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Objective: Embolic protection devices are useful for preventing distal embolism during carotid artery stenting (CAS); however, complications have been reported. The successful removal of a filter fragment trapped at the distal edge of a carotid stent during the retrieval procedure is described. Case Presentation: CAS was performed for internal carotid artery stenosis in a patient in his 70s, and the carotid stent was successfully placed. During the retrieval procedure, the tip of the filter was trapped at the distal edge of the stent and detached from the filter. Using a snare kit, the filter tip was successfully retrieved, and no postoperative neurological symptoms occurred. Conclusion: The edge of a carotid stent can potentially trap devices. When trapping or fragmentation of a device is suspected, it is necessary to evaluate the situation and cause, and the device should be appropriately retrieved without using force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus (sNPH) can occur in various central nervous system diseases, there are no reports of sNPH caused by pituitary lesions. Herein, we present a unique case of sNPH caused by pituitary apoplexy. Case Description: A 70-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of a sudden onset of headache and loss of consciousness. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test showed slightly elevated cell counts and protein levels but a negative CSF culture test. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a dumbbell-like cystic lesion with hemorrhagic change at the sella turcica. From the above, the patient was diagnosed with aseptic meningitis caused by pituitary apoplexy. Pituitary hormone replacement therapy was undertaken, and his symptoms fully improved. However, two months later, he complained of a gait disturbance and incontinence that had gradually appeared. Brain imaging with computed tomography showed no ventricular enlargement compared with initial images, although the lateral ventricles were slightly enlarged. As a CSF drainage test improved his symptoms temporarily, sNPH with possible longstanding overt ventriculomegaly in adults (LOVA) background was suspected. We performed a lumboperitoneal shunt (LPS) placement, which improved his symptoms. Conclusion: This case suggests that sNPH can develop even after a small subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a pituitary apoplexy in LOVA patients. If the aqueduct of Sylvius is open, sNPH with a LOVA background can be successfully treated with LPS placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the changes in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) collected between 2019 and 2022, we analyzed RSV-A and RSV-B strains from various prefectures in Japan before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. RT-PCR-positive samples collected from children with rapid test positivity at outpatient clinics in 11 prefectures in Japan were sequenced for the ectodomain of the G gene to determine the genotype. Time-aware phylogeographic analyses were performed using the second hypervariable region (HVR) of the G gene from 2012 to 2022. Of 967 samples, 739 (76.4%) were found to be RSV-positive using RT-PCR. RSV peaked in September 2019 but was not detected in 2020, except in Okinawa. Nationwide epidemics occurred with peaks in July 2021 and 2022. The genotype remained the same, ON1 for RSV-A and BA9 for RSV-B during 2019–2022. Phylogeographic analysis of HVR revealed that at least seven clusters of RSV-A had circulated previously but decreased to two clusters after the pandemic, whereas RSV-B had a single monophyletic cluster over the 10 years. Both RSV-A and RSV-B were transferred from Okinawa into other prefectures after the pandemic. The RSV epidemic was suppressed due to pandemic restrictions; however, pre-pandemic genotypes spread nationwide after the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are central nervous system tumors with variable prognosis and poorly understood risk factors. Little evidence exists regarding the effect of age on mortality in PA. Therefore, we conducted a thorough characterization of PA in the US. Methods We queried the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2000 and 2018 to extract age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR), age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR), and survival data on PA. The age group comparisons for each measure varied depending on available SEER data. We compared trends in AAIR and AAMR by two age groups (children, 0–19 years; adults, 20 + years) and by sex. The cumulative incidence function and the Fine-Gray competing risk model were applied by 0–19, 20–39, 40–59, and 60 + years of age groups. Results This study included 5211 incident PA and 462 PA-specific deaths between 2000 and 2018. Trends in AAIRs and AAMRs were almost constant between 2000 and 2018. Average AAIRs had a sharp peak in 1–4 years of age groups, whereas AAMRs had a gradual peak in 80–84 years of age groups. Age groups, tumor location, and race/ethnicity were significantly associated with PA-specific death, whereas only age was associated with other cause of deaths. Conclusions Trends in AAIRs and AAMRs were constant regardless of age. PAs in older populations, especially over 60 years old, have higher incidence of death than those in younger populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endovascular cerebral aneurysmal coil embolization is becoming more popular than direct aneurysmal neck clipping due to its noninferiority in long‑term outcomes and being less invasive. Neuroradiologists often find postoperative symptoms such as headache