Potent antioxidative activity of non‐polyphenolic fraction of green tea (Camellia sinensis) – association with pheophytins a and b

The antioxidative activity of green tea‐derived polyphenols known as catechins has been extensively studied. However, the antioxidative activity of the non‐polyphenolic fraction of green tea has been poorly elucidated and is the subject of the present study. The non‐polyphenolic fraction of green tea showed a significant dose‐dependent suppressive effect against the autooxidation of linoleic acid. The chlorophyll‐related compounds pheophytins a and b showed similar antioxidative activities in the same assay, much higher than those of α‐tocopherol and the green tea catechin (−)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG). The non‐polyphenolic fraction of green tea and pheophytins a and b exhibited suppressive activities against superoxide anion (${\bf O}_{2}ˆ{‐}$ ) generation in mouse macrophages induced by 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate, showing higher activities than that of EGCG. These results suggest that the non‐polyphenolic fraction of green tea leaves has potent antioxidative activity and that this activity is associated with pheophytins a and b. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

The Potential Roles of Dec1 and Dec2 in Periodontal Inflammation

Periodontal inflammation is a common inflammatory disease associated with chronic inflammation that can ultimately lead to alveolar attachment loss and bone destruction. Understanding autophagy and pyroptosis has suggested their significant roles in inflammation. In recent years, studies of differentiated embryo-chondrocyte expressed genes 1 and 2 (Dec1 and Dec2) have shown that they play important functions in autophagy and in pyroptosis, which contribute to the onset of periodontal inflammation. In this review, we summarize recent studies on the roles of clock genes, including Dec1 and Dec2, that are related to periodontal inflammation and other diseases.     

Kinetics of solid acid catalyzed 1-octene reactions with TiO2 in sub- and supercritical water

Acid catalyzed reactions of 1-octene on TiO₂ in sub- and supercritical water were investigated (T = 250-450 °C, P = 11-33 MPa). The main products were 2-octene and 2-octanol. Additionally, other liner C₈ alkenes and liner secondary C₈ alcohols were produced as by-products. Through kinetic analysis, acid catalyzed reactions can divide into the reaction catalyzed by Lewis acidic sites on TiO₂ and the reaction catalyzed by protons produced by the dissociation of water molecules. Each type of the reaction is affected by water density or ionic product of water, respectively, therefore, reaction mechanism changes with temperature and pressure. From the contribution of each reaction type, the temperature dependence of cis/trans ratio of produced 2-octene could also be explained.     

Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane with CO2 Over Cr/H[B]MFI Catalysts

Abstract  

Cr/silicalite-1 and Cr/H[B]MFI catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method, and Cr/H[B]MFI were further treated by steaming. The catalysts were employed for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene with CO₂ as the oxidant. Cr/H[B]MFI showed significantly higher catalytic activity than Cr/silicalite-1, and steamed Cr/H[B]MFI was superior in the reaction stability to Cr/H[B]MFI. The nature of the supported chromium species have been characterized by a number of physicochemical techniques, such as Raman, UV–vis and NMR. It is concluded that the steaming led to the auto-reduction of some Cr⁶⁺ to Cr³⁺, and resultant Cr³⁺ species might be located near the boron center in the borosilicate framework to counterbalance the negative charge of the framework. The transformation of Cr⁶⁺ species to Cr³⁺ species, facilitated by the steaming process and the presence of boron in the catalyst, is responsible for the enhanced stability of oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene with carbon dioxide as the oxidant.     

Alignment of a nematic liquid crystal on nano‐grooved material

We demonstrate the alignment characteristics of a nematic liquid crystal on the surface of a nanoimprinted material that is a functionally graduated composite suitable for the alignment of a liquid crystal on a groove surface processed by nanoimprinting lithography. With the electro‐optic characteristics shown in twisted nematic and in‐plane switching modes, the potential liquid crystal applications are examined. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Very slow formation of copper sulfide and cobalt sulfide nanoparticles in montmorillonite

Intercalation of semiconductor nanoparticles, copper sulfide or cobalt sulfide, into montmorillonite was carried out by solid–solid reactions of Cu(II)- or Co(II)-montmorillonite with sodium sulfide at room temperature. The intercalation compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Raman, UV–visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The photoluminescent copper sulfide and cobalt sulfide nanoparticles in the interlayer spaces formed after the sample storage at room temperature for several months.     

Fabrication of fluorine-terminated diamond-like carbon thin film using a hyperthermal atomic fluorine beam

Surface modification of diamond-like carbon (DLC) film was performed using a hyperthermal atomic fluorine beam on the purpose of production of hydrophobic surface by maintaining the high hardness of DLC film. By the irradiation of atomic fluorine beam of a 1.0 × 10²⁰ atoms/cm², the contact angle of a water drop against the DLC surface increased from 73° to 111°. The formation of CF₃, CF₂ and CF bonding on the modified DLC surface was confirmed from the measurements of X-ray photoelectron spectra and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectra. Irradiation of hyperthermal atomic fluorine beam was concluded to produce insulator fluorine-terminated DLC film, which has high F content on the surface, by the taking of the use of neutral atomic beam as a fluorine source.     

Silicon quantum dot superlattice solar cell structure including silicon nanocrystals in a photogeneration layer

The solar cell structure of n-type poly-silicon/5-nm-diameter silicon nanocrystals embedded in an amorphous silicon oxycarbide matrix (30 layers)/p-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon/Al electrode was fabricated on a quartz substrate. An open-circuit voltage and a fill factor of 518 mV and 0.51 in the solar cell were obtained, respectively. The absorption edge of the solar cell was 1.49 eV, which corresponds to the optical bandgap of the silicon nanocrystal materials, suggesting that it is possible to fabricate the solar cells with silicon nanocrystal materials, whose bandgaps are wider than that of crystalline silicon.

PACS

85.35.Be; 84.60.Jt; 78.67.Bf