Light Controls Protein Localization through Phytochrome-Mediated Alternative Promoter Selection.

Alternative promoter usage is a proteome-expanding mechanism that allows multiple pre-mRNAs to be transcribed from a single gene. The impact of this mechanism on the proteome and whether it is positively exploited in normal organismal responses remain unclear. We found that the plant photoreceptor phytochrome induces genome-wide changes in alternative promoter selection in Arabidopsis thaliana. Through this mechanism, protein isoforms with different N termini are produced that display light-dependent differences in localization. For instance, shade-grown plants accumulate a cytoplasmic isoform of glycerate kinase (GLYK), an essential photorespiration enzyme that was previously thought to localize exclusively to the chloroplast. Cytoplasmic GLYK constitutes a photorespiratory bypass that alleviates fluctuating light-induced photoinhibition. Therefore, phytochrome controls alternative promoter selection to modulate protein localization in response to changing light conditions. This study suggests that alternative promoter usage represents another ubiquitous layer of gene expression regulation in eukaryotes that contributes to diversification of the proteome.

Genome sequence and cell biological toolbox of the highly regenerative, coenocytic green feather alga Bryopsis.

Green feather algae (Bryopsidales) undergo a unique life cycle in which a single cell repeatedly executes nuclear division without cytokinesis, resulting in the development of a thallus (>100 mm) with characteristic morphology called coenocyte. Bryopsis is a representative coenocytic alga that has exceptionally high regeneration ability: extruded cytoplasm aggregates rapidly in seawater, leading to the formation of protoplasts. However, the genetic basis of the unique cell biology of Bryopsis remains poorly understood. Here, we present a high-quality assembly and annotation of the nuclear genome of Bryopsis sp. (90.7 Mbp, 27 contigs, N50 = 6.7 Mbp, 14 034 protein-coding genes). Comparative genomic analyses indicate that the genes encoding BPL-1/Bryohealin, the aggregation-promoting lectin, are heavily duplicated in Bryopsis, whereas homologous genes are absent in other ulvophyceans, suggesting the basis of regeneration capability of Bryopsis. Bryopsis sp. possesses >30 kinesins but only a single myosin, which differs from other green algae that have multiple types of myosin genes. Consistent with this biased motor toolkit, we observed that the bidirectional motility of chloroplasts in the cytoplasm was dependent on microtubules but not actin in Bryopsis sp. Most genes required for cytokinesis in plants are present in Bryopsis, including those in the SNARE or kinesin superfamily. Nevertheless, a kinesin crucial for cytokinesis initiation in plants (NACK/Kinesin-7II) is hardly expressed in the coenocytic part of the thallus, possibly underlying the lack of cytokinesis in this portion. The present genome sequence lays the foundation for experimental biology in coenocytic macroalgae.

Association of dorsal malunion in distal radius fractures with wrist osteoarthritis: Alterations of bone density and stress-distribution patterns in relation to deformation angles.

OBJECTIVE: Distal radius fractures (DRFs) with dorsal malunion increase the risk of osteoarthritis (OA), although the cause of post-DRF OA is yet to be elucidated. To clarify the abnormal effects of a post-DRF dorsal radius deformity, we evaluated the bone density (BD) and stress-distribution patterns of the articular surface in dorsally malunited DRFs. DESIGN: In 36 cases of dorsally malunited DRFs following extra-articular fractures, we generated three-dimensional computerized models of the malunited distal radius from computed tomography data and extracted the subchondral bones of the radiocarpal joint (RCJ) and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). Both BD and stress distribution in the subchondral bones were quantitatively evaluated by comparing the affected and normal sides. Correlations of alterations in high-BD distribution and deformation angles were analyzed. RESULTS: The center of high-BD distribution from the center of the RCJ in the volar(-)-dorsal(+) direction was dorsal (0.56 ± 0.72 mm) on the affected side compared with the normal side (-0.15 ± 0.63 mm) [95% CI: 0.43, 1.00, P < 0.0001]. The maximum stress distribution was also dorsal on the affected side (2.34 ± 3.52 mm) compared with the normal side (-2.49 ± 1.62 mm) [95% CI: 0.89, 1.79, P < 0.0001]. The alterations in BD and stress distribution correlated with the dorsiflexion and radial deviation angles. In the DRUJ, there was no significant difference in BD between the affected and normal sides. CONCLUSIONS: In dorsally malunited DRFs, the alignment change of the RCJ resulted in high BD-concentration areas and stress distribution on the dorsal side of the radius, which may constitute a precursor for OA.

