Anionic alternating copolymerization of epoxide and 3,4‐dihydrocoumarin and its application to networked polymers

3,4‐Dihydrocoumarin (DHCM) is an aromatic six‐membered lactone, which does not undergo anionic homopolymerization. However, it does undergo copolymerization with an epoxide. The striking feature of this copolymerization is its 1:1 alternating nature, which allows for the formation of polyesters. In this mini‐review, we describe the copolymerization behavior, the polymer structure and the advantages that can be achieved by addition of DHCM to the epoxy‐imidazole curing system. Another focus is our development of DHCM analogues, which bring the advantages of DHCM to their applications as comonomers for the curing system. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Microwave synthesis of Fe-doped β-rhombohedral boron

Iron-doped β-rhombohedral boron was synthesized by 28 GHz microwave irradiation on a powder mixture of iron and β-boron. β-Boron strongly absorbs 28 GHz microwaves, and this strong coupling with microwave energy can be used to promote a reaction with iron dopant. The powder mixture was heated to 1800°C within 2 min by microwave irradiation, resulting in the formation of β-rhombohedral boron interstitially doped with iron. The reaction proceeded rapidly without accompanying grain growth. The XRD analysis and the electrical conductivity measurements revealed successful incorporation of iron into two doping sites of β-boron.     

Subtotal cor triatrium with left partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection--successful correction in an infant

This report concerns a 10-month-old infant with subtotal cor triatrium associated with left sided partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the innominate vein. In the operation, we found that the fossa ovalis existed between the right atrium and the accessory atrial chamber. We performed a radical operation which consisted of a resection of the intra-left-atrial diaphragma and a anastomosis of the vertical vein to the left atrium. His postoperative course was uneventful, and the result was satisfactory. We have presented and reviewed our case, and then discussed the embryogenesis and the hemodynamics. To our knowledge, our case represents the first successful surgical repair of this combination of defects in Japan.     

Synthesis and properties of carbocyclic oligothymidylate lacking the 5'-methylene

Oligodeoxynucleotides possessing a shortened internucleotidic linkage have been prepared using carbocyclic nucleosides lacking the 5'-methylene as the monomeric units. Specifically, the oligomers derived from carbocyclic 5'-n or thymidine and 2'-hydroxy-3'-deoxythymidine will be described.     

A case of coronary artery bypass grafting for effort angina in a patient with post skin grafting for an extramammary Paget's disease

The extramammary Paget's disease of anogenital area is rare, and is seen as a precancerous lesion or carcinoma in situ. In most cases, surgical treatment including dissection of regional lymph nodes, skin resection and grafting should be considered first. A 74-year-old male suffered from effort angina and underwent triple coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) including saphenous vein graft (SVG) harvested from right lower leg. Five years previously he underwent skin grafting for extramammary Paget's disease of both inguinal areas and the perineal area. The postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged 23 days after the CABG operation. Extramammary Paget's disease is localized in epidermis for years and there has been no report of direct invasion into vessels. Therefore, there appears to be no reason not to use an SVG if there is no luminal thrombus or occlusion.     

Anti-mutagenic and anti-oxidative activities found in Chinese traditional soybean fermented products furu

Furus, Chinese traditional soybean products, which are salted, fermented and seasoned bean curd preserved in dipping sauce, were studied for their anti-mutagenic and anti-oxidative activities. There are many varieties of furu by region, depending on their ingredients and bacterial strain used. Furus, not only have peculiar palatable taste and aroma, but also present strong anti-oxidative activity which ordinary Japanese soybean curd, tofu, never shows. Against benzo(α)pyrene, all samples, regardless of solid or dipping sauce, showed anti-mutagenic activity. In general, red furus had higher activity than white. All red furus inhibited more than 50% of the mutagenicity and this high suppressive ratio suggested that it was raised mainly by secreted substances discharged from the bacterial body rather than by functional compounds originating from soybeans. In the case of white furu, which showed wide differences in activity, the functional role of each spice and condiment added needs to be further studied, in addition to the soybean and white furu ferment-rice malt.     

Characterization and Studies on Hydro Dynamically Stable Operation of an Angular Jet SOG for COIL

Chemical oxygen-iodine Laser (COIL) is one of the fast emerging high power laser source for near Infrared (λ=1.315μm) laser generation. The heart of the system is the singlet oxygen generator (SOG) which is a pumping source for this laser. A Jet type SOG with a novel approach was designed and fabricated. Singlet oxygen was taken out of the SOG at an angle of 40° thus avoiding the carry over of droplets, which is one of the major drawbacks of horizontal system. The preliminary results have been reported in our earlier publication. The present paper discusses the performance of this generator for various operational conditions viz. diluent's gas nitrogen / helium, basic hydrogen peroxide composition, generator pressure and gas velocity. Further, conditions for the stable operation from generator as well as chlorine injection point of view have been identified.     

Polymeric phosphonium salts as a novel class of cationic biocides. X. Antibacterial activity of filters incorporating phosphonium biocides

Phosphonium salts with different alkyl chains as substituents were incorporated covalently on the surfaces of cellulose filters with silane coupling agents containing phosphonium ions, and their surface antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were explored by the viable cell-counting method in sterile distilled water. The filters incorporating phosphonium biocides showed higher antibacterial activity, and its activity strongly depended on the structure of substituents. The surface-treated filters may be used to sterilize air and water, including microorganisms. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

IgA nephropathy--human disease and animal model

IgA nephropathy is one of the most common chronic glomerulonephritides worldwide. Since the first publication on IgA nephropathy, a number of clinical and pathological investigations have revealed that the clinical course of patients with IgA nephropathy is extremely diverse, with approximately 10-20% of the patients developing end-stage chronic renal failure. Glomerular changes similar to IgA nephropathy have also been observed in patients with Schoenlein-Henoch purpura, and with other diseases such as liver cirrhosis and chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung. The broad spectrum of clinical and pathological features of IgA nephropathy encompasses a syndrome which includes both primary and secondary IgA nephropathy. The common etiology and pathogenesis of primary and secondary IgA nephropathy appear to be closely related to immunological abnormalities in the production of IgA induced by antigenic stimulation of the common mucosal immune system. IgA is one of the most important humoral factors of the mucosal immune defense system and functions as an antibody against various extrinsic and intrinsic substances. This review describes the Arthus type of IgA immune complex deposition in the glomeruli which can result from persistent or repeated increases in circulating IgA immune complexes. The latter occurs as a consequence of overproduction of IgA antibodies and/or impairment in clearance of IgA immune complexes by the mononuclear phagocytic system. The present review also focuses on the biology of the IgA-mediated immune system and on the etiology, pathogenesis, and animal models of IgA nephropathy.