and fever after unruptured aneurysmal coil embolization, however, they have not paid much attention because symptoms almost always resolve spontaneously within a few days. Since the concept of this syndrome has not been standardized, we named it postcoiling syndrome (PCS). In this short review, we reviewed the criteria, risk factors, mechanisms, significance, and treatment of PCS based on a few pieces of literature. Almost all literature has regarded that some kind of bioactive reaction might be involved in PCS. Preliminary data showed the possibility of inhibition of PCS by histamine‑2 receptor antagonists. PCS also might have the potential of more predictive maker than previously reported risk factors for recurrence after aneurysm coil embolization. Further investigation is needed in the future, including the accumulation of cases, unification of concepts, and mid‑to‑long‑term follow‑up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the preferential loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-expressing dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Although the abnormal accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Here, we found that TH converts Tyr136 in α-synuclein into dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA; Y136DOPA) through mass spectrometric analysis. Y136DOPA modification was clearly detected by a specific antibody in the dopaminergic neurons of α-synuclein-overexpressing mice as well as human α-synucleinopathies. Furthermore, dopanized α-synuclein tended to form oligomers rather than large fibril aggregates and significantly enhanced neurotoxicity. Our findings suggest that the dopanization of α-synuclein by TH may contribute to oligomer and/or seed formation causing neurodegeneration with the potential to shed light on the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. In this work, the authors show that α-synuclein is posttranslationally dopanized at Tyr136 by tyrosine hydroxylase, which facilitates the formation of oligomers. This modification likely impacts pathogenesis and the selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, major mumps outbreaks still occur every 4-5 years because of low mumps vaccine coverage (30-40%) owing to the voluntary immunization program. Herein, to prepare for a regular immunization program, we aimed to reveal the nationwide and long-term molecular epidemiological trends of the mumps virus (MuV) in Japan. Additionally, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) using next-generation sequencing to assess results from conventional genotyping using MuV sequences of the small-hydrophobic (SH) gene. We analyzed 1,064 SH gene sequences from mumps clinical samples and MuV isolates collected from 25 prefectures from 1986 to 2017. The results showed that six genotypes, namely B (110), F (1), G (900), H (3), J (41), and L (9) were identified, and the dominant genotypes changed every decade in Japan since the 1980s. Genotype G has been exclusively circulating since the early 2000s. Seven clades were identified for genotype G using SH sequence-based classification. To verify the results, we performed WGS on 77 representative isolates of genotype G using NGS and phylogenetically analyzed them. Five clades were identified with high bootstrap values and designated as Japanese clade (JPC)-1, -2, -3, -4, -5. JPC-1 and -3 accounted for over 80% of the total genotype G isolates (68.3 and 13.8%, respectively). Of these, JPC-2 and -5, were newly identified clades in Japan through this study. This is the first report describing the nationwide and long-term molecular epidemiology of MuV in Japan. The results provide information about Japanese domestic genotypes, which is essential for evaluating the mumps elimination progress in Japan after the forthcoming introduction of the mumps vaccine into Japan's regular immunization program. Furthermore, the study shows that WGS analysis using NGS is more accurate than results obtained from conventional SH sequence-based classification and is a powerful tool for accurate molecular epidemiology studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha-synuclein (αSyn) and tau are abundant multifunctional neuronal proteins, and their intracellular deposits have been linked to many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Despite the disease relevance, their physiological roles remain elusive, as mice with knock-out of either of these genes do not exhibit overt phenotypes. To reveal functional cooperation, we generated αSyn-/- tau-/- double-knock-out mice and characterized the functional cross talk between these proteins during brain development. Intriguingly, deletion of aSyn and tau reduced Notch signaling and accelerated interkinetic nuclear migration of G2 phase at early embryonic stage. This significantly altered the balance between the proliferative and neurogenic divisions of progenitor cells, resulting in an overproduction of early born neurons and enhanced neurogenesis, by which the brain size was enlarged during the embryonic stage in both sexes. On the other hand, a reduction in the number of neural progenitor cells in the middle stage of corticogenesis diminished subsequent gliogenesis in the αSyn-/- tau-/- cortex. Additionally, the expansion and maturation of macroglial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) were suppressed in the αSyn-/- tau-/- postnatal brain, which in turn reduced the male αSyn-/- tau-/- brain size and cortical thickness to less than the control values. Our study identifies important functional cooperation of aSyn and tau during corticogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Prehospital stroke triage scales help with the decision to transport patients with suspected stroke to suitable hospitals. Objective To explore the effect of the region-wide use of the Japan Urgent Stroke Triage (JUST) score, which can predict several types of stroke: large vessel occlusion (LVO), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and cerebral infarction other than LVO (CI). Methods We implemented the JUST score and conducted a retrospective and prospective multicenter cohort study at 13 centers in Hiroshima from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2020. We investigated the success rate of the first request to the hospital, on-scene time, and transport time to hospital. We evaluated the door-to-puncture time, puncture-to-reperfusion time, and 90-day outcome among patients with final diagnoses of LVO. Results The cohort included 5141 patients (2735 before and 2406 after JUST score implementation). Before JUST score implementation, 1269 strokes (46.4%) occurred, including 140 LVO (5.1%), 394 ICH (14.4%), 120 SAH (4.4%), and 615 CI (22.5%). The JUST score was used in 1484 (61.7%) of the 2406 patients after implementation, which included 1267 (52.7%) cases of stroke (186 LVO (7.7%), 405 ICH (16.8%), 109 SAH (4.5%), and 567 CI (23.6%)). Success rate of the first request to the hospital significantly increased after JUST score implementation (76.3% vs 79.7%, p=0.004). JUST score implementation significantly shortened the door-to-puncture time (84 vs 73 min, p=0.03), but the prognosis remained unaltered among patients with acute LVO. Conclusions Use of prehospital stroke triage scales improved prehospital management and preparation time of intervention among patients with acute stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: DS-1040 is a novel inhibitor of the activated form of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor that may have therapeutic potential in thromboembolic diseases, such as acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or pulmonary embolism. We undertook a Phase I clinical trial to investigate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of DS-1040 in Japanese patients who were eligible for thrombectomy following AIS. Methods: The trial enrolled patients with AIS due to large vessel occlusion, who were planned for thrombectomy within 8 h of symptom onset. Subjects were randomized to receive a single intravenous infusion of placebo or DS-1040 (0.6, 1.2, 2.4 or 4.8 mg) in a sequential-cohort design. The primary endpoints were the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and major extracranial bleeding within 36 and 96 h, respectively, of treatment initiation. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters were also assessed. Results: Nine patients received placebo and 32 patients received DS-1040. There were no cases of symptomatic ICH or major extracranial bleeding with either placebo or DS-1040 after 36 and 96 h. One patient, who received DS-1040 0.6 mg, experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage that was considered to be drug-related. Three patients died (2 placebo, 1 DS-1040), but no deaths were adjudicated as study drug-related. In vivo exposure to DS-1040 increased in proportion to dosage, but no clear dose-response relationship was seen for D-dimer levels and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor activity. Conclusions: Single doses of DS-1040 0.6–4.8 mg were well tolerated in Japanese patients with AIS undergoing thrombectomy. Clinical trial registration number: NCT03198715; JapicCTI-163164. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree of being conscious about privacy for the self and others is known as privacy consciousness. This study aimed to compare privacy consciousness between younger and older adults. Japanese younger (n = 166) and older (n = 145) adults were requested to rate all items in the Privacy Consciousness Scale, which assessed their degree of consciousness about privacy for the self and others and behaviors for maintaining privacy based on this consciousness. Results indicated that older adults scored lower on Consciousness Regarding Privacy of Others and higher on Behaviors Regarding Privacy of Others than younger adults. However, no significant difference was found in Consciousness and Behaviors Regarding Privacy of the Self between younger and older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of genome editing was founded on the establishment of methods, such as the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) system, used to target DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). However, the efficiency of genome editing also largely depends on the endogenous cellular repair machinery. Here, we report that the specific modulation of targeting vectors to provide 3′ overhangs at both ends increased the efficiency of homology-directed repair (HDR) in embryonic stem cells. We applied the modulated targeting vectors to produce homologous recombinant mice directly by pronuclear injection, but the frequency of HDR was low. Furthermore, we combined our method with the CRISPR/Cas9 system, resulting in a significant increase in HDR frequency. Thus, our HDR-based method, enhanced homologous recombination for genome targeting (eHOT), is a new and powerful method for genome engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased jitter caused by recording marks becoming deformed in an accelerated environmental test was investigated and a model where the change in the speed of crystallization is affected by passive oxidation on the amorphous surface of the recording layer was devised. The model clarified the mechanism by which deformation in the marks caused increased jitter in the accelerated environmental test. Adding