Radiological characteristics of skeletal growth in neonates and infants with achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia (ACH) is the most common form of skeletal dysplasia characterized by a rhizomelic short stature. Radiological skeletal findings in pediatric and adult patients with ACH include short long bones, a relatively longer fibula compared to the tibia, a narrow lumbar interpedicular distance, and a hypoplastic iliac wing. Nonetheless, the characteristics of skeletal growth during the neonatal and infantile periods have scarcely been explored. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to analyze the radiological skeletal growth during the neonatal and infantile periods in 41 Japanese patients with genetically confirmed ACH. The length of long bones in the upper and lower limbs and the lumbar interpedicular distances at L1 and L4 were measured. These parameters showed significant positive correlations with age. The upper segment-to-lower segment ratio in the lower limbs resembled the data of healthy controls from previous reports. The L1/L4 and fibula/tibia ratios increased with age, suggesting that some representative skeletal phenotypes of ACH were less distinct during the neonatal and infantile periods. In conclusion, for the first time, this study radiologically characterized skeletal growth during the neonatal and infantile periods of patients with genetically confirmed ACH.

Fifteen-Year Clinical Outcomes After Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation.

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention have improved with the use of drug-eluting stents, but data beyond 10 years are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing sirolimus-eluting stent implantation with follow-up beyond 10 years and to determine the impact of clinical and angiographic characteristics on long-term prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The clinical outcomes of 885 patients who had undergone sirolimus-eluting stent implantation at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Primary endpoints included in the analysis were clinically driven target lesion revascularization (cTLR) and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Univariate and multivariate nominal logistic regression was used for data analysis. The incidence rates of cTLR and TLR beyond 10 years after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation were 16.4% and 36.8%, respectively, with cTLR tending to decrease beyond 10 years. Acute coronary syndrome was a predominant trigger for cTLR. Age, statin use, and stent restenosis emerged as predictors of cTLR within 10 years, but no significant predictors other than age were identified beyond 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Events continue to occur beyond 10 years after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation, with a trend toward an increase in acute coronary syndromes. It is important to be vigilant about the occurrence of acute coronary syndromes during long-term follow-up.

Hypotension after general anaesthesia induction using remimazolam or propofol in geriatric patients undergoing sevoflurane anaesthesia with remifentanil: a single-centre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of hypotension after induction of general anaesthesia is common in geriatric patients, and should be prevented to minimise perioperative complications. Compared with propofol, remimazolam potentially has a lower incidence of hypotension. This study aimed to compare the incidence of hypotension after general anaesthesia induction with remimazolam or propofol in geriatric patients. METHODS: This single-centre, double-blind, randomised trial enrolled 90 patients aged ≥80 yr who received general anaesthesia for scheduled surgery. Patients were randomised to receive remimazolam (12 mg kg-1 h-1) or propofol (0.025 mg kg-1 s-1) for anaesthesia induction, with remifentanil and sevoflurane. The presence or absence of hypertension on the ward served as the stratification factor. The incidence of hypotension after the induction of general anaesthesia, defined as a noninvasive mean arterial pressure of <65 mm Hg measured every minute from initiation of drug administration to 3 min after tracheal intubation, was the primary outcome. Subgroup analysis was performed for the primary outcome using preoperative ward hypertension, clinical frailty scale, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and age. RESULTS: Three subjects were excluded before drug administration, and 87 subjects were included in the analysis. The incidence of hypotension was 72.1% (31/43) and 72.7% (32/44) with remimazolam or propofol, respectively. No statistically significant differences (adjusted odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-2.46; P=0.93) were observed between groups. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with propofol, remimazolam did not reduce the incidence of hypotension after general anaesthesia induction in patients aged ≥80 yr. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000042587.

