Thermal decomposition of aluminium hydroxycarboxylates—lactate,citrate and tartrate

The thermal transformation of anhydrous alumina obtained by the decomposition of the lactate, citrate and tartrate of aluminium has been examined by thermal analysis(TGA and DTA), infrared spectrophotometry and X-ray diffraction study. It is found that under an atmosphere of air the thermal decomposition of aluminium hydroxycarboxylates to anhydrous amorphous alumina, which transforms to α-alumina via γ-, δ- and θ-aluminas, proceeds as follows for Al[CH₃CH(OH)COO]₃, the decomposition of skeleton and the combustion of its decomposition products; for Al[CH₂C(OH)CH₂(COO)₃] and Al₂{[CH(OH)COO]₂}₃, dehydroxylation, decomposition of skeleton and the combustion of its decomposition products.     

Secretion-recapture process of apolipoprotein E in hepatic uptake of chylomicron remnants in transgenic mice

To investigate the role of apoE in hepatic uptake of chylomicron remnants, we studied chylomicron metabolism in transgenic mice overexpressing apoE in the liver. Plasma clearance of injected 125I-labeled human chylomicrons was fivefold faster in transgenic mice than in controls. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that apoE was specifically localized at the basolateral surface of hepatocytes from fasted transgenic mice. After injection of a large amount of chylomicrons, the density of the cell surface apoE was markedly reduced and vesicular staining was observed in the cytoplasm, suggesting that the cell surface apoE was used for hepatic endocytosis of chylomicrons and remnants. Polyacrylamide gel analysis of chylomicrons and remnants that had been reisolated from plasma and from liver membrane after the injection of chylomicrons showed the particles to be enriched with apoE mainly after their influx into the liver rather than during their residence in plasma. These results provide strong evidence for the secretion-recapture process of apoE, whereby chylomicron remnants enter the sinusoidal space, acquire apoE molecules, and subsequently are endocytosed. Data from experiments with very low density lipoprotein and LDL showed that this system is specific for chylomicron remnants.     

Effect of the Pro12Ala variant of the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 gene on adiposity, fat distribution, and insulin sensitivity in Japanese men

OBJECTIVE: In the white population, an association between oculo(dermal) melanocytosis (ODM) and uveal melanoma is well recognized. However, the lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma in the ODM population is not known. This study was designed to determine the lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma among patients with ocular melanocytosis. DESIGN: Fifty-six white patients manifesting ODM with uveal melanoma formed the basis of the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Published prevalence rates of ODM and uveal melanoma were used for calculations using Bayes' theorem. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma in white patients with ODM is estimated to be 2.6 x 10(-3). The median age at diagnosis of uveal melanoma in the ODM population was similar to a randomly selected population (60.5 years and 62.5 years, respectively). In the vast majority of patients (90%) with ODM-associated uveal melanoma, the uveal melanoma was diagnosed between the ages of 31 years and 80 years. CONCLUSIONS: One of about 400 patients with ODM followed for life is estimated to develop uveal melanoma. Excessive melanocytes in the uveal tract in ODM may provide the biologic basis for susceptibility to the development of uveal melanoma. Patients with ODM should be monitored ophthalmoscopically, especially during the susceptible period, for the development of uveal melanoma. The authors suggest that a national registry of ODM patients be created and prospective data collected to better assess the risk of developing uveal melanoma.     

Production of macrocyclic ellagitannin oligomers by Oenothera laciniata callus cultures

