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Objective: In 2020, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) became the cause of a pandemic. In response, the Japan Sports Agency issued warnings about secondary damage to health, such as the threat to physical and mental well-being due to the lack of exercise in this situation. In this study, we report on cross-sectional and longitudinal examinations of standing trunk flexion to evaluate how temporary long-term school closures affected musculoskeletal function in elementary school students. Patients and Methods: All children in one public elementary school in T-city during the school years 2019 and 2020 were included in this study. A digital forward flexion meter was used to measure standing trunk flexion. Results: In this study, 284 (284/289: 98.3%) and 266 (266/274: 97.1%) children in school years 2020 and 2019, respectively, were found to have valid data for cross-sectional analysis. The standing trunk flexion did not show significant differences between grades or sexes. In the longitudinal analysis, the results of the comparison of standing trunk flexion in children for two consecutive years revealed significant differences only between grades 3 and 4 (P

Objective: In 2016, Japan started conducting musculoskeletal examinations that included "limb status" of students as an essential item. Our institution implemented a unified musculoskeletal examination for all public elementary and junior high schools in T-city. In this study, we aimed to report the progress in the past 4 years. Patients and Methods: The Tsukuba Childhood Locomotive-Organ Screening Sheet (T-CLOSS), which is a questionnaire that includes some nationwide-recommended questions, was prepared and distributed to students. Results of the questionnaires were analyzed, and the orthopedic surgeon conducted examinations for the extracted items. From these questionnaires, the ratio of each item, rate of advisory for screening, and content of the advisory were investigated. Results: During 2016-2019, musculoskeletal examinations were conducted in every public schools, with nearly 20,000 students in T-city. The consultation advisory rate was 6.7% in 2019. Of the 524 students who received the third screening recommendation, the actual consultation rate was 248 (40.8%). After the third screening, the proportion of students requiring treatment and outpatient visits was 46.7% (n=248), which accounted for 1.2% of all elementary and junior high school students in the city. Conclusion: We reported the results of 4-year musculoskeletal examinations in a city. In our screening, we distributed a uniform questionnaire throughout the city, and orthopedic surgeons performed secondary examinations of identified students in all schools. This appears to be an advanced effort to prevent musculoskeletal impairment in students. We hope to conduct more sophisticated musculoskeletal examinations using our results, aiming at early detection, early treatment, and improvement of musculoskeletal function in elementary and junior high school students.

In Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) molding, molds made of metal or epoxy resin blocks are commonly used, but the production time and material costs are high and not suitable for prototyping and small volume production. 3D printed molds have the potential to overcome these limitations, which would also enable frequent mold shape adjustment. The present study aimed to investigate the viability of the treated product as a mold for autoclave molding and establish a simple surface treatment method for additive manufacturing products produced by Fused Deposition Modeling. Polycarbonate resin was used to manufacture laminated male molds for the upper core and midsole of shoes, and the surface of the molds was treated with three different methods (clamping, treatment by aluminum tape and fluorine tape). The deformation of the molds due to autoclave molding was investigated by comparing the male molds before and after autoclave molding and computer-aided design data. In the clamping treatment, it was difficult to remove the mold after autoclave molding due to resin getting into the mold and fiber exposure due to resin loss was also observed. In the aluminum tape treatment, the midsole mold was deformed. On the other hand, the fluorine tape treatment enabled easy mold removal, and little deformation and weight change of the molds were observed. The results of this study suggest that the using laminated products made of polycarbonate resin can be used as molds for autoclave molding when combined with pre-treatment using fluorine tape.

Previously, we showed that a reduction of FaTFL2 (homolog of Arabidopsis thaliana TFL1) expression is a key signal for flowering in domesticated octaploid strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa). Since FaTFL2 expression seemed to be regulated by temperature rather than by photoperiod, we investigated whether down regulation of FaTFL2 and floral meristem generation occurred at different temperature conditions. In addition to the conditions for a normal super-forcing cultivation system of an 8-hour photoperiod and day/night temperatures of 31.2 or 30/15 °C, flowering also was generated under the same photoperiod and day/night temperatures of day/night-half/night-half temperatures of 30/15/25 °C conditions. We demonstrate that the new super-forcing cultivation system is energy saving based on the reduction of FaTFL2 expression.

