Interference of kallikrein 1b26 (klk1b26) translation by microRNA specifically expressed in female mouse submandibular glands: an additional mechanism for sexual dimorphism of klk1b26 protein in the glands

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mouse kallikrein 1b26 (klk1b26) protein is more abundant in male submandibular glands (SMGs) than in female ones. This sexual dimorphism has been thought to be due to increased mRNA synthesis stimulated by androgen. However, the klk1b26 protein level in female SMG is far less than that expected from the mRNA level, suggesting an additional mechanism for down-regulation of klk1b26 expression in female SMGs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the effects of small non-coding RNAs in mouse SMGs on <it>in vitro </it>translation of klk1b26 using a reticulocyte lysate system and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for klk1b26 mRNA. Statistical analyses were performed with a computer package (Microsoft Excel).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The microRNA (miRNA) preparation from female SMGs, but not male SMGs, interfered with the <it>in vitro </it>translation of the klk1b26 protein and inhibited the RT-PCR for klk1b26 mRNA with forward primers targeting its 5'-terminal region (between the 15th and 40th nucleotide from the 5'-terminal). The miRNA preparation from castrated mouse SMGs showed the inhibitory effect on the klk1b26 translation, but that from a 5α-dihydrotestosterone-treated female mouse SMGs did not. Synthetic miRNAs (miR-325 and miR-1497a), which have partial complementarity with klk1b26 mRNA at its 5'-terminal region (15th to 40th nucleotide position from the 5'-terminal), also interfered with the <it>in vitro </it>klk1b26 translation. When the female miRNA preparation was incubated with a 30-nucleotide-long single-strand oligoDNA (named [15th-44th]ssDNA, whose sequence corresponded to the 15th to 44th position from the 5'-terminal of klk1b26 mRNA) prior to the addition into the <it>in vitro </it>translation system, the inhibitory effect of the miRNA preparation on klk1b26 translation disappeared, while [15th-44th]ssDNA itself had no effect on the translation. Preincubation of the miRNA preparation with another single-strand DNA ([169th-198th]ssDNA, whose sequence corresponded with 169th to 198th position of klk1b26 mRNA) did not show the inhibitory effect.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The small non-coding RNA, most probably miRNA, specifically expressed in female mouse SMGs interfered with klk1b26 protein synthesis in the <it>in vitro </it>translation system. Therefore sexual dimorphism observed in klk1b26 expression in mouse SMGs is due at least in part to the female-specific small non-coding RNA in SMGs.</p

指尖部切断に対する動脈島状皮弁をもちいた再建術後のPIP関節屈曲拘縮の予見因子の検討

PURPOSE: To identify independent predictors of postoperative proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contracture after direct-flow homodigital island flap transfer. METHODS: Forty-four fingertip amputations in 39 patients treated with oblique triangular flaps were evaluated at a minimum of 1 year after surgery. Five variables were examined: patient age, injured finger, mechanism of injury, flap advancement distance, and time required for wound healing. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify the extent to which these variables affected the flexion contracture of the PIP joint. RESULTS: The average reduction in the passive extension angle of the PIP joint was 16° at final follow-up. Univariate analysis indicated significant correlations of PIP joint flexion contracture with age, injured finger, and time for wound healing, but no significant correlation with the distance the flap was advanced. Multivariate analysis indicated that the age and duration of wound healing were independent predictors of the flexion contracture of the PIP joint. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly people and cases with delayed wound healing are at risk for postoperative PIP joint contracture after homodigital flap transfer. Intervention with early hand therapy and orthotics may be useful in elderly patients with delayed wound healing.博士（医学）・乙第1377号・平成28年7月8日Copyright © 2015 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

指尖部再建術後における患者満足度とハンドパフォーマンスについての後ろ向き検討

Introduction: Hand performance tests that evaluate hand dexterity and use in daily living have been frequently used to evaluate outcomes in patients with various hand disorders but not in patients with fingertip injuries. The present study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction and hand performance following digital artery flap reconstruction for fingertip injury and identify factors associated with these outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 25 patients with amputation injuries at our institution between 2003 and 2013. Patients with amputations at the Tamai 1 or 2 zone of their index (14 patients) or middle finger (11 patients) who underwent digital artery flap surgery and were followed up for > 1 year were included. Follow-up evaluations were conducted at an average of 44 months postoperatively (range, 12–105 months). The primary outcomes were patient satisfaction and hand performance determined by a 4-grade Likert scale and the Purdue Pegboard test, respectively. Secondary outcomes were recovery of sensitivity measured by Semmes–Weinstein monofilaments, total active finger motion (TAM), and tip pinch strength. Results: There were no postoperative complications. Patient satisfaction was rated as fair, good, and excellent, in 1, 15, and 9 patients, respectively. The average hand performance test scores were significantly lower in the affected finger than the adjacent finger (22 vs. 30, respectively; p < 0.05). The mean ± standard deviation (SD) sensitivity test score was 3.5 ± 1.6 (range, 2.4–4.0). The average percentage TAM and tip pinch strength compared with the contralateral hand were 82 (range, 45–100%) and 82% (range, 60–112%), respectively. The hand performance score significantly correlated with the recovery of sensitivity and age (r = – 0.42 and 0.43, respectively; both p < 0.05). Patient satisfaction was significantly correlated with TAM (r = 0.42, p < 0.05) and tended to correlate with the recovery of sensitivity (r = – 0.395, p = 0.051). Conclusion: Although reconstructed fingers had a lower performance score than the adjacent fingers, patient satisfaction with flap surgery was relatively high. Recovery of finger sensitivity contributed to patient satisfaction and enhanced dexterity of motor skill activities following fingertip reconstruction.博士（医学）・乙第1410号・平成29年11月24日Copyright © 2017 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.This journal is published under the Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives : https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)The definitive version is available at " http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1604157

