There are numerous observations confirming that microglia expressing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules are associated with the central nervous system (CNS) in aging and pathological conditions. In this study, we investigated the distribution of MHC class II-positive microglia in Parkinson's disease (PD) brains. The number of MHC class II-positive microglia in the substantia nigra (SN) and putamen increased as the neuronal degeneration of the SN proceeded. These cells were also ICAM-1 (CD54) and LFA-1 (CD11a) positive. The number of activated microglia not only in the SN and putamen but also in the hippocampus, transentorhinal cortex, cingulate cortex and temporal cortex in PD was significantly higher than that in the normal control. Most activated microglia persisted regardless of the presence or absence of Lewy bodies. They were frequently associated not only with alpha-synuclein-positive Lewy neurites, but also with TH-16-positive dopaminergic and WH-3-positive serotonergic neurites, as well as MAP-2- and SMI-32-positive neurites. These activated microglia were also positive for TNF-alpha and interleukin-6, which are known to have a neuroprotective function. We conclude that MHC class II-positive microglia are a sensitive index of neuropathological change and are actively associated with damaged neurons and neurites.

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is a new observatory for very high-energy (VHE) gamma rays. CTA has ambitions science goals, for which it is necessary to achieve full-sky coverage, to improve the sensitivity by about an order of magnitude, to span about four decades of energy, from a few tens of GeV to above 100 TeV with enhanced angular and energy resolutions over existing VHE gamma-ray observatories. An international collaboration has formed with more than 1000 members from 27 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America. In 2010 the CTA Consortium completed a Design Study and started a three-year Preparatory Phase which leads to production readiness of CTA in 2014. In this paper we introduce the science goals and the concept of CTA, and provide an overview of the project. ?? 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

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