Diphenyl-Methane Based Thyromimetic Inhibitors for Transthyretin Amyloidosis

Thyromimetics, whose physicochemical characteristics are analog to thyroid hormones (THs) and their derivatives, are promising candidates as novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative and metabolic pathologies. In particular, sobetirome (GC-1), one of the initial halogen-free thyromimetics, and newly synthesized IS25 and TG68, with optimized ADME-Tox profile, have recently attracted attention owing to their superior therapeutic benefits, selectivity, and enhanced permeability. Here, we further explored the functional capabilities of these thyromimetics to inhibit transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis. TTR is a homotetrameric transporter protein for THs, yet it is also responsible for severe amyloid fibril formation, which is facilitated by tetramer dissociation into non-native monomers. By combining nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, computational simulation, and biochemical assays, we found that GC-1 and newly designed diphenyl-methane-based thyromimetics, namely IS25 and TG68, are TTR stabilizers and efficient suppressors of TTR aggregation. Based on these observations, we propose the novel potential of thyromimetics as a multi-functional therapeutic molecule for TTR-related pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases.     

Electrical Breakdown Properties and Space Charge Formation in High Temperature Region in Ultraviolet Ray Irradiated PVC

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the most popular insulating material for electric wiring instruments. However, an exothermic reaction above 150 °C may cause deterioration of the insulating properties of PVC. Therefore, it is important to clarify the heat degradation in PVC, not only to investigate the ignition of electrical wiring products but also to use electrical products safely. It is known that ultraviolet (UV) irradiation causes chemical deterioration of PVC and an increase in its conductivity. Generally, it has been thought that the electrical breakdown properties, electrical conduction, and insulating performance are affected by space charge accumulation in an insulating material. A high temperature pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) system usable up to 250 °C has been developed, and the PEA system can measure the space charge distribution and conduction current in the high temperature range simultaneously. In this investigation, the space charge distribution and conduction current were measured up to electrical breakdown in a non‐UV irradiated sample (normal PVC) and in 353 nm and 253 nm UV‐irradiated PVC samples in the range from room temperature to 200 °C in a DC electric field. In the short wavelength UV irradiated PVC sample (253 nm, 300 h), a deterioration of breakdown strength at 90 °C to 150 °C and negative packet‐like charges were observed at 60 °C and 100 °C, a positive charge accumulated in front of both the anode and cathode above 90 °C, and a higher electric field near the cathode side because the positive charge of the cathode side was greater.     

Isolation of the effect of the hairy layer length on the mechanical properties of waterborne coatings

The effect of the acidic hairy layer length on the interdiffusion of polymer between particles and as a consequence on the mechanical properties of the films produced from waterborne coatings has been studied. In order to isolate this effect, latexes with the same particle diameter and molecular weight but stabilized with poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(butyl acrylate) (PAA-b-PBA) block copolymers of controlled and different lengths were prepared. Tensile strength measurements showed at the macroscopic level that the presence of AA chains in the particle surface reduced the mechanical properties of the films dried at room temperature, being its effect worse the longer the AA chain length. Higher annealing temperatures erased the negative effect of the acidic hairy layer on mechanical properties. The neutralization with NaOH instead of with NH₄OH also led to worse mechanical properties. These macroscopic results were supported by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) experiments that showed that at the microscopic level, the extent of interdiffusion occurred slower when the AA chains in the particles surface increased, the annealing temperature was lower and when NaOH was used as neutralizing agent instead of NH₄OH.     

Studies on high density polyethylene (HDPE) functionalized by ultraviolet irradiation and its application

The structure and properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) functionalized by ultraviolet irradiation at different light intensities in air were studied by electron analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, contact angle with water, differential scanning calorimetry and mechanical properties measurement. The results show that oxygen‐containing groups such as C?O, C—O and C(?O)O were introduced onto the molecular chain of HDPE following irradiation, and the rate and efficiency of HDPE functionalization increased with enhancement of irradiation intensity. After irradiation, the melting temperature, contact angle with water and notched impact strength of HDPE decreased, the degree of crystallinity increased, and their variation amplitude increased with irradiation intensity. Compared with HDPE, the yield strength of HDPE irradiated at lower light intensity (32 W m^?2 and 45 W m^?2) increases monotonically with irradiation time, and the yield strength of HDPE irradiated at higher light intensity (78 W m^?2) increases up to 48 h and then decreased with further increase in irradiation time. The irradiated HDPE behaved as a compatibilizer in HDPE/polycarbonate (PC) blends, and the interface bonding between HDPE and PC was ameliorated. After adding 20 wt% HDPE irradiated at 78 W m^?2 irradiation intensity for 24 h to HDPE/PC blends, the tensile yield strength and notched Izod impact strength of the blend were increased from 26.3 MPa and 51 J m^?1 to 30.2 MPa and 158 J m^?1, respectively. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

30.4 nm光电成像系统分辨率的初步实验研究

本文基于微通道板MCP(Microchannel Plate)探测器件设计一套成像系统，用于对波长为30．4nm的极紫外EUV(Extreme Ultraviolet)光进行成像．结果获得了一宽度为3mm的狭缝的像，实验测得490μm的成像系统的空间分辨率，并分析了影响系统分辨率的各种因素及为提高系统分辨率所应采取的措施．     

