Application of the SpCas9 inhibitor BRD0539 for CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic tools in .

Although the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas system has been extensively developed since its discovery for eukaryotic and prokaryotic genome editing and other genetic manipulations, there are still areas warranting improvement, especially regarding bacteria. In this study, BRD0539, a small-molecule inhibitor of Cas9 (SpCas9), was used to suppress the activity of the nuclease during genetic modification of , as well as to regulate CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). First, we developed and validated a CRISPR-SpCas9 system targeting the gene of .

Intraflower variation in nectar secretion: Secretion patterns and pollinator behavior in male- and female-phase flowers.

Premise Of The Study: Plants that secrete abundant nectar attract many pollinator visits, potentially leading to a high frequency of geitonogamous pollination. However, intraflower variation in nectar volume might enhance early departure from the flower or inflorescence, reducing geitonogamy. To examine the adaptive significance of multiple nectar-producing spurs within flowers, we related intraflower variation in nectar characteristics to pollinator foraging behavior and plant reproductive success in protandrous Aquilegia buergeriana var.

Impact of nonfasting triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio on secondary prevention in patients treated with statins.

Background: Some studies have demonstrated that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy is one of the most important strategies to prevent coronary artery disease. Also, serum triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are recognized as independent risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the nonfasting TG/HDL-C ratio could affect the incidence of cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) even in patients treated with statins.

Perioperative Management Center (PERIO) for Neurosurgical Patients.

Perioperative management is critical for positive neurosurgical outcomes. In order to maintain safe and authentic perioperative management, a perioperative management center (PERIO) was introduced to patients of our Neurosurgery Department beginning in June 2014. PERIO involves a multidisciplinary team consisting of anesthesiologists, dentists/dental hygienists/technicians, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, and nutritionists.

Increased human urotensin II levels are correlated with carotid atherosclerosis in essential hypertension.

Background: Circulating blood levels of human urotensin II (U-II), the most potent vasoconstrictor peptide identified to date, are increased in patients with essential hypertension. Our previous studies showed that U-II accelerates human macrophage foam cell formation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, suggesting development of atherosclerotic plaque. In this study, we demonstrated a correlation between plasma U-II level and progression of atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients.

Clinical effect of combination therapy of pioglitazone and an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor.

This study evaluated the efficacy of adding pioglitazone 30 mg to the therapy of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus whose glycaemic control was poor on an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (alpha-GI) alone or in combination with a sulphonylurea (SU). The patients (n = 20) had a HbA(1c) level between 7.0 and 12.

Very low-density lipoprotein-apoprotein CI is increased in diabetic nephropathy: comparison with apoprotein CIII.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that apoprotein (apo) CI in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) plays an important role in causing hypertriglyceridemia independent of apo CIII, which is associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). Because the incidence of CHD is increased in diabetic patients and is even higher when diabetic nephropathy is developed, we measured apo CI levels in VLDL from type 2 diabetic patients, with various degree of nephropathy, and compared the results with those for healthy controls or nondiabetic patients with chronic renal failure (CRF).

Methods: This study enrolled healthy control subjects, type 2 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, overt proteinuria, and CRF on hemodialysis and nondiabetic hemodialysis patients.

T-cadherin (CDH13, H-cadherin) expression downregulated surfactant protein D in bronchioloalveolar cells.

T cadherin is a unique cadherin cell adhesion molecule that is anchored to the surface membrane through a glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol (GPI) moiety. In the present study, we postulated that T cadherin could regulate surfactant protein (SP)-D gene expression in human bronchioloalveolar type-II cells. We transfected A549 cells (human lung cancer cell line with alveolar type-II cell characteristics) with the T-cadherin expression vector.

Carbohydrate binding properties of banana (Musa acuminata) lectin II. Binding of laminaribiose oligosaccharides and beta-glucans containing beta1,6-glucosyl end groups.

This paper extends our knowledge of the rather bizarre carbohydrate binding poperties of the banana lectin (Musa acuminata). Although a glucose/mannose binding protein which recognizes alpha-linked gluco-and manno-pyranosyl groups of polysaccharide chain ends, the banana lectin was shown to bind to internal 3-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl units. Now we report that this lectin also binds to the reducing glucosyl groups of beta-1,3-linked glucosyl oligosaccharides (e.

Carbohydrate binding properties of banana (Musa acuminata) lectin I. Novel recognition of internal alpha1,3-linked glucosyl residues.