Analysis of the Medication Persistence Rate for and Adherence to Oral 5-Aminosalicylic Acid Preparations in Japanese Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Study Using a Nationwide Claims Database.

INTRODUCTION: 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is the first-line drug for the treatment of mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). Three oral sustained-release formulations are often used. However, no unified view of their actual use in routine medical practice has been presented to date. METHODS: Using a health insurance claims database, we extracted patients with an initial diagnosis of mild-to-moderate UC during the period from December 1, 2017, to March 31, 2022. For the three types of oral 5-ASA formulation, we calculated and compared descriptive statistics of medication persistence rates (MPR), proportions of days covered (PDC), and adherence proportion (PDC ≥80%) in the extracted population. RESULTS: An oral 5-ASA formulation was used in combination with a topical preparation (cohort 1) in 899 patients, and oral 5-ASA was used alone (cohort 2) in 1,829 patients. In cohort 1, MPR at days 151-180 with concomitant use of topical formulation was significantly higher for the Multi Matrix System™ (MMX) formulation (65.2%) compared with that for pH-dependent formulation (51.7%, p < 0.025), while MPR tended to be higher for MMX than for the time-dependent formulation (56.4%, not significant). During days 151-180 after starting the oral formulation, MPR for MMX (66.7% and 65.8%) was higher than for pH-dependent (55.9% and 55.3%) and time-dependent (57.6% and 55.9%) formulations in cohorts 1 + 2 and 2, respectively. In cohort 1, there was a significant difference between MMX (68.3%) and pH-dependent (57.1%) formulations, but no significant difference was seen with time-dependent formulations (61.8%). In terms of the proportion of adherence until day 180, MMX was significantly better than the other formulations. CONCLUSION: The analyses of the three oral 5-ASA formulations suggested that both MPR and medication adherence were better for the MMX formulation than for time-dependent or pH-dependent formulations.

Female social dynamics as viewed from grooming networks in the Central Himalayan Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus).

Enhanced survival and reproduction are associated with an individual's direct and indirect social connections with members of a group. Yet, the role of these connections is little known in a vast range of primate species. We studied female Central Himalayan Langur (CHL) to investigate the link between four specific attributes (dominance rank, age, genetic relatedness, and the presence of females carrying infants) and a female's direct and indirect social relationships. By analyzing grooming networks, we revealed different behavioral strategies: high-ranking females form relationships with many females (high degree), whereas females with dependent infants have strong relationships (high strength and eigenvector). Subadult females are important individuals that hold the social network together (high betweenness), while an immigrant female strategy is to integrate herself into the group by forming strong bonds with females who themselves have strong bonds (high eigenvector). Our study sheds light on how behavioral strategies shape female CHL grooming networks, which may help them to secure fitness and survival advantages.

Simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of anthraquinones in sicklepod sprouts with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

INTRODUCTION: Sicklepod [Cassia obtusifolia L. syn Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby, Fabaceae] sprouts are promising ingredients with health-promoting benefits. Notwithstanding, the pharmacologically active compounds in sicklepod sprouts have not been studied or analysed in detail. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to isolate and structurally identify phytochemicals showing α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in sicklepod sprouts and simultaneously quantify the compounds in the sprouts to determine the optimal cultivation method and germination time to maximise active compounds. METHOD: A simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) method with high sensitivity and accuracy was developed and used to analyse time-dependent changes in anthraquinone content during sicklepod germination. RESULTS: Thirteen anthraquinones were isolated and identified, of which six-chrysoobtusin, emodin, 1-O-methyl-2-methoxychrysophanol, 7-O-methylobtusin, chrysophanol, and physcion-showed moderate α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The maximum content of anthraquinones in a sprout was observed on Day 5 under both light and dark conditions. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study revealed that sicklepod sprouts which are promising functional food materials contain a variety of anthraquinones.

