Monobody adapter for functional antibody display on nanoparticles for adaptable targeted delivery applications

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) play a central role in the pathophysiology of many diseases. The use of targeted nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver therapeutics to ECs could dramatically improve efficacy by providing elevated and sustained intracellular drug levels. However, achieving sufficient levels of NP targeting in human settings remains elusive. Here, we overcome this barrier by engineering a monobody adapter that presents antibodies on the NP surface in a manner that fully preserves their antigen-binding function. This system improves targeting efficacy in cultured ECs under flow by >1000-fold over conventional antibody immobilization using amine coupling and enables robust delivery of NPs to the ECs of human kidneys undergoing ex vivo perfusion, a clinical setting used for organ transplant. Our monobody adapter also enables a simple plug-and-play capacity that facilitates the evaluation of a diverse array of targeted NPs. This technology has the potential to simplify and possibly accelerate both the development and clinical translation of EC-targeted nanomedicines.

Synthesis of an azadioxa-planar triphenylborane and investigation of its structural and photophysical properties

We report here the first successful synthesis of planar triphenylborane 1 with the phenyl groups bridged by oxygen and nitrogen atoms via double nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction. The hetero atom-bridged 1 has excellent planarity. Its structural and photophysical properties are tunable by altering the bridging atoms.

Quantitative analysis of the isolation area after larger-size laser balloon ablation

Background

The visually guided laser balloon ablation is a balloon-based catheter ablation technology used for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in recent years. This balloon catheter consists of a compliant balloon that has the capability of real-time endoscopic visualization of the targeted pulmonary vein (PV). The sizeable balloon is usually inflated to obtain optimal PV occlusion. The isolation area after laser balloon (LB) ablation was reported to be smaller than that after cryoballoon ablation. However, when LB is inflated with its maximum pressure, it can visualize wide-area PV antrum. Thereby, we suspected that larger-size LB can create wider isolation area.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to quantitatively evaluate the isolation area after LB ablation at the size larger than appropriate size for ablation in the pulmonary vein carina region.

Methods

We assessed 66 patients with AF who underwent LB ablation at the larger inflation size in our hospital during the period from July 2018 to July 2019. After LB ablation, we created voltage maps with a circular mapping catheter and calculated isolation areas with CARTO system.

Results

Figure shows a larger LB with its maximum pressure. PV antrum isolation was extended to the posterior wall in all patients. The left- and right-sided pulmonary vein antrum isolation area were 15.1±3.9 and 19.4±4.3 cm2, respectively.

Conclusion

LB at the larger inflation size with its maximum pressure can isolate wider-area circumferential PV antrum than previously reported. This method may be a new way of pulmonary vein antrum isolation.

Left atrial voltage mapping after PVI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Trend of strengthening clearance regulation in Japan and concerns about its worldwide effects on regulations for natural and artificial radionuclides

The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan invited comments from the public on a revised guide on measurement and evaluation for clearance in 2019, which included a strict decision on how to treat uncertainties in the measurement and the nuclide vector. To resolve the issue on the uncertainty in clearance, a probabilistic approach had been established previously in the Atomic Energy Society of Japan Standard and incorporated into International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safety Report No. 67. NRA's new decision on the uncertainty in clearance was up to 10 times stricter than the probabilistic approach. This issue has been discussed at an international level in the framework of the ongoing revision of IAEA Safety Guide RS-G-1.7. This discussion on the uncertainty in clearance has raised serious concerns about its effects on other radiological protection regulations worldwide. This is because if we need strict treatment for the uncertainty in clearance, the same or even stricter treatment for conformity assessment may have to be applied to other radiological protection criteria for doses exceeding 10 µSv year^-1. Radiological protection experts including regulators, professionals, and operators should be aware of the essential meaning of the radiological protection criteria by considering the background scientific basis on which they were established.

Phylogenetic placement of Paratrichaptum and reconsideration of Gloeophyllales

Paratrichaptum accuratum is a large conspicuous polypore fungus growing on dead or living angiosperm trees in subtropical-boreal areas of China, Indonesia, Japan, and Taiwan. The present study places P. accuratum in the family Gloeophyllaceae that belongs to the order Gloeophyllales within Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota), based on evidence derived from morphological and ecological characteristics, and phylogenetic analyses of sequences of nuclear rDNA regions (5.8S, nuc 18S, nuc 28S) and protein-coding genes (rpb1, rpb2, and tef1). The analyses presented in this study also give strong support for including Jaapia in Gloeophyllaceae and Gloeophyllales. Thus, the names Jaapiaceae and Jaapiales are considered here as synonyms of Gloeophyllaceae and Gloeophyllales. Since Paratrichaptum represents the earliest diverging lineage in Gloeophyllales, pileate basidiocarps and brown rot appear to be ancestral states of Gloeophyllales. Paratrichaptum accuratum may represent a relic species, according to its phylogenetic position, peculiar distribution pattern and rare occurrence.

Is it safe to continue antithrombotic agents before prostate biopsy?

Background

Whether antithrombotic agents should be stopped before prostate biopsy is unsettled. We investigated the impact of antithrombotic agents on bleeding complications after prostate biopsy.

Materials and methods

Among the patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy from June 2006 to December 2013 at Ebina General Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan, 1817 cases were retrospectively assessed. Patients were divided into two groups: those not taking antithrombotic agents (control group) and those taking them (experimental group). The frequency and severity of bleeding complications after the procedure were compared. The severity of bleeding events was graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Advanced Events vol. 4.0.

Results

Hemorrhagic complications were classified into grades 1 to 3. Patients with complications of Grade 2 and above needed treatment. As for the Grade 1 event, there were no differences between two groups. The frequency of more than Grade 2 bleeding events was 1.7% and 3.5% in the control and experimental group, respectively; the odds ratio was 2.18 (P = 0.039). Grade 3 events occurred in seven patients of the control group (0.5%) and four patients of the experimental group (1.2%).

Conclusions

The present study showed that continuation of antithrombotic agents increased the frequency of hemorrhagic complications requiring intervention. It suggests that attention should be paid to the patients taking antithrombotic agents before prostate biopsy.

Pressure-induced stacking disorder in boehmite

The structure of an aluminum layered hydroxide, boehmite (γ-AlOOH), as a function of pressure was studied by using in situ synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction. Peak broadening, which is only found for hkl (h ≠ 0) peaks in the X-ray diffraction patterns, is explained by stacking disorder accompanying a continuously increasing displacement of the AlO6 octahedral layer along the a-axis. This finding could be the first experimental result for pressure-induced stacking disorder driven by continuous layer displacement. The magnitude of the layer displacement was estimated from the X-ray scattering profile calculation based on the stacking disordered structure model. Hydrogen bond geometries of boehmite, obtained by structure refinements of the observed neutron diffraction patterns for the deuterated sample up to 10 GPa, show linearly approaching O-D covalent and DO hydrogen bond distances and they merge below 26 GPa. Pressure-induced stacking disorder makes the electrostatic potential of hydrogen bonds asymmetric, yielding less chance for proton-tunnelling.

Influence of food on the gastric motor effect of the Kampo medicine rikkunshito in rat

BACKGROUND

Rikkunshito, one of the Kampo medicines, is widely prescribed as a remedy for various upper gastrointestinal syndromes. The effect of rikkunshito is related to endogenous ghrelin and its active ingredient atractylodin enhances ghrelin receptor signaling. Kampo medicines are traditionally administered before or between meals; however, no definitive benefit of the timing of administration has been proven yet. To clarify the influence of food on the pharmacological action of rikkunshito, we investigated the gastric motor activity and pharmacokinetic profiles of atractylodin after the administration of rikkunshito in fasted and fed rats.

METHODS

Phase III-like contractions in the gastric antrum after an injection of ghrelin were measured using a strain gauge force transducer. Rikkunshito was administered to rats during fasting or after a nutrient test meal. Ghrelin was injected 30 minutes later and gastric motility was evaluated. Furthermore, after rikkunshito administration, the pharmacokinetic profiles of atractylodin in the plasma and brain of fasted and free-fed rats were assessed.

KEY RESULTS

Rikkunshito administration potentiated ghrelin-induced phase III-like contractions under fasting conditions. This effect was attenuated in animals fed a test meal. Atractylodin was detected pharmacokinetically in the plasma and brain after rikkunshito administration in rats, and free-fed rats exhibited a decreased maximum concentration of plasma atractylodin and a delayed time to reach the maximum concentration.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

We show that the pharmacological action of rikkunshito is influenced by food in rats. The efficacy of rikkunshito may be associated with decreased absorption of its active ingredient atractylodin when food is in the stomach.

