Specific expression of annexin III in rat-small-hepatocytes

Small hepatocytes are cells that express characteristic phenotypes such as a high growth potential and differentiation capacity. In order to identify rat-small-hepatocyte specific proteins, we separated the cellular proteins of isolated small and parenchymal hepatocytes by 2D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Comparison of their profiles revealed a protein with a molecular mass of 37 kDa in the small hepatocytes that was not present in the parenchymal hepatocytes. Proteolytic peptide mass fingerprinting was used to identify the protein and it was found to be annexin III. The validity of the identification was confirmed by Western blot analysis with anti-annexin III antibody.     

Medical Decision-Making Incapacity among Newly Diagnosed Older Patients with Hematological Malignancy Receiving First Line Chemotherapy: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patients and Physicians

Background

Decision-making capacity to provide informed consent regarding treatment is essential among cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of decision-making incapacity among newly diagnosed older patients with hematological malignancy receiving first-line chemotherapy, to examine factors associated with incapacity and assess physicians’ perceptions of patients’ decision-making incapacity.

Methods

Consecutive patients aged 65 years or over with a primary diagnosis of malignant lymphoma or multiple myeloma were recruited. Decision-making capacity was assessed using the Structured Interview for Competency and Incompetency Assessment Testing and Ranking Inventory-Revised (SICIATRI-R). Cognitive impairment, depressive condition and other possible associated factors were also evaluated.

Results

Among 139 eligible patients registered for this study, 114 completed the survey. Of these, 28 (25%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 17%-32%) were judged as having some extent of decision-making incompetency according to SICIATRI-R. Higher levels of cognitive impairment and increasing age were significantly associated with decision-making incapacity. Physicians experienced difficulty performing competency assessment (Cohen’s kappa -0.54).

Conclusions

Decision-making incapacity was found to be a common and under-recognized problem in older patients with cancer. Age and assessment of cognitive impairment may provide the opportunity to find patients that are at a high risk of showing decision-making incapacity.     

Fe deficiency induces phosphorylation and translocation of Lhcb1 in barley thylakoid membranes

HvLhcb1 a major light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein in barley, is a critical player in sustainable growth under Fe deficiency. Here, we demonstrate that Fe deficiency induces phosphorylation of HvLhcb1 proteins leading to their migration from grana stacks to stroma thylakoid membranes. HvLhcb1 remained phosphorylated even in the dark and apparently independently of state transition, which represents a mechanism for short-term acclimation. Our data suggest that the constitutive phosphorylation-triggered translocation of HvLhcb1 under Fe deficiency contributes to optimization of the excitation balance between photosystem II and photosystem I, the latter of which is a main target of Fe deficiency.     

Biological evaluation of de-O-sulfonated analogs of salacinol, the role of sulfate anion in the side chain on the alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity

De-O-sulfonated analogs (10a, Y(-)=CH(3)OSO(3) and 10b, Y(-)=Cl) of salacinol, a naturally occurring glycosidase inhibitor, and its diastereomer (12a, Y(-)=CH(3)OSO(3)) with L-thiosugar moiety (1,4-dideoxy-1,4-epithio-L-arabinitol) were prepared. Their inhibitory activities against intestinal maltase and sucrase were examined and compared with those of the parent alpha-glycosidase inhibitor, salacinol (1a). Compounds 10a and 10b showed a potent inhibitory activity equal to that of 1a against both enzymes, although 12a was a weak inhibitor against sucrase and maltase. These results indicated that the O-sulfonate anion moiety of 1a is not essential for the inhibitory activity.     

Schistosoma mekongi and Schistosoma japonicum: Differences in the distribution of eggs in the viscera of mice

The difference in the distribution of Schistosoma eggs in the viscera has not been clearly elucidated in the two closely related species Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma mekongi. In this study, we quantitatively compared the distribution of eggs in mice infected with the two species. In S. mekongi-infected mice, 56.6% to 69.4% of total eggs were found in the distal small intestine 9 to 15 weeks after infection, while in S. japonicum-infected mice, 48.8% to 71.8% of eggs were found in the proximal small intestine during the same period. There were significantly more eggs in the liver in mice infected with S. japonicum than in those infected with S. mekongi. The number of adult worms recovered did not differ between the two species during the study period. The total number of eggs laid in the tissues also did not differ between the two species at 12 to 15 weeks postinfection, but in the earlier period the total number of eggs was significantly fewer in S. mekongi-infected than in S. japonicum-infected mice, suggesting the delayed maturation of the former compared with the latter. These results clearly show that S. japonicum and S. mekongi exhibit different oviposition behavior in their hosts.