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Notes: Summary Several thrombogenic abnormalities are associated with diabetes. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms, we examined the effects of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE), non-enzymatically glycated protein derivatives, on the production of prostacyclin (PGI2), an anti-thrombogenic prostanoid, and of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a fast-acting serine protease inhibitor of fibrinolysis, in human microvascular endothelial cells (EC). Firstly, AGE-bovine serum albumin (BSA) but not non-glycated BSA, was found to considerably decrease the production of PGI2 to about two-thirds of the control value. Secondly, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that AGE-BSA increased the EC levels of mRNA coding for PAI-1, this being associated with a concomitant increase in the immunoreactive PAI-1 contents and the anti-fibrinolytic activity. Thirdly, the effects of AGE on PGI2 and PAI-1 syntheses in EC were found to be mediated by a receptor for AGE (RAGE) because antisense DNA against RAGE mRNA could reverse the AGE effects. Further, it was found that AGE decreased the intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations in EC and that cyclic AMP agonists such as dibutyryl cyclic AMP, forskolin and PGI2 analogue reduced the AGE-stimulated PAI-1 production, suggesting the involvement of cyclic AMP in the AGE-signalling pathway. The results thus suggest that AGE have the ability to cause platelet aggregation and fibrin stabilization, resulting in a predisposition to thrombogenesis and thereby contributing to the development and progression of diabetic vascular complications. [Diabetologia (1998) 41: 1435–1441]

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: The application of microbubbles of pressured CO2 greatly increased CO2 concentration in the solution treated. By treatment at 6 MPa, 35°C and average residence time 15 min, L. brevis was completely inactivated at the level of dissolved CO2,γ≧ 11 (γ, Kuenen's gas absorption coefficient). E. coli and S. cerevisiae required γ≧ 17, and T. versatilis required γ≧ 21 for complete inactivation. Z. rouxii could be sterilized at 20 MPa and 26. A comparison of the continuous and batch method showed that L. brevis was inactivated completely under pressured CO2 〉 0.16 g/cm3 with the continuous method and 〉0.9 g/cm3 with the batch method.

Notes: A Mn–Zn ferrite with a grain size of about 2 μm has been developed for the transformer driven at around 1 MHz. The developed ferrite exhibits considerably lower core losses than a conventional Mn–Zn ferrite with a grain size of about 10 μm at a frequency of 0.5 to 2 MHz. The thin-type transformer using the developed ferrite driven at 1 MHz shows a high efficiency of more than 95% at an output power of 10 to 17 W and a much lower surface temperature rise than the transformer using the conventional ferrite. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: The morphology of the tongue of an adult Formosan serow was examined to compare it with that of the Japanese serow by macroscopical and scanning electron microscopical observations. The tongue was 13.5 cm in length and 82 g in weight. The apex showed a U-shaped outline. There were 340 fungiform papillae and 23 vallate papillae on both sides. Filiform, fungiform, conical and vallate papillae were found. Annular pads surrounding the vallate papillae were poorly developed. No lenticular or foliate papillae were seen on the dorsal surface. These findings indicate that the tongue of the Formosan serow is smaller and less complex morphologically than that of the Japanese serow.

Notes: Details of the morphology of the forestomach of the Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) were examined macroscopically, and by light and scanning electron microscopy. The rumen was sac-like in shape, and the right accessory longitudinal groove was not visible externally. The reticulum was relatively small, while the omasum was oval and large. Inside the rumen, even in the dorsal sac, the ruminal papillae were densely distributed, although absent on the pillars. The caudodorsal coronary pillar was indistinct. In the ruminoreticular fold, ruminal papillae were observed even on the reticulum side. In the reticulum, the primary reticular fold was apparent and the ill-defined secondary folds were also detected in some reticular cells. In the omasum, the omasal laminae of four sizes were recognized. The fourth order of laminae was occasionally absent. Histological sections of ruminal papillae revealed that softly keratinized epithelium covered the entire ruminal mucosa. In the reticulum, soft keratinized epithelium was observed throughout, with the exception of the tips of reticular papillae on which the epithelium showed evidence of hard keratinization. The epithelium of the omasal laminae was moderately keratinized. On the floor of the reticular groove, interlaminar area and in the omasal groove, the accumulations of numerous eosinophilic cells were observed in the superficial region. Under the scanning electron microscope, shallow transverse grooves were seen on the surface of the ruminal papillae. In general, the surface structure seemed to be similar to that of sheep rather than cattle. Cellular formations of the collagen fibrils were observed at the subepithelial region. In conclusion, examination of the forestomach allows classification of the Japanese serows as requiring an intermediate type of feeding habit and being between concentrate selectors and grass-roughage eaters from a morphological view.

