YF476 is a new potent and selective gastrin/cholecystokinin-B receptor antagonist in vitro and in vivo

Controversy exists as to whether the diabetic heart is more or less sensitive to ischemic injury. Although a considerable number of experimental studies have directly determined the effects of ischemia on the diabetic heart, there is still no general agreement as to whether metabolic changes within the myocardium contribute to the severity of ischemic injury. This paper reviews the evidence suggesting that the diabetic heart can actually be less sensitive to an episode of severe ischemia. Possible reasons for this decreased sensitivity to injury are discussed, which include a decreased accumulation of glycolytic products during ischemia (lactate and protons), as well as alterations in the regulation of intracellular pH in the diabetic heart. Based on existing studies, we suggest that although impaired glucose metabolism in the diabetic heart contributes to injury in hypoxic hearts or in hearts subjected to low-flow ischemia, diabetes-induced decreases in glycolysis can actually be beneficial to the diabetic heart during and following a severe ischemic episode. A decreased clearance of protons via the Na+/H+ exchanger may also contribute to the decreased sensitivity to ischemic injury in the diabetic heart.     

Regular network polyesters from benzenepolycarboxylic acids and glycol

Regular network polyesters were prepared from trimesic (Y), pyromellitic (X) or mellitic (Y_H) acids and 1,6-hexanediol (6G). Prepolymers prepared by melt-polycondensation were cast from dimethylformamide solution and post-polymerized at 260°C for various times to form a network. The resultant films were transparent, flexible and insoluble in organic solvents. Degrees of reaction estimated from the infra-red absorbance of ester and methylene groups were 95, 95 and 96% for 6GY, 6GX and 6GY_H post-polymerized for 12 h, respectively. X-ray diffraction intensity curves showed the formation of some ordered structure owing to the regular networks, and the degrees of ordering were 6GY> 6GX> 6GY_H. Densities were 1.227, 1.290 and 1.289 g cm⁻³ and heat distortion temperatures measured by thermomechanical analysis were 75, 72 and 75°C for 6GY, 6GX and 6GY_H post-polymerized for 12 h, respectively. Tensile strengths were in the order 6GY> 6GX> 6GY_H and Young's moduli were 6GY_H = 6GX> 6GY. Dye absorptions were 6GX> 6GY> 6GY_H, and water absorptions and weight losses in alkali solution were 6GY_H > 6GX> 6GY. These effects of the number of functional groups on the benzene ring on the structure and properties were discussed, and compared with those of previously reported network polymers.     

High-performance microwave circuits on LaAlO3

Microwave properties of high-temperature films deposited on LaAlO₃ substrate are presented. The films are grownin situ using a high-pressure single-source sputtering technique. Microwave resonators and filters are fabricated and tested. The maximum measuredQ values are 1400; the surface resistances were less than 360 between 4.2 and 50 K. The filter performance was 18 dB better than a similar filter fabricated in Ag.     

The mechanism for occurrence of internal stress during curing epoxide resins

The mechanism for the occurrence of internal stress in the curing cycle of four-functional epoxide resins was investigated in detail. The internal stress in this system was generated at the vitrification point in the course of curing, because the modulus of samples was rapidly increased at this point. After the vitrification point, the internal stress was increased with an increase of the shrinkage in the curing and cooling processes. Moreover, the magnitude of the internal stress in the four-functional resin systems depended on the chemical structure of aromatic diamines used as curing agents. This was explained by the difference of curing shrinkage after vitrification in each system.     

Effect of surface structure of porous silica microballoons on dynamic mechanical properties of amine cured epoxy resin composites

Dynamic mechanical properties were studied for epoxy resin filled with porous silica microballoons with varying surface area, pore radius, pore volume and adsorbed water. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the composites is 12–14°C lower than the T_g of the unfilled epoxy resin. This T_g depression is attributed to the preferential adsorption of curing agents on the porous silica microballoons. Tg of the composite increases with increase in the adsorbed water on fillers. The storage modulus has a distinct correlation with the Hg-surface area of silica microballoons, which corresponds to the sum of the surface area of pores with radii larger than about 4 nm. Tan δ_c tan δ_m decreases with increasing Hg-surface area.     

