Search

We conducted spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) measurements to investigate the Ru-doping effect on the Morin transition of α-Fe2O3(0001) films, which is the transition from the low-temperature antiferromagnetic state with c-axis magnetic moments to the high-temperature weak ferromagnetic state with c-plane magnetic moments, under a thickness of 6–100 nm. We clarified that the Morin temperature of the 2.6 at. % Ru-doped α-Fe2O3 film was greater than 400 K when the thickness was 100 nm and decreased with a decrease in thickness. Our results demonstrated that SMR measurements are a valid verification method for the Morin transition of very thin α-Fe2O3 films down to several nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new biflavonoids (1–3) and two known flavonoids (4, 5) were isolated from Xylia kerrii collected in Thailand. Compounds 1–5 showed selective cytotoxicity against the rheumatoid fibroblast-like synovial MH7A cell line, and these compounds showed weak cytotoxicity against the human lung synovial fibroblast WI-38 VA13 sub 2 RA cell line. Notably, compound 1 was highly selective toward MH7A cells with an IC50 value of 6.9 μM, whereas the IC50 value for WI-38 VA13 sub 2 RA cells was > 100 μM. The western blotting analysis of MH7A cells treated with compound 1 showed increased CDKN2A /p16INK4A and caspase-8 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous research, pigeons and hill mynas that performed differently on an object permanence task were presumed to attend to objects in different ways (Plowright, Reid, & Kilian, 1998). In the current study, we conducted 4 experiments to investigate if the attention of hill mynas and pigeons is object-based and if there are species differences in their visual–attentional processes. In Experiment 1, pigeons were tested in a spatial cueing task requiring them to respond sequentially to a cue and a target that appeared at 1 of the 4 ends of two rectangles. Both when the response to a fixation stimulus was required before target presentation (Experiment 1A) and when such a response was not required (Experiment 1B), there were no significant differences in reaction times to the targets appearing at cued and noncued rectangles; these results provided no evidence of object-based attention in pigeons. In Experiment 2, for 2 of the 3 hill mynas tested in a procedure similar to that for the pigeons in Experiment 1B, reaction times were shorter to the target appearing on the cued rectangle than to the target appearing on noncued rectangle, suggesting the operation of object-based attention, as in humans. In Experiment 3, we tested naive pigeons by means of the procedure used for hill mynas in Experiment 2. However, again pigeons showed no evidence of object-based attention, suggesting a species difference in attentional processes. The generality of the current results and evolution of the possible species differences were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from HLA‐haploidentical donors with post‐transplantation high‐dose cyclophosphamide (PT/Cy‐haplo) now predominates worldwide. However, to our knowledge, no prospective study has compared immune reconstitution after PT/Cy‐haplo with that after conventional HCT. The mechanism by which chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is inhibited by PT/Cy‐haplo also remains unknown. We prospectively compared immune recovery patterns of lymphocyte subsets among four groups of adult patients with hematological disease who received HCT from either HLA‐matched related or HLA‐matched unrelated donors, cord blood transplantation, or reduced‐dose PT/Cy‐haplo. Counts of CD4+ T‐cell subsets, CD8+ T‐cell subsets, and NK cells on days 30 and 60 were often lower in PT/Cy‐haplo than those in HLA‐matched related HCT. The immune recovery pace in PT/Cy‐haplo subsequently caught up with that of the other grafts. The regulatory T cells (Tregs) to conventional CD4+ T‐cell (Tcon) ratio was significantly higher until day 90 in PT/Cy‐haplo. In multivariate analysis, a higher Tregs‐to‐Tcon ratio on day 60 was significantly associated with a lower incidence of chronic GVHD (P < 0.01). The preservation of Tregs by PT/Cy in the early phase might have resulted in a lower incidence of chronic GVHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aging is associated with decline in cognitive function, but the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. Normal activity of pyramidal cells and parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV neurons) is essential for cognitive function. PV neurons participate in the regulation of pyramidal-cell firing. Abnormal function of PV neurons may occur with aging. We analyzed the density and the percentage of PV neurons surrounded by perineuronal nets (PNNs) in the entire cortex of adult (3-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) mice. PNNs are extracellular matrix molecules that cover PV neurons and control synaptic plasticity. PV-neuron density decreased in some cortical areas of aged compared to adult mice. In particular, in the retrosplenial granular cortex (RSG) of aged mice, pyramidal cells expressed PV protein at high levels. This study suggests that the RSG of aged mice is in an abnormal activated state. RSG function abnormality may be part of the cognitive decline mechanism. Highlights • PV-neuron density decreased in several regions of the aged mouse cortex. • WFA-positive PNN density remained unchanged in most regions of the aged mouse cortex. • PV immunostaining of pyramidal cells significantly increased in the aged RSG. • VGLUT1-positive synapse density increased in the RSG of aged mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid categorized as a narcotic analgesic, has a 100‐ to 200‐fold stronger effect than most opioids, such as