Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) play a key role in the regulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which in turn mediates various cellular functions including learning and memory. We previously cloned and characterized three PDE4 isoforms (ApPDE4) from Aplysia kurodai. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we found that ApPDE4 isoforms are primarily expressed in the central nervous system. However, the detailed distribution of ApPDE4 mRNA in Aplysia individual ganglions was not evident. In this study, to determine the distribution of ApPDE4 mRNAs in Aplysia ganglions, we performed in situ hybridization (ISH) using a probe targeting ApPDE4, including the PDE catalytic domain. Interestingly, we found the strongest ISH-positive signals in the symmetrical bag cell clusters of the abdominal ganglion. The R2, R14, L7, L2 and L11 neurons in the abdominal ganglion, LP1 neuron in pleural ganglion, and metacerebral (MCC) neurons were ISH-positive. Mechanosensory neurons of the sensory cluster were also stained on the ventral aspect of the right and left pleural ganglia. Taken together, we found the detailed distribution of ApPDE4 mRNA in Aplysia ganglion and support their roles in serotonin (5-HT)-induced synaptic facilitation of Aplysia mechanosensory neurons.
Adenosine Monophosphate ; Aplysia* ; Catalytic Domain ; Central Nervous System ; Clone Cells ; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4* ; Ganglia ; Ganglion Cysts ; In Situ Hybridization* ; Learning ; Memory ; Neurons ; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Protein Isoforms ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger ; Serotonin

Food deprivation can affect performance on difficult cognitive task, such as the delayed nonmatch-to-place T-maze task (DNMT). The importance of food deprivation on maintaining high motivation for DNMT task has been emphasized, but not many studies have investigated the optimal conditions for depriving rodents to maximize performance. Establishing appropriate conditions for food deprivation is necessary to maintain DNMT task motivation. We applied different conditions of food deprivation (1-h food restriction vs. 1.5-g food restriction; single caging vs. group caging) and measured body weight and the number of correct choices that 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice made during the DNMT task. The 1.5-g food restriction group maintained 76.0+/-0.6% of their initial body weight, but the final body weight of the 1-h food restriction condition group was reduced to 62.2+/-0.8% of their initial body weight. These results propose that 1.5-g food restriction condition is effective condition for maintaining both body weight and motivation to complete the DNMT task.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Food Deprivation ; Mice ; Motivation ; Rodentia

PURPOSE: To compare the scar formation after laughter therapy in facial burn scar and to make facial burn rehabilitation program. METHODS: In a prospective clinical trial, laughter therapy was done in 12 facial burn injury patients. One group pretest-posttest design was done. After 8 weeks group laughter therapy session, we measured scar condition. Facial burn scar were checked. Scars were assessed with objective measurement tools such as pigmentation, erythema, pliability, transepidermal water loss, thickness and perfusion. RESULTS: Pigmentation value was decreased significantly: 211.6+/-71.9 to 177.8+/-57.1 (p<0.05). Erythema value increased from 432.3+/-62.5 to 451.1+/-49.7 (p>0.05). Transepidermal water loss value changed from 40.7+/-15.9 g/h/m2 to 37.8+/-15.4 g/h/m2 (p>0.05). Microcirculation value was decreased significantly (0.80+/-0.05 volt to 0.43+/-0.19 volt)(p<0.05). Skin elasticity level (R0) was significantly increased (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Laughter therapy in burn patients could be an alternative treatment to control burn scar contracture. In the future, more studies are needed how laughter therapy may affect the skin condition of the burn injuries.
Burns ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Contracture ; Elasticity ; Erythema ; Humans ; Laughter ; Laughter Therapy ; Microcirculation ; Pigmentation ; Pliability ; Prospective Studies ; Skin

A 73-year-old woman who has been suffering from ulcer pain on left lower leg of burn scars visited our clinic for prosthesis rehabilitation. Symptom has been developed since 12 months ago. She burned herself with oil at the age of 40. Biopsy on the skin lesion revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Marjolin's ulcer is a rare but highly aggressive squamous cell cancer that is most often associated with chronic burn wounds. Patient had undergone multiple prior split-thickness skin grafts for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma. She had undergone a trans-tibial amputation and subsequently given adjuvant chemotherapy for recurrent disease. After amputee training the patient was able to walk by herself and could perform all activities of daily living independently. Cancer induced amputees need prostheses with intensive rehabilitation training program for ambulation to prevent deterioration of physical function and mental health due to immobilization. However, she developed another recurrence and decided not to undergo further surgery and eventually died in hospice care due to progressive metastatic disease.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Amputation ; Amputees ; Biopsy ; Burns ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Hospice Care ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Leg ; Mental Health ; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell ; Prostheses and Implants ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Stress, Psychological ; Transplants ; Ulcer ; Walking

The cytoplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE)-binding protein (CPEB) binds to CPE containing mRNAs on their 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs). This RNA binding protein comes out many important tasks, especially in learning and memory, by modifying the translational efficiency of target mRNAs via poly (A) tailing. Overexpressed CPEB has been reported to induce the formation of stress granules (SGs), a sort of RNA granule in mammalian cell lines. RNA granule is considered to be a potentially important factor in learning and memory. However, there is no study about RNA granule in Aplysia. To examine whether an Aplysia CPEB, ApCPEB1, forms RNA granules, we overexpressed ApCPEB1-EGFP in Aplysia sensory neurons. Consistent with the localization of mammalian CPEB, overexpressed ApCPEB1 formed granular structures, and was colocalized with RNAs and another RNA binding protein, ApCPEB, showing that ApCPEB1 positive granules are RNA-protein complexes. In addition, ApCPEB1 has a high turnover rate in RNA granules which were mobile structures. Thus, our results indicate that overexpressed ApCPEB1 is incorporated into RNA granule which is a dynamic structure in Aplysia sensory neuron. We propose that ApCPEB1 granule might modulate translation, as other RNA granules do, and furthermore, influence memory.
Animals ; Aplysia/genetics/*metabolism ; Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching ; RNA/genetics/metabolism ; Sensory Receptor Cells/*metabolism ; mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors/genetics/metabolism/*physiology

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare the quality of life and physical function after group education program in burn rehabilitation program. METHODS: In a prospective clinical trial, group rehabilitation education program was done in 20 burn injury patients. One group pretest-post test design was done. After 2 weeks group education session, we measured stress test, quality of life (Burn specific health scale) and range of motion. Stress status was assessed with objective measurement tools such as heart rate variability. RESULTS: Stress resistance and parameter value was changed significantly (P<0.05). Heart stability increased (P=0.05). Total range of motions were changed significantly (P<0.05). Quality of life evaluation using BSHS does not show significant change (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Group therapy in burn rehabilitation patients could be an alternative rehabilitation treatment for quality of life. In the future, more studies are yet to come how group education program may affect the burn rehabilitation patients' disability.
Burns ; Exercise Test ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Psychotherapy, Group ; Quality of Life ; Range of Motion, Articular