Miscibility and adhesive properties of EVA‐based hot‐melt adhesives. II. Peel strength

A series of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) were blended with some tackifier resins that were made from wood extracts, and possible relations between their miscibility and properties as hot‐melt adhesives (HMA) were investigated. From our previous report on miscibility of various EVA‐based HMAs, we chose some blends that represent some of the typical miscibility types and investigated their peel strengths. When the blends were miscible at testing temperatures, the temperature at which the maximum value of peel strength was recorded tended to move toward higher temperature as tackifier content of blends increased. This result corresponds to the storage modulus of the blends whose curves tended to move toward higher temperature as tackifier content of blends increased when blend components were miscible as well as their maximum values of tan δ, or glass transition temperatures. It was characteristic for peel strength that there existed second peaks on peel strengths curves at ～ 100°C, which adhesive tensile strengths for the blends did not have. In terms of relationship between miscibility and HMA performances, we suggest that there are several factors other than miscibility that affect absolute values of peel strength more directly than miscibility; this idea has to be investigated further in the a future study. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 726–735, 2002     

Linear polymers with sulfur in the main chain. IV. Synthesis of thermotropic liquid‐crystalline polythioesters based on 4,4′‐biphenyldithiol with excellent adhesive properties

A series of sulfur‐containing linear polythioesters were synthesized from 4,4′‐biphenyldithiol (BPT) and bifunctionally aliphatic acyl dichlorides (ACs) by means of polycondensation. Polycondensations of BPT with azelaoyl chloride or sebacoyl chloride chosen as a model reaction system were investigated in several solvents by solution polycondensation, to find an optimal solvent to achieve high molecular weight and quantitative yield. Thus, all the polythioesters from BPT and AC (methylene number of 3–10) were synthesized in chloroform and their structures were confirmed by ¹H‐NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. They were also evaluated by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Almost all of the BPT, polythioesters exhibited two distinct exothermic and endothermic peaks on first cooling and second heating in their DSC curves, respectively. Polarized microscope (PLM) observation clarified that the higher transition temperatures were isotropic temperatures (T_is). The odd–even effect between T_i and the methylene number was observed in these BPT polythioesters. Furthermore, almost all of the polythioesters showed thermotropic liquid‐crystalline behavior, as evidenced by a PLM observation. To know the effect of introduction of sulfur on adhesive properties of the polythioester/copper junction, a single lap shear test was carried out in comparison with corresponding 4,4′‐biphenyldiol (BPH) polyesters derived from BPH and ACs. It was clarified that the BPT polythioesters have greatly higher adhesive strengths in comparison with the BPH polyesters. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:262–269, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Chromosome observation by scanning electron microscopy using ionic liquid

Electron microscopy has been used to visualize chromosome since it has high resolution and magnification. However, biological samples need to be dehydrated and coated with metal or carbon before observation. Ionic liquid is a class of ionic solvent that possesses advantageous properties of current interest in a variety of interdisciplinary areas of science. By using ionic liquid, biological samples need not be dehydrated or metal-coated, because ionic liquid behaves as the electronically conducting material for electron microscopy. The authors have investigated chromosome using ionic liquid in conjunction with electron microscopy and evaluated the factors that affect chromosome visualization. Experimental conditions used in the previous studies were further optimized. As a result, prewarmed, well-mixed, and low concentration (0.5～1.0%) ionic liquid provides well-contrasted images, especially when the more hydrophilic and the higher purity ionic liquid is used. Image contrast and resolution are enhanced by the combination of ionic liquid and platinum blue staining, the use of an indium tin oxide membrane, osmium tetroxide-coated coverslip, or aluminum foil as substrate, and the adjustment of electron acceleration voltage. The authors conclude that the ionic-liquid method is useful for the visualization of chromosome by scanning electron microscopy without dehydration or metal coating.     

Two-Dimensional Simulation of Cake Growth in Slip Casting

A two-dimensional computer simulation of cake growth was studied for the slip casting of alumina with a gypsum mold. Based on the Adcock and McDowall model, the method of finite differences was applied to the simulation, and numerical calculations were performed for the cake growth on the inside wall of a rectangular, box-type mold by using the cake-growth controlling parameters that were obtained experimentally. Good agreement was observed between the experimental and calculated cake growth in the vicinity of the boundary between the gypsum mold and the silicon rubber and at the rectangular corner of the gypsum mold. The present simulation method is expected to be useful for estimating cake growth on molds with complicated shapes in slip casting.