morphine. Fatal accidents due to chronic use and abuse of fentanyl are a worldwide social problem. One reason for the abuse of fentanyl is its psychostimulant effects that could induce behavioral changes. The effects of chronic fentanyl administration on behavior, however, are unclear. Methods: Adult male C57BL/6J mice were chronically administered fentanyl (0.03 or 0.3 mg/kg/d i.p.), and various behaviors were assessed using a behavioral test battery. Results: Mice chronically administered a high dose of fentanyl (0.3 mg/kg/d) exhibited decreased anxiety‐like behavior as assessed by the open field and elevated plus maze tests. On the other hand, interruption of fentanyl administration led to increased anxiety‐like behavior as observed in the light and dark transition test. The hot plate test revealed that chronic administration of fentanyl reduced pain sensitivity. High‐dose chronic fentanyl administration reduced the locomotor stimulatory effects of cocaine. The results, however, failed to reach the threshold for study‐wide statistical significance. Conclusion: Chronic fentanyl administration induces some behavioral changes in mice. Although further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms of the behavioral effects of chronic fentanyl administration, our findings suggest that fentanyl is safe under properly controlled conditions. To investigate the effects of long‐term fentanyl use on brain function, adult male C57BL/6J mice were chronically administered fentanyl (0.03 or 0.3 mg/kg/d ip) and analyzed in a behavioral test battery. Chronic fentanyl administration reduced anxiety‐like behavior, pain sensitivity, and the locomotor stimulatory effects of cocaine in mice. The results, however, failed to reach the threshold for study‐wide statistical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient enantioselective acyl migration reaction of furanyl carbonates was developed to construct all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic centers. In some cases, the reactions required only 0.05 mol % (minimum 500 ppm) of catalyst and showed a high turnover frequency value (TOF; 3640 h−1). Multigram‐scale reactions (10 grams) also proceeded with high enantioselectivity (>99:1 e.r.) in quantitative yield. The catalyst was robust and easily recovered in 98 % yield. A wide range of functional groups were tolerated (15 examples, >98 % yield, up to >99:1 e.r.), and a variety of optically active 3,3′‐disubstituted benzofuranone derivatives, which are useful intermediates for the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceuticals, were efficiently obtained. Control experiments on the catalyst structure (e.g. catalyst 1 a vs. 1 a′ and 1 a′′) and computational calculations revealed that both the catalytic activity and enantioselectivity should be enhanced by hydrogen bonding between catalyst and substrate. Moreover, this system was applied to the challenging γ‐selective acyl migration reaction of furanyl carbonates with high γ‐selectivity and high enantioselectivity (α:γ=10:90, 95:5 e.r.). Need for a spicy catalyst: The reactions required only 0.05 mol % (minimum 500 ppm) of catalyst and showed a high turnover frequency value (TOF; 3640 h−1). A variety of optically active 3,3′‐disubstituted benzofuranone derivatives were efficiently obtained (15 examples, >98 % yield, up to >99:1 e.r.). Moreover, this system was applied to a challenging γ‐selective acyl migration reaction of furanyl carbonates with high γ‐selectivity and high enantioselectivity (α/γ=10:90, 95:5 e.r.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extremely efficient acylative kinetic resolution of d,l-1,2-diols in the presence of only 0.5 mol% of binaphthyl-based chiral N, N-4-dimethylaminopyridine was developed (selectivity factor of up to 180). Several key experiments revealed that hydrogen bonding between the tert-alcohol unit(s) of the catalyst and the 1,2-diol unit of the substrate is critical for accelerating the rate of monoacylation and achieving high enantioselectivity. This catalytic system can be applied to a wide range of substrates involving racemic acyclic and cyclic 1,2-diols with high selectivity factors. The kinetic resolution of d,l-hydrobenzoin and trans-1,2-cyclohexanediol on a multigram scale (10 g) also proceeded with high selectivity and under moderate reaction conditions: (i) very low catalyst loading (0.1 mol%); (ii) an easily achievable low reaction temperature (0 °C); (iii) high substrate concentration (1.0 M); and (iv) short reaction time (30 min). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author name "Syunsuke Doi" was mistakenly spelled, the correct author name should read "Shunsuke Doi". Author name "Syouhei Kishida" was mistakenly spelled, the correct author name should read "Shouhei Kishida". [Extracted from the article]

L-amino acid oxidase (LAO), a classic flavoprotein, shows antibacterial activity by producing hydrogen peroxide. LAO exists in many tissues such as salivary gland, thymus, spleen, small intestine and testis. In particular, LAO was highly expressed in mice milk and plays an important factor in innate immunity of mammary glands. However, the mechanism which LAO expression is regulated spatially and temporally in lactating mammary glands has been unclear. In this study, we showed the contribution of lactogenic hormone and epigenetic control on LAO gene expression. In monolayer of mammary epithelial cells, treatment of lactogenic hormone mixture, dexamethasone, insulin and prolactin, did not induce LAO mRNA expression and its promoter activity, even though one of milk protein β-casein expression was stimulated. However, increase of LAO expression was observed when the cells were treated with lactogenic hormones in a 3-dimensional culture. The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that histone H3K18 acetylation increased and histone H3K27 tri-methylation decreased with lactation, which is associated with a period of high LAO expression. Moreover, the treatment of histone methylation inhibitor (DZNep) as well as histone deacetylation inhibitor (Trichostatine A) induced LAO expression in monolayer of mammary cells. Taken together, this is the first demonstration showing that LAO expression is induced in cell culture, and stimulation of lactogenic hormone and change of histone modification are promising signals to show highly expression of LAO in lactating mammary glands. J. Cell. Physiol. 