Cine-MRI and P-MRS for evaluation of myocardial energy metabolism and function following coronary artery bypass graft

Previous studies investigated the effect of successful coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) upon left ventricular function. The relationship between myocardial metabolism and heart function after CABG remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between high-energy phosphate (HEP) and cardiac function following CABG using cine magnetic resonance imaging (cine-MRI) and phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹P-MRS). A retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. MRI and ³¹P-MRS examinations were reviewed of 37 patients with multivessel disease who underwent CABG. 13 of these patients selected for the retrospective analysis had ≥70% stenosis in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%. LVEF was evaluated using cine-MRI. HEP such as phosphocreatine (PCr) and adenosine triphosphate (β-ATP) was measured using ³¹P-MRS to calculate PCr/β-ATP ratio. Cine-MRI and ³¹P-MRS measurements were performed before and after CABG, respectively. Ten normal healthy volunteers served as controls. ³¹P-MRS in 13 patients showed that post-CABG PCr/β-ATP ratio was significantly higher than that of pre-CABG (pre-CABG vs. post-CABG, 1.43±0.24 vs. 1.71±0.29, P<.05), but both ratios were significantly lower than control group (2.13±0.21, P<.05). With the change of the ratio, the left ventricle function was significantly improved (LVEF: pre-CABG vs. post-CABG: 35.7±12.9 vs. 45.6±17.2, P<.05).     

The Structural Rule Distinguishing a Superfold: A Case Study of Ferredoxin Fold and the Reverse Ferredoxin Fold

Superfolds are folds commonly observed among evolutionarily unrelated multiple superfamilies of proteins. Since discovering superfolds almost two decades ago, structural rules distinguishing superfolds from the other ordinary folds have been explored but remained elusive. Here, we analyzed a typical superfold, the ferredoxin fold, and the fold which reverses the N to C terminus direction from the ferredoxin fold as a case study to find the rule to distinguish superfolds from the other folds. Though all the known structural characteristics for superfolds apply to both the ferredoxin fold and the reverse ferredoxin fold, the reverse fold has been found only in a single superfamily. The database analyses in the present study revealed the structural preferences of αβ- and βα-units; the preferences separate two α-helices in the ferredoxin fold, preventing their collision and stabilizing the fold. In contrast, in the reverse ferredoxin fold, the preferences bring two helices near each other, inducing structural conflict. The Rosetta folding simulations suggested that the ferredoxin fold is physically much more realizable than the reverse ferredoxin fold. Therefore, we propose that minimal structural conflict or minimal frustration among secondary structures is the rule to distinguish a superfold from ordinary folds. Intriguingly, the database analyses revealed that a most stringent structural rule in proteins, the right-handedness of the βαβ-unit, is broken in a set of structures to prevent the frustration, suggesting the proposed rule of minimum frustration among secondary structural units is comparably strong as the right-handedness rule of the βαβ-unit.     

Self‐assembly of a cadmium(II) diamondoid net with 2‐fold interpenetrating microporous structure

Assembly of 5‐methoxyisophthalic acid (H₂moip) with cadmium(II) ions in the presence of neutral ancillary 1,3‐bis(4‐pyridyl)propane (bpp) yields a new coordination polymer, [Cd(moip)(bpp)(H₂O)]_n·nH₂O ( 1 ). X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction determination reveals that complex 1 crystallizes in the space group C2/c of monoclinic crystal system: a = 14.545(2), b = 18.749(3), c = 17.359(3) Å, β = 105.480(2)º. Complex 1 is a 4‐connected 3D diamondoid topological framework with a 2‐fold interpenetration. Interestingly, the dense adamantine cages with inherent microporous structure are filled with free water molecules to further stabilize the coordination network.     

A Degradable Sustained-Release Drug Delivery System for Bleb-Forming Glaucoma Surgery

Fibrosis of the filtering bleb is one of the main causes of failure after bleb-forming glaucoma surgery. Intraoperative application of mitomycin C (MMC) is the current gold standard to reduce the fibrotic response. However, MMC is cytotoxic and one-time application is often insufficient. A sustained-release drug delivery system (DDS), loaded with MMC, may be less cytotoxic and equally or more effective. Two degradable (polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)) MMC-loaded DDSs are developed. Release kinetics are first assessed in vitro followed by rabbit implants in conjunction with the PRESERFLO MicroShunt. As a control, the MicroShunt is implanted with adjunctive use of a MMC solution. Rabbits are euthanized at postoperative day (POD) 28 and 90. The PLGA and PCL DDSs release (on average) 99% and 75% of MMC, respectively. All groups show functioning blebs until POD 90. Rabbits implanted with a DDS show more inflammation with avascular thin-walled blebs when compared to the control. However, collagen is more loosely arranged. The PLGA DDS shows less inflammation, less foreign body response (FBR), and more complete degradation at POD 90 when compared to the PCL DDS. Further optimization with regard to dosage is required to reduce side effects to the conjunctiva.     

Models of Adjacent Re‐Entry Folds in the β Form of Syndiotactic Polystyrene. Conformational and Packing Analysis by Molecular Mechanics

The adjacent re‐entry folds of chains of syndiotactic polystyrene crystallized in the β form have been investigated by molecular mechanics. Various models of fold of chains along bilayers have been found. The results are in agreement with the literature experimental data indicating that the fold surface is irregular. Both the conformational and the packing energy of folded chains have been minimized by various techniques using several set of potential functions. A theoretical prediction of the work of fold is given.