Simultaneous rapid detection of glycyrrhizin and sennoside A in Daiokanzoto samples by lateral flow immunoassay.

INTRODUCTION: Glycyrrhizin (GLY) and sennoside A (SA) are characteristic bioactive marker compounds of the Kampo medicine Daiokanzoto. Their accurate detection in blends of Rhei rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae radix of several species (4:1 or 4:2) is essential for quality control and to ensure therapeutic efficacy. A rapid, efficient assay can significantly facilitate their detection. OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid qualitative assay for GLY and SA detection, a lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) was developed using specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) nanoparticles. METHODOLOGY: This assay harnesses the competitive binding of mAb nanoparticles to the immobilized analytes on test strips and free analytes in the samples. Two conjugates for detecting GLY and SA, GLY-bovine serum albumin and SA-human serum albumin, were separately immobilized on the test zones of LFA strips. The detection mechanism is reliant on the visual detection of color changes in the test zones. RESULTS: When GLY and SA were present in samples, they contended with the immobilized conjugates on the strip to bind with the mAb nanoparticles and produced distinct color patterns in the test zones. The limits of detection of the assay for GLY and SA were both 3.13 µg/mL. The capability of the LFA was substantiated using plant samples and Daiokanzoto, and its alignment with indirect competitive ELISA results was confirmed. CONCLUSION: The introduced LFA is a groundbreaking procedure that offers a rapid, straightforward, and sensitive method for simultaneously detecting GLY and SA in Daiokanzoto samples. It is instrumental in ensuring product quality.

Neurotropin® accelerates peripheral nerve regeneration in a rat sciatic nerve crush injury model.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injuries are common and serious conditions. The effect of Neurotropin® (NTP), a nonprotein extract derived from the inflamed skin of rabbits inoculated with vaccinia virus, on peripheral nerve regeneration has not been fully elucidated. However, it has analgesic properties via the activation of descending pain inhibitory systems. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the effects of NTP on peripheral nerve regeneration. METHODS: We examined axonal outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons using immunocytochemistry in vitro. In addition, nerve regeneration was evaluated functionally, electrophysiologically, and histologically in a rat sciatic nerve crush injury model in vivo. Furthermore, gene expression of neurotrophic factors in the injured sciatic nerves and DRGs was evaluated. RESULTS: In the dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro, NTP promoted axonal outgrowth at a concentration of 10 mNU/mL. Moreover, the systemic administration of NTP contributed to the recovery of motor and sensory function at 2 weeks, and of sensory function, nerve conduction velocity, terminal latency, and axon-remyelination 4 weeks after sciatic nerve injury. In the gene expression assessment, insulin-like growth factor 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor expressions were increased in the injured sciatic nerve 2 days postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, NTP might be effective in not only treating chronic pain but also promoting peripheral nerve regeneration after injury.

Measurement accuracy of a microwave doppler sensor beneath the mattress as a continuous respiratory rate monitor: a method comparison study.

PURPOSE: Non-contact continuous respiratory rate monitoring is preferred for early detection of patient deterioration. However, this technique is under development; a gold standard respiratory monitor has not been established. Therefore, this prospective observational method comparison study aimed to compare the measurement accuracy of a non-contact continuous respiratory rate monitor, a microwave Doppler sensor positioned beneath the mattress, with that of other monitors. METHODS: The respiratory rate of intensive care unit patients was simultaneously measured using a microwave Doppler sensor, capnography, thoracic impedance pneumography, and a piezoelectric sensor beneath the mattress. Bias and 95% limits of agreement between the respiratory rate measured using capnography (standard reference) and that measured using the other three methods were calculated using Bland-Altman analysis for repeated measures. Clarke error grid (CEG) analysis evaluated the sensor's ability to assist in correct clinical decision-making. RESULTS: Eighteen participants were included, and 2,307 data points were analyzed. The bias values (95% limits of agreement) of the microwave Doppler sensor, thoracic impedance pneumography, and piezoelectric sensor were 0.2 (- 4.8 to 5.2), 1.5 (- 4.4 to 7.4), and 0.4 (- 4.0 to 4.8) breaths per minute, respectively. Clinical decisions evaluated using CEG analyses were correct 98.1% of the time for the microwave Doppler sensor, which was similar to the performance of the other devices. CONCLUSION: The microwave Doppler sensor had a small bias but relatively low precision, similar to other devices. In CEG analyses, the risk of each monitor leading to inadequate clinical decision-making was low. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000038900, February 1, 2020.

