Phototropic Multiresponsive Active Nanogels

Aqueous dispersions of nanogels that respond to switches in environmental pH and/or temperature by changes in their hydrodynamic radius (R-h) and/or zeta-potential are prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization-induced thermal (70 degrees C) self-assembly (PITSA) of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) in the presence of a poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA)-substituted macromolecular chain transfer agent and a cross-linker. Photochromic spiropyran (SP) moieties are coupled to the carboxylic acid groups of the nanogels. Upon UV irradiation, the neutral SP isomerizes to the zwitterionic merocyanine (ME) form. Upon UV light irradiation, microgels formed by assembly of SP nanogels undergo a collective motion toward the UV-light source.Peer reviewe

Trastuzumab タンザイ リョウホウ ガ チョコウ シタ セツジョ フノウ シンコウ イガン ノ 1レイ

Trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against human epidermal growth factor receptor２ （HER２）, has been shown to be active against metastatic gastric cancer that overexpress HER２. A ７８-year-old man presented with an edema in the lower legs. He was diagnosed as having advanced gastric cancers with multiple liver metastases in our hospital. Immunohistochemistry of the tumor cells revealed HER２ overexpression with an intensity of ３＋. The patient was treated with DS-T chemotherapy （Docetaxel＋S‐１＋Trastuzumab） because of the presence of renal dysfunction. Due to the adverse effect appeared with his skin, DS-T chemotherapy has been canceled and trastuzumab chemotherapy was continued. After １１ months of trastuzumab monotherapy, metastatic liver tumors were diminished. There is very few report of a positive response to trastuzumab in a patient with HER２‐overexpressing metastatic gastric cancer

Pneumonia Caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 and Influenza Virus: A Multicenter Comparative Study

Background: Detailed differences in clinical information between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia (CP), which is the main phenotype of SARS-CoV-2 disease, and influenza pneumonia (IP) are still unclear. Methods: A prospective, multicenter cohort study was conducted by including patients with CP who were hospitalized between January and June 2020 and a retrospective cohort of patients with IP hospitalized from 2009 to 2020. We compared the clinical presentations and studied the prognostic factors of CP and IP. Results: Compared with the IP group (n = 66), in the multivariate analysis, the CP group (n = 362) had a lower percentage of patients with underlying asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P < .01), lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P < .01), lower systolic blood pressure (P < .01), higher diastolic blood pressure (P < .01), lower aspartate aminotransferase level (P < .05), higher serum sodium level (P < .05), and more frequent multilobar infiltrates (P < .05). The diagnostic scoring system based on these findings showed excellent differentiation between CP and IP (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.889). Moreover, the prognostic predictors were different between CP and IP. Conclusions: Comprehensive differences between CP and IP were revealed, highlighting the need for early differentiation between these 2 pneumonias in clinical settings

トクシマケン イシカイ トウニョウビョウ タイサクハン ダイ1ジ ダイ2ジ カツドウ ノ セイカ

Objective : The effectiveness of diabetes prevention programs for the general population in Tokushima Prefecture was investigated. The programs were designed by Tokushima Medical Association’ s（TMA’s）Steering Committee for Diabetes Prevention. Research design and methods : The committee promoted diabetes prevention by disseminating educational messages on diabetes to the general public and medical care providers, and establishing a referral system among public health centers and medical institutes throughout Tokushima Prefecture during the period from ２００４ to ２００９. The outcome of these activities were evaluated by analyzing data from the Prefectural Health and Nutrition Survey in Tokushima conducted in１９９７（n＝ ９９８）,２００３ （n＝１００８） and ２０１０ （n＝１１３０）, and then comparing these results with those of the national survey at the corresponding times. Results : The percentage of subjects with glucose intolerance at the time of initiation of the prevention program in Tokushima tended to increase from １９９７ to ２００３, but was slightly decreased in ２０１０, although the differences were not statistically significant. However, the percentage of subjects with glucose intolerance was significantly increased throughout Japan during the same period. Obesity parameters, physical activity evaluated by the number of steps and the average total energy intake changed favorably in parallel with changes in the prevalence of diabetes during the study period in Tokushima. Conclusion : The diabetes prevention programs initiated by the TMA’s committee may be useful in ameliorating the situation of diabetes in Tokushima Prefecture

Electrospinning of a Photo-responsive Cellulose Derivative: Towards Smart Fibrous Materials

International audienc

Electrospinning of Photo-responsive Polysaccharide Derivatives: Towards Smart Fibrous Materials

International audienc

Electrospinning of Photo-responsive Polysaccharide Derivatives: Towards Smart Fibrous Materials

International audienc

Electrospinning of a Photo-responsive Cellulose Derivative: Towards Smart Fibrous Materials

International audienceThere are continued challenges for the effective utilization of biomass towards functional materials and reduction of environmental burdens. Polysaccharides in particular, represented by cellulose, are one of the most abundant raw materials from nature. The spotlight has been on not only their potential as alternatives for petrochemicals but also their biocompatible, biodegradable, and bioactive nature. Besides, stimuli-responsive polymers have been intensively studied since the behavior of these polymers can be controlled by simply changing their surrounding media. Among a variety of stimuli-responsive polymers, photo-responsive polymers have recently attracted much attention since the stimulus (light) can be localized in time and space and it can also be triggered from outside the system. In this study, electrospinning of a photo-responsive azobenzene-functionalized cellulose derivative (Azo-Cel) was investigated for the first time. UV-vis absorption spectral analysis of Azo-Cel solution confirms successful reversible cis/trans isomerization of the azobenzene moiety via photo-irradiation and thermal relaxation. The electrospinning of Azo-Cel solutions in mixtures of high-volatile and low-volatile solvents provides porous/non-porous nano/micro fibers depending on the volatility of the solvent. These novel cellulose-based robust fibrous materials, with light-addressable functional groups, will open up the potential of natural resources towards state-of-the-art stimuli-responsive materials for applications such as photo-responsive actuators