Quantitative Tactile Examination Using Shape Memory Alloy Actuators for the Early Detection of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy (DPN) is asymptomatic in its early phases but can cause serious complications as it progresses. Most DPN tests are cumbersome and produce only qualitative assessments, and simpler approaches that yield quantitative results are needed. Techniques that allow patients to perform examinations themselves would be especially valuable. In this study, we focused on quantifying the decline in tactile sensation associated with DPN and developed a measurement device that used a thin shape memory alloy (SMA) wire as the actuator. An ON/OFF pulse current caused the wire to shrink and expand. This vibration was amplified by a round-headed pin, allowing even DPN patients with reduced tactile sensitivity to detect the stimuli generated when lightly touching the pin with their fingertips. The tactile stimuli were ranked into 30 levels of intensity. A key advantage of the device is that it can be used by patients themselves, returning quantified results within minutes. Although developed for DPN, the method can be applied to the detection of peripheral neuropathy in general

Effect of pentoxifylline on diaphragmatic contractility in septic rats.

We investigated the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on endotoxin-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction in vitro. Seventy-two rats were divided into 3 groups: a group in which endotoxin (20 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally (endotoxin-group), a group in which PTX (100 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before injection of endotoxin (endotoxin-PTX group), and a group in which only saline was given (sham group). Left hemidiaphragms were removed 4 h after injection of endotoxin. We evaluated the diaphragmatic contractility by twitch characteristics and force-frequency curves in vitro. We measured serum TNF-alpha concentrations, diaphragm malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (an index of oxygen-derived free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation), and diaphragm cAMP concentrations. Diaphragmatic force generation capacity was signifi cantly reduced after injection of endotoxin. Serum TNF-alpha concentrations and diaphragmatic MDA levels were significantly elevated after injection of endotoxin. PTX administration significantly improved diaphragmatic contractility and prevented the elevation in TNF-alpha concentrations and MDA levels after injection of endotoxin. There were no significant changes in the diaphragm cAMP concentrations among the 3 groups. These results demonstrated that PTX administration prevented endotoxin-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction without changing diaphragm muscle cAMP concentrations. The protective effects of PTX against endotoxininduced diaphragmatic contractile deterioration might be caused by attenuating TNF-alpha-mediated oxygen-derived free radical production.</p

A Tripartite Synapse Model in Drosophila

Tripartite (three-part) synapses are defined by physical and functional interactions of glia with pre- and post-synaptic elements. Although tripartite synapses are thought to be of widespread importance in neurological health and disease, we are only beginning to develop an understanding of glial contributions to synaptic function. In contrast to studies of neuronal mechanisms, a significant limitation has been the lack of an invertebrate genetic model system in which conserved mechanisms of tripartite synapse function may be examined through large-scale application of forward genetics and genome-wide genetic tools. Here we report a Drosophila tripartite synapse model which exhibits morphological and functional properties similar to those of mammalian synapses, including glial regulation of extracellular glutamate, synaptically-induced glial calcium transients and glial coupling of synapses with tracheal structures mediating gas exchange. In combination with classical and cell-type specific genetic approaches in Drosophila, this model is expected to provide new insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of tripartite synapse function

新規両親媒性固相担持パラジウム-ホスフィン錯体 : その合成と水媒体中でのパラジウム触媒反応への適用

本文データは平成22年度国立国会図書館の学位論文(博士)のデジタル化実施により作成された画像ファイルを基にpdf変換したものである京都大学0048新制・課程博士博士(理学)甲第7681号理博第2066号新制||理||1095(附属図書館)UT51-99-G275京都大学大学院理学研究科化学専攻(主査)教授 林 民生, 教授 大須賀 篤弘, 教授 鈴木 仁美学位規則第4条第1項該当Doctor of ScienceKyoto UniversityDFA