Genes whose expression levels are enhanced or reduced during the cultivation process that uses cane molasses in baker's yeast production were identified in this study. The results showed that baker's yeast grown in molasses medium had higher fermentation ability and stress tolerance compared with baker's yeast grown in synthetic medium. Molasses apparently provided not only sugar as a carbon source but also provided functional components that enhanced or reduced expression of genes involved in fermentation ability and stress tolerance. To identify the genes whose expression is enhanced or reduced during cultivation in molasses medium, DNA microarray analysis was then used to compare the gene expression profile of cells grown in molasses with that of cells grown in synthetic medium. To simulate the commercial baker's yeast production process, cells were cultivated using a fed-batch culture system. In molasses medium, genes involved in the synthesis or uptake of vitamins (e.g., biotin, pyridoxine and thiamine) showed enhanced expression, suggesting that vitamin concentrations in molasses medium were lower than those in synthetic medium. Genes involved in formate dehydrogenase and maltose assimilation showed enhanced expression in molasses medium. In contrast, genes involved in iron utilization (e.g., siderophore, iron transporter and ferroxidase) showed enhanced expression in synthetic medium, suggesting that iron starvation occurred. The genes involved in the metabolism of amino acids also showed enhanced expression in synthetic medium. This identification of genes provides information that will help improve the baker's yeast production process.

Although cortisone acetate is approved worldwide as corticosteroid substitution therapy in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (21-hydroxylase deficiency), its effectiveness is uncertain since its biologic activity depends on activation by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD). We sought to compare the effect of cortisone acetate with that of hydrocortisone. In 10 patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, cortisone acetate was replaced with hydrocortisone in substitution therapy. During this change, blood concentrations of 17-hydroxy-progesterone, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), and requirements for each drug were monitored. Concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone decreased (mean 10.1 vs. 48.6 ng/ml), as did those of ACTH. Cortisone acetate dose requirements averaged 33.9 mg/m(2), while hydrocortisone dose requirements averaged only 20.3 mg/m(2). In one of the patients resistant to cortisone acetate therapy, DNA sequences in the coding regions and promoter of the 11β-HSD gene were analyzed, detecting no genetic abnormalities. Cortisone acetate is inferior to hydrocortisone as substitution therapy in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

血清カテコラミンの異常高値を示す両側副腎褐色細胞腫と甲状腺髄様癌を術前に診断された多内分泌腺腫瘍症第2A型の周術期管理を経験した。甲状腺髄様癌摘出術に先立ち両側副腎褐色細胞腫摘出術を施行し,ホルモンの補充療法のもとに甲状腺全摘術を行ない良好な経過を得た。術後の家族内調査の結果にて,患者の長男に本症が発見され,追跡検索後に副腎褐色細胞腫摘出術および甲状腺髄様癌による甲状腺全摘出術が施行された。多内分泌腺腫瘍症第2A型の診断は腫瘍マーカーにより容易に行なえるようになったが,治療は甲状腺手術に先立ち副腎褐色細胞腫摘出術を施行し,さらに家族スクリーニングにて家族内発生の有無を検索することが重要と考える。

Limb lengthening was performed on a patient with achondroplasia. The first operation was performed without growth hormone (GH) therapy, and the second operation was performed with GH therapy. The effect of GH on limb lengthening was studied. For the lengthening of limbs, the Orthofix device was used on the femur, and the Ilizarov method was used on the tibia. It took more time for the consolidation of the callus and severe narrowing of the femur was observed at the second limb lengthening. GH treatment was of no benefit for the consolidation of the callus in this patient.

Sake yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strains, Kyokai no. 7 and no. 9 sporulate little if at all. To determine the reason for their poor sporulation, we analyzed transcripts of the IME1 and IME2 (inducer of meiosis), and RME1 (regulator of meiosis) genes. Kyokai no. 7 produced transcripts of IME1 and IME2 at low levels and their levels were not induced, but rather repressed, in sporulation conditions. Introduction of the cloned wild-type IME1 gene ligated to a multicopy plasmid into these cells partially restored their sporulation frequency in sporulation conditions. However, on dissection of asci no germination of spores was observed. A double transformant of Kyokai no. 7 with IME1 and IME2 plasmids did not show greater increase in sporulation frequency than a single transformant with the IME1 plasmid. The IME1 transcription level of the IME1 transformant cells of Kyokai no. 7 was the same as that of the wild-type a/ α diploid cells, but the RME1 transcription level of these cells was severely repressed. Their level of IME2 transcription was much lower than that in the wild-type a/ α diploid cells. An IME2-lacZ fusion gene, bearing a 1.1-kbp IME2 promoter region and ligated to a multicopy plasmid was not expressed in Kyokai no. 7 cells or in a/a cells. The IME2-lacZ fusion gene was, however, expressed in these cells by further introduction of a multicopy plasmid bearing the IME1 gene. Thus, we conclude that Kyokai no. 7 might have defects in the IME1 gene and its expression, and weakness in regulatory circuits for starvation signals and/or in the sporulation program.

