Psychometrics of rating scales for externalizing disorders in Japanese outpatients: The ADHD-Rating Scale-5 and the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale.

Objectives: This study validated the Japanese version of the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-Rating Scale-5 (ADHD-RS-5) and the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale. We extended the ADHD-RS-5 by adding the oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder subscales to compare the two rating scales psychometrically.

Methods: We examined the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity and criterion validity of the two rating scales in 135 Japanese outpatients aged 6-18 years.

Validity and reliability of the Japanese versions of the coronavirus anxiety scale for adolescents and obsession with COVID-19 scale for adolescents.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused mental health issues in both adults and adolescents. The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) questionnaires measure anxiety and persistent and disturbed thoughts (also known as obsessions) related to COVID-19. We developed Japanese versions of the CAS (, CAS-JA) and OCS (, OCS-JA) questionnaires to make them suitable for adolescents and validated the characteristics of these scales.

Psychometrics of the kiddie schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia present and lifetime version for DSM-5 in Japanese outpatients.

Objective: The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime version (K-SADS-PL) is a widely used semi-structured diagnostic interview in child and adolescent psychiatry. However, the psychometric properties of its updated version, the K-SADS-PL for DSM-5, have scarcely been examined, especially for criterion validity. This study was designed to examine the inter-rater reliability, criterion validity and construct validity of the K-SADS-PL for DSM-5 in 137 Japanese outpatients.

Guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A multicenter randomized controlled trial in Japan.

Unlabelled: Few studies have compared the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with treatment as usual (TAU). We investigated the effectiveness of guided ICBT for patients with OCD. This prospective, randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, multicenter clinical trial was conducted at three facilities in Japan from January 2020 to March 2021.

Discovery of a novel 9-position modified second-generation anti-HCV candidate via bioconversion and semi-synthesis of FR901459.

Evidence that hepatitis C virus (HCV) utilizes cellular cyclophilin proteins in the virus replication cycle has increased attention on cyclophilin inhibitors as attractive therapeutic targets in the treatment of HCV. Previous reports have described a number of non-immunosuppressive cyclophilin inhibitors, most of which require many synthetic steps for their preparation. Sasamura et al.

Discovery of ASP5286: A novel non-immunosuppressive cyclophilin inhibitor for the treatment of HCV.

Evidence indicates that hepatitis C virus (HCV) utilizes cellular cyclophilin proteins in its replication, and cyclophilin inhibitors represent a new class of anti-HCV agents. We have established an efficient synthetic methodology to generate FR901459 derivatives via N, O-acyl migration reaction while avoiding total synthesis. Through a detailed structure-activity relationship study, we improved anti-HCV activity while decreasing immunosuppressive activity.

Development of an efficient semisynthetic modification of FR901459 via a novel regioselective N, O-acyl migration.

HCV utilizes cellular protein cyclophilins in the virus replication cycle and cyclophilin inhibitors have become a new class of anti-HCV agents. In our screening of natural products, we identified a unique cyclosporin analogue, FR901459, as a cyclophilin inhibitor with potent anti-HCV activity. In this work, we developed an efficient synthetic methodology to prepare FR901459 derivatives via an N, O-acyl migration reaction.

Guided Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Japanese Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder has been established, but access to this therapy in Japan is limited. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy may improve treatment accessibility and sufficiently improve obsessive-compulsive symptoms. There are few randomized controlled trials examining the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Regio- and stereospecific hydroxylation of various steroids at the 16α position of the D ring by the Streptomyces griseus cytochrome P450 CYP154C3.

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), which constitute a superfamily of heme-containing proteins, catalyze the direct oxidation of a variety of compounds in a regio- and stereospecific manner; therefore, they are promising catalysts for use in the oxyfunctionalization of chemicals. In the course of our comprehensive substrate screening for all 27 putative P450s encoded by the Streptomyces griseus genome, we found that Escherichia coli cells producing an S. griseus P450 (CYP154C3), which was fused C terminally with the P450 reductase domain (RED) of a self-sufficient P450 from Rhodococcus sp.

Biocatalytic synthesis of flavones and hydroxyl-small molecules by recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing the cyanobacterial CYP110E1 gene.

Background: Cyanobacteria possess several cytochrome P450s, but very little is known about their catalytic functions. CYP110 genes unique to cyanaobacteria are widely distributed in heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria including nitrogen-fixing genera Nostoc and Anabaena. We screened the biocatalytic functions of all P450s from three cyanobacterial strains of genus Nostoc or Anabaena using a series of small molecules that contain flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, low-molecular-weight drugs, and other aromatic compounds.

Observation of microstructural changes in polymer-coated Kompeito-type platinum particles by in situ heating TEM.

We have successfully prepared Kompeito-like platinum particles by hydrogen reduction of Pt4+ in the presence of sodium polyacrylate. We performed in situ TEM observation of these platinum particles at high temperatures. At 300 degrees C, a thin carbon layer due to polyacrylate formed on the particle surface.

Characterization of cyanobacterial carotenoid ketolase CrtW and hydroxylase CrtR by complementation analysis in Escherichia coli.

The pathway from beta-carotene to astaxanthin is a crucial step in the synthesis of astaxanthin, a red antioxidative ketocarotenoid that confers beneficial effects on human health. Two enzymes, a beta-carotene ketolase (carotenoid 4,4'-oxygenase) and a beta-carotene hydroxylase (carotenoid 3,3'-hydroxylase), are involved in this pathway. Cyanobacteria are known to utilize the carotenoid ketolase CrtW and/or CrtO, and the carotenoid hydroxylase CrtR.