CPP32/Yama/apopain cleaves the catalytic component of DNA-dependent protein kinase in the holoenzyme

AbstractDNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is composed of a 460-kDa catalytic component (p460) and a DNA-binding component Ku protein. Immunoblot analysis after treatment of Jurkat cells with anti-Fas antibody demonstrated the cleavage of p460 concomitantly with an increase in CPP32/Yama/apopain activity. Recombinant CPP32/Yama/apopain specifically cleaved p460 in the DNA-PK preparation that had been purified from Raji cells into 230- and 160-kDa polypeptides, the latter of which was detected in anti-Fas-treated Jurkat cells. The regulatory component Ku protein was not significantly affected by CPP32/Yama/apopain. DNA-PK activity was decreased with the disappearance of p460 in the incubation of DNA-PK with CPP32/Yama/apopain. These results suggest that the catalytic component of DNA-PK is one of the target proteins for CPP32/Yama/apopain in Fas-mediated apoptosis

The Effects of Implant Surface Characteristics on Surrounding Bone: A Comparative Study of Two Types of Surface Characteristics

The aims of this study were to create experimental implants by coating rough plastic surfaces with a thin layer of titanium, and to use the experimental implants in an animal experiment to investigate whether differences in the surface characteristics of the implant affect the peri-implant bone reaction during the period of osseointegration. Titanium rods of diameter 1.6 mm and length 7 mm were treated by acid etching (AE) or sandblasting followed by acid etching (SA), and replicas were made from plastic. Experimental implants were created by depositing a thin layer of titanium on the plastic replicas by DC-magnetron sputtering, and the surface characteristics of the experimental implants were evaluated. The experimental implants were placed in the tibias of eight-week-old male SD rats. The rats were sacrificed and the implants harvested at 3, 5, 10, 14, 21 and 28 days after implant placement. The samples were examined by optical microscopy and micro-CT to confirm peri-implant new bone growth. Examination of the experimental implants by SEM imaging showed that the different surface conditions (SA and AE) had been faithfully recreated. TEM observation and XPS analysis confirmed that the coating was titanium. The surface roughness of SA and AE was 2.68±0.536 μm and 0.47±0.069 μm, respectively. With AE, the BMD of peri-implant trabecular bone showed that bone mineralization progressed not on the surface of the implant but at sites a small distance away. At day 28 after placement of the implant, when osseointegration was complete, the BMD value in the region near the implant surface was higher in SA than in AE. Furthermore, the BV/TV value was high at an earlier stage in SA than AE. The results showed that the SA surface was better than the AE surface for achieving osseointegration.福岡歯科大学2013年

A Bezoar Composed of Bilirubin Calcium, Calcium Carbonate, and Fatty Acid Calcium

A 68-year-old Japanese man was diagnosed with bezoar in the stomach, which was endoscopically retrieved. The bezoar was composed of bilirubin calcium, calcium carbonate, and fatty acid calcium. Due to the presence of bilirubin calcium in the bezoar, we performed imaging studies of the bile duct; gallstones and common bile duct stones were identified. Although bezoar with components similar to bile is infrequently encountered, our findings suggest that a bezoar originating from bile should be considered among the differential diagnoses in patients without a recent consumption history of persimmons who demonstrate a mass in the digestive tract. This case highlights the importance of component analysis of gastric bezoars because its findings may alter the treatment plan

Impatt oscillator design

Includes bibliographical references (page 56)This thesis describes a technique for design of IMPATT diode oscillators. The design technique is applicable to any circuit configuration that can be modeled by lumped elements.\ud To demonstrate the design technique, a coaxial oscillator utilizing a single step impedance transformer is designed and fabricated. A design curve for determining the transformer length and characteristic impedance is presented. In addition, design curves for modeling the diode mount parasitics are also included. With the use of these curves, an equivalent network is derived.\ud The equivalent network is then analyzed to determine the effect of various parameter changes. The results of the analysis are illustrated by the use of device-circuit diagrams.\ud The oscillator is then fabricated and tested. The test results show the variation of output power as a function of bias current, threshold current and transformer impedance. Also, the frequence of oscillation is found to be a function of transformer length. These test results are explained in terms of the equivalent network model

Malformation of certain brain blood vessels caused by TCDD activation of Ahr2/Arnt1 signaling in developing zebrafish

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) causes various signs of toxicity in early life stages of vertebrates through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). The AHR also plays important roles in normal development in mice, and AHR^ mice show abnormal development of vascular structures in various blood vessels. Our previous studies revealed that Ahr type 2 (Ahr2) activation by TCDD and β-naphthoflavone (BNF) caused a significant decrease in blood flow in the dorsal midbrain of zebrafish embryos. Here we report effects of TCDD exposure on the morphology of some blood vessels in the head of developing zebrafish. TCDD caused concentration-dependent anatomical rearrangements in the shape of the prosencephalic artery in zebrafish larvae. In contrast, no major vascular defects were recognized in the trunk and tail regions following exposure to TCDD at least at the concentrations used. Essentially, the same observations were also confirmed in BNF-exposed larvae. Knock-down of either Ahr2 or Ahr nuclear translocator type 1 (Arnt1) by morpholino oligonucleotides (MOs) protected larvae against abnormal shape of the prosencephalic artery caused by TCDD and BNF. On the other hand, knock-down of Ahr2 or Arnt1 in vehicle-exposed zebrafish larvae had no clear effect on morphology of the prosencephalic artery or trunk vessels. Ascorbic acid, an antioxidant, protected against the TCDD-induced decrease in blood flow through the prosencephalic artery, but not the abnormal morphological changes in the shape of this artery. These results indicate that activation of Ahr2/Arnt1 pathway by TCDD and BNF affects the shape of certain blood vessels in the brain of developing zebrafish