4th Region Research Articles

User participation in main canal governance

In The 4th Asian Regional Conference and 10th International Seminar on Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM), Teheran, Iran, 2-5 May 2007

Association of the mutation for the human carboxypeptidase E gene exon 4 with the severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis

To test the hypothesis that the identification of mutation in the carboxypeptidase E (CPE) gene which leads to marked hyperproinsulinaemia is consistent with a possible role for mutations in CPE in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. The study subjects consisted of 1084 consecutive patients (812 males and 272 females) who will undergo coronary angiography. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis was defined by the Gensini's score system. The proinsulin level was measured using highly sensitive two-site sandwich ELISA methods. Screening for mutations of the 4th exon and exon-intron junctional region of the CPE gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by bidirectional sequencing. Sequencing of the CPE gene exon 4 in 1084 consecutive patients revealed 2 genetic variants, the G-to-A substitution at nucleotide 2855 in exon 4 (synonymous mutation) and A-to-G substitution at nucleotide 2925 in intron 4. Although the proinsulin level was not influenced by the presence of the two point mutation, the Gensini score was significantly influenced by the presence of the A2925G mutant (P = 0.023). Furthermore, we found a higher prevalence of subjects with the A2925G heterozygous mutant among higher Gensini score subjects than it among lower Gensini score subjects, and this difference reached statistical significance (P = 0.006, OR 1.465, 95%CI 1.116-1.924). In addition, the frequency distribution of the G2855A mutant was differed in the higher Gensini score subjects than it in the lower Gensini score subjects belonging to high-risk category as smokers, and the statistical significance was reached (P = 0.043, OR 2.075, 95%CI 1.024-4.207). In the present study, the severity of the coronary atherosclerosis estimated by Gensini score was significantly influenced by the presence of the A2925G mutant and G2855A mutant of the CPE gene, and the exactly mechanism underlying the association needs further study.

Nephrocan, a Novel Member of the Small Leucine-rich Repeat Protein Family, Is an Inhibitor of Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling

In a search of new, small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycan/protein (SLRP) family members, a novel gene, nephrocan (NPN), has been identified. The gene consists of three exons, and based on the deduced amino acid sequence, NPN has 17 leucine-rich repeat motifs and unique cysteine-rich clusters both in the N and C termini, indicating that this gene belongs to a new class of SLRP family. NPN mRNA was predominantly expressed in kidney in adult mice, and during mouse embryogenesis, the expression was markedly increased in 11-day-old embryos at a time when early kidney development takes place. In the adult mouse kidney, NPN protein was located in distal tubules and collecting ducts. When NPN was overexpressed in cell culture, the protein was detected in the cultured medium, and upon treatment with N-glycosidase F, the molecular mass was lowered by approximately 14 kDa, indicating that NPN is a secreted N-glycosylated protein. Furthermore, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-responsive 3TP promoter luciferase activity was down-regulated, and TGF-beta-induced Smad3 phosphorylation was also inhibited by NPN, suggesting that NPN suppresses TGF-beta/Smad signaling. Taken together, NPN is a novel member of the SLRP family that may play important roles in kidney development and pathophysiology by functioning as an endogenous inhibitor of TGF-beta signaling.

4th Eastern and Central European Regional Congress of Psychoneuroendocrinology

4th Eastern and Central European Regional Congress of Psychoneuroendocrinology

Medicolegal issues in paediatric practice: proceedings of the 4th Northern Regional Paediatric Colloquium.

Ethical dilemmas frequently arise in paediatric practice. Given the nature of the speciality, these issues are pertinent to both the medical and legal professions. It is of potential benefit for the professions to meet and discuss such cases outwith the immediate clinical setting. A series of such meetings have been held in the Northern region. We report the proceedings of the fourth meeting. Four cases were presented and the issues arising were debated. The key points from each discussion are described.

Land cover and land use changes in relation to social evolution—a case study from Northern Chile

In the Chile's Choapa valley (4th Region), the small-scale irrigated agriculture found today was brought about by the changes in land tenure which occurred between 1965 and 1975. In the Chillepin district, an extensive holding that produced wheat and cattle was expropriated and, after a period of collective farming, small family holdings of vineyards and orchards took their place. These changes were studied over a 50 years period through the use of social enquiries, local history, vegetation measurements and aerial photographs so as to compare the effects of the successive agrarian systems on the environment. The most intense wood extraction occurred during the 8 years’ period just after the expropriation. During 25 years of small family farming we observed that (i) diversity and number of cultivated plots in the irrigated area have increased and (ii) tree vegetation in the hinterland has partially recovered. The first is due to the know-how of the peasants, who agreed to specialize in grape production as the market became assured, but who have managed other productions in mixed farming using few chemicals and the traditional irrigation system. The second effect, in the mountainous hinterland, is mainly due to (1) the termination of rain farming and charcoal production, (2) the slowing down of the deforestation for fuel-wood and (3) the controlling of the perimeter as private property.

