Second- and third-degree kinship analysis by NGS-based SNP genotyping and evaluation of 2045-SNP performance on limited or degraded DNA.

We developed a novel next-generation sequencing-based single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping method for second- and third-degree kinship analysis, and designed 1144- and 2045-SNP panels using one (Set A) and two sets (Sets A and B) of primers. These SNP loci were analyzed in 120 Japanese individuals, and likelihood ratios (LRs) for kinship discrimination were calculated to evaluate the effect of number of SNP loci in simulated analysis. Likelihood evaluation was performed using DNA profiles from two individuals, namely, the unknown and one reference relative.

Comparison of mutation spectra induced by gamma-rays and carbon ion beams.

The ionizing radiation with high linear energy transfer (LET), such as a heavy ion beam, induces more serious biological effects than low LET ones, such as gamma- and X-rays. This indicates a difference in the DNA damage produced by low and high LET radiations and their biological effects. We have been studying the differences in DNA damage produced by gamma-rays and carbon ion beams.

DNA methylation-based age estimation and quantification of the degradation levels of bisulfite-converted DNA.

DNA methylation modifications are known to influence epigenetic phenomena and have been a focus of forensic science research for some time. Degraded DNA after bisulfite treatment is widely used in DNA methylation analysis. In this study, we analyzed methylation levels at 12 CpG sites of four selected genomic regions by pyrosequencing after bisulfite treatment.

No obvious toxicological influences of 50 μL microsampling from rats administered phenacetin as a drug with hematological toxicity.

According to ICH S3A Q&A focusing on microsampling, its application should be avoided in main study animals for test drugs that could exacerbate hematological parameters with frequent blood sampling. However, no study has reported the effects of microsampling on toxicity parameters of drugs known to induce hematological toxicity. Therefore, we assessed the toxicological effects of serial microsampling on rats treated with phenacetin as a model drug.

Crystallographic study of the energetic salt 1,2,4-triazolium perchlorate.

The molecular and crystal structure of 1H-1,2,4-triazolium perchlorate, CHN·ClO, was determined as detailed crystallographic data had not been available previously. The structure has monoclinic (P2/m) symmetry. It is of interest in the field of energetic compounds because nitrogen-rich azoles are the backbone of high-density energetic compounds, and salt-based energetic materials can exhibit preferential energy-release behaviour.

Lack of toxicological influences by microsampling (50 µL) from jugular vein of rats in a collaborative 28-day study.

Due to finalization of the ICH S3A Q&A focusing on microsampling, application of microsampling technique to regular non-clinical animal studies is expected for non-clinical safety assessment of pharmaceuticals. In Europe, microsampling from the tail vein or saphenous vein has often been used, whereas sampling from the jugular vein is thought to be more common for non-clinical studies in Japan. Therefore, we assessed the toxicological effects of serial microsampling from the jugular vein of SD rats in a common 28-day study at 4 independent organizations.

The Suppressive Effect of Quercetin on Toll-Like Receptor 7-Mediated Activation in Alveolar Macrophages.

Respiratory viral infections that cause chronic airway and lung disease can result in the activation of the innate immune response. Alveolar macrophages (AMs), one of the first lines of defense in the lung, are abundantly located in alveoli and the respiratory tract. Flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables exhibit cytoprotective effects on various cell types.

Development of aggregation inhibitors for amyloid-beta peptides and their evaluation by quartz-crystal microbalance.

A series of amyloid-beta aggregation inhibitors composed of a molecular recognition element (KLVFF) and an aggregation-disrupting part (having an electrostatic and hydrophilic nature) based on amino acid analogs have been synthesized. A quartz-crystal microbalance (QCM) method was applied and found to be very successful in evaluating the inhibitory activity of the Abeta aggregation, which was observed when the frequency was increased. The QCM can detect a mass change with differences in frequency that correspond to a 1 Hz frequency decrease per 30 pg mass increase on a 4.

Convenient method for monitoring Abeta aggregation by quartz-crystal microbalance.

We have found that a quartz-crystal microbalance is a facile and useful tool for detecting the specific aggregation of the amyloid-beta peptides responsible for Alzheimer's disease. This method greatly reduces the time and samples (corresponds to 1 Hz frequency decrease per 30 pg mass increase on a 4.9 mm(2) electrode) that are needed in the aggregation assay, and is also applicable to molecular interactions between smaller amyloid-beta fragment peptides such as the pentapeptide KLVFF.