CHEMICALLY CROSS-LINKED HYDROGEL HAVING HIGH MECHANICAL STRENGTH

The mechanically tough shape memory gel (SMG) was synthesized. The chemically cross-linked process was applied using a cross-linker named methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA). The SMG was prepared by N, Ndimethyl acrylamide (DMAAm) and stearyl acrylate (SA). The DMAAm is a hydrophilic monomer, whereas SA is a hydrophobic monomer. Due to the transparency, shape memory property, low friction, and high water content, the SMG is suitable for biomedical and optical applications. The physical property such as mechanical strength of most hydrogels is not good enough. However, the properties of these hydrogels are easily controlled by changing the polymer concentration, molecular weight and cross-linker concentrations. It is found that the swelling degree increases with respect to the DMAAm concentration. The mechanical properties of transparent shape memory hydrogel were investigated by the tensile, the compression and the dynamic mechanical analysis. The Young’s modulus gradually decreases with the increase of hydrophilic components. On the other hand, higher Young’s modulus is observed by increasing the high hydrophobic concentration. It is also seen that the mechanical stress decreases with respect to the temperature, indicating the loss of Young’s modulus. The result of dynamic mechanical analysis designates that the water swollen sample has both the elastic and viscous properties

CHEMICALLY CROSS-LINKED HYDROGEL HAVING HIGH MECHANICAL STRENGTH

The mechanically tough shape memory gel (SMG) was synthesized. The chemically cross-linked process was applied using a cross-linker named methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA). The SMG was prepared by N, Ndimethyl acrylamide (DMAAm) and stearyl acrylate (SA). The DMAAm is a hydrophilic monomer, whereas SA is a hydrophobic monomer. Due to the transparency, shape memory property, low friction, and high water content, the SMG is suitable for biomedical and optical applications. The physical property such as mechanical strength of most hydrogels is not good enough. However, the properties of these hydrogels are easily controlled by changing the polymer concentration, molecular weight and cross-linker concentrations. It is found that the swelling degree increases with respect to the DMAAm concentration. The mechanical properties of transparent shape memory hydrogel were investigated by the tensile, the compression and the dynamic mechanical analysis. The Young’s modulus gradually decreases with the increase of hydrophilic components. On the other hand, higher Young’s modulus is observed by increasing the high hydrophobic concentration. It is also seen that the mechanical stress decreases with respect to the temperature, indicating the loss of Young’s modulus. The result of dynamic mechanical analysis designates that the water swollen sample has both the elastic and viscous properties

Changes of ambient gamma-ray dose rate in Katsushika Ward, metropolitan Tokyo before and after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Katsushika Ward in the eastern part of metropolitan Tokyo was the Tokyo area with the highest deposition of artificial radionuclides after the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. A car-borne survey of the air kerma rate was conducted for all of the ward and the results were compared with measurements done in 2005. The mean air kerma rate in 2014 was 59 ± 12 nGy h⁻¹ and that was 50% higher than the rate in 2005 (p < 0.01). Additionally, the environmental half-life was estimated to be 1.9 years from the transition of ambient equivalent dose rate after the accident for data published by the Katsushika Ward Office

Synthesis and properties of highly hydrophilic polyurethane based on diisocyanate with ether group

Highly hydrophilic polyurethane elastomers (PUEs) were synthesized from 1,2-bis(isocyanate) ethoxyethane (TEGDI), poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) copolyol (EOPO) and 1,4-butane diol/1,1,1-trimethylol propane (75/25) (wt/wt) by a prepolymer method. 4,4′-Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI)-based PUEs were synthesized as a control as well. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements revealed that the degree of microphase separation of the TEGDI-based PUEs was much weaker than for the MDI-based PUEs. Young\u27s modulus and elongation at break of the TEGDI-based PUEs were quite lower and larger than for the MDI-based PUEs, respectively. This is due to quite weak cohesion force of the hard segment chains in the TEGDI-based PUEs. The degree of swelling of the TEGDI-based PUEs was five times larger than for the MDI-based one. This is associated with the hydrophilic nature of TEGDI and weak cohesion force in the TEGDI-based PUEs