nitrogen into the gas when sputtering the protective layer adjacent to the recording film was investigated. It was confirmed that a prototype disk with this protective layer has decreased jitter after a 500 h accelerated test and superior power margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Very preterm infants are susceptible to bilirubin neurotoxicity, the signs of which are unclear during early infancy. We investigated children born preterm and later diagnosed with bilirubin encephalopathy (BE) to gain insights into accurate early diagnosis. Methods: We identified 93 children born preterm and clinically diagnosed with BE who visited our hospital between 2006 and 2018. Perinatal history, findings of auditory brainstem response (ABR), brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and functional outcomes were investigated retrospectively based on chart review. Results: The mean gestational age and birth weights were 27.2 weeks and 991 g, respectively. During the neonatal period, only 3% (2/71) had exchange transfusions, and none were diagnosed with acute BE. ABR was abnormal in 64% (51/80), but the majority (34/51) required no hearing aids. Brain MRI taken between 6 and 18 months of age revealed bilateral T2 hyperintensity of the globi pallidi in 91% (60/66); subsequently, the rate decreased with age. Functional communication outcomes were markedly superior to gross motor and hand function outcomes. Conclusion: For early diagnosis of BE, brain MRI is recommended at a corrected age of between 6 and 18 months, especially for those with abnormal ABR during early infancy, and even with no apparent history of marked neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capital breeders develop gametes by using energy that was stored before the spawning season. Energy is allocated to growth and reproduction, and limited food availability affects the balance of energy allocation, especially in fish that mature within a year, such as western sand lance (Ammodytes japonicus). This species aestivates without feeding until winter spawning and utilize energy stores that were accumulated prior to aestivation for maturation and spawning. This study aimed to evaluate the growth, energy storage, maturation rate, and reproduction of A. japonicus in response to food availability before aestivation. We conducted laboratory experiments in which young-of-the-year A. japonicus were fed at rates of 4% and 1% of their body weight per day; assigned as high and low ration groups, respectively. In June, body length was found to be significantly larger in the high ration group than in the low ration group, but the somatic condition did not differ significantly between the groups. Maturation rates and average fecundities were 1.0 and 6297 in the high ration group and 0.8 and 2251 in the low ration group, respectively. These results indicate that food availability before aestivation strongly governs the reproductive potential of A. japonicus, and suggest the involvement of mechanisms in the inter-annual recruitment variation in sand lance species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 67-year-old patient presented with a headache, vertigo and nausea, followed by a disturbance of consciousness. CT and MRI showed venous ectasia at the left cerebellopontine angle and extensive oedema in the left cerebellum. Angiography demonstrated a dural arteriovenous fistula that appeared at the left superior petrosal sinus–cavernous sinus) junction. After the evaluation of the shunt point, occluded areas were recanalised via the femoral vein with a quadriaxial catheter system using a 6-Fr guiding sheath, 6-Fr guiding catheter, 4.2-Fr catheter and microcatheter. Selective coil embolisation was performed, resulting in shunt removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which demonstrated the formation and observation of phase-changed domains in a thin GeSbTe film using a scanning near-field optical microscope with a laser diode. Experimental apparatus and procedure; Experimental results and discussion; Conclusion.

Purpose: A microwell culture system that facilitates group culture, such as well-of-the-well (WOW), improves embryonic development in an individual culture. We examined the effect of WOW on embryonic development in vitro with commercially available human single culture media.Methods: Using four different commercial human single culture media, in vitro development and imprinted gene expression of bovine embryos cultured in WOW were compared to droplet culture (one zygote per drop). To determine the effects of microwell and group culture on embryonic development, different numbers of embryos were cultured in droplet or WOW. Diffusion simulation of accumulating metabolites was conducted using the finite volume method.Results: WOW had a positive effect on bovine embryonic development, regardless of the type of single culture media. Imprinted gene expression was not different between droplet- and WOW-derived blastocysts. The microwell and group cultures in WOW showed a significant positive effect on the rate of total blastocysts and the rate of development to the expanded and hatching blastocyst stages. The assumed cumulative metabolite concentration of WOW with one embryo was 1.47 times higher than that of droplet culture with one embryo. Furthermore, the concentration of WOW with three embryos was 1.54 times higher than that of WOW with one embryo.Conclusions: In using human single culture media, a microwell culture system that allows group culture could be a powerful clinical tool for improving the success of assisted reproductive technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytoplasmic dynein is a microtubule-based motor protein