Repulsive guidance molecule (RGM) is a protein implicated in both axonal guidance and neural tube closure. We report RGMa as a potent inhibitor of axon regeneration in the adult central nervous system (CNS). RGMa inhibits mammalian CNS neurite outgrowth by a mechanism dependent on the activation of the RhoA–Rho kinase pathway. RGMa expression is observed in oligodendrocytes, myelinated fibers, and neurons of the adult rat spinal cord and is induced around the injury site after spinal cord injury. We developed an antibody to RGMa that efficiently blocks the effect of RGMa in vitro. Intrathecal administration of the antibody to rats with thoracic spinal cord hemisection results in significant axonal growth of the corticospinal tract and improves functional recovery. Thus, RGMa plays an important role in limiting axonal regeneration after CNS injury and the RGMa antibody offers a possible therapeutic agent in clinical conditions characterized by a failure of CNS regeneration.

An alternative spliced form of the presinilin 2 (PS2) gene (PS2V) lacking exon 5 has previously been reported to be expressed in human brains in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). PS2V encodes the amino-terminal portion of PS2, which contains residues Met 1 -Leu 119 and 5 additional amino acid residues (SSMAG) at its carboxyl terminus. Here we report that PS2V protein impaired the signaling pathway of the unfolded protein response, similarly to familial AD-linked PS1 mutants and caused significant increases in the production of both amyloid ␤ 40 and ␤ 42 . Interestingly, PS2V-encoding protein was expressed in neuropathologically affected neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region and temporal cortex in AD patients. These findings suggest that the aberrant splicing of the PS2 gene may be implicated in the neuropathology of sporadic AD.

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A new dinucleating ligand containing a sterically bulky imidazolyl group, Ph-Htidp (N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis[(1-methyl-4,5-diphenyl-2-imidazolyl)methyl]-1,3-diamino-2-propanol), and its μ-alkoxo-diiron(II) complexes [Fe2(Ph-tidp)(RCO2)](ClO4)2, (RCO2 = C6H5CO2 (1), C6F5CO2 (2), CF3CO2 (3), and C2H5CO2 (4)), were synthesized. The structure of complex 1 was determined by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 13.464(2), b = 19.223(4), c = 31.358(4) Å, β = 92.84(2)°, and Z = 4. The complex has a doubly-bridged structure with μ-alkoxo of Ph-tidp and μ-benzoate; the two iron centers have a distorted five-coordinate structure with N3O2 donor set. All the complexes showed fairly good reversible oxygenation below −30 °C in CH2Cl2, which was monitored by UV-vis and NMR spectroscopies, and dioxygen up-take measurements. Introduction of 4,5-diphenyl substituents into 2-imidazolyl group stabilized the μ-peroxo diiron species against irreversible oxidation, just as introduction of 6-methyl substituent into 2-pyridyl group did. Phenyl substituents appear to weaken the electron donor ability of a dinucleating ligand to stabilize divalent oxidation state of iron and to form a hydrophobic cavity for a O2 binding site, which would suppress the irreversible oxidation and facilitate the reversible oxygenation. Dioxygen affinities of the Ph-tidp and Me4-tpdp diiron(II), and the tpdp and bpmp dicobalt(II) complexes were measured, [Fe2(Me4-tpdp)(RCO2)]2+ (RCO2 = C6H5CO2 and RCO2 = CF3CO2) and [Co2(L)(RCO2)]2+ (L = tpdp, RCO2 = CH3CO2, and L = bpmp, RCO2 = C6F5CO2, and CF3CO2), where Me4-tpdp, tpdp, and bpmp are N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis[(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]-1,3-diamino-2-propanolate, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-diamino-2-propanolate, and 2,6-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-4-methylphenolate, respectively. Within a series of the Ph-tidp diiron(II) complexes, dioxygen affinity is well correlated with electron donor ability of bridging carboxylates (1 (C6H5CO2) > 2 (C6F5CO2) > 3 (CF3CO2)). In contrast to the above trend, dioxygen affinities of the Ph-tidp complexes are lower than those of the Me4-tpdp complexes, although electron donor abilities of the Me4-tpdp complexes are weaker than those of the Ph-tidp complexes. Significant enhancement of dioxygen affinity was observed for both iron and cobalt complexes with 2,6-bis(aminomethyl)phenolate bridging skeleton compared to the complexes with a 1,3-diamino-2-propanolate bridging one. Thermodynamic study suggested that the observed enhancement is mainly attributable to a favorable entropy effect along with a steric effect.

In this paper, we report a 3.4‐inch flexible top‐emitting AMOLED display with remarkably high resolution using oxide TFTs. Our transfer technology has an advantage of fabricating high‐performance TFTs and a high‐resolution AMOLED Display on a flexible substrate.

