Substitution (CH3, Cl, or Br) effects of the imidazolate linker on benzene adsorption kinetics for the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-8

Herein, the time dependence of benzene adsorption uptake was examined for ZIF-8, Cl-ZIF-8, and Br-ZIF-8 and analysed using an intra-crystalline (Fick's) diffusion model, yielding the diffusion coefficient and saturated adsorption amount of benzene. The saturated adsorption amount of benzene decreased in the order of ZIF-8, Cl-ZIF-8, and Br-ZIF-8. Notably, ZIF-8, with an intermediate pore volume among the three specimens, accommodated the greatest number of molecules (5.5 molecules per micropore). The activation energy, E_a, and the pre-exponential factor, D₀, for benzene diffusion increased in the order of ZIF-8, Cl-ZIF-8, and Br-ZIF-8. These findings suggest that the 2-methylimidazolate moiety forms an effective attraction interaction with benzene molecules. The D₀ values also yielded the activation entropy, ΔS^‡, in the transition state when a benzene molecule passed through a six-membered ring aperture. The ΔS^‡ values at 303 K were negative, and their absolute values increased in the order of Br-ZIF-8, Cl-ZIF-8, and ZIF-8. Considering the degree of freedom of translation and rotation of the benzene molecule and the vibration and disorder of the linker, we found that the differences in ΔS^‡ were caused by the dynamic local structure of the six-membered ring aperture among the ZIF-8 analogues. Furthermore, infrared spectroscopy revealed a low-wavenumber shift of the C-H stretching band in both the imidazolate moiety and adsorbed benzene molecules. A solid-state ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum presented a downfield shift of ¹³C resonance peaks in the imidazolate moiety, suggesting that CH/π interactions reasonably explain the intermolecular interaction between the imidazolate moiety (including the methyl group) and π-electrons of benzene.

Expanded adaptation of an artificial intelligence model for predicting chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity using baseline electrocardiograms

Introduction

While effective as chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines can cause cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD), which adversely affects the prognosis of patients with malignancies1–5. Despite guideline recommendations6–9, repeated echocardiograms are rarely performed10 with delayed diagnosis of CTRCD leading to unrecoverable cardiac dysfunction11. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) was shown to be capable of detecting reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) solely from electrocardiogram (ECG)12. Furthermore, this model was predictive of a future decrease in LVEF. Therefore, we hypothesized that an AI model detecting reduced LVEF (AI-EF model) could predict CTRCD from ECGs.

Purpose

To assess whether the AI-EF model could detect patients at a high risk of CTRCD by analyzing ECGs taken immediately prior to the initiation of cardiotoxic chemotherapy.

Methods

Among patients who received chemotherapy with a regimen including anthracyclines in two institutions between June 1st, 2015 and October 1st, 2020, those who underwent both an ECG and echocardiogram ≤90 days prior to initial treatment were selected. The ECGs were analyzed by the AI-EF model and patients were divided into two groups according to the scores from the model. CTRCD was defined as LVEF <53% and ≥10% decrease in LVEF from the baseline at any time after the start of chemotherapy13. The cumulative incidence of CTRCD was compared for the two groups using Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, a univariate Cox proportional hazard model, and a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model adjusting for known risk factors for CTRCD. Finally, a prediction model for CTRCD using readily available clinical variables with the AI-EF score was compared with the model using the same variables without the AI-EF score.

Results

1,158 patients were included in this study. 99 of them developed CTRCD during follow-up. The AI-EF model displayed excellent risk stratification of developing CTRCD: while 7.1% in the low AI-EF score group developed CTRCD, 12.9% of the patients in the high AI-EF score group developed CTRCD (hazard ratio (HR), 2.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.43–3.19; log-rank p<0.001; Figure 1). This finding was robust across subgroups such as cancer types, the initial dose of anthracycline and baseline LVEF, and consistent after adjusting for multiple risk factors (adjusted HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.37–3.22; p<0.001; Figure 2). Furthermore, the addition of the AI-EF score significantly improved the accuracy of predicting CTRCD compared to clinical features alone (time-dependent area under the received operating curve (AUROC) for 2 years, 77.1; 95% CI, 71.8–82.3 for the model with AI-EF score and AUROC 73.9; 95% CI, 69.0–80.1 for the model without AI-EF score; p=0.02).

Conclusion

The AI-EF model, by utilizing baseline ECG, could stratify patients according to the risk of CTRCD and robustly augmented CTRCD prediction.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): American Heart AssociationVerily

Sex-dependent and sex-independent regulatory systems of size variation in natural populations

Size of organs/organisms is a polygenic trait. Many of the growth-regulatory genes constitute conserved growth signaling pathways. However, how these multiple genes are orchestrated at the systems level to attain the natural variation in size including sexual size dimorphism is mostly unknown. Here we take a multi-layered systems omics approach to study size variation in the Drosophila wing. We show that expression levels of many critical growth regulators such as Wnt and TGFβ pathway components significantly differ between sexes but not between lines exhibiting size differences within each sex, suggesting a primary role of these regulators in sexual size dimorphism. Only a few growth genes including a receptor of steroid hormone ecdysone exhibit association with between-line size differences. In contrast, we find that between-line size variation is largely regulated by genes with a diverse range of cellular functions, most of which have never been implicated in growth. In addition, we show that expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) linked to these novel growth regulators accurately predict population-wide, between-line wing size variation. In summary, our study unveils differential gene regulatory systems that control wing size variation between and within sexes.

