Infrared diffuse reflectance spectra of weathered and unweathered CR2 chondrites: Comparison with asteroids

The presence and intensity of absorption band near 3μm in the reflectance spectra are due to the presence and abundance of hydrates and/or hydroxylions. Previously, we have shown that Renazzo (CR2 chondrite) is an excellent spectral match to 2 Pallas (B-type asteroid) in the wavelength region near 3μm. In this paper, we have measured infrared diffuse reflectance spectra of eight Antarctic CR2 chondrites and have compared reflectance spectra of CR2 chondrites with those of eight asteroids which belong to the C, G, B and F taxonomic classes. The spectral absorption near 3μm of Antarctic CR2 chondrites are deepened and rounded compared to that of Renazzo (fell 1824). This difference implies the presence of corrosion products probably due to terrestrial weathering of the Antarctic CR2 chondrites. This is the reason why no asteroids has been found that has an Antarctic CR2 meteorite counterpart. In addition to the close similarity between Pallas and Renazzo, the overall spectral profile of 511 Davida also exhibit similarity to the Renazzo spectrum

Rapid antibody selection by mRNA display on a microfluidic chip

In vitro antibody-display technologies are powerful approaches for isolating monoclonal antibodies from recombinant antibody libraries. However, these display techniques require several rounds of affinity selection which is time-consuming. Here, we combined mRNA display with a microfluidic system for in vitro selection and evolution of antibodies and achieved ultrahigh enrichment efficiency of 106- to 108-fold per round. After only one or two rounds of selection, antibodies with high affinity and specificity were obtained from naïve and randomized single-chain Fv libraries of ∼1012 molecules. Furthermore, we confirmed that not only protein–protein (antigen–antibody) interactions, but also protein–DNA and protein–drug interactions were selected with ultrahigh efficiencies. This method will facilitate high-throughput preparation of antibodies and identification of protein interactions in proteomic and therapeutic fields

Fluorescence labeling of the C-terminus of proteins with a puromycin analogue in cell-free translation systems

AbstractWe have developed a new method for the C-terminus-specific fluorescence labeling of proteins. This method is based on the experimental finding that a fluorescent puromycin analogue at lower concentrations bonds efficiently to the C-terminus of mature proteins in cell-free translation systems using mRNA without a stop codon. This labeling is performed under moderate conditions and its labeling efficiency is in the range of 50–95%. Here we demonstrate a protein-protein interaction assay using fluorescence polarization measurement. This labeling method should also be useful for other rapid molecular interaction assays without purification of the labeled proteins, such as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Chemotherapy for elderly patients with GI cancer

Chemotherapy for cancer has significantly improved owing to the increasing number of effective chemotherapeutic agents and supportive care. Recently, the number of older cancer patients has rapidly increased owing to the aging of the global population. However, in most cases, it is difficult to treat those using similar dosages or schedules as that of younger patients because older patients generally have unfavorable factors, such as decreased performance status and physical and cognitive conditions, thus increasing the incidence of complications and side effects. Chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers has made significant progress in recent years with the introduction of molecular-targeted agents and immunotherapy. However, clinical trials showed limited evidence regarding the efficacy of chemotherapy in older cancer patients, accounting for half of all patients, making it difficult to develop a well-established treatment strategy. This review aimed to evaluate the current state of chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancer in older adults. Furthermore, the limitations and future perspectives were discussed