Conjunctival Displacement to the Corneal Side for Oblique-Parallel Insertion in 25-Gauge Vitrectomy

Purpose

To assess the usefulness of the method of oblique-parallel trocar insertion with conjunctival displacement to the corneal side in 25-gauge (G) transconjunctival vitrectomy.

Methods

25-G vitrectomy was performed in 77 consecutive eyes. Before making oblique-parallel trocar insertions, the conjunctiva was conventionally displaced superiorly in 35 eyes, but was displaced toward the corneal side in 42 eyes. After surgery, the distance between the scleral and conjunctival wounds was measured with calipers. The frequency of scleral wound exposure was assessed.

Results

After cannula removal at the end of surgery, inferior repositioning of the superiorly displaced conjunctiva was observed, while marked posterior repositioning of the corneal side caused displacement of the conjunctiva due to gravity. The superior displacement distances between the sclera and conjunctival wounds were 2.4±0.3 mm at the infusion port, 2.0±0.4 mm at the superior temporal port, and 1.9±0.4 mm at the superior nasal port, while the corresponding distances for corneal side displacement were 3.6±0.5, 3.5±0.5, and 2.5±0.5 mm, and were all significantly (p<0.0001) greater with corneal side displacement. The frequency of scleral wound exposure due to conjunctival damage around the cannula (infusion port) was significantly (p=0.0164) lower for corneal side displacement (0/42; 16.7%) than superior displacement (5/35; 14.3%). There was no postoperative endophthalmitis in all 77 patients studied.

Conclusions

In 25-G transconjunctival vitrectomy, using oblique-parallel trocar insertions with the conjunctiva displaced toward the corneal side results in marked posterior repositioning of the conjunctiva after cannula extraction. Corneal side conjunctival displacement is technically easy and completely covers the scleral wound. This method is expected to be effective in preventing endophthalmitis.

Evidence for Spin Singlet Pairing with Strong Uniaxial Anisotropy in URu_{2}Si_{2} Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

In order to identify the spin contribution to superconducting pairing compatible with the so-called "hidden order", ^{29}Si nuclear magnetic resonance measurements have been performed using a high-quality single crystal of URu_{2}Si_{2}. A clear reduction of the ^{29}Si Knight shift in the superconducting state has been observed under a magnetic field applied along the crystalline c axis, corresponding to the magnetic easy axis. These results provide direct evidence for the formation of spin-singlet Cooper pairs. Consequently, results indicating a very tiny change of the in-plane Knight shift reported previously demonstrate extreme uniaxial anisotropy for the spin susceptibility in the hidden order state.

Selective extraction of Pd(ii) by p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenedicarboxylic acid

p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arenedicarboxylic acid, in which two distal hydroxy groups of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene are replaced with carboxy groups, shows extraction selectivity toward Pd²⁺ ions by the formation of a 2 : 2 (M/L) complex.

Quantitative assessment of provability of radiation-related cancers considering unavoidable existence of unadjusted risk factors

The attribution of stochastic effects to exposure to ionizing radiation has been qualitatively discussed by introducing two distinct concepts of provability and probability. This study aims to develop a method of quantitatively assessing the provability of radiation-related cancers. To this end, the 'minimum provable dose' (MPD) was developed and applied to actual cancer mortality in Japan. The background lifetime risk of cancer mortality was calculated for the esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, lungs, skin, breasts, ovaries, bladder, and bone marrow as well as the age-specific risk coefficients reproducing those given in the 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Comparing the relative ratio of MPDs, which was defined herein as the 'provability index' (PI), we quantitatively ranked radiation-related cancers for different tissues and organs predicated on provability for ages of 10, 30, 50, and 0-85+  years at exposure. We discuss the radiological protection of male emergency workers focusing on cancers highly prioritized according to the ranking (i.e. colon, bone marrow, and bladder). The present study proposed the system to quantitatively evaluate the level of radiological protection taking into account the variations of the background cancer risk on the provability of radiation-related cancers.