that transports intracellular cargo and performs various functions during cell division. We previously reported that Lis1 suppresseddyneinmotilityonmicrotubules inan idling state. Recently, a model showed that Lis1 prevents the ATPase domain of dynein from transmitting a detachment signal to its microtubule- binding domain. However, conformational information on dynein is limited. We used electron microscopy to investigate the conformation of dynein and nucleotide-induced conformational changes onmicrotubules. The conformation of dynein differed depending on the presence or absence of a nucleotide. In the presence of the nucleotide ADP-vanadate, dynein displayed an extended form onmicrotubules (extended form),whereas in the absence of a nucleotide, dynein lay along microtubules (compact form). This conformational change reflects chemomechanical coupling in dynein walking on microtubules. We also found that Lis1 fixed the conformation of dynein in the compact form regardless of the nucleotide condition. Removal of the Lis1 dimerization motif abolished Lis1-dependent fixation of dynein in the compact form. This suggests that the idling state of dynein on microtubules induced by Lis1 occurs through the Lis1-dependent arrest of dynein chemomechanical coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article regarding the utilization of surgical interventions in children suffering mild trigonocephaly.

Cell positioning and neuronal network formation are crucial for proper brain function. Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is anterogradely transported to the neurite tips, together with Lis1, and functions in neurite extension via suppression of GSK3β activity. Then, transported Lis1 is retrogradely transported and functions in cell migration. Here, we showthat DISC1-binding zinc fingerprotein (DBZ), together with DISC1, regulates mouse cortical cell positioning and neurite development in vivo. DBZ hindered Ndel1 phosphorylation at threonine 219 and serine 251. DBZ depletion or expression of a double-phosphorylated mimetic form of Ndel1 impaired the transport of Lis1 and DISC1 to the neurite tips and hampered microtubule elongation. Moreover, application of DISC1 or a GSK3β inhibitor rescued the impairments caused by DBZ insufficiency or double-phosphorylated Ndel1 expression. We concluded that DBZ controls cell positioning and neurite development by interfering with Ndel1 from disproportionate phosphorylation, which is critical for appropriate anterograde transport of the DISC1-complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed the Multi-dimensional Privacy Scale (MPS), designed for the multidimensional assessment of information privacy, and evaluated its validity and reliability. Undergraduate students (N= 371: 124 men, 247 women) completed a questionnaire. Factor analysis of the responses revealed six dimensions of concerns about individuals' information privacy: Likings (6 items), Past and Recent Experiences (6 items), Belongings (6 items), Addresses (3 items), Appearance Characteristics (4 items), and Value Judgments (4 items). The reliability of the scale was examined by calculating the alpha coefficients and the test-retest reliability correlations. The validity of the scale was assessed by examining the relationships of the MPS to privacy preferences and self-disclosure tendencies. The results showed that the MPS had sufficient validity and was highly reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Privacy Consciousness Scale (PCS) was developed to measure privacy consciousness for the self and others, and its reliability and construct validity were examined. Undergraduates completed the PCS in two studies. Factor analysis of their responses on the scale revealed three dimensions: Privacy Consciousness for the Self/Behaviors to Maintain the Privacy of the Self (7 items); Privacy Consciousness for Others (4 items); and Behaviors to Maintain the Privacy of Others (4 items). These studies also examined the relationships of the PCS to information privacy, privacy preferences, empathic concern, and behavioral standards for public space. The results confirm that the PCS has reliability and construct validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Multi-dimensional Privacy Scale for Internet Users (MPS-I) was developed for the multidimensional assessment of concerns about information privacy, and its validity and reliability were examined. In Study 1, a web-based survey was conducted with 1,036 Internet users. Factor analysis of responses to the scale revealed four dimensions of concerns about one's information privacy: Autobiographical Information (11 items), Demographical Information (8 items), Identifiable Information (4 items), and Password and Credit Information (3 items). In Study 2, 119 undergraduates completed a paper-based questionnaire, and the relationships of the MPS-I to privacy preferences and self-disclosure tendencies were examined. The results suggested that the MPS-I had sufficient validity and was highly reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that determined whether the effect of mood state on the magnitude of the attentional blink should be interpreted in terms of the two axes of valence and arousal or in terms of the specificity of the connection between affect and attention. Fatigue was chosen to test these alternatives because fatigue should not increase the attentional blink, according to the two-axis view.

