The utility of drowning site inference through metagenomic diatom analysis.

The diatom test is one of the methods used to diagnose drowning in forensic autopsies. Metagenomic diatom analysis may reveal where a drowning occurred. We evaluated whether metagenomic diatom analysis could be used to infer waters, watersheds, and geographic locations using 166 water samples from 64 locations (freshwater: 55; seawater: 9).

Simplified detection of the species of origin of antler velvets using single-stranded tag hybridization chromatographic printed-array strip.

In this study, we developed a convenient and easy-to-use origin identification method for antler velvets based on a simple DNA extraction technique and single-stranded tag hybridization chromatographic printed-array strip (STH-PAS). The primer sets used to detect Cervus elaphus, Rangifer tarandus, and 12S rRNA did not engage in non-specific reactions such as primer dimer formation. In both the triplex and singleplex assays, the sensitivity was < 1 ng DNA.

Fine Particle Adsorption Capacity of Volcanic Soil from Southern Kyushu, Japan.

"Akahoya" is a volcanic soil classified as a special soil deposited in Kyushu, Japan. Many of its properties are not yet clearly understood. We found that Akahoya had the potential to adsorb bacteria in cattle feces, which prompted us to investigate its material properties and perform experiments to comprehensively evaluate its adsorption performance for various fine particles such as acidic and basic dyes, NO/SO gas, and phosphoric acid ions, in addition to bacteria.

Dural Changes Induced by an Ultrasonic Bone Curette in an Excised Porcine Spinal Cord.

In spinal surgery, ultrasonic bone curettes are considered unlikely to cause mechanical injury to the dura; however, there is little evidence to support this claim. We investigated the effect of direct contact with an ultrasonic bone curette on the dura and the protective effect of covering the dura with a cotton pattie using an excised porcine spinal cord. The ultrasonic bone curette was pressed against the porcine spinal cord with constant force and activated for 1 s, with or without covering the dura with a cotton pattie.

Dual antibacterial and anti-inflammatory efficacy of a chitosan-chondroitin sulfate-based in-situ forming wound dressing.

None of the currently available wound dressings exhibit combined antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. Using polyelectrolyte complexation (PEC) between a cationic polysaccharide chitosan (CH) and an anionic glycosaminoglycan chondroitin sulfate (CS), we have developed a unique in-situ forming scaffold (CH-CS PEC), which develops at the wound site itself to influence the function of the wound bed cells. The current study demonstrated that CH-CS PEC could induce bacterial cell death through membrane pore formation and increased ROS production.

A Germanium Catalyst Accelerates the Photoredox α-C(sp)-H Alkylation of Primary Amines.

Site-selective C(sp)-H functionalizations using photoredox catalysis (PC) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) catalysis have received increasing attention. Here, we report a PhGeCl cocatalyst that greatly improves the yield of α-C(sp)-H alkylation of primary amines catalyzed by a PC-HAT hybrid system. The α-position of the amino group selectively reacted even when weaker C-H bonds existed in the substrates.

Estimating individual mtDNA haplotypes in mixed DNA samples by combining MinION and MiSeq.

We tried to estimate individual mtDNA haplotypes in mixed DNA samples by combining MinION and MiSeq. The BAM files produced by MiSeq were viewed using Integrative Genomics Viewer (IGV) to verify mixed bases. By sorting the reads according to base type for each mixed base, partial haplotypes were determined.

Designer Exosomes: Smart Nano-Communication Tools for Translational Medicine.

Exosomes are the master transporters of genes, RNAs, microRNAs, proteins, and lipids. They have applications in major diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and diabetes mellitus. Delivery of the exosomes to recipient cells is governed by the functional heterogenicity of the tissues.

Protein Modification at Tyrosine with Iminoxyl Radicals.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins are a biological mechanism for reversibly controlling protein function. Synthetic protein modifications (SPMs) at specific canonical amino acids can mimic PTMs. However, reversible SPMs at hydrophobic amino acid residues in proteins are especially limited.

Transient Antidiuretic Hormone Insufficiency Caused by Severe Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome Based on Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus.