Experimental Evaluation of the Anchoring Efficiency of Bone Cement under Various Conditions, and Improved Cementing Techniques and Instrumentations for Total Hip Replacement

Viscoelastic properties of acrylic bone cement were studied by using a simplified controlled laboratory model simulating a component cementing in total hip replacement surgery. This study also dealt with improved cementing techniques developed through these experimental studies.

Bilateral Kienböck’s Disease

We conducted a retrospective review of 11 patients with bilateral Kienböck’s disease from our series of 251 patients with Kienböck’s disease. There were no significant differences in radiographic parameters, including ulnar variance and carpal bone angle, between those with unilateral and those with bilateral Kienböck’s disease. None of the patients with bilateral disease had been treated with corticosteroids or had a systemic disease that predisposed to osteonecrosis. Thus, this study failed to demonstrate any risk factor for bilateral, as opposed to unilateral Kienböck’s disease.

Ice VII from aqueous salt solutions: From a glass to a crystal with broken H-bonds

It has been known for decades that certain aqueous salt solutions of LiCl and LiBr readily form glasses when cooled to below ≈160 K. This fact has recently been exploited to produce a « salty » high-pressure ice form: When the glass is compressed at low temperatures to pressures higher than 4 GPa and subsequently warmed, it crystallizes into ice VII with the ionic species trapped inside the ice lattice. Here we report the extreme limit of salt incorporation into ice VII, using high pressure neutron diffraction and molecular dynamics simulations. We show that high-pressure crystallisation of aqueous solutions of LiCl∙RH₂O and LiBr∙RH₂O with R = 5.6 leads to solids with strongly expanded volume, a destruction of the hydrogen-bond network with an isotropic distribution of water-dipole moments, as well as a crystal-to-amorphous transition on decompression. This highly unusual behaviour constitutes an interesting pathway from a glass to a crystal where translational periodicity is restored but the rotational degrees of freedom remaining completely random.

Partially ordered state of ice XV

Most ice polymorphs have order–disorder “pairs” in terms of hydrogen positions, which contributes to the rich variety of ice polymorphs; in fact, three recently discovered polymorphs— ices XIII, XIV, and XV—are ordered counter forms to already identified disordered phases. Despite the considerable effort to understand order–disorder transition in ice crystals, there is an inconsistency among the various experiments and calculations for ice XV, the ordered counter form of ice VI, i.e., neutron diffraction observations suggest antiferroelectrically ordered structures, which disagree with dielectric measurement and theoretical studies, implying ferroelectrically ordered structures. Here we investigate in-situ neutron diffraction measurements and density functional theory calculations to revisit the structure and stability of ice XV. We find that none of the completely ordered configurations are particular favored; instead, partially ordered states are established as a mixture of ordered domains in disordered ice VI. This scenario in which several kinds of ordered configuration coexist dispels the contradictions in previous studies. It means that the order–disorder pairs in ice polymorphs are not one-to-one correspondent pairs but rather have one-to-n correspondence, where there are n possible configurations at finite temperature.

Adsorbed states of chlorophenol on Cu(110) and controlled switching of single-molecule junctions

A molecular junction of substituted benzene (chlorophenol) is fabricated and controlled by using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Prior to the junction formation, the bonding geometry of the molecule on the surface is characterized by STM and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). EELS shows that the OH group of chlorophenol is dissociated on Cu(110) and that the molecule is bonded nearly flat to the surface via an O atom, with the Cl group intact. We demonstrate controlled contact of an STM tip to the "available" Cl group and lift-up of the molecule while it is anchored to the surface via an O atom. The asymmetric bonding motifs of the molecule to the electrodes allow for reversible control of the junction.

Impairment of gastric accommodation induced by water-avoidance stress is mediated by 5-HT2B receptors

BACKGROUND

Psychological stress has been shown to impair gastric accommodation (GA), but its mechanism has not been elucidated. This study was conducted to clarify the role of 5-HT2B receptors in a guinea pig model of stress-induced impairment of GA.

METHODS

Gastric accommodation was evaluated by measuring the intrabag pressure in the proximal stomach after administration of a liquid meal. The guinea pigs were subjected to water-avoidance stress. The role of 5-HT2B receptors in impairment of GA was investigated by administering a 5-HT2B receptor agonist (BW723C86) or antagonist (SB215505), the traditional Japanese medicine rikkunshito (RKT), a muscarinic M3 receptor antagonist (1,1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidium iodide [4-DAMP]), or a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (Nω -nitro-L-arginine [L-NNA]).

