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Notes: We present a new method to evaluate the photo-oxidative activity of sunscreening agents based on the photodynamic oxidation of uric acid. Uric acid was selected as the oxidant probe for its high reactivity to singlet oxygen and oxygen radicals, high sensitivity of detection using electrochemical (EC) techniques, low light absorptivity and high photochemical stability in the UVA/B region of interest, and stability to autoxidation. The method is demonstrated by the photodynamic oxidation of uric acid on co-irradiation with Rose Bengal, a highly efficient photosensitizing dye for the production of singlet oxygen (1O2). Using this assay we found that the relative photodynamic oxidation rates of UVB-absorbing sunscreens in 80% methanol on irradiation with 〉290 nm light decreased in the order 2-ethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate (DMABA-2EH) ≫ 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate (MCA-2EH) and the experimental sunscreens, 1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-octanoyl-4,4-dimethyl- 1,4,5,6,-tetrahydropyridine (ICI-319) and 1-(2-methylpropyl)-3-propionyl-4,4-dimethyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (ICI-855). The relative photodynamic oxidation rates of UVA-absorbing sunscreens decreased in the order 4-tert-butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM) and 4-(2-propyl)benzophenone (PB) 〉 2-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-benzophenone (HMB) and 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (DHMB). We have confirmed the photodynamic activity of DMABA-2EH for the production of singlet oxygen (1O2) using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and the reagent 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone (4-oxo-TEMP). We failed to detect the photodynamic production of the oxyradicals, superoxide (O2.-) and hydroxyl radical (HO.) using N-tert-butyl-a-phenylnitrone (PBN) and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolidine-1-oxide (DMPO) as a result of photochemical interference caused by these spin-trapping reagents. The uric acid photo-oxidation assay was also used to compare the photodynamic reactivity of light-reflective, microfine oxides TiO2, ZnO and ZrO2 suspended in aqueous 80% methanol. All of the microfine oxides (uncoated) showed greater photodynamic reactivity in equimolar dispersion than did any of the organic UVA- and UVB-absorbing sunscreens in homogeneous solution. In this assay the photodynamic oxidation rates for the microfine oxides decreased in the order ZnO ≫ TiO2 (anatase) 〉 ZrO2 〉 TiO2 (rutile). Resume Nous presentons un nouveau procede d'evaluation de l'activite photooxydante d'agents pour ecrans solaires base sur l'oxydation photodynamique de l'acide urique. L'acide urique a ete choisi comme test a l'oxydation en raison de sa forte reactivite a l'oxygene singulet et aux radicaux oxygene, sa haute sensibilite a la detection par les techniques electrochimiques (EC), sa faible capacite d'absorption de la lumiere, sa stabilite photochimique elevee dans le domaine UVA/UVB concerne, et sa stabilite a l'autooxydation. La demonstration du procede est effectuee au travers de l'oxydation photodynamique de l'acide urique co-irradie avec du Rose du Bengale, colorant phosensibilisateur tres efficace pour generer de l'oxygene singulet (1O2). En mettant ce test en oeuvre nous avons trouve que les vitesses relatives d'oxydation photodynamique d'ecrans solaires aux UVB dans due methanol a 80%, irradies avec une lumiere 〉 290nm, diminuent dans l'ordre: 2-ethylhexyl 4-dimethylamino-benzoate (DMABA-2EH) ≫ 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate (MCA-2EH) et les ecrans a l'essai: la 1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-octanoyl-4,4-dimethyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydopyridine (ICI-319) et la 1-(2-methylpropyl)-3-propionyl-4,4-dimethyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (ICI-855). les vitesses relatives d'oxydation photodynamique d'ecrans solaires aux UVA diminuent dans l'ordre: 4-tert-butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM) et 4-(2-propyl) benzophenone (PB) 〉 2-hydroxy-4'-methoxybenzophenone (HMB) et 2'2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (DHMB). Nous avons confirme l'activite photdynamique du DMABA-2EH pour la production d'oxygene singulet (1O2) en utilisant la spectroscopie par resonance paramagnetique electronique et le reactif 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone (4-oxo-TEMP). Nous n'avons pas pu detecter la production photodynamique des oxyradicaux du superoxyde (O2.) et du radical hydroxyle (HO.) a l'aide de la N-ter-butyl-a- phenylnitrone (PBN) en raison d'interferences photochimiques causees par ces reactifs spin-Bloquants. Le test de photooxydation de l'acide urique a aussi ete utilise pour comparer la reactivite photodynamique d'oxydes microfins reflechisseurs de lumiere TiO2, ZnO et ZrO2 en suspension dans du methanol aqueux a 80%. Tous ces oxydes microfins (non enrobes) ont montre une meilleure reactivite photodynamique en dispersion equimolaire que ne l'a fait aucun des ecrans solaires aux UVA et UVB en solution homogene. Lors de ce test les vitesses d'oxydation photodynamique des oxydes microfins ont diminue dans l'ordre ZnO ≫ TiO2 (anatase) 〉 ZrO2 〉 TiO2 (rutile).

