Synthesis of Daldinans and Dynamic Stereochemistry of their Atropisomers.

The synthesis of daldinans B and E ( and ), 3-phenyl isoindolinones isolated from , was achieved. The conformational properties of these isoindolinones were examined using their derivatives, revealing the presence of atropisomers. The activation free-energy barrier was estimated by the variable-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance (VT-NMR) method, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that this atropisomerization was caused by equilibration via a slow rotation around the C-3-C-8 axis.

Work engagement and associated factors among Japanese registered dietitians and dietitians: a cross-sectional study.

Healthcare services provided by registered dietitians and dietitians have been changing because of evolving lifestyles and population dynamics, leading to subsequent changes in the occupational status and experiences of these professionals. However, few studies have examined occupational stress among registered dietitians and dietitians. This study involved a cross-sectional survey to investigate the status and associated factors of work engagement among registered dietitians and dietitians, whose professions differ based on licensing processes and scope of work.

Verification of quality assurance for blood culture surveillance using 6 years of data from the Japan Infection Prevention and Control Conference for National and Public University Hospitals.

The importance of blood culture has been widely recognized, and there is a need for monitoring to evaluate the accuracy of blood culture that reflects domestic healthcare systems. In this study, we assessed 6-year trends in blood culture quality assurance data. The Japan Infection Prevention and Control Conference for National and Public University Hospitals conducted yearly blood culture surveillance at 52 national public university hospitals from 2015 to 2020.

History of malignant neoplasia lessens oocyte developmental competence: a case-control study.

Objective: We investigated how history of malignant neoplasia affected oocyte developmental competence.

Methods: Fifty-two cycles of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in women with a history of malignant disease (case group) were compared with fifty-two matched cycles of ART in women with no cancer history (control group). Propensity score matching involving age and body mass index was used to select controls.

A cross-sectional study of the association between effort-reward imbalance and psychologic distress among Japanese dietitians.

Objectives: This study aims to clarify dietitians' effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and examine its association with psychologic distress.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 3593 questionnaires were distributed to dietitians in about 110 organizations and 1890 responses were received (response rate 52.

Psychological distress and associated factors among Japanese nursery school and kindergarten teachers: a cross-sectional study.

The understaffing of nursery schools and kindergartens and the increasing workload of childcare workers are becoming significant issues in Japan. In this study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the stress experienced by childcare workers and its antecedents. We distributed 2,640 questionnaires to childcare workers in Miyagi prefecture, obtaining a response rate of 51.

Author Correction: Structure of two purple pigments, catechinopyranocyanidins A and B from the seed-coat of the small red bean, Vigna angularis.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

PET imaging of C-labeled coenzyme Q: Comparison of biodistribution between [C]ubiquinol-10 and [C]ubiquinone-10.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) plays a key role not only as an essential electron carrier in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, but also as an antioxidant to protect cells from oxidative stress. CoQ supplementation is expected to be effective for a variety of diseases. The predominant forms of CoQ are the ubiquinol-10 (reduced form) and ubiquinone-10 (oxidized form).

Structure of two purple pigments, catechiopyranocyanidins A and B from the seed-coat of the small red bean, Vigna angularis.

The small red bean, Vigna angularis, is primarily used to produce the "an-paste" component of Japanese sweets. Through the manufacturing process, the red seed-coat pigment is transferred to the colorless "an-particles", imparting a purple color. However, the major pigment in the seed coat has not yet been identified, although it is historically presumed to be an anthocyanin.

Development of Diagnostic Techniques for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Positron Emission Tomography with [C]PK11195 and [C]Ketoprofen Tracers.

Purpose: In vivo detection of pathological insults during the early stages of rheumatoid synovitis is essential to allow early anti-inflammatory treatment for prevention of joint destruction. Whether rheumatoid synovitis pathology and the efficacy of therapies can be visualized by positron emission tomography (PET) tracers specific to the inflammatory process was investigated.

Procedures: Using a collagen-induced experimental rat model of rheumatoid arthritis, in vivo imaging using the PET tracers [C]PK11195, which binds to the translocator protein mainly expressed on myeloid cells, and [C]ketoprofen, for cyclooxygenase imaging, was performed.

Biocompatible fluorescent silicon nanocrystals for single-molecule tracking and fluorescence imaging.

Fluorescence microscopy is used extensively in cell-biological and biomedical research, but it is often plagued by three major problems with the presently available fluorescent probes: photobleaching, blinking, and large size. We have addressed these problems, with special attention to single-molecule imaging, by developing biocompatible, red-emitting silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) with a 4.1-nm hydrodynamic diameter.

Bloodstream infection due to Mycoplasma arginini in an immunocompromised patient.

Mycoplasma arginini, an organism usually recovered from mammals, was isolated from the blood of a febrile patient with advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The patient's condition improved without administration of antimycoplasmal drugs. Simulation of blood culture showed that automated blood culture instruments may fail to detect the organism.

An EF-hands protein, centrin-1, is an EGTA-sensitive SUMO-interacting protein in mouse testis.

A multifunctional calcium-binding protein, centrin-1, is specifically expressed in male germ cells, certain neurons and ciliated cells. We identified centrin-1 as a protein interacting with SUMO-2/3 using yeast two-hybrid screening of a mouse testicular cDNA library. In bead halo assays, the interaction between centrin-1 and SUMO-2/3 was reduced in the presence of EGTA and facilitated by the addition of CaCl₂.

Altered gut flora are associated with septic complications and death in critically ill patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Background: Gut under severe insult is considered to have an important role in promoting infection and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome from the viewpoint of altered intestinal epithelium, immune system and commensal bacteria. There are few reports, however, about the relationship between gut flora and septic complications.

Methods: We analyzed gut flora in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and evaluated key bacteria and their cutoff values for infectious complications and mortality by using classification and regression trees (CART).

General method for the (11)C-labeling of 2-arylpropionic acids and their esters: construction of a PET tracer library for a study of biological events involved in COXs expression.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a critical enzyme in prostaglandin biosynthesis that modulates a wide range of biological functions, such as pain, fever, and so on. To perform in vivo COX imaging by positron emission tomography (PET), we developed a method to incorporate (11)C radionuclide into various 2-arylpropionic acids that have a common methylated structure, particularly among nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Thus, we developed a novel (11)C-radiolabeling methodology based on rapid C-[(11)C]methylation by the reaction of [(11)C]CH(3)I with enolate intermediates generated from the corresponding esters under basic conditions.

Synbiotics decrease the incidence of septic complications in patients with severe SIRS: a preliminary report.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if synbiotic therapy can correct the deteriorated gut flora and environment in patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Twenty-nine SIRS patients, who fulfilled a serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level >10 mg/dl, received synbiotics (Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus casei, and galactooligosaccharides) (S group) and were compared with previous observations in 26 patients without synbiotics (NS group). Analysis of fecal flora confirmed that patients in the S group had significantly greater levels of beneficial Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and total organic acids (particularly short-chain fatty acids) than those in the NS group.

Bacterial arthritis caused by Leptotrichia amnionii.

Leptotrichia amnionii is an organism that rarely causes female genital tract infection. We describe a case of a male patient with arthritis on the left knee joint due to this organism.

[Introduction of an "on-demand helper system" to the blood-drawing section].

In line with the trend of expanding the capabilities of clinical laboratories, the blood-drawing operations are transferred to the clinical laboratories in many hospitals in Japan. In our hospital, the blood-drawing section accompanied by a satellite laboratory is located near the outpatient clinic. Since 2000, the Division of Clinical Laboratories began assisting the blood-drawing operations.

[Re-utilization of clinical laboratory patient-derived samples].

Our hospital has traditionally placed a portion of Clinical Laboratories patient-derived samples into temporary storage for purposes of re-examination. Occasionally, following a brief review, a part of these samples were provided not only for research but also for quality control. However, recent trends to protect confidential personal information have made it difficult to offer patient-derived samples to those who perform research and quality control even after a strict and complicated review of their requests.

Altered gut flora and environment in patients with severe SIRS.

Background: The gut is considered an important target organ of injury after severe insult such as sepsis, trauma, and shock. The impact of bacterial translocation or mesenteric lymph on systemic inflammatory response and multiple organ damage has been investigated in animals, but dynamic changes in the gut flora and environment have not been fully clarified in critically ill patients. In the present study, we quantitatively evaluated changes in the gut microflora and environment in patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).