The effects of di-D-fructofuranose-1,2':2,3'-dianhydride (DFA III) administration on human intestinal microbiota

Di-D-fructofuranose-1,2':2,3'-dianhydride (DFA III) was shown to enhance Ca absorption in rat and human intestine. The effects of DFA III administration (9 g per day for 4 weeks that corresponded to 3-fold the optimal dosage of DFA III) on human intestinal microbiota were studied using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The major groups of human intestinal microbiota reported previously: the Bacteroides, the Clostridium coccoides group (Clostridium cluster XIVa), the Clostridium leptum group (Clostridium cluster IV), and the Bifidobacterium group were detected. The similarity of 30 DGGE profiles based on the V3 region (before and after administration to the 15 subjects) of the 16S rDNA were calculated using Pearson's correlation based on numbers, positions and intensity of bands, and then a dendrogram of DGGE profiles was constructed by the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering method. By these analyses, no difference in DGGE profiles after DFA III administration was observed in healthy subjects, while two subjects with chronic constipation showed different profiles, namely on numbers, positions and the intensity of some bands. Their stools were softer and stool frequencies increased and they obtained relief from constipation.     

Synthesis of porphyrin-end-functionalized poly(p-phenylene) as a leaf-green-colored soluble semiconducting polymer: Control of π–π interactions for visible-light absorption

The synthesis of tetraphenylporphyrin (H₂TPP)-end-functionalized poly(p-phenylene) (H₂TPP-PPP) as a leaf-green-colored soluble semiconducting polymer with a well-controlled and defined polymer chain structure was achieved for the first time. Chloromethyl-end-functionalized poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene) (CM-PCHD) was prepared by the living anionic polymerization of 1,3-cyclohexadiene and the post-polymerization reaction of poly(1,3-cyclohexadienyl)lithium and chloro(chloromethyl)dimethylsilane. H₂TPP-end-functionalized PCHD (H₂TPP-PCHD) was then prepared by the addition of 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin to CM-PCHD. The dehydrogenation of H₂TPP-PCHD with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone was performed under ultrasonic irradiation, and H₂TPP-PPP was obtained as a target polymer in almost quantitative yield. The –Si(CH₃)₂–CH₂–O– bond in H₂TPP-PPP effectively inhibited the coordination of the H₂TPP end-group onto the PPP moiety, and the aggregation of H₂TPP-PPP with the accumulation of the H₂TPP end-group was formed. H₂TPP-PPP exhibited a leaf-green color and had a very broad absorption band overlapping the visible-light region, similar to chlorophyll a.     

Reactivity of quinones for the dehydrogenation of poly(1,3‐cyclohexadiene)

The reactivity of three types of quinones (3,4,5,6‐tetrachloro‐1,2‐(o‐)‐benzoquinone (TOQ), 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ), and 2,3,5,6,‐tetrachloro‐1,4‐(p‐)‐benzoquinone (TCQ)) was examined for the dehydrogenation of poly(1,3‐cycohexadiene) (PCHD) composed of 1,2‐cyclohexadiene and 1,4‐cyclohexadiene units. The order of reactivity was TOQ > DDQ > TCQ. The steric hindrance of C?O groups in the quinones appeared to be an important factor in determining their reactivity. DDQ was found to be an appropriate dehydrogenation reagent for PCHD. The reactivity of TCQ was considerably low for PCHD containing 1,2‐cyclohexadiene units. The reactivity of TOQ was too high and side reactions occurred, causing the formation of structural defects. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

A real-time PCR method targeting a gene sequence encoding 16S rRNA processing protein,rimM, for detection and enumeration of Streptococcus thermophilus in dairy products

A real-time PCR method targeting a gene sequence encoding 16S rRNA processing protein, rimM, for specific detection of Streptococcus thermophilus was developed. The designed real-time PCR primers and probe were specific for S. thermophilus JCM20026, LMG6896, LMG18311, OJT101, OJT102 but not Enteroccocus spp., Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, and Streptococcus salivarius which are phylogenetically closely related to S. thermophilus and are difficult to identify using culture-based methods. The linear range of the developed real-time PCR method was from 2.7 to 8.6 log CFU ml^?1 with an amplification efficiency of 96%. Minor differences (about 0.4 log CFU ml^?1) were observed between counts of S. thermophilus obtained by culture and real-time PCR method in plain yoghurt and yoghurt containing fruits. Therefore, the developed real-time PCR method could be of potential application in specific detection and accurate enumeration of S. thermophilus in a wide range of dairy products.     

Fundamental welding R&D results for manufacturing vacuum vessel of JT-60SA

The real vacuum vessel (VV) manufacturing of JT-60SA has started since November 2009 at Toshiba. Prior to starting manufacturing, fundamental welding R&Ds had been performed by three stages. In the first stage, primary tests for screening welding method were performed. In the second stage, the trial welding for 1 m-long straight and curved double shell samples were conducted. The dependences of welding quality and distortion on the welding conditions, such as arc voltage and current, setting accuracy, welding sequence, and the shape of grooves were studied. In addition, welding condition with low heat input was explored. In the last stage, fabrication sequence was confirmed and established by the trial manufacturing of the 20° upper half mock-up [1]. This paper presents the R&D results obtained in the first and second stages.     

