Characterisation of radioiodinated flavonoid derivatives for SPECT imaging of cerebral prion deposits

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative diseases characterised by deposition of amyloid plaques containing abnormal prion protein aggregates (PrPSc). This study aimed to evaluate the potential of radioiodinated flavonoid derivatives for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of PrPSc. In vitro binding assays using recombinant mouse PrP (rMoPrP) aggregates revealed that the 4-dimethylamino-substituted styrylchromone derivative (SC-NMe2) had higher in vitro binding affinity (Kd = 24.5 nM) and capacity (Bmax = 36.3 pmol/nmol protein) than three other flavonoid derivatives (flavone, chalcone, and aurone). Fluorescent imaging using brain sections from mouse-adapted bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mBSE)-infected mice demonstrated that SC-NMe2 clearly labelled PrPSc-positive prion deposits in the mice brain. Two methoxy SC derivatives, SC-OMe and SC-(OMe)2, also showed high binding affinity for rMoPrP aggregates with Ki values of 20.8 and 26.6 nM, respectively. In vitro fluorescence and autoradiography experiments demonstrated high accumulation of [125I]SC-OMe and [125I]SC-(OMe)2 in prion deposit-rich regions of the mBSE-infected mouse brain. SPECT/computed tomography (CT) imaging and ex vivo autoradiography demonstrated that [123I]SC-OMe showed consistent brain distribution with the presence of PrPSc deposits in the mBSE-infected mice brain. In conclusion, [123I]SC-OMe appears a promising SPECT radioligand for monitoring prion deposit levels in the living brain

Effect of feeding Fukui plum (Benisasi) fruit juice powder on the growth and serum constituent of rats

福井梅の品種には，主に｢紅映（べにさし）｣が栽培されている．福井梅は，機能性としてポリフェノー ルを多く含み，抗酸化活性も高い．炭水化物量は他の梅と差がなく，クエン酸，リンゴ酸などを含み， 甘くまろやかな味である．また，旨味成分の遊離アミノ酸やミネラルのカルシウム，カリウム，マグ ネシウムを多く含み，梅干しや梅ワイン，梅ジュースなど優れた特徴がある．本研究では，梅果汁粉 末の総ポリフェノール含量( クロロゲン酸相当) は，2.58 ± 0.16mg/ ｇ，抗酸化能の活性は，平均3.6 μ mol Torolox / ｇであった．梅果汁を粉末化した製品をラットの食餌に0.5％，3.0％濃度を投与し血 液成分の影響を検討した．ラットの生育には対照と比較し影響なかった．肝臓重量は高値（ｐ <0.05） に認めた．血清グルコースは，他の成分と拮抗して血糖値の上昇を抑制し，血糖値が低下（ｐ <0.05） した．総コレステロール，中性脂質はC 群とU3.0 群の間に低値（ｐ <0.05）に認めた．盲腸内容物の pH は，3％濃度で高値（ｐ <0.05）となった

Root sampling and RNA extraction methods for field-based gene expression analysis of soybeans

Isolation of an adequate quantity of high-quality RNA is a crucial step in gene expression analysis. Difficulties in sampling and RNA extraction of field-grown crops, especially from roots, are substantial obstacles to understanding actual gene expression in the field. We examined the effectiveness of the RNA extraction method (FRP) using pot- and field-grown soybean roots. High quantity and quality of total RNA could extract by the FRP method from both pot- and field-grown soybean roots at different growth stages. To determine the influence of root washing during the sampling process, roots were washed with water for 5 s, 1 min, and 5 min, then analyzed for aquaporin gene expression levels. Root washing for 5 min affected gene expression of some aquaporins. To obtain RNA that reflects the correct gene expression profile, it is necessary to minimize the effects of the sampling process

Fabrication of Mucoadhesive Films Containing Pharmaceutical Ionic Liquid and Eudragit Polymer Using Pressure-Assisted Microsyringe-Type 3D Printer for Treating Oral Mucositis

Oral mucositis in the oral cavity, caused by radiation therapy and chemotherapy, requires personalized care and therapy due to variations in the lesions of patients. In the present study, we fabricated a model of personalized oral film containing an ibuprofen/lidocaine ionic liquid (IL) for patients with oral mucositis using a pressure-assisted microsyringe-type 3D printer at room temperature. The film contained a Eudragit polymer (L100, EPO, or RSPO) to make the film solid, and the printer ink was composed of organo ink (organic solvent to dissolve both drugs and the Eudragit polymer). The viscosity of the printer ink was assessed to investigate its extrudability. The contact angle and the surface tension at the interface between each liquid printer ink and a solid polypropylene sheet were measured to determine the retention of the ink in 3D printing. The physical properties of IL-loaded Eudragit-based dry films were examined by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Dissolution tests indicated that IL-loaded films containing a Eudragit polymer exhibited different drug release rates in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8; Eudragit L100 &gt; IL alone &gt; Eudragit EPO &gt; Eudragit RSPO). These results provide useful information for the specific fabrication of IL-loaded polymer-based films using organo inks and pressure-assisted microsyringe-type 3D printers

Repeated Intravaginal Inoculation of Zika Virus Protects Cynomolgus Monkeys from Subcutaneous Superchallenge

Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreaks in Central and South America caused severe public health problems in 2015 and 2016. These outbreaks were finally contained through several methods, including mosquito control using insecticides and repellents. Additionally, the development of herd immunity in these countries might have contributed to containing the epidemic. While ZIKV is mainly transmitted by mosquito bites and mucosal transmission via bodily fluids, including the semen of infected individuals, has also been reported. We evaluated the effect of mucosal ZIKV infection on continuous subcutaneous challenges in a cynomolgus monkey model. Repeated intravaginal inoculations of ZIKV did not induce detectable viremia or clinical symptoms, and all animals developed a potent neutralizing antibody, protecting animals from the subsequent subcutaneous superchallenge. These results suggest that viral replication at mucosal sites can induce protective immunity without causing systemic viremia or symptoms