CRISPR-induced double-strand breaks trigger recombination between homologous chromosome arms

CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing has transformed the life sciences, enabling virtually unlimited genetic manipulation of genomes: The RNA-guided Cas9 endonuclease cuts DNA at a specific target sequence and the resulting double-strand breaks are mended by one of the intrinsic cellular repair pathways. Imprecise double-strand repair will introduce random mutations such as indels or point mutations, whereas precise editing will restore or specifically edit the locus as mandated by an endogenous or exogenously provided template. Recent studies indicate that CRISPR-induced DNA cuts may also result in the exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosome arms. However, conclusive data of such recombination events in higher eukaryotes are lacking. Here, we show that in Drosophila, the detected Cas9-mediated editing events frequently resulted in germline-transmitted exchange of chromosome arms-often without indels. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using the system for generating recombinants and also highlight an unforeseen risk of using CRISPR-Cas9 for therapeutic intervention.

Identification of specifically reduced Th2 cell subsets in allergic rhinitis patients after sublingual immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Although Th2 cells are well known to play important roles in allergic diseases including allergic rhinitis (AR), the factors that induce and sustain the pathogenesis of AR remain unclear. The recent development of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is expected to allow changes to the underlying pathogenesis of AR. However, which Th2 cell subsets are important in house dust mite-induced AR (HDM-AR), the influence of SLIT on the pathogenic Th2 cells, and the association of Th2 cell subsets with SLIT efficacy have not been clarified.

METHODS

The cytokine production and frequency of HDM-reactive T-cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were evaluated using flow cytometry in 89 HDM-AR patients (placebo [n = 43] and HDM 300 IR [n = 46]) who participated in a placebo-controlled study of SLIT with HDM tablets. All patients provided samples both before treatment as a baseline and at the end of the 52-week study. The PBMCs were stained with CellTrace™ Violet (CTV) before culture with HDM extract, and HDM-reactive T cells were detected as the proliferated cells with diminished CTV.

RESULTS

HDM-reactive IL-5⁺ IL-13⁺ CD27^- CD161⁺ CD4⁺ cells and ST2⁺ CD45RO⁺ CD4⁺ cells were observed in the peripheral blood from each patient with HDM-AR; these cells significantly decreased after SLIT in the group treated with active tablets. HDM-reactive ST2⁺ CD45RO⁺ CD4⁺ cells were significantly lower in active-responders.

CONCLUSION

Allergen-reactive ST2⁺ CD45RO⁺ CD4⁺ cells or those combined with IL-5⁺ IL-13⁺ CD27^- CD161⁺ CD4⁺ cells may be useful as markers indicating the successful treatment of SLIT. These cells may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AR as pathogenic memory Th2 cells.

Intraoperative 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced photodynamic diagnosis of metastatic brain tumors with histopathological analysis

BACKGROUND

Fluorescence-guided surgery using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a promising real-time navigation method in the surgical resection of malignant gliomas. In order to determine whether this method is applicable to metastatic brain tumors, we evaluated the usefulness of intraoperative fluorescence patterns and histopathological features in patients with metastatic brain tumors.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 16 patients with metastatic brain tumors who underwent intraoperative 5-ALA fluorescence-guided resection. Patients were given 20 mg/kg of 5-ALA orally 2 h prior to the surgery. High-powered excitation illumination and a low-pass filter (420, 450, or 500 nm) were used to visualize the fluorescence of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), the 5-ALA metabolite. We evaluated the relationships between the fluorescence and histopathological findings in both tumoral and peritumoral brain tissue.

RESULTS

Tumoral PpIX fluorescence was seen in only 5 patients (31%); in the remaining 11 patients (69%), there was no fluorescence in the tumor bulk itself. In 14 patients (86%), vague fluorescence was seen in peritumoral brain tissue, at a thickness of 2-6 mm. The histopathological examination found cancer cell invasion of adjacent brain tissue in 75% of patients (12/16), at a mean ± SD depth of 1.4 ± 1.0 mm (range 0.2-3.4 mm) from the microscopic border of the tumor. There was a moderate correlation between vague fluorescence in adjacent brain tissue and the depth of cancer cell invasion (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Peritumoral fluorescence may be a good intraoperative indicator of tumor extent, preceding more complete microscopic gross total resection.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Institutional Review Board of Osaka Medical College No. 42, registered February 17, 1998, and No. 300, registered April 1, 2008. They were retrospectively registered.

Quantitative Determination of Stilbenoids and Dihydroisocoumarins in Shorea roxburghii and Evaluation of Their Hepatoprotective Activity

A simultaneous quantitative analytical method for 13 stilbenoids including (-)-hopeaphenol (1), (+)-isohopeaphenol (2), hemsleyanol D (3), (-)-ampelopsin H (4), vaticanols A (5), E (6), and G (7), (+)-α-viniferin (8), pauciflorol A (9), hopeafuran (10), (-)-balanocarpol (11), (-)-ampelopsin A (12), and trans-resveratrol 10-C-β-d-glucopyranoside (13), and two dihydroisocoumarins, phayomphenols A₁ (14) and A₂ (15) in the extract of Shorea roxburghii (dipterocarpaceae) was developed. According to the established protocol, distributions of these 15 polyphenols (1-15) in the bark and wood parts of S. roxburghii and a related plant Cotylelobium melanoxylon were evaluated. In addition, the principal polyphenols (1, 2, 8, 13-15) exhibited hepatoprotective effects against d-galactosamine (d-galN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in mice at a dose of 100 or 200 mg/kg, p.o. To characterize the mechanisms of action, the isolates were examined in in vitro studies assessing their effects on (i) d-GalN-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes; (ii) LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages; and (iii) tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced cytotoxicity in L929 cells. The mechanisms of action of these polyphenols (1, 2, and 8) were suggested to be dependent on the inhibition of LPS-induced macrophage activation and reduction of sensitivity of hepatocytes to TNF-α. However, none of the isolates reduced the cytotoxicity caused by d-GalN.

