Influence of Tip Clearance on Blade Vibration of Vaneless Radial Turbine

With the increasing demand of turbochargers with high performance and low turbo lag, high cycle fatigue (HCF) of radial turbine blades has become the most commo...     

Structural and Functional Change in Albino Rat Retina Induced by Various Visible Light Wavelengths

The effects of visible light, from short to long wavelengths, on the retina were investigated functionally and histologically. The left eyes of Sprague–Dawley albino rats (6-weeks old, n = 6 for each wavelength) were exposed to seven narrow-band wavelengths (central wavelengths, 421, 441, 459, 501, 541, 581, and 615 nm) with bandwidths of 16 to 29 nm (half bandwidth, ±8–14.5 nm) using a xenon lamp source with bandpass filters at the retinal radiant exposures of 340 and 680 J/cm². The right unexposed eyes served as controls. Seven days after exposure, flash electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded, and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness was measured. Compared to the unexposed eyes, significant reductions in the a- and b-wave ERG amplitudes were seen in eyes exposed to 460-nm or shorter wavelengths of light. The ONL thickness near the optic nerve head also tended to decrease with exposure to shorter wavelengths. The decreased ERG amplitudes and ONL thicknesses were most prominent in eyes exposed to 420-nm light at both radiant exposures. When the wavelengths were the same, the higher the amount of radiant exposure and the stronger the damage. Compared to the unexposed eyes, the a- and b-waves did not decrease significantly in eyes exposed to 500-nm or longer wavelength light. The results indicate that the retinal damage induced by visible light observed in albino rats depends on the wavelength and energy level of the exposed light.     

Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis of open lactic acid fermentation of kitchen refuse using rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes

Reproducible amounts of lactic acid accumulate in minced kitchen refuse under open conditions with intermittent pH neutralization [Sakai et al., Food Sci. Technol. Res., 6, 140 (2000)]. Here, we showed that such pH-controlled open fermentation of kitchen refuse reproducibly resulted a selective proliferation of a major lactic acid bacterial (LAB) species. In one experiment, the predominant microorganisms isolated during the early phase (6 h) were Gammaproteobacteria. In contrast, those that predominated during the late phase (48 h) were always Lactobacillus plantarum in three independent experiments. To further quantify the microbial community within open lactic acid fermentation, we performed fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis targeting 16S (23S) rRNA. We designed two new group-specific DNA probes: LAC722(L) was active for most LAB including the genera Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc and Weisella, whereas Lplan477 was specific for L. plantarum and its related species. We then optimized sample preparation using lysozyme and hybridization conditions including temperature, as well as the formamide concentration and the salt concentration in the washing buffer. We succeeded in quantification of microorganisms in semi-solid, complex biological materials such as minced kitchen refuse by taking color microphotographs in modified RGB balance on pre-coated slides. FISH analysis of the fermentation of kitchen refuse indicated that control of the pH swing leads to domination by the LAB population in minced kitchen refuse under open conditions. We also confirmed that L. plantarum, which generates lactic acid in high quantities but with low optical activity, became the dominant microorganism in kitchen refuse during the late phase of open fermentation.     

A histochemical method using a substrate of beta-glucuronidase for detection of genetically modified papaya

A histochemical assay for detecting genetically modified (GM) papaya (derived from Line 55-1) is described. GM papaya, currently undergoing a safety assessment in Japan, was developed using a construct that included a beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene linked to a virus coat protein (CP) gene. Histochemical assay was used to visualize the blue GUS reaction product from transgenic seed embryos. Twelve embryos per fruit were extracted from the papaya seeds using a surgical knife. The embryos were incubated with the substrate 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-glucuronide (X-Gluc) in a 96-well microtiter plate for 10-15 hours at 37 degrees C. Seventy-five percent of GM papaya embryos should turn blue theoretically. The histochemical assay results were completely consistent with those from a qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method developed by this laboratory. Furthermore, the method was validated in a five-laboratory study. The method for detection of GM papaya is rapid and simple, and does not require use of specialized equipment.     

Metastatic Voyage of Ovarian Cancer Cells in Ascites with the Assistance of Various Cellular Components

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy and has a unique metastatic route using ascites, known as the transcoelomic root. However, studies on ascites and contained cellular components have not yet been sufficiently clarified. In this review, we focus on the significance of accumulating ascites, contained EOC cells in the form of spheroids, and interaction with non-malignant host cells. To become resistant against anoikis, EOC cells form spheroids in ascites, where epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition stimulated by transforming growth factor-β can be a key pathway. As spheroids form, EOC cells are also gaining the ability to attach and invade the peritoneum to induce intraperitoneal metastasis, as well as resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that EOC spheroids in ascites are composed of not only cancer cells, but also non-malignant cells existing with higher abundance than EOC cells in ascites, including macrophages, mesothelial cells, and lymphocytes. Moreover, hetero-cellular spheroids are demonstrated to form more aggregated spheroids and have higher adhesion ability for the mesothelial layer. To improve the poor prognosis, we need to elucidate the mechanisms of spheroid formation and interactions with non-malignant cells in ascites that are a unique tumor microenvironment for EOC.     

