Physiological Activities of Perilla Frutescens Var. Frutescens Leaf Extracts and Storage Stability in Kneaded Noodles

Perilla (Perilla frutescens var. frutescens) leaves were fractionated based on their chemical properties, and the physiological activities of the fractions were evaluated. The acidic fraction had high radical scavenging ability, whereas the superoxide dismutase-like activities of all fractions were low. A positive correlation was observed between scavenging activity and polyphenol content. The inhibitory effects of the extracts on a-amylase and on a-glucosidase activities were low, indicating a weak suppressive effect of the leaf extracts on diabetes. The acidic and phenolic fractions suppressed pancreatic lipase activity and accelerated lipid hydrolysis in adipocytes differentiated from 3T3-L1 cells. Flour noodles kneaded with leaf powder were prepared, and storage stability was examined. The functional compounds in the leaves were heat-sensitive in the flour noodles. We fractionated perilla leaves to isolate and identify valuable components to provide functionality to processed food and determined that some conditions, such as storage temperature, must be considered to effectively use the compounds

The Universal Extra Dimensional Model with S2/Z2S^2/Z_2 extra-space

We propose a new Universal Extra Dimensional model that is defined on a six-dimensional spacetime which has a two-sphere orbifold $S^2/Z_2$ as an extra-space. We specify our model by choosing the gauge symmetry as SU(3)\timesSU(2)\timesU(1)_Y \timesU(1)_X, introducing field contents in six-dimensions as their zero modes correspond to the Standard model particles, and determining a boundary condition of these fields on orbifold $S^2/Z_2$. A background gauge field that belongs to U(1)$_X$ is introduced there, which is necessary to obtain massless chiral fermions in four-dimensional spacetime. We then analyze Kaluza-Klein(KK) mode expansion of the fields in our model and derive the mass spectrum of the KK particles. We find that the lightest KK particles are the 1st KK particle of massless gauge bosons at tree level. We also discuss the KK parity of the KK modes in our model and confirm the stability of the lightest KK particle which is important for dark matter physics.Comment: 26 pages, Accepted for publication in Nucl.Phys.

Research on information propagation analyzing odds in horse racing

We focus on the odds in horse racing to study the information propagation to get an idea for fluctuation on information propagation. Analyzing past data of horse racing, and constructing a mathematical model of winning probability, we find a correlation between odds and results of races. As a first step, we focus on two ways of betting called „WIN” and „EXACTA.” We confirm that the winning probability derived from odds of each horse is mostly in accord with actual data. Then, comparing the result with a stochastic model of winning probability constructed with EXACTA odds, we find out fluctuations between them. Finally, we consider where is the origin of the fluctuations

Experiences of Negotiations for Improving Research Environment and Burnout among Young Physician Researchers in Japan

Physician scientists in Japan are often too busy to be sufficiently involved in research work. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate their experiences negotiating with their superiors to improve their research environment and determine its relationship with psychological burnout. Among 1790 physician awardees of Grants-in-Aid for Young Scientists in 2014-2015, 490 responded (response rate 27.4%) and 408 were eligible for analysis. Outcome measures included two negotiation experiences: for reduction of clinical duty hours/promotion opportunities and for increased space or equipment/increased research budget. The main explanatory variables were personal, patient-related, and work-related burnout measured by the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. The percentages of the above-mentioned two types of negotiations were 20-24% in women and 17-20% in men. Multivariable stepwise logistic regression analyses demonstrated that (1) the negotiation for reduction of clinical duty hours/promotion opportunities was significantly associated with physician scientists who had a short amount of weekly research time and high patient-related burnout score, and (2) the negotiation for increased space or equipment/increased research budget was significantly associated with older age, single status, and high personal and patient-related burnout scores. High burnout is related to negotiation experiences among physician researchers in Japan

Direct Electron Transfer Reactions of Enzymes at Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized on an Electrode Surface

Nagasaki Symposium on Nano-Dynamics 2008 (NSND2008) 平成20年1月29日(火)於長崎大学 Poster Presentatio

ISR-DEPENDENT METABOLIC REGULATION

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphorylation‐dependent integrated stress response (ISR), a component of the unfolded protein response, has long been known to regulate intermediary metabolism, but the details are poorly worked out. We report that profiling of mRNAs of transgenic mice harboring a ligand‐activated skeletal muscle–specific derivative of the eIF2α protein kinase R‐like ER kinase revealed the expected up‐regulation of genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis and transport but also uncovered the induced expression and secretion of a myokine, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), that stimulates energy consumption and prevents obesity. The link between the ISR and FGF21 expression was further reinforced by the identification of a small‐molecule ISR activator that promoted Fgf21 expression in cell‐based screens and by implication of the ISR‐inducible activating transcription factor 4 in the process. Our findings establish that eIF2α phosphorylation regulates not only cell‐autonomous proteostasis and amino acid metabolism, but also affects non‐cell‐autonomous metabolic regulation by induced expression of a potent myokine.—Miyake, M., Nomura, A., Ogura, A., Takehana, K., Kitahara, Y., Takahara, K., Tsugawa, K., Miyamoto, C., Miura, N., Sato, R., Kurahashi, K., Harding, H. P., Oyadomari, M., Ron, D., Oyadomari, S. Skeletal muscle‐specific eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α phosphorylation controls amino acid metabolism and fibroblast growth factor 21‐mediated non‐cell‐autonomous energy metabolism