Photo-induced orientation behaviors of azobenzene liquid crystal copolymers for photonic crystals

Light response inside is improved by decrease of light absorption near surface based on LC cooperative orientation.

Direct Observation of Siloxane Chirality on Twisted and Helical Nanometric Amorphous Silica

Synthesis of chiral inorganic or hybrid nanomaterials through sol-gel transcription of chiral organic templates has attracted a great deal of interest for more than a decade. However, the chiral nature of these inorganic matrices has never been directly observed. For the first time, we report a direct evaluation of chirality on noncrystalline silica chiral nanoribbons by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) measurements. Strong Cotton effect around 1150-1000 cm^-1 from Si-O-Si asymmetric stretching vibration was observed. Surprisingly, calcination of these hybrid nanoribbons doubled the intensity of Cotton effects. On the basis of transmission electron microscopy observations, IR, VCD, NMR, and Raman spectroscopies, we demonstrate that the silica chirality originates from twisted siloxane network composed of chiral arrangement of the Si-O-Si bonds. Our findings clearly prove the presence of chiral organization of amorphous silica network, making them very promising chiral platforms for chiral recognition, optical applications, or asymmetric catalysis.

Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis without pleocytosis of the cerebrospinal fluid

Pleocytosis of the cerebrospinal fluid is a key finding for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis presenting in normal cerebrospinal fluid is rare in adult patients. We describe the case of a patient with pneumococcal meningitis without cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. This case suggests that immediate antibiotic therapy should be started when meningitis is suspected, even with normal cerebrospinal fluid findings. (See Figure.)

On/off switching of structural color by using multi-bilayered films containing copolymers having azobenzene and biphenyl side groups

In this paper, the change in structural color of multi-bilayered films fabricated by stacking copolymers, PMAz–PMBP (m : ), consisting of azobenzene and biphenyl side chain groups, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) alternately, was investigated.

Modulation of polymer refractive indices with diamond nanoparticles for metal-free multilayer film mirrors

Modulation of the refractive index of a polymer was achieved by combining it with diamond nanoparticles (NDs). The increase in the refractive index was controlled by the amount of NDs added, according to the Lorentz-Lorenz equation. The refractive index of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), which was used as the base polymer, increased from 1.52 to 1.88. A multilayer film consisting of alternating layers of ND-PVA composite and poly(methyl methacrylate) exhibited ca. 80% reflectance with 10 bilayers.

ARAP3 inhibits peritoneal dissemination of scirrhous gastric carcinoma cells by regulating cell adhesion and invasion

During the analysis of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in scirrhous gastric carcinoma cell lines, we observed an unusual expression of Arf-GAP with Rho-GAP domain, ankyrin repeat and PH domain 3 (ARAP3), a multimodular signaling protein that is a substrate of Src family kinases. Unlike other phosphotyrosine proteins, such as CUB domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1) and Homo sapiens chromosome 9 open reading frame 10/oxidative stress-associated Src activator (C9orf10/Ossa), which are overexpressed and hyperphosphorylated in scirrhous gastric carcinoma cell lines, ARAP3 was underexpressed in cancerous human gastric tissues. In this study, we found that overexpression of ARAP3 in the scirrhous gastric carcinoma cell lines significantly reduced peritoneal dissemination. In vitro studies also showed that ARAP3 regulated cell attachment to the extracellular matrix, as well as invasive activities. These effects were suppressed by mutations in the Rho-GTPase-activating protein (GAP) domain or in the C-terminal two tyrosine residues that are phosphorylated by Src. Thus, the expression and phosphorylation state of ARAP3 may affect the invasiveness of cancer by modulating cell adhesion and motility. Our results suggest that ARAP3 is a unique Src substrate that suppresses peritoneal dissemination of scirrhous gastric carcinoma cells.

Overview of studies comparing human normal cartilage with minimal and advanced osteoarthritic cartilage

A major area under study in the osteoarthritis (OA) research field is the characterization of specific molecular and biochemical changes that distinguish advanced diseased cartilage from less involved or normal tissue. This information is important to better define the pathogenic mechanisms that are operating during OA progression and to identify disease-specific markers. This review describes recent studies that have addressed changes in chondrocyte gene expression, proliferation, and apoptosis in "experimental" (more advanced OA cartilage) versus "control" (less involved or non-OA cartilage). Included is a comprehensive listing of recently published studies in this area with general findings. The review also includes a discussion of study design and the strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches. In addition, specific strategies to deal with some of the important issues are discussed. One particular model utilizing minimal and advanced OA cartilage obtained from the same patient is described in more detail.

