Prion-derived copper-binding peptide fragments catalyze the generation of superoxide anion in the presence of aromatic monoamines

Objectives: Studies have proposed two opposing roles for copper-bound forms of prion protein (PrP) as an anti-oxidant supporting the neuronal functions and as a pro-oxidant leading to neurodegenerative process involving the generation of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis in which putative copper-binding peptides derived from PrP function as possible catalysts for monoamine-dependent conversion of hydrogen peroxide to superoxide in vitro. Materials and methods: Four peptides corresponding to the copper (II)-binding motifs in PrP were synthesized and used for analysis of peptide-catalyzed generation of superoxide in the presence of Cu (II) and other factors naturally present in the neuronal tissues. Results: Among the Cu-binding peptides tested, the amino acid sequence corresponding to the Cu-binding site in the helical region was shown to be the most active for superoxide generation in the presence of Cu(II), hydrogen peroxide and aromatic monoamines, known precursors or intermediates of neurotransmitters. Among monoamines tested, three compounds namely phenylethylamine, tyramine and benzylamine were shown to be good substrates for superoxide-generating reactions by the Cu-bound helical peptide. Conclusions: Possible roles for these reactions in development of prion disease were suggested

新しいリベラルアーツとしてのデジタル／バイオ教育の必要性：ルネッサンス期および啓蒙時代の科学革命の歴史に学ぶ

Nowadays, the liberal education hardly survives nor thrives in the universities world-wide. While liberal studies are still needed today, we have to seek for possible and ideal forms of liberal education to be provided in the higher educational institutions in Japan despite most Japanese universities are future willing to focusing on the much more specialized and/or applied studies rather than liberal educations. One of the likely approaches for reviving the liberal studies is to refurnishing the topics to be covered. In the present perspective position paper, the author discussed the necessity and possible forms of future liberal educations in order to raise and release the novel types of human resources capable of not only adopting to but also pioneering and innovating the future society. In the early sections, views on the liberal studies through historical time span was brought about and discussion led to the vision that future innovators should be able to be benefitted by (and accessible to) the liberal knowledge as if "standing on the shoulders of giants." Then, importance of open and necessity of multi-disciplinary visions shared by both scientists and ordinary people were discussed. From the history, we can learn that there used to be specific periods represented by growth of science led by multi-disciplinary giants of knowledge (the many-sided men) especially the renaissance in Italy (14-15th centuries) and enlightenment movement in wider Europe (late 17th to early 19th centuries）. Lastly, novel liberal educational programs raising the novel type of many-sided people belonging to both science and humanity schools, educated and skilled in digital and bio-sciences (in addition to traditional liberal studies) are proposed

Pteridophytes as active components in gardening, agricultural and horticultural ecosystems in Japan

Many members of Pteridophytes have been traditionally used in the designs of Japanese gardens and a large variety of ferns attract gardeners as greening pieces in the garden designs. However, details or examples of practical uses of ferns in traditional gardening in Japan have only rarely been introduced in non-Japanese literatures to date, despite the importance of ferns in Japanese gardening traditions. In addition to the discussion of ferns in gardening, the use and association of these plants in Japanese agricultural and horticultural sceneries are addressed. The presence and importance of 40 familiar fern species in local gardening, agricultural and horticultural ecosystems are also discussed, as well as the roles of introduced ferns as key elements of ecosystems and their interaction with neighboring biota. Finally, some examples of uses of fern species in environmental science and engineering are also reviewed

Lethal impacts of cigarette smoke in cultured tobacco cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In order to understand and generalize the toxic mechanism of cigarette smoke in living cells, comparison of the data between animal systems and other biological system such as microbial and plant systems is highly beneficial.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>By employing the tobacco cells as model materials for cigarette smoke toxicity assay, the impacts of the combustion by-products such as nitrogen oxides could be highlighted as the toxic impacts of the plant-derived endogenous chemicals could be excluded in the plant cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cigarette smoke-induced cell death was assessed in tobacco cell suspension cultures in the presence and absence of pharmacological inhibitors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cigarette smoke was effective in induction of cell death. The smoke-induced cell death could be partially prevented by addition of nitric oxide (NO) scavenger, suggesting the role for NO as the cell death mediator. Addition of NO donor to tobacco cells also resulted in development of partial cell death further confirming the role of NO as cell death mediator. Members of reactive oxygen species and calcium ion were shown to be protecting the cells from the toxic action of smoke-derived NO.</p

Uses of X-ray 3D-Computed-Tomography to Monitor the Development of Garlic Shooting Inside the Intact Cloves

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Flexible protection architectures using distributed optical sensors

In this paper we describe recent developments in flexible protection schemes that make use of passive fibre Bragg grating (FBG) based transducers for the distributed measurement of voltage and current. The technology underpinning the passive optical approach is described in detail, and both the present development and the future potential of the approach are discussed. In co-operation with Toshiba, the integration of the technique with an existing busbar protection relay is demonstrated, illustrating the flexibility offered by protection schemes that are based on the use of small, passive, multiplexable, dielectric transducers

Enhanced elevations of hypo-osmotic shock-induced cytosolic and nucleic calcium concentrations in tobacco cells by pretreatment with dimethyl sulfoxide

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Non-invasive acoustic sensing of tuberous roots of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) growing belowground

The study applies acoustic means for the detection of belowground tuberous roots of sweet potato by developing a novel non-invasive sensing technology based on propagation of frequency-modulated sound through the soil and its detection with acoustic band-pass filtering devices. The presence of tuberous roots hidden in the bed of sandy soil was successfully detected with the proposed acoustic approach, which is still primitive. However, this investigation may induce further studies and developments for belowground sensing and imaging techniques as novel ecological research tools and to support the introduction of vegetables into so-called "plant factories"