Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex regulator (PdhR) gene deletion boosts glucose metabolism in Escherichia coli under oxygen-limited culture conditions.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex regulator (PdhR) is a transcriptional regulator that negatively regulates formation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc), NADH dehydrogenase (NDH)-2, and cytochrome bo oxidase in Escherichia coli. To investigate the effects of a PdhR defect on glucose metabolism, a pdhR deletion mutant was derived from the wild-type E. coli W1485 strain by λ Red-mediated recombination.

Increase of β2-integrin on adhesion of THP-1 cells to collagen vitrigel membrane.

When human monocyte-derived leukemia (THP-1) cells, which are floating cells, are stimulated with lipid peroxides, or Streptococcus suis, these cells adhere to a plastic plate or endothelial cells. However, it is unclear whether or not non-stimulated THP-1 cells adhere to collagen vitrigel membrane (CVM). In this study, firstly, we investigated the rate of adhesion of THP-1 cells to CVM.

Effects of the amino acid constituents of microcystin variants on cytotoxicity to primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

Microcystins, which are cyclic heptapeptides produced by some cyanobacterial species from algal blooms, strongly inhibit serine/threonine protein phosphatase and are known as hepatotoxins. Microcystins have many structural variations, yet insufficient information is available on the differences in the cytotoxic potentials among the structural variants. In this study, the cytotoxicities of 16 microcystin variants at concentrations of 0.

Cytotoxic Effects of Hydroxylated Fullerenes in Three Types of Liver Cells.

Fullerenes C have attracted considerable attention in the biomedical field due to their interesting properties. Although there has been a concern that C could be metabolized to hydroxylated fullerenes (C(OH)) , there is little information on the effect of hydroxylated C on liver cells. In the present study, we evaluated the cytotoxic effects of fullerene C and various hydroxylated C derivatives, C(OH)₂, C(OH), C(OH) and C(OH), with three different types of liver cells, dRLh-84, HepG2 and primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

Time-dependent variation in the biodistribution of C₆₀ in rats determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

We examined the biodistribution of C(60) in rats after tail vein administration using LC-MS/MS. C(60) was detected in various tissues, such as brain, kidneys, liver, lungs, and spleen of rats. On the other hand, no C(60) was found in blood.

[Absolute quantification of carminic acid in cochineal extract by quantitative NMR].

A quantitative NMR (qNMR) method was applied for the determination of carminic acid. Carminic acid is the main component in cochineal dye that is widely used as a natural food colorant. Since several manufacturers only provide reagent-grade carminic acid, there is no reference material of established purity.

[Perioperative anesthetic management of a patient with multiple sclerosis].

We report general anesthesia for a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS). A 40-year-old male patient with a 13-year history of MS was scheduled for laparoscopic surgery. The symptoms of MS had been exacerbated during feverish state or under surgical stress in the previous surgeries.

[Development of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of fullerenes C60 and C70 in biological samples].

Wide application of fullerenes in various areas would increase the risk of occupational and environmental exposure to human. However, information about toxicity and biological behavior of fullerenes is not sufficient for the risk assessment at present. For the determination of fullerene C60 in biological samples, an analytical method using high performance liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and extraction procedure from tissues of experimental animals was established in this study.

[Enlightenment activities about home palliative care for a terminal stage of cancer].

In Palliative and End-of-Life Care, it is very important that we support cancer patients being at home as well as for the removal of physical and psychological symptoms. In doing so, Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Hospital and Awaji Medical Association founded the "Awaji Palliative Care Team" in April, 2004. We have conducted a monthly study, for a total of 34 times to date.

Structure-activity relationships of fluorinated lysophosphatidic acid analogues.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA, 1- or 2-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) displays an intriguing cell biology that is mediated via interactions with seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and the nuclear hormone receptor PPARgamma. To identify receptor-selective LPA analogues, we describe a series of fluorinated LPA analogues in which either the sn-1 or sn-2 hydroxyl group was replaced by a fluoro or fluoromethyl substituent. We also describe stabilized phosphonate analogues in which the bridging oxygen of the monophosphate was replaced by an alpha-monofluoromethylene (-CHF-) or alpha-difluoromethylene (-CF(2)-) moiety.