Functional inhibition of wheat germ agglutinin by glycodendrimers: Interplay of affinity, architecture, and temperature.

Multivalent interactions between lectins and glycans are crucial for biological recognition; however, predicting functional inhibition based on binding affinity remains challenging. Herein, we investigated a series of structurally defined N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-functionalized dendrimers (1a-1c and 2a-2c) to examine how spatial orientation and temperature influenced the inhibition of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). Using enzyme-linked lectin assays (ELLAs), we observed biphasic inhibition profiles for all the dendrimers, characterized by an initial enhancement of WGA binding at low concentrations, followed by effective inhibition at higher concentrations.

Functional evaluation of biotinylated Fab fragments after photochemical re-bridging with monobromomaleimide.

Re-bridging interchain disulfide bonds in antibody Fab fragments is essential for site-selective functionalization while preserving structural integrity. Here, we report a light-triggered [2 + 2] photocycloaddition strategy employing a biotinylated monobromomaleimide to covalently re-link reduced Fab fragments under mild conditions. While this photochemical reaction has been previously demonstrated in model systems, its impact on protein functionality remained untested.

The Association Between Possible Sarcopenia and Delirium Onset in Older Patients With Acute Stroke.

Introduction Delirium is a common and serious complication among older adults hospitalized with acute stroke, and it is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and prolonged hospital stays. Sarcopenia, characterized by a decline in muscle mass and strength, has emerged as a potential risk factor for delirium. However, there has been scarce research exploring this relationship in stroke populations.

Simple azide labeling of biotin-binding proteins using microbial transglutaminase: A practical note.

Microbial transglutaminase (MTG) is a Ca-independent enzyme that enables site-specific protein labeling under mild conditions. However, how substrate structure and protein-specific environments influence MTG reactivity is not yet fully understood. In this study, we synthesized a novel glutamine-based azide donor (compound 1) and used it alongside a commercially available amine-based azide acceptor (3-azido-1-propylamine) to evaluate MTG-mediated labeling of five biotin-binding proteins: Avidin, Streptavidin, NeutrAvidin, Tamavidin 2, and Tamavidin 2-LPI.

Outcome Prediction by Combining Initial Clinical Severity With Corticospinal Tract Lesion Load in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the predictive accuracy of motor outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage by integrating the initial severity of hemiparesis and the corticospinal tract lesion load (CST-LL).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with putaminal and/or thalamic hemorrhage who underwent computed tomography (CT) shortly after stroke onset. The CT images were aligned with a standardized brain template to calculate CST-LL.

Synthesis of Water-Soluble Glycopolymers Bearing Porphyrin by Means of Glycopolymer Assembly and Physical Properties of Glycopolymers Including Ability for Singlet Oxygen Production.

Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) is expected to offer advantages in terms of selectivity, increased efficacy, and reduced side effects, the low solubilities of photosensitizers in aqueous media are significant issues. In this study, porphyrin-based monomers were synthesized by acryloylation of known tetraphenylporphyrin [5-(4-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-(triphenyl)porphyrin] (TPP). Simple radical polymerization of the porphyrin monomer and known glycosyl monomers in the presence of acrylamide to avoid steric hindrance yielded the corresponding polymeric photosensitizers, water-soluble glycopolymers with porphyrin moieties.

Associations Between Stroke Outcome Assessments and Automated Tractography Fractional Anisotropy Incorporating Age.

Objective: To evaluate the association between outcomes, including affected extremity functions and activities of daily living (ADL), and fractional anisotropy (FA) derived from automated tractography incorporating age among patients after stroke.

Methods: This study enrolled stroke patients, and diffusion-tensor imaging was conducted during the second week. Standardized automated tractography was utilized to compute FA values in the corticospinal tract (CST), the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), and the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF).

Impact of Recurrence on Functional Independence in Stroke Patients Treated in a Convalescent Rehabilitation Hospital.

Purpose: Outcome prediction is a crucial component of rehabilitation in post-stroke patients. However, only a few studies have focused on the influence of stroke recurrence on outcomes in these patients. This study aimed to determine the impact of stroke recurrence on functional independence using data from a convalescent rehabilitation hospital.