LIS1gene mutations lead to a rare neurological disorder, classical lissencephaly, characterized by brain malformations, mental retardation, seizures, and premature death. Mice heterozygous for Lis1(Lis1+/−) exhibit cortical malformations, defects in neuronal migration, increased glutamate-mediated synaptic transmission, and spontaneous electrographic seizures. Recent work demonstrated that in utero treatment of Lis1+/−mutant dams with ALLN, a calpain inhibitor, partially rescues neuronal migration defects in the offspring. Given the challenges of in utero drug administration, we examined the therapeutic potential of ALLN on postnatal lissencephalic cells. Voltage- and current-clamp studies were performed with acute hippocampal slices obtained from Lis1mutant mice and age-matched littermate control mice. Specifically, we determined whether postnatal ALLN treatment can reverse excitatory synaptic transmission deficits, namely, an increase in spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) frequency, on CA1 pyramidal neurons observed in tissue slices from Lis1+/−mice. We found that acute application of ALLN restored spontaneous and miniature EPSC frequencies to wild-type levels without affecting inhibitory postsynaptic synaptic current. Furthermore, Western blot analysis of protein expression, including proteins involved in excitatory synaptic transmission, demonstrated that ALLN blocks the cleavage of the calpain substrate αII-spectrin but does not rescue Lis1 protein levels in Lis1+/−mutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated d-amino acid oxidase (DAO) induction in the popular model yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The product of the putative DAO gene of the yeast expressed in E. coli displayed oxidase activity to neutral and basic d-amino acids, but not to an l-amino acid or acidic d-amino acids, showing that the putative DAO gene encodes catalytically active DAO. DAO activity was weakly detected in yeast cells grown on a culture medium without d-amino acid, and was approximately doubled by adding d-alanine. The elimination of ammonium chloride from culture medium induced activity by up to eight-fold. l-Alanine also induced the activity, but only by about half of that induced by d-alanine. The induction by d-alanine reached a maximum level at 2 h cultivation; it remained roughly constant until cell growth reached a stationary phase. The best inducer was d-alanine, followed by d-proline and then d-serine. Not effective were N-carbamoyl- d, l-alanine (a better inducer of DAO than d-alanine in the yeast Trigonopsis variabilis), and both basic and acidic d-amino acids. These results showed that S. pombe DAO could be a suitable model for analyzing the regulation of DAO expression in eukaryotic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuronal migration is a critical feature to ensure proper location and wiring of neurons during cortical development. Postmitotic neurons migrate from the ventricular zone into the cortical plate to establish neuronal lamina in an "inside-out" gradient of maturation. Here, we report that the mitotic kinase Aurora-A is critical for the regulation of microtubule organization during neuronal migration via an Aurora-A-NDELl pathway in the mouse. Suppression of Aurora-A activity by inhibitors or siRNA resulted in severe impairment of neuronal migration of granular neurons. In addition, in utero injection of the Aurora-A kinase-dead mutant provoked defective migration of cortical neurons. Furthermore, we demonstrated that suppression of Aurora-A impaired microtubule modulation in migrating neurons. Interestingly, suppression of CDK5 by an inhibitor or siRNA reduced Aurora-A activity and NDELl phosphorylation by Aurora-A, which led to defective neuronal migration. We found that CDK5RAP2 is a key molecule that mediates functional interaction and is essential for centrosomal targeting of Aurora-A. Our observations demonstrated novel and surprising cross talk between Aurora-A and CDK5 during neuronal [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterozygous LIS1 mutations are the most common cause of human lissencephaly, a human neuronal migration defect, and DCX mutations are the most common cause of X-linked lissencephaly. Lissencephaly is characterized by a smooth cerebral surface, thick cortex and dilated lateral ventricles associated with mental retardation and seizures due to defective neuronal migration. Lissencephaly due to the heterozygous loss of the gene LIS1 is a good example of a haploinsufficiency disorder. LIS1 was deleted or mutated in a large proportion of patients with lissencephaly in a heterozygous fashion. A series of studies discovered that LIS1 is an essential regulator of cytoplasmic dynein. Notably, the role of LIS1 in regulating dynein activity is highly conserved among eukaryotes. In particular, we reported that LIS1 and NDEL1 are essential for dynein transport to the plus-end of microtubules by kinesin, which is essential to maintain the proper distribution of cytoplasmic dynein within the cell. In addition, we report that mNUDC (mammalian NUDC) interacts with kinesin-1 and is required for the anterograde transport of a cytoplasmic dynein complex by kinesin-1. A microtubule organization and motor proteins are further modulated by post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation and palmitoylation. These modifications share a common pathway with mitotic cell division. For example, Aurora-A is activated during neurite elongation, and phosphorylates NDEL1, which facilitates microtubule extension into neurite processes. Elucidations of molecular pathways involving neuronal migrations provide us a chance to design a novel strategy for neurological disorder due to defective neuronal migration. For example, inhibition of calpain protects LIS1 from proteolysis resulting in the augmentation of LIS1 levels, which leads to rescue of the phenotypes that are observed in Lis1+/− mice. Endeavoring