Transforming growth factor beta-1 modulates the number of beta-adrenergic receptors in cardiac fibroblasts

The effects of transforming growth factor beta-1 on concentration of intracellular Ca2+ changes in the presence of isoproterenol were studied in cardiac fibroblasts. Transforming growth factor beta-1 effect on cyclic-AMP production and ligand assay of beta-adrenergic receptors were also examined. Production of cyclic-AMP in fibroblasts preincubated with transforming growth factor beta-1 decreased compared with non-transforming growth factor beta-1-treated fibroblasts in the presence of isoproterenol. An increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the presence of isoproterenol was also inhibited in transforming growth factor beta-1-treated fibroblasts. Islet-activating protein did not restore these reactions of transforming growth factor beta-1. Concentration change of intracellular calcium under the treatment of transforming growth factor beta-1 was unaffected by forskolin addition. Binding of [3H]CGP-12177 was decreased to 47% of control preincubated for 24 h with transforming growth factor beta-1 in fibroblasts. Scatchard plots suggested a decrease in beta-adrenergic receptor number without specific change in receptor affinity. These results suggested that transforming growth factor beta-1 modulates the signal transduction through beta-adrenergic receptor and intracellular Ca2+ concentration by regulating the number of receptor in fibroblasts.     

Sex determination with a discriminant function analysis of deciduous teeth size in plaster models

Plaster models of the teeth of 3-year-old Japanese children (96 males, 98 females) were used to record the crown length, crown width and crown thickness of 5 maxillary and 5 mandibular deciduous teeth (30 measurement values). These measurements were used to devise a number of sex determination formulae. A sex-determination formula using all 30 values was calculated. Furthermore, a number of practical formulae were derived from only the crown width and crown thickness values because the deciduous teeth wear in 4 years and older children rapidly progress, making the crown length measurement unreliable. These formulae were calculated for the maxillary teeth alone and mandibular teeth alone. The formulae based on only the crown width or thickness were also calculated for both maxillary and the mandibular teeth. A step-wise discriminant analysis was then used to ascertain the most reliable measurements and a practical formula subsequently devised. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The mean value for each measurement was greater in males than in females. 2. Significant differences in the values recorded were seen in 28 out of the 30 measurements taken. The measurement items not exhibiting these significant differences were the crown width of the maxillary lateral incisor and the crown thickness of the mandibular second molar. 3. The accuracy rates for the sex-determination analysis and the step-wise sex determination analysis calculated using all 30 values were 78.6% and 75.7%, respectively. 4. The accuracy ranges for the modified sex-determination formulae and the associated step-wise sex determination analyses were 70.6-78.4% and 67.0-76.8%, respectively.     

PMD compensation in optical coherent single carrier transmission using frequency-domain equalisation

The transmission performance of optical single-carrier (SC) transmission using frequency-domain equalisation (FDE) to counter polarisation mode dispersion (PMD) is evaluated. 25 Gbit/s coherent optical SC transmission using FDE (CO-SC-FDE) is demonstrated in the presence of a significant amount of differential group delay (DGD). The results show that CO-SC-FDE compensates for the influence of the 125 ps DGD; the OSNR penalty is 0.81 dB.     

Characterization of Aspergillus oryzae glycoside hydrolase family 43 β-xylosidase expressed in Escherichia coli

This is the first report of glycoside hydrolase family 43 β-xylosidase from Aspergillus oryzae. To characterize this enzyme, the recombinant enzyme was expressed in Escherichia coli. Unlike known β-xylosidases from fungal origins, the enzyme did not show substrate ambiguity and was stable at alkaline pH.     

Selective synthesis of carbon nanotubes and nanocapsules using naphthalene pyrolysis assisted with ferrocene

Selective synthesis of well aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MW-CNT) and multi-shelled carbon nanocapsule (MS-CNC) using pyrolysis of naphthalene with the presence of ferrocene was experimentally examined. With higher mole fraction of naphthalene to ferrocene, more MW-CNTs could be synthesized due to higher concentration of carbonaceous precursors emerging from the decomposed naphthalene. Based on kinetic analysis, at lower temperature, MW-CNTs could preferably be synthesized due to the controlled supply of carbonaceous clusters to get onto the surface of Fe clusters. On the other hand, at temperature higher than 900 °C the Fe clusters become more active to catalyze carbonaceous precursors to undergo self assembling process of MS-CNCs. With cheaper cost of naphthalene compared with other high-value hydrocarbons, usage of naphthalene would provide an advantage of reasonably economical synthesis of MW-CNT or MS-CNC.     

Hydrothermal conversion of FAU zeolite into aluminous MTN zeolite

The hydrothermal conversion of FAU zeolite into aluminous MTN zeolite is described here. In the presence of both benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (BTMAOH) and sodium chloride (NaCl) the highly crystalline and pure MTN zeolites with Si/Al ratios of 21-23 could be obtained from the hydrothermal conversion of FAU zeolite. Based on powder XRD refinement and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectra, BTMA⁺ ions were not present in cages of the obtained zeolites, but TMA⁺ ions existed instead. It means that BTMAOH underwent degradation during the conversion. Moreover, the effects of Si/Al ratio of starting FAU zeolite, synthesis parameters (BTMAOH/SiO₂ and H₂O/SiO₂ ratios) and the addition of alkali metal chlorides on the hydrothermal conversion of FAU zeolite into MTN zeolite are discussed. As compared to amorphous SiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃, which produced impurity, the hydrothermal conversion of FAU zeolite showed a fast crystallization rate and a high selectivity to MTN zeolite formation. These phenomena indicate that the assembly of locally ordered aluminosilicate species coming from the decomposition or dissolution of FAU zeolite should be taking part in the conversion process.     

Photocatalytic decomposition of 2-propanol in air by mechanical mixtures of TiO2 crystalline particles and silicalite adsorbent: The complete conversion of organic molecules strongly adsorbed within zeolitic channels

Fundamental photocatalytic behaviors were investigated for mechanical mixtures of TiO₂ crystalline particles (P25) and MFI type zeolite (silicalite) in the decomposition reaction of 2-propanol vapor in air for the first time. Mechanical mixing enables reliable comparisons to be made between photocatalysts because the contents of TiO₂ and the adsorbent can be widely varied (51 times in this study) while keeping the particle size and crystallinity of TiO₂ unchanged. That is, the use of mechanical mixture highlights the behavior of molecules adsorbed in the microporous crystals, keeping the TiO₂ unchanged. In the case of the mixed photocatalysts, the initial 2-propanol concentration in the gas phase was significantly reduced because of adsorption into the zeolite. After photo-irradiation started, 2-propanol was decomposed to CO₂ with no (or trace amount of) acetone detected in the gas phase. The analysis of final amount of CO₂ formed by the decomposition demonstrated that just by the mechanical mixing of TiO₂ and zeolite, the TiO₂ photocatalyst decomposed completely the reactant and intermediate molecules strongly adsorbed into the zeolite. On the other hand, in reference experiments in which TiO₂ and zeolite were not mixed and were separately placed in a photoreactor, the organic compounds strongly adsorbed in the zeolite could not be decomposed to CO₂ by the photocatalyst. It is notable that the CO₂ formation rates for the mixed photocatalysts were mostly constant for those comprising 40 wt% or larger amounts of zeolite, while being slower than for pure TiO₂. The rate-determining step was discussed based on these data. The present study showed that the mixed photocatalyst could remove organic vapors by adsorption in the dark and decompose completely to CO₂ at moderate reaction rates under photo-irradiation with minimized evolution of intermediate molecules into the gas phase.     

1 Tbit/s (111 Gbit/s/ch X 10 ch) no-guard-interval CO-OFDM transmission over 2100 km DSF

Spectrally efficient (2bit/s/Hz) 1 Tbit/s DWDM transmission of 111 Gbit/s no-guard-interval PDM CO-OFDM signals with 50 GHz spacing over DSF is demonstrated. The record transmission distance of 2100 km was achieved for a 100 Gbit/s-data-rate CO-OFDM system.     

Generation of New Artificial Metalloproteins by Cofactor Modification of Native Hemoproteins

Heme can be removed from a number of native hemoproteins, thus forming corresponding apoproteins, each of which provides a site for binding of a metal complex. In one example, myoglobin, an O₂ storage protein, can be reconstituted with iron porphycene to dramatically enhance the O₂ affinity. Although it is known that myoglobin has poor enzymatic activity, the insertion of iron corrole or iron porphycene into apomyoglobin increases its H₂O₂-dependent peroxidase/peroxygenase activities. Furthermore, reconstitution with manganese porphycene promotes hydroxylation of an inert C H bond. It is also of interest to insert a non-porphyrinoid complex into an apoprotein. A cavity of apocytochrome c has been found to bind a diiron carbonyl complex, serving as a functional model of diiron hydrogenase. Aponitrobindin has a rigid β-barrel structure that provides an excellent cavity for covalently anchoring a metal complex. A rhodium complex embedded in the cavity of genetically modified nitrobindin has been found to promote stereoselective polymerization of phenylacetylene.     

Polymers on graphite and gold: molecular images and substrate defects

Sub-monomolecular layers of a derivatized Phthalocyaninato-poly-siloxane (PCPS) and a Polydiacetylene (PDA) have been prepared on highly orientated pyrolytic graphite and gold by Langmuir-Blodgett and Langmuir-Schäfer techniques. Raman scattering and grazing-incidence-reflection infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize packing and molecular orientations within these films. It was found that PCPS forms similarly well ordered monolayers on both graphite and gold while PDA does not. Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) was performed in air using both the constant height and constant current mode. On highly orientated pyrolytic graphite substrates various defect structures based on a √3X√3 R 30° superstructure were found near localized defects and small graphite steps. They were carefully distinguished from molecular images of densely packed hydrocarbon chains. Defect rich graphite was characterized with both STM and Raman spectroscopy. Similarly, disordered and graphite-like regions were found on carbon fibres. The sensitivity of STM to surface defects in graphitic material turned out to be large compared to that of the Raman spectroscopic method. STM images of PCPS monolayers on graphite and gold exhibited parallel polymer rods, 2 nm apart from each other.