HNF1A Mutations and Beta Cell Dysfunction in Diabetes

Understanding the genetic factors of diabetes is essential for addressing the global increase in type 2 diabetes. HNF1A mutations cause a monogenic form of diabetes called maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), and HNF1A single-nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. Numerous studies have been conducted, mainly using genetically modified mice, to explore the molecular basis for the development of diabetes caused by HNF1A mutations, and to reveal the roles of HNF1A in multiple organs, including insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, lipid metabolism and protein synthesis in the liver, and urinary glucose reabsorption in the kidneys. Recent studies using human stem cells that mimic MODY have provided new insights into beta cell dysfunction. In this article, we discuss the involvement of HNF1A in beta cell dysfunction by reviewing previous studies using genetically modified mice and recent findings in human stem cell-derived beta cells.     

野外试验场黄土的理化分析

本实验为低,中水平放射性废物浅地层处置安全评价提供现场土壤的物理化学参数。采样深度在０．５－９．１ｍ范围内,每个样品进行１０项测定;矿物组成,粒度分布、密度、总孔隙度、有效孔隙度、给水度、持水度、渗透系数、阳离子交换容量、含水量。     

Determination of seventeen pesticide residues in agricultural products by LC/MS

Residues of 17 pesticides in agricultural products were determined by LC/MS with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface in both positive and negative ion modes. Pesticides were extracted with acetonitrile, and the extracts were cleaned-up with a primary and secondary amine (PSA) mini-column eluted with acetone-hexane (1:1). Rice, orange and potato were spiked with the 17 pesticides at 0.1 microgram/g and analyzed by the proposed method. The average recoveries of these pesticides usually ranged from 70 to 98% and the relative standard deviations were usually around 10%. These results suggested that LC/MS with APCI could be used to determine the residue levels of the 17 pesticides in these crops.     

Propagation Path Visibility Estimation for Radio Local Distribution Systems in Built-Up Areas

For the design of radio local distribution systems in densely built-up areas, estimating how many subscribers are in sight from a nodal station is important. This paper proposes a method for estimating probability of success of line-of-sight paths termed visibility. Method validity is confirmed bypractical field examinations.     

Frequency stabilization of GaAlAs laser using a Doppler-free spectrum of the Cs-D2line

Experimental results are shown on the frequency stabilization of a GaAlAs laser using a Doppler-free spectrum in the saturated absorption of the Cs-D2line at 852.1 nm. The frequency stability (Allan variance) between3.0 times 10^{-12}and1.0 times 10^{11}was obtained at the averaging time between 0.1 and 1000 s.     

Observation of Mode Patterns for High Purity Mode Operation in the Submillimeter Wave Gyrotron FU VA

Operation tests of a cavity designed for high purity mode operation of the submillimeter wave gyrotron FU VA has been carried out successfully. The observed emission patterns of several cavity modes appear very pure and are compared with calculated results. High purity mode operation has the advantage of making the conversion to Gaussian-like beams more efficient.     

Ribotyping and a study of transmission of Staphylococcus aureus collected from food preparation facilities

Food poisoning from Staphylococcus aureus is sometimes caused by improper handling of food items in food preparation facilities. Prevention of contamination by employees is particularly important in facilities where a significant amount of food preparation is performed by hand. Some experiments have been performed to describe bacterial cross-contamination in the food preparation process, but there have been few studies of cross-contamination in actual food preparation facilities. Aiming to shed light on the transmission of S. aureus in food preparation facilities, this study collected samples of 66 strains of this bacterium from the fingers of food preparation staff, foodstuffs, prepared foods, cooking utensils, and cooking equipment and typed them with the ribotyping method. S. aureus from the same ribogroup was detected on the hands of a study participant, a faucet, knife, frying pan, and a salad, indicating that bacteria found on the hands of the study participant was transmitted to cooking utensils and prepared foods. Transmission (from a faucet to a frying pan handle) of bacteria by another person, a third party, was also detected.     

Multiresidue determination of quinolones in animal and fishery products by HPLC

A simple and rapid multiresidue method was developed for the determination of twelve quinolones (ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequine, marbofloxacin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, orbifloxacin, oxolinic acid and sarafloxacin) in muscle, liver, chicken eggs, milk, prawn and rainbow trout.The quinolones were extracted from a sample with acetonitrile-water (95 : 5). A fifth part of the filtered extract was diluted with water to keep the acetonitrile ratio at ca. 60%, and passed through a C18 mini-column. The eluate was evaporated to dryness, and the residues were dissolved in methanol-water (30 : 70) for HPLC analysis.The quinolones were separated on a Inertsil ODS-3V column (4.6 mm i.d.x250 mm) with a gradient system of 0.1% phosphoric acid-acetonitrile as the mobile phase, with fluorescence detection.No interfering peak was found on the chromatograms of animal and fishery products, except for milk. The recoveries of the quinolones were over 60% from the animal and fishery products fortified at 0.1 microg/g, and the quantification limits of the quinolones were 0.005 microg/g. This proposed method was found to be effective and suitable for the screening of the quinolones in animal and fishery products.