Tohoku University

About: Tohoku University is a education organization based out in Sendai, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Magnetization & Population. The organization has 72116 authors who have published 170791 publications receiving 3941714 citations. The organization is also known as: Tōhoku daigaku.

Role for supplementary motor area cells in planning several movements ahead

Abstract: To achieve a volitional goal, we need to execute multiple movements in a specific temporal order. After repetitive performance of a particular sequence of movements, we are able to memorize and execute the whole sequence without external guidance. Where and how in the brain do we store information necessary for the orderly performance of multiple movements? We have found a group of cells in the cerebral cortex of monkeys whose activity is exclusively related to a sequence of multiple movements performed in a particular order. Such cellular activity exists in the supplementary motor area, but not in the primary motor cortex. We propose that these cells contribute a signal about the order of forthcoming multiple movements, and are useful for planning and coding of several movements ahead.

Targeting the KEAP1-NRF2 System to Prevent Kidney Disease Progression

Abstract: Background: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a critical transcription factor for the antioxidative stress response and it activates a variety

A Stable Quasicrystal in Al-Cu-Fe System

Abstract: A thermodynamically stable quasicrystalline single phase with an icosahedral structure was found to be formed at an atomic composition of Al65Cu20Fe15 in a fully annealed state as well as in a conventionally solidified state. The stable quasicrystal consisted of large grains with an average size of 0.2 mm after annealing for 48 h at 1118 K (0.98 Tm).

CD38 is critical for social behaviour by regulating oxytocin secretion

Abstract: CD38, a transmembrane glycoprotein with ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity, catalyses the formation of Ca2+ signalling molecules, but its role in the neuroendocrine system is unknown. Here we show that adult CD38 knockout (CD38-/-) female and male mice show marked defects in maternal nurturing and social behaviour, respectively, with higher locomotor activity. Consistently, the plasma level of oxytocin (OT), but not vasopressin, was strongly decreased in CD38-/- mice. Replacement of OT by subcutaneous injection or lentiviral-vector-mediated delivery of human CD38 in the hypothalamus rescued social memory and maternal care in CD38-/- mice. Depolarization-induced OT secretion and Ca2+ elevation in oxytocinergic neurohypophysial axon terminals were disrupted in CD38-/- mice; this was mimicked by CD38 metabolite antagonists in CD38+/+ mice. These results reveal that CD38 has a key role in neuropeptide release, thereby critically regulating maternal and social behaviours, and may be an element in neurodevelopmental disorders.