Initial dissolution kinetics of cocrystal of carbamazepine with nicotinamide.

Objectives: Objectives of this study are investigating the initial dissolution kinetics of the cocrystal of carbamazepine (CBZ) with nicotinamide (NIC) and understanding its initial dissolution process.

Methods: Cocrystal solids of CBZ with NIC were prepared by co-milling and solvent evaporation methods. The formation of cocrystal solid was verified via X-ray diffraction measurement.

Psychological first aid training after Japan's triple disaster: changes in perceived self competency.

International Medical Corps and TELL, a local mental health non-profit organization in Japan, collaborated to develop localized Psychological First Aid (PFA) training of welfare and volunteer organizations supporting survivors of the Japan March 11, 2011 triple disaster The trainings significantly increased participants 'perceived competency in applying PFA principles and in interacting with the disaster affected populations in a safe manner The collaboration between International Medical Corps and TELL in developing, implementing and evaluating the training has potential to inform PFA activities in other disaster affected settings.

ZAPS is a potent stimulator of signaling mediated by the RNA helicase RIG-I during antiviral responses.

The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) participate in many biological and pathological processes. Here we report that the PARP-13 shorter isoform (ZAPS), rather than the full-length protein (ZAP), was selectively induced by 5'-triphosphate-modified RNA (3pRNA) and functioned as a potent stimulator of interferon responses in human cells mediated by the RNA helicase RIG-I. ZAPS associated with RIG-I to promote the oligomerization and ATPase activity of RIG-I, which led to robust activation of IRF3 and NF-κB transcription factors.

Isolation and molecular characterization of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria from imported flamingos in Japan.

Imported animals, especially those from developing countries, may constitute a potential hazard to native animals and to public health. In this study, a new flock of lesser flamingos imported from Tanzania to Hiroshima Zoological Park were screened for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, integrons and antimicrobial resistance genes. Thirty-seven Gram-negative bacterial isolates were obtained from the flamingos.

Characterization of integrons and antimicrobial resistance genes in clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria from Palestinian hospitals.

Sixty Gram-negative bacterial isolates were collected from Palestinian hospitals in 2006. Thirty-two (53.3%) isolates showed multidrug resistance phenotypes.

Zoo animals as reservoirs of gram-negative bacteria harboring integrons and antimicrobial resistance genes.

A total of 232 isolates of gram-negative bacteria were recovered from mammals, reptiles, and birds housed at Asa Zoological Park, Hiroshima prefecture, Japan. Forty-nine isolates (21.1%) showed multidrug resistance phenotypes and harbored at least one antimicrobial resistance gene.

Role of postsynaptic serotonin1A receptors in risperidone-induced increase in acetylcholine release in rat prefrontal cortex.

Most atypical antipsychotic drugs increase acetylcholine release in the prefrontal cortex, but the detailed mechanism is still unknown. The present study examined the role of serotonin (5-HT)1A receptors in risperidone-induced increases in acetylcholine release in rat prefrontal cortex. Systemic administration of risperidone at doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg increased acetylcholine release in the prefrontal cortex in a dose-dependent manner.

Lack of enhanced effect of antipsychotics combined with fluvoxamine on acetylcholine release in rat prefrontal cortex.

We have shown that coadministration of sulpiride and fluvoxamine preferentially increases the release of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex. To study the possible role of the cortical cholinergic system in this effect, we combined several other antipsychotic drugs with fluvoxamine and examined the effects on acetylcholine release in rat prefrontal cortex. Risperidone and clozapine significantly increased the release of acetylcholine but sulpiride did not, and fluvoxamine did not enhance the effects of the antipsychotics.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel human beta1,3-glucosyltransferase, which is localized at the endoplasmic reticulum and glucosylates O-linked fucosylglycan on thrombospondin type 1 repeat domain.

Protein O-linked fucosylation is an unusual glycosylation associated with many important biological functions such as Notch signaling. Two fucosylation pathways synthesizing O-fucosylglycans have been reported on cystein-knotted proteins, that is, on epidermal growth factor-like (EGF-like) domains and on thrombospondin Type 1 repeat (TSR) domains. We report here the molecular cloning and characterization of a novel beta1,3-glucosyltransferase (beta3Glc-T) that synthesizes a Glcbeta1,3Fucalpha- structure on the TSR domain.

Development of a femtomolar-acting humanin derivative named colivelin by attaching activity-dependent neurotrophic factor to its N terminus: characterization of colivelin-mediated neuroprotection against Alzheimer's disease-relevant insults in vitro and in vivo.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Humanin (HN) is a short bioactive peptide abolishing neuronal cell death induced by various familial AD (FAD)-causative genes and amyloid-beta (Abeta) in vitro. It has been shown that HN suppresses memory impairment of mice induced by intracerebroventricular administration of Abeta.

G protein-coupled receptor signaling through Gq and JNK negatively regulates neural progenitor cell migration.

In the early development of the central nervous system, neural progenitor cells divide in an asymmetric manner and migrate along the radial glia cells. The radial migration is an important process for the proper lamination of the cerebral cortex. Recently, a new mode of the radial migration was found at the intermediate zone where the neural progenitor cells become multipolar and reduce the migration rate.