Elucidation of a basic protein, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, as a contributing factor to raise Mg-ATPase activity of myofibrils during meat conditioning

We investigated the factor which increased the maximum value of the Mg-ATPase activity of myofibrils existing at low KCl concentrations during meat conditioning. On the treatment of myofibrils with the solution extracted with the buffer of pH 7.2 from muscle, the Mg-ATPase activity in the presence of 0–0.15 M KCl increased time-dependently. This change was most remarkable in the range of pH 5.6–7.0. Trypsin treatment of the extract abolished such effect, suggesting that the responsible factors were proteins. The fractionation of the extract with isoelectric focusing demonstrated that the factors were basic proteins (pI 8.3–9.6). The treatment of myofibrils with those basic proteins under various conditions suggested that the time-dependent adhesion of those basic proteins, through a denaturation at around pH 5.5, to myofibrils was assumed to raise the Mg-ATPase activity. Analysis of myofibrils prepared from rabbit muscles stored at 0°C for 12 days postmortem showed the appearance of the 35,000 Da protein, accompanied the increase in the Mg-ATPase activity. Therefore, the adhesion of this protein to myofibrils in situ probably caused the increase in the Mg-ATPase activity. Successive treatment with the basic protein and the crude cathepsin increased the dependency of the Mg-ATPase activity on KCl concentrations and the maximum value of the Mg-ATPase activity. Therefore, the coordinate action of a basic 35,000 Da protein and cathepsins was presumed to induce the changes in the Mg-ATPase activity of myofibrils during meat conditioning. The basic protein was concluded to be glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (its subunit molecular mass: 35,000 Da), since the incubation of myofibrils with its commercial preparation raised the Mg-ATPase activity of myofibrils.     

Structural analysis and transistor properties of hetero-molecular bilayers

We examined the film morphologies and transistor properties of hetero-molecular bilayer consisting of N, N’-dioctyl-3, 4, 9, 10-perylenedicarboximide (PTCDI-C₈) and quaterrylene. First, the structure and carrier conduction of PTCDI-C₈ films were studied, followed by an analysis of the carrier accumulation process in a PTCDI-C₈/quaterrylene hetero-bilayer transistor. Based on the displacement current measurement (DCM), we stress the potential of the hetero-bilayer for tuning carrier accumulation like carrier doping techniques in field-effect transistors.     

Far infrared optical properties of amorphous semiconductors As−S systems

Far infrared reflection, Raman, and Brillouin spectra of amorphous semiconductor As?S systems are measured. From the reflection spectra, the optical constants are calculatured by the Kramers Kronig analysis. The existence of some intermediate range interaction among molecular units AsS₃ is suggested. From the analysis of the Boson peak at low frequency region in Raman scattering, the correlation length is obtained to be ca. 6 Å. From the absorption coefficient in the low frequency region about 3% fluctuation of charge is suggested for As₂S₃ by schlömann theory.     

Decreased cerebrospinal fluid levels of beta-endorphin in Japanese patients with Joseph disease

We measured the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of beta-endorphin in 7 Japanese patients with Joseph disease and compared them with control values. The 7 patients included 4 with type I and 3 with type II disease; their mean age was 45.7 +/- 12.09 years. Diseased controls were matched in age to the patients studied. In these patients, CSF beta-endorphin level was significantly lower than in the controls (40% of normal values). An alteration in CSF beta-endorphin level may explain some of the neurological impairment found in Joseph disease.     

Measurement of the whole-body 137Cs in residents around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant

To understand the current situation of internal radiation exposure in the population around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP), we examined the 137Cs body burden in six residents of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia in 2002 and 2004 using the whole-body counter (WBC) at Nagasaki University (Japan). The data were compared with those of our previous study performed in 1993-1994 using the same method. In 2002 and 2004, peaks of 137Cs were detected in two residents from Gomel, which was heavily contaminated by the CNPP accident, one from Minsk (Belarus) and one from Kiev (Ukraine), but another resident from Minsk showed no 137Cs peaks. The results of the present study suggests that residents around the CNPP are still exposed to chronic 137Cs internal irradiation, probably due to the daily consumption of contaminated domestic foods, but the risk of any disease by the irradiation is quite low. Long-term follow-up of WBC around the CNPP is useful and may contribute to radiation safety regulation together with a reduction of unnecessary radiophobia for the residents.     

Decreased beta-phenylethylamine in CSF in Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine the concentrations of beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) in CSF in patients with Parkinson's disease, and to evaluate the relation between concentration of PEA in CSF and severity of Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Using gas chromatography-chemical ionisation mass spectrometry, CSF concentrations of PEA were measured in 23 patients with Parkinson's disease (mean age, 64.0 (SD 8.2) years), of whom three were at Hoehn and Yahr stage II, 11 were at stage III, and nine were at stage IV. Comparison was made with eight patients with neuropathy (mean age, 57.0 (SD 19.2) years) and 12 controls without neurological disease (mean age, 57.6 (SD 4.8) years). RESULTS: Concentrations of PEA in CSF in Parkinson's disease were significantly lower (mean 205 (SD 131) pg/ml) than in patients with peripheral neuropathy (433 (SD 254) pg/ml) and controls (387 (SD 194) pg/ml). The concentrations of PEA in CSF correlated negatively with Hoehn and Yahr stage (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There are decreased CSF concentrations of PEA in patients with Parkinson's disease.     

Improvement of dielectric strength on transformer winding using new aramid paper

Large power transformers using perfluorocarbon liquid have advantages of high dielectric strength, excellent cooling ability, and nonflammability. To make the transformer more compact, it is very important to improve the insulation material. Recently, the authors succeeded in developing a new type of aramid insulation paper which has no fluff on its surface to avoid field concentration. In this study, an outline of the developed paper and the experimental results of the insulation strength on turn-to-turn and intercoil models are described. It was found that the new aramid paper increases the insulation strength 1.2 (turn-to-case) to 1.7 (intercoil case) times that of the existing insulating paper.