Multi-channel photodissociation and XUV-induced charge transfer dynamics in strong-field-ionized methyl iodide studied with time-resolved recoil-frame covariance imaging.

The photodissociation dynamics of strong-field ionized methyl iodide (CH3I) were probed using intense extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation produced by the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA). Strong-field ionization and subsequent fragmentation of CH3I was initiated by an intense femtosecond infrared (IR) pulse. The ensuing fragmentation and charge transfer processes following multiple ionization by the XUV pulse at a range of pump-probe delays were followed in a multi-mass ion velocity-map imaging (VMI) experiment.

Current situation and key challenges on the use of single-use plastic in Hanoi.

Marine plastic litter, mostly comprising single-use plastics, has been recognised as one of the world's most urgent environmental concerns, and Vietnam has been ranked as one of the top five countries polluting the ocean with plastic waste. This paper examines Hanoi as a case study on single-use plastic by households, investigating the daily generation of single-use plastic waste through a survey, assessing existing policy gaps through a policy review, and providing recommendations on improving management along the supply chain in Vietnam. At almost 27 times a week on average, plastic shopping bags were found to be the most prevalent single-use plastic used by households, followed by wrap/film, straws, coffee cups with plastic lids, cutlery, takeout containers, food packaging, party cups, bottles for water and beverages, and other items.

Enteropeptidase inhibitor SCO-792 effectively prevents kidney function decline and fibrosis in a rat model of chronic kidney disease.

Background: Inhibiting enteropeptidase, a gut serine protease regulating protein digestion, suppresses food intake and ameliorates obesity and diabetes in mice. However, the effects of enteropeptidase inhibition on kidney parameters are largely unknown. Here, we evaluated the chronic effects of an enteropeptidase inhibitor, SCO-792, on kidney function, albuminuria and kidney pathology in spontaneously hypercholesterolaemic (SHC) rats, a rat chronic kidney disease (CKD) model.

Trends in global dependency on the Indonesian palm oil and resultant environmental impacts.

Rapid growth in the international demand for palm oil has triggered considerable global concern because oil palm plantations deteriorate the environment where they are developed, resulting in complex environmental impacts in the producer nations. Here, we illustrate the historical trends in the structure of Indonesian palm oil supply chains and how these have been affected by the final demand of other nations since 2000 by using the most recent dataset of global material flows of palm oil and a global input-output database. In addition, the combination of spatial land-use change with palm oil consumption along the supply chains illustrates the linkages between ultimate consumption and land-use changes due to the palm oil plantations.

Pharmacological effects of TAK-828F: an orally available RORγt inverse agonist, in mouse colitis model and human blood cells of inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective And Design: To evaluate the potency of RORγt blockade for treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the efficacy of TAK-828F, a novel RORγt inverse agonist, in anti-TNF-α mAb non-responsive mouse colitis model and effect of TAK-828F on IL-17 production in peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) of anti-TNF-α naive and treatment-failure patients of IBD was investigated.

Methods And Results: The colitis model showed Th17-dependent pathogenicity and response to anti-IL-12/23p40 monoclonal antibody (mAb), but no response to anti-TNF-α mAb. In the model, TAK-828F, at oral dosages of 1 and 3 mg/kg, inhibited progression of colitis and reduced the immune reaction that characterize Th17 cells.

Fc engineering of anti-Nectin-2 antibody improved thrombocytopenic adverse event in monkey.

Nectin-2 is a transmembrane glycoprotein which is involved in the process of Ca2+-independent cell-cell adhesion. In our previous study, we have demonstrated that Nectin-2 is over-expressed in breast and ovarian cancer tissues by using gene expression analysis and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we discovered multiple anti-Nectin-2 fully human monoclonal antibodies which inhibited tumor growth in in vivo subcutaneous xenograft models with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) as the principal mechanism of action.

Gene Signature-Based Approach Identified MEK1/2 as a Potential Target Associated With Relapse After Anti-TNFα Treatment for Crohn's Disease.

Background: Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) therapy has become the mainstay of therapy for Crohn's disease (CD). However, post-therapy, the recurrence rate is still high. The aim of this study was to dissect the molecular mechanism for recurrence of CD treated with anti-TNFα therapy and investigate novel therapeutic options that could induce complete remission.

In vitro activity of various antibiotics against clinical strains of Legionella species isolated in Japan.

The activities of various antibiotics against 58 clinical isolates of Legionella species were evaluated using two methods, extracellular activity (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]) and intracellular activity. Susceptibility testing was performed using BSYEα agar. The minimum extracellular concentration inhibiting intracellular multiplication (MIEC) was determined using a human monocyte-derived cell line, THP-1.

Immunohistochemical characterization of urethane-induced lung tumors in CB6F1-Tg rasH2 mice.

The purpose of this study was to define the histopathological characteristics of pulmonary neoplastic lesions, especially focusing on the origin of tumor cells, in urethane-treated Tg rasH2 mice. Bronchiolar-alveolar adenomas/adenocarcinomas were observed in the lungs from all of the urethane-treated animals. Immunohistochemically, these tumors showed an alveolar epithelial type II (AE2) cell phenotype demonstrating positive staining of surfactant protein C (SP-C).

Initial O₂ Insertion Step of the Tryptophan Dioxygenase Reaction Proposed by a Heme-Modification Study.

