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We previously synthesized cysteine-installed C-terminally PEGylated oligolysines with 20 amino acid residues to form cross-linked polymeric micelles (PMs) with luciferase-coding plasmid DNA as a candidate for artificial gene vectors. Luciferase gene expression in HeLa cells mediated by PEG-CK

In the course of our research on the structure–activity relationship of 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one, (S)-6-[(R)-2-hydroxy-6-(4-fluorophenyl)hexyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one was found to show 2-3-fold more potent plant growth inhibitory activity against Italian ryegrass shoots (IC50 = 95 µm) and roots (IC50 = 17 µm) than compound bearing unsubstituted phenyl group. The small and electron withdrawing atom at 4-position of the benzene ring caused the higher activity.

In this study, Cu-growth features are investigated using selective low-pressure CVD of Cu on Ru(001) using a copper(I) iodide precursor. While discrete columnar grains are formed below 320 °C, lateral Cu islands are grown above 380 °C. The CuI dissociation efficiency, which depends on the growth temperature, indicates two activation energies corresponding to I2 desorption from Cu and Ru. The activation energy below 320 °C and above 380 °C are identified as the energies required for the desorption of I2 from Cu(111) and Ru(001), respectively. At 400 °C, nucleation occurs at the initial stage, followed by the lateral growth of Cu-islands. A proposed growth model, involving dissociated Cu-atom contributions toward increasing the Cu-island height and Cu coverage on Ru, can explain the island growth features dependent on the growth time. Further, the growth model reveals an important factor to achieve thinner Cu layers growth entirely covering Ru.

For enhancing the photocatalytic performance of anatase TiO2, proper control of the reactive facets and its molecular-level understanding are crucial. This experimental and theoretical study clarif...

It was shown that reduction of the tertiary benzylic hydroxy group of (2R,3S,4R,5S)-3,5-bis(4-benzyloxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2,4-dimethyltetrahydro-3-furanol 17 followed by the intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction gave exclusively indane with (7S,7'S,8R,8'R)-2,7'-cyclo-7,8'-neolignan structure 18 along with (7S,7'R,8S,8'R)-7,8'-epoxy-8,7'-neolignan structure 19. Indane 18 was converted to (-)-γ-diisoeugenol ((-)-4). On the other hand, (2S,3R,4R,5S)-3,5-bis(4-benzyloxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2,4-dimethyltetrahydro-3-furanol 22 did not afford indane, but the tetrahydrofuran structure with (7S,7'S,8S,8'S)-7,8'-epoxy-8,7'-neolignan structure 23 and 7'-epi-23.

All eight stereoisomers of conidendrin were synthesized from (1 R,2 S,3 S)-1-(4-benzyloxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-(4-benzyloxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-2- hydroxymethyl-1,4-butanediol ((+)-4) and its enantiomer with high optical purity. The configurations at 4-positions of the conidendrin stereoisomers were constructed by intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction of protected 4. After conversion to tetrahydronaphthalene intermediate 7a, the 2- and 3-position of tetrahydronaphthalene structure 7a were converted to 3a- and 9a-position of (+)-α-conidendrin (3a), respectively. By the epimerization process of 2- or 3-position of 7a, the other diastereomers were obtained. All enantiomers were also synthesized from (−)-4. All stereoisomers of conidendrin with 97-100î were synthesized from common starting materials and its enantiomers with epimerization.

We report a case of uterine adenomatoid tumor (AT) with regional lymph node involvement in a 49-year-old woman. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an aggregated cystic mass in the posterior uterine wall with partial protrusion of the tumor outside the uterus, and cystic masses of same characteristics in the bilateral obturator and right common iliac lymph nodes. FDG PET/CT revealed no significant FDG uptake in the uterine and lymph node lesions. Taking possible lymph node metastasis into consideration, hysterectomy and lymph node biopsy were performed and it revealed AT of the uterus and the lymph nodes histopathologically.

The root parasitic weed broomrapes

A gall midge species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) inducing leaf bud galls on Magnolia kobus DC. var. borealis Sarg. (Magnoliaceae) was found in Hokkaido and northern Honshu, Japan.Based on its morphology, the species is regarded as an undescribed species of the genusPseudasphondyliaMonzen (Cecidomyiinae, Cecidomyiidi, Asphondyliini). The species is herein described asPseudasphondylia saohimeaMatsuda, Elsayed and Tokudasp. n.The new species is easily distinguishable from its congeners by the number of adult palpal segments and the shape of the male terminalia and larval spatula.

