Lignin Isolated by Microwave-Assisted Acid-Catalyzed Solvolysis Induced Cell Death in Mammalian Tumor Cells by Modulating Apoptotic Pathways.

Lignin, the most abundant renewable aromatic polymer, has been shown to suppress the growth of mammalian tumor cells. Despite extensive studies on lignin structure and its engineering, there is little information on the biological activity of lignin in relation to its molecular structure or the molecular mechanisms by which lignin suppresses tumor cells in mammalian species. Here, we prepared microwave-assisted acid-catalyzed solvolysis lignin (MASL) from Japanese cedar and and assessed its effects on human and mouse tumor cells.

Replacing Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase with NADH Oxidase: Effects on Glucose Fermentation and Product Formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The NADH/NAD balance plays a critical role in regulating cellular and metabolic pathways. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (ScGPD) enzymes are essential for NADH homeostasis, glycerol biosynthesis, and osmotic stress adaptation. This study investigates the replacement of ScGPD isoforms with the water-forming NADH oxidase from Lactococcus lactis (LlnoxE) and its effects on 10% glucose fermentation dynamics in minimal medium under microaerobic conditions.

Impact of structural factors around the accessory nerve on the pathogenesis of essential neck and upper-back stiffness: a sonographic investigation.

Introduction: Neck and upper-back stiffness involves discomfort/ache in the trapezius muscle (TM). The pathogenesis of 'essential neck and upper-back stiffness' without obvious causes remains uncertain. In symptomatic subjects, TM hardness correlates with decreased transverse cervical artery (TCA) blood flow to the TM.

Development of a new genotype-phenotype linked antibody screening system.

Antibodies are powerful tools for the therapy and diagnosis of various diseases. In addition to conventional hybridoma-based screening, recombinant antibody-based screening has become a common choice; however, its application is hampered by two factors: (1) screening starts after Ig gene cloning and recombinant antibody production only, and (2) the antibody is composed of paired chains, heavy and light, commonly expressed by two independent expression vectors. Here, we introduce a method for the rapid screening of recombinant monoclonal antibodies by establishing a Golden Gate-based dual-expression vector and in-vivo expression of membrane-bound antibodies.

Ultrasound Imaging for the Evaluation of Anterior Talofibular Ligament Remnants in 547 Ankles With Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability.

Background: There are few reports on the intra- and interobserver agreement and parameters for the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound (US) imaging for chronic lateral ankle instability (LAI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of US imaging for identifying anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) remnants in patients with LAI.

Methods: A total of 547 ankles from 406 patients underwent surgery for LAI between 2019 and 2022.

Synthesis and Binding Properties of High-Affinity Histidine-Bearing Polymers for Wood Lignin.

The pursuit of molecules capable of binding to wood lignin is pivotal for advancing lignin degradation technology, particularly when combined with lignin degradation catalysts. In this study, synthetic polymers bearing histidine moieties, demonstrating remarkable affinity for wood lignin are reported. These polymers, featuring varying degrees of histidine substitution in the form of histidine methyl esters, are synthesized through controlled radical polymerization of an activated ester-bearing monomer, employing a fluorescein-labeled chain transfer agent and subsequent postpolymerization amidation with histidine methyl ester.

Distribution of anti-factor Xa activity in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation receiving 15 mg dose of edoxaban.

Background: The distribution of anti-factor Xa activity (AXA) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) taking edoxaban 15 mg has not been fully elucidated.

Methods And Results: The trough and peak AXA were measured in 19 NVAF patients taking edoxaban 15 mg. We compared these results with those in patients taking edoxaban 30 mg.

Impact of advanced endoscopy training on colonoscopy quality and efficiency.

Objectives: Few reports have detailed improvements in the quality of colonoscopies with continuous training post-fellowship completion. We examined the changes in colonoscopy performance among trainees during our advanced endoscopy training program.

Methods: Screening or surveillance colonoscopies performed by 11 trainees who participated in our 3-year advanced endoscopy training program between April 2015 and March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.

Therapeutic potential of : Chemical isolation and validation of ethnomedicinal claims through and assessment of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

(L.) Ridsdale has been used by different ethnic communities to manage diseased conditions that can be traced to oxidative stress and cellular inflammations but scientific evidences to support the claim are scanty. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify the antioxidants present in the aerial parts of perform their molecular docking against proteins to inspect whether the traditional uses of the plant can be validated by an in-silico approach.

