Precise Measurement of Differential Cross Sections of the Σ

The differential cross sections of the Σ^{-}p→Λn reaction were measured accurately for the Σ^{-} momentum (p_{Σ}) ranging from 470 to 650 MeV/c at the J-PARC Hadron Experimental Facility. Precise angular information about the Σ^{-}p→Λn reaction was obtained for the first time by detecting approximately 100 reaction events at each angular step of Δcosθ=0.1. The obtained differential cross sections show a slightly forward-peaking structure in the measured momentum regions. The cross sections integrated for -0.7≤cosθ≤1.0 were obtained as 22.5±0.68 [statistical error(stat.)] ±0.65 [systematic error(syst.)] mb and 15.8±0.83(stat)±0.52(syst) mb for 470

Gender differences in self-perceived changes among Japanese workers with depression.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients living with depression continues to increase in Japan. The economic effects of depression include loss of productivity due to both absenteeism and presenteeism. Gender differences have been reported in prevalence, onset pathways and subjective symptoms of depression. AIMS: To understand how workers with major depressive disorder (MDD) perceive problems in the workplace and examine gender differences in their self-perceived levels of functioning at work, noticed during the initial stages of depression. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of Japanese workers with MDD. Participants' self-perceived changes in the level of functioning at work were surveyed after the diagnosis during the first visit. The relationship between gender and changes in the level of functioning at work as initially perceived by the participants themselves was analysed using the chi-square test, supplemented by a residual analysis. RESULTS: We administered the survey to 147 workers with MDD. In terms of gender differences in initial self-perceived changes in the level of functioning at work, the proportion of men reporting reduced work efficiency was significantly higher than that of women, while the proportion of women reporting deterioration in relationships with colleagues and superiors was significantly higher than that of men. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that greater attention to reduced work efficiency by men and to deterioration in work relationships by women with MDD should be essential components of self-care. Managers need to pay attention to the level of functioning and provide adequate social support for employees.

First Determination of the Level Structure of an sd-Shell Hypernucleus, _{Λ}

We report on the first observation of γ rays emitted from an sd-shell hypernucleus, _{Λ}^{19}F. The energy spacing between the ground state doublet, 1/2^{+} and 3/2^{+} states, of _{Λ}^{19}F is determined to be 315.5±0.4(stat)_{-0.5}^{+0.6}(syst) keV by measuring the γ-ray energy of the M1(3/2^{+}→1/2^{+}) transition. In addition, three γ-ray peaks are observed and assigned as E2(5/2^{+}→1/2^{+}), E1(1/2^{-}→1/2^{+}), and E1(1/2^{-}→3/2^{+}) transitions. The excitation energies of the 5/2^{+} and 1/2^{-} states are determined to be 895.2±0.3(stat)±0.5(syst) and 1265.6±1.2(stat)_{-0.5}^{+0.7}(syst) keV, respectively. It is found that the ground state doublet spacing is well described by theoretical models based on existing s- and p-shell hypernuclear data.

Oral administration of milk-derived phospholipids inhibits penetration of cutaneous nerve fibres into epidermis in a mouse model of acute dry skin.

The density of intraepidermal nerve fibres has been shown to be higher in itchy dry skin than in healthy skin, suggesting that epidermal hyperinnervation is at least partly involved in peripheral itch sensitization. We investigated whether oral administration of milk-derived phospholipids (MPLs) would inhibit epidermal hyperinnervation in a mouse model of dry skin. We found that the number of intraepidermal nerve fibres was significantly lower in the MPL group than in the control group. Expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in the epidermis was significantly decreased by oral administration of MPLs, whereas expression of semaphorin (Sema)3A, a nerve repulsion factor, was increased in the MPL group. These results suggest that dietary MPLs attenuate the penetration of nerve fibres into the epidermis by reducing epidermal NGF levels and increasing Sema3A level. Thus, dietary MPLs may have beneficial effects in the prevention and/or alleviation of dry skin-induced itch by reducing intraepidermal nerve fibre density.