KEY RESULTS

In normal animals, liquid meal-induced GA was inhibited by BW723C86, but was not affected by SB215505. The inhibition of GA by BW723C86 was reversed by co-administration of 4-DAMP. Compared to normal animals, GA in stressed animals was significantly inhibited. SB215505 and RKT significantly suppressed stress-induced impairment of GA. After meal administration, the level of cyclic guanosine monophosphate in gastric fundus tissue increased by approximately twofold in normal animals, but did not change in stressed animals. The inhibition of GA by L-NNA was suppressed by SB215505 or RKT. At a dose that did not affect GA in normal animals, BW723C86 exacerbated the impairment of GA in stressed animals.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

Stress-induced impairment of GA may be mediated by an increased responsiveness of 5-HT2B receptors, and activation of the 5-HT2B receptor signaling pathway may have an inhibitory effect on nitric oxide function.

Energy deposition evaluation for ultra-low energy electron beam irradiation systems using calibrated thin radiochromic film and Monte Carlo simulations

For evaluation of on-site dosimetry and process design in industrial use of ultra-low energy electron beam (ULEB) processes, we evaluate the energy deposition using a thin radiochromic film and a Monte Carlo simulation. The response of film dosimeter was calibrated using a high energy electron beam with an acceleration voltage of 2 MV and alanine dosimeters with uncertainty of 11% at coverage factor 2. Using this response function, the results of absorbed dose measurements for ULEB were evaluated from 10 kGy to 100 kGy as a relative dose. The deviation between the responses of deposit energy on the films and Monte Carlo simulations was within 15%. As far as this limitation, relative dose estimation using thin film dosimeters with response function obtained by high energy electron irradiation and simulation results is effective for ULEB irradiation processes management.

The host galaxy of a fast radio burst

In recent years, millisecond-duration radio signals originating in distant galaxies appear to have been discovered in the so-called fast radio bursts. These signals are dispersed according to a precise physical law and this dispersion is a key observable quantity, which, in tandem with a redshift measurement, can be used for fundamental physical investigations. Every fast radio burst has a dispersion measurement, but none before now have had a redshift measurement, because of the difficulty in pinpointing their celestial coordinates. Here we report the discovery of a fast radio burst and the identification of a fading radio transient lasting ~6 days after the event, which we use to identify the host galaxy; we measure the galaxy's redshift to be z = 0.492 ± 0.008. The dispersion measure and redshift, in combination, provide a direct measurement of the cosmic density of ionized baryons in the intergalactic medium of ΩIGM = 4.9 ± 1.3 per cent, in agreement with the expectation from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, and including all of the so-called 'missing baryons'. The ~6-day radio transient is largely consistent with the radio afterglow of a short γ-ray burst, and its existence and timescale do not support progenitor models such as giant pulses from pulsars, and supernovae. This contrasts with the interpretation of another recently discovered fast radio burst, suggesting that there are at least two classes of bursts.

Novel Mycobacterium avium Complex Species Isolated From Black Wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) in South Africa

A study was undertaken to isolate and characterize Mycobacterium species from black wildebeest suspected of being infected with tuberculosis in South Africa. This led to the discovery of a new Mycobacterium avium complex species, provisionally referred to as the Gnou isolate from black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou). Sixteen samples from nine black wildebeest were processed for Mycobacterium isolation. Following decontamination, samples were incubated in an ordinary incubator at 37°C on Löwenstein-Jensen slants and in liquid medium tubes using the BACTEC^™ MGIT^™ 960 system, respectively. Identification of the isolate was carried out by standard biochemical tests and using the line probe assay from the GenoType^® CM/AS kit (Hain Lifescience GmbH, Nehren, Germany). The DNA extract was also analysed using gene sequencing. Partial gene sequencing and analysis of 16S rRNA gene, and 16S-23S rRNA (ITS), rpoB and hsp65 and phylogenetic analyses by searching GenBank using the BLAST algorithm were conducted. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using four methods, namely Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and neighbour-joining methods. The isolate was identified as Mycobacterium intracellulare using the GenoType^® CM/AS kit and as Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) by gene sequencing. The gene sequence targeting all the genes, ITS, 16S rRNA, rpoB and hsp65 and phylogenetic analyses indicated that this isolate presented a nucleotide sequence different from all currently published sequences, and its position was far enough from other MAC species to suggest that it might be a new species.

