Mirtazapine has a therapeutic potency in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced mice model of Parkinson’s disease

Background: Mirtazapine, a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA), shows multiple pharmacological actions such as inhibiting presynaptic α2 noradrenaline receptor (NAR) and selectively activating 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT) 1A receptor (5-HT1AR). Mirtazapine was also reported to increase dopamine release in the cortical neurons with 5-HT dependent manner. To examine whether mirtazapine has a therapeutic potency in Parkinson’s disease (PD), we examined this compound in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice model of PD. Results: Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to MPTP treatment to establish a PD model. Mirtazapine was administered once a day for 3 days after MPTP treatment. MPTP-induced motor dysfunction, assessed by beam-walking and rota-rod tests, was significantly improved by administration of mirtazapine. Biochemical examinations by high performance liquid chromatography and western blot analysis suggested mirtazapine facilitated utilization of dopamine by increasing turnover and protein expression of transporters, without affecting on neurodegenerative process by MPTP. These therapeutic effects of mirtazapine were reduced by administration of WAY100635, an inhibitor for 5HT1AR, or of clonidine, a selective agonist for α2-NAR, or of prazosin, an inhibitor for α1-NAR, respectively. Conclusion: Our results showed mirtazapine had a therapeutic potency against PD in a mouse model. Because PD patients sometimes show depression together, it will be a useful drug for a future PD treatment

Gray matter alterations in early and late relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis evaluated with synthetic quantitative magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract: Extensive gray matter (GM) involvement has been demonstrated in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This study was aimed to identify GM alterations in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients using synthetic quantitative MRI (qMRI). We assessed myelin volume fraction (MVF) in each voxel on the basis of R1 and R2 relaxation rates and proton density in 14 early and 28 late (disease duration 5 years, respectively) RRMS patients, and 15 healthy controls (HCs). The MVF and myelin volumes of GM (GM-MyVol) were compared between groups using GM-based spatial statistics (GBSS) and the Kruskal-Wallis test, respectively. Correlations between MVF or GM-MyVol and disease duration or expanded disability status scale were also evaluated. RRMS patients showed a lower MVF than HCs, predominantly in the limbic and para-limbic areas, with more extensive areas noted in late RRMS patients. Late-RRMS patients had the smallest GM-MyVol (20.44 mL; early RRMS, 22.77 mL; HCs, 23.36 mL). Furthermore, the GM-MyVol in the RRMS group was inversely correlated with disease duration (r = -0.43, p = 0.005). In conclusion, the MVF and MyVol obtained by synthetic qMRI can be used to evaluate GM differences in RRMS patients

Inverted Pendulum-type Personal Mobility Considering Human Vibration Sensitivity

Bruit Guy. Mohammed Harbi et Gilbert Meynier, Le FLN. Documents et histoire 1954-1962, 2004 ; Mohammed Harbi et Benjamin Stora, La guerre d'Algérie, 1954-1962. La fin de l'amnésie, 2004. In: Raison présente, n°149-150, 1er trimestre 2004. Une laïcité pour l'avenir. pp. 260-264

Screening of Root Nodule Bacteria for Salinity Tolerance Using Ion Beams Irradiation

Vigna marina is one of wild legumes, which called as Hamaazuki, are distributed at the vicinity of the coast from tropical to sub-tropical regions and Vigna marina can grow at 400 mM NaCl condition. Furthermore, we found that the root nodules on Vigna marina have a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia that related to the genus Sinorhizobium having high stress tolerance (500 mM NaCl, 45 ºC, pH 10.5). In this study, to improve symbiotic performance of Vigna marina with Sinorhizobium under high salt conditions, we attempted to enhanced salt tolerant ability using ion beam mutation breeding. Consequently, the mutation breeding method of Sinorhizobium by irradiation ion beams was successfully to create salt-tolerant mutants enhancing activities of root nodulation and nitrogen fixation under salinity stress

Cytokine upregulation in tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with membranous nephropathy

We describe the upregulation of cytokines in a 45-year-old woman with tubulointerstitial nephritis and membranous nephropathy revealed by renal biopsy. She was treated with a combination of prednisolone and cyclosporin. Histological findings showed appreciable improvement, and urinary protein excretion was decreased from 15 g/day to 1 g/day. Elevated urinary levels of chemokines, interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF)/monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α decreased during convalescence; 13 other patients with membranous nephropathy did not show elevation of these cytokines. These results suggest that the upregulation of these cytokines may participate in the pathogenesis of tubulointerstitial nephritis and that combination therapy of prednisolone and cyclosporin may be effective, possibly via inducing a decrease in these cytokines

Development and Evaluation of a Robust Sandwich Immunoassay System Detecting Serum WFA-Reactive IgA1 for Diagnosis of IgA Nephropathy

Aberrant glycosylation of IgA1 is involved in the development of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). There are many reports of IgAN markers focusing on the glycoform of IgA1. None have been clinically applied as a routine test. In this study, we established an automated sandwich immunoassay system for detecting aberrant glycosylated IgA1, using Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) and anti-IgA1 monoclonal antibody. The diagnostic performance as an IgAN marker was evaluated. The usefulness of WFA for immunoassays was investigated by lectin microarray. A reliable standard for quantitative immunoassay measurements was designed by modifying a purified IgA1 substrate. A validation study using multiple serum specimens was performed using the established WFA-antibody sandwich automated immunoassay. Lectin microarray results showed that WFA specifically recognized N-glycans of agglutinated IgA1 in IgAN patients. The constructed IgA1 standard exhibited a wide dynamic range and high reactivity. In the validation study, serum WFA-reactive IgA1 (WFA+-IgA1) differed significantly between healthy control subjects and IgAN patients. The findings indicate that WFA is a suitable lectin that specifically targets abnormal agglutinated IgA1 in serum. We also describe an automated immunoassay system for detecting WFA+-IgA1, focusing on N-glycans