A novel mode of action of an ArfGAP, AMAP2/PAG3/Papa lpha, in Arf6 function

Previously we reported that AMAP2/PAG3/Papalpha/KIAA0400, a GTPase-activating protein (GAP), acts to antagonize Arf6 function when overexpressed, whereas it was shown to exhibit efficient GAP activities for other Arf isoforms in vitro. Here, we found that AMAP2, through its ArfGAP domain, binds to GTP-Arf6 but not to GDP-Arf6 or other Arfs irrespective of nucleotide status. The majority of AMAP2 was localized to intracellular tubulovesicular structures and redistributed to Arf6-enriched membrane areas upon Arf6 activation. In HeLa cells, Arf6 has been shown to be involved in the clathrin-independent endocytosis of Tac, but not the clathrin-dependent endocytosis of transferrin. We found that Arf6 silencing inhibited the internalization of Tac, but not transferrin, in HeLa cells. Internalization of Tac, but not transferrin, was also significantly inhibited by AMAP2 silencing and overexpression. AMAP2 was moreover found to bind to amphiphysin IIm, a component of the endocytic machinery, via its proline-rich domain. We propose that AMAP2 has dual mechanisms for its function; it exhibits efficient catalytic GAP activity for the class I and II Arfs and yet is involved in the cellular function of the class III Arf without immediate GAP activity. These dual mechanisms of AMAP2 may be important for the cellular function of GTP-Arf6.

Localized suppression of RhoA activity by Tyr31/118-phosphorylated paxillin in cell adhesion and migration

RhoA activity is transiently inhibited at the initial phase of integrin engagement, when Cdc42- and/or Rac1-mediated membrane spreading and ruffling predominantly occur. Paxillin, an integrin-assembly protein, has four major tyrosine phosphorylation sites, and the phosphorylation of Tyr31 and Tyr118 correlates with cell adhesion and migration. We found that mutation of Tyr31/118 caused enhanced activation of RhoA and premature formation of stress fibers with substantial loss of efficient membrane spreading and ruffling in adhesion and migration of NMuMG cells. These phenotypes were similar to those induced by RhoA(G14V) in parental cells, and could be abolished by expression of RhoA(T19N), Rac1(G12V), or p190RhoGAP in the mutant-expressing cells. Phosphorylated Tyr31/118 was found to bind to two src homology (SH)2 domains of p120RasGAP, with coprecipitation of endogenous paxillin with p120RasGAP. p190RhoGAP is known to be a major intracellular binding partner for the p120RasGAP SH2 domains. We found that Tyr31/118-phosphorylated paxillin competes with p190RhoGAP for binding to p120RasGAP, and provides evidence that p190RhoGAP freed from p120RasGAP efficiently suppresses RhoA activity during cell adhesion. We conclude that Tyr31/118-phosphorylated paxillin serves as a template for the localized suppression of RhoA activity and is necessary for efficient membrane spreading and ruffling in adhesion and migration of NMuMG cells.

A novel muscle LIM-only protein is generated from the paxillin gene locus in Drosophila

Paxillin is a protein containing four LIM domains, and functions in integrin signaling. We report here that two transcripts are generated from the paxillin gene locus in Drosophila; one encodes a protein homolog of the vertebrate Paxillin (DPxn37), and the other a protein with only three LIM domains, partly encoded by its own specific exon (PDLP). At the myotendinous junctions of Drosophila embryos where integrins play important roles, both DPxn37 and PDLP are highly expressed with different patterns; DPxn37 is predominantly concentrated at the center of the junctions, whereas PDLP is highly enriched at neighboring sides of the junction centers, primarily expressed in the mesodermal myotubes. Northern blot analysis revealed that DPxn37 is ubiquitously expressed throughout the life cycle, whereas PDLP expression exhibits a biphasic pattern during development, largely concomitant with muscle generation and remodeling. Our results collectively reveal that a unique system exists in Drosophila for the generation of a novel type of LIM-only protein, highly expressed in the embryonic musculature, largely utilizing the Paxillin LIM domains.

An ADP-ribosylation factor GTPase-activating protein Git2-short/KIAA0148 is involved in subcellular localization of paxillin and actin cytoskeletal organization

Paxillin acts as an adaptor protein in integrin signaling. We have shown that paxillin exists in a relatively large cytoplasmic pool, including perinuclear areas, in addition to focal complexes formed at the cell periphery and focal adhesions formed underneath the cell. Several ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs; ARFGAPs) have been shown to associate with paxillin. We report here that Git2-short/KIAA0148 exhibits properties of a paxillin-associated ARFGAP and appears to be colocalized with paxillin, primarily at perinuclear areas. A fraction of Git2-short was also localized to actin-rich structures at the cell periphery. Unlike paxillin, however, Git2-short did not accumulate at focal adhesions underneath the cell. Git2-short is a short isoform of Git2, which is highly homologous to p95PKL, another paxillin-binding protein, and showed a weaker binding affinity toward paxillin than that of Git2. The ARFGAP activities of Git2 and Git2-short have been previously demonstrated in vitro, and we provided evidence that at least one ARF isoform, ARF1, is an intracellular substrate for the GAP activity of Git2-short. We also showed that Git2-short could antagonize several known ARF1-mediated phenotypes: overexpression of Git2-short, but not its GAP-inactive mutant, caused the redistribution of Golgi protein beta-COP and reduced the amounts of paxillin-containing focal adhesions and actin stress fibers. Perinuclear localization of paxillin, which was sensitive to ARF inactivation, was also affected by Git2-short overexpression. On the other hand, paxillin localization to focal complexes at the cell periphery was unaffected or even augmented by Git2-short overexpression. Therefore, an ARFGAP protein weakly interacting with paxillin, Git2-short, exhibits pleiotropic functions involving the regulation of Golgi organization, actin cytoskeletal organization, and subcellular localization of paxillin, all of which need to be coordinately regulated during integrin-mediated cell adhesion and intracellular signaling.

