Crystal structure of the membrane fusion protein, MexA, of the multidrug transporter in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This research was originally published in Journal of Biological Chemistry. Hiroyuki Akama, Takanori Matsuura, Sachiko Kashiwagi, Hiroshi Yoneyama, Shin-ichiro Narita, Tomitake Tsukihara, Atsushi Nakagawa and Taiji Nakae. Crystal structure of the membrane fusion protein, MexA, of the multidrug transporter in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2004; 279, 25939-25942. © the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Crystal structure of the drug discharge outer membrane protein, OprM, of Pseudomonas aeruginosa : Dual modes of membrane anchoring and occluded cavity end

This research was originally published in Journal of Biological Chemistry. Hiroyuki Akama, Misa Kanemaki, Masato Yoshimura, Tomitake Tsukihara, Tomoe Kashiwagi, Hiroshi Yoneyama, Shin-ichiro Narita, Atsushi Nakagawa and Taiji Nakae. Crystal structure of the drug discharge outer membrane protein, OprM, of Pseudomonas aeruginosa : Dual modes of membrane anchoring and occluded cavity end. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2004; 279, 52816-52819. © the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Annual report by The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery

All data regarding cardiovascular surgery and thoracic surgery were obtained from NCD, whereas data regarding esophageal surgery were collected from survey questionnaire by The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery forms because NCD of esophageal surgery does not include non-surgical cases (i.e., patients with adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation alone). Based on the change in data aggregation, there are several differences between this 2015 annual report and previous annual reports: the number of institutions decreased in each category from 578 (2014) to 568 (2015) in cardiovascular, from 762 to 714 in general thoracic and from 626 to 571 in esophageal surgery. Because more than two departments in the same institute registered their data to NCD individually, we cannot calculate correct number of institutes in this survey. Then, the response rate is not indicated in the category of cardiovascular surgery (Table 1), and the number of institutions classified by the operation number is also not calculated in the category of cardiovascular surgery (Table 2)

Preliminary crystallographic analysis of the antibiotic discharge outer membrane lipoprotein OprM of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with an exceptionally long unit cell and complex lattice structure

The OprM subunit of the MexAB-OprM efflux pump in P. aeruginosa is an outer membrane-anchored lipoprotein. OprM crystals have been grown at 293 K in the presence of 2-methyl-2,4-propanediol and a combination of surfactants and diffracted to 2.56 Å resolution

Intermittent pressure augmentation during retrograde cerebral perfusion under moderate hypothermia provides adequate neuroprotection: An experimental study

ObjectiveFor cerebral protection during aortic surgery, we introduced a novel retrograde cerebral perfusion method with intermittent pressure augmentation. We then assessed whether this novel method provides benefits similar to those provided by antegrade selective cerebral perfusion.MethodsEighteen dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups: the RCP-INT group, intermittent-retrograde cerebral perfusion at 15 mm Hg with intermittent pressure augmentation to 45 mm Hg (n = 6); the ASCP group, antegrade selective cerebral perfusion at a flow rate of 10 mL · kg−1 · min−1 (n = 6); and the sham group, no circulatory arrest (n = 6). Cooling (26°C) with cardiopulmonary bypass and 60 minutes of circulatory arrest were performed in the RCP-INT and ASCP groups. The levels of tau protein in the cerebrospinal fluid and the diameters of the retinal vessels were measured. The neurologic deficit scores and the histopathologic damage scores of the brains were determined.ResultsThe total postoperative tau protein levels (calculated as the area under the curve) did not differ significantly between the RCP-INT and ASCP groups (203 ± 87 pg · mL−1 · h vs 154 ± 69 pg · mL−1 · h, P = .95). The retinal vessels were effectively dilated at an augmented pressure of 45 mm Hg in the RCP-INT group. The total neurologic deficit score (0 = normal, 500 = brain death) and histopathologic damage score (0 = normal, 40 = worst) were not significantly different between the RCP-INT and ASCP groups (neurologic deficit score: 75 ± 21 vs 70 ± 21, P = .98; histopathologic damage score: 13.5 ± 1.5 vs 14.2 ± 1.3, P = .84).ConclusionsIntermittent augmented pressure dilated the cerebral vessels, allowing adequate blood supply without injuring the brain. This retrograde cerebral perfusion method provides adequate neuroprotection during moderate hypothermia