Observation of Spin-Dependent Charge Symmetry Breaking in ΛN Interaction: Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy of _{Λ}

The energy spacing between the spin-doublet bound state of _{Λ}^{4}He(1^{+},0^{+}) was determined to be 1406±2±2 keV, by measuring γ rays for the 1^{+}→0^{+} transition with a high efficiency germanium detector array in coincidence with the ^{4}He(K^{-},π^{-})_{Λ}^{4}He reaction at J-PARC. In comparison to the corresponding energy spacing in the mirror hypernucleus _{Λ}^{4}H, the present result clearly indicates the existence of charge symmetry breaking (CSB) in ΛN interaction. By combining the energy spacings with the known ground-state binding energies, it is also found that the CSB effect is large in the 0^{+} ground state but is vanishingly small in the 1^{+} excited state, demonstrating that the ΛN CSB interaction has spin dependence.

Search for the Θ+ pentaquark via the π(-)p→K(-)X reaction at 1.92 GeV/c.

The Θ(+) pentaquark baryon was searched for via the π(-)p→K(-)X reaction with a missing mass resolution of 1.4 MeV/c(2) (FWHM) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). π(-) meson beams were incident on the liquid hydrogen target with a beam momentum of 1.92 GeV/c. No peak structure corresponding to the Θ(+) mass was observed. The upper limit of the production cross section averaged over the scattering angle of 2° to 15° in the laboratory frame is obtained to be 0.26 µb/sr in the mass region of 1.51-1.55 GeV/c(2). The upper limit of the Θ(+) decay width is obtained to be 0.72 and 3.1 MeV for J(Θ)(P)=1/2(+) and J(Θ)(P)=1/2(-), respectively, using the effective Lagrangian approach.

Human immune interferon gene is located on chromosome 12.

A cDNA clone for human immune interferon (IFN-gamma) gene sequences, plasmid p69, was used to chromosomally map the IFN-gamma gene by detecting human IFN-gamma gene sequences in DNA isolated from human-rodent somatic cell hybrids. We were able to map the IFN-gamma gene by correlating the human chromosomes present in these hybrids with the human specific 8.8 and 2.0 kilobase pair fragments produced by EcoRI digestion of genomic DNA. Southern blot analysis of 37 hybrid cell lines indicated that the gene for IFN-gamma was on human chromosome 12. A hybrid containing a portion of chromosome 12 localized the IFN-gamma gene to the p1205 leads to qter region.

Near-threshold Lambda(1520) production by the gamma(p)-->K{+}Lambda(1520) reaction at forward K+ angles.

Differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries for the gamma(p)-->K{+}Lambda(1520) reaction have been measured with linearly polarized photon beams at energies from the threshold to 2.4 GeV at 0.6or=5/2 or by a new reaction process, for example, an interference effect with the phi photoproduction having a similar bump structure in the cross sections.

233U/236U signature allows to distinguish environmental emissions of civil nuclear industry from weapons fallout.

Isotopic ratios of radioactive releases into the environment are useful signatures for contamination source assessment. Uranium is known to behave conservatively in sea water so that a ratio of uranium trace isotopes may serve as a superior oceanographic tracer. Here we present data on the atomic [Formula: see text]U/[Formula: see text]U ratio analyzed in representative environmental samples finding ratios of (0.1-3.7)[Formula: see text]10[Formula: see text]. The ratios detected in compartments of the environment affected by releases of nuclear power production or by weapons fallout differ by one order of magnitude. Significant amounts of [Formula: see text]U were only released in nuclear weapons fallout, either produced by fast neutron reactions or directly by [Formula: see text]U-fueled devices. This makes the [Formula: see text]U/[Formula: see text]U ratio a promising new fingerprint for radioactive emissions. Our findings indicate a higher release of [Formula: see text]U by nuclear weapons tests before the maximum of global fallout in 1963, setting constraints on the design of the nuclear weapons employed.

Human c-Ki-ras2 proto-oncogene on chromosome 12.