The Role of Educational Institutions for Airport Security

The following narrative is transcribed from a keynote address presented by Dr. Seth Young, Associate Professor, College of Business Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, at the ICAO 4th Regional Aviation Security and Facilitation Seminar, held in Amman, Jordan, in September 2002. The seminar was attended by participating member states from ICAO's Middle East region. The purpose of the seminar was to discuss new regulations and policies regarding aviation security, and to become educated in enhancing airport security, from a security, as well as an operations facilitation, perspective.

Eya1is required for the morphogenesis of mammalian thymus, parathyroid and thyroid

Eyes absent (Eya) genes regulate organogenesis in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Mutations in human EYA1 cause congenital Branchio-Oto-Renal (BOR) syndrome, while targeted inactivation of murine Eya1 impairs early developmental processes in multiple organs, including ear, kidney and skeletal system. We have now examined the role of Eya1 during the morphogenesis of organs derived from the pharyngeal region, including thymus, parathyroid and thyroid. The thymus and parathyroid are derived from 3rd pharyngeal pouches and their development is initiated via inductive interactions between neural crest-derived arch mesenchyme, pouch endoderm, and possibly the surface ectoderm of 3rd pharyngeal clefts. Eya1 is expressed in all three cell types during thymus and parathyroid development from E9.5 and the organ primordia for both of these structures failed to form in Eya1(-/-) embryos. These results indicate that Eya1 is required for the initiation of thymus and parathyroid gland formation. Eya1 is also expressed in the 4th pharyngeal region and ultimobranchial bodies. Eya1(-/-) mice show thyroid hypoplasia, with severe reduction in the number of parafollicular cells and the size of the thyroid lobes and lack of fusion between the ultimobranchial bodies and the thyroid lobe. These data indicate that Eya1 also regulates mature thyroid gland formation. Furthermore, we show that Six1 expression is markedly reduced in the arch mesenchyme, pouch endoderm and surface ectoderm in the pharyngeal region of Eya1(-/-) embryos, indicating that Six1 expression in those structures is Eya1 dependent. In addition, we show that in Eya1(-/-) embryos, the expression of Gcm2 in the 3rd pouch endoderm is undetectable at E10.5, however, the expression of Hox and Pax genes in the pouch endoderm is preserved at E9.5-10.5. Finally, we found that the surface ectoderm of the 3rd and 4th pharyngeal region show increased cell death at E10.5 in Eya1(-/-) embryos. Our results indicate that Eya1 controls critical early inductive events involved in the morphogenesis of thymus, parathyroid and thyroid.

Retinoid signaling is essential for patterning the endoderm of the third and fourth pharyngeal arches.

The requirement of retinoic acid (RA) in the initial formation of the pharyngeal arches was investigated by treating headfold-stage mouse embryos with a pan-RAR antagonist in vitro and in vivo. This results in a complete absence of mesenchyme, arteries, nerves and epibranchial placodes of the 3rd and 4th pharyngeal arches, complete agenesis of the 3rd and 4th pouches and consistent lack of the 6th arch artery. Mesodermally derived endothelial cells are absent from the 3rd and 4th pharyngeal arch region and the distribution domain of EphA2 transcripts in mesodermal cells is shifted caudally. In situ hybridization with CRABPI, kreisler and EphA4 probes and the pattern of expression of a Wnt1-lacZ transgene show that neural crest cells (NCC) normally destined to the 3rd and 4th arches migrate ectopically. Most interestingly, the appearance of the 3rd and 4th arches is prevented by the antagonist only during a very narrow window of time, which does not correspond to the period of post-otic NCC migration. Both the timing of appearance and the nature of the defects in RAR antagonist-treated embryos indicate that migrating NCC and mesodermal cells destined to the caudal pharyngeal arches do not represent primary targets of RA action. Alterations in the endodermal expression pattern of Hoxa1, Hoxb1, Pax1, Pax9, Fgf3 and Fgf8 in response to the antagonist-induced block in RA signal transduction demonstrate for the first time that RA signaling is indispensable for the specification of the pharyngeal endoderm and suggest that this signaling is necessary to provide a permissive environment locally for the migration of NCC and mesodermal cells. Our study also indicates that the formation of the 2nd pharyngeal arch and that of the 3rd and 4th pharyngeal arches probably involve distinct RA-dependent developmental processes.