9999: 2755-2762, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Supportive features in the diagnostic criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) include occipital hypoperfusion and decreased cardiac uptake of 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). In this study, we performed both brain perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and MIBG myocardial scintigraphy in the same subjects and evaluated their sensitivity to detect the characteristic features of DLB. Methods: Twenty-five patients with probable DLB (76.8 ± 5.1 years old, 10 male) underwent 99mTc-ethylcysteinate dimer brain perfusion SPECT and 123I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy. The results of SPECT were analyzed using a qualitative analysis program, easy Z score imaging system (eZIS), and an automated quantitative analysis program, 3DSRT. Results: Qualitative analysis using eZIS demonstrated occipital hypoperfusion in 17 subjects (68%). The quantified mean blood perfusion in the occipital segment on the 3DSRT template was 40.7 ± 5.03 ml/100 g/min (right) and 40.5 ± 5.38 ml/100 g/min (left), and in 19 DLB patients these values were below the normal limit. Twenty-four of 25 subjects (96%) had decreased cardiac MIBG uptake in the delayed image. Conclusion: MIBG myocardial scintigraphy was superior to brain perfusion SPECT in detecting a characteristic feature of DLB. Our results suggest that combining SPECT and MIBG scintigraphy could increase the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of DLB. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactions occurring during permanent waving (perm) treatment of hair reduction and subsequent oxidation were studied by using FT-IR technique and a polarographic method to estimate the contents of cysteic acid, intermediate cystine oxides, thiol, and disulfide (SS) groups in the perm hairs. The reducing agents used were thioglycolic acid (TGA) and L-cysteine (CyS). The perm hair samples were prepared by repeating from one to five times of reduction-oxidation treatment. The difference in the fluorescence activity, SS bond reduction, FT-IR spectra, waving efficiency, and stress-strain properties between the samples obtained by the reduction systems with TGA and CyS has been discussed. It was found that the SS contents of the samples from both systems were decreased in approximately similar order with the increase of the number of times of treatment and the decrease in the SS groups was due to the conversion wholly into cysteic acid via the cleavage of SS bond through the S-S fission mechanism and partly into free cysteine groups. It was presumed, further, that TGA attacks the cross-links between the intermediate filament (IF) and the matrix protein (KAP), and between KAP-KAP component proteins, whereas CyS attacks the SS cross-links associated with the non-helical segments of IF acting as a KAP component, and that the reduction sites of SS cross-links in microstructure of hair relate the waving efficiency of perm hair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A commercial method for permanent hair straightening process including three chemical reaction steps: i.e., reduction, heat treatment and subsequent oxidation has been widely used. The effects of reduction treatment on chemical, morphological and fine structural changes of hair were studied. Reduction was performed by using a thioglycolic acid (TGA) only and a bicomponent system composed of TGA and dithiodiglycolic acid (DTDG). Our approach was focussed on the effects of DTDG on hair damage. Amino acid analysis showed that in the presence of DTDG, the reduction of disulfide bonds is suppressed, while the formation of thiol groups from the mixed disulfide which is made by the reaction of cystine thiol and thioglycolic acid is enhanced. The results of high pressure DSC and the histochemical observation of cortical cells suggested that the hair straightening treatments give rise to a destruction of the α-crystallites in part and more or less degradation of either the non-keratinous components or the amorphous matrix. However, FT-IR spectral data suggested that the α-helical materials are present in the straightened hairs at the same level as detected in the untreated hair. The reducing system containing DTDG decreased chemical attack on the amorphous matrix and the structural regularity of the matrix remained to be almost unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The front cover image, provided by Kazuki Fujii, Hiroki Mandai, and Seiji Suga, illustrates the large scale (10 g) kinetic resolution of d,l ‐ hydrobenzoin with a highly active nucleophilic catalyst. The catalyst well recognizes the diol unit and accelerates only the monoacylation reaction. The reaction proceeds with only 0.1 mol% of the catalyst within 30 min, and both the monoacylate and the recovered diol are obtained with high enantioselectivities. The acceleration effect by the catalyst is portrayed by the tachometer in the picture. Details can be found in the full paper on pages 2778 – 2788 (K. Fujii, K. Mitsudo, H. Mandai, S. Suga, Adv. Synth. Catal. 2017, 359, 2778 – 2788; DOI: 10.1002/adsc.201700057). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]