Bis(2,2′-bipyridine){ethyl 4′-[N-(4-carbamoylphen­yl)carbamo­yl]-2,2′-bi­pyridine-4-carboxyl­ate}ruthenium(II) bis­[hexa­fluorido­phosphate(V)]

In the title compound, [Ru(C10H8N2)2(C21H18N4O4)](PF6)2, the RuII complex cation reveals a slightly distorted octa­hedral coordination. The coordination bonds of the 4,4′-substituted bipyridyl donors [Ru—N = 2.038 (3) and 2.051 (3) Å] are shorter than those of the 2,2′-bipyridyl donors [Ru—N1 = 2.065 (3)–2.077 (3) Å], due to the electron-withdrawing effects of the substituents at the 4,4′-positions. The angles between the pyridyl planes of the three bipyridyl ligands are 1.5 (2), 6.3 (3) and 8.7 (2)°, respectively. The cations are connected by anions via N—H⋯F inter­actions

Clinical Features of Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy and the Detection of Subunit-Specific Autoantibodies to the Ganglionic Acetylcholine Receptor in Japanese Patients

Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) is a rare acquired channelopathy that is characterized by pandysautonomia, in which autoantibodies to ganglionic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (gAChR) may play a central role. Radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) assays have been used for the sensitive detection of autoantibodies to gAChR in the serum of patients with AAG. Here, we developed luciferase immunoprecipitation systems (LIPS) to diagnose AAG based on IgGs to both the α3 and β4 gAChR subunits in patient serum. We reviewed the serological and clinical data of 50 Japanese patients who were diagnosed with AAG. With the LIPS testing, we detected anti-α3 and -β4 gAChR antibodies in 48% (24/50) of the patients. A gradual mode of onset was more common in the seropositive group than in the seronegative group. Patients with AAG frequently have orthostatic hypotension and upper and lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms, with or without anti-gAChR. The occurrence of autonomic symptoms was not significantly different between the seropositive and seronegative group, with the exception of achalasia in three patients from the seropositive group. In addition, we found a significant overrepresentation of autoimmune diseases in the seropositive group and endocrinological abnormalities as an occasional complication of AAG. Our results demonstrated that the LIPS assay was a useful novel tool for detecting autoantibodies against gAChR in patients with AAG

Data_Sheet_1_Estimation of minimal detectable change in the 10-meter walking test for patients with stroke: a study stratified by gait speed.docx

ObjectiveThis study aimed to classify and calculate the minimal detectable changes (MDC) in gait time and gait speed in a 10-meter walking test (10MWT) in patients with stroke classified according to their gait speed.MethodsThe participants were 84 patients with stroke. Their gait times were measured twice each at their comfortable gait speed (CGS) and maximum gait speed (MGS) on a 10-meter straight track, and gait speed was calculated using gait time. Participants were assigned to three speed groups based on their CGS: low-speed (0.8 m/s; n = 36). For each group, first and second retest reliability and MDC of CGS and MGS were calculated using gait time and gait speed in the 10MWT.ResultsMDCs in the 10MWT at CGS were: low-speed group, gait time 5.25 s, gait speed 0.05 m/s; moderate-speed group, gait time 2.83 s, gait speed 0.11 m/s; and high-speed group, gait time 1.58 s, gait speed 0.21 m/s. MDCs in the 10MWT at MGS were: low-speed group, gait time 7.26 s, gait speed 0.04 m/s; moderate-speed group, gait time 2.48 s, gait speed 0.12 m/s; and high-speed group, gait time 1.28 s, gait speed 0.19 m/s.ConclusionSince the MDC of gait speed and gait time differ depending on the participant’s gait speed, it is necessary to interpret the results according to the participant’s gait speed when judging the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.</p

Cytogenetic analysis of restoration workers for Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident.

We were faced with the nuclear accident of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS) caused by the combined disaster of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent tsunamis on March 11, 2011. NIRS received all nuclear workers who were engaged in emergency response tasks at the NPS and suspected of being over-exposed to acute-radiation. From March 21 to July 1, 2011, we examined blood samples obtained from a total of 12 restoration site-workers for the dicentric chromosome assay (DCA) according to the IAEA and ISO protocols. After 48 h of peripheral blood lymphocyte culture, more than 1,000 metaphase images were captured for dicentric scoring with the aid of an automated cytogenetic imaging system. Biological doses were estimated based on our dose-response curve for dicentric induction by in vitro 60Co irradiation at 11 dose points. Fourteen age-matched and occupationally non-exposed healthy individuals were also examined as controls. Among the workers, no individuals showed values exceeding the dose limit of 250 mGy. When considering a 95% upper confidence limit of dose estimates, the value was below 350 mGy, which is lower than the lower limit level of medical triage for acute radiation syndrome (1 Gy). These results corroborate the fact that no acute radiation syndromes were observed among the workers examined. The estimated values were in good agreement with those of physically estimated doses by personal dosimeters. The multiplex in situ hybridization (M-FISH) analysis for 300 cells per individual was also performed. The frequency of translocations was considered to be 1.5 times higher in the workers than in the controls. A second DCA was performed for 6 out of 12 individuals at one-year follow-up health examinations. Every individual showed either a decreasing tendency or equal values to the results obtained from the first examinations. On this occasion, the need for improved cytogenetic research strategies adopted for mass-casualty management was reconsidered.MELODI 201

The novel angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R)-associated protein ATRAP downregulates AT1R and ameliorates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

AbstractActivation of angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) signaling is reported to play an important role in cardiac hypertrophy. We previously cloned a novel molecule interacting with the AT1R, which we named ATRAP (for Ang II type 1 receptor-associated protein). Here, we report that overexpression of ATRAP significantly decreases the number of AT1R on the surface of cardiomyocytes, and also decreases the degree of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, the activity of the c-fos promoter and protein synthesis upon Ang II treatment. These results indicate that ATRAP significantly promotes downregulation of the AT1R and further attenuates certain Ang II-mediated hypertrophic responses in cardiomyocytes

ACOUSTIC RADIATION FORCE IMPULSE ELASTOGRAPHY FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF LIVER TUMORS IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER DYSFUNCTION

Objective : Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) technology can measure the elasticity of tissueand tumor. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the ARFI technology can differentiatecavernous hemangioma, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic liver tumors inpatients with liver dysfunction.Materials and Methods : Forty patients with liver dysfunction and liver tumors were enrolledin the study. The shear wave velocities (SWVs) in the tumors and background liver were examinedby ARFI elastography under ultrasonography (US).Results : The SWVs in livers bearing HCCs were significantly higher than those of livers bearingcavernous hemangiomas. The SWVs in HCCs and metastatic liver tumors were significantlyhigher than those in cavernous hemangiomas. The SWVs in metastatic liver tumors were significantlyhigher than those in HCCs. The SWV ratio of metastatic liver tumor/parenchyma wassignificantly higher than that of cavernous hemangioma/parenchyma and HCC/parenchyma.There was a significant correlation between the tumor sizes and the SWVs in metastaticliver tumors.Conclusions : We herein demonstrated that ARFI elastography could noninvasively provide helpfulinformation, without the need for biopsy, that could be used for the differential diagnosis amongcavernous hemangiomas, HCCs and metastatic liver tumors in patients with liver dysfunction