第４回環太平洋地域木材解剖学会（韓国・光州）に参加して

第４回環太平洋地域木材解剖学会（韓国・光州）に参加して

Hospital morbidity in a county of Southern Brazil in 1992

The distribution of the 2,518 admissions obtained in a sample taken from all the admissions which occurred in the eight general hospitals of the city of Maringá, State of Paraná, Brazil, in 1992 was analysed. The study variables were: main diagnosis, sex, age, city of residence, sources of financing, length of stay and discharge type. The leading causes of hospitalization were (ICD-9): complications of pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium and diseases of the respiratory and circulatory systems. Of the admissions, 42.8% were of men and when age adjusted, the highest proportion was found to be of children below 4 years of age. In the study, 64.4% were residents in Maringá, 24.9% lived in the 15th Region of Paraná and 8.7% lived out side the 15th Region of Paraná. The official Health System (SUS) was responsible for financing 73.8% of all admissions, private health insurances accounted for 14.9% and 11.3% of the patients were paying for their own hospital treatment. A difference was detected among the frequencies of the diagnoses according to financial support and city of residence. The average length of stay was 3.6 days and the hospital mortality rate was 2.7 deaths per hundred admissions.

Physiological and molecular responses of Prosopis chilensis under field and simulation conditions

The diurnal courses of CO 2 assimilation and stomatal conductance in spring were determined in trees of Prosopis chilensis growing in Quebrada San Carlos, Vicuña, 4th Region, Chile. These two parameters along with proline content, and the expression of free and conjugated ubiquitin and the heat shock protein (HSP) M r 70 K were determined at the same time intervals in the leaves of six-month-old plants acclimated in a growth chamber with similar conditions to those of Quebrada San Carlos. The expression of the HSPs was studied by Western and immuno dot blot analyses using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies generated against these types of proteins. The CO 2 assimilation of northwest-facing trees and plants under simulated conditions showed a bimodal response with maxima at 12.00 and 18.00 hr, when the temperature was 25° and the relative humidities were 35 and 33%, respectively; the minimum was around 15.00 hr with a temperature of 35° and a relative humidity of 32%. The low CO 2 assimilation at 35° was not correlated with stomatal closure, but rather with a nyctinastic movement of leaf and foliole petioles, which greatly decreased the foliar area. After 18.00 hr, CO 2 assimilation declined to become zero or negative at 21.00 hr. Proline, the expression of M r 70 K and conjugated ubiquitin also reached a maximum at 35°. The expression of free ubiquitin showed the reverse pattern being high at night, early in the morning and late in the evening. The physiological implications of these responses to temperature stress are discussed.

The development and application of a simplified ozone modeling system (SOMS)

Abstract This paper describes the development and evaluation of a computationally efficient semi-empirical photochemical model that can be used as a screening tool to obtain quick estimates of the effect of a large number of VOC and NO x emission control strategies on ozone concentrations. Selected control strategies can subsequently be examined with a more complex model. The model is one component of an ozone management system, the regional ozone decision model (RODM), designed to examine the costs and environmental consequences of alternate ozone abatement strategies. The model was developed by systematic simplification of a detailed photochemical model. At each step of the simplification, the simplified model was tested against observations and against results from the detailed model. The first major simplification was the introduction of a highly parameterized chemistry mechanism, originally developed by Azzi et al. (1992 Proc. 11th Int. Clean Air Conf., 4th Regional IUAPPA Conf. ). This modification resulted in a factor of 5 improvement in the computational efficiency of the model. The model with the simplified chemistry was then tested by applying it to a photochemical oxidant episode in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Further improvements in computational speed and efficiency were obtained by uncoupling the chemistry from the transport of VOC and NO x .

Tooth mobility and resolution of experimental periodontitis. An experimental study in the dog.

The aim of the present experiment was to study alterations in the mobility of teeth that occurred during resolution of experimentally induced periodontitis lesions in the dog. 5, 1-year-old, beagle dogs were used in the study. The left and right 4th, 3rd, and 2nd mandibular premolars (4P4, 3P3, 2P2) served as experimental teeth. Periodontal tissue breakdown was initiated by placing plaque-collecting cotton-floss ligatures around the neck of the experimental teeth. The ligatures were replaced to the level of the receding gingival margin 1 x every month. On Day 120, the ligatures were removed and debridement was performed. A groove, parallel to the long axis of the mesial root, was prepared in the mesio-buccal surface of the crowns of 2P and P2. Guided by the groove and with a probing force of 0.5 N, a probe was inserted into the buccal gingival pocket of the mesial root and was attached to the buccal surface. Biopsies including both the mesial and distal root of 2P and P2 and the surrounding hard and soft tissues were harvested. The biopsy procedure was repeated in a similar manner 15 days (i.e. Day 135) and 3 months (i.e. Day 225) after ligature removal in the 4th (4P4) and 3rd (3P3) premolar regions. After fixation, decalcification and sectioning, the biopsy material was exposed to histometric and morphometric measurements. Assessment of the mobility of the experimental teeth was performed on Days 120, 135 and 225 using the Periotest system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Epithelial remnants in the crestal periodontium of the dog

