Brain-specific gene expression by immortalized microglial cell-mediated gene transfer in the mammalian brain

AbstractThe intra-arterial injection of immortalized microglia transfected with the lacZ gene, resulted in the expression of β-galactosidase in the rat brain at 48 h and the activity of β-galactosidase was detected for up to 3 weeks post-injection. More than 30-fold higher activity of β-galactosidase was detected in the brain than in the liver, lung or spleen at 48 h post-injection. This method allows us to easily deliver the gene of interest to the brain without influencing other organs. Our brain-targeting gene delivery system can facilitate gene therapy of several brain disorders, including brain tumor, metabolic disorders, and degenerative disorders, as well as investigation into the roles of particular genes in brain function and development

Stimulation-Dependent Intraspinal Microtubules and Synaptic Failure in Alzheimer's Disease: A Review

There are many microtubules in axons and dendritic shafts, but it has been thought that there were fewer microtubules in spines. Recently, there have been four reports that observed the intraspinal microtubules. Because microtubules originate from the centrosome, these four reports strongly suggest a stimulation-dependent connection between the nucleus and the stimulated postsynaptic membrane by microtubules. In contrast, several pieces of evidence suggest that spine elongation may be caused by the polymerization of intraspinal microtubules. This structural mechanism for spine elongation suggests, conversely, that the synapse loss or spine loss observed in Alzheimer's disease may be caused by the depolymerization of intraspinal microtubules. Based on this evidence, it is suggested that the impairment of intraspinal microtubules may cause spinal structural change and block the translocation of plasticity-related molecules between the stimulated postsynaptic membranes and the nucleus, resulting in the cognitive deficits of Alzheimer's disease

Neurorehabilitation in neurotrauma

Since time immemorial, neurotrauma has been recorded in various continents. The advancement in neurotraumatology ever since Denny Brown and Trussell’s landmark experimental study of concussion, has come a long way with major contributions from neuropathology, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, biomedical sciences, public policies, intensive care medicine and last but not the least, genetics. A simple introduction of lap and shoulder belt have reduced majority of serious accidents. Continuous recording of intracranial pressures, recognition of acute brain swelling with characteristics of cerebral blood flow in brain damage and development of Glasgow coma and outcome scales by a well-designed multi-centered multi-national outcome study in head injuries brought in major changes in squealae and outcome by preventing and reducing the secondary insults. Computed tomography (CT) and improvement in morbidity and mortality of acute extra axial hematomas by immediate surgery, has influenced and guided several organizations in developing research and formulating guidelines for treatment of acute neurotrauma. The recognition of the spectrum in head injury, aids in prevention of injury and measures to improve outcome by ever developing neuro-rehabilitative measures, apart from advancements in the genetic aspects of understanding the brain’s response to injury along with attention to modern principles of neuro-intensive and critical care, has manipulated neurotrauma towards achieving innovative newer frontiers. Assessment of the extent of injury and the deficits in neurotrauma is as challenging as the management itself. Several criteria including the Japanese Coma Scale and the proposition for the international coma scale have been attempted. Once the baseline characters and the psychology1 of the patient is understood along with the extent and nature of the severity of the injury, a defined patterned timescale with a schedule can be created & tailor made to every patient and all out efforts instituted to rehabilitate not only the individual but also the whole family and the society at large

超軽量動力機のための木製双フロートの設計と製作(第2報)

The wooden floats for the micro-light-airplane were designed after Cresswell Walker and built by hand. MAXAIR DRIFTER installing these floats succeeded in a series of the water taxing test. It was necessary to secure the safety of the flight test, (a) the load factor of taking off from the water / landing on the water, (b) the load above the water surface in the various condition, (c) the local pressure of the hull / the body surface of the float, and (d) the pressure distribution of the hull of the float were calculated following to Air Worthiness Regulation division second. As the result, the calculation models simulated the structural strength of the wooden floats were introduced, and there were clarified that the material strength of the wooden floats exceeded the results in stress. Furthermore, the calculating procedures of the weight center and the fore-and-aft inertia radius of the airplane equipped with the floats were mentioned

超軽量動力機のための木製双フロートの設計と製作(第3報)

The wooden floats for the micro-light-airplane were designed after Cresswell Walker and built by hand. The construction of the wooden floats was completed and a series of the water taxing test on MAXAIR DRIFTER installing these floats were carried out. As a result, it was clarified that there was some room for improvement to (1) spraying to the propeller, (2) handling on the water, and (3) pitching angle on the high speed water taxing. This report described some engineering knowledge we got in the process of taking measures to cope with the condition. We discussed a mechanism of the high speed water taxing, and explained the reason to equip with the step which was the characteristic structure of seaplane floats. The improved water-rudders had a good effect on handling, and the spray dam added on the floats decreased the spray to the propeller

超軽量動力機のための木製双フロートの設計と製作 (第1報)

The wooden floats for the micro-light-airplane were designed after Cresswell Walker and built by hand. They were based on standard boat-building techniques and on plans simplified their hull shape in order to facilitate their construction with marine ply-wood. The design was assisted with three-dimensional computer aided design software and could be scaled to any displacement required. In this report, some procedures calculating the buoyancy of each water tightness compartment and the limit of capsize were mentioned. The building process of the wooden floats was explained in detail, some useful techniques were introduced. The construction of the wooden floats was completed in December 2006, and MAXAIR DRIFTER installing these floats succeeded in the water taxing

超軽量動力機のための木製双フロートの設計と製作(第1報)

The wooden floats for the micro-light-airplane were designed after Cresswell Walker and built by hand. They were based on standard boat-building techniques and on plans simplified their hull shape in order to facilitate their construction with marine ply-wood. The design was assisted with three-dimensional computer aided design software and could be scaled to any displacement required. In this report, some procedures calculating the buoyancy of each water tightness compartment and the limit of capsize were mentioned. The building process of the wooden floats was explained in detail, some useful techniques were introduced. The construction of the wooden floats was completed in December 2006, and MAXAIR DRIFTER installing these floats succeeded in the water taxing

Ablation of TSC2 Enhances Insulin Secretion by Increasing the Number of Mitochondria through Activation of mTORC1

) mice. The present study examines the effects of TSC2 ablation on insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells. mice and TSC2 knockdown insulin 1 (INS-1) insulinoma cells treated with small interfering ribonucleic acid were used to investigate insulin secretion, ATP content and the expression of mitochondrial genes. mice exhibit hyperinsulinemia due to an increase in the number of mitochondria as well as enlargement of individual beta cells via activation of mTORC1.Activation of mTORC1 by TSC2 ablation increases mitochondrial biogenesis and enhances insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells