Unperturbed dimension of poly(4-acetoxystyrene) measured in good and theta solvents

In order to obtain the additional data concerning the unperturbed dimension of poly-4-substituted styrene, light scattering measurements are performed on the twenty-two fractions with molecular weight of (0.91–352)·10⁴ of poly(4-acetoxystyrene) in dioxan at 25°C, from which the molecular weight obtained was found easily to be evaluated with the gel permeation chromatography using THF. Phase separation experiments for this polymer indicate that the theta state is attained in isopropyl acetate at 19.7°C and butyl acetate at 26.8°C. By making viscosity measurements at that state, the value of K_Θ is directly evaluated as 5.4·10^?4 dl g^?1. The limiting viscosity number is also obtained in good solvents, THF and dioxan, at 25°C and constants of the Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation in each solvent are determined. Further, approximately the same K_Θ as above is obtained from these data with the Stockmayer-Fixman plot. The calculated value of steric factor, 2.37, on this polymer may be plausible, compared with those of polyvinylaromatic derivatives.     

Functional differentiation of human naive helper T cells

Here we report a case of a 56-year-old male with post-poliomyelitis muscular atrophy (PPMA), who presented with cranial nerve signs and widespread atrophy of the extremities. He had suffered from poliomyelitis at the age of 2 years. After recovery from the acute stage, the paralysis remained in his left arm. He noticed muscle weakness of the right upper and lower extremities at the age of 45 years and the muscle atrophy progressed to his arms, hip and thigh at the age of 55 years. Neurological examination revealed muscle atrophy of the neck and disturbance of left V, VIII, IX, X and bilateral XI cranial nerves. We diagnosed this case as PPMA from his history and electromyographic and muscle biopsy findings which suggested chronic denervation. Among the 21 PPMA cases in the past in which the acute poliomyelitis had resulted in paralysis of the only one limb, ours was the only case that had muscle atrophy of all the limbs. Cranial nerve involvement is known to occur in acute poliomyelitis; therefore, there is a possibility that the involvement of the cranial nerves in our case might be a delayed progressive symptoms.     

Effects of Particle Size of Bulk Drug and food on the Bioavailability of U-78875 in Dogs

The effects of particle size and food on the absolute bioavailability of U-78875 in dogs after oral administration of either a suspension or tablet dosage form were investigated. A reduction of particle size caused a significant increase in bioavailability along with an increase in dissolution rate. Additionally, both suspension and tablet dosage forms administered after food caused an increase in bioavailability. Thus, to accelerate drug dissolution, a reduction of U-78875 particle size from the unmilled state is important for the optimization of formulation compositions. To increase the bioavailability of U-78875, postprandial dosing should be considered.     

Composite sheets with biodegradable polymers and paper,the effect of paper strengthening agents on strength enhancement,and an evaluation of biodegradability

Composite sheets composed of biodegradable polymers (BP) and paper were prepared, and their physical and biodegradable properties were investigated. The paper sheets were soaked in BP emulsions and cured at 100°C for 20 min. The wet strength of composite sheets with the same basis weight increased significantly with increasing BP content, although dry strength increased only moderately. A 0.5% addition of a common wet paper‐strengthening agent, poly(amidoamine‐epichlorohydrin) (PAE) resin, enhanced the wet strength, which reached 9.3 MPa, of composite sheets consisting of a BP : paper ratio of 20 : 80. Further enhancement was achieved by the addition of polyvinylamines (PVAm). The wet tensile strength of composite sheets consisting of BP and paper (20 : 80) increased by 27% with the addition of 0.2% PVAm and 0.5% PAE, whereas it was enhanced by only 3–4% with the addition of 0.7% PAE. The biodegradability of the composite sheets was somewhat retarded by the addition of PAE and PVAm. However, a 90% weight loss was observed 60 days after placing composite sheet samples in soil. A similar weight loss was observed after 45 days for composites without additives and after 30 days for base paper alone. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 861–866, 2005     

Quick Activation of Optimized Zeolites with Microwave Heating and Utilization of Zeolites for Reusable Desiccant

Effectiveness of microwave heating in an activation treatment of zeolites was studied and utilization of zeolites for reusable desiccant was examined. X zeolite was chosen as a target material for its large adsorption capacity. Na-X zeolite easily caused a thermal runaway by microwave radiation of 500 W but Ca contained X zeolite merely reached ca. 573 K under the same conditions. Mixtures of Na-X and Ca-X with suitably mixed ratios did not cause the thermal runaway and their heating temperatures were controlled (>573 K) at will. Under the most suitable conditions, the mixture reached a dehydration degree of 92%. A degradation degree of adsorptive capacity of the mixture for water was examined after three treatments. The average degradation degree was 1.5% per treatment. The heating method is promising as a quick and easy technique to activate zeolite. By applying the method, the zeolites with suitable mixing ratios are usable as a reusable desiccant for home use.     

A pilot survey of 39 Victorian WWTP effluents using a high speed luminescent umu test in conjunction with a novel GC-MS-database technique for automatic identification of micropollutants

In 2007, samples of treated effluent were collected at point of discharge to the environment from 39 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located across Victoria, Australia grouped by treatment type. Sample genotoxicity was assessed with a high-throughput luminescent umu test method using Salmonella typhimurium TL210 strain, with and without addition of a commercially available metabolic activation system. Samples were also screened using a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric mass-structure database recognition method. A genotoxic response was observed in half of the samples tested without metabolic activation system (相似文献   

Three dimensional virtual crack closure-integral method (VCCM) with skewed and non-symmetric mesh arrangement at the crack front

In this paper, an extension of virtual crack closure-integral method (VCCM) for three dimensional linear fracture mechanics analysis using hexahedron finite elements is presented. In conventional three dimensional VCCM, there are some inherent requirements on the finite element model. They are (i) the faces of finite elements across the crack front have the same areas and (ii) they must be arranged symmetrically across the crack front. In present study, we developed a three dimensional VCCM without such requirements by considering work required to open one element face area whose shape is arbitrary. Though we assume the use of an ordinary 20 node serendipity element, present approach can be applied to other types of hexahedron elements.     

Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease with Extracellular Vesicles from Mesenchymal Stem Cells and CD133+ Expanded Cells: A Comparative Preclinical Analysis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by structural abnormalities and the progressive loss of kidney function. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human umbilical cord tissue (hUCT)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and expanded human umbilical cord blood (hUCB)-derived CD133⁺ cells (eCD133⁺) maintain the characteristics of the parent cells, providing a new form of cell-free treatment. We evaluated the effects of EVs from hUCT-derived MSCs and hUCB-derived CD133⁺ cells on rats with CDK induced by an adenine-enriched diet. EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and electron microscopy. The animals were randomized and divided into the MSC-EV group, eEPC-EV group and control group. Infusions occurred on the seventh and 14th days after CKD induction. Evaluations of kidney function were carried out by biochemical and histological analyses. Intense labeling of the α-SMA protein was observed when comparing the control with MSC-EVs. In both groups treated with EVs, a significant increase in serum albumin was observed, and the increase in cystatin C was inhibited. The results indicated improvements in renal function in CKD, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of EVs derived from MSCs and eCD133⁺ cells and suggesting the possibility that in the future, more than one type of EV will be used concurrently.