Quantifying Small-scale Variability in Water Storage and Root Water Uptake on the Edwards Plateau, Texas

Ieyasu Tokumoto 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Different Regulation of p53 Expression by Cadmium Exposure in Kidney, Liver, Intestine, Vasculature, and Brain Astrocytes

Lee, Jin-Yong,Tokumoto, Maki,Hattori, Yuta,Fujiwara, Yasuyuki,Shimada, Akinori,Satoh, Masahiko Korean Society of ToxicologyKorea Environmental Mu 2016 Toxicological Research Vol.32 No.1

Chronic exposure to cadmium (Cd) is known to adversely affect renal function. Our previous studies indicated that Cd induces p53-dependent apoptosis by inhibiting gene expression of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (Ube) 2d family in both human and rat proximal tubular cells. In this study, the effects of Cd on protein expression of p53 and apoptotic signals in the kidney and liver of mice exposed to Cd for 12 months were examined, as well as the effects of Cd on p53 protein levels and gene expression of the Ube2d family in various cell lines. Results showed that in the kidney of mice exposed to 300 ppm Cd for 12 months, there was overaccumulation of p53 proteins in addition to the induction of apoptosis, which was triggered specifically in the proximal tubules. Interestingly, the site of apoptosis was the same as that of p53 accumulation in the proximal tubules. In the liver of mice chronically exposed to Cd, gene expression of the Ube2d family tended to be slightly decreased, together with slight apoptosis without the accumulation of p53 protein. In rat small intestine epithelial (IEC-6) cells, Cd decreased not only the p53 protein level but also gene expression of Ube2d1, Ube2d2 and Ube2d4. In human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), Cd did not suppress gene expression of the Ube2d family, but increased the p53 protein level. In human brain astrocytes (HBASTs), Cd only increased gene expression of UBE2D3. These results suggest that Cd-induced apoptosis through p53 protein is associated with renal toxicity but not hepatic toxicity, and the modification of p53 protein by Cd may vary depending on cell type.

Structure of $NiSi_2$(111) Surface : An Atomic View

Kuk, Y.,Hasegawa, Y.,Tokumoto, H. 한국진공학회 1993 Applied Science and Convergence Technology Vol.2 No.1

NiSi2(111)을 Si(111) 표면 위에 증착하여 그 구조를 STM으로 연구하였다. 실리사이드는 그 표면이 (1$\times$1)의 구조를 띠고 여분의 trimer를 흡착 분자 구조로 가짐을 관찰하였다. 이 trimer로부터 실리사이드의 두 가지 구조 A, B를 구별할 수 있었다. 표면에 관착된 결함으로부터 표면구조는 내부와 같음을 보였다.

Different Regulation of p53 Expression by Cadmium Exposure in Kidney, Liver, Intestine, Vasculature, and Brain Astrocytes

Jin-Yong Lee,Maki Tokumoto,Yuta Hattori,Yasuyuki Fujiwara,Akinori Shimada,Masahiko Satoh 한국독성학회 2016 Toxicological Research Vol.32 No.1

Chronic exposure to cadmium (Cd) is known to adversely affect renal function. Our previous studies indicated that Cd induces p53-dependent apoptosis by inhibiting gene expression of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (Ube) 2d family in both human and rat proximal tubular cells. In this study, the effects of Cd on protein expression of p53 and apoptotic signals in the kidney and liver of mice exposed to Cd for 12 months were examined, as well as the effects of Cd on p53 protein levels and gene expression of the Ube2d family in various cell lines. Results showed that in the kidney of mice exposed to 300 ppm Cd for 12 months, there was overaccumulation of p53 proteins in addition to the induction of apoptosis, which was triggered specifically in the proximal tubules. Interestingly, the site of apoptosis was the same as that of p53 accumulation in the proximal tubules. In the liver of mice chronically exposed to Cd, gene expression of the Ube2d family tended to be slightly decreased, together with slight apoptosis without the accumulation of p53 protein. In rat small intestine epithelial (IEC-6) cells, Cd decreased not only the p53 protein level but also gene expression of Ube2d1, Ube2d2 and Ube2d4. In human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), Cd did not suppress gene expression of the Ube2d family, but increased the p53 protein level. In human brain astrocytes (HBASTs), Cd only increased gene expression of UBE2D3. These results suggest that Cd-induced apoptosis through p53 protein is associated with renal toxicity but not hepatic toxicity, and the modification of p53 protein by Cd may vary depending on cell type.

