Preparation of Ionic Liquids Containing Siloxane Frameworks

This chapter deals with our recent researches on the preparation and properties of thermally stable ionic liquids (ILs) containing siloxane frameworks. ILs containing randomly structured oligosilsesquioxanes with quaternary ammonium side-chain groups (Am-Random-SQ-IL) and with imidazolium side-chain groups (Im-Random-SQ-IL) were successfully prepared by the hydrolytic condensation of the corresponding trifunctional alkoxysilanes in aqueous bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (HNTf2) solution. It is also reported that ILs containing cage-like oligosilsesquioxanes (POSSs) with imidazolium side-chain groups (Im-Cage-SQ-IL) and with random distribution of quaternary ammonium and imidazolium side-chain groups (Amim-Cage-SQ-IL)were obtained, when the similar hydrolytic condensations were performed in a water/methanol (1 : 19 v/v) mixed solution of HNTf2. In addition, we investigated the preparation of ILs containing cyclic oligosiloxanes with various imidazolium side-chain groups (MeIm-CyS-IL-NTf2, MeIm-CyS-IL-OTf, HIm-CyS-IL-NTf2, EtIm-CyS-IL-NTf2, PrIm-CyS-IL-NTf2, and BuIm-CyS-IL-NTf2) by the hydrolytic condensation of the corresponding difunctional alkoxysilanes in the solutions of superacids, such as HNTf2 and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (HOTf)

Expression of Various Glutamate Receptors Including N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) in an Ovarian Teratoma Removed from a Young Woman with Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis

A 21-year-old woman developed psychiatric symptoms, progressive unresponsiveness, generalized seizures, severe dyskinesia, marked fluctuation of blood pressure, and hypersalivation after a flu-like episode. Anti-glutamate receptor (GluR)epsilon 2 and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies were positive in both her serum and CSF. After she recovered five months later she underwent surgery to remove a right ovarian teratoma. Immunohistochemical examinations of her teratoma disclosed abundant expression of various GluRs including NR2B subunit of NMDAR, GluR1, and GluR2/3. These immunoreactivities of GluRs were seen not only in small areas of neural tissue identified as anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactive areas but also in other large areas of undifferentiated neuroepithelial tissue without GFAP immunoreactivity. Our findings strongly support the recent idea that neural elements in ovarian teratoma play an important role in the production of antibodies to NMDARs in anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Additionally, the study of control ovaries clearly showed NR2B-related immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of oocytes, indicating that the normal ovary itself has expression of NMDARs. This finding might provide a clue to understand the pathogenesis of this disease in female patients without ovarian teratoma.ArticleINTERNAL MEDICINE. 49(19):2167-2173 (2010)journal articl

Highly Heterogeneous Nature of the Native and Unfolded States of the B Domain of Protein A Revealed by Two-Dimensional Fluorescence Lifetime Correlation Spectroscopy

Elucidating the protein folding mechanism is crucial to understand how proteins acquire their unique structures to realize various biological functions. With this aim, the folding/unfolding of small globular proteins has been extensively studied. Interestingly, recent studies have revealed that even such small proteins represent considerably complex processes. In this study, we examined the folding/unfolding process of a small α-helical protein, the B domain of protein A (BdpA), at equilibrium using two-dimensional fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy with 10 μs time resolution. The results showed that although the BdpA is a two-state folder, both the native and unfolded states are highly heterogeneous and the conformational conversion within each ensemble occurs within 10 μs. Furthermore, it was shown that the average structures of both ensembles gradually change and become more elongated as the denaturant concentration increases. The analysis on two mutants suggested that fraying of the N-terminal helix is the origin of the inhomogeneity of the native state. Because the direct observation of the ensemble nature of the native state at the single-molecule level has not been reported, the data obtained in this study give new insights into complex conformational properties of small proteins

Topical steroid versus placebo for the prevention of radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy: the study protocol of J-SUPPORT 1602 (TOPICS study), a randomized double-blinded phase 3 trial

Abstract Background To date, the clinical benefit of topical steroid use has only been demonstrated for radiation dermatitis induced by 50–60 Gy irradiation in breast cancer. However, these agents are also often used clinically for the control of radiation dermatitis induced by high-dose (>60Gy) irradiation with chemotherapy in head and neck cancer. Despite this, the prophylactic efficacy of topical steroids for radiation dermatitis induced by high-dose irradiation is still unclear. The aim of this study is to clarify the benefit of topical steroids in basic nursing care for radiation dermatitis induced by chemoradiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods The study is being conducted as a multicenter 2-arm randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial in Japan. The study was started in May 2017, with participant enrollment between May 2017 and April 2019. Patients scheduled to receive definitive or postoperative chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer are eligible for enrollment. All patients will receive chemoradiotherapy, consisting of single agent CDDP and 70-Gy irradiation. Bilateral neck irradiation is mandatory. Supportive care for radiation dermatitis will consist of basic nursing care with topical steroid or placebo. When radiation dermatitis grade 1 is seen or total radiation dose reaches 30 Gy, minimally required intervention will be started as a first step. If radiation dermatitis worsens to grade 2, the irradiated area will be covered with a moderately absorbent surgical pad and steroid or placebo topical cream. The primary endpoint is a comparison of the proportion of patients with ≥ grade 2 radiation dermatitis by NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 4.0. Ethical approval has been obtained from all participating sites. The results of this study will be submitted for publication in international peer-reviewed journals and the key findings will be presented at international scientific conferences. Discussion Evidence supporting the benefit of adding topical steroids in general nursing care for radiation dermatitis induced by high-dose irradiation with chemotherapy is insufficient. This trial aims to clarify the clinical benefit of topical steroid for radiation dermatitis induced by high-dose irradiation with chemotherapy. The trial is ongoing and is currently recruiting. Trial registration number UMIN000027161. Protocol version 3.0, 18 April 2017