Examination of lectins of banana (Musa acuminata) and the closely related plantain (Musa spp.) by the techniques of quantitative precipitation, hapten inhibition of precipitation, and isothermal titration calorimetry showed that they are mannose/glucose binding proteins with a preference for the alpha-anomeric form of these sugars. Both generate precipitin curves with branched chain alpha-mannans (yeast mannans) and alpha-glucans (glycogens, dextrans, and starches), but not with linear alpha-glucans containing only alpha1,4- and alpha1,6-glucosidic bonds (isolichenan and pullulan).

Degradation of human brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) by contact activation of blood coagulation system.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were added to venous blood samples from healthy volunteers, and incubated in tubes made of various materials. The residual immunoreactivity was measured with radioimmunoassay for BNP and ANP. In blood samples stored in glass tubes, immunoreactivity of ANP was more stable than that of BNP.

Expression of SMARCF1, a truncated form of SWI1, in neuroblastoma.

Previously we cloned and mapped a B120 gene to human chromosome 1p35-36.1 where possible suppressor genes for various neuroendocrine tumors including neuroblastoma have been mapped. Very recently, B120 was identified as a truncated form of p270, a putative human counterpart of SWI1.

Expression of T-cadherin (CDH13, H-Cadherin) in human brain and its characteristics as a negative growth regulator of epidermal growth factor in neuroblastoma cells.

In the present study, we first examined the expression of T-cadherin in human CNS by northern blot analysis, immunohistochemical staining, and in situ hybridization. Northern blot analysis demonstrated expression of T-cadherin in human adult cerebral cortex, medulla, thalamus, and midbrain. Immunohistochemical staining with a newly generated monoclonal antibody, designated MA-511, revealed strong expression of T-cadherin in neural cell surface membrane and neurites in adult cerebral cortex, medulla oblongata, and nucleus olivaris.

Stability of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in human blood samples.

Stability of immunoreactivity of human brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in blood samples was investigated. After storage of the whole blood samples in the blood collecting tubes made of glass or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), residual immunoreactivity of BNP in the plasma was measured by sandwich radioimmunoassay for human BNP. BNP in the blood samples collected in the PET tubes were kept more stable than that in the glass tubes.

Radioimmunoassay for a novel lignan-related hypocholesterolemic agent, S-8921, in human plasma after high-performance liquid chromatography purification and in human urine after immunoaffinity extraction.

The novel compound methyl-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(3-ethylvaleryl)-4-hydroxy-6,7,8- trimethoxy-2-naphthoate (S-8921) has hypocholesterolemic activity in animals and is expected to exhibit a similar activity in human. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation followed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) for human plasma samples (HPLC-RIA) and immunoaffinity extraction (IAE) followed by RIA for human urine samples (IAE-RIA) were developed for investigation of S-8921 behavior in clinical studies. For the RIA, antisera from rabbit and a radioiodine-labelled S-8921 were prepared by immunizing a conjugate of S-8921 with bovine serum albumin and by the Bolton and Hunter method, respectively.

Purification and characterization of a new mannose-specific lectin from Sternbergia lutea bulbs.

A new mannose-binding lectin was isolated from Sternbergia lutea bulbs by affinity chromatography on an alpha(1-2)mannobiose-Synsorb column and purified further by gel filtration. This lectin (S. lutea agglutinin; SLA) appeared homogeneous by native-gel electrophoresis at pH 4.

Purification and characterization of the alpha-1,3-mannosylmannose-recognizing lectin of Crocus vernus bulbs.

A unique mannose-binding lectin, highly specific for terminal Man(alpha1,3)Man groups, was isolated from bulbs of crocus (Crocus vernus All.). The lectin failed to bind to a mannose affinity column and was purified by simple gel permeation chromatography (Sephacryl S200).

X-ray study of beijeran sodium salts, a new galacturonic acid-containing exo-polysaccharide.

X-Ray fiber diffraction patterns were obtained from oriented films of sodium salts of a new uronic acid-containing polysaccharide (beijeran) both in its native, poly [-->3)-alpha-D-GalA-(1-->3)-beta-L-Rha-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glc-O6Ac-(1 -->], and deacetylated forms. Initially the stretched films of both polysaccharides were amorphous, but the crystallinity was much improved by annealing at high temperature. The deacetylated specimen had higher crystallinity than the native.

Studies on the metabolism and disposition of the new retinoid 4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthyl)carbamoyl] benzoic acid. 4th communication: absorption, metabolism, excretion and plasma protein binding in various animals and man.

4-[(5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthyl)carbamoyl]benzoic acid (CAS 94497-51-5, Am-80) is a new synthetic retinoid which has been shown to have a potent topical antipsoriatic activity. Pharmaco-kinetic profiles of Am-80 were studied in dogs, mice and rabbits after percutaneous or subcutaneous administration of 14C-Am-80. Plasma protein binding of 14C-Am-80 was also studied in rats, dogs and humans.