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We have isolated and sequenced the cDNA encoding avian(chicken) TATA-binding protein (cTBP). The cTBP protein shows a significant homology to those of the other species, and especially its C-terminal region (180 amino acid residues) is identical to those of the vertebrates. By Northern blot analysis, we found that two transcripts with about 2.1 kb (cTBP0) and 2.7 kb (cTBP1) were expressed in various chicken tissues, though only one type of the TBP transcript was reported in vertebrates. A primer extension study demonstrated a single transcription start site. The analysis of the genomic structure of cTBP with the sequences of the two types of cTBP cDNAs(cTBP0 and cTBP1) revealed that the alternative polyadenylation generates two transcripts with different 3'untranslated regions (3'UTRs), indicating a putative role of the different 3'UTRs on the stability of cTBP mRNAs.

Guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) play an obligatory role in the transmembrane signaling system and are concerned with the neurochemical basis of several psychiatric disorders. We examined the alteration in the mRNA levels of G protein subclasses (Gil alpha, Gi2 alpha and Go alpha) in behavioral sensitized rats using subchronic treatment with methamphetamine (MAP). Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received intraperitoneal injections of MAP (4 mg/kg) or saline (control) once daily for 14 days. A remarkable increase in the levels of Gi2 alpha mRNA was observed in both sides of striatum at 48 hours after the last injection of MAP. The changes in the Gi2 alpha mRNA levels were not significant at two weeks after the last injection of MAP. The levels of Go alpha and Gil alpha mRNA were not changed at 48 hours and at two weeks after the last injection of MAP. These results suggest that the changes in the Gi2 mRNA level might be responsible for the reinforcement of the generation of stereotyped abnormal behavior by repeated administration of MAP rather than the persistence of the reverse tolerance phenomenon.

We report a 67-year-old woman with essential thrombocytosis who developed cerebral infarction and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia during treatment for the cerebral infarction. She developed additional cerebral infarcts, acute femoral artery occlusion, and thrombophlebitis of her lower extremities. She was successfully treated with argatroban. This is the first report of a patient with essential thrombocytosis who developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and serious conditions, which included multiple thromboembolisms and coagulation disorders mimicking disseminated intravascular coagulation.

SUMMARY We examined the effect of IL-6 on the development of autoimmune diseases (primary biliary cirrhosis. Sjögren's syndrome) employing murine grari-versus-host reaction (GVHR) model with MHC class II disparity. For this purpose, we used IL-6 transgenic(B6.6) mice in which a high level of IL-6 was detected. C57B1/6 (B6) spleen T cells were injected into B6.6 mated with B6.C-H-2(bml2) mutant mice ((bmi2x B6.6)FI) and GVHR with MHC class II disparity was induced. The iransgenic hybrid mice with GVHR showed a larger spleen index and contained a higher serum level of IL-6 than those without GVHR. Autoimmune-like lesions in transgenic recipients became weakened compared with those in non-transgenic (bml2 x B6)F1 recipients. In contrast, levels of antimitochondrial antibodies in (bm 12 x B6.6)FI GVHR group were signiiicantly higher than that of (bml2 X B6)FI GVHR group. These results indicate that lL-6 excessively produced in vivo might regulate the progression of autotmmune diseases.

Background & Aims: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and portal fibroblasts (PFs) are 2 distinct mesenchymal cells in adult liver. HSCs in sinusoids accumulate lipids and express p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). HSCs and PFs play pivotal roles in liver regeneration and fibrosis. However, the roles of mesenchymal cells in fetal liver remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to characterize mesenchymal cells in mouse fetal liver. Methods: We prepared an anti-p75NTR monoclonal antibody applicable for flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. p75NTR+ cells isolated from fetal liver by flow cytometry were characterized by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and cell cultivation. Lipid-containing cells were visualized by Oil-red O staining. Results: p75NTR+ cells in fetal liver were clearly distinct from endothelial cells and showed characteristics of mesenchymal cells. At embryonic day (E) 10.5, p75NTR+ cells were present at the periphery of the liver bud in close contact with endothelial cells, and spread over the liver at E11.5. With the formation of the liver architecture, they began to localize to 2 distinct areas, parenchymal and portal areas, and lipid-containing p75NTR+ cells increased accordingly. p75NTR+ cells around portal veins were adjacent to cholangiocytes and expressed Jagged1, a crucial factor for the commitment of hepatoblasts to cholangiocytes. By cultivation, p75NTR+ cells showed features of adult HSCs with markedly increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and α-smooth muscle actin. Conclusions: p75NTR+ mesenchymal cells in fetal liver include progenitors for HSCs and PFs, and the anti-p75NTR monoclonal antibody is useful for their isolation.