All four stereoisomers of naturally occurring 6-(2-hydroxy-6-phenylhex-1-yl)-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (1) were synthesized by employing yeast-reduction products with high optical purity [from 95% enantiomeric excess (ee) to more than 99% ee], and then their phytotoxicities against lettuce and Italian ryegrass were evaluated. In the Italian ryegrass seedlings test, (6S,2′R)-1 showed the most potent and stereospecific activity against the shoots (IC50 = 260 μM) and roots (IC50 = 43.2 μM), with a significant difference from other stereoisomers. The highest seed germination inhibitory activity against Italian ryegrass seed was also observed in (6S,2′R)-1, showing a 53% germination ratio from the control at 1000 μM. This advantageous (6S,2′R) stereochemistry was employed in the syntheses of α,β-dihydro, 2′-dehydroxy, and 2′-methoxy derivatives 13–15. By the test using these derivatives, the importance of the α,β-unsaturated double bond and hydroxy group bonding to a chiral center on the 6-alkyl chain of 5,6-...

Oligolysine-based PEG-peptides with 15 or 20 amino acid residues including two cysteines were synthesized to formulate cross-linked polyplex micelles (PMs) incorporating luciferase-coding plasmid DNA (pDNA). Two cysteine residues were separately allocated at the C-terminal, center, or N-terminal of peptide moieties. Although TEM observation showed that all PEG-peptides condensed pDNA into rod-like or toroidal morphologies, the rod length distribution of PMs was affected by both the amino acid sequence and the peptide length of PEG-peptides. In comparison to the cysteine-uninstalled PEG-peptides, the cysteine-installed PEG-peptides exhibited a reductive environment-responsive pDNA release, which was observed in a gel retardation assay. From physicochemical characterizations, a relationship between the amino acid sequence and the in vitro gene expression efficacy of PMs in a cell-free protein synthesis system has been clearly demonstrated. Finally, the cell-based assay using HeLa cells has been tested, and the differences between both results of cell-free and cell-based systems are discussed.

Purpose Lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis is one of the leading causes of local recurrence in patients with lower rectal cancer. Unfortunately, no diagnostic biomarkers are currently available that can predict LLN metastasis preoperatively. Accordingly, we investigated the relationship between the middle rectal artery (MRA) identified by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (ceMRI) and LLN metastases. Methods Data from 102 patients with lower rectal cancer who underwent surgery, and were evaluated by preoperative ceMRI, between 2008 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Two expert radiologists evaluated the MRA findings. The diagnostic performance of MRA for LLN metastasis was evaluated by a multivariate analysis with conventional clinicopathological factors. Results The MRA was detected in 67 patients (65.7%), including 32 (31.4%) with bilateral MRA and 35 (34.3%) with unilateral MRA. The tumor size, presence of the MRA, and clinical LLN status were significantly correlated with LLN metastasis. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of MRA (P = 0.045) and clinical LLN status (P = 0.001) were independent predictive factors for LLN metastasis. Furthermore, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of MRA for LLN metastasis were 95% and 97.1%, respectively. Conclusion We successfully demonstrated that MRAs could be clearly detected by ceMRI, and the presence of MRA robustly predicted LLN metastasis in patients with lower rectal cancer, highlighting its clinical significance in the selection of more appropriate treatment strategies. Trial registration Trial registration number: retrospectively registered 2126 Trial registration date of registration: August 23, 2019

An unprecedented phosphonic acid with a vinylene-bridged fluoroalkyl chain (-C6F12-CH=CH-C6F13) was synthesized and characterized. This compound comprises the perfluorohexyl (C6F13) group, which allows the exclusion of the use and formation of bioaccumulative perfluorooctanoic-acid-related compounds (i.e., compounds containing the (C7F15)C moiety). Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the novel phosphonic acid were formed on indium-tin oxide and stainless steel substrates by solution deposition. The surface properties, formation kinetics, and thermal stabilities of the SAMs were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy. Compared to the SAMs of known fluorinated phosphonic acids containing CnF2n+1 groups (n = 4, 6, 8), the SAM of this novel phosphonic acid bearing the -C6F12-CH=CH-C6F13 group showed a high uniformity, a lower surface energy, and a lower contact angle hysteresis. In addition, the novel phosphonic acid allowed the rapid modification of metal oxide surfaces and imparted a superior thermal stability compared to conventional fluorinated phosphonic acids. Therefore, this phosphonic acid bearing a vinylene-bridged fluoroalkyl chain is a promising candidate for improving both surface modification and environmental properties in comparison with conventional analogs having long perfluoroalkyl chains.