TAZ: a novel transcriptional co-activator regulated by interactions with 14-3-3 and PDZ domain proteins

The highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed 14-3-3 proteins regulate differentiation, cell cycle progression and apoptosis by binding intracellular phosphoproteins involved in signal transduction. By screening in vitro translated cDNA pools for the ability to bind 14-3-3, we identified a novel transcriptional co-activator, TAZ (transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif) as a 14-3-3-binding molecule. TAZ shares homology with Yes-associated protein (YAP), contains a WW domain and functions as a transcriptional co-activator by binding to the PPXY motif present on transcription factors. 14-3-3 binding requires TAZ phosphorylation on a single serine residue, resulting in the inhibition of TAZ transcriptional co-activation through 14-3-3-mediated nuclear export. The C-terminus of TAZ contains a highly conserved PDZ-binding motif that localizes TAZ into discrete nuclear foci and is essential for TAZ-stimulated gene transcription. TAZ uses this same motif to bind the PDZ domain-containing protein NHERF-2, a molecule that tethers plasma membrane ion channels and receptors to cytoskeletal actin. TAZ may link events at the plasma membrane and cytoskeleton to nuclear transcription in a manner that can be regulated by 14-3-3.

Superconductor-insulator transition in a two-dimensional array of resistively shunted small josephson junctions

We have fabricated two-dimensional (2D) small-Josephson-junction arrays of which each Al-AlOx-Al junction is shunted by a Cr resistor. The arrays with large junction resistance and large charging energy show a transition from insulating to superconducting behavior when the shunt resistance is lowered below a critical value, which is close to 2R(Q) ( R(Q) identical withh/4e(2) = 6.45 kOmega). The measured phase diagram is consistent with theories of quantum-fluctuation-driven and dissipation-driven phase transitions in the 2D Josephson-junction array with Ohmic shunt resistors.

Poly(allylamine) beads as selective sorbent for preconcentration of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis

Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in water were determined by preconcentration with poly(allylamine) beads, derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DPH) and analysis by HPLC. Poly(allylamine) beads (0.5 g) were used to adsorb formaldehyde and acetaldehyde at 1.2-150 microg l(-1) and 3.5-220 microg l(-1) from water (1 l). The concentration factor is 50 fold. The aldehydes were eluted and derivatized with 2 mM DPH in 0.5 M H2SO4 (10 ml). The time of analysis was 1 h. The detection limits (S/N=3) for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were 0.6 and 2 microg l(-1), respectively.

Relationship between EMG signals and force in human vastus lateralis muscle using multiple bipolar wire electrodes

This paper describes the relationship between knee extension force and EMG signals detected by multiple bipolar wire electrodes inserted into the human vastus lateralis muscle under isometric conditions. Six healthy male volunteers participated in this study. Eight pairs of bipolar wire electrodes were inserted into the right vastus lateralis muscle and the EMG data were simultaneously detected and analyzed. The EMG raw data and individual force-IEMG relations were influenced by the location of the electrode inserted into the muscle. The force and IEMG relationship averaged across subjects detected from the eight electrodes, however, showed almost the same linear correlation in spite of different electrode locations. No linear correlation was observed between MdF and the knee extension force. This result suggests that, if all of the muscle fibers participate in the same action at the same time, the averaged normalized IEMG from any places using wire electrodes could reflect the total activities of that muscle even if the muscle is large.

Thapsigargin induces microglial transformation from amoeboid- to ramified- type in vivo

Yagi R, Tanaka S, Koike T. 1999. Thapsigargin induces microglial transformation from amoeboid- to ramified- type in vivo. Glia 28:49-52. The article referenced above was published as an Original Article instead of a Short Communication. The publisher regrets this error.

Reduction in subluxation and improved muscle function of the hemiplegic shoulder joint after therapeutic electrical stimulation

Seventeen hemiplegic patients with chronic shoulder subluxation secondary to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) were divided into three groups, two of which were subjected to 6 weeks of therapeutic electrical stimulation (TES) for 15 minutes twice a day, in order to assess the effectiveness of the treatment in reducing subluxation, and in improving shoulder abduction function. The third group was used as a control (C group). After 6 weeks of electrical stimulation of the supraspinatus (S group) and deltoid (D group), a significant (p<0.05) reduction in subluxation was observed in both groups when compared to the C group. The maximal force of shoulder abduction showed a tendency to increase in the S group (p<0.10). A significant increase in maximal force was also observed in the D group. In most of the TES-treated muscles, the interference pattern of EMG at maximum voluntary contraction increased. The amplitude of the EMG activity of the stimulated muscle also increased. Thus, we concluded that electrical stimulation therapy of the supraspinatus and the deltoid muscle is an effective treatment modality for shoulder subluxation and shoulder abduction function in hemiplegic patients.

