Development of a low-alpha-emitting {\mu}-PIC for NEWAGE direction-sensitive dark-matter search

NEWAGE is a direction-sensitive dark-matter-search experiment that uses a micro-patterned gaseous detector, or {\mu}-PIC, as the readout. The main background sources are {\alpha}-rays from radioactive contaminants in the {\mu}-PIC. We have therefore developed a low-alpha-emitting {\mu}-PICs and measured its performances. We measured the surface {\alpha}-ray emission rate of the {\mu}-PIC in the Kamioka mine using a surface {\alpha}-ray counter based on a micro TPC.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Jedinstveni obrazac djelovanja bisfenola A na ekspresiju gena čimbenika rasta živca embrionske mišje stanične linije N-44 dobivene iz hipotalamusa

We investigated the toxicity of bisphenol A (BPA) by determining the gene expression of nerve growth factor (Ngf) in the embryonic mouse cell line mHypoE-N44 derived from the hypothalamus exposed to BPA dose range between 0.02 and 200 μmol L-1 for 3 h. Ngf mRNA levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner, with significant reductions observed in the 2 to 50 μmol L-1 BPA treatment groups compared to controls. However, at 100 to 200 μmol L-1 the Ngf mRNA gradually increased and was significantly higher than control, while the expression of the apoptosis-related genes Caspase 3 and transformation-related protein 73 decreased significantly. These results suggest that in an embryonic hypothalamic cell line the higher doses of BPA induce a unique pattern of Ngf gene expression and that BPA has the potential to suppress apoptosis essential for early-stage brain development.U istraživanju toksičnosti bisfenola A (BPA) utvrđena je ekspresija gena čimbenika rasta živca (eng. nerve growth factor - NGF) embrionske mišje stanične linije mHypoE-N44 dobivene iz hipotalamusa nakon trosatnog izlaganja BPA-u u rasponu doza od 0,02 do 200 μmol L-1. Razine Ngf mRNA snizile su se ovisno o dozi, a značajne razlike od kontrolne skupine zamijećene su za raspon od 2 do 50 μmol L-1. Međutim, počevši od doze od 100 do 200 μmol L-1, razine Ngf mRNA značajno su se povećale u odnosu na kontrolu, a ekspresija gena kaspaze 3 i transformacijskog proteina 73 značajno snizila. Ti rezultati upućuju na to da visoke doze BPA u embrionskoj hipotalamičkoj staničnoj liniji stvaraju jedinstveni obrazac ekspresije gena Ngf te da BPA može suprimirati apoptozu koja je nužna za rani razvoj mozga

Net-step exercise and depressive symptoms among the community-dwelling elderly in Japan

Introduction: Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and exercise have attracted attention as potential preventive factors against depression in the elderly. The net-step exercise (NSE) was developed in Hokkaido, Japan to assist elderly people with decreased physical functions. NSE is a non-aerobic, low-intensity, and slow balance motion LTPA. In the present study, the relationship between NSE and depressive symptoms among the community-dwelling elderly is examined. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design with community-dwelling elderly participants, aged 72?81 years (n = 672; mean age = 76.4 years). Participation in NSE and other LTPA, including walking, jogging, and park golf, a sport popular in Hokkaido, particularly among the elderly, was assessed. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Results: Univariate analysis showed that those participating in NSE more than once a month and those who reported engaging in walking or park golf more than once a week were less likely to report symptoms of depression. Multivariate analysis showed that NSE and walking had marginally significant (odds ratio (OR) = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.27?1.02) and significant (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.40?0.93) inverse associations, respectively, with reports of depressive symptoms even after adjustments for age, sex, years of education, continuous walking for 15 min, experience of a fall in the past year, utilization of various long-term care services provided for the elderly, stroke, frequency of jogging, and park golf. Discussion: This study showed that participants engaging in NSE, which is a non-aerobic, low-intensity, and low frequency activity, had a marginally significantly inverse association with depressive symptoms. Longitudinal research should be conducted in the future

A structural constraint for functional interaction between N-terminal and C-terminal domains in simian immunodeficiency virus capsid proteins

