Design of triplex-forming peptide nucleic acid-based fluorescent probes for forced intercalation sensing of double-stranded RNA structures.

The diverse functional roles of RNA within cells have led to a growing interest in developing RNA-binding fluorescent probes to investigate RNA functions. In particular, the probes for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) structures are of significant value given the importance of the secondary and tertiary RNA structures on their biologic functions. This review highlights our recent efforts on the development of triplex-forming peptide nucleic acid (TFP)-based probes for fluorescence sensing of dsRNA structures.

Radical-cation salts of BEDT-TTF with tris-coordinated racemic dysprosium(III) and terbium(III) anions.

This paper reports the synthesis, crystal structures and conducting properties of the first BEDT-TTF radical-cation salts with symmetry tris-coordinated racemic lanthanide(III) anions. It is also the first crystallographic determination of the nine-coordinate tris(chelidonato)terbate and tris(chelidonato)dysprosate anions (chelidonic acid = clo = 4-oxo-4-pyran-2,6-dicarboxylic acid). Salt α-(BEDT-TTF)M(chelidonato)·EtOH·2HO is semimetallic for M = Tb, and semiconducting for M = Dy.

Dielectric properties depend on the crystal structure of perovskite-type RbTaO synthesized at high pressure.

We successfully synthesized perovskite-type RbTaO at 1173 K under 4 GPa. RbTaO crystalized as a cubic system (3̄ space group (SG), = 4.04108(3) Å) at 300 K in contrast to the orthorhombic perovskite-type RbNbO prepared under the same conditions.

Synthesis of indole-fused benzodiazepine derivatives by photocatalyzed cascade reaction.

We report a cascade synthesis of indole-fused benzodiazepines by the photocatalyzed addition of phenacyl radical, generated from α-acetoxy acetophenone, to 2-(3-methyl-1-indol-1-yl)aniline, and subsequent cyclodehydration. A range of indole-fused benzodiazepines were obtained from readily available substrates.

Physical and biological properties of a novel anti-adhesive punctate uneven gelatin film.

Since abdominal adhesion are quite problematic in abdominal and pelvic surgery, the conventional HA/CMC film are commonly used as an anti-adhesive material. However, such types are difficult to be rolled and delivered through the port of laparoscopic surgical devices due to adherence to the laparoscopic port or other parts of the films. To create an anti-adhesion film with more favorable handling properties and anti-adhesive effect, we developed a novel punctate uneven gelatin film (PU GF).

Two reductases complete steroidal glycoalkaloids biosynthesis in potato.

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are specialized metabolites primarily produced by Solanaceae plants such as potatoes and tomatoes. Notably, α-solanine and α-chaconine are recognized as toxic substances in potatoes. While the biosynthetic pathways of SGAs are largely understood, the final steps of α-solanine and α-chaconine biosynthesis remained elusive.

FRET analysis of the unwrapping of nucleosomal DNA containing a sequence characteristic of the + 1 nucleosome.

Sequence-dependent mechanical properties of DNA could play essential roles in nuclear processes by affecting histone-DNA interactions. Previously, we found that the DNA entry site of the first nucleosomes from the transcription start site (+ 1 nucleosome) in budding yeast enriches AA/TT steps, but not the exit site, and the biased presence of AA/TT in the entry site was associated with the transcription levels of yeast genes. Because AA/TT is a rigid dinucleotide step, we considered that AA/TT causes DNA unwrapping.

Versatile application of fast green FCF as a visible cholangiogram in adult mice to medium-sized mammals.

An aqueous solution of a common food dye, Fast Green FCF (FG), mimics cholyl-lysyl-fluorescein to visualize embryonic bile flow via single peritoneal injection into intrauterine mouse embryos. Despite its efficacy in embryos, its suitability for adult mice and small to medium-sized mammals remained uncertain. In this study, we investigated FG cholangiography in adult mice, dogs, and goats.

Intestinal distension induced by luminal D-allulose promotes GLP-1 secretion in male rats.

The secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is promoted by various nutrients, and glucose and fructose stimulate GLP-1 secretion via intracellular metabolism. D-Allulose (allulose), a non-metabolizable epimer of D-fructose, is also effective in stimulating GLP-1 secretion, although its underlying mechanism remains unclear. We previously observed intestinal distension after the oral administration of allulose, accompanied by increased GLP-1 secretion in rats, possibly because of the low or slow absorbability of allulose.

Influence of obtaining medical records and laboratory data on the sensitivity of diagnostic imaging assessment by radiological technologists.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the influence of acquiring medical record information and laboratory data on the sensitivity of detecting imaging findings among Japanese radiological technologists (RTs). RTs were presented with patient's information in three distinct sequences for detecting imaging findings. True positives (TP) were identified and categorized into three groups: Group 1 (image + chief complaint), Group 2 (image + chief complaint + medical record), and Group 3 (image + chief complaint + medical record + laboratory data).

Differences in the autoantibody phenotypes and long-term outcomes between juvenile- and adult-onset systemic sclerosis.