Notes: Intergeneric coaggregation is responsible for the complexity of the microbiota in human dental plaque and is believed to be important in the initial bacterial colonization of the human oral cavity. Actinomyces naeslundii, an early colonizer of the tooth surface, may enhance subsequent colonization by Porphyromonas gingivalis which is associated with adult periodontitis. The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize the A. naeslundii aggregation factor (AnAF) that mediates coaggregation with P. gingivalis. AnAF was isolated from A. naeslundii sonic extract (SE) by gel nitration on a Sephacryl S-400HR, by hydrophobic interaction chromatography on a HiTrap Octyl Sepharose 4FF, and by ion exchange chromatography on a HiTrap Q. The specific activity increased 12-fold with a yield of 2.5%. SDS-PAGE analysis of AnAF revealed a protein band of high molecular weight in excess of 200 kDa. Carbohydrate was detected as the only material coinciding with the protein band, indicating that the AnAF was a glycoprotein. Immunoblotting analysis indicated that AnAF directly bound to P. gingivalis cells. AnAF was sensitive to sodium metaperiodate treatment but not to heat or protease treatments. These results suggest that the AnAF carbohydrate component mediated coaggregation with P. gingivalis cells. AnAF also inhibited coaggregation with other periodontal disease-associated bacteria such as Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Capnocytophaga ochracea, but not streptococci.

Notes: Abstract: The singularity of the specific heat is studied for the dilution (J〉J'〉0) type and Gaussian type random Ising models using the Pfaffian method numerically. The type of singularity at the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic phase boundary is studied using the standard regression method using data up to system size. It is shown that the logarithmic type singularity is more reliable than the double-logarithmic type and cusp type singularities. The critical temperatures are estimated accurately for both the dilution type and Gaussian type random Ising models. A phase diagram relating strength of the randomness and temperature is also presented.

Notes: Abstract. The ultrastructural changes in cartilage matrix that occur during calcification have been examined in chick epiphyseal growth plate cartilage prepared by quick-frozen, deep-etched, and rotary shadowed replicas. The extracellular cartilage matrix contains a reticular network closely associated with an extensive network of collagen. The components of the reticular network, including thick and thin filaments, are attached directly to the cell membrane, matrix vesicle membrane, and collagen fibrils. This network, which interconnects the matrix vesicles and collagen, fills the extracellular matrix. The dimensions of the reticular network seem to remain almost constant in size from the reserve and proliferative zones to the calcifying zone. The collagen fibrils seem to consist of subfibrillar structures that branch and anastomose. In optimally quick-frozen, deep-etched, prepared collagen, a cross-banding pattern was exposed. Globular structures stud the collagen fibrils, which gradually diminish in number from the reserve zone down to the calcifying zone. The matrix vesicles, when fractured, showed a granular appearance. In most cases, the fracture plane passed through the bilayer of the matrix vesicle membrane. The true surface of the matrix vesicle membrane, therefore, was exposed after deep etching. At the calcifying zone, crystal deposition had occurred in needle-like and/or plate-like form within the membrane-bound matrix vesicles. The reticular network was still intact in the vicinity of the calcified matrix, but in the intercrystalline space, neither the reticular structure nor the globular structure was detectable. Within the calcified matrix, both reticular and granular structures had disappeared from the interfibrillar space of the collagen fibrils.

Notes: Abstract Human papillomavirus is thought to be an etiological factor for urological tumors such as penile cancer. However, there is much conflicting data surrounding prostatic cancer. We recently established a highly sensitive nested PCR method with consensus human papillomavirus (HPV) primers for the detection of many high-risk HPV types. HPV DNA from the long-control region (LCR) to E7 open reading frame was amplified with first primer pairs and subsequently amplified with second internal E6–E7 primers. Our nested PCR method could detect HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52, 58 and some undetermined HPV DNAs. Using this method, we investigated the existence of HPV DNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue of the prostate. We found HPV DNA in three of 71 specimens of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and in none of 38 prostatic carcinomas. These three samples were infected with HPV 16. These results suggest that HPV is not a causal factor for prostatic cancer and BPH.