Molecular Hydrogen Enhances Proliferation of Cancer Cells That Exhibit Potent Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response

Molecular hydrogen ameliorates pathological states in a variety of human diseases, animal models, and cell models, but the effects of hydrogen on cancer have been rarely reported. In addition, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of hydrogen remain mostly unelucidated. We found that hydrogen enhances proliferation of four out of seven human cancer cell lines (the responders). The proliferation-promoting effects were not correlated with basal levels of cellular reactive oxygen species. Expression profiling of the seven cells showed that the responders have higher gene expression of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) molecules than the non-responders. In addition, the responders have higher mitochondrial mass, higher mitochondrial superoxide, higher mitochondrial membrane potential, and higher mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity than the non-responders. In the responders, hydrogen provoked mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mtUPR). Suppression of cell proliferation by rotenone, an inhibitor of mitochondrial ETC complex I, was rescued by hydrogen in the responders. Hydrogen triggers mtUPR and induces cell proliferation in cancer cells that have high basal and spare mitochondrial ETC activities.     

利用超长寿命快堆嬗变亚锕元素的特性研究

对利用超长寿命快堆（ＵＬＬＦＢＲ）嬗变高放核废物亚锕元素（ＡＭｓ）的堆芯物理特性进行了初步分析,得出了在ＵＬＬＦＢＲ中适当布置ＡＭｓ,既可以嬗变ＭＡｓ,又可改善超长寿命反应堆的物理特性这一结论。     

Configuration optimization of clamping members of frame-supported membrane structures

A method is presented for configuration optimization of frames that have specified properties on nodal displacements, stresses, and reaction forces against static loads. The conventional ground structure approach is first used for topology optimization. A feasible solution with a small number of members satisfying all the design requirements except the stress constraints is obtained by assigning artificially small upper-bound displacement, or by penalizing the stiffness of a thin member. This way, the well-known difficulty in topology optimization under stress constraints is successfully avoided. The nodal locations and cross-sectional areas of the feasible solution are next optimized to obtain an approximate optimal configuration under stress constraints. The proposed method is applied to the design of self-fastening clamping members for membrane structures modeled using frame elements. An optimization result is also presented for a clamping member that adjusts deformation of membrane by applying a clamping force with a vertically attached bolt.     

Effects of dressing containing plant sterol on serum cholesterol concentration and the safety evaluation in borderline or mildly hypercholesterolemic Japanese subjects

In a placebo-controlled double-blind study, we examined the effects of dressing containing plant sterol (PS) on blood lipids and the safety in Japanese borderline or mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects. Fifty-nine subjects [total cholesterol (TC) concentration > or = 200 mg/dL] were randomly divided into two groups and were given daily 15 g of dressing containing 800 mg of PS [PS(+)-group] or without PS [PS(-)-group] for 12 weeks. Every 4 weeks, fasting blood was examined and subjective symptoms were analyzed. Serum TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) concentrations did not change in the PS(-)-group, while TC and ApoB significantly decreased in the PS(+)-group at 8 and 12 weeks and LDL-C at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Moreover, serum TC, LDL-C and ApoB concentrations were significantly lower than those of PS(-)-group at 8 and 12 weeks. Other laboratory tests were all in normal ranges and no adverse events were observed. The results indicated that PS-containing dressing decreased serum TC, LDL-C and ApoB concentrations in borderline or mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects. It is therefore proved that the dressing containing PS is helpful in maintaining blood cholesterol level normal and hence, the health of Japanese.     

Formation Mechanism and Synthesis of Apatite-Type Structure Ba2+xLa8−x(SiO4)6O2−δ

The formation process of Ba₂La₈(SiO₄)₆O₂ was clarified using thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and a high-temperature powder X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) method. Phase changes identified from the HT-XRD data surprisingly corresponded to the weight loss and/or endothermic peaks observed in the TG-DTA curves. Raw material with the composition Ba₂La₈(SiO₄)₆O₂ was completely reacted at 1400°C and produced only an apatite-type compound without a secondary phase. Moreover, the synthesis of Ba_{2+ x} La_{8− x} (SiO₄)₆O_2−δ crystals with x = 0–2 was attempted using a solid-state reaction.     

