Hybrid projection algorithms for treating common fixed points of a family of demicontinuous pseudocontractions

In this work, a projection algorithm is considered for treating strongly continuous semigroups of demicontinuous pseudocontractions. Theorems of strong convergence of fixed points are established in the framework of real Hilbert spaces.     

Anion Receptor with Xylene Bridged Two Imidazolium Rings

A m-xylene bridged imidazolium receptor 1 has been designed and synthesized. The receptor 1 utilizes two imidazole (C–H)⁺—anion hydrogen bonds and one aromatic hydrogen—anion hydrogen bond. The major driving force of complexation between the receptor 1 and anions comes from two imidazole (C–H)⁺—anion hydrogen bonding. However, some hydrogen bonding energy between aromatic hydrogen and anion exists, although it is expected to be much smaller than that of imidazole (C–H)⁺—anion hydrogen bonds.

     

Negative-pressure wound therapy induces endothelial progenitor cell mobilization in diabetic patients with foot infection or skin defects

Non healing chronic wounds are difficult to treat in patients with diabetes and can result in severe medical problems for these patients and for society. Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been adopted to treat intractable chronic wounds and has been reported to be effective. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of this treatment have not been elucidated. To assess the vasculogenic effect of NPWT, we evaluated the systemic mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) during NPWT. Twenty-two of 29 consecutive patients who presented at the clinic of Seoul National Universty Hospital between December 2009 and November 2010 who underwent NPWT for diabetic foot infections or skin ulcers were included in this study. Peripheral blood samples were taken before NPWT (pre-NPWT) and 7–14 days after the initiation of NPWT (during-NPWT). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis showed that the number of cells in EPC-enriched fractions increased after NPWT, and the numbers of EPC colony forming units (CFUs) significantly increased during NPWT. We believe that NPWT is useful for treating patients with diabetic foot infections and skin ulcers, especially when these conditions are accompanied by peripheral arterial insufficiency. The systemic mobilization of EPCs during NPWT may be a mechanism for healing intractable wounds in diabetic patients with foot infections or skin defects via the formation of increased granulation tissue with numerous small blood vessels.     

Autophagic failure promotes the exocytosis and intercellular transfer of α-synuclein

The accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates is a major characteristic of many neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson''s disease (PD). The intracytoplasmic deposition of α-synuclein aggregates and Lewy bodies, often found in PD and other α-synucleinopathies, is thought to be linked to inefficient cellular clearance mechanisms, such as the proteasome and autophagy/lysosome pathways. The accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates in neuronal cytoplasm causes numerous autonomous changes in neurons. However, it can also affect the neighboring cells through transcellular transmission of the aggregates. Indeed, a progressive spreading of Lewy pathology among brain regions has been hypothesized from autopsy studies. We tested whether inhibition of the autophagy/lysosome pathway in α-synuclein-expressing cells would increase the secretion of α-synuclein, subsequently affecting the α-synuclein deposition in and viability of neighboring cells. Our results demonstrated that autophagic inhibition, via both pharmacological and genetic methods, led to increased exocytosis of α-synuclein. In a mixed culture of α-synuclein-expressing donor cells with recipient cells, autophagic inhibition resulted in elevated transcellular α-synuclein transmission. This increase in protein transmission coincided with elevated apoptotic cell death in the recipient cells. These results suggest that the inefficient clearance of α-synuclein aggregates, which can be caused by reduced autophagic activity, leads to elevated α-synuclein exocytosis, thereby promoting α-synuclein deposition and cell death in neighboring neurons. This finding provides a potential link between autophagic dysfunction and the progressive spread of Lewy pathology.     

Agar-based heat-sensitive gel with linear thermal response over 65–80 °C

A nontoxic heat-sensitive gel containing 1.5 % (w/v) agar and 25 % (w/v) bovine serum albumin (BSA) was fabricated in this study. Optical density measurements with 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser indicated that, in spite of its BSA content, the current agar + BSA gel remained similar to agar only gel in terms of its optical response to NIR laser. The thermal response of the current agar + BSA gel to high temperatures was quantified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). According to the MRI measurements of T2 relaxation rate as a function of heating temperature, the current agar + BSA gel showed a linear response to heating temperatures between 65 and 80 °C, while it remained thermally stable at temperatures up to 80 °C. Therefore, the current agar + BSA gel can be used as thermal dosimeters or volumetric heat-sensitive gel phantoms in typical thermal therapy regime.     

Synthesis of 3-Alkylidenecepham-4-carboxylic Acid derivatives by Samarium(II) Iodide Reduction

Samarium(II) iodide promoted reductive deacetoxylation of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid derivatives to synthesize 3-alkylidenecepham-4-carboxylates, which could be valuable intermediates for the synthesis of new cephalosporin antibiotics, was investigated.