Notes: The seasonal changes of the cytoskeletal protein expressions were immunohistochemically investigated in the testes of Japanese black bear, Ursus thibetanus japonicus. A strong immunoreaction for α-smooth muscle actin is restricted to the vascular smooth muscle cells and the peritubular cells which surround the seminiferous tubules by several layers throughout the year. Weak immunoreactions for B4 antigen and desmin were observed in the vascular smooth muscle cells and in a part of peritubular cells throughout the year. A strong immunoreaction for vimentin was also detected in the fibroblasts and Leydig cells, in addition to the vascular smooth muscle and epithelial cells and the peritubular cells throughout the year. A strong α-tubulin immunoreaction was detected in the elongating spermatids during the acrosome phase of spermiogenesis in May and June. The cytoplasm of several Sertoli cells was faintly immunoreacted for vimentin in the basal and lateral region, while an intense α-tubulin reaction was seen in the entire cytoplasm in May, April and June. In November, January and March, the immunoreactions for vimentin and α-tubulin strongly accumulate in a perinuclear region of Sertoli cells when developmental spermatids are not seen in the seminiferous tubules. These accumulations in the immunoreactions for vimentin and α-tubulin seem to be caused by the reduction in size of Sertoli cells cytoplasm with season. However, the seasonal changes of distributions in the cytoskeletal proteins are obscure in the bear testes. These results suggest that the contents of cytoskeletal proteins may not change in relation to the morphological differences with season in the testes of the seasonal breeders.

Notes: A compact superconducting storage ring (0.575 GeV and 300 mA) with a racetrack microtron injection system was installed at Ritsumeikan University and has been operated successfully since April 1996. As the radius of the circular electron orbit is small (0.5 m), it is possible to use a radiation beam of relatively high photon flux at a short distance from the source point. Beamlines have been constructed including those for XAFS, soft X-ray spectroscopy, VUV spectroscopy, fluorescent X-ray analysis, soft X-ray microscopy, X-ray diffraction/scattering and photoelectron spectroscopy; the photoelectron spectrometer is combined with an ion-beam-scattering spectrometer to obtain information both on the electronic states and on the atomic arrangements of a solid surface. In addition there are two beamlines, one for LIGA exposure and the other for synchrotron radiation ablation, which are devoted to producing new devices and materials. The synchrotron radiation facility is open not only to users in the University but also to researchers in industry, governmental institutions and other universities.

Notes: [Auszug] The indistinguishability of identical quantum particles can lead to quantum interferences that profoundly affect their scattering. If two particles collide and scatter, the process that results in the detection of the first particle in one direction and the second particle in another ...

Notes: Abstract. Butyltin (Bts) and phenyltin compounds (Pts) were measured in water, sediment, plankton, and mussels collected from eight stations in the harbor area of the Port of Osaka in 1996, and were compared with those of Otsuchi Bay. The levels of tributyltin (TBT) compounds in all samples from the Port of Osaka were slightly high in marinas and mooring areas of small and medium-hull vessels. Of total Bts, the ratio of TBT was under 50% in water and was dominant in sediment, plankton, and mussels. Triphenyltin (TPT) compounds in water were not detected. TPT was present at lower levels than TBT in sediment, plankton, and mussels. Of total Pts, monophenyltin (MPT) compounds and diphenyltin (DPT) compounds represented a high proportion in sediment, while TPT was dominant in plankton and mussels. The concentrations of TBT in water from the Port of Osaka were lower than those from Otsuchi Bay, however TBT concentrations in sediment, plankton, and mussels from the Port of Osaka were higher than those from Otsuchi Bay. The difference of TBT concentration among stations in the Port of Osaka was slight. In contrast, the levels of TBT in Otsuchi Bay were markedly higher at a station near the shipyard. Though TPT in water from the Port of Osaka was not detected, trace amounts of TPT was found in seawater from Otsuchi Bay. The levels and detected frequencies of TPT in sediment, plankton, and mussels from the Port of Osaka were lower than in those from Otsuchi Bay. The partition coefficients of Bts to sediment, plankton, and mussels from the Port of Osaka were higher than those of dibutyltin (DBT) compounds and MBT and those of TBT to plankton and mussels were higher than those in sediment. The partition coefficients of TBT to sediment and biological samples from the Port of Osaka were higher level than those in Otsuchi Bay.