Enzymatic and chemical inactivation of partially purified prothoracicotropic (brain) hormone of the silkworm,Bombyx mori

The effects of various enzymatic and chemical treatments on the biological activity of the partially purified PTTH are described. PTTH was inactivated by pepsin, trypsin and α-chymotrypsin. Leucine aminopeptidase and carboxypeptidase A did not affect the biological activity of PTTH, suggesting that N- and C-terminus are blocked. Treatments with chemical reagents suggest that the tryptophan residue and disulfide bond are essential for the activity, whereas the sulfhydryl group is not. Tyrosinase exerted no effects. Glycosidases, neuraminidase, and periodate oxidation did not affect the activity, suggesting that carbohydrates are not essential for the biological activity of PTTH.     

Group 12 metal complexes with inner-salt, bis(N,N-disubstituted amino)carbeniumdithiocarboxylate. Asymmetric stretching vibration of thiocarboxylate and reduction potential as probes for the coordination mode

A series of Group 12 metal complexes with bis(N,N-disubstituted amino)carbeniumdithiocarboxylates (RL) have prepared by the reaction of metal perchlorate with RL in EtOH or CH₂Cl_2, and characterized by the X-ray structural analysis, IR spectrum, and electrochemical measurements. The composition of metal and RL and the coordination mode, such as monodentate, chelate, and bridging or capping, depend on both the central metal ion and the substituent on the diaminocarbenium moiety. The useful criteria for the coordination mode are found to be the wavenumber of the -CS₂ asymmetric stretching vibration in the solid state, and the ligand-based reduction potential in solution.     

Influence of a long-term powdered diet on the social interaction test and dopaminergic systems in mice

It is well known that the characteristics of mastication are important for the maintenance of our physical well-being. In this study, to assess the importance of the effects of food hardness during mastication, we investigated whether a long-term powdered diet might cause changes in emotional behavior tests, including spontaneous locomotor activity and social interaction (SI) tests, and the dopaminergic system of the frontal cortex and hippocampus in mice. Mice fed a powdered diet for 17 weeks from weaning were compared with mice fed a standard diet (control). The dopamine turnover and expression of dopamine receptors mRNA in the frontal cortex were also evaluated. Spontaneous locomotor activity, SI time and dopamine turnover of the frontal cortex were increased in powdered diet-fed mice. On the other hand, the expression of dopamine-4 (D4) receptors mRNA in the frontal cortex was decreased in powdered diet-fed mice. Moreover, we examined the effect of PD168077, a selective D4 agonist, on the increased SI time in powdered diet-fed mice. Treatment with PD168077 decreased the SI time. These results suggest that the masticatory dysfunction induced by long-term powdered diet feeding may cause the increased SI time and the changes in the dopaminergic system, especially dopamine D4 receptor subtype in the frontal cortex.     

Novel antibody assessment method for microbial compositional alteration in the oral cavity

Recently, it has been demonstrated that dysbiosis, an alteration in commensal microflora composition, is intimately involved in the onset of a variety of diseases. It is becoming increasingly evident that the composition of commensal microflora in the oral cavity is closely connected to oral diseases, such as periodontal disease, and systemic diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Next-generation sequencing techniques are used as a method to examine changes in bacterial flora, but additional analytical methods to assess bacterial flora are needed to understand bacterial activity in more detail. In addition, the oral environment is unique because of the role of secretory antibodies contained in saliva in the formation of bacterial flora. The present study aimed to develop a new method for evaluating the compositional change of microbiota using flow cytometry (FCM) with specific antibodies against the bacterial surface antigen, as well as salivary antibodies. Using specific antibodies against Streptococcus mutans, a causative agent of dental caries, and human IgA, bacterial samples from human saliva were analyzed via FCM. The results showed that different profiles could be obtained depending on the oral hygiene status of the subjects. These results suggest that changes in the amount and type of antibodies that bind to oral bacteria may be an indicator for evaluating abnormalities in the oral flora. Therefore, the protocol established in this report could be applied as an evaluation method for alterations in the oral microbiota.     

Extrapyramidaler Kern und extrapyramidale Fasern im Accessorius und Hypoglossus

Zusammenfassung Die kleinen Zellen im Accessoriuskern und Hypoglossuskern, die in Form und Bau der Neben- und Mittelzelle Waldeyers im Rückenmark sehr nahe stehen, zeigen deutliche retrograde Veränderung nach der Durchtrennung des Accessorius bzw. Hypoglossus. Wir möchten dem-nach diese Zellen als extrapyramidalen Kern und die kleine markhaltige Faser im N. accessorius und hypoglossus als extrapyramidale Faser betrachten.     

Isolation of a cDNA encoding a potential soluble receptor for human erythropoietin.

Analysis of human erythropoietin receptor-encoding cDNAs revealed the possible existence of a soluble receptor lacking the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains.     

Mammary gland growth and response to hormones in mastomys compared with mice

Mammary gland growth with or without hormone manipulation was examined in virgin mastomys (Praomys (mastomys) natalensis) and compared with C3H/He mice having a low mammary tumor incidence. Mammary glands of mastomys consisted mostly of duct systems even at 720 days of age, whereas conspicuous formation of normal end-buds and preneoplastic hyperplastic alveolar nodules were seen in the glands of mice after 180 days of age. Mammary glands of mastomys showed a higher response to estrogen or progesterone rather than prolactin, which is much different from other rodents.     

Determination of the distribution of constituent disaccharide units within the chain near the linkage region of shark-cartilage chondroitin sulfate C

A method for analyzing the distribution of constituent disaccharide units within the chain near the linkage region of chondroitin sulfate has been developed. The method consists of (a) chemical modification of the reducing terminal residue in the polysaccharide by a 2-(2,4-dinitrophenylamino)ethylamino (DNP-AEA) group, (b) controlled fragmentation of the DNP-AEA-labeled polysaccharide with chondroitinase AC-I, followed by separation of the digestion products into the DNP-AEA-labeled fragments and unlabeled fragments on octyl-Sepharose CL-4B gel, (c) fractionation of the DNP-AEA-labeled fragments into fractions having different chain-lengths of Sephadex G-100 (superfine), and (d) determination of the disaccharide unit composition of the de-dinitrophenylated products (AEA-labeled fragments) by the method combining chondroitinase AC-II treatment with HPLC analysis. A preparation of shark cartilage chondroitin sulfate C, which has been characterized well with regard to molecular species (M_r 48 000; average number of repeating disaccharide units (dp_av) 93–94; consisting of chondroitin 6-sulfated 22.5%, disulfate (D type) 10.3%, and nonsulfated units 0.4%), was analyzed by the above method. On the basis of the data obtained, distribution features of the dissacharide units within the chain near the linkage region of the polysaccharide (dp_av 27) were estimated. It was, however, difficult to propose a final primary sequence of the polysaccharide chain, although there was a definite trend towards an enrichment of 4-sulfated and nonsulfated dissacharide residues in the area close to the linkage region (dp_av 3–9 or 11). This was apparent together with an enrichment of 6-sulfated and disulfated disaccharide residues in the area distant from the linkage region (dp_av 11 of 13–27).