Rating criteria to evaluate student performance in digital wax-up training using multi-purpose software

Takuya Mino,Yoko Kurosaki,Kana Tokumoto,Takaharu Higuchi,Shinichi Nakanoda,Ken Numoto,Ikue Tosa,Aya Kimura-Ono,Kenji Maekawa,Tae Hyung Kim,Takuo Kuboki 대한치과보철학회 2022 The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics Vol.14 No.4

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to introduce rating criteria to evaluate student performance in a newly developed, digital wax-up preclinical program for computer-aided design (CAD) of full-coverage crowns and preliminarily investigate the reliability and internal consistency of the rating system. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study, conducted in 2017, enrolled 47 fifth-year dental students of Okayama University Dental School. Digital wax-up training included a fundamental practice using computer graphics (CG), multipurpose CAD software programs, and an advanced practice to execute a digital waxup of the right mandibular second molar (#47). Each student’s digital wax-up work (stereolithography data) was evaluated by two instructors using seven qualitative criteria. The total qualitative score (0-90) of the criteria was calculated. The total volumetric discrepancy between each student’s digital wax-up work and a reference prepared by an instructor was automatically measured by the CAD software. The inter-rater reliability of each criterion was analyzed using a weighted kappa index. The relationship between the total volume discrepancy and the total qualitative score was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation. RESULTS. The weighted kappa values for the seven qualitative criteria ranged from 0.62 - 0.93. The total qualitative score and the total volumetric discrepancy were negatively correlated (ρ = -0.27, P = .09, respectively); however, this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION. The established qualitative criteria to evaluate students’ work showed sufficiently high inter-rater reliability; however, the digitally measured volumetric discrepancy could not sufficiently predict the total qualitative score.

NiSi₂(111) 표면의 구조 : 원자적 배율

국양(Y. Kuk),Y. Hasegawa,H. Tokumoto 한국진공학회(ASCT) 1993 Applied Science and Convergence Technology Vol.2 No.1

NiSi₂(111)을 Si(111) 표면 위에 증착하여 그 구조를 STM으로 연구하였다. 실리사이드는 그 표면이 (1×1)의 구조를 띠고 여분의 trimer를 흡착 분자 구조로 가짐을 관찰하였다. 이 trimer로부터 실리사이드의 두 가지 구조 A, B를 구별할 수 있었다. 표면에 관착된 결함으로부터 표면구조는 내부와 같음을 보았다. The structure of NiSi₂/Si(111) has been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. Atomically resolved STM images of this surface show an unreconstructed (1×1) structure with Si adatoms that tend to form trimers. The trimer can be used as a marker to differentiate type A and B interfaces. From the observed various defects, the surface is proven to be a simple bulk terminated layer.

The Role of Quantitative Traits of Leaf Litter on Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling of the Forest Ecosystems

Rahman, Mohammed Mahabubur,Tsukamoto, Jiro,Tokumoto, Yuji,Shuvo, Md. Ashikur Rahman Institute of Forest Science 2013 Journal of Forest Science Vol.29 No.1

Decomposition of plant material is an important component in the study of forest ecosystem because of its critical role in nutrient cycling. Different tree species has different nutrient release patterns, which are related to leaf litter quantitative traits and seasonal environmental factors. The quantitative traits of leaf litter are important predictors of decomposition and decomposition rates increase with greater nutrient availability in the forest ecosystems. At the ecosystem level, litter quantitative traits are most often related to the physical and chemical characteristics of the litter, for example, leaf toughness and leaf mass per unit area, and lignin content tannin and total phenolics. Thus, the analysis of litter quantitative traits and decomposition are highly important for the understanding of nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. By studying the role of litter quantitative traits on decomposition and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems will provide a valuable insight to how quantitative traits influence ecosystem nutrient dynamics. Such knowledge will contribute to future forest management and conservation practices.

Transport and melt processing in functionalized pentacene with "organic wire" connections

J.S.Brooks,R.Vasic,T.Tokumoto,D.Graf,O.H.Chung,J.E.Anthony,S.A.Odom 한국물리학회 2004 Current Applied Physics Vol.4 No.5

We explore melt processing of functionalized pentacene for use in electronic and photonic devices. In parallel, the use of carbonbers to make electrical contact to the melt-lms is described. We discuss the morphology of the melted lms which includes theappearance of dendritic growth, carbon ber contacts to the lms, and the temperature dependence of the carbon, PEDOT, andpentacene components of the various structures.

Serum uric acid to creatinine ratio is a useful predictor of all-cause mortality among hypertensive patients

Kawamoto Ryuichi,Kikuchi Asuka,Ninomiya Daisuke,Tokumoto Yoshio,Kumagi Teru 대한고혈압학회 2023 Clinical Hypertension Vol.29 No.-

Background Many of the existing research studies have shown that serum uric acid (SUA) is a predictor of renal disease progression. More recently, studies have suggested an association between renal function-normalized SUA and all-cause mortality in adults. This study aims to examine the association between the ratio of SUA to creatinine (SUA/ Cr) and all-cause mortality with a focus on hypertensive patients. Methods This study is based on 2,017 participants, of whom 916 were male (mean age, 67 ± 11 years) and 1,101 were female (mean age, 69 ± 9 years). All participants were part of the Nomura Cohort Study in 2002 (cohort 1) and 2014 (cohort 2), as well as the follow-up period (2002 follow-up rate, 94.8%; 2014 follow-up rate, 98.0%). We obtained adjusted relative risk estimates for all-cause mortality from a basic resident register. In addition, we employed a Cox proportional hazards model and adjusted it for possible confounders to determine the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Of the total participants, 639 (31.7%) were deceased; of these, 327 (35.7%) were male and 312 (28.3%) were female. We found an independent association between a higher ratio of SUA/Cr and a higher risk of all-cause mortality in female participants only (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02–1.18). The multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CI) for all-cause mortality across quintiles of baseline SUA/Cr were 1.28 (0.91–1.80), 1.00, 1.38 (0.95–1.98), 1.37 (0.94–2.00), and 1.57 (1.03–2.40) for male participants, and 0.92 (0.64–1.33), 1.00, 1.04 (0.72–1.50), 1.56 (1.06–2.30), and 1.59 (1.06–2.38) for female participants. When the data were further stratified on the basis of age (< 65 or ≥ 65 years), body mass index (< 22.0 or ≥ 22.0 kg/m2), estimated glomerular filtration rate (< 60 or ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2), and presence of SUAlowering medication, trends similar to those of the full population were found in all groups. Conclusion Baseline SUA/Cr is independently and significantly associated with future all-cause mortality among hypertensive patients.

The Role of Quantitative Traits of Leaf Litter on Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling of the Forest Ecosystems

Mohammed Mahabubur Rahman,Jiro Tsukamoto,Yuji Tokumoto,Ashikur Rahman Shuvo 강원대학교 산림과학연구소 2013 Journal of Forest Science Vol.29 No.1

Decomposition of plant material is an important component in the study of forest ecosystem because of its critical role in nutrient cycling. Different tree species has different nutrient release patterns, which are related to leaf litter quantitative traits and seasonal environmental factors. The quantitative traits of leaf litter are important predictors of decomposition and decomposition rates increase with greater nutrient availability in the forest ecosystems. At the ecosystem level, litter quantitative traits are most often related to the physical and chemical characteristics of the litter, for example, leaf toughness and leaf mass per unit area, and lignin content tannin and total phenolics. Thus, the analysis of litter quantitative traits and decomposition are highly important for the understanding of nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. By studying the role of litter quantitative traits on decomposition and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems will provide a valuable insight to how quantitative traits influence ecosystem nutrient dynamics. Such knowledge will contribute to future forest management and conservation practices.