Nappe structure of the Asaji metamorphic rocks, with special reference to geological structure of the basement complexes in Kyushu

The Asaji metamorphic rocks in the Notsuharu area, Oita Prefecture are composed mainly of pelitic rock, psammitic rock, chert, basic rock and serpentinite. Thelast forms serpentinite melange zone, including many blocks of metamorphic rocks, and shows an overturned fold of SE vergence with the NE plunging fold axis and NNW dipping axial plane. The metamorphic rocks are divided into two groups, separated from each other by the melange zone. One occupies the horizon below the melange zone and the other above. Carbonaceous materials from 32 pelitic rock samples were examined by TAGIRI'S (1981) X-ray diffraction method in order to compare their metamorphic grade. The results show the distinct discontinuity of metamorphic grade between two groups of both sides of the melange zone. It is concluded that the sequence above the melange zone is a nappe (Hikata nappe), and the SE vergenced overturned fold has been formed during the formation of the nappe structure. The Asaji metamorphic rocks are considered to be long to the Ryoke metamorphic rocks. In Kyushu, apparent continuity of the Sambagawa belt terminate at the Saga-noseki Peninsula just to the east of the Notsuharu area. It appears from the above that the nappe of the Ryoke metamophic rocks such as the Hikata nappe overlies the Sambagawa belt in Kyushu. Incidentally, the Nagasaki metamophic rocks would blong to the Sambagawa metamorphic rocks

Zinc in Cardiovascular Functions and Diseases: Epidemiology and Molecular Mechanisms for Therapeutic Development

Zinc is an essential trace element that plays an important physiological role in numerous cellular processes. Zinc deficiency can result in diverse symptoms, such as impairment of the immune response, skin disorders, and impairments in cardiovascular functions. Recent reports have demonstrated that zinc acts as a signaling molecule, and its signaling pathways, referred to as zinc signals, are related to the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular functions. Therefore, comprehensive understanding of the significance of zinc-mediated signaling pathways is vital as a function of zinc as a nutritional component and of its molecular mechanisms and targets. Several basic and clinical studies have reported the relationship between zinc level and the onset and pathology of cardiovascular diseases, which has attracted much attention in recent years. In this review, we summarize the recent findings regarding the effects of zinc on cardiovascular function. We also discuss the importance of maintaining zinc homeostasis in the cardiovascular system and its therapeutic potential as a novel drug target

The anti-inflammatory effects of flavanol-rich lychee fruit extract in rat hepatocytes.

Flavanol (flavan-3-ol)-rich lychee fruit extract (FRLFE) is a mixture of oligomerized polyphenols primarily derived from lychee fruit and is rich in flavanol monomers, dimers, and trimers. Supplementation with this functional food has been shown to suppress inflammation and tissue damage caused by high-intensity exercise training. However, it is unclear whether FRLFE has in vitro anti-inflammatory effects, such as suppressing the production of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and the proinflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO), which is synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Here, we analyzed the effects of FRLFE and its constituents on the expression of inflammatory genes in interleukin 1β (IL-1β)-treated rat hepatocytes. FRLFE decreased the mRNA and protein expression of the iNOS gene, leading to the suppression of IL-1β-induced NO production. FRLFE also decreased the levels of the iNOS antisense transcript, which stabilizes iNOS mRNA. By contrast, unprocessed lychee fruit extract, which is rich in flavanol polymers, and flavanol monomers had little effect on NO production. When a construct harboring the iNOS promoter fused to the firefly luciferase gene was used, FRLFE decreased the luciferase activity in the presence of IL-1β, suggesting that FRLFE suppresses the promoter activity of the iNOS gene at the transcriptional level. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that FRLFE reduced the nuclear transport of a key regulator, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Furthermore, FRLFE inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB inhibitor α (IκB-α). FRLFE also reduced the mRNA levels of NF-κB target genes encoding cytokines and chemokines, such as TNF-α. Therefore, FRLFE inhibited NF-κB activation and nuclear translocation to suppress the expression of these inflammatory genes. Our results suggest that flavanols may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of FRLFE and may be used to treat inflammatory diseases

Synthesis of Crystalline Molecular Gyrotops and Phenylene Rotation inside the Cage

Phenylene-bridged macrocage molecules were synthesized as molecular gyrotops because the rotor can rotate even in a crystal. The chain-length-dependent properties of the molecular gyrotops were investigated in order to explore the potential to create new molecular materials. The formation of the cage in the synthesis of each molecular gyrotop depended on the length of the alkyl chains of the precursor. The rotation modes and energy barriers for phenylene rotation inside the crystals of the molecular gyrotops were changed by varying the chain length of the cage

Synthesis of Crystalline Molecular Gyrotops and Phenylene Rotation inside the Cage

Phenylene-bridged macrocage molecules were synthesized as molecular gyrotops because the rotor can rotate even in a crystal. The chain-length-dependent properties of the molecular gyrotops were investigated in order to explore the potential to create new molecular materials. The formation of the cage in the synthesis of each molecular gyrotop depended on the length of the alkyl chains of the precursor. The rotation modes and energy barriers for phenylene rotation inside the crystals of the molecular gyrotops were changed by varying the chain length of the cage

Contractile Activity of Myotubes Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder that results from deficiency of the dystrophin protein. In recent years, DMD pathological models have been created using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from DMD patients. In addition, gene therapy using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to repair the dystrophin gene has been proposed as a new treatment method for DMD. However, it is not known whether the contractile function of myotubes derived from gene-repaired iPS cells can be restored. We therefore investigated the maturation of myotubes in electrical pulse stimulation culture and examined the effect of gene repair by observing the contractile behaviour of myotubes. The contraction activity of myotubes derived from dystrophin-gene repaired iPS cells was improved by electrical pulse stimulation culture. The iPS cell method used in this study for evaluating muscle contractile activity is a useful technique for analysing the mechanism of hereditary muscular disease pathogenesis and for evaluating the efficacy of new drugs and gene therapy

Contractile Activity of Myotubes Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder that results from deficiency of the dystrophin protein. In recent years, DMD pathological models have been created using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from DMD patients. In addition, gene therapy using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to repair the dystrophin gene has been proposed as a new treatment method for DMD. However, it is not known whether the contractile function of myotubes derived from gene-repaired iPS cells can be restored. We therefore investigated the maturation of myotubes in electrical pulse stimulation culture and examined the effect of gene repair by observing the contractile behaviour of myotubes. The contraction activity of myotubes derived from dystrophin-gene repaired iPS cells was improved by electrical pulse stimulation culture. The iPS cell method used in this study for evaluating muscle contractile activity is a useful technique for analysing the mechanism of hereditary muscular disease pathogenesis and for evaluating the efficacy of new drugs and gene therapy