Hypertriglyceridemia-induced brain-derived neurotrophic factor in rat submandibular glands.

Objectives: Salivary glands produce brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which increases plasma BDNF content. Salivary BDNF influences the hippocampus and enhances anxiety-like behaviors. Dyslipidemia affects the brain, promoting depression and anxiety-like behaviors.

Virtual reconstruction of the Neanderthal Amud 1 cranium.

Objectives: We describe a new computer reconstruction to obtain complete anatomical information of the ecto- and endocranium from the imperfectly preserved skull of the Neanderthal Amud 1.

Materials And Methods: Data were obtained from computed tomography scans of the fossil cranium. Adhesive and plaster were then virtually removed from the original specimen, and the fragments comprising the fossil cranium were separated.

Planar covariation of limb elevation angles during bipedal walking in the Japanese macaque.

We investigated the planar covariation of lower limb segment elevation angles during bipedal walking in macaques to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the origin and evolution of the planar law in human walking. Two Japanese macaques and four adult humans walking on a treadmill were recorded, and the time course of the elevation angles at the thigh, shank and foot segments relative to the vertical axis were calculated. Our analyses indicated that the planar law also applies to macaque bipedal walking.

New peritoneal dialysis model in rats with bilateral nephrectomy.

Many peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) suffer from metabolic and nutritional abnormalities. However, these abnormalities have been not sufficiently investigated. At present, the resolution of these issues in this field has been hindered by the lack of suitable PD models.

Acid wash in determining cellular uptake of Fab/cell-permeating peptide conjugates.

Successful intracellular delivery of various bioactive molecules has been reported using cell-permeating peptides (CPPs) as delivery vectors. To determine the effects of CPPs on the cellular uptake of immunoglobulin Fab fragment, conjugates of a radio-iodinated Fab fragment with CPPs (CPP-(125)I-Fab) derived from HIV-1 TAT, HIV-1 REV, and Antennapedia (ANP) were prepared. These vectors are rich in basic amino acids, and their strong adsorption on cell surfaces often results in overestimation of internalized peptides.

Effects of cell-permeating peptide binding on the distribution of 125I-labeled Fab fragment in rats.

The peptides comprising the sequence of HIV-1 Tat protein (positions 48-60), Antennapedia (positions 43-58), and HIV-1 Rev protein (positions 34-50) are known to be cell-permeating. In this study, we examined how the distribution of Fab fragments in rats is affected by conjugation with these peptides. Fab fragment was iodinated by a chloramine-T method and then chemically conjugated with cell-permeating peptide.

Distribution of immunoglobulin Fab fragment conjugated with HIV-1 REV peptide following intravenous administration in rats.

HIV-1 REV peptide (positions 34-50) is well-known as a cell-permeating peptide. In this study, we investigated the distribution of Fab fragment of immunoglobulin conjugated with REV peptide (REV-Fab) following intravenous administration in rats, and compared with those of the native Fab fragment (nFab). Radioiodinated REV-Fab or nFab ((125)I-REV-Fab or (125)I-nFab, respectively) was given in a single intravenous dose of 2 mg/kg (3 MBq/kg).