Pb2+ reduces the current from NMDA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes

AbstractWe compared the effects of Pb2+ on four types of NMDA receptors expressed in Xenopus ooeytes. Pb2+ reduced the currents evoked by glutamate and glycine. The Ki values of the receptors, ε1/ζ1, ε2/ζ1, ε3/ζ1 and ε4/ζ1, were 39, 34, 54 and 42 μM, respectively, and their Hill coefficients were 0.53, 4.6, 0.52 and 0.37, respectively. The ε2/ζ1 receptor that was inhibited in the presence of over 30 μM Pb2+ was not recovered to the control level after a Pb2+ washout for over 30 min, suggesting that ε2/ζ1 is responsible for the chronic Pb2+ intoxication in the nervous system

Activation of channel activity of the NMDA receptor-PSD-95 complex by guanylate kinase-associated protein (GKAP)

AbstractThe channel-associated protein PSD-95 functionally modulates NMDA receptor channels, interacting with the channels via PDZ domain of PSD-95. PSD-95 also interacts with guanylate kinase-associated protein (GKAP) through the guanylate kinase-like domain of PSD-95. Here we report that GKAP markedly potentiates the channel activity of the receptor-PSD-95 complex. However, GKAP had no effect on basic properties of the channels nor on PSD-95-induced changes in channel properties. Thus, GKAP affects the channel activity of the NMDA receptor via PSD-95 quantitatively, which may make signal transmission more efficient at postsynaptic sites

Physiological Activities of Perilla Frutescens Var. Frutescens Leaf Extracts and Storage Stability in Kneaded Noodles

Perilla (Perilla frutescens var. frutescens) leaves were fractionated based on their chemical properties, and the physiological activities of the fractions were evaluated. The acidic fraction had high radical scavenging ability, whereas the superoxide dismutase-like activities of all fractions were low. A positive correlation was observed between scavenging activity and polyphenol content. The inhibitory effects of the extracts on a-amylase and on a-glucosidase activities were low, indicating a weak suppressive effect of the leaf extracts on diabetes. The acidic and phenolic fractions suppressed pancreatic lipase activity and accelerated lipid hydrolysis in adipocytes differentiated from 3T3-L1 cells. Flour noodles kneaded with leaf powder were prepared, and storage stability was examined. The functional compounds in the leaves were heat-sensitive in the flour noodles. We fractionated perilla leaves to isolate and identify valuable components to provide functionality to processed food and determined that some conditions, such as storage temperature, must be considered to effectively use the compounds

A New Light on the Evolution and Propagation of Prehistoric Grain Pests: The World's Oldest Maize Weevils Found in Jomon Potteries, Japan

Three Sitophilus species (S. granarius L., S. oryzae L., and S. zeamais Mots.) are closely related based on DNA analysis of their endosymbionts. All are seed parasites of cereal crops and important economic pest species in stored grain. The Sitophilus species that currently exist, including these three species, are generally believed to be endemic to Asia's forested areas, suggesting that the first infestations of stored grain must have taken place near the forested mountains of southwestern Asia. Previous archaeological data and historical records suggest that the three species may have been diffused by the spread of Neolithic agriculture, but this hypothesis has only been established for granary weevils in European and southwestern Asian archaeological records. There was little archeological evidence for grain pests in East Asia before the discovery of maize weevil impressions in Jomon pottery in 2004 using the “impression replica” method. Our research on Jomon agriculture based on seed and insect impressions in pottery continued to seek additional evidence. In 2010, we discovered older weevil impressions in Jomon pottery dating to ca. 10 500 BP. These specimens are the oldest harmful insects in the world discovered at archaeological sites. Our results provide evidence of harmful insects living in the villages from the Earliest Jomon, when no cereals were cultivated. This suggests we must reconsider previous scenarios for the evolution and propagation of grain pest weevils, especially in eastern Asia. Although details of their biology or the foods they infested remain unclear, we hope future interdisciplinary collaborations among geneticists, entomologists, and archaeologists will provide the missing details

Visualization of the radiofrequency lesion after pulmonary vein isolation using delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging fused with magnetic resonance angiography

AbstractBackgroundThe radiofrequency (RF) lesions for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can be visualized by delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI). However, the quality of anatomical information provided by DE-MRI is not adequate due to its spatial resolution. In contrast, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) provides similar information regarding the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) as computed tomography angiography. We hypothesized that DE-MRI fused with MRA will compensate for the inadequate image quality provided by DE-MRI.MethodsDE-MRI and MRA were performed in 18 patients who underwent AF ablation (age, 60±9 years; LA diameter, 42±6mm). Two observers independently assessed the DE-MRI and DE-MRI fused with MRA for visualization of the RF lesion (score 0–2; where 0: not visualized and 2: excellent in all 14 segments of the circular RF lesion).ResultsDE-MRI fused with MRA was successfully performed in all patients. The image quality score was significantly higher in DE-MRI fused with MRA compared to DE-MRI alone (observer 1: 22 (18, 25) vs 28 (28, 28), p<0.001; observer 2: 24 (23, 25) vs 28 (28, 28), p<0.001).ConclusionsDE-MRI fused with MRA was superior to DE-MRI for visualization of the RF lesion owing to the precise information on LA and PV anatomy provided by DE-MRI

在宅要支援・要介護高齢者の食事サービスの役割

この研究は、在宅要支援・要介護高齢者の食事サービスの現状から介護サービスのあり方を検討することを目的とした。被調査者は、すでに在宅でサービスを受けている男性14名、女性34名とした。調査は、被調査者の自宅を個別に訪問し、非指示的面接により行った。世帯別では夫婦のみの世帯が最も多く、次いで単身者世帯が多かった。多くの場合、家族が調理を担当し、本人が調理をするのは37.5%、配食サービスを利用しているのは12.5%であった。また、サービスを利用する理由として、身体的なものが多く挙げられた。在宅要介護高齢者の食事サービスは、新たな地域密着型サービスの中で確立させ、現状に即した個別的な対応で、生活の質を充実させていくことが必要であると示唆された。The purpose of this study was to examine the ideal way of the home-based services from the current state of the life support and the meal services of the elderly requiring support and long-term care in the community. The subjects were 14 male and 34 female who had already received domiciliary care. We individually visited each home and interviewed. At this study, the households of only elderly couples were most common, and the next was living all alone. The most of them were taking charge of cooking by the family, and the people who cooked their own were 37.5%, and who used the delivery meal service were only 12.5%. Because of physical problems more than psychological problems, they used these meal services. It is suggested that it\u27s necessary to establish the meal services for the elderly in a new community-based support system, and to enhance their quality of life in individual correspondence suited the current state