The PHO80/TUP7 locus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is reported to be located on the right arm of chromosome XV close to its centromere. In the present study, the locus has been reassigned to the left arm of the same chromosome by reciprocal recombination between chromosomes V and XV at URA3 (on chromosome V) and PHO80/TUP7 loci by using the site-specific recombination system of the yeast plasmid pSR1.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether leptin has any effect on growth plate chondrocytes. Methods: We studied the effects of exogenous leptin on cultured rabbit growth plate chondrocytes. This involved assessing [3H]thymidine incorporation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, proteoglycan production, leptin receptor (Ob-R) activity, and detection of Ob-R using Western blot analysis. Results: The existence of Ob-R in growth plate chondrocytes was revealed by Western blot and Ob-R activity. Prior to semiconfluence, leptin increased [3H]thymidine incorporation while at the semiconfluent and early confluent stages, leptin promoted ALP activity and tended to promote proteoglycan production. Conclusion: Growth plate chondrocytes possess Ob-Rs, and leptin enhance chondrocyte proliferation and subsequent cell differentiation.

The invertase productivity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae IFO 0309 protoplasts in a static culture was 35 times (extracellular) and 9 times (extracellular + intracellular) higher than those of cells. When S. cerevisiae protoplasts were immobilized in 1.0% strontium alginate gel as an artificial cell wall, the protoplasts could be cultivated in a shake flask without disruption, and invertase was secreted into the broth. However, cell wall regeneration in the immobilized protoplasts was detected at about 24 h of cultivation. This implies that prevention of cell wall regeneration is a prerequisite for long term process with protoplasts. When 0.5 microg/ml aculeacin A (inhibitor of beta-1,3 glucan synthesis) was added to the broth, active protoplasts were maintained without cell wall regeneration for more than 24 h and invertase was produced extracellularly. Immobilized S. cerevisiae T7 protoplasts (this strain produces twice as much invertase as S. cerevisiae IFO 0309) were used for invertase production in a bubble column reactor, and a high and stable level of invertase (45 U/ml) was maintained for 72 h.

We have developed an effective method to delete or invert a chromosomal segment and to create reciprocal recombination between two nonhomologous chromosomes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using the site-specific recombination system of pSR1, a circular cryptic DNA plasmid resembling 2 microns DNA of S. cerevisiae but originating from another yeast, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii. A 2.1-kilobase-pair DNA fragment bearing the specific recombination site on the inverted repeats of pSR1 was inserted at target sites on a single or two different chromosomes of S. cerevisiae by using integrative vectors. The cells were then transformed with a plasmid bearing the R gene of pSR1, which encodes the site-specific recombination enzyme and is placed downstream of the GAL1 promoter. When the transformants were cultivated in galactose medium, the recombination enzyme produced by expression of the R gene created the modified chromosome(s) by recombination between two specific recombination sites inserted on the chromosome(s).

The nucleotide sequence of the Bacillus stearothermophilus alpha-amylase gene and its flanking regions was determined. An open reading frame was found, comprising a total of 1,647 base pairs (549 amino acids) and starting from a GUG codon as methionine. It was shown by NH2-terminal amino acid sequence analysis that the extracellular amylase consisted of 515 amino acid residues, which corresponded to a molecular weight of 58,779. Thus the NH2-terminal portion of the gene encodes 34 amino acid residues as a signal peptide. The amino acid sequence deduced from the alpha-amylase gene was fairly homologous (61%) with that of another thermostable amylase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

A comparison was made of the amino acid sequences of 11 different α-amylases. The 6 animal α-amylases tested were found to be highly homologous (about 80 to 90%, depending on the species compared). Amino acid sequence of Bacillus stearothermophilus α-amylase was fairly homologous (about 60%) with that of a thermostable α-amylase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Homology was least among the thermolabile amylases from Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus oryzae, plants and animals. Nevertheless, four highly homologous regions were found in the amino acid sequences of all the enzymes, despite their widely different origins. It was inferred that these four homologous regions were likely to be the active and/or substrate-binding sites.