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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted a great deal of interest as a therapeutic tool for renal fibrosis. Although both adipose-derived and bone marrow-derived MSCs (ADSCs and BMSCs, respectively) suppress renal fibrosis, which of these two has a stronger therapeutic effect remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the antifibrotic effects of ADSCs and BMSCs extracted from adipose tissue and bone marrow derived from the same rats. When cultured in serum-containing medium, ADSCs had a more potent inhibitory effect than BMSCs on renal fibrosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. ADSCs and BMSCs cultured in serum-free medium were equally effective in suppressing renal fibrosis. Mice infused with ADSCs (serum-containing or serum-free cultivation) had a higher death rate from pulmonary embolism than those infused with BMSCs. In vitro, mRNA levels of tissue factor, tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 6 and prostaglandin E synthase were higher in ADSCs than in BMSCs, while that of vascular endothelial growth factor was higher in BMSCs than in ADSCs. Although ADSCs had a stronger antifibrotic effect, these findings support the consideration of thromboembolism risk in clinical applications. Our results emphasize the importance of deciding between ADSCs and BMSCs based upon the target disease and culture method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Vitamin B 2 (riboflavin) reportedly has an antioxidant effect through superoxide dismutase (SOD) activation. However, the effect of riboflavin on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has never been investigated. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that riboflavin has a protective effect on AAA formation in an experimental rat model. Methods The AAA model, which was induced with intraluminal elastase and extraluminal calcium chloride, was created in 36 rats. The 36 rats were divided into a riboflavin group (group R; 25 mg/kg/d), and control group (carboxymethyl cellulose). Riboflavin administration by gastric gavage once per day was started at 3 days before aneurysm preparation. On day 3, SOD activity in aneurysm walls was assayed. On day 7, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were semiquantified by dihydroethidium staining, and the oxidation product of DNA produced by ROS, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), was measured by immunohistochemical staining. Histopathologic examination (hematoxylin/eosin and elastica Van Gieson staining) was performed on day 28, and the AAA dilatation ratio was calculated to evaluate the protective effect of riboflavin. Results On day 3, SOD activity was significantly increased in aneurysm walls by riboflavin administration (370 ± 204 U/mL in normal, 334 ± 86 U/mL in control, 546 ± 143 U/mL in group R; P = .021). On day 7, ROS levels and 8-OHdG-positive cells in aneurysm walls were significantly decreased by riboflavin treatment (ROS levels: 1.0 ± 0.1 in normal, 4.5 ± 0.4 in control, 3.1 ± 0.5 in group R, P < .01; 8-OHdG-positive cells: 30 ± 2 cells in normal, 148 ± 20 cells in control, 109 ± 15 cells in group R, P < .01). Riboflavin treatment significantly reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 messenger RNA expression in aneurysm walls (relative expression: MMP-9: 0.4 ± 0.7 in normal, 2.6 ± 1.3 in control, 0.5 ± 0.3 in group R, P < .01). On day 28, the aortic walls were less dilated and had higher elastin content in group R than in control (dilatation ratio: 194.9% ± 10.9% in control, 158.6% ± 2.5% in group R; P <.01). Conclusions Riboflavin treatment prevents AAA formation in a rat model through an antioxidant effect and might be a potent pharmacologic agent for AAA treatment in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dehydrogenative direct coupling of α,α-disubstituted benzylamines with acrylates takes place efficiently at room temperature under ruthenium catalysis, accompanied by free amino group-directed ortho-alkenylation and successive cyclization to produce (isoindol-1-yl)acetic acid derivatives. The reactions using styrenes in place of acrylates proceed effectively in the presence of a rhodium catalyst rather than ruthenium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The atom-transfer carbonylation reaction of various alkyl iodides thereby leading to carboxylic acid esters was effectively accelerated by the addition of transition-metal catalysts under photoirradiation conditions. By using a combined Pd/ hν reaction system, vicinal C-functionalization of alkenes was attained in which α-substituted iodoalkanes, alkenes, carbon monoxide, and alcohols were coupled to give functionalized esters. When alkenyl alcohols were used as acceptor alkenes, three-component coupling reactions, which were accompanied by intramolecular esterification, proceeded to give lactones. Pd-dimer complex [Pd2(CNMe)6][PF6]2, which is known to undergo homolysis under photoirradiation conditions, worked quite well as a catalyst in these three- or four-component coupling reactions. In this metal/radical hybrid system, both Pd radicals and acyl radicals are key players and a stereochemical study confirmed the carbonylation step proceeded through a radical carbonylation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Total arch replacement necessitating deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest has a greater effect on pulmonary function than other cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Since April 2004, 100mg of sivelestat sodium hydrate was administrated by bolus injection into pulp circuit at the initiation of CPB in every case performed total arch replacement. We investigated the hypothesis that prophylactic use of the drug attenuates post-pump pulmonary dysfunction. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 120 consecutive patients who underwent total arch replacement from August 2001 to December 2006 was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups according to the date of surgery, April 2004, when we started sivelestat administration. Group A (n =60), operated after April 2004, was administrated sivelestat at the initiation of CPB. Group B (n =60), before April 2004, was not administrated. Time courses of hemodynamic variables were evaluated until 24h after surgery and those of respiratory variables and inflammatory markers until 48h after surgery. Results: There were no significant differences in patient age, sex, prevalence of chronic obstructive lung disease, preoperative lung function, time of operation and CPB, minimum temperature, and aprotinin usage. Hospital mortality occurred in two patients in the group B (3.3%) and no patient in group A (0%). Postoperative hemodynamic variables were not different between the two groups. Respiratory index, oxygenation index were significantly better in patients pretreated with sivelestat (respiratory index; p <0.001, oxygenation index; p <0.001, respectively). CRP was significantly lower in patients pretreated with sivelestat (p =0.022). Except for patients who required tracheostomy or re-exploration for bleeding, patients pretreated with sivelestat were extubated significantly shorter (group A: 12.6±10.8h, group B: 25.5±12.9h, p =0.033). No patient with postoperative respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy was noted in sivelestat group. Conclusion: Prophylactic administration of sivelestat at the initiation of CPB results in better postoperative pulmonary function, leading to earlier extubation time. Our study suggests that sivelestat was effective in facilitating postoperative respiratory management in total arch replacement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An 82 year-old woman suddenly developed severe back pain. Enhanced computed tomography and aortography revealed penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU), that was a localized contrast-filled outpouching in the juxtarenal abdominal aorta and intramural hematoma within the aortic wall. Coronary angiography revealed significant stenosis in the left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery. Urgent aortic repair was required; therefore we performed the combined operations of coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic repair. PAUs typically occur in elderly patients with a history of hypertension, and are frequently complicated by coronary artery disease. However, few cases have been reported in the literature, such as cases involving combined operations. In this study, we report on a successful case of emergency repair involving concomitant juxtarenal abdominal aortic replacement for PAU and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The straightforward synthesis of isochromene derivatives and related cyclic ethers is achieved by the rhodium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of α,alpha;-disubsrituted benzyl and allyl alcohols with alkynes. The hydroxy groups effectively act as the key function for the regioselective C-H bond cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The straightforward route to fluorenes involves the cleavage of 2 C-H bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noroviruses (NoVs) are one of the major causes of acute viral gastroenteritis in humans. Virus-like particles (VLPs) without genomes that mimic the capsid structure of viruses are promising vaccine candidates for the prevention of NoVs infection. To produce large amounts of recombinant protein, including VLPs, the silkworm-expression vector system (silkworm-BEVS) is an efficient and powerful tool. In this study, we constructed a recombinant baculovirus that expresses VP1 protein, the major structural protein of NoV GII.4. Expression analysis showed that the baculovirus-infected silkworm pupae expressed NoV VP1 protein more efficiently than silkworm larval fat bodies. We obtained about 4.9 mg of purified NoV VP1 protein from only five silkworm pupae. The purified VP1 protein was confirmed by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy to form VLPs of approximately 40 nm in diameter. Antisera from mice immunized with the antigen blocked NoV VLPs binding to histo-blood group antigens of pig gastric mucin and also blocked NoV infection in intestinal epithelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Our findings demonstrated that NoV VLP eliciting protective antibodies could be obtained in milligram quantities from a few silkworm pupae using the silkworm-BEVS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]