Organic Synthetic Chemistry in Liquid Ammonia. II : Etherification of d-Mannitol

d-Mannitol is metallized by reacting with metallic potassium and potassium hydroxide in liquid ammonia, producing di- and mono-substitution products. These organometallic compounds form di-benzyl ether, respectively, reacting with benzyl chloride

FACILE AND SENSITIVE HPLC-UV METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF NINTEDANIB IN RAT PLASMA

Objective: In this study, a facile and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of nintedanib in rat plasma was developed and validated.Methods: After plasma protein was precipitated by addition of acetonitrile, the supernatant underwent centrifugation. An aliquot was then injected into a high-performance liquid chromatographic system with a Mightysil RP-18 GP II ODS column (250 × 3.0 mm, length by inner diameter, 5-μm particle size) maintained at 50 °C. A mobile phase mixture of 20 mmol phosphate buffer (pH 3.0) and acetonitrile (7:3, v/v) was used at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min, with UV detection at a wavelength of 390 nm for isocratic separation and detection of nintedanib, its main metabolite (BIBF1202), and p-nitrophenol as an internal standard.Results: The quantitative range of nintedanib concentration in this method was 12.5–400 ng/ml, and the calibration curves were linear. The intra-and inter-day accuracy values (relative errors) were in the range of −3.65%–4.00% and −3.65%–3.64%, respectively. The intra-and inter-day precision values (relative standard deviations) were<5.9% and 8.36%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic analysis of nintedanib in rats after intravenous administration.Conclusion: In this study, a rapid, sensitive, and simple HPLC-UV method for the quantitation of nintedanib in rat plasma was developed and validated. The method was shown to be accurate and precise and was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study

Increase of DC-LAMP+ mature dendritic cell subsets in dermatopathic lymphadenitis of mycosis fungoides

Background: Little is known about the immunological milieu of the skin-draining lymph nodes (LNs) in mycosis fungoides (MF). Objectives: We studied dendritic cell (DC) subsets in the dermatopathic lymphadenitis of MF patients. Methods: We immunohistochemically examined DC subsets and their distribution in 16 LN samples from 14 patients with MF (N1 LN, eight patients; N2, four; and N3, four), and we compared them with non-metastatic sentinel LNs from eight patients with melanoma. Results: The number of S-100 protein+ DCs was markedly increased in the LNs from the MF patients and the major component was DC-LAMP+ mature DCs in the outer and paracortex areas, where DC-SIGN+ immature DCs were relatively decreased in proportion. In contrast, DC-SIGN+ cells were relatively increased in proportion compared to DC-LAMP+ cells in the medulla. Although no significant difference was observed in the proportions of CD1a+ or Langerin+ DCs among the N1, N2, and N3 nodes, CD163+ M2-type macrophages were increased in number in the N2 and N3 nodes. Conclusions: Our observations indicate that mature DCs accumulate in the outer and paracortex areas in dermatopathic lymphadenitis and M2-type macrophages might increase in number during disease progression

Volumetric PET Parameters Predict Prognosis after Definitive Chemoradiotherapy with Cisplatin/Docetaxel for Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate whether volumetric positron emission tomography (PET) parameters are prognostic predictors in stage III non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving definitive concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) with cisplatin/docetaxel. Cases involving definitive CCRT were reviewed retrospectively, and the maximum standardized uptake value, metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were calculated. The relationships between these PET parameters and prognosis were analyzed. MTV and TLG were significant predictors of distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (p = 0.0003 and 0.0005, respectively) and progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.001 and 0.0007, respectively). The three-year DMFS rates in patients with low and high MTV were 13.3% and 64.6%, respectively, and the corresponding values in those with low and high TLG were 13.3% and 65.2%, respectively. The three-year PFS rates in patients with low and high MTV were 13.3% and 57.8%, respectively, and the corresponding values in patients with low and high TLG were 13.3% and 57.8%, respectively. However, MTV and TLG were not predictors of local control or overall sur-vival. We demonstrated that volumetric PET parameters were predictors of patients receiving definitive CCRT. Our findings contradict the findings of previous reports and warrant further research to validate them

Operando Imaging of Ce Radical Scavengers in a Practical Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell by 3D Fluorescence CT–XAFS and Depth-Profiling Nano-XAFS–SEM/EDS Techniques