Oxidative stress is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Metals are known to be one of the factors that contribute to oxidative stress. Recently, we reported that the aberrant splicing isoform (PS2V) generated by skipping exon5 of the presenilin-2 (PS2) gene is a diagnostic feature of sporadic AD (SAD). PS2V is inducible by exposure of human neuroblastoma to hypoxia. We examined whether this aberrant splicing was caused by metal-induced oxidative stress, such as exposure to aluminum. As a result, we demonstrated that exposure to aluminum accelerated PS2V production induced by hypoxia. This acceleration of the production of PS2V to hypoxia was caused by chronic aluminum exposure, but was not related to the intracellular content of aluminum. HMGA1a is a mediator of PS2V production, and it was induced by aluminum as well as by hypoxia. Induction of HMGA1a was increased by chronic exposure to aluminum, and a nuclear extract containing HMGA1a bound to a specific sequence on exon5 of PS2 pre-mRNA, as reported previously. Finally, the acceleration of PS2V production induced by aluminum under hypoxic conditions reflected, but has not yet been directly shown to cause, vulnerability to endoplasmic reticulum stress. These results suggest that exposure to some metals can accelerate and enhance PS2V generation, and that hypoxia plus chronic exposure to metals may promote the development of AD.

A health and weight awareness program was initiated in 1995 by the Tonga National Food and Nutrition Committee to combat a high prevalence of obesity and its associated non-communicable diseases. The strategy of the program was to provide a fun activity in which people wanted to join, and at the same time gain health benefits. Three successive weight loss competitions were organized, of 4 to 6 months in length, in which radio, television, and newspaper media were major elements. A Tongan version of the 1993 South Pacific Commission weight for height chart was produced, allowing identification of overweight/obesity using body mass index. Participants were registered and given individual encouragement on diet/exercise. Prizes donated by local businesses added to the campaign, as well as the involvement of His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. Aerobic exercise, public walks, weigh station manager training, and weight watcher group meetings were special activities. An unexpected element was the interest by the international press, which proclaimed the Tonga national weight loss competitions to be the first in the world. A total of 3429 participants registered in the three competitions, with 1617 competing to the end. First place winners lost from 25.5 to 28.4 kg in the competitions. Difficulties encountered included problems of coordination, funds, scales, newness of the healthy weight concept, and weight gain at the close of the competition. The activity was received positively by the community, with requests for the competitions and exercise activities to continue, and much awareness on health issues relating to overweight was achieved.

T. Hydrogen gas attenuates embryonic gene expression and prevents left ventricular remodeling induced by intermittent hypoxia in cardiomyopathic hamsters. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 307: H1626 -H1633, 2014. First published October 3, 2014; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00228.2014.-The prevalence of sleep apnea is very high in patients with heart failure (HF). The aims of this study were to investigate the influence of intermittent hypoxia (IH) on the failing heart and to evaluate the antioxidant effect of hydrogen gas. Normal male Syrian hamsters (n ϭ 22) and cardiomyopathic (CM) hamsters (n ϭ 33) were exposed to IH (repeated cycles of 1.5 min of 5% oxygen and 5 min of 21% oxygen for 8 h during the daytime) or normoxia for 14 days. Hydrogen gas (3.05 vol/100 vol) was inhaled by some CM hamsters during hypoxia. IH increased the ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to mitral annulus velocity (E/e=, 21.8 vs. 16.9) but did not affect the LV ejection fraction (EF) in normal Syrian hamsters. However, IH increased E/e= (29.4 vs. 21.5) and significantly decreased the EF (37.2 vs. 47.2%) in CM hamsters. IH also increased the cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area (672 vs. 443 m 2 ) and interstitial fibrosis (29.9 vs. 9.6%), along with elevation of oxidative stress and superoxide production in the left ventricular (LV) myocardium. Furthermore, IH significantly increased the expression of brain natriuretic peptide, ␤-myosin heavy chain, c-fos, and c-jun mRNA in CM hamsters. Hydrogen gas inhalation significantly decreased both oxidative stress and embryonic gene expression, thus preserving cardiac function in CM hamsters. In conclusion, IH accelerated LV remodeling in CM hamsters, at least partly by increasing oxidative stress in the failing heart. These findings might explain the poor prognosis of patients with HF and sleep apnea. heart failure; intermittent hypoxia; oxidative stress; cardiomyopathic hamster; hydrogen gas SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME (SAS) is a breathing disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of apnea and/or hypopnea that increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (10,19,26). In persons with SAS, recurrent hypopnea/apnea leads to intermittent hypoxia (IH). The prevalence of SAS is much higher in patients with established cardiovascular disease, and central sleep apnea is associated with the more severe forms of heart failure (17), although the mechanisms underlying periodic breathing in patients with heart failure (HF) are complex and multifactorial.Oxidative stress arises because of an imbalance between free radical production and endogenous antioxidant defenses and is increased in patients with HF (4). Free radicals have also been linked to endothelial dysfunction and increased sympathetic tone (2, 16), whereas intravenous infusion of antioxidants reduces free radical levels and attenuates sympathetic activity in animal models of HF (32). It has been suggested that hydrogen gas produced in the large intestine by intestinal bacteria might scavenge hydroxyl radicals (6), and it was recen...