Ultrastructure of monoaminergic terminals in the intermediolateral nucleus of the cat spinal cord.

Monoaminergic innervation of the intermediolateral nucleus of the cat spinal cord was investigated by fluorescence histochemistry and electron microscopy. Large numbers of monoaminergic terminals were labeled by prior administration of the false neurotransmitter 5-hydroxydopamine (5-OHDA). Ultrastructurally, 5-OHDA-labeled terminals fell into three types. Type I, which made up 55% of the labeled terminals, contained abundant, large and densely labeled vesicles and only a few small and unlabeled vesicles. This type was &#34;bouton de passage&#34;. Type II, which made up 40% of the terminals, made asymmetrical synaptic contacts with typical postsynaptic structures. This type contained many small vesicles, some of which were labeled, and a few large dense-core vesicles. Type III, which made up 5% of the terminals, made close contact with presynaptic nerve endings containing abundant small unlabeled clear vesicles. The type III terminals contained many large and densely labeled vesicles and a few small flattened vesicles, most of which were unlabeled.</p

Estrogen誘発ラットProlactinomaの基礎的検討と各種薬剤に対する反応性に関する研究

Wister系ラットにestrogenを大量連続投与することによりprolactinomaを誘発し,下垂体重量,血中PRL値,光顕(H-E染色),光顕酵素抗体法および電顕を用いて観察した.さらに同モデルを用いてbromocriptine,tamoxifen,aclacinomycin Aの効果について検討し以下の結論を得た.(1)estrogenの大量投与によりラットにprolactinomaが誘発された.しかし,estrogenを中止すると退縮する傾向であった.(2)bromocriptine投与群では,下垂体重量,血中PRL値は著明に減少し,組織所見では電顕で分泌顆粒が著明に増加していた.bromocriptineの作用機序としてはPRL放出障害が推測された.(3)tamexifen投与群でもbromocriptine投与群ほどではないが下垂体重量,血中PRL値は減少した.しかし,組織所見では明らかな変化は認められなかった.tamoxifenの作用機序は抗estrogen作用によるホルモン合成障害と考えられた.(4)aclacinomycin A投与群では,血中PRL値のみ低下し,組織所見では出血,細胞壊死がわずかに認められたが,電顕所見では検索した限りでは変化は見られなかった.aclacinomycin Aの作用機序はPRL合成における核酸合成障害が関与しているものと考えられた.Experimental prolactinomas were produced in Wister rats by administration of high dose estrogen. Then, the effect of bromocriptine, tamoxifen and aclacinomycin A on these prolactinomas was studied by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and electronmicroscopy. The results were as follows, (1) Prolactinomas were induced by high dose administration of estrogen in female rats. These prolactinomas were reduced in weight and in serum prolactin level by cessation of the administration of estrogen. (2) In the group treated with bromocriptine, the weight of the pituitary gland and the serum concentration of prolactin were markedly decreased. Electronmicroscopy showed that secretory granules increased fully in the cytoplasm. The mechanism was suspected to involve releasing disorders for the synthesizing prolactin. (3) In the group treated with tamoxifen, the weight of the pituitary gland and the serum concentration of prolactin were moderately decreased as compared with the group treated with bromocriptine. But pathological findings showed little change as compared with the group which was administered estrogen six times administration and rested for three weeks. The mechanism was suspected to involve an antiestrogen effect on the synthesizing prolactin. (4) In the group treated with aclacinomycin A, there was no change in the weight of the pituitary gland. But serum prolactin level was markedly reduced as compared with the group administered estrogen nine times. Hemorrhage was observed only in the limited area of the prolactinoma and necrotic cells were partly recognized by light microscopy but electronmicroscopy showed almost no change. The mechanism was suspected to involve inhibition of the synthesizing cellular nucleic acid