One of the arctigenin stereoisomers, (8R,8'R)-trans-form 1, showed stereospecific cytotoxicity against insect cells, Sf9 and NIAS-AeAl-2 cells. By the comparison with other stereoisomers, the most importance of the 8'R stereochemistry for the higher activities was clarified. On the other hand, the wider range of activity level among stereoisomers against cancer cells, HL-60, was not observed. The structure-activity relationship research using derivatives bearing (8R,8'R)-trans-form was performed to show the same level of activities of 3-iodo, 4-iodo, and 3,4-methylenedioxy derivatives 28, 29, and 36 as (8R,8'R)-trans-arctigenin 1. In the examination of thiono derivatives, 4-iodo thiono and 3,4-methylenedioxy thiono derivatives 66, 67 showed similar level of activities to that of (8R,8'R)-trans-arctigenin 1. The expression of ribosomal 28S rRNA gene of Sf9 cells was increased by (8R,8'R)-trans-arctigenin 1, whereas a degradation of DNA was not observed.

The relationship between the structure of lignano-9,9′-lactone (2,3-dibenzylbutyrolactone) and its activity as a plant growth regulator has been clarified. Derivatives with higher plant growth inhibitory activity than natural dimethylmatairesinol 4 were synthesized. The 2-hydroxy-7-Z-ene derivative 42 displayed growth inhibitory activity against both the shoots (IC50 = 0.65 mM) and roots (IC50 = 0.43 mM) of lettuce seedlings. Regiospecific activity was observed. The 2,3-dihydroxy derivative 24 showed the highest growth inhibitory activity against both the shoots (IC50 = 0.36 mM) and roots (IC50 = 0.13 mM) of Italian ryegrass seedlings. A similar level of activity to 24 against just the roots of Italian ryegrass seedlings was maintained when the hydroxy group at position 3 of the 2,3-dihydroxy derivative 24 was replaced by a fluorine atom. The (2-hydroxy,4-fluoro)-derivative 33 also showed growth inhibitory activity against both the shoots (IC50 = 0.79 mM) and roots (IC50 = 0.14 mM) of Italian ryegrass see...

Ficifolidione, a natural insecticidal compound isolated from the essential oils of Myetaceae species, is a spiro phloroglucinol with an isobutyl group at the C-4 position. We found that ficifolidione showed cytotoxicity against cancer cells via apoptosis. Replacement of the isobutyl group by n-propyl group did not influence the potency, but the effect of the replacement of this group by a shorter or longer alkyl group on the biological activity remains unknown. In this study, ficifolidione derivatives with alkyl groups such as methyl, n-pentyl, and n-heptyl group&mdash, instead of the isobutyl group at the C-4 position&mdash, were synthesized to evaluate their cytotoxicity against the human promyelocytic leukaemia cell line HL60 and their insecticidal activity against mosquito larvae. The biological activities of their corresponding 4-epimers were also evaluated. As a result, the conversion of the isobutyl group to another alkyl group did not significantly influence the cytotoxicity or insecticidal activity. In HL60 cells treated with the n-heptyl-ficifolidione derivative, the activation of caspase 3/7 and the early stages of apoptosis were detected by using immunofluorescence and flow cytometric techniques, respectively, suggesting that the cytotoxicity should be induced by apoptosis even though the alkyl group was changed.

Ninety-two new 9-norlignan derivatives containing more effective compounds against both cancer and insect cells than lead compounds were synthesized. Against HeLa cells, 7-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-7′-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl) derivative 63 (IC50 = 0.9 ± 0.2 μM) was to be around 6-fold more potent than lead compound 5. Moreover, against HL-60 cells, 7-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-7′-(3′/4′-hydroxyphenyl) derivatives 78 and 79 (IC50 = 2.2 ± 0.4 μM and 2.4 ± 0.6 μM) were 3-fold more potent than lead compound 5. Furthermore, against Sf9 cells from the common cutworm, the 7-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl) derivatives bearing electron-withdrawing groups 76–96 showed a wider range of activity (around 20-fold difference), giving valuable information on the structure–activity relationship. The 7-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-7′-(2′/3′-hydroxyphenyl) derivatives 77 and 78 (IC50 = 4.7 ± 0.6 μM and 4.9 ± 0.9 μM) had around 2-fold higher activity against Sf9 cells than lead compound 5. The 7-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-7′-(3′-hydro...

To estimate the effect of methyl group of dihydroguaiaretic acid, which shows many kinds of biological activities, on biological activity, both enantiomers of 9′-dehydroxyimperanene (5, 6) and 7,8-dihydro-9′-dehydroxyimperanene (7, 8) lacking one of the methyl groups of dihydroguaiaretic acid were synthesized. (S)-7,8-Dihydro-9′-dehydroxyimperanene (7) showed 4–6-fold higher cytotoxic activity than all stereoisomers of dihydroguaiaretic acid (2–4). The IC50 values of (S)-7,8-dihydro-9′-dehydroxyimperanene (7) against HL-60 and HeLa cells were 6.1 μM and 5.6 μM, respectively. Though only one of three stereoisomers of dihydroguaiaretic acid showed antibacterial activity against a gram negative bacterium, both enantiomers of 5–8 showed antibacterial activity against a gram negative bacterium. This is a Letter on biological activity of 9-norlignan, in which one of methyl groups of lignan is absent.

