The clinical and immunomodulatory effects of green soybean extracts

The present study was performed to investigate the immune-modulating activities of extracts from green soybean (Glycine max) in a 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-inducing guinea pig rhinitis model and a human trial study for allergic rhinitis. Hot water extracts of green soybean were chosen for animal experimentation on the basis of their ability to regulate the production of B cell-activating factor of the TNF family and a proliferation-inducing ligand in mouse spleen cells. Green soybean extracts significantly decreased the levels of ovalubumin (OVA)-specific IgE in mice and significantly suppressed the TDI-induced nasal mucosa secretion. An open-label human pilot study was performed on 16 subjects, using Japanese cedar pollinosis. The symptom scores for Japanese cedar pollinosis were better in the long-term green soybean extracts intake group than in the withdrawal short-term intake group. Green soybean extracts had great potential as an orally active immune modulator for the treatment of various allergic diseases.     

JxB Arc Jet Fullerene Producer with a Revolver Type Automatic Material Injector

Abstract

In order to produce various kinds of fullerenes efficiently, a J×B arc jet fullerene reactor with a revolver type automatic and continuous material injector has been developed. The J×B force reduces deposition of carbon vapor on a cathode and increases production rate of fullerenes. Effective production of LaC₆₀ and LaC₇₀ is also obtained by this reactor.     

Effect of SO2 on the catalytic activity of Ga2O3–Al2O3 for the selective reduction of NO with propene in the presence of oxygen

The effect of coexisting SO₂ on the catalytic activity of Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ prepared by impregnation, coprecipitation and sol–gel method for NO reduction by propene in the presence of oxygen was studied. Although the activity of Al₂O₃ and Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ prepared by impregnation (Ga₂O₃/Al₂O₃(I)) and coprecipitation (Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃(CP)) was depressed considerably by the presence of SO₂, NO conversion on Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ prepared by sol–gel method (Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃(S)) was not decreased but increased slightly by SO₂ at temperatures below 723 K. From catalyst characterization, SO₂ treatment was found to cause two important effects on the surface properties: one is the creation of Brønsted acid sites on which propene activation is promoted (positive effect), and the other is the poisoning of NO_x adsorption sites on which NO reduction proceeds (negative effect). It was presumed that the influence of SO₂ treatment on the catalytic activity is strongly related to the balance between the negative and positive. The activity enhancement of Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃(S) by SO₂ was accounted for by the following consideration: (1) increase of the propene activation ability by SO₂, (2) incomplete inhibition of NO_x adsorption sites by SO₂.     

Mechanisms of Ovarian Cancer Metastasis: Biochemical Pathways

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Despite advances in chemotherapy, the five-year survival rate of advanced ovarian cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis remains around 30%. The most significant prognostic factor is stage, and most patients present at an advanced stage with peritoneal dissemination. There is often no clearly identifiable precursor lesion; therefore, the events leading to metastatic disease are poorly understood. This article reviews metastatic suppressor genes, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the tumor microenvironment as they relate to ovarian cancer metastasis. Additionally, novel chemotherapeutic agents targeting the metastasis-related biochemical pathways are discussed.     

Emulsion gel beads prepared by sedimentation polymerization using two-fluid atomization and their Pd(II) ion adsorption properties

An emulsion gel adsorbent which was a polymeric hydrogel containing randomly distributed oil microdroplets of an extractant was developed for improved metal adsorption in our previous study. This study focuses on the preparation of monodisperse, millimeter- or sub-millimeter-sized emulsion gel beads, for which a novel production method combining sedimentation polymerization and two-fluid atomization is proposed. The method involves the drop-wise addition of a pre-gel oil-in-water emulsion solution into a silicone oil through a nozzle, with nitrogen gas flow, and the subsequent free-radical polymerization of the pre-gel droplets during their descent. A novel type of emulsion gel bead composed of a poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate hydrogel and di-n-hexylsulfide as an extractant was developed. The size of the emulsion gel beads was controlled by adjusting the gas flow rate. The emulsion gel beads successfully adsorbed Pd(II) ions that were used as a model metal.     

Numerical and experimental studies of high growth-rate over area with 1-inch in diameter under moderate input-power by using MWPCVD

We have studied MWPCVD for synthesis of diamond crystals to achieve high growth-rates over an area with 1-inch in diameter under input-power less than 5 kW. The numerical and experimental studies have conducted for both of conventional and proposed configurations. Qualitative correspondences between the numerical predications and experimental observations were found. For both configurations, we have been able to achieve the growth-rates larger than 50 μm/h over the large area under the limited input-power.     

Stereodivergent Synthesis of Bispyrrolidinoindoline Alkaloidal Scaffolds and Generation of a Lead Candidate with Stereospecific Antiproliferative Activity

The fungal secondary metabolites (+)-WIN 64821 and (−)-ditryptophenaline are biosynthesized through condensation of l -tryptophan and l -phenylalanine, followed by reductive dimerization with generation of stereochemical variations. Inspired by the stereodivergent biogenetic process, we designed and synthesized a collection of bispyrrolidinoindoline diketopiperazine alkaloids and their analogues with systematic diversification of the stereochemistry of the privileged structural motif of the fungal alkaloids. Not only the stereochemical modifications of (+)-WIN 64821 at the 3-/3′-, 11-/11′-, and 15-/15′-positions, but also ring cleavage of the diketopiperazine moieties, allowed the generation of a lead compound exhibiting potent growth inhibitory activity (IC₅₀=3.03 μm ) toward human colon cancer cells. Structure–activity relationship studies revealed that all six stereogenic centers were essential for the pharmacophore. High cell densities dramatically intensified the cytotoxic activities of the lead compound.     

ELECTROOSMOT1C DEWATERING UNDER A. C. ELECTRIC FIELD WITH PERIODIC REVERSALS OF ELECTRODE POLARITY

ABSTRACT

D.C. electric field has been usually used for electroosmotic dewatering. Under the condition of D.C., however, electrical contact resistance between the electrode and dewatering material is increased considerably with the process of dewalering. Such a circumstance hinders continuation of effective electroosmotic dewatering. To reduce the hindrance, application of A.C. electric field with periodic reversals of die electrode polarity can be expected as an improvement of electroosmotic dewatering.

Electroosmotic dewatering under the condition of A.C. was experimentally investigated mainly in the region of low frequency below Hz for the electrode polarity reversals. In the dewatering process, the A.C. electric field could reduce the hindrance caused by the D.C, and final dewalered amount was increased more than that under the D.C. electric field. For constant applied voltage, the frequency condition, at which electric current passing through the material was almost not changed with time, gave the maximum of the final dewatered amount