to address the regulation of the microtubule network and motor proteins will help in understanding not only corticogenesis but neurodegenerative disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective attention can be improved under conditions in which a high perceptual load is assumed to exhaust cognitive resources, leaving scarce resources for distractor processing. The present study examined whether perceptual load and acute stress share common attentional resources by manipulating perceptual and stress loads. Participants identified a target within an array of nontargets that were flanked by compatible or incompatible distractors. Attentional selectivity was measured by longer reaction times in response to the incompatible than to the compatible distractors. Participants in the stress group participated in a speech test that increased anxiety and threatened self-esteem. The effect of perceptual load interacted with the stress manipulation in that participants in the control group demonstrated an interference effect under the low perceptual load condition, whereas such interference disappeared under the high perceptual load condition. Importantly, the stress group showed virtually no interference under the low perceptual load condition, whereas substantial interference occurred under the high perceptual load condition. These results suggest that perceptual and stress related demands consume the same attentional resources. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Assessments of acute stress using self-report questionnaires can be biased by various factors, including social desirability. The present study used a bias-free method, the Implicit Association Test (IAT), to assess stress. Unlike a previous study (Schmukle & Egloff, 2004) in which acute stress was not detected with the IAT, this study manipulated stress by generating test anxiety and threatening self-esteem. The results revealed that the IAT effect was greater in the high-stress group than in the low-stress group. Participants in the high-stress group associated their concept of self with the concept of anxiety more strongly than did those in the low-stress group. This result suggests that the IAT is a sensitive measure for detecting group differences in acute stress. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Retrospective self-report questionnaires of negative mood states experienced in the past (e.g., the most recent two weeks) tend to be exaggerated in a negative direction relative to the average ratings given to the moods contemporaneously. The present study used three measures that decomposed mood states into their constituent elements to examine whether certain components selectively contributed to this negative bias or all components contributed to this bias equally. Fifty-three participants responded to the questionnaires via the Internet every evening for two weeks. On the final day, participants recalled and retrospectively evaluated their mood state over the previous two weeks as a whole. The results revealed that memory bias occurred selectively for negative mood states. Anxiety, depression, and helplessness were exaggerated in the global compared with the daily ratings. None of the positive mood components showed any bias in the retrospective global ratings. A regression analysis indicated that the difference in daily and global ratings for negative mood was partly explained by peak and final scores. Higher peak scores led to greater overestimation whereas final scores had smaller effects; the higher the final score was, the less participants overestimated their negative mood in the global ratings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined individual growth and fatness in the 1975-2002 year classes of Japanese sardine. Samples were collected at the feeding grounds in the Pacific waters off northern Japan during drastic fluctuations in the population in the 1970s to 2000s. Growth rates for ages 1-3 of the 1979-1988 year classes, which included low-recruitment year classes subsisting during the high population levels of the 1980s, were apparently slower than for other year classes. There was no obvious trend when comparing year classes, growth during the first year of life (age 0), and maximum body length (BL) at age ≥5. The condition factors (CF, indicating fatness) for adult sardines of BL ≥19 cm in the 1979-1983 year classes during the maximum population level of the mid-1980s were significantly lower than for other year classes. However, there were no apparent trends in CF variations for small sardines of BL <19 cm. The apparent decreases in growth rate and fatness were strongly related to the cumulative sum of population abundance that each year class experienced. It is thought that insufficient food owing to the density-dependent effect of an abundant population at feeding grounds resulted in a decrease in the growth rate for small-bodied sardines that are investing their energy intake in body growth, and a decrease in fatness for large-bodied adults that are accumulating fat for the next reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antegrade recanalisation of a completely occluded internal carotid artery (ICA) via the vasa vasorum is extremely rare. Here, we report such a case after proximal endovascular coiling in a case of dissected (i.e. non-atherosclerotic) ICA. A 42-year-old man presented with thromboembolic stroke of the left frontal lobe owing to pseudoocclusion of the left ICA manifesting as motor aphasia and right hemiparesis. There were abundant floating thrombi in the petrous portion of the left ICA. Because of good collateral flow in the left middle cerebral artery territory through the anterior communicating