Graphene Oxide as a Self-Carbocatalyst to Facilitate the Ring-Opening Polymerization of Glycidol for Efficient Polyglycerol Grafting.

Grafting carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) with polyglycerol (PG) improves their application potentials in biomedicine and electronics. Although "grafting from" method offers advantages over "grafting to" one in terms of operability and versatility, little is known about the reaction process of glycidol with the surface groups onto CNMs. By using graphene oxide (GO) as a multi-functional model material, we examined the reactivity of the surface groups on GO toward glycidol molecules via a set of model reactions.

Streptolysin S induces proinflammatory cytokine expression in calcium ion-influx-dependent manner.

Anginosus group streptococci (AGS) are opportunistic pathogens that reside in the human oral cavity. The β-hemolytic strains of subsp. (SAA) produce streptolysin S (SLS), a streptococcal peptide hemolysin.

Interactive Analysis of UTX-114 Family With EGFR-tyk: Molecular Features of Acetyl Glycosylated Gefitinib.

Background/aim: Acetyl glucose adducts (UTX-114, -115, and -116) were prepared from gefitinib, and their characteristics (e.g., anticancer activity, structural property) were analyzed.

Improving the performance of mutation-based evolving artificial neural networks with self-adaptive mutations.

Neuroevolution is a promising approach for designing artificial neural networks using an evolutionary algorithm. Unlike recent trending methods that rely on gradient-based algorithms, neuroevolution can simultaneously evolve the topology and weights of neural networks. In neuroevolution with topological evolution, handling crossover is challenging because of the competing conventions problem.

BRAF-mutant mismatch repair deficient invasive colon cancer regressing to sessile serrated lesion.

A 69-year-old female was presented with a history of sigmoid colon cancer, uterine cancer, and intrahepatic carcinomas. After computed tomography revealed a disseminated nodule located in the peritoneum, colonoscopy demonstrated a rather flat-to-slightly elevated lesion with a depressed area located in the ascending colon. The flat component showed color similar to its surrounding area, and the depressed area showed redness and an expanded appearance.

Streptolysin S induces pronounced calcium-ion influx-dependent expression of immediate early genes encoding transcription factors.

Anginosus group streptococci (AGS) are opportunistic human pathogens of the oral cavity. The β-hemolytic subgroup of Streptococcus anginosus subsp. anginosus secretes streptolysin S (SLS) and exhibits not only hemolytic activity but also cytotoxicity toward cultured human cell lines.

Molecular Aspects of -glycosides: Interactive Analysis of C-linked Compounds With the SGLT2 Molecular Model.

Background/aim: Interaction analysis between modeled human sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (hSGLT2) and antidiabetic C-glycoside drugs, such as canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, ipragliflozin, empagliflozin, tofogliflozin, and luseogliflozin was performed.

Materials And Methods: The hSGLT2 was modeled using the X-ray data of Vibrio parahaemolyticus SGLT2 (protein data bank ID=2XQ2) as a template. Conformational analyses of C-glycosides were performed using CAChe-Conflex.

Human serum albumin stabilizes streptolysin S activity secreted in the extracellular milieu by streptolysin S-producing streptococci.

Anginosus group streptococci (AGS) are opportunistic pathogens of the human oral cavity; however, their pathogenicity has not been discussed in detail. Oral streptococci live in the gingival sulcus, from where they can easily translocate into the bloodstream due to periodontal diseases and dental treatment and cause hazardous effects on the host through their virulence factors. Streptolysin S (SLS), a pathogenic factor produced by β-hemolytic species/strains belonging to AGS, plays an important role in damaging host cells.

Molecular Interaction Between Boron Tracedrug UTX-51 Derivatives and Bovine Serum Albumin: Application to an Analytical Model of AGEs Destruction by Thermal Neutron Irradiation.

Background/aim: Boron tracedrugs possess global molecular tracking abilities and localized destructive power. We investigated the molecular properties of synthesized boron tracedrugs, including UTX-51, and their interactions with the advanced glycation end-product (AGE)-related protein bovine serum albumin (BSA).

Materials And Methods: A conformational analysis of the compounds used in the present study was performed using CAChe (Fujitsu Inc.

Construction of a Drug Release Evaluation System: Application of Mitochondrial Respiration to Monitor Drug Release.

Background/aim: Efficient drug encapsulation and regulation of drug release are important factors for sustained drug release and application for release-controlled anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drug delivery. In the present study, a direct evaluation system for drug-release from model carrier (e.g.

Type B Acute Aortic Dissection as a Perioperative Complication after an Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Repair.

Type B aortic dissection (TBAD) is a rare but catastrophic complication of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). We report two cases of TBAD occurring in the perioperative period of EVAR. The intraoperative and postoperative courses were unremarkable.

Molecular characteristics of an adhesion molecule containing cholesterol-dependent cytolysin-motif produced by mitis group streptococci.

Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae (SPpn) is a relatively new species closely related to S. pneumoniae (SPn) and S. mitis (SM) belonging to the Mitis group of the genus Streptococcus (MGS).

Effect of Isomerization of TX-2036 Derivatives on the Interaction With Tyrosine Kinase Domain of EGF Receptor.

