Synthesis and Characterization of Multifunctional Fluorescent-Magnetic Platinum Nanoclusters.

There is great interest in the development of new multifunctional fluorescent-magnetic nanomaterials for use as multimodal diagnostic imaging probes and site-specific drug delivery tools. Metal nanoclusters (NCs) have been reported to possess either fluorescent or magnetic properties, but not both. In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of multifunctional fluorescent-magnetic Pt NCs.

Red-Fluorescent Pt Nanoclusters for Detecting and Imaging HER2 in Breast Cancer Cells.

Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is associated with more frequent cancer recurrence and metastasis. Sensitive sensing of HER2 in living breast cancer cells is crucial in the early stages of cancer and to further understand its role in cells. Biomedical imaging has become an indispensable tool in the fields of early cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Statins up-regulate SmgGDS through β1-integrin/Akt1 pathway in endothelial cells.

Aims: The pleiotropic effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) independent of cholesterol-lowering effects have attracted much attention. We have recently demonstrated that the pleiotropic effects of statins are partly mediated through up-regulation of small GTP-binding protein dissociation stimulator (SmgGDS) with a resultant Rac1 degradation and reduced oxidative stress. However, it remains to be elucidated what molecular mechanisms are involved.

Interictal high frequency oscillations correlating with seizure outcome in patients with widespread epileptic networks in tuberous sclerosis complex.

Objective: Multiple tubers in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) often are responsible for drug-resistant epilepsy. The complexity of the epileptic network formed by multiple tubers complicates localization of the epileptogenic zone that is needed to design a surgical treatment strategy. High frequency oscillations (HFOs) on intracranial video-electroencephalography (IVEEG) may be a valuable surrogate marker for the localization of the epileptogenic zone.

Combination therapy with fasudil and sildenafil ameliorates monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension and survival in rats.

Background:  Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a fatal disease characterized by pulmonary artery (PA) remodeling, elevated PA pressure and right ventricular (RV) failure. It has been previously demonstrated that treatment with a Rho-kinase inhibitor, fasudil, ameliorates PH in animal models. Here, whether combination therapy with fasudil and sildenafil further ameliorates PH in rats was examined.

Nano-analysis of DNA conformation changes induced by transcription factor complex binding using plasmonic nanodimers.

The plasmon resonant wavelength for a pair of gold nanoparticles, or gold nanodimer, increases inversely with the gap distance between the two nanoparticles. Taking advantage of this property, we performed nanoscale measurements of DNA conformation changes induced by transcription factor binding. Gold nanoparticles were bridged by double-stranded DC5 DNA that included binding sequences for the transcription factors SOX2 and PAX6, which interact on the DC5 enhancer sequence and activate transcription.

Crucial role of ROCK2 in vascular smooth muscle cells for hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice.

Objective: Rho/Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Rho-kinase has 2 isoforms, ROCK1 and ROCK2, with different functions in different cells; ROCK1 for circulating inflammatory cells and ROCK2 for the vasculature. In the present study, we aimed to examine whether ROCK2 in VSMC is involved in the pathogenesis of PAH.

Statins exert the pleiotropic effects through small GTP-binding protein dissociation stimulator upregulation with a resultant Rac1 degradation.

Objective: The pleiotropic effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) independent of cholesterol-lowering effects are thought to be mediated through inhibition of the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway. However, we have previously demonstrated that the pleiotropic effects of regular-dose statins are mediated mainly through inhibition of the Rac1 signaling pathway rather than the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway, although the molecular mechanisms of the selective inhibition of the Rac1 signaling pathway by regular-dose statins remain to be elucidated. In this study, we tested our hypothesis that small GTP-binding protein GDP dissociation stimulator (SmgGDS) plays a crucial role in the molecular mechanisms of the Rac1 signaling pathway inhibition by statins in endothelial cells.

Preparation and characterization of microporous layers on titanium by anodization in sulfuric acid with and without hydrogen charging.

The formation of microporous oxide layers on titanium (Ti) by anodization in sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solution and the influence of prior hydrogen charging on their properties are examined using electrochemical techniques, scanning electron microscopy, grazing incident X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. When Ti is anodized in 1 M aqueous H2SO4 solution at a high direct current (DC) potential (>150 V) for 1 min, a porous surface layer develops, and the process takes place with spark-discharge. Under these conditions, oxygen evolution at the Ti electrode proceeds vigorously and concurrently with the formation of anodic oxide.

Ezetimibe improves endothelial function and inhibits Rho-kinase activity associated with inhibition of cholesterol absorption in humans.

Background: Ezetimibe is an inhibitor of cholesterol absorption in the intestine. We examined whether ezetimibe improves endothelial function, and if so, what mechanisms are involved.

Methods And Results: Nineteen healthy subjects (male/female 14/5; mean age, 31±3 [SD] years-old) were randomized to receive ezetimibe (10mg/day) or pravastatin (10mg/day) for 4 weeks in a cross-over manner with a 4-week washout interval.

