Modulation of Immunoglobulin Production by Invariant Vα19-Jα33 TCR-Bearing Cells

We have previously shown that invariant Vα19-Jα33 TCR+ (Vα19i T) cells suppress the disease progress in some models for organ specific autoimmune diseases and type IV allergy that deteriorate along with decline to excess in Th1- or Th17- immunity. In this study, we examined the effects of over-generation of Vα19i T cells on the Th2-controlled immunoglobulin isotype production in the models for type I allergy. IgE production by invariant Vα19-Jα33 TCR transgenic (Tg) mice was suppressed compared with that by non-Tg controls following administration with goat anti-mouse IgD antiserum or OVA, while IgG2a production was not influenced by the introduction of the transgene into the recipients. IgE production by wild type mice was similarly reduced when they were subjected to adoptive transfer with invariant Vα19-Jα33 TCR Tg+ but not Tg− cells prior to immunization. Furthermore, the suppression of IgE production by these recipients was enhanced when they were previously administered with a Vα19i T cell activator, one of the modified α-mannosyl ceramides. In summary, it is suggested that Vα19i T cells have potential to participate in the homeostasis of immunity and that they suppress disease progression resulting from not only Th1- but also Th2- immunity excess

Is genetic involve in the outcomes of contact reactions between parent and offspring and between siblings of the coral Pocillopora damicornis?

Various allogeneic responses have been characterized in stony corals. The responses were thought to be genetically control. However, very little is known about the genetic mechanism of allorecognition in corals. Therefore, the contact reaction between parent-offspring and between siblings of the coral Pocillopora damicornis has been studied. Three types of contact reactions were observed: between young colonies, between adult and young colonies, and between adult colonies.  Siblings, which were primary polyps or young colonies derived from the same broodparent, invariably fused. All but one pair of parent-offspring grafts exhibited fusion. However, some pairs of young colonies derived from the same two broodparents showed a different contact response than did the broodparents when their branch tips were paired. When the same pairs of the young colonies were repeated to contact at different age, most pairs yielded the same results. Together with the findings that young colonies were able to recognize their partner less than 1 month after the initial contact, we suggest that contact reaction in coral and time needed for the stable reaction are most probably under genetic control. Keywords: coral, young colonies, reproduction, parent-offspring relationship, histocompatibilit

Transcription Profiling of Cultured Acropora digitifera Adult Cells Reveals the Existence of Ancestral Genome Regulatory Modules Underlying Pluripotency and Cell Differentiation in Cnidaria

Due to their pluripotent nature and unlimited cell renewal, stem cells have been proposed as an ideal material for establishing long-term cnidarian cell cultures. However, the lack of unifying principles associated with "stemness" across the phylum complicates stem cells' identification and isolation. Here, we for the first time report gene expression profiles for cultured coral cells, focusing on regulatory gene networks underlying pluripotency and differentiation. Cultures were initiated from Acropora digitifera tip fragments, the fastest growing tissue in Acropora. Overall, in vitro transcription resembled early larvae, overexpressing orthologs of premetazoan and Hydra stem cell markers, and transcripts with roles in cell division, migration, and differentiation. Our results suggest the presence of pluripotent cell types in cultures and indicate the existence of ancestral genome regulatory modules underlying pluripotency and cell differentiation in cnidaria. Cultured cells appear to be synthesizing protein, differentiating, and proliferating.This work was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship awarded to A.R.B. from the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science and internal funds from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University awarded to A.S.M

Curcumin (1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1, 6-heptadiene-3,5-dione) Blocks the Chemotaxis of Neutrophils by Inhibiting Signal Transduction through IL-8 Receptors

We investigated the impact of curcumin on neutrophils. Chemotactic activity via human recombinant IL-8 (hrIL-8) was significantly inhibited by curcumin. Curcumin reduced calcium ion flow induced by internalization of the IL-8 receptor. We analyzed flow cytometry to evaluate the status of the IL-8 receptor after curcumin treatment. The change in the distribution of receptors intracellularly and on the cell surface suggested that curcumin may affect the receptor trafficking pathway intracellulary. Rab11 is a low molecular weight G protein associated with the CXCR recycling pathway. Following curcumin treatment, immunoprecipitation studies showed that the IL-8 receptor was associated with larger amounts of active Rab11 than that in control cells. These data suggest that curcumin induces the stacking of the Rab11 vesicle complex with CXCR1 and CXCR2 in the endocytic pathway. The mechanism for antiinflammatory response by curcumin may involve unique regulation of the Rab11 trafficking molecule in recycling of IL-8 receptors

Relationship between sintering temperature and bending strength for Y2O3 partially stabilized zirconia

