efficacy and safety of systemically administered serinol nucleic acid-modified antisense oligonucleotides in mouse kidney.

Nucleic acid medicine encompassing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) has garnered interest as a potential avenue for next-generation therapeutics. However, their therapeutic application has been constrained by challenges such as instability, off-target effects, delivery issues, and immunogenic responses. Furthermore, their practical utility in treating kidney diseases remains unrealized.

Reaction and interaction dynamics of azobenzene-tethered DNA with T7 RNA polymerase.

Reaction and interaction dynamics of azobenzene-tethered DNA (photoresponsive DNA) with T7 RNA polymerase (T7RNAP) were studied after photoisomerization of azobenzene from the - to -forms using the transient grating (TG) and time-resolved fluorescence polarization techniques. Two types of photoresponsive DNA were examined: AzoPBD, tethered at the protein binding site, and AzoTATA, tethered at the unwinding site. A diffusion change was observed after photoexcitation of -AzoPBD within 1 ms, and this change is explained in terms of a structural change from a bent to an extended conformation upon the -to- photoisomerization.

[AUGMENTED ONLAY BUCCAL MUCOSAL GRAFT URETEROPLASTY FOR URETERAL STRICTURE: A CASE REPORT].

A 14-year-old boy developed hydronephrosis and worsening renal function due to fibroepithelial polyps of the bladder and left ureter at the age of 12 years. The endoscopic treatment of ureteral polyps was attempted by his previous doctor; however urethral stricture and ureteral stricture developed and was untreatable. Therefore, he was referred to our hospital for further reconstructive treatment.

A versatile entry to unnatural, disulfide-linked amino acids and peptides through the disulfuration of azlactones.

Despite the evident demand and promising potential of disulfide-functionalized amino acids and peptides in linker chemistry and peptide drug discovery, those disulfurated specifically at the α-position constitute a unique yet rather highly underexplored chemical space. In this study, we have developed a method for preparing -linked amino acid/peptide derivatives through a base-catalyzed disulfuration reaction of azlactones, followed by the ring-opening functionalization. The disulfuration reaction proceeds under mild conditions, yielding disulfurated azlactones in excellent yields across a variety of -dithiophthalimides and diverse azlactones derived from various amino acids and peptides.

Rapid and Safe Neutralization Assay for Circulating H5N1 Influenza Virus in Dairy Cows.

Rapid and safe neutralization assays are required for highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, including a clade 2.3.4.

A Mouse Model of Ovalbumin-Induced Airway Allergy Exhibits Altered Localization of SARS-CoV-2-Susceptible Cells in the Lungs, Which Reflects Omicron BA.5 Infection Dynamics, Viral Mutations, and Immunopathology.

Asthma, an allergic disease of the airways, is a risk factor for severity of common respiratory viral infections; however, the relationship between asthma and severity in COVID-19 remains unclear. Here, we examined the effects of SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron BA.5 strain) infection in a mouse model of airway allergy.

Efficacy of an Inactivated Whole-Virus A/Victoria/361/2011 (IVR-165) (H3N2) Influenza Vaccine in Ferrets.

It has been reported that the high-growth reassortant (HGR) A(H3N2) influenza viruses used for split influenza vaccine (SV) production have some amino acid substitutions in hemagglutinin due to egg adaptation during virus propagation, causing antigenic differences between HGR and epidemic viruses. To clarify whether inactivated whole-virus vaccine (WV) derived from the A(H3N2) HGR virus possessing egg adaptation could induce cross-protective immune responses against epidemic A(H3N2) viruses, the efficacy of WV was compared with that of SV in a ferret model. When the ferrets immunized with WV or SV derived from HGR A/Victoria/361/2011 (IVR-165) virus were challenged with the homologous virus A/Victoria/361/2011 (IVR-165) or its original cell-propagated A/Victoria/361/2011 virus, respectively, WV successfully shortened the duration of virus shedding of both challenge viruses, whereas SV shortened only that of the homologous virus, A/Victoria/361/2011 (IVR-165).

Detection of several volatile organic compounds through Ar induced chemical ionisation using inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS).

A new analytical technique for detection of organic compounds using inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) is described. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were introduced into the collision/reaction cell (CRC), instead of through the ICP ion source, and the molecules were ionised through an ion reaction, induced by collision with the primary ions (Ar) produced in the ICP. The ionisation characteristics of this new approach were investigated by mass spectrometric analysis of eight VOCs (, benzene, toluene, ethyl acetate, methyl butyrate, ethyl butyrate, pentyl acetate, pyridine, and 2-methylfuran).

Localized Control of the Swarming of Kinesin-Driven Microtubules Using Light.

The swarming of self-propelled cytoskeletal filaments has emerged as a new aspect in the field of molecular machines or robotics, as it has overcome one of the major challenges of controlling the mutual interaction of a large number of individuals at a time. Recently, we reported on the photoregulated swarming of kinesin-driven cytoskeletal microtubule filaments in which visible (VIS) and ultraviolet (UV) light triggered the association and dissociation of the swarm, respectively. However, systematic control of this potential system has yet to be achieved to optimize swarming for further applications in molecular machines or robotics.

Characteristic external genitalia in male neonates with 5α-reductase deficiency.