Improvement of cyclic behavior of a ball-milled SiO and carbon nanofiber composite anode for lithium-ion batteries

The cyclic performance of a composite SiO and carbon nanofiber (CNF) anode was examined for lithium-ion batteries. SiO powder of several micrometers was pulverized using high energy mechanical milling. The SiO was ball-milled for 12 h with CNF to produce a composite electrode material that exhibited excellent cycling performance. A reversible capacity of approximately 700 mAh g⁻¹ was observed after 200 cycles. The excellent cyclic performance was discussed with respect to the change of the valence state of Si by ball-milling. A large irreversible capacity at the first cycle for the SiO/CNF composite electrode was reduced to 2% by chemically pre-charging with a lithium film attached to the rim of the electrode.     

Thermal behaviors and flame‐retardancy of styrene–ethylene–butadiene–styrene–block copolymer containing various additives

The thermal behaviors and the flame‐retardancy of styrene–ethylene–butadiene–styrene–block copolymer containing various additives were studied. The combustion was measured by the Underwriter laboratory (UL) test and cone calorimeter test and thermogravimetric analysis and program‐mass spectroscopy were applied to analyze the thermal behaviors. The blend with halogen additives showed the best result in the UL test. However, the blend with red‐phosphorous was the best in the cone calorimeter test. As the styrene sequence in the copolymer tended to degradate at a lower temperature, the major scission products spouted out from the polymer surface originated from polystyrene. The shorter the ignition times of the blends with red‐phosphorous were, the lower the peak heat release rates were. It was an interesting phenomenon because it suggested that the chemical structure of the residue changed to more stable polymers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 156–161, 2007     

基于图像相关分析的砂土模型试验变形场量测

高分辨率数码相机的出现为砂土模型试验变形场非接触量测法的研究开发提供了一条简便经济而且实用的途径,在模型试验观测面上,不再需要布置嵌入式量测标志点或描画网格,直接用数码相机在试验各阶段拍摄照片,然后对照片序列进行图像相关分析,即可得出模型试验的变形场分布。利用图像匹配技术追踪模型上点的位移,借用FEM常用的等参单元的概念进行图像校准和应变计算,采用双线性插值技术可以实现微小变形量测,并提出同时用平移和旋转搜索方法,以适应砂土模型的变形特点。精度检验试验结果表明,一个像素以下的平移量测标准方差达到0.19个像素,数值试验表明,15°旋转刚体变形量测,非旋转搜索和旋转搜索的标准方差分别为0.49和0.08个像素。最后给出一个在砂土地基承载力离心机模型试验中的应用实例,分析结果包含砂土模型位移场、最大剪应变场和体积应变场的分布图。结果表明这一方法使得砂土模型局部化变形、剪切带和渐进破坏过程的量化分析成为可能。     

Influence of Steeping Conditions for Kernels on Some Properties of Corn Starch

The steeping conditions for kernels affected the physicochemical properties of corn starch. Steeping in an alkaline solution minimized the nitrogen and phosphorus contents, while that in water and a sulfite solution gave high contents. The alkaline-steeping appeared to slightly reduce the crystallinity of starch granules, as judged on X-ray diffraction. Steeping at a low temperature produced the starch showing the lowest pasting temperature, on amylography, but it showed a similar gelatinization temperature, on photopastegraphy. to those of the other starches. The starches with low nitrogen and lipid contents swelled largely and were extensively solubilized on heating. The actual amylose contents were 20–21%, which were considerably lower than the apparent contents.     

Delamination growth mechanisms in woven glass fiber reinforced polymer composites under Mode II fatigue loading at cryogenic temperatures

The purpose of this research is to characterize the cryogenic delamination growth behavior in woven glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite laminates subjected to Mode II fatigue loading. Mode II fatigue delamination tests were performed at room temperature, liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K) and liquid helium temperature (4 K) using the four-point bend end-notched flexure (4ENF) test method, and the delamination growth rate data for the woven GFRP laminates were obtained. The energy release rate range was determined by the finite element method. Microscopic examinations of the specimen sections and fracture surfaces were also carried out. The present results are discussed to obtain an understanding of the fatigue delamination growth mechanisms in the woven GFRP laminates under Mode II loading at cryogenic temperatures.