[Objective] To investigate differences in autoantibodies, clinical features, and long-term outcomes between juvenile- and adult-onset systemic sclerosis (SSc). [Methods] Autoantibodies and survival rates over a maximum of 20 years were retrospectively analyzed in 504 Japanese patients with SSc (juvenile-onset SSc, n=17; adult-onset SSc, n=487) using data from Kyoto University Registry. [Results] The autoantibodies observed were anti-topoisomerase-I (71% vs.

formation of ultrahigh molecular weight polymers in highly concentrated electrolytes and their physicochemical properties.

We developed a facile one-pot method for fabricating physical gels consisting of ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) polymers and highly concentrated lithium salt electrolytes. We previously reported physical gels formed from the entanglement of UHMW polymers by radical polymerisation in aprotic ionic liquids. In this study, we found that the molecular weight of methacrylate polymers formed by radical polymerisation increased with the concentration of lithium salts in the organic solvents.

Minimum resection length to ensure a pathologically negative distal margin and a larger remnant stomach for esophagogastric junction cancer.

Background: Ensuring a pathologically negative distal margin (DM) and preserving a larger remnant stomach is important for proximal gastrectomy (PG) in patients with esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer. However, the minimum DM length for ensuring negative margins has not been identified.

Methods: We enrolled patients undergoing PG or total gastrectomy for EGJ cancer.

Post-transplant TKIs for Ph+ ALL: practices to date and clinical significance.

Post-transplant tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) show promise in preventing relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL). However, their real-world use and efficacy remain unclear. A comprehensive study across seven centers included Ph+ALL patients who underwent allo-HCT between 2002 and 2022.

A unique substrate specificity of PonAAS2, an aromatic aldehyde synthase, involved in a phytohormone auxin biosynthesis in a gall-inducing sawfly Euura sp. "Pontania".

The aromatic aldehyde synthase (AAS), PonAAS2, from the gall-inducing sawfly has been identified as a biosynthetic enzyme for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a key molecule of the plant hormone auxin, which is thought to play a role in gall induction. Unlike other insect AASs that convert Dopa, PonAAS2 uniquely converts L-tryptophan (Trp) into indole-3-acetaldehyde, a precursor of IAA. In this study, an examination of AAS enzymes from various insect species revealed that the ability to convert Trp has been acquired in only a very limited taxonomic group.

Development of a New Rapid Simultaneous Molecular Assay for the Detection of STI Pathogens and Drug Resistance-Associated Mutations.

Background: In the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections, there has been a demand for multiple molecular assays to rapidly and simultaneously detect not only pathogens but also drug resistance-associated mutations.

Methods: In this study, we developed a new rapid simultaneous molecular assay for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and M. genitalium macrolide (23S rRNA gene, A2058/A2059) and fluoroquinolone (ParC gene, S83I) drug resistance-associated mutations in approximately 35 minutes.

Distinct immunological features of oropharyngeal cancer peritumoral tonsillar tissues from inflammatory tonsils and regional lymph nodes: A pilot study.

Background: Cancer immune responses are generated in secondary lymphoid organs, such as the lymph nodes and tonsils. In the current study, transcriptional profiles of peritumoral tonsillar tissues (PTTs) from oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs) were assessed and compared with those of inflammatory tonsils and regional lymph nodes (rLNs).

Methods: RNA samples of PTTs and rLNs from 13 OPCs, and 4 inflammatory tonsils were subjected to microarray analysis, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified from 730 nCounter Panel immune-related genes.

Psychological burden and its correlates in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis attending three tertiary care centers in Sri Lanka.

Psoriasis is associated with psychological distress among the affected due to unsightly skin lesions, chronicity and the cultural and social stigma linked with the disease. The pathophysiological link between psoriasis and depression creates a vicious cycle in the skin and brain axis. This study evaluates the psychological comorbidity of patients with chronic plaque psoriasis (CPP).

Integrated analysis of cellulose structure and properties using solid-state low-field H-NMR and photoacoustic spectroscopy.

In this study, we explore the structural intricacies of cellulose, a polymer composed of glucose monomers arranged in a linear chain, primarily investigated through solid-state NMR techniques. Specifically, we employ low-field proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) to delve into the diverse hydrogen atom types within the cellulose molecule. The low-field H-NMR technique allows us to discern these hydrogen atoms based on their distinct chemical shifts, providing valuable insights into the various functional groups present in cellulose.

Response of negative ion beamlet width and axis deflection to RF field in beam extraction region.

Beam-divergence characteristics of single negative ion beamlet have been experimentally investigated with a superimposition of a controlled perturbation of a radio frequency wave (RF) field in a filament-arc discharge negative ion source. Oscillations of a negative-ion beamlet width and axis responding to the RF perturbation were observed, which may be a cause of the larger beam divergence angle of the RF negative ion source for ITER. It is pointed out that the oscillation of the beamlet width depends on the perveance and on an RF frequency such that the oscillation is suppressed at perveance-matched conditions and at low RF frequency.

Learning from history to improve the performance of blood purification devices and dialysis membranes: from engineering points of view.

Abel JJ, Rowntree LG and Turner BB (Baltimore Trio) proposed the concept of vividiffusion and developed a vividiffusion apparatus in 1912. In a 1914 paper, they laid out the most important rule of device design. We named this rule an ART law taken from the initials of the Baltimore Trio.