Cubitus varus deformity following paediatric supracondylar humeral fracture remodelling predominantly in the sagittal direction: A three-dimensional analysis of eighty-six cases.

PURPOSE: Three-dimensional (3D) capacity for remodelling in cubitus varus deformity (CVD) after paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures (PSHFs) remains unelucidated. This study investigated remodelling patterns after PSHFs by examining 3D deformity distribution over time after injury. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) data of 86 patients with CVD after PSHFs were analysed. The 3D deformity angles in the sagittal, coronal, and axial directions were assessed and correlated with the duration between the age at injury and CT evaluation. For the subgroup analysis, we performed the same correlation analysis in a younger (< 8 years old) and an older group (≥ 8 years old); we categorized the duration into early (< 2 years), middle (≥ 2 to < 5 years), and late periods (≥ 5 years) and compared the deformity angles of each direction among the three groups. RESULTS: Sagittal deformity showed a moderate correlation with the duration of deformity (r = -0.54; P < 0.001), while coronal and axial deformities showed a negligible correlation. Sagittal deformity showed moderate correlations with the duration in the younger group (r = -0.62; P < 0.001) and weak correlations in the older group (r = -0.37; P = 0.091). In the sagittal direction, the deformity angle in the early period was significantly larger than those in the mid and late periods (P < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences among the three groups in the coronal and axial directions. CONCLUSION: Sagittal deformities in CVDs are capable of remodelling, especially in the early period and at a younger age, whereas coronal and axial deformities are less likely to undergo remodelling.

Nonmuscular Troponin-I is required for gastrulation in sea urchin embryos.

BACKGROUND: Gastrulation is one of the most important events in our lives (Barresi and Gilbert, 2020, Developmental Biology, 12th ed.). The molecular mechanisms of gastrulation in multicellular organisms are not yet fully understood, since many molecular, physical, and chemical factors are involved in the event. RESULTS: Here, we found that one of muscle components, Troponin-I (TnI), is expressed in future gut cells, which are not muscular cells at all, and regulates gastrulation in embryos of a sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. When we block the function of TnI, the invagination was inhibited in spite that the gut-cell specifier gene is normally expressed. In addition, blocking myosin activity also induced incomplete gastrulation. CONCLUSION: These results strongly suggested that TnI regulates nonmuscular actin-myosin interactions during sea urchin gastrulation. So far, Troponin system is treated as specific only for muscle components, especially for striated muscle, but our data clearly show that TnI is involved in nonmuscular event. It is also reported that recent sensitive gene expression analysis revealed that Troponin genes are expressed in nonmuscular tissues in mammals (Ono et al., Sci Data, 2017;4:170105). These evidences propose the new evolutionary and functional scenario of the involvement of Troponin system in nonmuscular cell behaviors using actin-myosin system in bilaterians including human being.

Retrospective Study of Factors Affecting the Accuracy of Predicting Vancomycin Concentrations in Patients Aged 75 Years and Above.