Thapsigargin induces microglial transformation from amoeboid to ramified type in vitro

Microglia generally display amoeboid morphology under prevalent culture conditions. We found that cultured microglia derived from rat cerebral cortex undergo a morphological transformation from amoeboid to process-bearing microglia upon treatment with thapsigargin (TG), a specific Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum. Microglial transformation was further enhanced by exposure of amoeboid microglia to serum-free (N2) medium containing TG (TG/N2 treatment). TG/N2-treated microglia showed a marked reduction in the activity of phagocytosis and showed down-regulated expression of MRF-1 or F4/80, which are markers for activated microglia. Thus, both morphological and physiological criteria suggest that TG promotes the ramification of amoeboid microglia in vitro. This method would be helpful in characterization of ramified microglia in vitro.

Structure-activity relationship of HIV-1 protease inhibitors containing alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino acids. Detailed study of P1 site

The structure-activity relationship of HIV-1 protease (HIV-1 PR) inhibitors containing alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino acids is discussed. We demonstrated that substituent groups on the P1 aromatic rings of the inhibitors exert significant influence on their biological activity. Inhibitors bearing an alkyl or a fluorine atom at the meta and para position on their P1 benzene ring were found to be good inhibitors. We also discovered that the substitution positions of the P2 benzamides were crucial for good antiviral potency. In this study, inhibitor 48 was the most potent [IC90 (CEM/HIV-1 IIIB) 27 nM] and showed good pharmacokinetics in rats.

A WW domain-containing yes-associated protein (YAP) is a novel transcriptional co-activator

A protein module called the WW domain recognizes and binds to a short oligopeptide called the PY motif, PPxY, to mediate protein-protein interactions. The PY motif is present in the transcription activation domains of a wide range of transcription factors including c-Jun, AP-2, NF-E2, C/EBPalpha and PEBP2/CBF, suggesting that it plays an important role in transcriptional activation. We show here that mutation of the PY motif in the subregion of the activation domain of the DNA-binding subunit of PEBP2, PEBP2alpha, abolishes its transactivation function. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, we demonstrate that Yes-associated protein (YAP) binds to the PY motif of PEBP2alpha through its WW domain. The C-terminal region of YAP fused to the DNA-binding domain of GAL4 showed transactivation as strong as that of GAL4-VP16. Exogenously expressed YAP conferred transcription-stimulating activity on the PY motif fused to the GAL4 DNA-binding domain as well as to native PEBP2alpha. The osteocalcin promoter was stimulated by exogenous PEBP2alphaA and a dominant negative form of YAP strongly inhibited this activity, suggesting YAP involvement in this promoter activity in vivo. These results indicate that the PY motif is a novel transcription activation domain that functions by recruiting YAP as a strong transcription activator to target genes.

Application of functional electrical stimulation to the paralyzed extremities

This paper describes restoration of motor function in patients with paralyzed extremities due to upper motor neuron disorders by functional electrical stimulation (FES). Percutaneously indwelling intramuscular electrodes were implanted into the muscles of the paralyzed upper and lower extremities to be controlled by FES. Stimulation patterns for extremity FES were created from electromyography (EMG) during motion in healthy subjects. By using a percutaneous FES system, all of the joint movement in the extremities could be controlled as long as severe lower motor neuron damage did not exist. In the paralyzed upper extremity, motor function of not only the hand but also the wrist, elbow, and shoulder could be restored with well-coordinated manner by EMG-based stimulation data and utilized for vocational tasks in the hemiplegic and quadriplegic patients. Continuous bias stimulation to the paralyzed muscle in combination with volitional contraction of its antagonistic muscles provided the patient with more volitional and natural control of the upper extremity. Restoration of locomotive movement in the paraplegics at around T-8 level was also achieved by FES under the usage of a walker.

Analysis of voluntary finger movements during hand tasks by a motion analyzer

Finger movements have primarily been classified by the final position of the hand and finger during deliberate hand activities, rather than as a description of the movement process. In addition, as of yet there have been no reports based upon objective data from the analysis of the motion of three finger joints during movement, and no reports exist that describe the relationship of the three joints' motion during these movements. This paper describes the relationship of the three finger joints during simple finger movements and hand tasks using measurements and analysis from a two-dimensional motion analyzer. Two prehensile movements were examined in 15 healthy volunteers: pure finger extension from finger flex position in different wrist positions (dorsi-flexion position, neutral position and palmar-flexion position of the wrist joint) and the grasping of discs of different diameter (10, 11, 12 and 13 cm). In the sequence of pure finger extension, where the grasping task was not requested, results showed that the movement was started from the proximal joint and extended to the distal joint of the finger, and full finger extension accomplished from distal to proximal, one after another, in any wrist position in most subjects. With the grasping of a disc, however, joint movement was initiated from distal to proximal and the final motion for grasping was carried to completion from the proximal to distal joints of the finger in most subjects. In addition, it was recognized that the proportion of the angular change in each of the three joints was different, as were the time duration of the joint motion and the pattern of the angular change. From these results, it is suggested that deliberate activities of the finger and sophisticated joint movements provided delicate adjustments to fit the fingers to the size of the object, as compared to the simple finger extension movement.

