Laminin: the crux of basement membrane assembly

Laminin-1 is emerging as the key molecule in early embryonic basement membrane assembly. Here we review recent insights into its functions gained from the synergistic application of genetic and structural methods

On the 16.5 T Superconducting Magnet Operation(Part II. Several Instruments and Techniques Developed in HFLSM)

A 16.5 T superconducting magnet employing a surface diffusion processed Nb_3Sn tape was installed in High Field Laboratory for Superconducting Materials at Tohoku University in 1982. The magnet generates high fields up to 16.5 T in a 57 mm diameter bore and has the maximum stored energy of 660 kJ. Since 1982, the magnet has been used for 622 days and charged up about 1070 times up to the field higher than 14 T without serious troubles. In this paper, results of 16.5 T superconducting magnet operations in the last 4 years are described

Ripple Shielding for Accurate Resistivity Measurements in Hybrid Magnets(Part II. Several Instruments and Techniques Developed in HFLSM)

After a preliminary test of ripple shielding by a coil using a prereacted pure Nb_3Sn multifilamentary superconducting wire, a few ripple shielding coils were developed employing a Ti-doped Nb-tube method processed multifilamentary Nb_3Sn superconducting wire with so far highest J_c by the so called W&R method, making it possible to measure the temperature dependence of the resistivity in Nb_Ti_ alloy within the accuracy of 10^ at very high magnetic fields above 20 T in the hybrid magnets in the High Field Laboratory for Superconducting Materials at Tohoku University

Fluorescence and Electron Microscopic Studies of the Cytoskeletal Organi­zation of Normal, Established and Transformed Chick Embryo Cells

The cytoskeletons of two established chick embryo cell (CEC) lines were examined by fluorescence and electron microscopy and compared with those of control cells and cells transformed by Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). In normal CEC, many stress fibers were observed. On the other hand, stress fibers were disorganized in nontransformed spontaneously established CEC, non-tumorigenic CEC partially transformed with a chemical carcinogen, and tumorigenic RSV-transformed CEC. In the normal CEC, actin filaments formed several bundles along the processes of the cell. Stereo-images of the peripheral region revealed bundles of filaments which were located along the attached side to the substrate. A fine well preserved network of filaments was also observed. On the other hand, in spontaneously established, partially transformed and RSV-transformed CEC, a fine network of filaments, but no actin cables, was found. These results support previous evidence that the cytoskeletal changes themselves are not directly related to the transformation or tumorigenicity of cells. </p

A Study on the Relationship between Children's Developmental Stages and Sense of Color

It is well known that human sensitivity to color and expressive ability varies with age and gender. In addition, the perception, understanding, and comprehension of color vary according to developmental stage and color-related experiences. This study is one approach to research to clarify the relationship between such "sense of color" as above and the developmental stages of children. In this study, the coloring behavior of teenage subjects; elementary school, junior high school, and university students, to coloring book images were investigated using iPads. The characteristics of coloring and color schemes used in the coloring books were analyzed to explore the relationship with the developmental stages of the children. The coloring book images, mandala-like patterns, used in the investigation were designed originally based on some preliminary investigations. In addition, the original palette of colors systematically arranged in hues and tones was specified to quantitatively analyze the characteristics of the colors used in the coloring book. The results showed that the hues of colors used with high frequency in coloring books changed as the developmental stage progressed and that the range of tones by the combination of saturation and lightness widened. It was also found that the color schemes were simple and easy to understand at younger ages, while the complexity of the color schemes increased as the children grew older

JSPS-10 The Effect of Consumption of Raw Chicken Meat on Humoral Immunity against Campylobacter jejuni in veterinarians and workers in a chicken processing plant

Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli are the leading cause of enteric infections in Japan and many other developed countries, and the public health burden of campylobacteriosis is increasing [1]. Although the epidemiological data in Japan is based on passive surveillance, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases per each year have been reported as a foodborne infection since 1982. Many risk factors for Campylobacter transmission have been identified. Handling and consumption of poultry meat are often causing of infection [2, 3]. Since Japanese have a food habitant to eat fresh raw "free-range" chicken meat and liver, the risk for infection with campylobacters may be high [4]. However, little is known about the relationship between consumption of raw chicken meat and humoral immunity against C. jejuni in humans. When people had been exposed to campylobacters contaminated in water or foods, it has been reported that their antibodies were rising [5]. This study was conducted by analyzing the antibody level against C. jejuni with questionnaires from 74 veterinarians who worked as a meat inspector and 181 workers from a chicken processing plant

Differential, histochemical and immunohistochemical changes in rat hepatocytes after isoflurane or sevoflurane exposure.

Differential, histochemical and immunohistochemical changes were observed in hepatocytes from immediately to 7 days after isoflurane or sevoflurane exposure (at H 0 to on Day 7) to study the process of development and recovery in anesthetic-induced hepatic injury. A total of 570 7-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats with or without phenobarbital treatment were exposed to isoflurane or sevoflurane in 100%, 21%, or 10% oxygen, or to 10% oxygen alone for 2h. In phenobarbital-treated rats, hepatocytes both with and without anesthetic exposure markedly changed in 10% oxygen at H 0. Glycogen and ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) disappeared at H 0 and at H 6, respectively, and at H 6, AST levels in the blood rose. From H 6 to Day 1, necrosis developed more markedly and widely in zone 3 hepatocytes exposed to anesthetics in 10% oxygen than in those exposed to oxygen alone. All degenerated tissues had returned to normal levels by day 7. Recovery of the hepatolobular structure may be attributed to rearrangement of remaining hepatocytes in the portal vein area. Both the disappearance of glycogen and rRNA and the increase in blood AST levels after exposure to isoflurane or sevoflurane are considered to be factors contributing to the induction of necrosis around the central vein. The grade of isoflurane-induced hepatic injury was found to be significantly higher than that of sevoflurane.</p

Light and electron microscopic observation of specific atrial granules using water-miscible resin as an embedding medium.

A mixture of glycol methacrylate (GMA) and Quetol 523 was examined as an embedding medium for atrial tissue to be selectively stained for specific atrial granules. Semi-thin sections of rat atrial tissue embedded in this resin were stained with lead hematoxylin and observed under a light microscope. Atrial granules were found to be specifically stained blue black with lead hematoxylin. The same semithin sections stained with OsO4 vapor were examined electron microscopically and the atrial granules could be distinguised clearly from other cytoplasmic components. The GMA-Quetol 523 mixture is a useful embedding medium for studying the distribution of specific atrial granules by light and electron microscopy.</p