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Gag capsid (CA) is one of the most conserved proteins in highly-diversified human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV). Understanding the limitations imposed on amino acid sequences in CA could provide valuable information for vaccine immunogen design or anti-HIV drug development. Here, by comparing two pathogenic SIV strains, SIVmac239 and SIVsmE543-3, we found critical amino acid residues for functional interaction between the N-terminal and the C-terminal domains in CA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We first examined the impact of Gag residue 205, aspartate (Gag205D) in SIVmac239 and glutamate (Gag205E) in SIVsmE543-3, on viral replication; due to this difference, Gag_206-216(IINEEAADWDL) epitope-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were previously shown to respond to SIVmac239 but not SIVsmE543-3 infection. A mutant SIVmac239, SIVmac239Gag205E, whose Gag205D is replaced with Gag205E showed lower replicative ability. Interestingly, however, SIVmac239Gag205E passaged in macaque T cell culture often resulted in selection of an additional mutation at Gag residue 340, a change from SIVmac239 valine (Gag340V) to SIVsmE543-3 methionine (Gag340M), with recovery of viral fitness. Structural modeling analysis suggested possible intermolecular interaction between the Gag205 residue in the N-terminal domain and Gag340 in the C-terminal in CA hexamers. The Gag205D-to-Gag205E substitution in SIVmac239 resulted in loss of in vitro core stability, which was recovered by additional Gag340V-to-Gag340M substitution. Finally, selection of Gag205E plus Gag340M mutations, but not Gag205E alone was observed in a chronically SIVmac239-infected rhesus macaque eliciting Gag_206-216-specific CTL responses.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results present in vitro and in vivo evidence implicating the interaction between Gag residues 205 in CA NTD and 340 in CA CTD in SIV replication. Thus, this study indicates a structural constraint for functional interaction between SIV CA NTD and CTD, providing insight into immunogen design to limit viral escape options.</p

Identification of a mammalian vesicular polyamine transporter

Spermine and spermidine act as neuromodulators upon binding to the extracellular site(s) of various ionotropic receptors, such as N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. To gain access to the receptors, polyamines synthesized in neurons and astrocytes are stored in secretory vesicles and released upon depolarization. Although vesicular storage is mediated in an ATP-dependent, reserpine-sensitive fashion, the transporter responsible for this process remains unknown. SLC18B1 is the fourth member of the SLC18 transporter family, which includes vesicular monoamine transporters and vesicular acetylcholine transporter. Proteoliposomes containing purified human SLC18B1 protein actively transport spermine and spermidine by exchange of H+. SLC18B1 protein is predominantly expressed in the hippocampus and is associated with vesicles in astrocytes. SLC18B1 gene knockdown decreased both SLC18B1 protein and spermine/spermidine contents in astrocytes. These results indicated that SLC18B1 encodes a vesicular polyamine transporter (VPAT)

NICU・GCUを退院したSGA児の予後

【Background】Small for gestational age (SGA) infants have multiple risk factors for short stature, developmental disorders, and metabolic diseases in adulthood. Our institute which plays central roles in perinatal medicine in Tokushima prefecture has many high risk pregnant women, therefore a relatively large number of SGA infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and growth care unit (GCU). 【Objective】To elucidate the prognosis such as short stature, neurodevelopmental disorder and mental retardation of SGA infants discharged from NICU and GCU in our hospital. 【Method】SGA patients discharged from NICU and GCU in our hospital between 2012 and 2014 were enrolled in this study. Clinical data were collected from medical charts. 【Results】There were 106 SGA infants (19.5%) discharged from NICU/GCU for 3 years. We excluded patients with congenital malformation syndrome, chromosomal abnormality, neuromuscular disorder, death and lost of follow-up, and finally 75 SGA infants were enrolled. Four SGA infants (5%) required growth hormone (GH) treatment for short stature and all of them were promoted growth significantly. Three SGA infants (4%) showed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or autism spectrum disorder, and 5 SGA infants (6%) presented with mental retardation. 【Conclusion】This study revealed the prognosis of SGA infants discharged from NICU and GCU in our hospital. Further large cohort with long-term observation is required

Jungle Honey Enhances Immune Function and Antitumor Activity

Jungle honey (JH) is collected from timber and blossom by wild honey bees that live in the tropical forest of Nigeria. JH is used as a traditional medicine for colds, skin inflammation and burn wounds as well as general health care. However, the effects of JH on immune functions are not clearly known. Therefore, we investigated the effects of JH on immune functions and antitumor activity in mice. Female C57BL/6 mice were injected with JH (1 mg/mouse/day, seven times intra-peritoneal). After seven injections, peritoneal cells (PC) were obtained. Antitumor activity was assessed by growth of Lewis Lung Carcinoma/2 (LL/2) cells. PC numbers were increased in JH-injected mice compared to control mice. In Dot Plot analysis by FACS, a new cell population appeared in JH-injected mice. The percent of Gr-1 surface antigen and the intensity of Gr-1 antigen expression of PC were increased in JH-injected mice. The new cell population was neutrophils. JH possessed chemotactic activity for neutrophils. Tumor incidence and weight were decreased in JH-injected mice. The ratio of reactive oxygen species (ROS) producing cells was increased in JH-injected mice. The effective component in JH was fractionized by gel filtration using HPLC and had an approximate molecular weight (MW) of 261. These results suggest that neutrophils induced by JH possess potent antitumor activity mediated by ROS and the effective immune component of JH is substrate of MW 261