Influence of the molecular structure of metal-phthalocyanine on electrocatalytic reactions

The demand for new catalysts for renewable energy production has become crucial. As an alternative to metal catalysts for electrocatalysis to produce energy sources, metal-phthalocyanine (MPc) electrocatalysts have shown potential. Their physicochemical and electrochemical properties depend on the chemical structure of the MPc and the central metal atom. Recent reviews of MPcs focused on their electrochemical performance in specific catalytic reactions, such as oxygen reduction reaction and CO2 reduction reaction. However, understanding the structure of MPcs in depth is important, since their electrochemical catalytic activity is affected by structural modifications of MPcs. Therefore, this minireview focuses on how the molecular structure of MPcs affects electrochemical catalysis

Identification of Vulnerable Plaque in a Stented Coronary Segment 17 Years after Implantation Using Optical Coherence Tomography

A patient presented with exertional chest pain two months prior to admission. Coronary angiography revealed a subocclusive stenosis within the boundaries of the stent. Optical coherence tomography showed remarkable intimal growth inside the stent, which demonstrated a heterogeneous appearance including low-intensity areas. These findings were congruent with the morphology of fibroatheroma in the native coronary artery and suggested that new atherosclerotic progression of the intima within the stent had occurred over 17 years following bare metal stent implantation. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the most delayed instances of a bare metal stent restenosis described in the medical literature

Gene discovery in the horned beetle Onthophagus taurus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Horned beetles, in particular in the genus <it>Onthophagus</it>, are important models for studies on sexual selection, biological radiations, the origin of novel traits, developmental plasticity, biocontrol, conservation, and forensic biology. Despite their growing prominence as models for studying both basic and applied questions in biology, little genomic or transcriptomic data are available for this genus. We used massively parallel pyrosequencing (Roche 454-FLX platform) to produce a comprehensive EST dataset for the horned beetle <it>Onthophagus taurus</it>. To maximize sequence diversity, we pooled RNA extracted from a normalized library encompassing diverse developmental stages and both sexes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We used 454 pyrosequencing to sequence ESTs from all post-embryonic stages of <it>O. taurus. </it>Approximately 1.36 million reads assembled into 50,080 non-redundant sequences encompassing a total of 26.5 Mbp. The non-redundant sequences match over half of the genes in <it>Tribolium castaneum</it>, the most closely related species with a sequenced genome. Analyses of Gene Ontology annotations and biochemical pathways indicate that the <it>O. taurus </it>sequences reflect a wide and representative sampling of biological functions and biochemical processes. An analysis of sequence polymorphisms revealed that SNP frequency was negatively related to overall expression level and the number of tissue types in which a given gene is expressed. The most variable genes were enriched for a limited number of GO annotations whereas the least variable genes were enriched for a wide range of GO terms directly related to fitness.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study provides the first large-scale EST database for horned beetles, a much-needed resource for advancing the study of these organisms. Furthermore, we identified instances of gene duplications and alternative splicing, useful for future study of gene regulation, and a large number of SNP markers that could be used in population-genetic studies of <it>O. taurus </it>and possibly other horned beetles.</p

Therapeutic effects of phlorotannins in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders

Phlorotannins are natural polyphenolic compounds produced by brown marine algae and are currently found in nutritional supplements. Although they are known to cross the blood–brain barrier, their neuropharmacological actions remain unclear. Here we review the potential therapeutic benefits of phlorotannins in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, ethanol intoxication and fear stress, the phlorotannin monomer phloroglucinol and the compounds eckol, dieckol and phlorofucofuroeckol A have been shown to improve cognitive function. In a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, phloroglucinol treatment led to improved motor performance. Additional neurological benefits associated with phlorotannin intake have been demonstrated in stroke, sleep disorders, and pain response. These effects may stem from the inhibition of disease-inducing plaque synthesis and aggregation, suppression of microglial activation, modulation of pro-inflammatory signaling, reduction of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, and scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Clinical trials of phlorotannins have not reported significant adverse effects, suggesting these compounds to be promising bioactive agents in the treatment of neurological diseases. We therefore propose a putative biophysical mechanism of phlorotannin action in addition to future directions for phlorotannin research