Values for field through the read element (Hread) in longitudinal and perpendicular magnetic recording are compared with the aid of three-dimensional (3d) finite element models. We show that the Hread of the single-pole-type head used in perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) was larger than that of the inductive ring head used in longitudinal magnetic recording (LMR). This is because that the medium for a PMR system includes a soft under layer (SUL). The Hread of PMR is affected by the permeability and thickness of SUL. The characteristic length of the upper and lower shield layers at which the Hread starts to decrease is found to be roughly equal to the length of the return pole. Decreasing the length of the upper and lower shield is shown to be the most practicable and effective way to realize the reduction of Hread.

K2Al2B2O7 has been found to be phase matchable for type-1 sum-frequency generation (SFG) at 0.193 microm by mixing the Nd:YAG laser wavelength at 1.0642 microm and the SFG output of the RbTiOAsO4 optical parametric oscillator tuned at 0.2358 microm. An average power of 200 mW at 10 kHz was obtained in a 7-mm-long crystal. In addition, the Sellmeier equations and the thermo-optic dispersion formula, which predict well the phase-matching conditions and temperature phase-matching bandwidths (FWHM) for second-harmonic generation and SFG in the 0.193-0.669-microm range, are presented.

To provide a three-dimensional acoustic effect to a listener in a reproduction field, via a headphone in particular, a three-dimensional acoustic apparatus is formed by a linear synthesis filter having filter coefficients that are the linear predictive coefficients obtained by performing a linear predictive analysis on an impulse response which represents the acoustic characteristics to be added to the original signal to achieve this effect. By passing the signal through this acoustic characteristics adding filter, the desired acoustic characteristics are added to the original signal, and by dividing the power spectrum of the impulse response of these acoustic characteristics into critical bandwidths and performing this linear predictive analysis based on impulse signal determined based from power spectrum signals representing the signal sound of each of these critical bandwidths, the filter coefficients of the linear synthesis filter are determined.

A method for distribution multiple users of a soundfield having positional spatial components is disclosed including inputting a soundfield signal having the desired positional spatial components in a standard reference frame; applying at least one head related transfer function to each spatial component to produce a series of transmission signals; transmitting the transmission signals to the multiple users; for each of the multiple users, determining a current orientation of a current user and producing a current orientation signal indicative thereof; utilising the current orientation signal to mix the transmission signals so as to produce sound emission source output signals for playback to the user. The soundfield signal can comprise a B-format signal which is suitably processed.

The magnetization configurations in magnetoresistive (MR) film with the longitudinal bias are analyzed using the computer simulation based on the Landau -Lifshitz -Gilbert equation. The simulated magnetization configurations explain the assymmetric sensitivity along the track width of the MR film.

— Difference spectra between squid rhodopsin and its bathorhodopsin at room temperature were measured ca. 150 ps and ca. 500 ps after the excitation at 347.2 nm by a double-beam picosecond time-resolved spectrometer. The spectra measured showed a red shift of the isosbestic point between squid rhodopsin and its bathorhodopsin and a lower ΔAmax/ΔAmin value compared with those measured at low temperatures by conventional spectrophotometry.

Introduction A hamartomatous polyp without associated mucocutaneous pigmentation or a family history of Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome is diagnosed as a solitary Peutz-Jeghers type hamartomatous polyp. As compared with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers type hamartomatous polyps are diagnosed with a lower risk of cancer and are regarded as a different disorder. Case presentation In case one, we describe an 84-year-old Japanese man with a 14 mm duodenal polyp. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed and histological examination showed findings suggestive of a hamartomatous polyp with a focus of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. In case two, we describe a 76-year-old Japanese man who had been treated for prostate, rectal and lung cancer. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a duodenal polyp measuring 15 mm in diameter. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed, and histological examination showed findings suggestive of a hamartomatous polyp. Liver and thyroid cancers were found after the endoscopic treatment. Conclusion Although duodenal solitary hamartomatous polyps are associated with a lower risk of cancer, four patients, including our cases, have been diagnosed with cancerous polyps. Patients with duodenal solitary hamartomatous polyps should be treated by endoscopic or surgical resection and need whole-body screening.