Development of affinity bead-based in vitro metal-ligand binding assay reveals dominant cadmium affinity of thiol-rich small peptides phytochelatins beyond glutathione.

For a better understanding of metal-ligand interaction and its function in cells, we developed an easy, sensitive, and high-throughput method to quantify ligand-metal(loid) binding affinity under physiological conditions by combining ligand-attached affinity beads and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Glutathione (GSH) and two phytochelatins (PC2 and PC3, small peptides with different numbers of free thiols) were employed as model ligands and attached to hydrophilic beads. The principle of the assay resembles that of affinity purification of proteins in biochemistry: metals binding to the ligand on the beads and the rest in the buffer are separated by a spin column and quantified by ICP-OES.

Phytochelatin-mediated metal detoxification pathway is crucial for an organomercurial phenylmercury tolerance in Arabidopsis.

An organomercurial phenylmercury activates AtPCS1, an enzyme known for detoxification of inorganic metal(loid) ions in Arabidopsis and the induced metal-chelating peptides phytochelatins are essential for detoxification of phenylmercury. Small thiol-rich peptides phytochelatins (PCs) and their synthases (PCSs) are crucial for plants to mitigate the stress derived from various metal(loid) ions in their inorganic form including inorganic mercury [Hg(II)]. However, the possible roles of the PC/PCS system in organic mercury detoxification in plants remain elusive.

Successful management of thrombocytopenia by partial splenic embolization in patients with advanced gastric cancer and invasion of the splenic vein: Case reports.

Rationale: Hypersplenism causes thrombocytopenia, which may lead to the reduction or discontinuation of chemotherapy. Partial splenic embolization (PSE) is an effective treatment for thrombocytopenia associated with hypersplenism. However, there have been no reports of patients with gastric cancer who have resumed and continued chemotherapy after PSE for splenic hypersplenism associated with tumor infiltration.

Association between pain-related fear and presenteeism among eldercare workers with low back pain.

Background: Presenteeism (work productivity loss at work) and low back pain (LBP) are prevalent among eldercare workers. Presenteeism is a serious emerging problem in an occupational setting. While many studies report the impact of pain-related fear on absenteeism, its impact on presenteeism remains unclear.

Association between metabolic syndrome and disability due to low back pain among care workers.

Objectives: To elucidate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and disability due to low back pain (LBP) among care workers.

Material And Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 656 care workers having experienced LBP in the year prior to the year of this study. The Roland-Morris Disability questionnaire (RDQ) and self-reported questionnaires regarding LBP, fear of movement, depressive symptom, psychosocial factors, intensity of pain, and duration of pain were administered, and a medical examination was performed.