Background and Objectives: The predicted serum concentrations of vancomycin are determined using population pharmacokinetic parameters. However, the accuracy of predicting vancomycin serum concentrations in the older population remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the accuracy of predicting vancomycin serum concentrations and identifying elements that diminish the prediction accuracy in older people. Materials and Methods: A total of 144 patients aged 75 years or older were included. The serum vancomycin concentrations in the patients were predicted based on population pharmacokinetic parameters common in Japan. We examined the accuracy of serum vancomycin concentration prediction in elderly individuals by comparing the predicted and measured serum vancomycin concentrations in each patient. The prediction accuracy was evaluated using the mean prediction error (ME) and mean absolute error of prediction (MAE) calculated from the measured and predicted serum vancomycin concentrations in each patient. Results: The ME for all patients was 0.27, and the 95% CI included 0, indicating that the predicted values were not significantly biased compared to the measured values. However, the predicted serum concentrations in the <50 kg body weight and serum creatinine (Scr) < 0.6 mg/dL groups were significantly biased compared to the measured values. The group with a history of intensive care unit (ICU) admission showed the largest values for the ME and MAE. Conclusions: Our prediction accuracy was satisfactory but tended to be lower in underweight patients, those with low creatinine levels, and patients admitted to the ICU. Patients with multiple of these factors may experience a greater degree of decreased predictive accuracy.

[Questionnaire Survey on Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients and Physicians].

We conducted an online questionnaire survey to investigate changes in well-being and anxiety in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma requiring repeated locoregional therapy(hepatectomy/ablation)and the differences between patients' and treating physicians' perceptions of what is important to patients when selecting treatment. Between December 2022 and January 2023, we collected responses from 162 patients and 115 physicians in Japan. Results showed no clinically significant changes in well-being over time. Patients experiencing recurrences and repeated locoregional therapy reported increased anxiety regarding"effectiveness of treatment"and"how to handle the disease."As"factors that patients consider important when receiving locoregional therapy,"many patients and physicians selected suppression of recurrence, prolonged survival, and safety; however, patients placed more importance on"reducing the number of locoregional therapies"as they repeatedly experienced recurrence and therapy. Regarding"information that patients consider important when selecting adjuvant therapy,""effectiveness of treatment"and"adverse effects of treatment"were important to both patients and physicians, while"maintaining a normal daily life"was more important in patients and"length of treatment"was more important in physicians. In conclusion, some factors are perceived by both physicians and patients as important when selecting treatment, but there is a gap in perception for other factors. Physicians and patients should discuss their opinions on what is important in treatment before deciding on a treatment strategy.

Development of an Organic Emitter Exhibiting Reverse Intersystem Crossing Faster than Intersystem Crossing.

In thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF)-based organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), acceleration of reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) and suppression of intersystem crossing (ISC) are demanded to shorten a lifetime of triplet excitons. As a system realizing RISC faster than ISC, inverted singlet-triplet excited states (iST) with a negative energy difference (ΔEST) between the lowest excited singlet and the lowest triplet states have been gathering much attention recently. Here, we have focused on an asymmetric hexa-azaphenalene (A6AP) core to obtain a new insight into iST. Based on A6AP, we have newly designed A6AP-Cz with the calculated ΔEST of -44 meV. The experimental studies of a synthesized A6AP-Cz revealed that the lifetime of delayed fluorescence (τDF) was only 54 ns, which was the shortest among all organic materials. The rate constant of RISC (kRISC=1.9×107 s-1) was greater than that of ISC (kISC=1.0×107 s-1). The negative ΔEST of A6AP-Cz was experimentally confirmed from 1) the kRISC and kISC (-45 meV) and 2) the temperature-dependent τDF. 3) The onsets of fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra at 77 K also supported the evidence of negative ΔEST (-73 meV). This study demonstrated the potential of A6AP as an iST core for the first time.

Self-Assembled Monolayers of Gemini-Type Amphiphilic Hexabenzocoronenes on Gold: Contribution of Their Triethylene Glycol Side Chains to Self-Assembly Formation.