There have been no reports comparing neonatal external genitalia of 5α-reductase deficiency (5αRD) with those of other 46,XY differences of sex differentiation (DSD). This study enrolled 31 Japanese cases of 46,XY DSD whose external genitalia was examined during the neonatal period; four were diagnosed as 5αRD and 15 were defined as non-5αRD by genetic analysis of SRD5A2 or urinary steroid metabolites. We compared the following characteristics between 5αRD and non-5αRD groups, adjusting the severity of undermasculinization of the external genitalia: stretched penile length (SPL), glans width, location of the external urethral opening, and proportion of undescended testis.

Clinical questions in the Japanese Urological Association's 2024 clinical practice guidelines for urethral strictures.

Transurethral procedures such as direct vision internal urethrotomy and urethral dilation have been the traditional treatments for urethral strictures. However, transurethral procedures are associated with high recurrence rates, resulting in many uncured cases and prompting major international urological societies to recommend urethroplasty as the standard treatment owing to its high success rate. In contrast, many Japanese general urologists have little doubts about treating urethral strictures with transurethral treatment.

Appropriate definition of non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) and optimal timing of androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI).

Background: Defined by rising PSA levels under androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) despite no visible metastases on conventional imaging, non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) represents a complex clinical challenge. A significant subset of these patients rapidly develops metastatic disease, negatively impacting survival. We examined the difference in prognosis of nmCRPC patients according to the timing of therapeutic interventions with androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI).

Kinetics of Strand Displacement Reaction with Acyclic Artificial Nucleic Acids.

Toehold-mediated strand displacement (TMSD) reaction, one of the DNA nanotechnologies, has great potential as s biological programmable platform in the cellular environment. Various artificial nucleic acids have been developed to improve stability and affinity for biological applications. However, the lack of understanding of the kinetics of TMSD reaction among artificial nucleic acids has limited their applications.

A Light-Powered Single-Stranded DNA Molecular Motor with Colour-Selective Single-Step Control.

Top-down control of small motion is possible through top-down controlled molecular motors in replacement of larger actuators like MEMS or NEMS (micro- or nano-electromechanical systems) in the current precision technology. Improving top-down control of molecular motors to every single step is desirable for this purpose, and also for synchronization of motor actions for amplified effects. Here we report a designed single-stranded DNA molecular motor powered by alternated ultraviolet and visible light for processive track-walking, with the two light colours each locking the motor in a full directional step to allow saturated driving but no overstepping.

A compound eye-like morphology formed through hexagonal array of hemispherical microparticles where an alkyl-fullerene derivative self-assembled at atmosphere-sealed air/water interface.

Self-assembly processes are widely used in nature to form hierarchically organized structures, prompting us to investigate such processes at the macroscopic scale. We report an unprecedented approach toward the self-assembly of alkyl-fullerene (C) derivatives into a hexagonal array of hemispherical microparticles akin to the morphology of a compound eye. The method includes casting solvated alkyl-Ccompound on an air/water interface followed by controlled evaporation of the solvent under atmosphere-sealed conditions.

Risk factors for postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy focusing on hormones produced: a case control study.

Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is widely performed for a number of hormone-producing tumors and postoperative management depends on the hormones produced. In the present study, we conducted a retrospective analysis to clarify the risk factors for postoperative complications, particularly postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Methods: We analyzed 406 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy at our hospital between 2003 and 2019.

Prediction of pathological up-staging after radical nephroureterectomy in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Purpose: The diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography urography for upper tract urothelial carcinoma is high; however, difficulties are associated with precisely assessing the T stage. Preoperative tumor staging has an impact on treatment options for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. We herein attempted to identify preoperative factors that predict pathological tumor up-staging, which will facilitate the selection of treatment strategies.

Photosensitization of TiO2 electrodes immobilized with chiral plasmonic Au nanocolloids by circularly polarized light irradiation.

Photosensitization of semiconductors by excitation of chiral plasmonic metallic nanostructures has attracted much attention, not only for the analysis and detection of circularly polarized light but also for its potential applications in chiral photosynthesis. Although there have been reports on the detection of semiconductor-sensitized current in chiral nanostructures precisely fabricated by physical vapor deposition and/or lithography techniques, there have been no studies using plasmonic metal nanocolloids synthesized by chemical processes. In this study, we report the establishment of a fabrication method for large-area chiral photoelectrodes and the semiconductor photosensitization phenomenon realized using chiral plasmonic nanoparticles.

Clinical audit of ultrasonography for detecting sialoliths in the submandibular gland in paediatric patients: A comparison to computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Objectives: To compare the performance of ultrasonography with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) for detecting submandibular sialoliths.

Methods: Thirteen patients with suspected submandibular sialoliths who underwent ultrasonography and CT or MRI were included. Sialoliths were diagnosed using CT (11 cases) or MRI (two cases).

Site-Selective Photo-Crosslinking of Stilbene Pairs in a DNA Duplex Mediated by Ruthenium Photocatalyst.

We herein report a method for site-selective photo-crosslinking of a DNA duplex. A stilbene pair was introduced into a DNA duplex and a ruthenium complex was conjugated with a triplex-forming oligonucleotide. We demonstrated that [2+2] photocycloaddition of the stilbene pair occurred upon irradiation with visible light when the ruthenium complex was in close proximity due to triplex formation.