Background: The hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), an acute complication of diabetes mellitus with plasma hyperosmolarity, promotes the secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) and reduces the storage of ADH. Magnetic resonance T1-weighted imaging reflects ADH storage in the posterior pituitary lobe, which disappears when the storage is depleted. Whether the HHS induces ADH depletion leading to clinical manifestations has been unclear.

Fatal intracranial hemorrhage due to infantile acute lymphoblastic leukemia mimicking abusive head trauma.

We report the case of a 2-month-old infant who was found moribund in her crib. Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) was performed before autopsy. As the baby had a severe subdural hematoma, retinal hemorrhage, and encephalopathy on PMCT, abusive head trauma (AHT) was tentatively diagnosed.

Dissecting lesions in a culprit artery of a hemorrhagic focus in the basal ganglia: Histopathological analysis by serial sectioning.

In a hypertensive hemorrhagic focus of the basal ganglia, the culprit arteries have been reported to be associated with dissecting lesions, whose topographical relationship to the rupture sites remains to be clarified. Herein we describe multiple dissecting lesions in the culprit artery of hypertensive hemorrhage of the basal ganglia. A 1.

Catalytic and Aerobic Oxidative Biaryl Coupling of Anilines Using a Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst for Synthesis of Benzidines and Bicarbazoles.

In this study, a heterogeneous rhodium-catalyzed oxidative homocoupling reaction of anilines utilizing molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant is reported. Employing a commercially available and recyclable Rh/C catalyst enabled the oxidative dimerization of various anilines, including ,-disubstituted and -monosubstituted anilines, as well as diarylamines, triarylamines, and carbazoles. Additionally, the catalytic protocol was extended to the ortho-ortho coupling of anilines, affording 2,2'-diaminobiphenyls with high regioselectivity.

c-Phycocyanin primed silver nano conjugates: Studies on red blood cell stress resilience mechanism.

Green synthesis of metal-encased nutraceutical nano-hybrids has been a target for research over the last few years. In the present investigation, we have reported temperature dependent facile synthesis of silver nanoparticles using FDA approved c phycocyanin (cPC). The cPC conjugated silver nanoparticles (AgcPCNPs) were characterized by TEM, Zeta Potential, UV-vis, XPS, FTIR, and CD Spectroscopy.

Probing molecular bond-length using molecular-frame photoelectron angular distributions.

The molecular-frame photoelectron angular distributions (MFPADs) in O 1s photoemission from CO molecule were measured. Patterns due to photoelectron diffractions were observed in the MFPADs. The polarization-averaged MFPADs were compared with theoretical calculation and were found to be useful in determining the molecular bond-length, which is a component to determine molecular structures.

C(sp )-H Cyanation Promoted by Visible-Light Photoredox/Phosphate Hybrid Catalysis.

Inspired by the reaction mechanism of photo-induced DNA cleavage in nature, a C(sp )-H cyanation reaction promoted by visible-light photoredox/phosphate hybrid catalysis was developed. Phosphate radicals, generated by one-electron photooxidation of phosphate salt, functioned as a hydrogen-atom-transfer catalyst to produce nucleophilic carbon radicals from C(sp )-H bonds with a high bond-dissociation energy. The resulting carbon radicals were trapped by a cyano radical source (TsCN) to produce the C-H cyanation products.

Sulfonamides as new hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) catalysts for photoredox allylic and benzylic C-H arylations.

A catalytic amount of a sterically and electronically tuned diarylsulfonamide promoted allylic and benzylic C-H arylations in cooperation with a visible light photoredox catalyst. This is the first example of the catalytic use of a sulfonamidyl radical to promote the hydrogen atom transfer process.

Exploration of Predictive Biomarkers for Sudden Unexplained Cardiac Death in Nonelderly People: A Case-Control Study With Biochemical Parameters Related to Heart Failure.

Sudden unexplained cardiac death (SUCD) can occasionally occur in nonelderly patients with epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, or no medical history. This study was conducted to aim to analyze whether values of the biomarkers for heart failure are associated with the SUCD. Serum concentrations of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and tumor necrosis factor α were analyzed in 57 nonelderly patients with SUCD who was diagnosed at medicolegal autopsy.