Association of serum Ly6/PLAUR domain-containing protein 1 levels with skin sclerosis in systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by aberrant immune activation, vascular injury, and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Ly6/PLAUR domain-containing protein 1 (LYPD1) was reported to be secreted and to have various physiological functions such as anti-angiogenic effects. Here we investigated serum LYPD1 levels in SSc patients and the association of serum LYPD1 levels with clinical features of SSc.

Keratinocyte proline-rich protein modulates immune and epidermal response in imiquimod-induced psoriatic skin inflammation.

Psoriasis is a persistent inflammatory skin disease thought to arise as a result of the infiltration of inflammatory cells and activation of keratinocytes. Recent advances in basic research and clinical experience revealed that the interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 axis has been identified as a major immune pathway in psoriasis. However, it remains unclear how keratinocyte factors contribute to the pathology of psoriasis.

Serum cold-inducible RNA-binding protein levels as a potential biomarker for systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by fibrotic, inflammatory, and vascular dysfunction. Danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)-mediated inflammasome activation has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of SSc. Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) is newly identified as a DAMP.

Cascade palladium-catalyzed alkenyl aminocarbonylation/ intramolecular aryl amidation: an annulative synthesis of 2-quinolones.

Palladium-catalyzed intermolecular aminocarbonylation/intramolecular amidation cascade sequences can be used to convert a range of 2-(2-haloalkenyl)aryl halide substrates efficiently and selectively to the corresponding 2-quinolones. Delaying the introduction of the CO atmosphere allows an amination/carbonylation sequence and the preparation of an isoquinolone.

Characterization of the soybean genome using EST-derived microsatellite markers.

We generated a high-density genetic linkage map of soybean using expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived microsatellite markers. A total of 6920 primer pairs (10.9%) were designed to amplify simple sequence repeats (SSRs) from 63,676 publicly available non-redundant soybean ESTs.

Site-selective modification of peptides using rhodium and palladium catalysis: complementary electrophilic and nucleophilic arylation.

The site-selective modification of peptides containing dehydroalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan residues has been achieved using rhodium catalysed conjugate additions or palladium catalysed aryl-amination and -etherification reactions.

Complete genome structure of Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421, a cyanobacterium that lacks thylakoids.

The nucleotide sequence of the entire genome of a cyanobacterium Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421 was determined. The genome of G. violaceus was a single circular chromosome 4,659,019 bp long with an average GC content of 62%.

Complete genome structure of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1.

The entire genome of a thermophilic unicellular cyanobacterium, Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1, was sequenced. The genome consisted of a circular chromosome 2,593,857 bp long, and no plasmid was detected. A total of 2475 potential protein-encoding genes, one set of rRNA genes, 42 tRNA genes representing 42 tRNA species and 4 genes for small structural RNAs were assigned to the chromosome by similarity search and computer prediction.