There is little information on the spatial distribution, migration, and valence of Ce species doped as an efficient radical scavenger in a practical polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) for commercial fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) closely related to a severe reliability issue for long-term PEFC operation. An in situ three-dimensional fluorescence computed tomography–X-ray absorption fine structure (CT–XAFS) imaging technique and an in situ same-view nano-XAFS–scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) combination technique were applied for the first time to perform operando spatial visualization and depth-profiling analysis of Ce radical scavengers in a practical PEFC of Toyota MIRAI FCV under PEFC operating conditions. Using these in situ techniques, we successfully visualized and analyzed the domain, density, valence, and migration of Ce scavengers that were heterogeneously distributed in the components of PEFC, such as anode microporous layer, anode catalyst layer, polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), cathode catalyst layer, and cathode microporous layer. The average Ce valence states in the whole PEFC and PEM were 3.9+ and 3.4+, respectively, and the Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ ratios in the PEM under H₂ (anode)–N₂ (cathode) at an open-circuit voltage (OCV), H₂–air at 0.2 A cm⁻², and H₂–air at 0.0 A cm⁻² were 70 ± 5:30 ± 5%, as estimated by both in situ fluorescence CT–X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) and nano-XANES–SEM/EDS techniques. The Ce³⁺ migration rates in the electrolyte membrane toward the anode and cathode electrodes ranged from 0.3 to 3.8 μm h⁻¹, depending on the PEFC operating conditions. Faster Ce³⁺ migration was not observed with voltage transient response processes by highly time-resolved (100 ms) and spatially resolved (200 nm) nano-XANES imaging. Ce³⁺ ions were suggested to be coordinated with both Nafion sulfonate (Nf_sul) groups and water to form [Ce(Nf_sul)_x(H₂O)_y]³⁺. The Ce migration behavior may also be affected by the spatial density of Ce, interactions of Ce with Nafion, thickness and states of the PEM, and H₂O convection, in addition to the PEFC operating conditions. The unprecedented operando imaging of Ce radical scavengers in the practical PEFCs by both in situ three-dimensional (3D) fluorescence CT–XAFS imaging and in situ depth-profiling nano-XAFS–SEM/EDS techniques yields intriguing insights into the spatial distribution, chemical states, and behavior of Ce scavengers under the working conditions for the development of next-generation PEFCs with high long-term reliability and durability

Impact of functional studies on exome sequence variant interpretation in early-onset cardiac conduction system diseases

Aims The genetic cause of cardiac conduction system disease (CCSD) has not been fully elucidated. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) can detect various genetic variants; however, the identification of pathogenic variants remains a challenge. We aimed to identify pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in CCSD patients by using WES and 2015 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) standards and guidelines as well as evaluating the usefulness of functional studies for determining them. Methods and Results We performed WES of 23 probands diagnosed with early-onset (<65 years) CCSD and analyzed 117 genes linked to arrhythmogenic diseases or cardiomyopathies. We focused on rare variants (minor allele frequency < 0.1%) that were absent from population databases. Five probands had protein truncating variants in EMD and LMNA which were classified as “pathogenic” by 2015 ACMG standards and guidelines. To evaluate the functional changes brought about by these variants, we generated a knock-out zebrafish with CRISPR-mediated insertions or deletions of the EMD or LMNA homologs in zebrafish. The mean heart rate and conduction velocities in the CRISPR/Cas9-injected embryos and F2 generation embryos with homozygous deletions were significantly decreased. Twenty-one variants of uncertain significance were identified in 11 probands. Cellular electrophysiological study and in vivo zebrafish cardiac assay showed that 2 variants in KCNH2 and SCN5A, 4 variants in SCN10A, and 1 variant in MYH6 damaged each gene, which resulted in the change of the clinical significance of them from “Uncertain significance” to “Likely pathogenic” in 6 probands. Conclusions Of 23 CCSD probands, we successfully identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 11 probands (48%). Functional analyses of a cellular electrophysiological study and in vivo zebrafish cardiac assay might be useful for determining the pathogenicity of rare variants in patients with CCSD. SCN10A may be one of the major genes responsible for CCSD. Translational Perspective Whole-exome sequencing (WES) may be helpful in determining the causes of cardiac conduction system disease (CCSD), however, the identification of pathogenic variants remains a challenge. We performed WES of 23 probands diagnosed with early-onset CCSD, and identified 12 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 11 of these probands (48%) according to the 2015 ACMG standards and guidelines. In this context, functional analyses of a cellular electrophysiological study and in vivo zebrafish cardiac assay might be useful for determining the pathogenicity of rare variants, and SCN10A may be one of the major development factors in CCSD

