Inactivation of spermidine N1-acetyltransferase with alkaline phosphatase

AbstractSpermidine N1-acetyltransferase in an extract from phytohemagglutinin-stimulated bovine lymphocytes was inactivated by preincubation with alkaline phosphatase. Inactivation of the acetylase with the phosphatase was totally inhibited by addition of pyrophosphate. These results suggest that spermidine N1-acetyltransferase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the biodegradative pathway of polyamines, is inactivated by dephosphorylation. A similar effect of alkaline phosphatase on the acetylase in an extract from Escherichia coli was also observed. The acetylase has a rapid rate of turnover and the rapid loss of the enzyme activity may be to some extent regulated by the covalent modification

Mouse in Utero Electroporation: Controlled Spatiotemporal Gene Transfection

In order to understand the function of genes expressed in specific region of the developing brain, including signaling molecules and axon guidance molecules, local gene transfer or knock- out is required. Gene targeting knock-in or knock-out into local regions is possible to perform with combination with a specific CRE line, which is laborious, costly, and time consuming. Therefore, a simple transfection method, an in utero electroporation technique, which can be performed with short time, will be handy to test the possible function of candidate genes prior to the generation of transgenic animals 1,2. In addition to this, in utero electroporation targets areas of the brain where no specific CRE line exists, and will limit embryonic lethality 3,4. Here, we present a method of in utero electroporation combining two different types of electrodes for simple and convenient gene transfer into target areas of the developing brain. First, a unique holding method of embryos using an optic fiber optic light cable will make small embryos (from E9.5) visible for targeted DNA solution injection into ventricles and needle type electrodes insertion to the targeted brain area 5,6. The patterning of the brain such as cortical area occur at early embryonic stage, therefore, these early electroporation from E9.5 make a big contribution to understand entire area patterning event. Second, the precise shape of a capillary prevents uterine damage by making holes by insertion of the capillary. Furthermore, the precise shape of the needle electrodes are created with tungsten and platinum wire and sharpened using sand paper and insulated with nail polish 7, a method which is described in great detail in this protocol. This unique technique allows transfection of plasmid DNA into restricted areas of the brain and will enable small embryos to be electroporated. This will help to, open a new window for many scientists who are working on cell differentiation, cell migration, axon guidance in very early embryonic stage. Moreover, this technique will allow scientists to transfect plasmid DNA into deep parts of the developing brain such as thalamus and hypothalamus, where not many region-specific CRE lines exist for gain of function (GOF) or loss of function (LOF) analyses

動機づけと運動学習のパーフォーマンスに関する体育心理学的研究について

In order to make clear the problems as to effects of drive (motive) conditions and incentive (goal) conditions on performance of motor learning, some recent studies in these fields were reviewed. In reviewing, papers on these subjects being reported in "Research Journal of Physical Education" in Japan and "The Research Quarterly" in America were especially selected

運動部活動に関する実態調査(創立25周年記念特集号-スポーツ科学の諸問題-)

The purpose of this research is to investigate psychological problems that occur in sport coaching (circle activities of the department of athletics), and moreover, is to gain useful data for psychological approach toward problems of sport coaching. The data of this study was obtained by the questionnaires consisting of 18 items administered from June through August 1991. Subjects were 365 male and 121 female athletes who were belonging to sport circles (containing male 14 sporting events and female 9 sporting events) in the faculty of physical education of Sendai College. Main findings of this study were as follows: 1. A large percentage of the athletes expressed dissatisfaction with their own and their circles\u27 results of games. However, most of them holded the continuous will of their circles\u27 activities. 2. Their desirable coach\u27s type in training was a democratic type. In addition, the coach that they hoped, was severe type when training but mild type after training. 3. Regarding the easiness of the so-called "Agari" (tendency to feel pressure or not feel pressure), most athletes answered "neither steady nor unsteady." The female athletes showed a tendency to more unsteady compared with male athletes. The athletes who adopted preventive measures against "Agari" were comparatively few. As to measures to prevent "Agari", the common methods based on experiences which are able to execute easily by oneself were often used. On the other hand, scientific or clinical -psychological technique as the mental-training was rarely used

知覚運動学習における心理的練習の効果 : 追従動作について

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mental and physical practice on the learning and retention of the pursuit rotor task. Method : Subjects were 22 male students in Sendai College. The subjects were then randomly assigned to either the physical practice, the mental practice, or the no-practice group used as the control group. Subjects then practiced for 12 days within their specific treatment groups. Results : An analysis of the data revealed the following facts : There was a significant difference at the 1 percent level between the pre-test and the post-test, and between the pre-test and the retention test, for three groups At the post-test, there was a significant difference between the physical practice group and the mental practice (1 percent level) or the no-practice group (5 percent level). The difference between the mental practice and the no-practice group was not significant. Therefore, physical practice was the superior type of practice in performing the pursuit rotor task. At the retention test, there was no significant difference among three groups