Rotational action of the supraspinatus muscle on the shoulder joint

The shoulder joint allows three-dimensional movement. In order to analyze the function of the muscles which act on the shoulder joint, three-dimensional movements, including rotation, must be considered. Among muscles participating in the shoulder joint movement, the supraspinatus muscle is known to have abduction and stabilization effects on the shoulder joint. However, the rotational function of the supraspinatus muscle has not been identified, because few studies have been reported on it. This study investigates the rotating function of the supraspinatus muscle using electrical stimulation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and anatomical examination. Electrical stimulation was applied selectively to the supraspinatus muscle of healthy subjects using percutaneous wire electrodes. The electrical stimulation was given at different positions of the shoulder joint. It was found that the electrically induced rotational movements changed their direction depending on the position of the shoulder joint. When the humerus was relatively in internal rotation, internal rotation resulted. When it was in external rotation, external rotation occurred. Regarding the abduction angle of the shoulder joint, external rotation was induced with an increase in the abduction angle, whereas internal rotation occurred when the abduction angle was decreased. By the dissection of cadavers and MRI examination, it was indicated that the relation between the running direction of the supraspinatus muscle and the center of rotation of the humeral head was dependent on the position of the shoulder joint. Those findings supported the results of electrical stimulation of the supraspinatus muscle at various shoulder positions. These results indicate that the bi-directional rotating function of the supraspinatus muscle is characterized by an anatomical relationship between the running direction of the supraspinatus muscle and the center of rotation of the humeral head.

Structure-activity relationship of HIV-1 protease inhibitors containing AHPBA. Part III: Modification of P2 site

The structure-activity relationship of HIV-1 protease (HIV-1 PR) inhibitors containing AHPBA (3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoic acid) is discussed. In order to solve the problem of poor oral bioavailability, small-sized dipeptide HIV-1 protease inhibitors containing cyclic urethanes or benzamides at the P2 site were designed and prepared. The substitution patterns of the benzamides contributed significantly to their HIV-1 PR inhibitory activities, and it was shown that the choice of P2-residues was very important. Highly potent inhibitors possessing subnanomolar IC50 values and exhibiting good antiviral potency have been identified. In this class, inhibitor 18 was the most potent (IC90 (CEM/HIV-1 IIIB) 0.11 microM) and showed good oral bioavailability in dogs.

Design and anti-HIV-1 activity of hammerhead and hairpin ribozymes containing a stable loop

Three ribozymes, a hairpin ribozyme (HR112) and two hammerhead ribozymes (RZ115 and RZ119) containing a 5'C(UUCG)G3' loop were designed to cleave the U5 region in the long terminal repeat (LTR) of HIV-1 RNA. The t1/2 values of chemically synthesized substrates mediated by three ribozymes were measured. The transformed CEM cells possessing these three ribozyme-encoding genes were challenged with a HIV-1IIIB strain, and two of these three ribozymes, HR112 and RZ119, were shown to possess strong anti-HIV-1 activity.

EMG power spectrum and integrated EMG of ankle plantarflexors during stepwise and ramp contractions

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the median frequencies (MF) of the electromyogram (EMG) and the integrated EMG (IEMG) of histochemically differentiated ankle plantarflexors, the gastrocnemius and soleus, were force dependent. Bipolar intramuscular wire electrodes were used to measure EMG of the soleus (SO), medial head of gastrocnemius (GM), and lateral head of gastrocnemius (GL) during ramp (single ongoing contractions) with the force increasing linearly from 0 to 100% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and stepwise (steady force levels) ankle plantarflexion at 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 80% MVC. EMG and force were measured simultaneously. Power spectral analysis of these signals was performed to calculate MF on 1024-point by fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique. IEMG value of each muscle was also obtained at the same levels of force. While IEMG of three heads of triceps surae in both stepwise and ramp contractions increased significantly with increasing force, MF values of GL during stepwise contraction increased significantly (20, 40, 60, 80% MVC). These results suggest that the sensitivity of EMG power spectrum might be influenced by the proportion of fast twitch muscle fibers, which histochemically corresponds to type II fibers.

Development of HIV-1 protease expression methods using the T7 phage promoter system

New and simple human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease expression methods in Escherichia coli were developed using the T7 phage promoter system. In order to suppress leaky HIV-1 protease expression under the control of the T7 polymerase, two new methods were tested. One involved the introduction of supplementary T7 promoter regions into host cells [E. coli BL-21 (DE3)] containing the HIV-1 protease gene under the control of the T7 promoter. It was expected that the supplementary T7 promoter regions would compete with the HIV-1 protease expression vector for the T7 polymerase binding. The other involved the infection of late-log-phase cultures of E. coli JM109 harboring the same HIV-1 protease expression vector with the M13 phage expressing T7 polymerase. Both methods were effective, and transformants with the mature HIV-1 protease expression vector showed ten times higher HIV-1 protease activity than activities obtained with the autoprocessing vector. The expression systems described here are convenient and are also easily applicable for the expression of other proteins toxic for E. coli.

Replication bypass and mutagenic effect of alpha-deoxyadenosine site-specifically incorporated into single-stranded vectors

alpha-2'-Deoxyadenosine (alpha) is a major adenine lesion produced by gamma-ray irradiation of DNA under anoxic conditions. In this study, single-stranded recombinant M13 vectors containing alpha were constructed and transfected into Escherichia coli to assess lethal and mutagenic effects of this lesion. The data for alpha were further compared with those obtained with M13 vectors containing normal A or a model abasic site (F) at the same site. The transfection assay revealed that alpha constituted a moderate block to DNA replication. The in vivo replication capacity to pass through alpha was approximately 20% relative to normal A, but 20-fold higher than that of F constituting an almost absolute replication block. Similar data were obtained by in vitro replication of oligonucleotide templates containing alpha or F by E.coli DNA polymerase I. The mutagenic consequence of replicating M13 DNA containing alpha was analyzed by direct DNA sequencing of progeny phage. Mutagenesis was totally targeted at the site of alpha introduced into the vector. Mutation was exclusively a single nucleotide deletion and no base substitutions were detected. The deletion frequency associated alpha was dependent on the 3'-nearest neighbor base: with the 3'-nearest neighbor base T mutation (deletion) frequency was 26%, whereas 1% with the 3'-nearest neighbor base G. A possible mechanism of the single nucleotide deletion associated with alpha is discussed on the basis of the misinsertion-strand slippage model.