Ghrelin enhancer, rikkunshito, improves postprandial gastric motor dysfunction in an experimental stress model

BACKGROUND

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is one of the most common disorders of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. However, no curable treatment is available for FD because the detailed mechanism of GI dysfunction in stressed conditions remains unclear. We aimed to clarify the association between endogenous acylated ghrelin signaling and gastric motor dysfunction and explore the possibility of a drug with ghrelin signal-enhancing action for FD treatment.

METHODS

Solid gastric emptying (GE) and plasma acylated ghrelin levels were evaluated in an urocortin1 (UCN1) -induced stress model. To clarify the role of acylated ghrelin on GI dysfunction in the model, exogenous acylated ghrelin, an endogenous ghrelin enhancer, rikkunshito, or an α2 -adrenergic receptor (AR) antagonist was administered. Postprandial motor function was investigated using a strain gauge force transducer in a free-moving condition.

KEY RESULTS

Exogenous acylated ghrelin supplementation restored UCN1-induced delayed GE. Alpha2 -AR antagonist and rikkunshito inhibited the reduction in plasma acylated ghrelin and GE in the stress model. The action of rikkunshito on delayed GE was blocked by co-administration of the ghrelin receptor antagonist. UCN1 decreased the amplitude of contraction in the antrum while increasing it in the duodenum. The motility index of the antrum but not the duodenum was significantly reduced by UCN1 treatment, which was improved by acylated ghrelin or rikkunshito.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

The UCN1-induced gastric motility dysfunction was mediated by abnormal acylated ghrelin dynamics. Supplementation of exogenous acylated ghrelin or enhancement of endogenous acylated ghrelin secretion by rikkunshito may be effective in treating functional GI disorders.

Damage control interventional radiology (DCIR) in prompt and rapid endovascular strategies in trauma occasions (PRESTO): A new paradigm

This article proposes an innovative concept of interventional radiology for hemodynamically unstable trauma patients. Damage control interventional radiology (DCIR) is an aggressive and time-conscious algorithm that prioritizes saving life of the hemorrhaging patient in extremis which conventional emergency interventional radiology (CEIR) cannot efficiently do. Briefly, DCIR aims to save life while CEIR aims to control bleeding with a constant concern to time-awareness. This article also presents the concept of "Prompt and Rapid Endovascular Strategies in Traumatic Occasions" (PRESTO) that entirely oversees and manages trauma patients from arrival to the trauma bay until initial completion of hemostasis with endovascular techniques. PRESTO's "Start soon and finish sooner" relies on the earlier activation of interventional radiology team but also emphasizes on a rapid completion of hemostasis in which DCIR has been specifically tailored. Both DCIR and PRESTO expand the role of IR and represent a paradigm shift in the realm of trauma care.

Rikkunshito induces gastric relaxation via the β-adrenergic pathway in Suncus murinus

BACKGROUND

Rikkunshito (RKT) is a gastroprotective herbal medicine. In this study, we investigated the role of RKT in the relaxation of the gastric body (fundus and corpus) and antrum.

METHODS

We used Suncus murinus, a unique small model animal with similar gastrointestinal motility to humans and dogs. RKT was added at 0.1, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/mL to induce relaxation in vitro; the outcome measure was the intensity of relaxation. The number of spontaneous antral contractions in the absence or the presence of RKT was also counted.

KEY RESULTS

Rikkunshito induced the relaxation of the gastric body and antrum and decreased the number of spontaneous antral contractions in a dose-dependent manner. The responses to RKT (1.0 mg/mL) were not affected by pretreatment with atropine, N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, ritanserin, or ondansetron. On the other hand, timolol almost completely reversed the relaxation induced by RKT (1.0 mg/mL) on the gastric body and antrum and the occurrence of the spontaneous antral contractions. Both butoxamine, a β(2) -adrenoreceptor antagonist, and L 748337, a β(3) -adrenoreceptor antagonist, but not CGP 20712, a β(1) -adrenoreceptor antagonist, significantly reversed the RKT-induced (1.0 mg/mL) gastric relaxation.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

These results indicate that RKT stimulates and modulates gastric relaxation through β(2) - and β(3) -adrenergic, but not β(1) -adrenergic, pathways in S. murinus.