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) has been reported to enhance the experimental metastatic behaviour of melanoma cells in the mouse model. alpha-MSH production and MSH receptor (melanocortin 1 receptor gene) expression have been detected in cultured normal human melanocytes and metastasized melanomas. The exact role of MSH in the metastatic behaviour of human melanoma cells is, however, not yet known. To clarify a possible role of proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, including alpha-MSH, in melanoma development and progression, we analysed immunohistochemically the localization of alpha-MSH adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and beta-endorphin in various kinds of benign pigmented naevocytic lesions and malignant melanomas. Three of 21 samples of common and dysplastic naevi showed detectable alpha-MSH staining in naevus cells, and five and six of 15 samples were weakly positive for ACTH and beta-endorphin staining, respectively. In melanoma samples, 24 of 45, 23 of 39 and 30 of 42 samples showed positive staining with alpha-MSH, ACTH and beta-endorphin antibodies, respectively. Furthermore, staining for all three antibodies was noted to be more intense and diffuse in samples of nodular melanoma, vertically growing acral lentiginous melanoma and superficial spreading melanoma as well as metastatic lesions compared with those of naevi. Although it is yet to be determined whether or not this strong staining for POMC-derived peptides in advanced melanoma cells indicates a role of autocrine or paracrine regulation, our results suggest a possible involvement of POMC gene products in melanoma progression.     

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy type IV (Finnish type)--a clinicopathological study

Experimental observations on rat glomerulosa cells inspired a model which postulates that plasmalemmal dihydropyridine receptors are in juxtaposition and interaction with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors in subplasmalemmal calciosomes. Activation of dihydropyridine receptors promotes the Ca2+ releasing effect of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. The most important observations compatible with the model are the following: (1) angiotensin II does not influence Ca2+ influx during the peak phase of Ca2+ signal; (2) dihydropyridine drugs modify the initial peak of the Ca2+ signal induced by angiotensin II; (3) inhibitors of the dihydropyridine receptor reduce the initial Ca2+ signal also in the presence of 5 mM Ni2+, an inhibitor of voltage dependent Ca2+ influx; and (4) changes in extracellular K+ concentration within the physiological range also modify the cytoplasmic Ca2+ response to angiotensin II.     

Saturation measurements on electron spin resonance signals in amorphous silicon films

The dependence of the electron spin resonance signal intensity on the microwave magnetic field was investigated for amorphous silicon prepared by r.f. sputtering. The spin-lattice and the spin relaxation times T₁ and T₂ were determined by a new saturation method. As a result it is suggested that the electron spin resonance linewidth is determined by g-factor anisotropy, that T₂ is 10–100 times longer than the T¹₂ determined from the linewidth, that T₁ for samples annealed at below about 250°C is proportional to T^-1.9 and that most of the spins for samples annealed at above 400°C are probably due to dangling bonds in amorphous regions surrounding crystallites newly produced in the process of crystallization.     

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism is associated with plasma cholesterol response in a 7-day hospitalization study for metabolic and dietary control in NIDDM

An 81-year-old woman in whom liver dysfunction had been pointed out 3 years previously was diagnosed as having liver cirrhosis due to lupoid hepatitis. Considering the poor prognosis of cirrhosis and her age, immunosuppressive therapy was not adopted. Nine months later, a small liver tumor was found by ultrasonography and was diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The tumor was treated with transcatheter arterial embolization, but grew continuously. She also developed gingival lymphoma that was successfully treated. Three years after initial diagnosis of lupoid hepatitis, she died of hepatic failure. An autopsy was performed and confirmed the clinical diagnosis, liver cirrhosis with HCC. HCC is regarded as a rare complication of lupoid hepatitis, but cases of HCC complicating lupoid hepatitis may increase with progress in treatment methods and elongation of survival. The present case suggests that any malignancy can be developed in long-term surviving patients with lupoid hepatitis.     

Extraction of uranium (VI) and thorium from hydrochloric acid solutions by tri-n-butyl phosphate

The partitions of uranium (vi) and thorium between hydrochloric acid solutions and solutions of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in benzene or kerosene have been investigated at different concentrations of hydrochloric acid and solvent, and at different temperatures. An infra-red spectral study has also been made of the organic solutions obtained in the extraction of uranium. The effect of organic solvent on the extractions has also been examined.     

Thermal decomposition of nickel hydroxide

The thermal decomposition of nickel hydroxides prepared from aqueous nickel chloride solution on addition of alkali under various conditions has been examined by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction study, visible and infrared spectrophotometry, magnetic susceptibility measurement and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. As a result, it is concluded that the thermal decomposition of nickel hydroxide proceeds in the following sequence: