, and decreased appetite might be a useful indicator of terbinafine-induced liver dysfunction., Regular Articles

We studied cellular resistance to copper of plant cells Polygonum cuspidatum. When callus of P. cuspidatum was incubated on medium containing 100 microM cupric sulfate, the callus grew as well as the control callus did. The copper content of the callus, however, was elevated to a similar level of the medium. When cell extracts of callus exposed to 100 microM cupric sulfate were fractionated by gel filtration chromatography, a specific copper peak was eluted at the region of molecular weights between 4000 and 1000. Since an appearance of the copper-containing materials was inhibited by buthionine sulfoximine and the partially purified copper-containing materials contained only three amino acids: glutamic acid, glycine and cystine, the materials were supposed to be gamma-glutamyl peptides phytochelatins. Callus of P. cuspidatum synthesized phytochelatins from 50 microM cupric sulfate and maximally at 100-150 microM cupric sulfate. When induction of phytochelatins by another heavy metal, zinc, was analyzed, the callus, however, did not synthesize phytochelatins on exposure to zinc sulfate up to 1 mM. These findings suggested that phytochelatins were required for resistance to copper but probably not to zinc in the plant cells.

We have established a new chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), designated ACCESS CEA, which is adapted to the fully automated ACCESS immunoassay analyzer. The assay is based on a one step sandwich-type method using two monoclonal antibodies, one of which is immobilized on micrometer-size paramagnetic particles and the other is conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. Ten microliters of calibrators or sera are incubated for 5 minutes at 37 degrees C with the particles and with the alkaline phosphatase conjugate. The particles are then magnetically separated and washed to remove unbound components. Time needed to obtain the first result is less than 15 minutes. The assay range was 0.04-1000 micrograms/l of CEA, and the possible high-dose hook effect was prevented at CEA concentrations up to 100000 micrograms/l in this working range. The coefficient of variation (CV) for intra-assay precision was 3.0 to 4.7%, and inter-assay CV was 3.4 to 5.6%. The sample carryover was less than 0.001%. The analytical recovery ranged from 98 to 104% and a dilution linearity was demonstrated. No interference was detected in any sample with levels up to 300 mg/l for bilirubin, 12000 mg/l for haemoglobin, 50000 mg/l for human serum albumin, 8500 mg/l for triacylglycerol, and 500000 IU/l for rheumatoid factor. The ACCESS CEA assay also showed very homogeneous reactivity with purified CEA preparations from different tumours and could discriminate CEA from four CEA-related normal antigens tested. Serum samples (n = 362) from patients with malignant or non-malignant disease, as well as from healthy individuals, were analyzed by the ACCESS CEA assay and by the established IMx CEA assay. The CEA values determined by the ACCESS CEA assay were in good agreement with those determined by the IMx CEA assay, and the ACCESS CEA assay significantly increased the sensitivity and specificity of tumour diagnosis as compared with the IMx CEA assay.

The frequencies of multiple-drug-resistant strains were investigated in Staphylococcus aureus from 1965 through 1968 and in Escherichia coli from 1966 through 1968 classifying them with each of the corresponding drugs.The following changes were found during the periods of investigation. S. aureus (7 drugs tested) : (1) In PC-G-resistant strains, there was a tendency for 5-drug-resistant and 6-drug-resistant strains to increase. (2) In SM-resistant strains, a tendency was noted for 5-drug-resistant strains to increase markedly. (3) In EM-resistant strains, for 4-drug-resistant strains showeda tendency to increase. (4) Almost no change was observed in the frequencies of multiple-drug-resistant strains comprising CP resistance. (5) In KM-resistant strains, a tendency was observed for 6-drug-resistant and 7- drug-resistant strains to increase. (6) No change was found in the frequencies, of multiple-drug-resistant strains comprising TC resistance. (7) In SIM-resistant strains, there was a tendency for 5-drug-resistant strains to increase. E. coli (6 drugs tested) : (1) In SM-resistant strains, there was a tendency for 4-drug-resistant strains to decrease, while 5-drug-resistant strains increased. (2) In CP-resistant strains, a tendency was noted for 4-drug-resistant strains to decrease. (3) No change was found in the frequencies of multiple-drugresistant strains comprising KMresistance. (4) No change was found in the frequencies of multiple-drug-resistant strains comprising CET resistance. (5) In TC-resistant strains, there was a tendency for 5-drug-resistant strains toincrease. (6) In SIM-resistant strains, 3-drug-resistant strains showed a tendency to increase. The possible processes for the development of the main types of multiple-drug-resistant strains were examined in light of their frequencies. The resultssuggest that the markers of resistance to TC, PC-G and SIM form a common basis of the various drug-resistance patterns in S. aureus. It is inferred that various types of multiple-drug-resistant strains may be formed by the successive addition of SM, EM, CP and KM markers in this order to the TC, PC-G and SIM markers. It is similarly inferred that in E. coli TC, SM and SIM markers form a commonbasis of various drug-resistance patterns and that various types of multiple-drug-resistant strains may be formed by the successive addition of CP and KM or CET markers in this order to the TC, SM and SIM markers. The pattern of KM resistance of various multiple-drug-resistant strains of S. aureus and E. coli was quite unique among the various drug resistances investigated. In the preceding paper1) the general tendency of drug-resistances of Staphylococcus aureus (coagulase-positive) and Escherichia coli. was reported on the strains clinically isolated in Japan during the past four years, 1965-1968. The purpose of this paper is to describe multiple-drug resistance in strains of the two species. With regard to multiple-drug resistance, a number of studies have been already reported2-5). However, few of these reports investigated annually and analysed statistically. In view of previous results showing that the degrees of drug sensitivity are very different depending on the sources of isolation, we here used only the strains from the same source of isolation : S. aureus strains were the isolates from pus specimens and E. coli from urine. Also sulfamethoxazole was newly added to the drugs tested. The details of the investigations are described hereunder; first on S. aureus and then on E. coli.