PAX6-positive microglia evolve locally in hiPSC-derived ocular organoids

Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). They govern the immunogenicity of the retina, which is considered to be part of the CNS; however, it is not known how microglia develop in the eye. Here, we studied human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that had been expanded into a self-formed ectodermal autonomous multi-zone (SEAM) of cells that partially mimics human eye development. Our results indicated that microglia-like cells, which have characteristics of yolk-sac-like linage cells, naturally develop in 2D eye-like SEAM organoids, which lack any vascular components. These cells are unique in that they are paired box protein 6 (PAX6)-positive, yet they possess some characteristics of mesoderm. Collectively, the data support the notion of the existence of an isolated, locally developing immune system in the eye, which is independent of the body’s vasculature and general immune system

Current Performance and On-Going Improvements of the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope

An overview of the current status of the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope constructed and operated at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is presented. The basic design concept and the verified performance of the telescope system are described. Also given are the status of the instrument package offered to the astronomical community, the status of operation, and some of the future plans. The status of the telescope reported in a number of SPIE papers as of the summer of 2002 are incorporated with some updates included as of 2004 February. However, readers are encouraged to check the most updated status of the telescope through the home page, http://subarutelescope.org/index.html, and/or the direct contact with the observatory staff.Comment: 18 pages (17 pages in published version), 29 figures (GIF format), This is the version before the galley proo

大学女子学生の運動習慣が骨密度に及ぼす影響に関する検討

In the present study，we measured bone mineral density and related items for female collegiate track and field athletes，female collegiate rhythmic gymnasts，and female college students with no exercise habits in order to elucidate the effects of exercise on bone mineral density. The results showed that athletes competing in sprints，throwing events，and rhythmic gymnastics had a significantly higher overall bone mineral density compared to general students，but no significant differences were observed for athletes competing in middle and long distance events. However，for the bone mineral density of both legs，significant differences compared to general students were observed for athletes competing in middle and long distance events as well as sprints， throwing events， and rhythmic gymnastics. These findings indicate that parts other than the legs must also be included in the assessment of bone mineral density in young subjects

最近の成人麻疹感染症に関する一考察

Since adult measles have been found，and outbreaks of measles have sometimes occurred in Japan in re-cent years，so twice vaccinations have been pointed out to be needed to take since 2006. Those who have no or once vaccination received for young generation should take twice of MR vaccine at age of 13 years old and at age of 17 old from 2008 to 2013. Unfortunately，ratio of MR vaccine taking is not so high，so out-breaks of Measles will be apprehensive to be occurring

Donepezil suppresses intracellular Ca2+ mobilization through the PI3K pathway in rodent microglia

Abstract Background Microglia are resident innate immune cells which release many factors including proinflammatory cytokines or nitric oxide (NO) when they are activated in response to immunological stimuli. Pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is related to the inflammatory responses mediated by microglia. Intracellular Ca2+ signaling is important for microglial functions such as release of NO and cytokines. In addition, alteration of intracellular Ca2+ signaling underlies the pathophysiology of AD, while it remains unclear how donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, affects intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in microglial cells. Methods We examined whether pretreatment with donepezil affects the intracellular Ca2+ mobilization using fura-2 imaging and tested the effects of donepezil on phagocytic activity by phagocytosis assay in rodent microglial cells. Results In this study, we observed that pretreatment with donepezil suppressed the TNFα-induced sustained intracellular Ca2+ elevation in both rat HAPI and mouse primary microglial cells. On the other hand, pretreatment with donepezil did not suppress the mRNA expression of both TNFR1 and TNFR2 in rodent microglia we used. Pretreatment with acetylcholine but not donepezil suppressed the TNFα-induced intracellular Ca2+ elevation through the nicotinic α7 receptors. In addition, sigma 1 receptors were not involved in the donepezil-induced suppression of the TNFα-mediated intracellular Ca2+ elevation. Pretreatment with donepezil suppressed the TNFα-induced intracellular Ca2+ elevation through the PI3K pathway in rodent microglial cells. Using DAF-2 imaging, we also found that pretreatment with donepezil suppressed the production of NO induced by TNFα treatment and the PI3K pathway could be important for the donepezil-induced suppression of NO production in rodent microglial cells. Finally, phagocytosis assay showed that pretreatment with donepezil promoted phagocytic activity of rodent microglial cells through the PI3K but not MAPK/ERK pathway. Conclusions These suggest that donepezil could directly modulate the microglial function through the PI3K pathway in the rodent brain, which might be important to understand the effect of donepezil in the brain

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Carbon Monoxide-Induced Delayed Neuropsychiatric Sequelae: Case Report of Two Cases and Relevant Literature Review

We herein report two cases with carbon monoxide- (CO-) induced delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae (DNS) successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in attempt suicide by charcoal burning. The two patients with CO-induced DNS were successfully treated with a total of more than 100 sessions of HBOT. Frontal assessment battery (FAB) was useful to examine the effectiveness of HBOT objectively. In the future study, a large-randomized trial is required to establish the efficacy of HBOT for the treatment of DNS