L-Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) is a protoheme-containing enzyme that catalyzes the production of N-formylkynurenine by inserting O₂ into the pyrrole ring of L-tryptophan. Although a ferrous-oxy form (Fe²⁺-O₂) has been established to be an obligate intermediate in the reaction, details of the ring opening reaction remain elusive. In this study, the O₂ insertion reaction catalyzed by Pseudomonas TDO (PaTDO) was examined using a heme-modification approach, which allowed us to draw a quantitative correlation between the inductive electronic effects of the heme substituents and the substituent-induced changes in the functional behaviors of the ferrous-oxy form.

Kinematic analysis of 24-hour recording of walking pattern in patients with vascular parkinsonism.

Background: There is a need to define the basic characteristics of various kinematic parameters recorded during walking in patients with vascular parkinsonism (VP). The present study was designed to determine the kinematic features of walking in VP patients. For this purpose, gait acceleration and gait cycle were recorded continuously over 24-h period of daily living in VP patients, patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and healthy subjects.

How far do the complaints of patients with Parkinson's disease reflect motor fluctuation? Quantitative analysis using a portable gait rhythmogram.

In advanced-stage Parkinson's disease (PD), motor fluctuation is a frequent and disabling problem. Assessment of motor fluctuation depends on patient's subjective self-statement. We examined whether the subjective fluctuation matched the objective motor fluctuation defined by gait disorders.

Independent regulation of the cycle and acceleration in parkinsonian gait analyzed by a long-term daily monitoring system.

Background: Few reports have objectively assessed gait patterns of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients in their daily lives. We investigated the mean gait cycle and mean gait acceleration using a portable gait rhythmogram (PGR).

Method: We continuously recorded PGR measurements for 24 h in 64 PD patients with the ability to independently engage in activities of daily living.

Deficits in scaling of gait force and cycle in parkinsonian gait identified by long-term monitoring of acceleration with the portable gait rhythmogram.

To examine the range of gait acceleration and cycle in daily walking of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), we compared the gait of 40 patients with PD and 17 normal controls by using a newly developed long-term monitoring device that extracts gait-related accelerations from overall movements-related accelerations. The range of change in gait acceleration, relative to the control, was less than 75% in 12 patients. The range of change in gait cycle was less than 75% in 8 patients.

Discovery of the investigational drug TAK-441, a pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine derivative, as a highly potent and orally active hedgehog signaling inhibitor: modification of the core skeleton for improved solubility.

We recently reported the discovery of the novel pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline-4-one derivative 1 as a potent inhibitor of Hedgehog (Hh) pathway signaling. However, the PK evaluation of 1 at high dosage (100 mg/kg) revealed the C(max) value 3.63 μg/mL, likely due to poor solubility of this compound.

Regional cerebral blood flow patterns in patients with freezing of gait due to lacunar infarction: SPECT study using three-dimensional stereotactic surface projections.

Background: Although freezing of gait (FOG) is reportedly caused by cerebrovascular disease, few studies have examined its pathology. We examined regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) patterns in patients with FOG resulting from chronic lacunar infarction using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Methods: Among patients with chronic lacunar infarction treated at our outpatient unit, we performed N-isopropyl-p-[(123)I]-iodoamphetamine SPECT in seven patients with FOG (FOG group) and in 20 patients without FOG (non-FOG group).

Quantitative assessment of gait bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease using a portable gait rhythmogram.

To quantify gait bradykinesia during daily activity in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), we measured movement-induced accelerations over more than 24h in 50 patients with PD and 17 age-matched normal controls, using a new device, the portable gait rhythmogram. Acceleration values induced by various movements, averaged each 10 min, exhibited a gamma distribution. The mean value of the distribution curve was used as an index of the "amount of overall movement per 24h".

Salivary mucocele in a laboratory beagle.

The histologic characteristics of a salivary mucocele in a beagle used in a toxicity study are described in this report. A pale yellowish cyst under the mandibular skin containing frothy mucus was observed at necropsy. Microscopically, numerous villous projections arose from the internal surface of the cyst and were lined by stratified epithelial-like macrophages, which were immunopositive for macrophage scavenger receptor A.

Oxygen metabolism by endothelial nitric-oxide synthase.

Nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) catalyzes both coupled and uncoupled reactions that generate nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species. Oxygen is often the overlooked substrate, and the oxygen metabolism catalyzed by NOS has been poorly defined. In this paper we focus on the oxygen stoichiometry and effects of substrate/cofactor binding on the endothelial NOS isoform (eNOS).

Oxygen metabolism by neuronal nitric-oxide synthase.

Nitric-oxide synthases (NOS) catalyze nitric oxide (NO) formation from the amino acid L-arginine. NOS is known to catalyze more than one reaction: the NO-producing reaction is considered to be the coupled reaction, and the uncoupled reactions are those that produce reactive (reduced) oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion (O-2.) and/or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Investigation of the drying conditions for amidosulfuric acid.

The drying conditions for primary standards of volumetric analysis have a significant effect on the titration results due to changes in the purity, stability and homogeneity. Amidosulfuric acid, a strong acid used as a reference material for volumetric analysis in Japan, was dried in a vacuum desiccator or heated at different temperatures, and then measured by Karl-Fischer titration, thermogravimetry/mass spectroscopy (TG-MS), ion chromatography and coulometric titration. The optimum drying conditions were at 50 degrees C for 24 h with crushing.