A human colonic adenocarcinoma transforming gene, recently identified as a cellular homolog of the Kirsten sarcoma gene (v-ras), was used to assign the human cellular Kirsten ras2 gene to chromosome 12 by the Southern hybridization method. A single 640 base-pair Eco RI--Hind III fragment of the transforming gene, isolated by DNA transfection and molecular cloning, can detect a single Eco RI fragment (2.9 kilobase pairs) of DNA from phenotypically normal cells. The data suggest a constant chromosomal location of c-Ki-ras2.

Clustering of leukocyte and fibroblast interferon genes of human chromosome 9.

At least ten leukocyte interferon genes and the single known fibroblast interferon gene have been localized on the pter leads to q12 region of human chromosome 9. Gene mapping was accomplished by blot hybridization of cloned interferon complementary DNA to DNA from human-mouse cell hybrids with a translocation involving human chromosome 9. Supporting evidence suggests these genes are clustered.

Spatial distribution of soil contamination by 137Cs and 239,240Pu in the village of Dolon near the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site: new information on traces of the radioactive plume from the 29 August 1949 nuclear test.

The village of Dolon located about 60 km northeast from the border of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in Kazakhstan is one of the most affected inhabited settlements as a result of nuclear tests by the former USSR. Radioactive contamination in Dolon was mainly caused by the first USSR nuclear test on 29 August 1949. As part of the efforts to reconstruct the radiation dose in Dolon, Cs and Pu in soil samples collected from 26 locations in the vicinity of and within the village were measured to determine the width and position of the center-axis of the radioactive plume that passed over the village from the 29 August 1949 nuclear test. Measured soil inventories of Cs and Pu were plotted as a function of the distance from the supposed center-axis of the plume. A clear shape similar to a Gaussian function was observed in their spatial distributions with each maximum around a center-axis. It was suggested that the plume width that contaminated Dolon was at most 10 km and the real center-axis of the radioactive plume passed 0.7-0.9 km north of the supposed centerline. A peak-like shape with the maximum near the center-axis was also observed in the spatial distribution of the Pu/Cs activity ratio, which may reflect the fractionation effect between Pu and Cs during the deposition process. These results support the recently reported results. The data obtained here will provide useful information on the efforts to estimate radiation dose in Dolon as reliably as possible. Health Phys. 94(4):328-337; 2008.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism studies show consistent loss of chromosome 3p alleles in small cell lung cancer patients' tumors.

Previous karyotypic analysis of human small cell lung cancer cell lines has demonstrated a consistent deletion of a portion of the short arm of chromosome 3(p14-23). DNA prepared from tumors and normal tissues obtained from 24 small cell lung cancer and two extrapulmonary small cell cancer patients was hybridized to four probes that detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms within chromosome region 3p14-21. Of the 25 patients who were heterozygous for at least one marker in this region in the DNA from normal tissue, 23 (92%) showed an unequivocal loss of heterozygosity in the DNA from their tumor tissue. From these studies we conclude that loss of alleles from the short arm of chromosome 3 is a consistent finding in unselected small cell lung cancer patients' tumor DNA.

Regional localization of two human cellular Kirsten ras genes on chromosomes 6 and 12.

Human cellular Kirsten ras1 and ras2 genes were localized to chromosomes 6p23 ----q12 and 12p12 .05----pter, respectively, using human-rodent cell hybrids. Thus, the short arms of human chromosomes 11 (encoding lactate dehydrogenase-A and the proto-oncogene c-Ha- ras1 ) and 12 (encoding lactate dehydrogenase B and c-Ki- ras2 ) share at least two pairs of genes that probably evolved from common ancestral genes.

Vertical distribution of 236U in the North Pacific Ocean.