Brain regions associated with balance function assessed by the Berg Balance Scale in post-stroke patients.

[Purpose] To assess the neural fiber damage causing balance deficits in post-stroke patients. [Participants and Methods] Diffusion tensor imaging was conducted during the second week after stroke onset, and the Berg Balance Scale scores were recorded at discharge from our affiliated rehabilitation facility. The total score of the motor component of the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set and the Functional Independence Measure motor score were also documented.

Interpenetrating Polymer Network Capturing FRET-Sensitive Polymers Available for an Enzyme Assay.

Fluorogenic glycomonomers have been used for biological evaluations, and water-soluble and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-sensitive glycopolymers have also been reported. A FRET-sensitive polymer was conveniently prepared from a fluorogenic donor monomer and a fluorogenic acceptor monomer by means of simple radical polymerization in high yield. Continuous fluorospectroscopic monitoring of the polymer in the presence of an enzyme was performed, and the results showed the possible application of the FRET-sensitive glycopolymer for practical use.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Acute Stroke Rehabilitation in Japanese Primary Stroke Centers: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study Using a Web-Based Questionnaire Survey.

Introduction: Acute stroke rehabilitation is crucial for achieving good functional recovery, even during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to clarify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute stroke rehabilitation and identify which components in the acute stroke rehabilitation provision system were susceptible to the pandemic.

Methods: A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted in all primary stroke centers (PSCs) in Japan between February 7 and April 21, 2022.

Clinical applicability of automated tractography for stroke rehabilitation: Z-score conversion of fractional anisotropy.

[Purpose] To expand the applicability of diffusion-tensor tractography fractional anisotropy for stroke rehabilitation, this study aimed to provide references for representative neural tracts from non-lesioned hemispheres. Therefore, we applied the assessment of neural integrity to representative stroke patients using Z-score conversion. [Participants and Methods] Fractional anisotropy values were assessed in neural tracts, including the corticospinal tract, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, uncinate fasciculus, and anterior thalamic radiation, of stroke patients receiving acute care.

Evidence and Recommendations for Acute Stroke Rehabilitation from the Japan Stroke Society: Abridged Secondary Publication of the Japanese-language Version.

Objectives: In Japan, acute stroke rehabilitation has been expanding more steadily than previously with the nationwide establishment of primary stroke centers. However, Japan previously had no established guidelines for the rehabilitation. Consequently, rehabilitation programs and the provision systems for acute stroke varied among the facilities.

Outcome Prediction by Combining Corticospinal Tract Lesion Load with Diffusion-tensor Fractional Anisotropy in Patients after Hemorrhagic Stroke.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive precision of combining the corticospinal tract lesion load (CST-LL) with the diffusion-tensor fractional anisotropy of the corticospinal tract (CST-FA) in the lesioned hemispheres regarding motor outcomes.

Methods: Patients with putaminal and/or thalamic hemorrhage who had undergone computed tomography (CT) soon after onset in our hospital were retrospectively enrolled. The CST-LL was calculated after registration of the CT images to a standard brain.

Synthetic assembly of α-O-linked-type GlcNAc using polymer chemistry affords sugar clusters, which effectively bind to lectins.

Fischer's glycoside synthesis was applied to linker precursor alcohols of two different lengths having appropriate alkane chains to obtain the corresponding α-glycoside and it was found to be applicable with moderate yields. Water-soluble glycomonomers were systematically prepared from N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) by introducing two kinds of alcohols having different methylene lengths. Typical radical polymerizations of the glycomonomers with acrylamide as a modulator for control of the distance between carbohydrate residues in water in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) gave a series of glycopolymers with various α-glycoside-type GlcNAc residue densities.

Impact of functional independence and sociodemographic factors on post-stroke discharge destination in a super-aged rural community in Japan.

This study aimed to clarify the factors influencing the discharge destination of stroke patients in a super-aged rural community in Japan, focusing on functional independence and sociodemographic factors. We enrolled patients recovering from stroke with supratentorial lesions who were admitted to our convalescent rehabilitation hospital. The motor components of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM-motor) were assessed for each patient at admission and discharge as explanatory variables.

A nationwide survey for the provision of acute stroke rehabilitation in Japan: initial dose and weekend/holiday rehabilitation.

Objectives: The early initiation of acute stroke rehabilitation with a sufficient dose, including at weekends/holidays, is important to improve functional outcome. We investigated the status of acute stroke rehabilitation in Japan by using a nationwide survey.

Materials And Methods: Facility features, rehabilitation dose provided in the first week in each stroke subtype, and weekend/holiday rehabilitation were investigated by using the results of a web-based survey among primary stroke centers.

Applicability of fractional anisotropy from standardized automated tractography for outcome prediction of patients after stroke.

[Purpose] Diffusion-tensor fractional anisotropy has been used for outcome prediction in stroke patients. We assessed the clinical applicability of the two major fractional anisotropy methodologies-fractional anisotropy derived from segmentation maps in the standard brain (region of interest) and fractional anisotropy derived from standardized automated tractography-in relation to outcomes. [Participants and Methods] The study design was a retrospective survey of medical records collected from October 2021 to September 2022.

Automated Tractography for the Assessment of Aphasia in Acute Care Stroke Rehabilitation: A Case Series.

Background: Aphasia is a common disorder among stroke patients. Assessment of aphasia is essential for scheduling appropriate rehabilitative treatment. Although this is conventionally accomplished using neuropsychological test batteries, these tests are not always accessible because of attention and/or consciousness disturbances during acute care.

Preparation of a Water-Soluble Glycopolymer Bearing Porphyrin Skeletons and Its Biological Properties.

A known tetraphenyl porphyrin (TPP) having an amino functional group [5-(4-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-(triphenyl)porphyrin] was converted into the corresponding monomer by means of condensation with acryloyl chloride. Simple radical polymerization of the porphyrin monomer and a glycosyl monomer in the presence of acrylamide as a regulator monomer in order to avoid steric interference gave a water-soluble glycopolymer bearing porphyrin moieties. Spectroscopic analyses suggested incorporation of porphyrin moieties in the glycopolymer.

Preparation of -Linked-Type GlcNAc Monomers for Glycopolymers and Binding Specificity for Lectin.

Glycomonomers having -glycosidic linkages were prepared from a known glycosyl amine, -acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc). Radical polymerization of the glycomonomers gave a series of glycopolymers displaying various sugar densities, which were models of the core structure of Asn-linked-type glycoproteins. In addition, fluorometric analyses of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) against the glycopolymers were carried out, and the results showed unique binding specificities on the basis of flexibility of sugar moieties.

Proteolytic polymer: polyacrylamides functionalized with amino acids cleave bovine and human serum albumins.

Polyacrylamides with various compositions of serine, aspartic acid, and histidine, which are the amino acids involved in the catalytic triad of natural serine protease chymotrypsin, were synthesized and their protein cleavage activity was investigated. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that some of the synthesized ternary copolymers showed cleavage activity against bovine and human serum albumins. Polyacrylamides incorporating a single type of amino acid were also able to cleave the protein substrates.

Timing of Initiation of Acute Stroke Rehabilitation and Management Corresponding to Complications at Primary Stroke Centers in Japan: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Web-Based Questionnaire Survey.

Introduction: Many guidelines now recommend early rehabilitation for acute stroke patients. However, evidence remains lacking regarding the specific timings for initiation of various rehabilitation steps and management when complications are encountered in acute stroke rehabilitation. This survey aimed to investigate actual clinical situations in acute stroke rehabilitation in Japan and to improve the medical systems for rehabilitation and plan further studies.

ICU-Acquired Weakness Complicated With Bilateral Foot Drop After Severe COVID-19: Successful Rehabilitation Approach and Long-Term Follow-Up.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with muscle and nerve injuries as a consequence of prolonged critical illness. We report here a case of intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) with bilateral peroneal nerve palsy after COVID-19. A 54-year-old male with COVID-19 was transferred to our hospital.