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This paper solves a singular initial value problem for a system of ordinary differential equations describing a polygonal flow called a crystalline flow. Such a problem corresponds to a crystalline flow starting from a general polygon not necessarily admissible in the sense that the corresponding initial value problem is singular. To solve the problem, a self-similar expanding solution constructed by the first two authors with H. Hontani (2006) is effectively used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decreased levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an endogenous neuroprotective compound, in the brain are associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We previously showed that DHA is a substrate of fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1/SLC27A1), and FATP1 is localized at the abluminal membrane of brain capillary endothelial cells. We hypothesized that amyloid β (Aβ) decreases FATP1‐mediated cellular efflux (i.e. supply to the brain) of DHA at the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Here, we tested this hypothesis using a human cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line, human cerebral microvessel endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3), as a BBB model. The efflux of DHA‐d5 by hCMEC/D3 cells increased time‐dependently up to 3 min. Knock‐down of FATP1 with specific siRNA indicated that FATP1‐mediated efflux accounts for 47.0% of this DHA‐d5 efflux. In hCMEC/D3 cells treated with Aβ25–35 (10 μM/24 h), which we employed as an in vitro model of the BBB in AD, FATP1 protein expression in the plasma membrane was decreased by 96.0%, which was greater than the decrease in the whole‐cell lysate, and the DHA‐d5 efflux was decreased by 68.3%. Of this 68.3% decrease, 45.1% (47.0 × 0.96) is accounted for by the decrease in FATP1‐mediated efflux and the remaining 23.2% is presumably mediated by other mechanism(s). Thus, we have established for the first time that FATP1 is a major contributor to DHA efflux from human brain capillary endothelial cells, and its efflux activity at the abluminal membrane of the cells is blocked by Aβ. This may explain the decreased DHA level in the brain of AD patients. Open Science Badges: This article has received a badge for *Open Materials* because it provided all relevant information to reproduce the study in the manuscript. The complete Open Science Disclosure form for this article can be found at the end of the article. More information about the Open Practices badges can be found at https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We purposed to clarify the contribution of fatty acid transport protein 1 ( FATP1/SLC 27A1) to the supply of docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA) to the brain across the blood-brain barrier in this study. Transport experiments showed that the uptake rate of [14C]- DHA in human FATP1-expressing HEK293 cells was significantly greater than that in empty vector-transfected (mock) HEK293 cells. The steady-state intracellular DHA concentration was nearly 2-fold smaller in FATP1-expressing than in mock cells, suggesting that FATP1 works as not only an influx, but also an efflux transporter for DHA. [14C]- DHA uptake by a human cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line ( hCMEC/D3) increased in a time-dependent manner, and was inhibited by unlabeled DHA and a known FATP1 substrate, oleic acid. Knock-down of FATP1 in hCMEC/D3 cells with specific si RNA showed that FATP1-mediated uptake accounts for 59.2-73.0% of total [14C]- DHA uptake by the cells. Insulin treatment for 30 min induced translocation of FATP1 protein to the plasma membrane in hCMEC/D3 cells and enhanced [14C]- DHA uptake. Immunohistochemical analysis of mouse brain sections showed that FATP1 protein is preferentially localized at the basal membrane of brain microvessel endothelial cells. We found that two neuroprotective substances, taurine and biotin, in addition to DHA, undergo FATP1-mediated efflux. Overall, our results suggest that FATP1 localized at the basal membrane of brain microvessels contributes to the transport of DHA, taurine and biotin into the brain, and insulin rapidly increases DHA supply to the brain by promoting translocation of FATP1 to the membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lodging has been a major roadblock to attaining increased crop productivity. In an attempt to understand the mechanism for culm strength in rice, we isolated an effective quantitative trait locus (QTL), STRONG CULM3 ( SCM3 ), the causal gene of which is identical to rice TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 ( OsTB1 ), a gene previously reported to positively control strigolactone (SL) signaling. A near-isogenic line (NIL) carrying SCM3 showed enhanced culm strength and increased spikelet number despite the expected decrease in tiller number, indicating that SL also has a positive role in enhancing culm strength and spikelet number. We produced a pyramiding line carrying SCM3 and SCM2 , another QTL encoding APO1 involved in panicle development. The NIL- SCM2+SCM3 showed a much stronger culm than NIL- SCM2 and NIL- SCM3 and an increased spikelet number caused by the additive effect of these QTLs. We discuss the importance of utilizing suitable alleles of these STRONG CULM QTLs without inducing detrimental traits for breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some previous research has hypothesized that executive dysfunction in patients with early Alzheimer's disease (AD) occurs as a result of a disconnection between different cerebral areas. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how the hippocampal volume influences executive function as a non-memory cognitive function.Methods: From 157 consecutive patients with AD or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (A-MCI), we recruited 107 subjects who had a global Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) of 0.5 or 1.0 and whose degree of hippocampal atrophy had been measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); the severity of atrophy was assessed using the voxel-based specific regional analysis for Alzheimer's disease (VSRAD) system. We divided the subjects into three groups: mild atrophy, 0 < Z-score < 1.0 (N = 21); moderate atrophy, 1.0 ≤ Z-score < 2.0 (N = 46); or severe atrophy, 2.0 ≤ Z-score < 4.0 (N = 40) according to the Z-score and compared the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and its subtest scores between each atrophy group.Results: The results demonstrated that age, sex ratio, duration of illness, education years, MMSE score, Behave-AD score, and proportion of atrophy area in total brain (%) were not significantly different among the three groups. Only the go/no-go score among the six subtests was significantly lower for increasing atrophy severity (P < 0.05). Furthermore, hippocampal atrophy significantly influenced the go/no-go score independently of interactions from whether the diagnosis was early AD or A-MCI (P < 0.05).Conclusion: These results support a significant association between hippocampal atrophy and executive dysfunction as a non-memory cognitive impairment in patients with early AD and A-MCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In order to address the neuropsychological pathogenesis of aberrant motor behaviors in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we used a cross-sectional study design to investigate the association between frontal lobe function, including executive function, and activity disturbances (wandering, purposeless activities and inappropriate activities). Methods: Among 75 consecutive outpatients with AD, 50 subjects with a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score of 1 or 2 were selected and divided into two groups based on data obtained from interviews with their caregivers: an aberrantmotor behaviors (AMB) group (n = 22), and a non-aberrant motor behaviors (NAMB) group (n = 28). Aberrant motor behavior was defined according to whether the "activity disturbance" score (ranging from 0 to 9) of the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer Disease (Behave-AD) scale was 0 or ≥1. The total and subtest scores of the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) were then compared between the two groups. Results: Significant differences were found between the FAB total (P < 0.05) and the subtest scores (lexical fluency, conflicting instructions; P < 0.05) in the two groups. The FAB score was significantly associated with the activity disturbance score (r=-0.49; P<0.001). A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that only the FAB score significantly influenced the activity disturbance score (P < 0.001). Conclusions: This finding suggested that in addition to episodic memory disturbance, frontal lobe dysfunctions might lead patients with AD to develop aberrant motor behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual hallucinations (VHs) are common psychiatric symptoms in patients with long-standing Parkinson's disease (PD). Treatment with neuroleptics or withdrawal of anti-PD drugs may improve VHs but will worsen motor dysfunctions. The authors report on 3 patients with long-standing PD who were treated with the cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil for the treatment of VHs. Each received a daily dose of 5 mg of donepezil, after reducing or discontinuing anti-PD medications had failed to relieve the VHs. In 2 patients (patient 1, 2), donepezil decreased VHs without worsening motor dysfunctions. In addition, the cognitive status of patient 2 improved. In patient 3, donepezil also resolved VHs, but delusions developed during treatment. After discontinuing donepezil, delusions disappeared and VHs reappeared. Donepezil may ameliorate visual hallucinations in PD patients, but controlled, double-blind trials are necessary to further clarify the effect of this drug on VHs in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]