Light activates the adrenal gland: Timing of gene expression and glucocorticoid release

SummaryLight is a powerful synchronizer of the circadian rhythms, and bright light therapy is known to improve metabolic and hormonal status of circadian rhythm sleep disorders, although its mechanism is poorly understood. In the present study, we revealed that light induces gene expression in the adrenal gland via the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)-sympathetic nervous system. Moreover, this gene expression accompanies the surge of plasma and brain corticosterone levels without accompanying activation of the hypothalamo-adenohypophysial axis. The abolishment after SCN lesioning, and the day-night difference of light-induced adrenal gene expression and corticosterone release, clearly indicate that this phenomenon is closely linked to the circadian clock. The magnitude of corticostereone response is dose dependently correlated with the light intensity. The light-induced clock-dependent secretion of glucocorticoids adjusts cellular metabolisms to the new light-on environment

Intrathecal cocaine delivery enables long-access self-administration with binge-like behavior in mice

Rationale: Long-access intravenous drug self-administration shows diurnal alterations in drug intake, with escalation and binge patterns, in rats. A similar long-access model in mice would allow the use of genetically modified animals to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying drug addiction and relapse. However, attempts to transfer this model to mice have been less successful, mainly because of technical difficulties with long-term maintenance of the indwelling catheter implanted into small veins. Objectives: We devised an intrathecal probe implanted in the supracerebellar cistern as an alternative for intravenous drug administration to address this challenge and allow continuous, chronic drug self-administration in mice. Results: We found that mice readily self-administered intrathecal infusions of cocaine as a drug reward, and, under daily 24-h access conditions, animals exhibited a binge-like behavior comparable to rats. Conclusions: This innovation enables a full analysis of long-access drug self-administration behavior in mice not possible with intravenous administration

An Ultra-Broad-Band Reflection-Type Phase-Shifter MMIC With Series and Parallel LC Circuits

Abstract-An ultra-broad-band reflection-type phase shifter is proposed. Theoretically, the proposed phase shifter has frequency-independent characteristics in the case of 180 phase shift. The phase shifter is composed of a 3-dB hybrid coupler and a pair of novel reflective terminating circuits. The reflective terminating circuit switches two states of series and parallel LC circuits. Using an ideal circuit model without parasitic circuit elements, we have derived the determining condition of frequency independence of circuit elements. Extending the concept, we can also obtain a broad-band phase shifter for other phase difference as well. In this case, for a given phase difference and an operating frequency, we also derive a condition to obtain minimum variation of phase difference around the operating frequency. This enables the broad-band characteristics for arbitrary phase difference. Index Terms-Broad-band, MMIC, monolithic microwave integrated circuit, phase shifter, reflection type

Prevalence of and risk factors for postoperative complications after lower third molar extraction : A multicenter prospective observational study in Japan

Lower third molar extraction is the most common surgical treatment among routine dental and oral surgical procedures. while the surgical procedures for lower third molar extraction are well established, the difficulty of tooth extraction and the frequency of postoperative complications differ depending on the patient’s background. To establish a management protocol for the lower third molars, the prevalence of and risk factors for postoperative complications after lower third molar extraction were investigated in a large number of Japanese patients in a multicenter prospective study. During 6 consecutive months in 2020, 1826 lower third molar extractions were performed at the 20 participating institutions. The medical records of the patients were reviewed, and relevant data were extracted. The prevalence of and risk factors for postoperative complications were analyzed. The prevalence of postoperative complications after lower third molar extraction was 10.0%. Multivariate analysis indicated that age (≤32 vs >32, odds ratio [OR]: 1.428, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.040–1.962, P < .05), the radiographic anatomical relationship between the tooth roots and mandibular canal (overlapping of the roots and canal vs no close anatomical relationship between the roots and the superior border of the canal, OR: 2.078, 95% CI: 1.333–3.238, P < .01; overlapping of the roots and canal vs roots impinging on the superior border of the canal, OR: 1.599, 95% CI: 1.050–2.435, P < .05), and impaction depth according to the Pell and Gregory classification (position C vs position A, OR: 3.7622, 95% CI: 2.079–6.310, P < .001; position C vs position B, OR: 2.574, 95% CI: 1.574–4.210, P < .001) are significant independent risk factors for postoperative complications after lower third molar extraction. These results suggested that higher age and a deeply impacted tooth might be significant independent risk factors for postoperative complications after lower third molar extraction

「寝たきり後期高齢者」の超音波骨量指標の現状について

　This study was designed to be investigated the existing of QUS parameters of the calcaneus in the immobile Japanese elderly aged 75 and over（ Patients G:N hospital）. 　The subjects were 10 men aged76-97 （mean age 82.12±6.24） and 24 wemen aged75-99（88.76±6.70）. They were all ranked level in Ⅳ - Ⅴ on Care need grades and immbobiled periods were 3.88±2.79 years in men and 2.76±2.39 years in wemen.In this case,only women’s deta was used to compare with the normal samed aged women in this study Higashimurayama City （EHMC,n=72,61-89years）.In body size,body weight was shown low level （under 12kg than EHMC）.BMI score were 17.78±2.79 in Patient G and 23.12±3.42 in EHMC G.Al in Blood was 3.51±0.34g/d（l normalrange;3.8-5.3g/dl）.In QUS parameters,Stiff ness were 35.67±13.81（in Patients）and 61.43 ±11.32 （in EHMC）,BUA were 66.08±10.84dB/Mhz（in P） and 91.10±11.21 dB/Mhz.These parameters showed signifi cantly decreased than EMHC Group.These decrememts were due to decrease of mechanical stress with prolonged immobilized states

A Single Amino Acid Mutation in SNAP-25 Induces Anxiety-Related Behavior in Mouse

Synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) is a presynaptic protein essential for neurotransmitter release. Previously, we demonstrate that protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylates Ser187 of SNAP-25, and enhances neurotransmitter release by recruiting secretory vesicles near to the plasma membrane. As PKC is abundant in the brain and SNAP-25 is essential for synaptic transmission, SNAP-25 phosphorylation is likely to play a crucial role in the central nervous system. We therefore generated a mutant mouse, substituting Ser187 of SNAP-25 with Ala using “knock-in” technology. The most striking effect of the mutation was observed in their behavior. The homozygous mutant mice froze readily in response to environmental change, and showed strong anxiety-related behavior in general activity and light and dark preference tests. In addition, the mutant mice sometimes exhibited spontaneously occurring convulsive seizures. Microdialysis measurements revealed that serotonin and dopamine release were markedly reduced in amygdala. These results clearly indicate that PKC-dependent SNAP-25 phosphorylation plays a critical role in the regulation of emotional behavior as well as the suppression of epileptic seizures, and the lack of enhancement of monoamine release is one of the possible mechanisms underlying these defects