Degradation of the covalent carbon–carbon bond between fullerene‐C60 and poly(1,3‐cyclohexadiene)

The degradation of fullerene‐C₆₀ (C₆₀) end‐capped poly(1,3‐cyclohexadiene) (C₆₀‐PCHD) with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) was examined to reveal the nature of the covalent carbon–carbon bond between C₆₀ and PCHD (C₆₀‐PCHD bond). The number average molecular weight (M_n) of C₆₀‐PCHD decreased with an increase in the degree of dehydrogenation, and the elimination of a PCHD arm from a C₆₀ occurred. The degradation of the C₆₀‐PCHD bond via a 1,4‐CHD unit was faster than that via a 1,2‐CHD unit, whereas the C₆₀‐poly(cyclohexane) bond was stable. The degradation of the C₆₀‐PCHD bond with DDQ was caused by the dehydrogenation of a CHD unit adjoining a C₆₀ core. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Tacrine inhibits nicotinic secretory and current responses in adrenal chromaffin cells

Previous studies have demonstrated an infiltration of monocytes and increased levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the asthmatic lung. To study the possible effects of this cytokine upon the differentiation and function of these newly recruited monocytes, we have developed a model in which monocytes isolated from human peripheral blood were differentiated into macrophages in serum in the presence or absence of GM-CSF. After 7 days, the macrophages increased in size and granularity, had increased phagocytic activity, and expressed various adhesion molecules, CD14 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II. The effects of GM-CSF on antigen presentation by cultured macrophages on the antigen-specific proliferative response of CD4+ T cells to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus or purified protein derivative of tuberculin and the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin was determined. CD4+ T-cell proliferation was reduced when either antigen was presented by macrophages cultured in serum alone, compared with the values obtained with freshly isolated monocytes. However, CD4+ cell proliferation was comparable to that observed with monocytes when antigen was presented by macrophages which had been pre-cultured with 50 U/ml GM-CSF. CD4+ T-cell proliferation to phytohaemagglutinin was similar when all three populations were used as accessory cells. High numbers of macrophages partially suppressed CD4+ T-cell proliferation in response to antigen presented by monocytes, but there was no significant difference between macrophages cultured in the presence or absence of GM-CSF. This data suggests that GM-CSF directs monocyte differentiation into macrophages with an antigen-presenting, rather than a suppressive, phenotype. Elevated levels of GM-CSF in the asthmatic lung may therefore maintain recently recruited monocytes in an inflammatory and T-cell activating state.     

Hemodynamic characterization of YM435, a novel dopamine DA1 receptor agonist, in anesthetized dogs

In previous studies on experimental renal failure, hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes, diminished capillarization, and increased intercapillary distances had been observed, abnormalities that will expose the heart to reduced ischemia tolerance. It has not been established, however, whether such structural alterations are unique for the heart (eg, as a consequence of left ventricular hypertrophy) or are demonstrable in other tissues as well. Clarification of this point is important to test hypotheses on some potential mechanisms for cardiac undercapillarization. To address this issue further, we compared capillary length density (by stereologic techniques) in perfusion-fixed skeletal muscle (m. psoas) and hearts of subtotally nephrectomized (SNX) rats with moderate renal failure to those in sham-operated pair-fed controls. The duration of renal failure was 8 weeks. SNX rats had significantly higher mean systolic blood pressure (128 mm Hg v 109 mm Hg), serum creatinine, and urea levels. Despite pair feeding, the mean body weight was significantly lower in the SNX rats (409 g v 471 g), but the left ventricular weight to body weight ratio tended to be higher than in the sham-operated controls (2.39 mg/g v 2.13 mg/g). In the heart, myocyte mean cross-sectional area (675 +/- 112 microm2 v 545 +/- 111 microm2) and volume density of nonvascular interstitial tissue (3.47 +/- 1.04 v 1.33 +/- 0.22) were significantly higher in the SNX rats than in the controls. In parallel, myocardial capillary length density was significantly reduced after subtotal nephrectomy (3,036 +/- 535 mm/mm3 v 3,916 +/- 615 mm/mm3). In contrast, in skeletal muscle, myocyte cross-sectional area (3,109 +/- 783 microm2 v 3,042 +/- 639 microm2), capillary length density (718 +/- 248 mm/mm3 v 717 +/- 184 mm/mm3), and three-dimensional capillary fiber ratio (2.10 +/- 0.26 v 2.13 +/- 0.4) were similar in SNX and control rats. These data document a selective defect of capillarization in the heart of animals with moderate renal failure, pointing to tissue-specific abnormalities of cardiac capillarogenesis.