The objective of this study was to verify the stability of Y2O3 partially stabilized zirconia (zirconia) sintered at 1,350℃ and 1,450℃ in a simulated oral environment over a long period of time. After sintering, zirconia was immersed in physiological saline, 1% lactic acid solution, and 1% malic acid solution which can be produced in the oral cavity for 3 or 6 months. The bending strength and strain were measured. The following results were obtained. Before immersion, there was no difference in the bending strength of zirconia sintered at 1,350℃ and 1,450℃. For zirconia sintered at 1,350℃, there was no difference among solutions in the bending strength after exposure. However, for zirconia sintered at 1,450℃, the bending strength and strain were lower after exposure to 1% lactic acid solution for 3 months. There was no effect on the strain after exposure to any solutions for zirconia sintered at 1,350℃. For zirconia sintered at 1,350℃, fracture was not observed during exposure to any of the solutions. However, when sintered at 1,450℃, zirconia was fractured during exposure to 1% lactic acid solution and 1% malic acid solution for 6 months. It was clarified that zirconia sintered at 1,350℃ was more suitable than that sintered at 1,450℃ as an implant material

Associations between Optimism and Attentional Biases as Measured by Threat-Avoidance and Positive-Search Tasks

Evidence suggests that optimism has a positive impact on health status. Attentional bias modification (ABM) may be beneficial for enhancing optimism, but its effective application requires a detailed investigation of the association between attentional bias and optimism. This study aimed to determine the association between attentional bias and optimism based on different task types. Eighty-four participants completed the attentional bias measures using the dot-probe task (DPT), emotional visual search task (EVST) paradigms, and psychological assessments. Optimism was assessed using the Life Orientation Test-Revised with subscales for optimism and pessimism. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression analysis were applied to investigate the association between optimism and attentional bias. Neither the attentional bias derived from DPT nor EVST was significantly correlated with optimism total score or subscales. Regression analysis also showed no association between attentional bias and optimism (DPT, β = 0.12; EVST, β = 0.09), optimism subscales (DPT, β = 0.09; EVST, β = 0.17), or pessimism subscales (DPT, β = −0.10; EVST, β = 0.02). Our findings showed no evidence that attentional biases derived from either the DPT or EVST measures are associated with optimism or pessimism. Further studies are needed to effectively adapt the ABM to enhance optimism

Association between Toe Pressure Strength in the Standing Position and Maximum Walking Speed in Older Adults

Background Considering concerns about conventional toe grip strength, we devised a method to measure toe pressure strength in the standing position, which is close to the actual motion. This study examined the association between toe pressure strength in the standing position and walking speed among older adults. Methods This cross-sectional study included 150 community-dwelling older adults (81±8 years, 73% female) who participated in the physical fitness test. We analyzed the correlation between the participants’ maximum walking speed and physical function. Furthermore, we performed regression analysis with the maximum walking speed as the dependent variable to examine the association with toe pressure strength in the standing position. We also examined the association between maximum walking speed and toe pressure strength in the standing position by introducing a covariate. Results Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between maximum walking speed and toe pressure strength in the standing position, with a moderate effect size (r=0.48, p<0.001). Moreover, multiple regression analysis with covariates showed an association between maximum walking speed and toe pressure strength in the standing position (standardization factor=0.13, p<0.026). Conclusion Toe pressure strength in the standing position was associated with maximum walking speed. This finding clarifies the significance of assessing toe pressure strength in the standing position and suggests that enhanced toe pressure strength in the standing position may increase maximum walking speed

〈全文〉 方言の形成過程解明のための全国方言調査 : 「事前研究」報告書

国立国語研究所国立国語研究所国立国語研究所国立国語研究所群馬県立女子大学広島大学大阪大学秋田大学神戸女子大学滋賀大

Kondo effect in underdoped n-type superconductors

We present high-field magnetotransport properties of high-quality single-crystalline thin films of heavily underdoped nonsuperconducting (La,Ce)2CuO4, (Pr,Ce)2CuO4, and (Nd,Ce)2CuO4. All three materials show identical behavior. They are metallic at high temperatures and show an insulating upturn at low temperatures. The insulating upturn has a log T dependence, but saturates toward the lowest temperatures. Notably, the insulating upturn tends to be suppressed by applying magnetic fields. This negative magnetoresistance has a log B dependence, and its anisotropy shows non simple behavior. We discuss these findings from the viewpoints of Kondo scattering and also two-dimensional weak localization, and demonstrate Kondo scattering as a more plausible explanation. The Kondo scatters are identified as Cu2+ spins in the CuO2 planes.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

NEMATOCYST DISCHARGE, HISTOINCOMPATIBILITY, AND THE FORMATION OF SWEEPER TENTACLES IN THE CORAL GALAXEA FASCICULARIS

Volume: 168Start Page: 350End Page: 35