The first extensive study on 236U in the North Pacific Ocean has been conducted. The vertical distribution of 236U/238U isotopic ratios and the 236U concentrations were analysed on seven depth profiles, and large variations with depth were found. The range of 236U/238U isotopic ratios was from (0.09 ± 0.03) × 10-10 to (14.1 ± 2.2) × 10-10, which corresponds to 236U concentrations of (0.69 ± 0.24) × 105 atoms/kg and (119 ± 21) × 105 atoms/kg, respectively. The variations in 236U concentrations could mainly be attributed to the different water masses in the North Pacific Ocean and their formation processes. Uranium-236 inventories on the water column of each sampling station were calculated and varied between (3.89 ± 0.08) × 1012 atoms/m2 and (7.03 ± 0.50) × 1012 atoms/m2, which is lower than in former studies on comparable latitudes in the North Atlantic Ocean and the Sea of Japan. The low inventories of 236U found for the North Pacific Ocean in this study can be explained by the lack of additional input sources of artificial radionuclides, apart from global and regional/local fallout. This study expands the use of 236U as oceanographic circulation tracer to yet another ocean basin and shows that this isotope can be used for tracing circulation patterns of water masses in the Pacific Ocean.

Altered structure and expression of the human retinoblastoma susceptibility gene in small cell lung cancer.

Karyotypic and molecular genetic evidence has indicated that deletion or rearrangement of both chromosomes 3 and 13 may be important in the pathology of human small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The retinoblastoma susceptibility gene, RB, on chromosome 13 band q14, has previously been shown to be altered in SCLC [J. W. Harbour et al., Science (Wash. DC), 241: 353-357, 1988; J. Yokota et al., Oncogene, 3: 471-475, 1988]. Our studies of 26 SCLC tumor and normal DNA samples indicate that 6 of 6 patients whose normal cell DNA was heterozygous for an RB restriction fragment length polymorphism have lost one of the two alleles in their tumor DNA. Consistent with other studies, we find 2 of 26 tumors with homozygous deletions within the RB gene. Of 13 SCLC cell lines examined, only 3 expressed greater than trace amounts of RB mRNA. RB protein was detected in 2 of 14 SCLC cell lines examined, unlike the results of Yokota et al. (Oncogene, 3: 471-475, 1988) which showed no RB protein in any of the 9 cell lines they examined. Only unphosphorylated RB protein was detected in SCLC cell line H209, suggesting that the RB protein may be inactivated by a novel mechanism in this cell line. These data suggest that inactivation of the RB gene is a frequent if not universal event in SCLC.

First study on 236U in the Northeast Pacific Ocean using a new target preparation procedure for AMS measurements.

We succeeded in obtaining the depth profile of 236U for a sampling station in the Northeast Pacific Ocean using only one litre of seawater sample from each depth. For this purpose, a new procedure was developed that allowed for the preparation of accelerator mass spectrometry targets for trace uranium using only 100 µg of iron carrier material. The 236U concentrations in water samples from the Northeast Pacific Ocean showed large variations from (9.26 ± 0.42) × 106 atoms/kg at 60 m depth to (0.08 ± 0.02) × 106 atoms/kg at a depth of 3000 m. The high 236U concentrations in surface water reflect the input of 236U by global and local fallout from nuclear weapons tests. The low 236U concentrations in seawater from 1500 m and below are an indicator for the low vertical diffusion of surface water to deeper layers in the North Pacific Ocean. The total inventory of 236U on the water column was (8.35 ± 0.23) × 1012 atoms/m2, which is lower compared to those of other ocean regions solely affected by global fallout on comparable latitudes. This study represents the first dataset for 236U in the Pacific Ocean and shows the possibility of downsizing sample volumes which may help in future applications of 236U as tracer for large ocean areas.

Use of the single strand conformation polymorphism technique and PCR to detect p53 gene mutations in small cell lung cancer.

