Health-care workers, laboratorians and overdose prevention centers rely on commercial immunoassays to detect the presence of fentanyl; however, the cross-reactivity of fentanyl analogs with these kits is largely unknown. To address this, we conducted a pilot study evaluating the detection of 30 fentanyl analogs and metabolites by 19 commercially available kits (9 lateral flow assays, 7 heterogeneous immunoassays and 3 homogenous immunoassays). The analogs selected for analysis were compiled from the Drug Enforcement Administration and National Forensic Laboratory Information System reports from 2015 to 2018. In general, the immunoassays tested were able to detect their intended fentanyl analog and some closely related analogs, but more structurally diverse analogs, including 4-methoxy-butyryl fentanyl and 3-methylfentanyl, were not well detected. Carfentanil was only detected by kits specifically designed for its recognition. In general, analogs with group additions to the piperidine, or bulky rings or long alkyl chain modifications in the N-aryl or alkyl amide regions, were poorly detected compared to other types of modifications. This preliminary information is useful for screening diagnostic, forensic and unknown powder samples for the presence of fentanyl analogs and guiding future testing improvements.Lactononadecapeptide (LNDP; NIPPLTQTPVVVPPFLQPE) is a memory-improving peptide. The current study aimed to determine the effects of a single dose of tablets containing LNDP on cognitive function in healthy Japanese men aged 30-59 years. A randomized, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in participants randomly assigned to receive LNDP or placebo tablets. selleck chemical The Uchida-Kraepelin test was used to induce cognitive load in participants as a model of work load. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Japanese version of the CNS Vital Signs. Composite memory and verbal memory were significantly higher following consumption of LNDP than placebo tablets. Carryover effects were observed in attention and concentration domains so that period 1 data was analyzed. LNDP consumption led to higher processing speed, executive function, and cognitive flexibility than placebo. Thus, supplementation with a single dose of LNDP tablets may improve cognitive functions including memory, attention, concentration, and information processing in daily life.DAMASCENOLIDETM [1, 4-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)furan-2(5H)-one], which has a citrus-like odor, is an important aroma component of roses. We have previously reported on the synthesis and odor evaluation of 24 analogs of 1 as part of our new aroma compound developing project. To accumulate more information on structure-odor relationships, 10 more promising analogs such as dimethylated and cyclopropanated analogs were synthesized and subjected to odor evaluation. As a result, it was found that dimethylation of the furanone ring affected the odor. It was also found that cyclopropanation of 1 affected the odor, whereas cyclopropanation of the double bond isomer of 1 did not significantly affect the odor. The effects on the odor caused by ring size expansion and replacement of the side chain were also investigated.In Corynebacterium glutamicum, pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (ODH) form a unique hybrid complex in which CgE1p and CgE1o are associated with the CgE2-CgE3 subcomplex. We analyzed the role of a lysine acetylation site in the peripheral subunit-binding domain of CgE2 in PDH and ODH functions. Acetylation-mimic substitution at Lys391 of CgE2 severely reduced the interaction of CgE2 with CgE1p and CgE3, but not with CgE1o, indicating the critical role of this residue in the assembly of CgE1p and CgE3 into the complex. It also suggested that Lys391 acetylation inhibited the binding of CgE1p and CgE3 to CgE2, thereby affecting PDH and ODH activities. Interestingly, the CgE2-K391R variant strain showed increased l-glutamate production and reduced pyruvate accumulation. Kinetic analysis suggested that the increased affinity of the K391R variant toward pyruvate might be advantageous for l-glutamate production. Are serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) normal in patients with functional hypothalamic anovulation (FHA)? Our study confirms that in the general FHA population, serum AMH levels are not decreased, but if patients with polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) are excluded, levels become significantly lower, as in other situations of gonadotropic insufficiency. In most situations of low LH (physiological, pharmacological or pathological), serum AMH levels are low. However, paradoxically, many publications have reported normal or even increased serum AMH levels in FHA patients. Retrospective observational study conducted in an academic centre. The data concerning the study population was collected between 2006 and 2015 from a database including clinical, biological and ultrasound information. A total of 45 FHA patients were compared to 37 controls matched based on age and body mass index (BMI). Serum LH, FSH, androstenedione, total testosterone, prolactin and AMH levels were measured by immunoass, there was a strong positive correlation between BMI and LH. This is a retrospective study; our controls did not represent the general population as they were recruited in an ART centre; we used a modified classification for PCOM using follicle count and/or AMH level with in-house thresholds to define the follicle excess; the AMH assay used is no longer commercially available. Besides biasing the results of AMH assay in FHA patients, the presence of PCOM in FHA patients despite low gonadotropin and androgen levels raises the issue of epigenetically acquired amplification of androgen and/or FSH sensitivity within granulosa cells from polycystic ovaries. In terms of clinical practice, it seems important not to diagnose a low ovarian reserve in FHA patients too quickly on the basis of a decreased AMH level alone. On the contrary, a high AMH level in the context of a menstrual disorder and PCOM should not lead to a misdiagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) if the basal LH is low. None. N/A.N/A.