Prevaporation of water/alcohol mixtures through the PVA membranes containing cyclodextrin oligomer

Prevaporation through the PVA membrame containing β-cyclodextrin oligomer (PVA/CD membrane) was performed for the mixtures of water/ethanol, water/1-propanol, and water/2-propanol. At higher alcohol concentrations, the water selectivities were greatly increased by CD for all the mixtures, in the order of 2-propanol/water>1-propanol/water>ethanol/water. The water permeation rate was decreased by CD, and the alcohol permeation rate was decreased much more for each mixture. At lower alcohol concentrations, the water selectivity for 1-propanol/water was slightly increased by CD, and that for 2-propanol/water was scarcely affeted, whereas that for ethanol/water was greatly increased. The water permeation rate was increased by CD for each mixture, and the relative increases in the water rates for propanols/water were smaller than that for ethanol/water. The permeation rate of 1-propanol as well as that of ethanol was decreased by CD, but the rate of 2-propanol was was increased. These effects of CD can be explained in terms of the inclusion strength. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effects of freezing pretreatment and hygroscopicity of fluidizing particles on drying characteristics of carrots in fluidized bed under reduced pressure

Abstract

A method for low-temperature drying with high drying rate was developed for heat-sensitive foods and agricultural products. A freezing pretreatment was combined with fluidized bed drying under reduced pressure. Cylindrical carrot samples were frozen and then placed without thawing in a fluidized bed of hygroscopic porous silica gel particles that adsorbed water from the sample during the drying process. The effects of the freezing pretreatment and hygroscopicity of fluidizing particles on the drying characteristics of carrots were examined. A higher drying rate was achieved when carrots samples were subjected to freezing pretreatment than without it. At 12?kPa, the volume change was smaller in carrots subjected to freezing pretreatment than in untreated samples. A larger amount of water was absorbed during rehydration by carrots dried at 12?kPa than at 101?kPa within 120?min. The properties of dried carrots were affected not only by freezing pretreatment but also by the pressure applied during the drying process.     

Dietary eritadenine-induced alteration of molecular species composition of phospholipids in rats

The effect of dietary eritadenine, a hypocholesterolemic compound found in the mushroomLentinus edodes, on the fatty acid and molecular species profiles of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in the plasma and liver microsomes was investigated in relation to the hypocholesterolemic action of the compound in rats. Animals were fed the control or eritadenine-supplemented (50 mg/kg diet) diet for 14 d. Eritadenine supplementation significantly decreased the plasma concentrations of cholesterol and phospholipids, but not triglycerides. The PC/PE ratio of liver microsomes, but not plasma, was also markedly decreased by eritadenine. Eritadenine supplementation was found to increase the proportion of 18:2n-6 and, inversely, to decrease the proportion of 20:4n-6 and 22:5n-6 in plasma PC and liver microsomal PC and PE, indicating that eritadenine depressed the metabolism of linoleic acid. The effect of eritadenine on the profile of n-3 fatty acids was dissimilar in PC and PE. These changes in fatty acid composition were selectively reflected in the molecular species composition of both PC and PE; the extent of increase in 16:0–18:2 molecular species or decrease in 18:0–20:4 molecular species was apparently greater than that of other molecular species containing 18:2 or 20:4 in the sn-2 position. These results suggest that, in addition to the decrease in liver microsomal PC/PE ratio, the alteration of plasma PC molecular species composition might also participate in the hypocholesterolemic action of eritadenine.     

Corrosion characteristics of reduced activation ferritic steel, JLF-1 (8.92Cr–2W) in molten salts Flibe and Flinak

Static corrosion tests were performed in molten salts, LiF–BeF₂ (Flibe) and LiF–NaF–KF (Flinak), at 500 °C and 600 °C for 1000 h. The purpose is to investigate the corrosion characteristics of reduced activation ferritic steels, JLF-1 (8.92Cr–2W) in the fluids. The concentration of hydrogen fluoride (HF) in the fluids was measured by slurry pH titration method before and after the exposure. The HF concentration determined the fluoridation potential. The corrosion was mainly caused by dissolution of Fe and Cr into the fluids due to fluoridation and/or electrochemical corrosion. Carbon on the surface might be dissolved into the fluids due to the corrosion, and this resulted to the decrease of carbide on the surface. The corrosion depth of the JLF-1 specimen, which was obtained from the weight losses, was 0.637 μm in Flibe at 600 °C and 6.73 μm in Flinak at 600 °C.     

The Association of Cholesterol Uptake and Synthesis with Histology and Genotype in Cortisol-Producing Adenoma (CPA)

Cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA) is composed of clear and compact cells. Clear cells are lipid abundant, and compact ones lipid poor but associated with higher production of steroid hormones. PRKACA mutation (PRKACA mt) in CPA patients was reported to be associated with more pronounced clinical manifestation of Cushing’s syndrome. In this study, we examined the association of histological features and genotypes with cholesterol uptake receptors and synthetic enzymes in 40 CPA cases, and with the quantitative results obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis in 33 cases to explore their biological and clinical significance. Both cholesterol uptake receptors and synthetic enzymes were more abundant in compact cells. GC-MS analysis demonstrated that the percentage of compact cells was inversely correlated with the concentrations of cholesterol and cholesterol esters, and positively with the activity of cholesterol biosynthesis from cholesterol esters. In addition, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), which catalyzes cholesterol biosynthesis from cholesterol esters, tended to be more abundant in compact cells of PRKACA mt CPAs. These results demonstrated that both cholesterol uptake and biosynthesis were more pronounced in compact cells in CPA. In addition, more pronounced HSL expression in compact cells of PRKACA mt CPA could contribute to their more pronounced clinical manifestation.