Origin of the tetragonal-to-orthorhombic phase transition in FeSe: a combined thermodynamic and NMR study of nematicity

The nature of the tetragonal-to-orthorhombic structural transition at T_{s}≈90  K in single crystalline FeSe is studied using shear-modulus, heat-capacity, magnetization, and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. The transition is shown to be accompanied by a large shear-modulus softening, which is practically identical to that of underdoped Ba(Fe,Co)_{2}As_{2}, suggesting a very similar strength of the electron-lattice coupling. On the other hand, a spin-fluctuation contribution to the spin-lattice relaxation rate is only observed below T_{s}. This indicates that the structural, or "nematic," phase transition in FeSe is not driven by magnetic fluctuations.

Factors associated with an unfavourable outcome after Salter innominate osteotomy in patients with unilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip: does occult dysplasia of the contralateral hip affect the outcome?

Salter innominate osteotomy is an effective reconstructive procedure for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), but some children have a poor outcome at skeletal maturity. In order to investigate factors associated with an unfavourable outcome, we assessed the development of the contralateral hip. We retrospectively reviewed 46 patients who underwent a unilateral Salter osteotomy at between five and seven years of age, with a mean follow-up of 10.3 years (7 to 20). The patients were divided into three groups according to the centre-edge angle (CEA) of the contralateral hip at skeletal maturity: normal (> 25°, 22 patients), borderline (20° to 25°, 17 patients) and dysplastic (< 20°, 7 patients). The CEA of the affected hip was measured pre-operatively, at eight to nine years of age, at 11 to 12 years of age and at skeletal maturity. The CEA of the affected hip was significantly smaller in the borderline and dysplastic groups at 11 and 12 years of age (p = 0.012) and at skeletal maturity (p = 0.017) than in the normal group. Severin group III was seen in two (11.8%) and four hips (57.1%) of the borderline and dysplastic groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Limited individual development of the acetabulum was associated with an unfavourable outcome following Salter osteotomy.

Relationship and factor structure in multisystem neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVES

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multisystem neurodegenerative disease. We aimed to identify the relationship and factor structure among its different features.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Motor, olfactory and cognitive function, and cardiac sympathetic denervation were evaluated in 125 patients with PD using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III score, odor stick identification test for the Japanese (OSIT-J), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and [(123) I] meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) cardiac scintigraphy (heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratio). Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to evaluate the association among the four measures with age, gender, and disease duration as the covariates. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the underlying factor structure among the measures and covariates.

RESULTS

Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis showed correlations between OSIT-J score and MIBG H/M ratio, OSIT-J and MMSE scores, UPDRS part III score and MIBG H/M ratio, UPDRS part III score and disease duration, and MMSE score and age. Factor analysis identified three factors: (i) age and MMSE score; (ii) MIBG H/M ratio and OSIT-J score; and (iii) UPDRS part III score and disease duration.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that aging, PD-related pathogenesis, and disease duration underlie the multisystem neurodegeneration present in PD. Moreover, age and disease duration are the major risk factors for cognitive impairment and motor symptoms, respectively. Olfactory impairment and cardiac sympathetic denervation are strongly associated in PD.

Cancer cell death induced by novel small molecules degrading the TACC3 protein via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway

The selective degradation of target proteins with small molecules is a novel approach to the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. We have developed a protein knockdown system with a series of hybrid small compounds that induce the selective degradation of target proteins via the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. In this study, we designed and synthesized novel small molecules called SNIPER(TACC3)s, which target the spindle regulatory protein transforming acidic coiled-coil-3 (TACC3). SNIPER(TACC3)s induce poly-ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of TACC3 and reduce the TACC3 protein level in cells. Mechanistic analysis indicated that the ubiquitin ligase APC/C^CDH1 mediates the SNIPER(TACC3)-induced degradation of TACC3. Intriguingly, SNIPER(TACC3) selectively induced cell death in cancer cells expressing a larger amount of TACC3 protein than normal cells. These results suggest that protein knockdown of TACC3 by SNIPER(TACC3) is a potential strategy for treating cancers overexpressing the TACC3 protein.