We report on a two-dimensional self-assembled structure of a supramolecule with hydrophilic oligoethylene glycol (EG) units, which are capable of stronger electrostatic interactions than van der Waals (vdW) interactions between alkyl chains. For this purpose, hexabenzocoronene (HBC) with two hydrophobic dodecyl chains on one side of the HBC core and two hydrophilic triethylene glycol (TEG) chains on the other side of the HBC core (HBCGemini) and HBCGemini with a trinitrofluorenone (TNF) added to the end of one TEG chain (HBCTNFGemini) were employed. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) revealed the presence of multiple two-dimensional self-assembled structures in each of HBCGemini and HBCTNFGemini deposited on the gold substrate in vacuum. The role of polar functional groups in these observations is discussed based on semiempirical molecular orbital simulations. Two types of 2D organized structures of HBC-TEG were observed: one with rectangular and relatively dense unit cells and the other with nearly square and relatively sparse unit cells. In both organized structures, the phenyl group TEG units and alkyl chains were considered to be the main molecular interactions with each other. On the other hand, in HBCTNFGemini, three types of organized structures were observed, which could be explained by the mechanism of interdigitation of the TEG-containing side-chain moieties to form a dimeric core. The EG units are more flexible than the alkyl chains and thus can interact flexibly with the hydrophobic HBC core, and the glycol side chains facilitate the intermolecular interactions as well as the alkyl chains.

Flapping motion as a fluorescent probe for assembly process involving highly viscous liquid-like cluster intermediates during evaporative crystallization.

Fluorescence probes are widely used to assess the molecular environment based on their photo-physical properties. Specifically, flexible and aromatic photo-functional system (FLAP) is unique viscosity probe owing to the excited-state planarization of anthracene wings. We have previously applied fluorescence spectroscopy to monitor the evaporative crystallization of solvents. The fluorescence color and spectral changes, which depend on the aggregation form, enable direct fluorescence visualization during evaporative crystallization. The fluorescence visualization of the liquid-like cluster intermediate proposed in the two-step nucleation model for the nucleation process has been achieved. However, the physical properties of these clusters, especially the viscosity, molecular motion, and intermolecular interactions, are still unclear. In this study, FLAPs are used as probes for local-viscosity changes and space limitations of the liquid-like cluster state during evaporative crystallization by observing the fluorescence-spectral changes and using hyperspectral-camera (HSC) imaging. Green emission originates from the monomer in the solution owing to the free-flapping motion. The fluorescence color turns blue with increasing viscosity under crowding conditions. If the survival time of the liquid-like cluster state is sufficient, crystalline phase (R-phase) formation proceeds via a 2-fold π-stacked array of the V-shaped molecules. It is difficult to form the V-shaped stacked columnar structures in the liquid-like cluster state region, resulting in the deposition of head-to-tail dimer structures, such as the yellow-emissive phase (Y-phase). In the case of the FLAP, the stacking intermediate does not form during solvent evaporation in the liquid-like cluster; rather, it is deposited in an amorphous form that exhibits blue emission (B-phase). These findings suggest that it is important to the maintenance of the survival time of the liquid-like cluster states to organize and rearrange the stacking forms. We have achieved the fluorescence probing of viscosity changes at local molecular motion with solvent depletion during solvent evaporation for the first time.

Aspects of Rest-Activity Rhythms Associated With Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Moderate and Severe Dementia: Results of a Cross-sectional Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Disturbances in rest-activity rhythms (RAR) are commonly observed in patients with dementia; however, the influence thereof on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) remains unexplored. This study aimed to determine whether there is an association between RAR and BPSD among patients with moderate and severe dementia. METHODS: RAR analyses of 64 participants were performed using actigraphy. BPSD was assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home (NPI-NH) scale, and other clinical variables were assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination, Cognitive Test for Severe Dementia, and Hyogo Activities of Daily Living Scale. Correlations among RAR, sleep time, and BPSD were analyzed. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the association of RAR and sleep time with BPSD. The demographic variables were also adjusted. Variables were compared between two groups with aberrant and nonaberrant activity peak timing. RESULTS: Correlation analysis showed that longer maximum durations of activity and shorter daytime sleep were associated with higher NPI-NH scores. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that maximum activity duration predicted the NPI-NH score after adjustment for the demographic variables. There was no significant difference in any variables between the groups with aberrant and nonaberrant activity peak timing. CONCLUSION: RAR is associated with BPSD in moderate-to-severe dementia, which should be considered with regard to treatment.