Lung cancer with superior vena cava syndrome diagnosed by intravascular biopsy using EBUS-TBNA

AbstractSince superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a critical condition, immediate diagnostic approach and therapy are imperative to avoid potentially life-threatening complications. Here, we report a case of lung cancer with SVCS, which was diagnosed through intravascular tumor biopsy using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). EBUS-TBNA enabled us to obtain tissue sufficient for diagnosis, without significant complications. Prompt diagnosis was followed by appropriate anticancer treatment and improvement in the symptoms. For patients suspected of SVCS and requiring prompt pathologic diagnosis, we can consider EBUS-TBNA to diagnose intravascular or mediastinal tumors and provide an accurate diagnosis

A garter snake transcriptome: pyrosequencing, de novo assembly, and sex-specific differences

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The reptiles, characterized by both diversity and unique evolutionary adaptations, provide a comprehensive system for comparative studies of metabolism, physiology, and development. However, molecular resources for ectothermic reptiles are severely limited, hampering our ability to study the genetic basis for many evolutionarily important traits such as metabolic plasticity, extreme longevity, limblessness, venom, and freeze tolerance. Here we use massively parallel sequencing (454 GS-FLX Titanium) to generate a transcriptome of the western terrestrial garter snake (<it>Thamnophis elegans</it>) with two goals in mind. First, we develop a molecular resource for an ectothermic reptile; and second, we use these sex-specific transcriptomes to identify differences in the presence of expressed transcripts and potential genes of evolutionary interest.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using sex-specific pools of RNA (one pool for females, one pool for males) representing 7 tissue types and 35 diverse individuals, we produced 1.24 million sequence reads, which averaged 366 bp in length after cleaning. Assembly of the cleaned reads from both sexes with NEWBLER and MIRA resulted in 96,379 contigs containing 87% of the cleaned reads. Over 34% of these contigs and 13% of the singletons were annotated based on homology to previously identified proteins. From these homology assignments, additional clustering, and ORF predictions, we estimate that this transcriptome contains ~13,000 unique genes that were previously identified in other species and over 66,000 transcripts from unidentified protein-coding genes. Furthermore, we use a graph-clustering method to identify contigs linked by NEWBLER-split reads that represent divergent alleles, gene duplications, and alternatively spliced transcripts. Beyond gene identification, we identified 95,295 SNPs and 31,651 INDELs. From these sex-specific transcriptomes, we identified 190 genes that were only present in the mRNA sequenced from one of the sexes (84 female-specific, 106 male-specific), and many highly variable genes of evolutionary interest.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first large-scale, multi-organ transcriptome for an ectothermic reptile. This resource provides the most comprehensive set of EST sequences available for an individual ectothermic reptile species, increasing the number of snake ESTs 50-fold. We have identified genes that appear to be under evolutionary selection and those that are sex-specific. This resource will assist studies on gene expression and comparative genomics, and will facilitate the study of evolutionarily important traits at the molecular level.</p

Moment and shear capacity of Ply-lam composed with plywood and structural timber under out-of-plane bending

The aim of this study was to investigate the moment and shear capacity of Ply-lam which is composed with plywood and structural timber. The moment and shear capacity of Ply-lam were predicted by using prediction methodologies for typical cross-laminated timber (CLT). The predicted values by the methodologies were verified by comparison with measured capacities. Fifty-eight specimens of Ply-lam (five layers) were manufactured and half of the specimens were tested for bending (span-to-depth ratio (Rsd) was 25:1). The other specimens were tested for rolling shear (Rsd)) in accordance with EN 16351. The results show that typical prediction methods for structural properties of CLT can also be used to predict those of Ply-lam, since the measured values were higher than the predicted values. In rolling shear test, 52% specimens failed by bending at the bottom layer. This indicates that the rolling shear test method in EN 16351 was not suitable for Ply-lam because the typical CLT would be reinforced by replacing the cross layer with plywood. Thus, the span-to-depth ratio needs to be reduced for hybrid CLT like Ply-lam.This project funded by Korea Forest Service (Korea Forestry Promotion Institute)