運動部活動に関する実態調査(2)

The purpose of this research is to investigate psychological problems that occur in sport coaching (circle activities of the department of athletics), and moreover, is to gain useful data for psychological approach toward problems of sport coaching. The data of this research was obtained by the questionnaires consisting of 18 items administered from June through July 1993. Subjects were 161 male and 28 female athletes who were belonging to sport circles (containing male 10 sporting events and female 7 sporting events) in the faculty of physical education of Sendai College. Main findings of this research including the preceding report were as follows: 1. A large percentage of the athletes expressed dissatisfaction with their own and their circle\u27s results of games. However, most of them holded the continuous will of their circle\u27s activities. 2. Their desirable coach\u27s type in training was a democratic type that respected their independence. 3. About 30 percent of subjects was executing the mental training with the object of doing themselves justice in the game, intensifying mental power, or preventing measures against "Agari" (tendency to feel pressure or not feel pressure), and so on

Comprehensive investigation of areae gastricae pattern in gastric corpus using magnifying narrow band imaging endoscopy in patients with chronic atrophic fundic gastritis.

Background:  Barium radiographic studies have suggested the importance of evaluating areae gastricae pattern for the diagnosis of gastritis. Significance of endoscopic appearance of areae gastricae in the diagnosis of chronic atrophic fundic gastritis (CAFG) was investigated by image-enhanced endoscopy. Materials and Methods:  Endoscopic images of the corpus lesser curvature were studied in 50 patients with CAFG. Extent of CAFG was evaluated with autofluorescence imaging endoscopy. The areae gastricae pattern was evaluated with 0.2% indigo carmine chromoendoscopy. Micro-mucosal structure was examined with magnifying chromoendoscopy and narrow band imaging. Results:  In patients with small extent of CAFG, polygonal areae gastricae separated by a narrow intervening part of areae gastricae was observed, whereas in patients with wide extent of CAFG, the size of the areae gastricae decreased and the width of the intervening part of areae gastricae increased (p < 0.001). Most areae gastricae showed a foveola-type micro-mucosal structure (82.7%), while intervening part of areae gastricae had a groove-type structure (98.0%, p < 0.001). Groove-type mucosa had a higher grade of atrophy (p < 0.001) and intestinal metaplasia (p < 0.001) compared with foveola type. Conclusions:  As extent of CAFG widened, multifocal groove-type mucosa that had high-grade atrophy and intestinal metaplasia developed among areae gastricae and increased along the intervening part of areae gastricae. Our observations facilitate our understanding of the development and progression of CAFG

Latent heat in the chiral phase transition

The chiral phase transition at finite temperature and density is discussed in the framework of the QCD-like gauge field theory. The thermodynamical potential is investigated using a variational approach. Latent heat generated in the first-order phase transition is calculated. It is found that the latent heat is enhanced near the tricritical point and is more than several hundred MeV per quark.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

大学運動部活動の実態 : 関東・東北ブロック男女バレーボール選手を対象にして

The purpose of this research is to investigate actual states of club activities of volleyball players in universities, colleges and junior college for gaining useful data for volleyball coaching. The data of this research was obtained by the questionnaires consisting 14 items administered from June through September 1994. Subjects were 134 male and 132 female volleyball players who belonged to sport clubs of universities, Colleges and junior college in the Kantoregion Block and the Tohokuregion Block in Japan. Main findings of this research were as follows 1 . A large percentage of the subjects expressed dissatisfaction with their club\u27s results in competitions and their club\u27s existing conditions. However, most of the players stated that they would like to continue club activities. 2. About 30 percent of the subjects had worries or troubles, and had requests for better leadership (supervisor, coach, etc.)

Effects of raloxifene on the production of cytokines in stimulated whole blood in ex vivo and in vitro studies

Purpose : The aims of this study were to determine the effects of raloxifene therapy on production of cytokines and in vitro effects of raloxifene on production of cytokines by whole blood cultures. Methods :We obtained samples of peripheral blood from 6 postmenopausal women with osteopenia at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of raloxifene therapy and 10 postmenopausal women who did not receive raloxifene therapy. Whole blood from raloxifene-treated women was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohemeagglutinin (PHA). Whole blood from postmenopausal women who were not treated with raloxifene was preincubated with raloxifene at concentrations of 10-10-10-7 M and then stimulated with LPS or PHA. Concentrations of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the supernatant were measured by respective ELISAs. Results : In ex vivo cultures, raloxifene therapy inhibited LPS-stimulated production of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-12p70 and TNF-α, but not PHA-stimulated production of IL-4 and IFN-γ. In in vitro cultures, raloxifene at a concentration (10-9 M) inhibited LPS-stimulated production of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-12p40 and PHA-stimulated production of IFN-γ. Conclusions : Raloxifene therapy decreases the production of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α but not that of IL-4 and IFN-γ, suggesting that modulation of cytokines could play a role in the mechanisms of the osteoprotective effect of raloxifene