Gelation upon the Mixing of Amphiphilic Graft and Triblock Copolymers Containing Enantiomeric Polylactide Segments through Stereocomplex Formation.

Biodegradable injectable polymer (IP) systems that form hydrogels in situ when injected into the body have considerable potential as medical materials. In this paper, we report a new two-solution mixed biodegradable IP system that utilizes the stereocomplex (SC) formation of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(d-lactide) (PDLA). We synthesized triblock copolymers of PLLA and poly(ethylene glycol), PLLA--PEG--PLLA (-L), and a graft copolymer of dextran (Dex) attached to a PDLA--PEG diblock copolymer, Dex-g-(PDLA--PEG) (-D).

Study on Improvement of Radio Propagation Characteristics of Cast Iron Boxes for Water Smart Meters.

Water utilities in Japan face a number of challenges, including declining water demand due to a shrinking population, shrinking workforce, and aging water supply facilities. Widespread use of smart water meters is crucial for solving these problems. The widespread use of smart water meters is expected to bring many benefits such as reduced labor by automating meter reading, early identification of leaks, and visualization of pipeline data to strengthen the infrastructure of water services, business continuity, and customer service, as detailed data can be obtained using wireless communication.

Anti-transcription intermediary factor 1 gamma (TIF1γ) antibody-positive dermatomyositis associated with ascending colon cancer: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1 gamma (TIF1γ) antibody is a marker for predicting cancer association in patients with dermatomyositis (DM). The overall survival rate in DM patients with cancer was reported to be considerably worse than that in DM patients without cancer. However, the treatment for cancer-associated DM remains controversial, because the treatment priority between surgical resection for the tumor and internal treatments, including glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive agents, and intravenous immune globulin, has not been established.

Tissue xanthine oxidoreductase activity in a mouse model of aristolochic acid nephropathy.

Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) is a critical enzyme in purine metabolism and uric acid production, and its levels are reported to increase during stress, thereby promoting organ damage. Herein, we investigated the activity of XOR in a mouse model of aristolochic acid I (AA)-induced nephropathy, a type of nephrotoxic chronic kidney disease (CKD). A persistent decrease in renal function was observed in mice up to 4 weeks after 4 weeks of AA (2.

Hepatic methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders identified by multiple liver tumors: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Methotrexate, an immunosuppressant, is widely used as the standard therapeutic drug for rheumatoid arthritis. With the increasing frequency of use of methotrexate, adverse effects of methotrexate have been reported, one of which is known as methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders. The etiology of hepatic methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders remains largely unknown.