Fibrous Calcareous Concretions in the Capsules of Human Pineal Glands

We examined calcareous concretions in the capsule of 15 human pineal glands containing a large amount of the concretions in the matrix. The capsule concretions, brown to blackish-brown in color and/or translucent, were smaller than the matrix concretions, which were yellowish-white. The matrix concretions showed the typical mulberry-shaped overall appearance with scallop-shaped concentric laminations of non-fibrous structures, but the capsule concretions, which also contained Ca and P, showed a globular or oval shape with regular, rough, or no concentric laminations. The capsule concretions also showed globules of mineralized collagen fibers that resembled randomly wound threads and that were occasionally associated with minute spherical deposits showing hypermineralization in the core region as initial calcification. Na was detected as a minor characteristic element of the capsule concretions, and at a significantly higher level than that of the matrix concretions. The findings strongly suggested that a human pineal gland containing numerous matrix concretions is likely to produce mineralized deposits in the capsule

Mineralized Blood Vessels in the Capsules of Human Pineal Glands

We observed mineralized blood vessels in the capsules of human pineal glands containing abundant fibrous calcareous concretions in the capsules as well as non-fibrous calcareous concretions (brain sands) in the gland matrix. The capsular blood vessels were sometimes scattered with mineralized, round deposits of various sizes containing minute spherical deposits (MSD). The MSD showed hypermineralization similar to that in capsular fibrous concretions reported in our recent study and some MSD resembled those consistent with Fahr\u27s disease. Occasionally, the vessel lumens were completely embedded with mineralized deposits. As the characteristic means of detection from the mineralized blood vessels, the volume of Na was significantly higher than that of the matrix non-fibrous concretions. The origin of Na in the mineralized blood vessels containing MSD was likely derived from the connective tissue fluid. Our findings suggested that a human pineal gland matrix containing numerous non-fibrous concretions is likely to associate with mineralized deposits within the blood vessels as well as fibrous concretions in the capsule

Thinning minimization for forming aluminum beverage can end shells

Forming simulations of the can end shell have been implemented based on both of the axisymmetric model and three-dimensional models, for a better understanding of the forming process. The comparison shows that the simulation results agree reasonably well with the experimental observations of the actual forming process. The influence of the loads applied to tools, the clearance between tools, the shape of the tool profile and the position of tools have been investigated, based on the axisymmetric model to save computational time. The design optimization method based on the numerical simulations have been applied to search the optimum design points, in order to reduce the thinning subjected to the constraints of the geometric shape of the shell and the suppression of wrinkles. The optimization results show that the thinning can be improved up to 4% by optimizing the forming route, adjusting the clearance and the load, and modifying the tool shape. © 2010 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved

Targeting oxytocin receptor (Oxtr)-expressing neurons in the lateral septum to restore social novelty in autism spectrum disorder mouse models

© 2020, The Author(s). Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a continuum of neurodevelopmental disorders and needs new therapeutic approaches. Recently, oxytocin (OXT) showed potential as the first anti-ASD drug. Many reports have described the efficacy of intranasal OXT therapy to improve the core symptoms of patients with ASD; however, the underlying neurobiological mechanism remains unknown. The OXT/oxytocin receptor (OXTR) system, through the lateral septum (LS), contributes to social behavior, which is disrupted in ASD. Therefore, we selectively express hM3Dq in OXTR-expressing (OXTR+) neurons in the LS to investigate this effect in ASD mouse models developed by environmental and genetic cues. In mice that received valproic acid (environmental cue), we demonstrated successful recovery of impaired social memory with three-chamber test after OXTR+ neuron activation in the LS. Application of a similar strategy to Nl3R451C knock-in mice (genetic cue) also caused successful recovery of impaired social memory in single field test. OXTR+ neurons in the LS, which are activated by social stimuli, are projected to the CA1 region of the hippocampus. This study identified a candidate mechanism for improving core symptoms of ASD by artificial activation of DREADDs, as a simulation of OXT administration to activate OXTR+ neurons in the LS