Low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of Cu using copper(I)-iodide (CuI) as precursor was experimentally studied at low temperatures around 300 °C with understanding molecular structure of the precursor in the gas-phase. CuI was sublimated at temperatures around 300 °C in an evacuated reactor of LPCVD apparatus, while CuI was evaporated at high temperatures above 600 °C by atmospheric pressure CVD. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported CuI-trimer ((CuI)3) highly stabilized as an in-plane triangle is a major species in the gas phase and predicted the trimer is deformed by metal-atom such as Ru and Cu. Experimental results of the LPCVD, that preferentially oriented Cu(1 1 1) grains were deposited on Ru(0 0 1) at low temperatures around 300 °C but any deposits was not formed on SiOx/Si by the LPCVD, clearly indicating the activation energy of the precursor dissociation on the metal surfaces is lower than that on the dielectrics. Further, significantly low activation energy for the Cu-deposition rate dependent on the substrate temperature suggested the dissociation of the precursor is not driven by the thermal activation in the gas phase but by adsorption on the metal surfaces. Furthermore, the activation energy (85 kJ/mol) for the Cu-deposition rate dependent on the substrate temperature was found to be much lower than that for the dissociation of the CuI monomer (285 kJ/mol) or trimer (400 kJ/mol) in the gas phase. This finding indicates a catalytic dissociation of CuI on Ru and Cu metallic surfaces.

We elucidate the molecular mechanism of Cu deposition using copper(I) iodide (CuI) on Ru substrate by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition through ab initio electronic structure calculations. Using density functional theory calculations, we show that CuI molecules adsorb and decompose exothermically due to a strong adsorption of iodine atoms onto the Ru(001) surface. The rate-limiting step of the Cu deposition is found to be the desorption of iodine molecules from the Cu(111) surface, suggesting that the removal of iodine species is necessary to achieve the high-rate deposition of highly-conductive copper films for ultra large scale integration metallization.

A hospital-pharmacy cooperation scheme for inhalation therapy was implemented with web-application and database servers on an Internet cloud, in which inhalation instructor (doctor, nurse and pharmacist) makes report of inhalation instruction and shares the report, in order to improve quality of inhalation therapy, in first time in the world. It’s prototyped system was test-run in a hospital and dispensing pharmacy for six months from May 1 to November 8 in 2017. Through the test run, access log were analyzed and operational time and error factor were within practical use comparing to current cooperation with widespread-used paper sheets. Furthermore, replying rate of the inhalation instruction report against it’s request was drastically improved from 56% (conventional cloud system) to 92.2%.

BACKGROUND Equol is a metabolite of daidzein that is produced by intestinal microbiota. The oestrogenic activity of equol is stronger than daidzein. Equol-producing bacteria are believed to play an important role in the gut. The rod-shaped and Gram-positive anaerobic equol-producing intestinal bacterium Slackia TM-30 was isolated from healthy human faeces and its effects on urinary phyto-oestrogen, plasma and faecal lipids were assessed in adult mice. RESULTS The urinary amounts of equol in urine were significantly higher in mice receiving the equol-producing bacterium TM-30 (BAC) group than in the control (CO) group (P

The plant growth regulatory activity of furofuran lignan (7,9':7',9-diepoxylignan) was evaluated by employing optically pure synthesized (+)- and (-)-enantiomers. (+)-Sesamin possessing a 3,4-methylenedioxy group on the aromatic rings and 7-aryl structure showed growth promotion activity against lettuce roots (EC50 = 0.50 mM); on the other hand, growth inhibitory activity was observed against lettuce shoots (EC50 = 0.38 mM). Against ryegrass shoots, (-)-sesamolin, which has 3,4-methylenedioxy groups on the aromatic rings and a 7-acetal structure, was effective in showing growth inhibitory activity (EC50 = 0.23 mM). Different activity levels were observed between (+)- and (-)-enantiomers. It was assumed that the 3,4-methylenedioxy group on the aromatic ring was more potent for the plant growth regulatory activity.

All stereoisomers of 1,3-polyol/α-pyrone 1–8 with more than 99% ee were synthesized to estimate the effect of stereochemistry on the antifungal activity. The absolute configuration of natural compound was determined as (6R,2′S,4′R)-2. The eight stereoisomers showed the antifungal activity against plant pathogenic Alternaria alternata Japanese pear pathotype and Colletotrichum lagenarium. The large difference of activity level was not observed between stereoisomers, showing 43–72% of growth ratio against control at 0.5 mM. The most potent stereoisomer was (6S,2′S,4′S)-8 and the activity of (6R,2′S,4′S)-1 was weakest against both fungi.