Background: From the design and synthesis of enantiomers, we can expect to obtain two compounds with different pharmacokinetics and pharmacological activities at the same time, which is thought to lead to the development of efficient anticancer agents. Chiral-2-nitroimidazole TX-2036 derivatives exhibit stereo-configuration (R- and S-configuration)-dependent tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity, and the activity of the tyrosine kinase domain of EGF receptor (EGFR-tyk) is suppressed. In order to clarify the reason why the effects on EGFR-tyk activity differ depending on stereoisomers, we tried to analyze the interaction between each TX-2036 derivative and EGFR-tyk.

Preclinical investigation of potential use of thymidine phosphorylase-targeting tracer for diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Introduction: Although liver biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), it has several problems including high invasiveness and sampling errors. Therefore, the development of alternative methods to overcome these disadvantages is strongly required. In this study, we evaluated the potential use of our tracer targeting thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP), 5-[I]iodo-6-[(2-iminoimidazolidinyl)methyl]uracil ([I]IIMU) for the diagnosis of NASH.

Correlation Between Radiosensitizing Activity and the Stereo-structure of the TX-2036 Series of Molecules.

Background/aim: The stereo-configuration (R-, S-configuration) of chiral-2-nitroimidazole derivatives alters their radiosensitizing activity. This study aimed at examining the molecular features of these enantiomers by molecular simulation techniques.

Materials And Methods: A series of 2-nitroimidazole-based radiosensitizer TX-2036 molecules were synthesized, and their profiles were examined using molecular structural analysis such as conformation analysis, molecular orbital analysis, and electrostatic potential analysis.

β-Hemolytic subsp. causes streptolysin S-dependent cytotoxicity to human cell culture lines .

Streptococcus anginosus subsp. (SAA) is one of the opportunistic pathogens in humans that inhabits the oral cavity. The type strain of SAA, NCTC10713, showed clear β-hemolysis on blood agar plates, and the sole β-hemolytic factor revealed two streptolysin S (SLS) molecules.

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat/Ezo as a rat model of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Aim: We previously reported that stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat/Ezo (SHRSP/Ezo) has high validity as an attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) animal model, based on its behavioral phenotypes, such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Fronto-cortical dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of AD/HD. In this study, we investigated prefrontal cortex (PFC) function in SHRSP/Ezo rats by electrophysiological methods and radioreceptor assay.

Structure-associated Functional Control of TX-1877 Series by Glyco-conjugation.

Background/aim: Sugar molecules are often used as a tool to structurally modify chemical compounds. The features of synthesized sugar-conjugated TX-1877 derivatives were herein examined.

Materials And Methods: The molecular stabilities (reactivity) and hydrophobicities of sugar (e.

Carotid stenosis with impaired brain flow reserve is associated with an increased risk of stroke in on-pump cardiovascular surgery.

Objectives: To prevent haemodynamic stroke during cardiovascular surgery in patients with carotid stenosis, we routinely evaluated magnetic resonance angiography and selectively evaluated brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography with acetazolamide challenge. Off-pump surgery was preferred when cerebral blood flow reserve was impaired. This strategy's usefulness was investigated.

Effects of the Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Celecoxib on Mitochondrial Function.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to treat inflammation and pain. In the present study, we examined the effects of celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-selective NSAID, on rat liver mitochondrial function. Celecoxib dose-dependently induced mitochondria swelling, which was not suppressed by cyclosporine A (CsA).

[Cardiac Perforation after Pacemaker Implantation;Report of a Case].

A 71-year-old woman was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) upon her cardiogenic cerebral embolism and underwent pacemaker implantation. Active fixation leads were positioned at the right atrial appendage and ventricular septum. Twenty-one days later at her routine checkup, she was asymptomatic and there were no signs of cardiac tamponade or pacing failure.

In-DTPA-d-Phe-Asp-d-Phe-octreotide exhibits higher tumor accumulation and lower renal radioactivity than In-DTPA-d-Phe-octreotide.

Introduction: In-DTPA-d-Phe-octreotide scintigraphy is an important method of detecting neuroendocrine tumors. We previously reported that a new derivative of In-DTPA-d-Phe-octreotide, In-DTPA-d-Phe-Asp-d-Phe-octreotide, accomplished the reduction of prolonged renal accumulation of radioactivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tumor accumulation of In-DTPA-d-Phe-Asp-d-Phe-octreotide in vitro and in vivo by comparing it with In-DTPA-d-Phe-octreotide.

Interactive Analysis of TX-1123 with Cyclo-oxygenase: Design of COX2 Selective TX Analogs.

Background: To date, two cyclo-oxygenase (COX) isoforms, COX1 and COX2, have been identified. In the present study, the COX-inhibitory activities of TX-1123 derivatives with the 2-hydroxyarylidene-4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione structure were examined, and the binding profiles of TX-1123 to COXs were analyzed using docking simulations.

Materials And Methods: X-Ray data on COX1 [protein data bank (PDB) ID=1PGG] and COX2 (PDB ID=3LN1) were used for molecular interactive simulations.

Redesign of negatively charged In-DTPA-octreotide derivative to reduce renal radioactivity.

Introduction: Radiolabeled octreotide derivatives have been studied as diagnostic and therapeutic agents for somatostatin receptor-positive tumors. To prevent unnecessary radiation exposure during their clinical application, the present study aimed to develop radiolabeled peptides which could reduce radioactivity levels in the kidney at both early and late post-injection time points by introducing a negative charge with an acidic amino acid such as L-aspartic acid (Asp) at a suitable position in In-DTPA-conjugated octreotide derivatives.

Methods: Biodistribution of the radioactivity was evaluated in normal mice after administration of a novel radiolabeled peptide by a counting method.