高フェリチン血症を契機に成人Still 病と診断した不明熱症例

　成人Still 病は弛張熱，関節炎，発熱時に増強する発疹（サーモンピンク疹）を３徴とする疾患で，白血球増加，血清CRP やフェリチン値の上昇などの強い炎症所見を認め，しばしば不明熱の原因となる．高フェリチン血症を契機に成人Still 病と診断した症例を経験したので報告する．患者は57歳女性，入院３週間前から発熱とともに咽頭痛，関節痛が出現し，近医にて抗菌薬治療が行われた．抗菌薬不応の発熱で当院を紹介受診し，不明熱精査目的に入院した．入院時より前胸部や背部に淡い紅斑が出現し，採血で，白血球増加（11,480/μL），CRP 高値（12.98 mg/dL），フェリチン著明高値（5,511 ng/mL）を認めた．胸腹部CT 検査では腋窩・鼠径リンパ節の腫脹と脾腫大を認めた．血液培養検査は陰性で，骨髄生検や皮膚生検にて造血器腫瘍を示唆する所見を認めなかった．感染症や悪性腫瘍を除外し，Yamaguchi らの分類基準を満たし，成人Still 病と診断した．プレドニゾロンとメトトレキサートの併用療法を開始したところ，速やかに全身状態は改善した．不明熱の原因検索を行う際に，フェリチン値の測定は有用であると考えられる．　Adult-onset Still\u27s disease (AOSD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder which is responsible for a significant proportion of cases of fever of unknown origin. This disease is characterized by high spiking fevers, musculoskeletal disorders and salmon-colored rash. Here we report the case of a 57-year-old woman with fever of unknown origin who was diagnosed with AOSD. Hyperferritinemia contributed to her diagnosis. The patient was referred to our clinic with persistent spike fevers and arthralgia for 3 weeks despite antibiotic treatment. The patient also had a sore throat, and developed a skin rush on her trunk upon admission. Laboratory data indicated leukocytosis (11,480 /μL), elevated levels of CRP (12.98 mg/dL), and hyperferritinemia (5,511 ng/mL). To exclude infections and malignant diseases, systemic computed tomography scans and biopsy from bone marrow and skin were performed. From these examinations, and based on the criteria set by Yamaguchi et al. , the patient was given a diagnosis of AOSD. She was started on prednisone and methotrexate, and these treatments were effective. Serum ferritin levels should be checked for the evaluation of fever of unknown origin

2-Decenoic Acid Ethyl Ester, a Compound That Elicits Neurotrophin-like Intracellular Signals, Facilitating Functional Recovery from Cerebral Infarction in Mice

In our previous study, we found that trans-2-decenoic acid ethyl ester (DAEE), a derivative of a medium-chain fatty acid, elicits neurotrophin-like signals including the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in cultured mouse cortical neurons. Here, we examined the efficacy of intraperitoneal administration of DAEE on the treatment of a mouse model of the cerebral infarction caused by unilateral permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (PMCAO). DAEE-treatment (100 μg/kg body weight injected at 0.5, 24, 48, 72 h after PMCAO) significantly restored the mice from PMCAO-induced neurological deficits including motor paralysis when evaluated 48, 72, and 96 h after the PMCAO. Furthermore, DAEE facilitated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 on the infarction side of the brain when analyzed by Western immunoblot analysis, and it enhanced the number of phosphorylated ERK1/2-positive cells in the border areas between the infarction and non-infarction regions of the cerebral cortex, as estimated immunohistochemically. As the infarct volume remained unchanged after DAEE-treatment, it is more likely that DAEE improved the neurological condition through enhanced neuronal functions of the remaining neurons in the damaged areas rather than by maintaining neuronal survival. These results suggest that DAEE has a neuro-protective effect on cerebral infarction

Elimination of TDP-43 inclusions linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by a misfolding-specific intrabody with dual proteolytic signals.

Aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is implicated in the pathogenesis of sporadic and certain familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting elimination of TDP-43 aggregates as a possible therapeutic strategy. Here we generated and investigated a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) derived from the 3B12A monoclonal antibody (MAb) that recognises D247 of the TDP-43 nuclear export signal, an epitope masked in the physiological state. In transfected HEK293A cells, 3B12A scFv recapitulated the affinity of the full-length MAb to mislocalised TDP-43 with a defective nuclear localising signal and to a TDP-43 inclusion mimic with cysteine-to-serine substitution at RRM1. Moreover, 3B12A scFv accelerated proteasome-mediated degradation of aggregated TDP-43, likely due to an endogenous PEST-like proteolytic signal sequence in the VH domain CDR2 region. Addition of the chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA)-related signal to 3B12A scFv induced HSP70 transcription, further enhancing TDP-43 aggregate clearance and cell viability. The 3B12A scFv also reduced TDP-43 aggregates in embryonic mouse brain following in utero electroporation while causing no overt postnatal brain pathology or developmental anomalies. These results suggest that a misfolding-specific intrabody prone to synergistic proteolysis by proteasomal and autophagic pathways is a promising strategy for mitigation of TDP-43 proteinopathy in ALS.筋萎縮性側索硬化症の異常凝集体を除去する治療抗体の開発に成功-ALS の根治治療への道を開く -滋賀医科大学プレスリリース. 2018-05-3

Keratinocyte growth factor accelerates compensatory growth in the remaining lung after trilobectomy in rats.

OBJECTIVE: In rats pulmonary resection is followed by lung compensatory growth. However, the molecular mechanism underlying lung compensatory growth remains unclear. Keratinocyte growth factor is expressed in lung tissue and is considered a possible mitogen for lung epithelial cells. The objectives of this study were to define the role of keratinocyte growth factor and its receptor in rat lung compensatory growth after trilobectomy and the effect of exogenous keratinocyte growth factor gene transfection. METHODS: Adult Lewis rats were used. Right trilobectomy was performed in the operation group and sham thoracotomy in the sham group. In the operation group, keratinocyte growth factor-FLAG or FLAG expression vector was transfected directly into the lung by means of electroporation. Expression of keratinocyte growth factor and its receptor and alveolar cell proliferation index based on proliferating cell nuclear antigen levels were measured in the right lung at day 14 after the operation. RESULTS: Proliferating cell nuclear antigen, keratinocyte growth factor, and keratinocyte growth factor receptor expression in lung epithelial cells was significantly increased at day 4 after trilobectomy. Transfection of keratinocyte growth factor-FLAG expression vector resulted in further significant enhancement of proliferating cell nuclear antigen at day 4 after trilobectomy; however, the transfection of FLAG expression vector did not alter the enhancement of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Exogenous expression of keratinocyte growth factor in the remaining lung by means of electroporation significantly augmented epithelial proliferation and decreased the average airspace distance (mean linear intercept). CONCLUSION: Our results implicate keratinocyte growth factor in the induction of alveolar epithelial cell proliferation for compensatory lung growth and indicate that overexpression of keratinocyte growth factor in the remaining lung by means of electroporation significantly augmented lung epithelial proliferation

Zidovudine plus lamivudine in Human T-Lymphotropic Virus type-I-associated myelopathy: a randomised trial

BACKGROUND: No therapies have been proven to persistently improve the outcome of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy. Clinical benefit has been reported with zidovudine and with lamivudine in observational studies. We therefore conducted a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study of six months combination therapy with these nucleoside analogues in sixteen patients. RESULTS: Primary outcomes were change in HTLV-I proviral load in PBMCs and clinical measures. Secondary endpoints were changes in T-cell subsets and markers of activation and proliferation. Six patients discontinued zidovudine. No significant changes in pain, bladder function, disability score, gait, proviral load or markers of T-cell activation or proliferation were seen between the two arms. Active therapy was associated with an unexplained decrease in CD8 and non-T lymphocyte counts. CONCLUSION: Failure to detect clinical improvement may have been due irreversible nerve damage in these patients with a long clinical history and future studies should target patients presenting earlier. The lack of virological effect but may reflect a lack of activity of these nucleoside analogues against HTLV-I RT in vivo, inadequate intracellular concentrations of the active moiety or the contribution of new cell infection to maintaining proviral load at this stage of infection may be relatively small masking the effects of RT inhibition