In vitro and ex vivo anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activities of a new water-soluble HIV protease inhibitor, R-87366, containing (2S,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoic acid

In a series of compounds containing (2S,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoic acid (AHPBA), a transitionstate mimetic, R-87366:(2S,3S)-3-[N-(quinoxaline-2-carbonyl)-L-asparaginyl]amino- 2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoyl-L-proline tert-butylamide, was found to be a potent human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitor (Ki value was 11 nM) and anti-HIV agent (IC90 value was 0.5 microM for HIV-1IIIB acutely infected cells) with moderate water-solubility (4.2 mg/ml at 25 degrees C). The compound was also active in chronically infected Molt-4/HIV-1IIIB cells, and inhibited the proteolytic processing of p55 into p17, suggesting that its anti-HIV activity was derived from HIV protease inhibition. The compound showed more potent activity (IC90 value was 0.03-0.25 microM) against clinical isolates of HIV in 5 out of 6 patients examined with varying clinical status in an ex vivo assay. One isolate, however, from the sixth patient, was less sensitive to R-87366 (IC90 value was 0.5 microM). In experiments with this strain, R-87366 showed comparatively low efficacy in acutely infected peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC). This result suggests that the diversity of sensitivity shown in the ex vivo assay could be caused by the viral property itself. As a result of the determination of nucleic acid sequences in the clinical isolates, some amino acids were found to be substituted in the protease region, in contrast to the HIV-1 clade B consensus sequence, and some of them have been reported to contribute to the susceptibility of HIV protease inhibitors.

Inhibition of HIV-1 protease by oxim derivatives

In cell-free proteolytic processing using recombinant HIV-1 protease and Gag precursor polypeptide, certain simple oxim derivatives containing halogenomethylketone and phenyl moieties displayed HIV-1 protease inhibitory activity. Their Ki values ranged from 2.1 microM to 6.3 microM and they did not inhibit significantly other aspartic acid proteases. Both the halogenomethylketone moiety and the oxim structure were essential for the observed inhibition. Molecular modeling analysis suggested that these compounds are recognized by the HIV-1 protease as the P1 and P1' part of the substrate. In addition, one potent derivative showed inhibition of viral maturation in HIV-1IIIB chronically infected Molt-4 cells. These results indicate that it is possible to develop new and specific nonpeptidyl HIV protease inhibitors of low molecular weight.

Structure-activity relationships of HIV-1 PR inhibitors containing AHPBA--II. Modification of pyrrolidine ring at P1' proline

Systematic replacement in the 3- or 4-position of the pyrrolidine ring at P1' proline was carried out. Compound 26, which has a Cl atom in the 4(S)-position was the most active among inhibitors substituted with other halogen atoms or other substituents. Furthermore, the replacement of the Z group in compound 26 with five- or six-membered fused aromatic heterocycle carbonyl groups produced more potent inhibitors. 7-Methoxybenzofuran-2-carbonyl derivative (44) was the best of these and showed Ki = 4.5 nM against HIV PR and IC90S 0.58 microM and 0.06 microM in chronic and acute infections, respectively. These results suggest that the combination of the 4(S)-CI atom and fused bicyclic heterocycles may be effective in improving their cellular penetration.

A clinical trial of therapeutic electrical stimulation for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

This paper describes the effects of therapeutic electrical stimulation (TES) on the wasting muscles in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The patient is a 47-year-old male, and he has a history of progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, affected more in the right side. Percutaneously indwelling intramuscular electrodes were implanted to the affected muscles in the right upper and lower extremities but no electrode in the corresponding left region. Within a month of TES therapy, a rapid improvement of extremity motion appeared in the TES treated side. Long-term application of TES more than 3 months increased the strength of the muscle which had been evidently weaker than the non-treated side. CT findings of both the upper and lower extremities with TES therapy showed an increase in the density and a reduction in the moth-eaten image. An increase in the thickness of the muscles was also observed in the TES treated side while deterioration was observed in the muscles on the non-treated side.

Design and anti-HIV-1 activity of ribozymes that cleave HIV-1 LTR

A hairpin ribozyme (HR112) and two hammerhead ribozymes (RZ115 and RZ119) containing a 5'C(UUCG)G3' loop were designed to cleave the long terminal repeat (LTR) of HIV-1. When the ribozyme catalyzed RNA cleavage reaction for a chemically synthesized 19 mer (LTR 19) was measured, the t 1/2 value of LTR 19 mediated by RZ115 was smaller than that of the RZ119 case. Moreover, the transformed CEM cells harboring the gene encoding these ribozymes were challenged with a HIV-1IIIB strain, two ribozymes, HR112 and RZ119 possessed strong anti-HIV-1 activity. However, the anti-HIV-1 activity displayed by RZ115 was weak. On the basis of secondary structure predictions of the RNA transcribed with the gene encoding ribozymes, the secondary structure of the transcribed RNA with RZ115 sequences was observed to be different from those with the other ribozymes. It has been demonstrated that the secondary structures of transcribed RNAs can possibly influence the anti-HIV-1 activity.