Syntheses of 2-NBDG analogues for monitoring stereoselective uptake of D-glucose.

2-NBDG is a widely used fluorescent tracer for monitoring d-glucose uptake into single living cells. However, 2-NBDG alone is not sufficient for monitoring the net stereoselective uptake of d-glucose, unless its possible non-stereoselective uptake is properly evaluated. l-Glucose derivatives, which emit fluorescence distinct from that of 2-NBDG, should provide valuable information on the stereoselective uptake, when used with 2-NBDG in combination.

Discovery of the potential of minimum mass for platinum electrodes.

Electrochemical quartz-crystal nanobalance (EQCN) analysis of the behavior of Pt in aqueous H(2)SO(4) reveals that the interfacial mass reaches a minimum, the potential of minimum mass (E(pmm)), at 0.045 V. A similar behavior is observed for Pt in aqueous HClO(4) and NaOH.

Antibody-protein A conjugated quantum dots for multiplexed imaging of surface receptors in living cells.

To use quantum dots (QDs) as fluorescent probes for receptor imaging, QD surface should be modified with biomolecules such as antibodies, peptides, carbohydrates, and small-molecule ligands for receptors. Among these QDs, antibody conjugated QDs are the most promising fluorescent probes. There are many kinds of coupling reactions that can be used for preparing antibody conjugated QDs.

Preparation and characterization of microporous layers on titanium.

Microporous layers on titanium (Ti) are formed by chemical treatment in highly concentrated alkaline media, and their properties and growth mechanism are examined using electrochemical techniques, in situ resistometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), grazing-incident X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES). Chemical treatment in a 5 M aqueous KOH solution yields results superior to those from the same treatment in a 5 M aqueous NaOH solution, while a 3 M aqueous LiOH solution does not produce porous layers. The cation constituting the solution plays a vital role in the process.

Synthesis of a sialic acid containing complex-type N-glycan on a solid support.

A new solid-phase synthesis of N-linked glycans featuring 1) highly stereoselective beta-mannosylation and microfluidic alpha-sialylation and 2) efficient glycosylation of the N-phenyltrifluoroacetimidate units on JandaJel resin is reported. Reagent concentration effects by a fluorous solvent are effectively applied, and the use of these methods results in the first synthesis of a sialic acid containing complex-type N-glycan on a solid support.

Synthesis and Characterization of Anti-HER2 Antibody Conjugated CdSe/CdZnS Quantum Dots for Fluorescence Imaging of Breast Cancer Cells.

The early detection of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) status in breast cancer patients is very important for the effective implementation of anti-HER2 antibody therapy. Recently, HER2 detections using antibody conjugated quantum dots (QDs) have attracted much attention. QDs are a new class of fluorescent materials that have superior properties such as high brightness, high resistance to photo-bleaching, and multi-colored emission by a single-light source excitation.

Fluorimetric flow injection analysis of trace amount of formaldehyde in environmental atmosphere with 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione.

A simple and sensitive flow injection method with fluorimetry and 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione (dimedone) was developed for the determination of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde reacted with dimedone in the presence of ammonium acetate to form a fluorescence compound, which has an excitation wavelength at 395 nm and an emission wavelength at 463 nm. A two-channel flow system was assembled.

New method of blood purification (Recycle Filtration System).

Object: We have developed a new blood purification system, the Recycle Filtration System (RFS), because back contamination of endotoxin (ET) from the dialysate in on-line hemodiafiltration (HDF) is a potential problem when a highly permeable membrane is used.

Methods: When the RFS is used for HDF, some of the purified fluid is pumped by a purified fluid pump to the venous side of the blood circuit, and the remainder is returned to the filtrate side of the hemofilter to be used for diffusion. This circuit enables simultaneous diffusion and filtration through the hemofilter.

Large-scale synthesis of immunoactivating natural product, pristane, by continuous microfluidic dehydration as the key step.

An efficient protocol of dehydration was developed under microfluidic conditions. The method was applied to a multikilogram synthesis of pristane, a biologically important natural product, which is now widely used as an adjuvant for monoclonal antibody production. [reaction: see text].

Synthesis of long Poly(dG).Poly(dC) DNA using enzymatic reaction.

Non-defect Poly(dG).Poly(dC) of 500 bp (170 nm) has been synthesized by using enzymatic reactions and was characterized by its UV spectrum, showing that conjugated pi-electrons between base pairs are spread over the DNA molecule suggesting the absence of structural defects.

Synthesis of long Poly(dA).Poly(dT) DNA without structural defects using enzymatic reaction; tailored ligated Poly(dA).Poly(dT).

Poly(dA).Poly(dT) molecules up to 1000 base pairs (bp) have been synthesized using enzymatic reaction, and characterization by STM observation shows that the DNA has no defects in the duplex structure.