Formation and Cycloreversion of 2-Silacyclobuta[2.3]cyclophanes via Photoinduced Electron Transfer

Irradiation of an acetonitrile solution containing dimethylbis(4-vinylphenylmethyl)silane 1a in the presence of 9,10-dicyanoanthracene leads to formation of the intramolecular photocycloadduct, 2-sila-cyclobuta[2.3]cyclophane (2a). In contrast, prolonged irradiation gave insoluble polymeric material. The photocycloreversion of 2a occurs efficiently (quantum yields exceeds unity) by use of redox-type photosensitization in the presence of magnesium perchlorate. The transient absorption spectra generated by pulse radiolysis and gamma-radiolysis show that the radical cation species generated from 1a is different from that arising from 2a

Analysis of One-Bond Se-Se Nuclear Couplings in Diselenides and 1,2-Diselenoles on the Basis of Molecular Orbital Theory: Torsional Angular Dependence, Electron Density Influence, and Origin in J1(Se, Se)

Nuclear couplings for the Se-Se bonds, J1(Se, Se), are analyzed on the basis of the molecular orbital (MO) theory. The values are calculated by employing the triple ζ basis sets of the Slater type at the DFT level. J1(Se, Se) are calculated modeled by MeSeSeMe (1a), which shows the typical torsional angular dependence on ϕ(CMeSeSeCMe). The dependence explains well the observed J1(Se, Se)obsd of small values (≤64 Hz) for RSeSeR′ (1) (simple derivatives of 1a) and large values (330–380 Hz) observed for 4-substituted naphto[1,8-c,d]-1,2-diselenoles (2) which correspond to symperiplanar diselenides. J1 (Se, Se : 2) becomes larger as the electron density on Se increases. The paramagnetic spin-orbit terms contribute predominantly. The contributions are evaluated separately from each MO (ψi) and each ψi→ψa transition, where ψi and ψa are occupied and unoccupied MO's, respectively. The separate evaluation enables us to recognize and visualize the origin and the mechanism of the couplings

A Novel and Useful Descriptor for Hydrophobicity, Partition Coefficient Micellar-Water, and Its Application to a QSAR Study of Antiplatelet Agents

Herein we describe the introduction and application of a novel and useful descriptor, logarithm of micelle-water partition coefficients (log P,,), for hydrophobicity of compounds. A QSAR study using log Pmw on antiplatelet activities ex vivo of 2-substituted phenyl and benzimidazolyl-5-methyl-4-(3-pyridyl)imidazoles showed its usefulness. Antiplatelet activities could be rationalized by means of only log Pmw with a n excellent correlation (r = 0.772, s = 0.257, F = 11.07 **, n = lS), while use of other descriptors such as CLOGP values and retention factors (k&apos;) failed. P,, values can easily be obtained using a normal HPLC system using a micelle aqueous solution as the mobile phase. HPLC techniques offer the advantage of tolerating lower sample purity, smaller sample size, and being dynamic range, compared with the flask-shaking method for measurement of logarithm of 1-octanoywater partition coefficients (log P), which is widely used in QSAR study. These indicated that log P , , could be a useful descriptor for hydrophobicity of compounds

Alkyl–π Functional Molecular Gels: Control of Elastic Modulus and Improvement of Electret Performance

The development of optoelectronically-active soft materials is drawing attention to the application of soft electronics. A room-temperature solvent-free liquid obtained by modifying a π-conjugated moiety with flexible yet bulky alkyl chains is a promising functional soft material. Tuning the elastic modulus (G′) is essential for employing optoelectronically-active alkyl–π liquids in deformable devices. However, the range of G′ achieved through the molecular design of alkyl–π liquids is limited. We report herein a method for controlling G′ of alkyl–π liquids by gelation. Adding 1 wt% low-molecular-weight gelator formed the alkyl–π functional molecular gel (FMG) and increased G′ of alkyl–π liquids by up to seven orders of magnitude while retaining the optical properties. Because alkyl–π FMGs have functional π-moieties in the gel medium, this new class of gels has a much higher content of π-moieties of up to 59 wt% compared to conventional π-gels of only a few wt%. More importantly, the gel state has a 23% higher charge-retention capacity than the liquid, providing better performance in deformable mechanoelectric generator-electret devices. The strategy used in this study is a novel approach for developing next-generation optoelectronically-active FMG materials