Recent studies have suggested that the p53 oncoprotein might function normally as a tumor suppressor. Mutations in highly conserved regions of the p53 gene have been observed in numerous types of tumors and tumor cell lines. To detect in a more sensitive manner p53 gene mutations in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) we utilized the single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique of Orita et al., (1989). Using PCR primers for the most highly conserved regions of the p53 gene, including exons 4-9, we have identified p53 mutations in 5 of 9 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) tumor DNA samples and in 1 SCLC cell line. None of the mutations seen in tumor DNA samples were present in normal DNA from the same patients, indicating that mutation of the p53 gene in these tumors was a somatic event. Of the six mutations observed, two were found in exon 7, three were found in the region encompassing exons 8 and 9, and one was found in the region encompassing exons 5 and 6. Nucleotide sequencing of one of the exon 7 mutations and one of the exon 8-9 mutations indicated that each was a C to T transition. In SCLC-6 the mutation resulted in substitution of serine for proline at amino acid 278 and in SCLC-4 substitution of tryptophan for arginine at amino acid 248, both nonconservative amino acid substitutions. Both of these changes are in regions of the p53 gene where mutations have been observed in other tumors. Two additional mutations were observed in SCLC cell lines using conventional PCR techniques. One of these is a mutation which results in altered splicing of the p53 pre-mRNA.

Activation of the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor leads to the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of GTPase-activating protein and activation of cellular p21ras.

We have previously reported that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induced tyrosine phosphorylation of GTPase-activating protein (GAP) in intact quiescent fibroblasts under conditions in which insulin and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were ineffective (Molloy et al., 1988). In the present study, we have provided evidence that colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) is capable of inducing tyrosine phosphorylation of GAP and its associated cellular proteins, p62 and p190, in NIH3T3 cells overexpressing the human CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R). However, the extent of GAP tyrosine phosphorylation induced by CSF-1 was approximately 10% of that induced by PDGF-BB in the NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Despite this significant difference, both PDGF-BB and CSF-1 increased the activation of p21ras, the extent of which correlated well with the mitogenic response induced by each growth factor in these cells. Taken together, our findings provide evidence for a possible role of tyrosine phosphorylation of GAP and GAP-associated phosphoproteins in regulating transduction of CSF-1-induced mitogenic signals through p21ras activation.

Sympathetic nerves and adrenal medulla: contributions to cardiovascular-conditioned emotional responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

This report investigates the contributions of the sympathetic nerves and adrenal medulla to resting mean arterial pressure (MAP) and to emotionally conditioned MAP and heart rate (HR) responses in unrestrained spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive control rats (WKY). Resting MAP (in mm Hg), which was higher in SHR (WKY = 120 +/- 4; SHR = 163 +/- 4; p less than 0.01), did not differ in the two strains following chemosympathectomy (WKY = 105 +/- 2; SHR = 101 +/- 2; n.s.). Adrenal medullectomy did not affect resting MAP in WKY (125 +/- 6; n.s.) but lowered it in SHR (146 +/- 5; p less than 0.05), relative to controls (see above). The conditioned pressor response (in mm Hg) in controls consisted of two peaks (I, II) in both strains, but was exaggerated in SHR (I = WKY, 13 +/- 1; SHR, 25 +/- 2; p less than 0.01; II = WKY 10 +/- 2; SHR 20 +/- 2; p less than 0.01). Chemosympathectomy suppressed (relative to controls) the first peak, but not the second, in both strains (WKY: I = 4 +/- 1, p less than 0.01; II = 12 +/- 2, n.s.; SHR: I = 6 +/- 1, p less than 0.01; II = 15 +/- 2, n.s.). Adrenal medullectomy alone had little effect on the pressor response, but when combined with chemosympathectomy both peaks were largely eliminated (WKY: I = 2 +/- I; II = 5 +/- 1; SHR: I = 1 +/- 0; II = 2 +/- 0). These data indicate that: 1) hypertension in conscious, freely behaving SHR is largely sustained by the sympathetic vasomotor nerves but that the adrenal medulla contributes to the magnitude of the elevation; 2) the early component of the exaggerated pressor response during aversive stimulation is mediated by sympathetic vasomotor excitation; and 3) the later component of the exaggerated pressor response reflects coactivation of the sympathetic vasomotor nerves and the adrenal medulla.