Restoration of E-cadherin expression by selective Cox-2 inhibition and the clinical relevance of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) accompanied by the downregulation of E-cadherin has been thought to promote metastasis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is presumed to contribute to cancer progression through its multifaceted function, and recently its inverse relationship with E-cadherin was suggested. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether selective Cox-2 inhibitors restore the expression of E-cadherin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells, and to examine the possible correlations of the expression levels of EMT-related molecules with clinicopathological factors in HNSCC. METHODS: We used quantitative real-time PCR to examine the effects of three selective Cox-2 inhibitors, i.e., celecoxib, NS-398, and SC-791 on the gene expressions of E-cadherin (CDH-1) and its transcriptional repressors (SIP1, Snail, Twist) in the human HNSCC cell lines HSC-2 and HSC-4. To evaluate the changes in E-cadherin expression on the cell surface, we used a flowcytometer and immunofluorescent staining in addition to Western blotting. We evaluated and statistically analyzed the clinicopathological factors and mRNA expressions of Cox-2, CDH-1 and its repressors in surgical specimens of 40 patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). RESULTS: The selective Cox-2 inhibitors upregulated the E-cadherin expression on the cell surface of the HNSCC cells through the downregulation of its transcriptional repressors. The extent of this effect depended on the baseline expression levels of both E-cadherin and Cox-2 in each cell line. A univariate analysis showed that higher Cox-2 mRNA expression (p = 0.037), lower CDH-1 mRNA expression (p = 0.020), and advanced T-classification (p = 0.036) were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis in TSCC. A multivariate logistic regression revealed that lower CDH-1 mRNA expression was the independent risk factor affecting lymph node metastasis (p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the appropriately selective administration of certain Cox-2 inhibitors may have an anti-metastatic effect through suppression of the EMT by restoring E-cadherin expression. In addition, the downregulation of CDH-1 resulting from the EMT may be closely involved in lymph node metastasis in TSCC

A comparative method for evaluating ecosystem services from the viewpoint of public works

Nature-based solutions (NbS), such as the implementation of environmental conservation and restoration as public works projects, require accurate and cost-effective assessments of the values related to the projects. The values should represent collective ecosystem services, individual services such as food provision and water purification, and other intangible services. To comprehensively assess such services, we proposed a novel method, which we call the comparative evaluation method. Our method is able to assess the value of each service category of an NbS project from a single questionnaire survey. Survey participants are asked to compare values of multiple services having anchoring prices. Our method determines the permissible economic value of environmental public works (PEP) in response to the quantity of service. The questionnaire results used for analysis are limited to those from respondents who made their PEP evaluation on the basis of their consideration of the appropriate expenditure of taxes. In addition, the method controls for the effect of the satisfaction that a person experiences from doing good deeds to reduce an overestimation of the values of services. Moreover, PEPs are not influenced by the respondent's annual income, age, sex, or educational background, and are based on personal values. Applying this new method, we surveyed residents of the watersheds of Tokyo Bay and Osaka Bay and evaluated nine ecosystem services. Overall, our new method is shown to be an effective method for evaluating the ecosystem services of NbS projects from the viewpoint of public works

Green port structures and their ecosystem services in highly urbanized Japanese bays

Green port structures (i.e. green infrastructure in ports and harbors) featuring habitats for marine organisms have been promoted in Japan as part of a comprehensive policy to reduce the environmental impact of ports and carry out habitat conservation, restoration, and creation. In this study, we evaluated the ecosystem services provided by green port structures in two highly urbanized bays (Tokyo Bay and Osaka Bay) in Japan. Our results show that the provision of some ecosystem services can be limited by circumstances particular to ports and other areas with restricted access. In the case of green port structures that have strong usage restrictions, for example, cultural services can only be provided if relevant authorities are prepared to conduct public events while ensuring participant safety. On the other hand, green port structures with weak usage restrictions are often equipped with incidental facilities such as parking lots and restrooms; these facilities can enhance the provision of cultural services (e.g. recreation and environmental education). Green port structures in highly urbanized bays often have usage restrictions, but their proximity to large populations means that they can potentially provide numerous ecosystem services. However, our study shows that appropriate management goals, such as protecting species and ensuring healthy habitats, are needed to maintain the value of these services in highly urbanized and eutrophic bays