Quantitative evaluation of blood perfusion to nerves included in the anterolateral thigh flap using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography: a different contrast pattern between the vastus lateralis motor nerve and femoral cutaneous nerve.

Background: Better postoperative results can be expected in nerve reconstruction when vascularized nerve grafts are used. Previous studies reported reconstruction with flaps including "vascularized" nerves; however, few have evaluated blood supply to these nerves. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess blood perfusion to nerves included in anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps by indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography.

Common variants of GIP are associated with visceral fat accumulation in Japanese adults.

Animal studies have demonstrated that glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GIP receptor (GIPR) contribute to the etiology of obesity. In humans, genomewide association studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GIPR gene that are strongly associated with body mass index (BMI); however, it is not clear whether genetic variations in the GIP gene are involved in the development of obesity. In the current study, we assessed the impact of GIP SNPs on obesity-related traits in Japanese adults.

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketimines by indoline as recyclable hydrogen donor.

The chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of various ketimines was achieved by the use of 2-aryl indoline as the hydrogen donor. Corresponding chiral amines were obtained in good chemical yields with excellent enantioselectivities.

Four new acylated glycosidic acid methyl esters isolated from the convolvulin fraction of seeds of Quamoclit pennata after treatment with indium(III) chloride in methanol.

Four new acylated glycosidic acid methyl esters were isolated after treatment of the crude ether-insoluble resin glycoside (convolvulin) fraction obtained from the seeds of Quamoclit pennata BOJER (Convolvulaceae) with indium(III) chloride in methanol. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical conversions.

Lysine pyrrolation is a naturally-occurring covalent modification involved in the production of DNA mimic proteins.

Covalent modification of proteins exerts significant effects on their chemical properties and has important functional and regulatory consequences. We now report the identification and verification of an electrically-active form of modified proteins recognized by a group of small molecules commonly used to interact with DNA. This previously unreported property of proteins was initially discovered when the γ-ketoaldehydes were identified as a source of the proteins stained by the DNA intercalators.

Expression of human papillomavirus is correlated with Ki-67 and COX-2 expressions in keratocystic odontogenic tumor.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and evaluate its association with Ki-67 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expressions in keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT). Nineteen cases were included in the present study. Conventional PCR method and immunohistochemical analysis were performed for the detection of HPV-DNA and HPV-L1 capsid protein.

Discovery of a novel series of indoline carbamate and indolinylpyrimidine derivatives as potent GPR119 agonists.

GPR119 has emerged as an attractive target for anti-diabetic agents. We identified a structurally novel GPR119 agonist 22c that carries a 5-(methylsulfonyl)indoline motif as an early lead compound. To generate more potent compounds of this series, structural modifications were performed mainly to the central alkylene spacer.

TRIB1 downregulates hepatic lipogenesis and glycogenesis via multiple molecular interactions.

Mammalian tribbles homolog 1 (TRIB1) regulates hepatic lipogenesis and is genetically associated with plasma triglyceride (TG) levels and cholesterol, but the molecular mechanisms remain obscure. We explored these mechanisms in mouse livers transfected with a TRIB1 overexpression, a shRNA template or a control (LacZ) adenovirus vector. The overexpression of TRIB1 reduced, whereas induction of the shRNA template increased, plasma glucose, TG, and cholesterol and simultaneously hepatic TG and glycogen levels.

Novel leucine rich repeat domains in proteins from unicellular eukaryotes and bacteria.

Leucine rich repeats (LRRs) are present in over 20,000 proteins from viruses to eukaryotes. Two to sixty-two LRRs occur in tandem. Each repeat is typically 20-30 residues long and can be divided into an HCS (Highly conserved segment) and a VS (Variable segment).

Expression and distribution of claudin subtypes in human corneal endothelium.

Purpose: To investigate the expression pattern of claudins in human corneal endothelium, and to evaluate the functional role of the claudin-10b subtype.

Methods: Corneal endothelium with Descemet's membrane and the corneal epithelium were stripped from donor human corneal stroma. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to evaluate the claudin subtypes expressed in corneal endothelium, stroma, and epithelium.

Basis of monitoring central blood pressure and hemodynamic parameters by peripheral arterial pulse waveform analyses.

In hypertension clinics, central blood pressure (CBP) should be estimated, instead of directly measured, by the "signal processing" of a noninvasive peripheral pressure waveform. This paper deals with the data obtained in our three separate studies focusing on a major estimation method, i.e.

Seasonal effects of UCP1 gene polymorphism on visceral fat accumulation in Japanese adults.

Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and β3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) genes play central roles in the thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans. However, the importance of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in both genes during the development of obesity is controversial. Although active BAT in adult humans is frequently observed in the winter season, the effects of sampling season have not been taken into consideration in previous association studies.

Enhanced cancer metastasis in mice deficient in vasohibin-1 gene.

Vasohibin-1 (VASH1) is isolated as an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor produced by the vascular endothelium. We previously reported that tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis were augmented in VASH1 (-/-) mice. Here we examined whether VASH1 plays any role in cancer metastasis.