アクトミオシン ノ ゲル ケイセイ キコウ ト ビザイ コウゾウ ニ オヨボス エンノウド ナラビニ アツリョク キョウド ノ エイキョウ

低温での加圧処理により形成したアクトミオシンゲルの形成機構を明らかにするため，アクトミオシン濃度20～30mg/g，KCl濃度0～0.6M，pH6.0の条件下で200～650MPaの加圧処理を行った。また，ゲルの形成に寄与するタンパク質間相互作用やゲルの微細構造についても検討を行った。その結果，アクトミオシンはKCl濃度0.2M，pH6.0に調整し，アクトミオシンの大半を構成するミオシンをフィラメントの状態とし，0℃で200MPa以上の加圧処理を行うことによりゲルを形成した。アクトミオシンゲルのゲル強度およびワークダン値は200～300MPaで増加し，300MPaで最も高い値を示したが，400MPa以降で減少した。また，ゲル形成に寄与するタンパク質間相互作用は非共有結合を主とし，300MPa以下はイオン結合が，400MPa以上では疎水性相互作用が主要な相互作用であった。ゲルの微細構造も300MPa以下と400MPa以上では形態が異なり，架橋部は太く，密な構造へ遷移した。これらのことから，加圧処理によりアクトミオシンは低塩濃度でゲルを形成し，300～400MPaの間でタンパク質の大きな高圧変性が起こり，ゲル形成に寄与するタンパク質間相互作用が変化することにより，ゲルの物理的特性が変化することが示唆された。In this study, the mechanism of pressure-induced gel formation of actomyosin at low temperature was clarified. Actomyosin has been high-pressure processed under processing conditions with 20～30mg/g proteins, 0～0.6M KCl and pH6.0 at up to 650MPa. In addition, protein-protein interaction to contribute to gel formation of actomyosin and gel microstructure were investigated. Actomyosin was adjusted in 0.2M KCl at pH6.0, and myosin formed to the filament which constitutes most of actomyosin. This actomyosin solution formed gel by high-pressure processing at 200MPa or more at 0℃. Gel strength and Work Done of actomyosin gel increased in 200～300MPa and showed the highest value in 300MPa, however decreased 400MPa or more. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction contributing to the gel formation non-covalent bonds was primary. In the main protein-protein interaction, 300MPa or less were ionic bond, 400MPa or more were hydrophobic interaction. Gels at 300MPa or less were different from microstructure at 400MPa or more, and the microstructure changed to dense structure with increasing pressure. These results show that actomyosin formed the filament gel in low salt concentration by high-pressure processing. In these pressure-induced actomyosin gels, protein-protein interactions were caused by high pressure denaturation in 300～400MPa, and the physical characteristic of the gel changed

Ductal carcinoma in situ and sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy on breast cancer mimicking ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a matter of debate.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We studied the rate of occurrence of sentinel lymph node metastasis in 255 breast cancer patients with pure DCIS showing no invasive components on routine pathological examination. We compared this to the rate of occurrence in 177 patients with predominant intraductal-component (IDC) breast cancers containing invasive foci equal to or less than 0.5 cm in size.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most of the clinical and pathological baseline characteristics were the same between the two groups. However, peritumoral lymphatic permeation occurred less often in the pure DCIS group than in the IDC-predominant invasive-lesion group (1.2% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.002). One patient (0.39%) with pure DCIS had two sentinel lymph nodes positive for metastasis. This rate was significantly lower than that in patients with IDC-predominant invasive lesions (6.2%; p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Because the rate of sentinel lymph node metastasis in pure DCIS is very low, sentinel lymph node biopsy can safely be omitted.</p

Analysis of All 34 Exons of the SPINK5 Gene in Japanese Atopic Dermatitis Patients

Lympho-epithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) is a large multidomain serine protease inhibitor that is expressed in epidermal keratinocytes. Nonsense mutations of the SPINK5 gene, which codes for LEKTI, cause Netherton syndrome, which is characterized by hair abnormality, ichthyosis, and atopy. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of SPINK5, p.K420E, is reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). We studied all 34 exons of the SPINK5 gene in Japanese 57 AD patients and 50 normal healthy controls. We detected nine nonsynonymous variants, including p.K420E; these variants had already been registered in the SNP database. Among them, p.R654H (n=1) was found as a heterozygous mutation in the AD patients, but not in the control. No new mutation was detected. We next compared the data of the AD patients with data from the Human Genetic Variation Database provided by Kyoto University; a significant difference was found in the frequency of the p.S368N genotype distribution. PolyPhen-2 and SIFT, two algorithms for predicting the functional effects of amino acid substitutions, showed significant scores for p.R654H. Therefore, R654H might be a risk factor for epidermal barrier dysfunction in some Japanese AD patients