The purpose of this study was to access the effect of age on the epithelial remnants (EPRs) of the crestal periodontal tissues of beagle dogs. The material consisted of 10 beagle dogs; 5 were 1-year-old (young dogs) and 5 were 9-years-old (old dogs). All animals belonged to the same dog colony and had been raised under similar conditions. Since birth, the dogs had been subjected to professional prophylaxis 4x /per year. Biopsies were obtained from the mandibular 3rd and 4th premolar regions and were prepared for histologic analysis. 2 areas, (1) the supracrestal region and (2) the marginal periodontal ligament region, were identified. The supracrestal region was further divided into 4 compartments of equal height. The histologic parameters studied included: the (i) number of EPRs/mm root length; EPR frequency; (ii) size of EPR; (iii) distance between the root surface and the EPR; (iv) distance between the alveolar bone and the EPR; (v) epithelial cell area. The supracrestal region (total and various compartments) of old dogs harbored significantly fewer yet larger EPRs than epithelial remnants of young dogs. Similarly, the EPR's of the periodontal ligament region were significantly larger and closer to the root surface in old dogs compared to young dogs. No difference was noted in the cell area of EPRs between young and old dogs for either region. Epithelial remnants of the supracrestal region in both groups of dogs were somewhat more frequent, larger and positioned further from the root surface than the EPRs of the periodontal ligament region.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical and structural characteristics of periodontal tissues in young and old dogs

The aim of this study was to examine some clinical and structural features of healthy periodontal tissues in young and old beagle dogs. The material consisted of 10 beagle dogs; group I (1-year old) and group II (8-9 years of age). All animals belonged to the same beagle dog colony and had been carefully monitored from birth. A given day was termed day 0 on which the teeth of all 10 dogs were scaled and polished and a 6-week period of enhanced plaque control was initiated. On day 42, clinical examinations were performed and biopsies obtained from the right mandibular 4th (4P) and 3rd (3P) premolar regions. The biopsies were prepared for histometric and morphometric analyses. Clinically, the lower premolars of the old but not the young dogs showed signs of marked wear. In the old dogs, the free gingival unit had a more curved and bulky appearance than in the young animals and in the old dogs, the free gingiva was consistently separated from the attached gingiva by a gingival groove. The histometrical dimensions of the free marginal gingiva and the width of the coronal portion of the periodontal ligament did not differ between the 2 groups of dogs. The apical cells of the junctional epithelium (aJE) in the young dogs were consistently located at the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), whereas in the old dogs, aJE was consistently located apical to the CEJ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fourth IPPNW European regional symposium, 1988: ‘Europe, our common home’

A brief report is given of the 4th IPPNW European Regional Symposium, which took place on two boats and in four cities on the Rhine.

Ependymomas in children.

Ependymomas originate throughout the central nervous system (CNS), representing 10-12% of CNS tumors in children. The majority occur in children less than 5 years of age. Tumors occur most often in the 4th ventricular region. Current controversies regarding ependymomas include histologic categorization or 'differentiation'. It is estimated that approximately 25% of childhood tumors are appropriately categorized as anaplastic or 'high-grade' lesions. Surgical resection is curative for tumors originating in the cauda equina; recent data suggest that surgery alone has achieved disease control in 75% of intramedullary tumors. For intracranial ependymomas, postoperative irradiation has been shown to improve survival in series dating from the 1960-1980 era. Debate regarding the necessary volume for radiation therapy (i.e. local treatment or craniospinal irradiation) centers on the reported rate of neuraxis seeding. An overall incidence of 12% has been documented in the literature, with clinico-histologic correlation suggesting that anaplastic or high-grade infratentorial ependymomas are associated with the highest frequency of subarachnoid spread. Recent reports of chemotherapy show response to several single agents, with no clear documentation that adjuvant chemotherapy has improved survival to date. Current studies utilizing preirradiation chemotherapy address tumor response and ultimate control in a sequence of surgery, chemotherapy, and irradiation primarily in very young children or those with anaplastic or high-grade tumors.

15th Central Regional Meeting

15th Central Regional Meeting

General Presentation at the 15th Regional Meeting of Kyushu Chapter

General Presentation at the 15th Regional Meeting of Kyushu Chapter