Adipsin-dependent adipocyte maturation induces cancer cell invasion in breast cancer.

Adipocyte-cancer cell interactions promote tumor development and progression. Previously, we identified adipsin (CFD) and its downstream effector, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), as adipokines that enhance adipocyte-breast cancer stem cell interactions. Here, we show that adipsin-dependent adipocyte maturation and the subsequent upregulation of HGF promote tumor invasion in breast cancers.

A retrospective study examining the association between polypharmacy and complications after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.

Background: Polypharmacy is an escalating public health concern across various healthcare settings worldwide. We aimed to comprehensively investigate postoperative complications after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer and explore their association with polypharmacy. As laparoscopic surgery is widespread, clarifying the association between polypharmacy and postoperative complications is clinically important.

A cell competition system with one gene expression from a single-copy gene in one cell.

Even with advanced plasmid and viral vectors, attaining copy numbers of multiple genes among different transfected cells is challenging. We achieved one gene expression from a single-copy gene in one cell using a transgene competition system, a combination of the Kazusa cDNA clones and our dual recombinase-mediated cassette exchange system. All 48 nuclear receptors were simultaneously expressed in one dish at the same expression level in HEK293 using this system, and the cell proliferation rate was compared.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of microwave solvolysis lignin from woody biomass.

The global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has had profoundly detrimental effects on our society. To combat this highly pathogenic virus, we turned our attention to an abundant renewable natural aromatic polymer found in wood. Through a chemical modification of Eucalyptus and Japanese cedar wood via acidic microwave solvolysis in equivolume mixture of 2 % (w/w) aqueous HSO, ethylene glycol, and toluene at 190 °C.

A Case of Esophagogastric Junction Cancer Treated with Pain Control by Administering Methadone Tablets Through a Gastrostomy.

Methadone is used to treat intractable cancer pain when other opioid analgesics are ineffective. Methadone tablets may be difficult to administer in cases of gastrointestinal passage obstruction. However, changing the route of methadone tablet administration is possible.

Effects of hypernatremia on the microglia.

Signs and symptoms of hypernatremia largely indicate central nervous system dysfunction. Acute hypernatremia can cause demyelinating lesions similar to that observed in osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS). We have previously demonstrated that microglia accumulate in ODS lesions and minocycline protects against ODS by inhibiting microglial activation.

Usefulness of virtual scale endoscope for early gastrointestinal lesions.

Objectives: For early gastrointestinal lesions, size is an important factor in the selection of treatment. Virtual scale endoscope (VSE) is a newly developed endoscope that can measure size more accurately than visual measurement. This study aimed to investigate whether VSE measurement is accurate for early gastrointestinal lesions of various sizes and morphologies.

A PDE3A-SLFN12 Molecular Glue Exhibits Significant Antitumor Activity in TKI-Resistant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

Purpose: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), the most common mesenchymal tumor with KIT or PDGFRA driver mutations, is typically treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). However, resistance to TKIs due to secondary mutations is a common challenge in advanced GISTs. In addition, there are currently no effective therapies for several other molecular subtypes, such as succinate dehydrogenase-deficient GISTs.

Promyelinating drugs ameliorate oligodendrocyte pathologies in a mouse model of Krabbe disease.

Krabbe disease (KD) is a rare inherited demyelinating disorder caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme galactosylceramide (GalCer) β-galactosidase. Most patients with KD exhibit fatal cerebral demyelination with apoptotic oligodendrocyte (OL) death and die before the age of 2-4 years. We have previously reported that primary OLs isolated from the brains of twitcher (twi) mice, an authentic mouse model of KD, have cell-autonomous developmental defects and undergo apoptotic death accompanied by abnormal accumulation of psychosine, an endogenous cytotoxic lyso-derivative of GalCer.

Matrix-free laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging for rapid evaluation of wood biomass conversion.

Rationale: This study overcomes traditional biomass analysis limitations by introducing a pioneering matrix-free laser desorption/ionization (LDI) approach in mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) for efficient lignin evaluation in wood. The innovative acetic acid-peracetic acid (APA) treatment significantly enhances lignin detection, enabling high-throughput, on-site analysis.

Methods: Wood slices, softwood from a conifer tree (Japanese cypress) and hardwood from a broadleaf tree (Japanese beech), were analyzed using MSI with a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer.