Regulation of Energy and Cholesterol Metabolisms During Fetal Leydig Cell Differentiation by DHH, PDGF, and Ad4BP/SF-1.

Fetal Leydig cells (FLCs) are crucial for androgen production during fetal development. Their differentiation from progenitor cells is regulated by various factors, including Desert Hedgehog (DHH), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), and the transcription factor Ad4BP/SF-1 (NR5A1). Our previous research revealed significant upregulation of energy metabolism genes during FLC differentiation; however, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unresolved.

Determination of miRNA in tear extracellular vesicles significantly associated with treatment-requiring retinopathy of prematurity: a pilot study.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) develops in some premature infants and may be characterized by permanent severe retinal damage necessitating early detection and prompt treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether specific miRNAs in tear extracellular vesicles (EVs) are associated with the development of ROP requiring treatment. Tear samples were collected from 47 infants, including 33 with ROP and 14 without ROP; of the ROP group, 18 infants required treatment.

Sequencing of DNA Mixtures Using Liquid Chromatography─Postactivated Plasma Electron Detachment Dissociation Mass Spectrometry.

We previously reported fast electron detachment dissociation (EDD) of oligonucleotides in electron-cation neutral plasma (plasma EDD or pEDD), which showed potential for sequencing oligonucleotides with high coverage [ 2022, 94, 15510-15517]; however, the fragment intensities were weak because charge-reduced species (CRS) were the dominant products, resulting in low sensitivity. When we applied LC-pEDD MS/MS to DNA mixtures in a data-dependent acquisition (DDA) workflow, the total sequence coverage was lower than that of conventional collision-induced dissociation (CID). In this work, we enhanced the sensitivity of pEDD by applying collisional postactivation (PA) to first CRS: [M - H] (CRS) and/or second CRS: [M - H] (CRS).

Comprehensive Glycan Mapping of Intact Human Erythropoietin by Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

We report a method for the nearly complete characterization of glycoforms expressed in human erythropoietin (EPO_HUMAN) using mass spectrometry. The method involves reversed-phase LC-MS analysis of intact glycoproteins, top-down sequencing of the protein backbone, and bottom-up LC-MS/MS of its digests using electron capture dissociation (ECD) and collision-induced dissociation (CID). In the top-down sequencing by ECD, the loss of the -terminal arginine residue was confirmed.

Management of choroidal solitary fibrous tumor with extraocular extension and subsequent postoperative rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Purpose: Extraocular extension of a solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) in the choroid is rare, and few reports describe cases in which the eye is preserved and monitored postoperatively. This report details the management of an SFT with extraocular invasion complicated by postoperative rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Observations: A 57-year-old woman presented with painless eyelid swelling.

Why Did Not ECD Dissociate between Glycans in di--Glycosylated Peptides? Survey and Solution.

In previously reported electron capture dissociation (ECD) mass spectrometry of linked glycopeptides, ECD did not provide efficient backbone fragmentation between the two glycans in a single peptide, which did not allow the assignment of a correct sugar composition in each glycan. In this study, we found hydrogen bonds and proton-bound interactions between two -glycans, so the backbone fragments between the two -glycans were not observed, although the backbone was cleaved. Such behavior is typical for precursor ions produced by conventional electrospray ionization.

FAST RESENSITIZATION OF G PROTEIN-COUPLED RECEPTORS REQUIRES THEIR PI(4,5)P-DEPENDENT SORTING INTO AN AP2 POSITIVE COMPARTMENT.

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the target of about 35% of FDA-approved drugs, which underlines their importance in physiology and disease. Many GPCRs undergo rapid desensitization upon agonist activation, mediated by β-arrestin binding to the phosphorylated receptors, which prevents their G protein coupling. How such receptors regain their G protein signaling competence is poorly understood.

Does the genome of encode a rich carbohydrate-active enzyme gene repertoire?

The lifestyles of the order Geoglossales (Geoglossomycetes, Ascomycota) remain largely unknown. Recent observations support ericoid mycorrhizal lifestyles, especially in cultured -related species. However, the currently known genomes of geoglossoid fungi encode fewer carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in Pezizomycotina, in contrast to the abundant CAZyme repertoires found in well-known ericoid mycorrhizal fungi.

GATA4 binding to the Sox9 enhancer mXYSRa/Enh13 is critical for testis differentiation in mouse.

In mammals, SOX9/Sox9 expression in embryonic gonads is essential for male gonadal sex determination. Multiple enhancers of Sox9 have been identified, of which the mXYSRa/Enh13 enhancer plays a crucial role in mice. SOX9 and SRY binding sites within the enhancer have been identified as functional.

Tumor-derived lactic acid promotes acetylation of histone H3K27 and differentiation of IL-10-producing regulatory B cells through direct and indirect signaling pathways.

