Full‐Color Light‐Emitting Devices Based on π‐ and σ‐Conjugated Polymer Materials

Two kinds of full‐color light‐emitting devices have been fabricated using π‐ and σ‐conjugated polymers. One device is based on poly(bithiazole)'s, which have emission peaks ranging throughout visible region. The other device has a novel architecture in which ultraviolet‐light emitted by electroluminescent diode, based on an evaporated poly(dimethylsilane) layer, is converted by phosphors into visible light emission. The luminance of 0.2 cd/m 2 is obtained for a green light emitting device (injected current density of 0.8 mA/cm 2 and external quantum efficiency is calculated to be 0.0054%).Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/92062/1/1.1833847.pd

Novel intracellular effects of human connective tissue growth factor expressed in Cos-7 cells

AbstractTo clarify the multiple functionality of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), we examined the effects of nascent CTGF within the cell by transient expression. In Cos-7 cells, expression of human CTGF induced an altered cell morphology. It was associated with an increased cellular DNA content and loose attachment, indicating the cells were in G2/M phase. Overexpression of CTGF did not induce cell growth, whereas recombinant CTGF efficiently stimulated the proliferation extracellularly. These results indicate that intracellular CTGF may act as an antimitotic agent, thus it should also be noted that nascent CTGF was found to accumulate around the central mitotic machinery

Characterization on Responsiveness of Excitatory Synaptic Transmissions to α1-Adrenoceptor Blockers in Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons Isolated From Lumbo-Sacral Level in Rat Spinal Cords

Purpose The aim of this study was to characterize the responsiveness of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) to α1-adrenoceptor blockers in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons from the spinal cord to develop an explanation for the efficacy of α1-adrenoceptor blockers in micturition dysfunction. Methods Male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Blind whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed using SG neurons in spinal cord slices. Naftopidil (100μM), tamsulosin (100μM), or silodosin (30μM), α1-adrenoceptor blockers, was perfused. The frequency of mEPSCs was recorded in an SG neuron to which the 3 blockers were applied sequentially with wash-out periods. Individual frequencies in a pair before naftopidil and tamsulosin perfusion were plotted as baseline, and the correlation between them was confirmed by Spearman correlation coefficient; linear regression was then performed. The same procedure was performed before naftopidil and silodosin perfusion. Frequencies of pairs after naftopidil and tamsulosin perfusion and after naftopidil and silodosin perfusion were similarly analyzed. The ratios of the frequencies after treatment to before were then calculated. Results After the treatments, Spearman ρ and the slope were decreased to 0.682 from 0.899 at baseline and 0.469 from 1.004 at baseline, respectively, in the tamsulosin group relative to the naftopidil group. In the silodosin group, Spearman ρ and the slope were also decreased to 0.659 from 0.889 at baseline and 0.305 from 0.989 at baseline, respectively, relative to the naftopidil group. Naftopidil significantly increased the ratio of the frequency of mEPSCs compared to tamsulosin and silodosin (P=0.015 and P=0.004, respectively). Conclusions There was a difference in responsiveness in the frequency of mEPSCs to α1-adrenoceptor blockers, with the response to naftopidil being the greatest among the α1-adrenoceptor blockers. These data are helpful to understand the action mechanisms of α1-adrenoceptor blockers for male lower urinary tract symptoms in clinical usage

Effects of High Concentrations of Naftopidil on Dorsal Root-Evoked Excitatory Synaptic Transmissions in Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons

Purpose Naftopidil ((±)-1-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazinyl]-3-(1-naphthyloxy) propan-2-ol) is prescribed in several Asian countries for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Previous animal experiments showed that intrathecal injection of naftopidil abolished rhythmic bladder contraction in vivo. Naftopidil facilitated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons in spinal cord slices. These results suggest that naftopidil may suppress the micturition reflex at the spinal cord level. However, the effect of naftopidil on evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in SG neurons remains to be elucidated. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats at 6 to 8 weeks old were used. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made using SG neurons in spinal cord slices isolated from adult rats. Evoked EPSCs were analyzed in Aδ or C fibers. Naftopidil or prazosin, an α1-adrenoceptor blocker, was perfused at 100 μM or 10 μM, respectively. Results Bath-applied 100 μM naftopidil significantly decreased the peak amplitudes of Aδ and C fiber-evoked EPSCs to 72.0%±7.1% (n=15) and 70.0%±5.5% (n=20), respectively, in a reversible and reproducible manner. Bath application of 10μM prazosin did not inhibit Aδ or C fiber-evoked EPSCs. Conclusions The present study suggests that a high concentration of naftopidil reduces the amplitude of evoked EPSCs via a mechanism that apparently does not involve α1-adrenoceptors. Inhibition of evoked EPSCs may also contribute to suppression of the micturition reflex, together with nociceptive stimulation

Neural Diversity and Neocortical Organization

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系我々はDBZノックアウトマウス（KOマウス）を使用し、大脳皮質におけるDBZの機能として以下のこと明らかにした。①DBZ KOマウスでは大脳皮質構築時の神経細胞の移動(radial migration)が遅れていること。このことは、DBZによるNUDELのリン酸化がKOマウスでは亢進していることが中心体の位置異常を起こしていることが原因であること。②DBZ KOマウスでは神経発生時の増殖には異常がなく、神経細胞数には変化がないこと。③DBZ KOマウスでは大脳皮質の神経細胞（錐体細胞）の樹状突起伸展・分岐が抑制されていること。これは、DBZ KOマウスではNUDELのリン酸が亢進しているため、神経突起における微小管形成やタンパク輸送が障害されていることにより起こること。④DBZ KOマウスでは大脳皮質の介在神経の神経突起の伸展や分岐異常が見られること。また、介在神経のマーカーであるGAD67の発現も減少していること。以上の結果より、中心体タンパクであるDBZは神経細胞においてNUDELのリン酸化を制御し、移動中の神経細胞の中心体の動き、微小管の形成、微小管上を移動するタンパク輸送を制御する。これらのメカニズムにより、DBZは大脳皮質発生時の神経細胞の移動、樹状突起形成を制御していることが明らかとなった。DBZは精神疾患リスク遺伝子DISC1に結合するタンパクであり、これまでその機能は未知であった。今後、DISC1との関連やDBZの機能をさらに明らかにすることで精神疾患を引き起こす大脳皮質の発達異常を明らかにできると考える。研究課題/領域番号:23123512, 研究期間(年度):2011-04-01 – 2013-03-3

Convulsive Movements in Bilateral Paramedian Thalamic and Midbrain Infarction

Although some previous reports have described convulsive movements in bilateral paramedian thalamic and midbrain infarction, little is known about their nature. A 71-year-old man presented with impaired consciousness and clonic movements of both arms. Each series of movements lasted 10 to 20 s and occurred at 2-to 3-min intervals, which disappeared after intravenous administration of diazepam and phenytoin. Magnetic resonance imaging showed acute bilateral paramedian thalamic and midbrain infarction. A review of the literature revealed that convulsive movements were observed mostly at the onset of infarction. Clonic movements appeared frequently in the limbs, particularly in both arms. Clinical observations and results of animal experiments suggest that these seizures might originate from the mesencephalic reticular formation. Physicians should recognize this condition, because not only seizure control but also early management of ischemic stroke is required