Subservient relationship of the peripheral second systolic pressure peak to the central hemodynamic parameters is preserved, irrespective of atherosclerosis progression in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

We investigated whether the subservient relationship of peripheral to central hemodynamic parameters, such as the augmentation index (AI) and the second systolic (SBP2) and pulse pressures, were preserved with the progression of atherosclerosis in the Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbit, an animal model for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Male KHC rabbits, aged 12 and 24 months, were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium. Two catheter-tip transducers were introduced to the central (ascending aorta) and peripheral (distal region of the right brachial artery) arteries through the left common carotid and the right radial arteries, respectively.

Three acylated glycosidic acid methyl esters and two acylated methyl glycosides generated from the convolvulin fraction of seeds of Quamoclit pennata by treatment with indium(III) chloride in methanol.

Treatment of the ether-insoluble resin glycoside (convolvulin) fraction from seeds of Quamoclit pennata (Convolvulaceae) with indium(III) chloride in methanol provided three oligoglycosides of hydroxy fatty acid (glycosidic acid) methyl esters and two methyl glycosides, which were partially acylated by a glycosidic acid, 7S-hydroxydecanoic acid 7-O-β-D-quinovopyranoside (quamoclinic acid B) and/or two organic acids, (E)-2-methylbut-2-enoic (tiglic) acid and/or 3R-hydroxy-2R-methylbutyric (nilic) acid. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical conversions.

Long-term maintenance of limbal epithelial progenitor cells using rho kinase inhibitor and keratinocyte growth factor.

Corneal epithelial stem cells are located in the limbus, the junction between the cornea and the conjunctiva. A limbal epithelium model in vitro would be useful for the study of epithelial stem cells, as well as improving the quality of cultivated epithelial sheets for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency. In this study, we succeeded in constructing a limbal epithelium-like structure that could be maintained for at least 5 months in vitro.

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist attenuates lacrimal gland, lung, and liver fibrosis in a murine model of chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), a serious complication following allogeneic HSCT (hematopoietic stem cell transplantation), is characterized by systemic fibrosis. The tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in the fibrotic pathogenesis, and an angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist can attenuate fibrosis. Tissue RAS is present in the lacrimal gland, lung, and liver, and is known to be involved in the fibrotic pathogenesis of the lung and liver.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for peripheral artery disease confers cardiorenal protection.

The effects of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) on hemodynamic parameters are not established. We tested the hypothesis that PTA would achieve reductions in hemodynamic and target organ damage (TOD) measures in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). We enrolled 56 consecutive PAD patients who were scheduled to undergo elective PTA procedures.

Multispecificity of immunoglobulin M antibodies raised against advanced glycation end products: involvement of electronegative potential of antigens.

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can act as neoantigens to trigger immune responses.

Results: Natural IgM antibodies against AGEs recognize multiple molecules, including DNA and chemically modified proteins.

Conclusion: There is a close relationship between the formation of AGEs and innate immune responses.

Quantitative analysis of in-air output ratio.

Output factor (Scp) is one of the important factors required to calculate monitor unit (MU), and is divided into two components: phantom scatter factor (Sp) and in-air output ratio (Sc). Generally, Sc for arbitrary fields are calculated using several methods based on Sc determined by the absorbed dose measurement for several square fields. However, there are calculation errors when the treatment field has a large aspect ratio and the opening of upper and lower collimator are exchanged.

An optically switchable emitter array with carbon nanotubes grown on a Si tip for multielectron beam lithography.

In this paper we report the design, fabrication and evaluation of a field emitter array of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a Si tip with a pn junction. Electron beam emission can be switched on by laser irradiation. The Si tip array is formed on a 5 μm-thick Si membrane.

The semaphorin 3A inhibitor SM-345431 accelerates peripheral nerve regeneration and sensitivity in a murine corneal transplantation model.

Background: Peripheral nerve damage of the cornea is a complication following surgery or infection which may lead to decreased visual function. We examined the efficacy of the semaphorin 3A inhibitor, SM-345431, in promoting regeneration of peripheral nerves in a mouse corneal transplantation model.

Methodology/principal Findings: P0-Cre/Floxed-EGFP mice which express EGFP in peripheral nerves cells were used as recipients of corneal transplantation with syngeneic wild-type mouse cornea donors.

Positive natural selection of TRIB2, a novel gene that influences visceral fat accumulation, in East Asia.

Accumulation of visceral fat increases cardiovascular mortality in industrialized societies. However, during the evolution of the modern human, visceral fat may have acted as energy storage facility to survive in times of famine. Therefore, past natural selection might contribute to shaping the variation of visceral fat accumulation in present populations.

Angiogenesis inhibitor vasohibin-1 enhances stress resistance of endothelial cells via induction of SOD2 and SIRT1.

Vasohibin-1 (VASH1) is isolated as an endothelial cell (EC)-produced angiogenesis inhibitor. We questioned whether VASH1 plays any role besides angiogenesis inhibition, knocked-down or overexpressed VASH1 in ECs, and examined the changes of EC property. Knock-down of VASH1 induced premature senescence of ECs, and those ECs were easily killed by cellular stresses.