Tumor cells are known to enhance glycolysis, even under normoxic conditions, via the Warburg effect, producing excess lactic acid in the tumor microenvironment. Lactic acid enhances the IL-23/IL-17 pathway and induces chronic inflammation. The acidic microenvironment formed by lactic acid suppresses immune cell proliferation and activation.

Dengue virus type 3 infection in a traveler returning from Costa Rica to Japan in 2023.

The number of dengue cases has increased dramatically in recent years. In Latin America, the number of cases and deaths in 2023 was the highest ever recorded. We report on a patient who had been infected with dengue virus during his stay in Costa Rica in September 2023, and developed the disease after returning to Japan.

Tear fluid cytokine analysis: a non-invasive approach for assessing retinopathy of prematurity severity.

Purpose: To determine whether there is a significant association between inflammatory cytokines in the tear fluid and the severity of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: The cytokine levels in tear fluids were determined in 34 eyes with ROP and 18 eyes without ROP.

Profiling miRNAs in tear extracellular vesicles: a pilot study with implications for diagnosis of ocular diseases.

Purpose: To estimate the roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in tears and to determine whether their profiles are associated with the type of ocular disease.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Tear EVs were extracted from 14 healthy participants and from 21 patients with retinal diseases (age-related macular degeneration [AMD] or diabetic macular edema [DME]).

Increased infiltration of CD4 T cell in the complement deficient lymphedema model.

Background: Lymphedema is an intractable disease that can be caused by injury to lymphatic vessels, such as by surgical treatments for cancer. It can lead to impaired joint mobility in the extremities and reduced quality of life. Chronic inflammation due to infiltration of various immune cells in an area of lymphedema is thought to lead to local fibrosis, but the molecular pathogenesis of lymphedema remains unclear.

A cryptic root isolate belonging to Geoglossales from potted Rhododendron: its molecular phylogeny and ability to colonize an ericoid mycorrhizal host in vitro.

Although the lifestyle of Geoglossales remains largely unknown, recent advancements have established a hypothesis regarding the ericoid mycorrhizal lifestyle of geoglossoid fungi. In this study, we focused on one isolate of Geoglossales sp. obtained from surface-sterilized roots of potted Rhododendron transiens.

Sequencing of Morpholino Antisense Oligonucleotides Using Electron Capture Dissociation Mass Spectrometry.

We report the first sequencing of morpholino antisense oligonucleotides (phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers, PMOs) using electron capture dissociation (ECD) mass spectrometry. In this research, we found dissociation of the backbone of 18- to 25-mer PMOs to produce d and z ions as the major ions, and 100% cleavage coverage (sequence coverage) was obtained with these ions. This is a critical contrast with beam-type collision-induced dissociation, which dominantly induces base loss, so it is difficult to obtain sequence information.

Analyses of Dupilumab-Related Ocular Adverse Drug Reactions Using the WHO's VigiBase.

Introduction: Dupilumab is a drug that inhibits the action of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 and is a potent therapeutic drug for allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis. Although its use has been associated with significant ocular adverse drug reactions (ADRs), the IL-4 and IL-13 inhibition may also have favorable therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to determine the disease spectrum in which the use of dupilumab may have been associated with an increase or decrease of ocular ADRs.

LPGAT1/LPLAT7 regulates acyl chain profiles at the sn-1 position of phospholipids in murine skeletal muscles.

Skeletal muscle consists of both fast- and slow-twitch fibers. Phospholipids are important structural components of cellular membranes, and the diversity of their fatty acid composition affects membrane characteristics. Although some studies have shown that acyl chain species in phospholipids differ among various muscle fiber types, the mechanisms underlying these differences are unclear.

Analysis of Sialic Acid Linkage in N-Linked Glycopeptides Using Liquid Chromatography-Electron-Activated Dissociation Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

Herein, we report a novel liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method to characterize -acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac, Sa) linkage in -linked glycans in glycopeptides with no sialic acid derivatization. First, we established a separation in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a higher formic acid concentration in the mobile phases, which separated the -glycopeptides depending on the Sa linkage. We also demonstrated a novel characterization method of Sa linkages in -glycopeptides using electron-activated dissociation.

Immediate Effect of an Intervention Using a Head-mounted Display with a Modified Pitch Angle on Spatial Awareness and Standing Balance in Stroke Hemiparesis.

Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the effect of an intervention using a head-mounted display with a web camera set at a modified pitch angle on spatial awareness, sit-to-stand movement, and standing balance in patients with left and right hemisphere damage.

Methods: The participants were 12 patients with right hemisphere damage and 12 patients with left hemisphere damage. The line bisection test, a sit-to-stand movement, and balance assessment were performed before and after the intervention.