Pool boiling on a superhydrophilic surface

Titanium Dioxide, TiO₂, is a photocatalyst with a unique characteristic. A surface coated with TiO₂ exhibits an extremely high affinity for water when exposed to UV light and the contact angle decreases nearly to zero. Inversely, the contact angle increases when the surface is shielded from UV. This superhydrophilic nature gives a self-cleaning effect to the coated surface and has already been applied to some construction materials, car coatings and so on. We applied this property to the enhancement of boiling heat transfer. An experiment involving the pool boiling of pure water has been performed to make clear the effect of high wettability on heat transfer characteristics. The heat transfer surface is a vertical copper cylinder of 17 mm in diameter and the measurement has been done at saturated temperature and in a steady state. Both TiO₂-coated and non-coated surfaces were used for comparison. In the case of the TiO₂-coated surface, it is exposed to UV light for a few hours before experiment and it is found that the maximum heat flux (CHF) is about two times larger than that of the uncoated surface. The temperature at minimum heat flux (MHF) for the superhydrophilic surface is higher by 100 K than that for the normal one. The superhydrophilic surface can be an ideal heat transfer surface. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New developments in speciality polymers: polymeric stabilizers

Many new speciality polymers have been developed in the last few years. In this paper polymeric stabilizers (antioxidants, flame retardants and ultraviolet stabilizers) will be discussed. Polymeric antioxidants of the hindered-phenol type, copolymers of 2,6-ditertiarybutyl-4-vinyl(or isopropenyl)phenol with styrene, methyl methacrylate, or more importantly butadiene or isoprene have been prepared; hydrogenation of the latter copolymers gave copolymers of the two polymerizable phenolic antioxidants with ethylene or ethylene/propylene. The polymeric antioxidants have been blended with diene polymers and selected polyolefins and have improved the long-term oxidative stability of these polymers. Polymeric flame retardants have been prepared by copolymerizing styrene and/or acrylonitrile with acrylates and methacrylates of aliphatic bromine-containing alcohols or bromine-containing phenols. Polymers with polymer-bound flame retardants have a higher limiting oxygen index compared with the original polymer. A new class of polymerizable ultraviolet stabilizers has also been developed; these stabilizers are styryl, α-methylstyryl, acryloyl and methacryloyl derivatives of 2(2-hydroxyphenyl)2H-benzotriazoles. These monomers have been copolymerized with styrene, acrylates and methacrylates. 2(2-Hydroxyphenyl)2H-benzotriazoles substituted in the 4 position of the benzotriazole ring with hydroxyl, acetoxy or carboxyl groups suitable for incorporation into polyesters, polycarbonates, polyamides and epoxy resins have also been synthesized. All 2(2-hydroxyphenyl)2H-benzotriazole ultraviolet absorbers and the polymers into which they are incorporated have high light absorbency with γ_max between 330 and 350 nm and extinction coefficients in some cases as high as 4.5 × 10⁴ 1 mol^?1 cm^?1.     

Simultaneous HPLC quantification of total cholesterol,tocopherols and β-carotene in Barrosã-PDO veal

A simple, rapid and sensitive procedure for the simultaneous determination of total cholesterol, tocopherols and β-carotene in meat is described. The method involves a direct saponification of the meat, a single n-hexane extraction and the analysis of the extracted compounds by normal-phase HPLC, using fluorescence (tocopherols) and UV–Vis photodiode array (cholesterol and β-carotene) detections in tandem. Rates of recovery of spiked meat samples were 93% for cholesterol, 83–86% for (α-, β- and -γ) tocopherols and 89% for β-carotene. Repeatabilities were high (CV < 6%) for all determined compounds, except for δ-tocopherol. This tocopherol, which is not usually present in meat, showed a much lower recovery percentage (73%) and repeatability (12.8%). This methodology was applied for the quantification of total cholesterol, tocopherols and β-carotene in three muscles (longissimus thoracis, longissimus lumborum and semitendinosus) of the Portuguese traditional Barrosã-PDO veal, obtained from autochthonous calves fed extensively during summer (with the least abundant green pastures) and slaughtered in early autumn (October). Barrosã-PDO veal showed median contents of total cholesterol (0.50–0.56 mg/g) and, depending on the analysed muscle, moderate to high contents of α-tocopherol (3.3–3.9 μg/g) and β-carotene (0.07–0.09 μg/g), suggesting an high sensorial and hygienic quality.     

紫外法测菜籽饼粕中硫代葡萄糖甙操作探讨

对用紫外法测菜籽饼粕中硫代葡萄糖甙过程中测试条件、操作质量等操作问题予以分析和探讨，以求提高测试结果的准确率。     

Recrystallization in Model Ice Cream Solutions as Affected by Stabilizer Concentration

Ice recrystallization rates in simple aqueous solutions comprising fructose and a hydrocolloid stabilizer were measured. The stabilizers were an enzyme-modified guar and a non-gelling high methoxy pectin. The stabilizer concentration dependence of the recrystallization rates for both materials was similar in that increasing the concentration resulted in decreasing rates until a point is reached where further addition had no additional effect. That recrystallization rates were reduced by both gelling and non-gelling stabilizers was strongly suggestive that gelation was not a requirement for recrystallization inhibition and another more specific mechanism applies, for example a weak interfacial effect such as adsorption or blocking. This behavior was also seen with locust bean gum and guar and provided further empirical evidence to support the hypothesis that stabilizers adsorb to ice crystal surfaces.