Solution Structure of Apocalmodulin bound to a Binding Domain Peptide from the IQ motifs of Myosin V

The solution structures of complexes between apocalmodulin （apoCaM） and a binding domain of the IQ\nmotifs of myosin V have been determined by small-angle X-ray scattering （SAXS） with use of synchrotron\nradiation as an intense and stable X-ray source. We used three synthetic peptides of residues 772-786 （IQ1）,\n795-810 （IQ2）, and 772-810 （IQ（1+2）） of the myosin V to compare the solution structures with the\ncorresponding crystal structure （PDB: 2ix7）. The radius of gyration of apoCaM bound to the IQ1 or IQ2 at\na molar ratio of 1:1 increased by 4.8±0.3A or 3.8±0.3A, respectively, as compared with the corresponding\ncrystal structure. The experimental Kratky plots indicated that apoCaM bound to the IQ1 or IQ2 adopts a\ndumbbell-shaped structure. In contrast to these complexes, the solution of apoCaM/IQ（1+2） at a molar ratio\nof 2:1 became turbid, indicating that the solution contains several types of aggregates. The turbid solution\nwas centrifuged and the supernatant was used for the SAXS measurements. The SAXS results suggested that\nthe supernatant is composed of a mixture of apoCaM/IQ（1+2） and apoCaM. The radius of gyration of\napoCaM/IQ（1+2） at a molar ratio of 1:2 increased by 0.8±0.6A, as compared with the corresponding crystal\nstructure. The experimental Kratky plot was compared with calculated curves of both solution structures\nbased on the dumbbell-shaped structure and the crystal structure

Coupling between pore formation and phase separation in charged lipid membranes

We investigated the effect of charge on the membrane morphology of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) composed of various mixtures containing charged lipids. We observed the membrane morphologies by fluorescent and confocal laser microscopy in lipid mixtures consisting of a neutral unsaturated lipid [dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC)], a neutral saturated lipid [dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)], a charged unsaturated lipid [dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG$^{\scriptsize{(-)}}$)], a charged saturated lipid [dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG$^{\scriptsize{(-)}}$)], and cholesterol (Chol). In binary mixtures of neutral DOPC/DPPC and charged DOPC/DPPG$^{\scriptsize{(-)}}$, spherical vesicles were formed. On the other hand, pore formation was often observed with GUVs consisting of DOPG$^{\scriptsize{(-)}}$ and DPPC. In a DPPC/DPPG$^{\scriptsize{(-)}}$/Chol ternary mixture, pore-formed vesicles were also frequently observed. The percentage of pore-formed vesicles increased with the DPPG$^{\scriptsize{(-)}}$ concentration. Moreover, when the head group charges of charged lipids were screened by the addition of salt, pore-formed vesicles were suppressed in both the binary and ternary charged lipid mixtures. We discuss the mechanisms of pore formation in charged lipid mixtures and the relationship between phase separation and the membrane morphology. Finally, we reproduce the results seen in experimental systems by using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations.Comment: 34 pages, 10 figure

The Underlying Mechanisms for Olanzapine-induced Hypertriglyceridemia

Olanzapine is an efficacious antipsychotic drug often used in the treatment for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, however, sometimes induces metabolic disorders. We will introduce a patient with bipolar disorder, who has been treated by olanzapine and showed severe hypertriglyceridemia. As a result of measurements of parameters associated with lipid metabolism, very-low density lipoprotein was most important lipoprotein for olanzapin-induced hypertriglyceridemia. The cessation of olanzapine significantly decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and increased adiponectin, proposing that inflammation and reduced adiponectin level may be associated with olanzapin-induced hypertriglyceridemia

A Peg-in-hole Task Strategy for Holes in Concrete

A method that enables an industrial robot to accomplish the peg-in-hole task for holes in concrete is proposed. The proposed method involves slightly detaching the peg from the wall, when moving between search positions, to avoid the negative influence of the concrete's high friction coefficient. It uses a deep neural network (DNN), trained via reinforcement learning, to effectively find holes with variable shape and surface finish (due to the brittle nature of concrete) without analytical modeling or control parameter tuning. The method uses displacement of the peg toward the wall surface, in addition to force and torque, as one of the inputs of the DNN. Since the displacement increases as the peg gets closer to the hole (due to the chamfered shape of holes in concrete), it is a useful parameter for inputting in the DNN. The proposed method was evaluated by training the DNN on a hole 500 times and attempting to find 12 unknown holes. The results of the evaluation show the DNN enabled a robot to find the unknown holes with average success rate of 96.1% and average execution time of 12.5 seconds. Additional evaluations with random initial positions and a different type of peg demonstrate the trained DNN can generalize well to different conditions. Analyses of the influence of the peg displacement input showed the success rate of the DNN is increased by utilizing this parameter. These results validate the proposed method in terms of its effectiveness and applicability to the construction industry.Comment: Published in 2021 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) on 30 May 202

Flux Network Modeling of Water and Materials In River Basin Complex For Assessment In Eco-Compatible Management

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

Primary Pancreatic Lymphoma: The Role of Surgical Treatment

Primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) is a rare disease that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. We describe the youngest case of PPL treated by surgical excision and chemotherapy. A 16-year-old male presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. Abdominal computed tomography showed a 3.0 × 4.5 cm homogeneously enhanced mass localized between the inferior vena cava and pancreatic head; the common pancreatic duct was dilated and the common bile duct was stenosed. Magnetic resonance imaging findings showed a 4.5 cm tumor localized between the inferior vena cava and pancreatic head with low signal intensity on T1W images and high intensity on T2W images, which enhanced inhomogeneously. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography findings were compatible with smooth stenosis of the common bile duct. He was diagnosed as pancreatitis secondary to pancreatic tumor and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Postoperative diagnosis was PPL and chemotherapy was performed. After 4 years of treatment he has no signs of recurrence

Laparoscopically Assisted Low Anterior Resection for Lower Rectal Endometriosis: Usefulness of Laparoscopic Surgery

A 34-year-old woman presented with pain during menstruation and was diagnosed with endometriosis of the lower rectum. Despite treatment with an LH-RH agonist, she was unable to become pregnant and surgical removal of her endometriosis was recommended. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed endometriosis localized between the neck of the uterus and rectum with indentation and scuffing. Laparoscopically assisted low anterior resection was performed. Exfoliation was started from the right side of the rectum to the presacral and retrorectal space, and the rectococcygeus ligament was transected. Exfoliation of the retrorectal space was continued to the levator ani muscle and mobilization of the right side of the rectum was performed. In front of the rectum, exfoliation was started posterior to the wall of the vagina, but layers became unclear near the tumor as the tissue was solid in this region. The left hypogastric nerve close to the tumor was inflamed and it was cut. The layer of the exfoliation was connected to the right side of the rectum, the tumor was isolated from the vagina, and the lower rectum was transected at a point 1 cm distal to the tumor with a 60-mm linear stapler. Reconstruction with a 31-mm circular stapler was performed using the double stapling technique. Operative time was 520 min with a blood loss of 320 ml. On the 9th post operative day, a rectovaginal fistula occurred, and ileostomy was performed. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 25th postoperative day, and 4 months later, stoma closure was performed