Cytokine-secreting cells in relapsing multiple sclerosis patients treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone]

Domon L, a heat-treated component of gram-negative bacterium Achromobacter stenohalis, is used for the treatment of infectious diseases of animals. Here, we investigated the immunopotentiating potential of Domon L. In vitro studies showed that Domon L enhanced nitric oxide (NO) formation from murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells in concert with interferon (IFN)-gamma. The effect of Domon L on NF-kappaB activation was investigated, in order to understand the molecular mechanisms of enhanced NO formation by Domon L. Domon L induced translocation of NF-kappaB to the nucleus in RAW264.7 cells. Induction of NF-kappaB dependent gene expression by Domon L was further confirmed using a transfectant containing an NF-kappaB-luciferase reporter gene. In vivo injection of Domon L elevated both serum IL-6 and mucoprotein, whose gene expression is partly under the control of NF-kappaB. The spleen cells of rats treated with Domon L produced much more NO when stimulated with LPS + IFN gamma than spleen cells of untreated rats. These results suggest that Domon L acts as an anti-infectious agent via NF-kappaB activation.     

Induced excitation and synchronization of nerve impulses in two parallel unmyelinated fibers

The interaction of nerve impulses in two adjacent fibers has been treated quantitatively. Calculations were made on the basis of equations describing the propagation of impulses in electrically equivalent parallel transmission lines that contain the active membrane current elements proposed by Hodgkin and Huxley. The coupling between adjacent fibers is simulated by a resistive network. The effects of coupling appear to be as follows: while an impulse is traveling along one fiber, a change in the excitability of the other develops, and it has also been confirmed that, in the special case of strongly coupled fibers, excitation of the parallel fiber can be induced by the active one. In the case of parallel conduction of impulses in each fiber, synchronization of their conduction velocities becomes apparent when the inherent velocities of the impulses differ by not more than 20 percent. In general, the closer fibers approach one another and/or the greater the resistance of the interstitial fluid, the stronger is the apparent effect of interaction between impulses. The results of the present simulation are compared with the experimental observation by Katz and Schmitt.     

Efficient production of Cre-mediated site-directed recombinants through the utilization of the puromycin resistance gene, pac: a transient gene-integration marker for ES cells

Gene targeting in embryonic stem (ES) cells is a powerful tool for generating mice carrying specifically designed mutations in the germline. Puromycin can completely kill ES cells within 24 to 48 h whereas G418 and hygromycin cannot. We have, therefore, proposed that the puromycin N-acetyltransferase ( pac ) gene, may be utilized as a transient gene-integration marker. Using a circular expression vector of cre and pac genes, Cre-mediated mutant cells were effectively enriched by pulse treatment of puromycin without stable integration of their genes. We have thus demonstrated the first application of pac as a transient gene-integration marker for ES cells.     

Cis- and trans-linalool 3,7-oxides and methyl salicylate glycosides and (Z)-3-hexenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside as aroma precursors from tea leaves for oolong tea

Two new alcoholic aroma precursors, cis- and trans-linalool, 3,7-oxides 6-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosides (1 and 2), as well as two already known compounds, (Z)-3-hexenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) and methyl salicylate 6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (beta-primeveroside: 4), and another new monoterpendiol glycoside, 8-hydroxygeranyl beta-primeveroside (5) have recently been isolated as aroma precursors in tea leaves (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cv. Maoxie) ready for oolong tea processing.     

Beam deflection in a transverse-flow gas laser

The beam deflection phenomenon of a transverse-flow discharge-excited CO₂ gas laser is studied by measuring the beam pattern with the rotating-wire method at gas velocities of 35-70 m/s, gas pressures of 5.3-10.6 kPa (10³ N/m²), and laser powers of 50-700 W. The beam deflection distance increased with increasing laser power and gas pressure and with decreasing gas velocity. All the data points of beam deflection distances observed experimentally fell on one line when normalized by the gas pressure and plotted against the measured temperature gradient in the resonator. It is shown that the most important factor affecting the beam deflection is the refractive index variation of the gas produced by the gas temperature gradient in the resonator. Methods to reduce the beam-deflection distances are suggested     

Gyromagnetic nonlinear element and its application as a pulse-shaping transmission line

The generation of a bipolarity solitary wave (soliton) is examined by using a transmission line containing gyromagnetic nonlinear inductors. The results indicate that a transmission line of the form shown here can be used in high-peak-power pulse-generating networks.     

Universal service creation and provision environment forintelligent network

The evolution of the intelligent network (IN) is summarized, and its service creation requirements and provision environment are clarified. A prototype system called the ISDN development experimental system for advanced services (IDEA), which has been developed to validate the foregoing, is described. The evaluation of the system design and its future evolution are discussed