artery and external carotid artery system, endovascular coil embolisation of the left ICA was performed for prevention of further thromboembolic stroke. The patient showed progressive recovery following endovascular treatment, and was discharged with mild right hemiparesis 1 month later. He maintained a regimen of aspirin and physical rehabilitation. At follow-up, 38 months later, the patient was asymptomatic. Angiography demonstrated occlusion of the left ICA and multiple serpiginous vessels originating from the proximal internal and external carotid arteries and which filled the ICA distal to the occlusion. This case suggests that an ICA occluded by proximal coil embolisation—even in a non-atherosclerotic case—might be recanalised via the vasa vasorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to inform the reader that prolonged upper airway obstruction after posterior cervical spine surgery is a possible complication for patients with metastatic tumor of upper cervical spine. A 49-year-old man presented severe neck pain during posture changes due to metastatic spinal tumor of C2. Occipitocervical fusion following removal of the posterior arch of C1 and laminectomy of C2 via the single posterior approach was performed 2 weeks after radiation therapy. After the surgery, life-threatening airway obstruction due to pharyngeal oedema occurred immediately after extubation that required emergency tracheostomy. The airway obstruction did not improve well during the patient's postoperative course. Once pharyngeal oedema occurs in patients with metastatic tumor of upper cervical spine who undergo posterior cervical spine surgery following radiation therapy to the neck, the pharyngeal oedema may be constant for a long period of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmonic devices are capable of efficiently confining and enhancing optical fields, serving as a bridge between the realm of diffraction-limited optics and the nanoscale. Specifically, a plasmonic device can be used to locally heat a recording medium for data storage. Ideally, the recording medium would consist of individually addressable and non-interacting entities, a configuration that has been regarded as the ultimate future hard-drive technology. Here, we describe a plasmonic nano-antenna that is fully integrated into a magnetic recording head and its use for thermally assisted magnetic recording on both continuous and fully-ordered patterned media using nanosecond pulses in a static tester configuration. In the case of patterned media at 1.5 Pb m−2 (∼1 Tb inch−2) with 24-nm track pitch, we show ideally written bits without disturbing neighbouring tracks. We find a dramatic improvement in track width and optical efficiency compared to continuous media and show that this is largely due to advantageous near-field optical effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterozygous LIS1 mutations and males with loss of the X-linked DCX result in lissencephaly, a neuronal migration defect. LIS1 regulates nuclear translocation and mitotic division of neural progenitor cells, while the role of DCX in cortical development remains poorly understood. Here, we uncovered novel neuronal migration and proliferation defects in the Dcx mutant embryonic brains. Although cortical organization was fairly well preserved, Dcxko/Y neurons displayed defective migration velocities similar to Lis1+/ko neurons when characterized by time-lapse video-microscopy of embryonic cortical slices. Dcxko/Y migrating neurons displayed novel multidirectional movements with abnormal morphology and increased branching. Surprisingly, Dcxko/Y radial glial cells displayed spindle orientation abnormalities similar to Lis1+/ko cells that in turn lead to moderate proliferation defects both in vivo and in vitro. We found functional genetic interaction of the two genes, with the combined effects of Lis1 haploinsufficiency and Dcx knock-out leading to more severe neuronal migration and proliferation phenotypes in the Lis1+/ko;Dcxko/Y male double mutant compared with the single mutants, resulting in cortical disorganization and depletion of the progenitor pool. Thus, we provide definitive evidence for a critical role for Dcx in neuronal migration and neurogenesis, as well as for the in vivo genetic interaction of the two genes most commonly involved in human neuronal migration defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lissencephaly is a devastating neurological disorder caused by defective neuronal migration. The LIS1 (or PAFAH1B1) gene was identified as the gene mutated in lissencephaly patients, and was found to regulate cytoplasmic dynein function and localization. In particular, LIS1 is essential for anterograde transport of cytoplasmic dynein as a part of the cytoplasmic dynein–LIS1–microtubule complex in a kinesin-1-dependent manner. However, the underlying mechanism by which a cytoplasmic dynein–LIS1–microtubule complex binds kinesin-1 is unknown. Here, we report that mNUDC (mammalian NUDC) interacts with kinesin-1 and is required for the anterograde transport of a cytoplasmic dynein complex by kinesin-1. mNUDC is also required for anterograde transport of a dynactin-containing complex. Inhibition of mNUDC severely suppressed anterograde transport of distinct cytoplasmic dynein and dynactin complexes, whereas motility of kinesin-1 remained intact. Reconstruction experiments clearly demonstrated that mNUDC mediates the interaction of the dynein or dynactin complex with kinesin-1 and supports their transport by kinesin-1. Our findings have uncovered an essential role of mNUDC for anterograde transport of dynein and dynactin by kinesin-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]