Peak identification of L X-ray spectra of elemental Np and U

The L X-ray photons emitted by transuranic (TRU) elements are expected to be useful for developing nondestructive TRU monitors. Energy spectra of L X-rays emitted by ²⁴¹Am, ²³⁸Pu and ²³⁹Pu sources were measured by a transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter, which allowed precise peak identification with high energy resolution. In the measurements using the TES microcalorimeter, the full width at half-maximum energy resolution was 62.6 eV at 17.222 keV for ²³⁹Pu source, 62.5 eV at 17.222 keV for ²³⁸Pu source and 60.9 eV at 17.751 keV for ²⁴¹Am source. This study demonstrates the separation of ²⁴¹Am and plutonium isotopes by L X-ray spectroscopy using a TES microcalorimeter.     

Characteristic distributions of fatty acids in different lipids from Jack beans (Canavalia gladiata DC.)

Extracted lipids obtained from Jack beans (white and red) were fractionated by TLC into nine subfractions. The major components were TAGs (TAG: 43.8–45.7 wt%) and phospholipids (PL: 46.7–47.0 wt%), while other components were also present in minor proportions (0.3–2.7 wt%). The principal fatty acids (FA) are generally palmitic (18.8–28.8%), stearic (0.7–6.8%), oleic (42.0–51.8%), linoleic (16.2–22.8%), and α‐linolenic (3.0–8.2%) acids, the distribution of which differs according to these lipid classes. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the positional distribution of FA in the TAG; unsaturated FA (97.5%) were predominantly concentrated in the sn‐2 position while saturated FA (33.3%) primarily occupied the sn‐1 position or sn‐3 position. However, significant differences (p<0.05) in FA distribution existed when the individual PL were compared between the white and red beans. Based on the FA composition of these lipids, it seems that the two cultivars of Jack beans are very similar to each other with a few exceptions. The results could be useful to both producers and consumers for our daily diet to improve value of the Japanese diet. Practical applications : The lipid composition suggests that these beans could be a good source of nutraceuticals with providing heath benefits. The white and red beans may be well incorporated into our daily Japanese diets to improve nutritional value. The data obtained in this study provide valuable information for manufacturing functional drinks such as Jack bean tea in Japan.     

Use of a highly sensitive latex reagent with amino acid spacer for determination of C-reactive protein concentration in a variety of liver diseases

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute-phase protein, which is extremely important in inflammatory disease diagnosis. CRP is rapidly elevated in various diseases as a result of tissue injury, infection and inflammation. Recently, many reports have shown its usefulness as a risk marker for arteriosclerosis and metabolic syndrome. However, the lack of sensitivity of existing CRP assays has hampered CRP testing in conditions associated with viral infections, where CRP levels typically elevate only marginally. In this report, we prepared a novel, ultra-sensitive latex-based CRP test using amino acid spacers with a high sensitivity and a wider assay range. Our method of conjugating latex beads enabled us to measure CRP in the range of 5-500?ng/mL in patient sera. Furthermore, we studied CRP levels in patients with various liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma, in order to examine the correlation between severity of liver dysfunction and CRP levels, and to examine the likelihood of recurrence of liver dysfunction. The reagent was simple to prepare and sensitive during clinical investigation, where it discriminated clearly between normal subjects and those with liver diseases. Therefore, we conclude that our ultra-sensitive CRP assay will contribute greatly to the clinical study of hepatic disorders.     

Comparative analysis of cells and proteins of pumpkin plants for the control of fruit size

Common pumpkin plants (Cucurbita maxima) produce fruits of 1-2kg size on the average, while special varieties of the same species called Atlantic Giant are known to produce a huge fruit up to several hundred kilograms. As an approach to determine the factors controlling the fruit size in C.?maxima, we cultivated both AG and control common plants, and found that both the cell number and cell sizes were increased in a large fruit while DNA content of the cell did not change significantly. We also compared protein patterns in the leaves, stems, ripe and young fruits by two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis, and identified those differentially expressed between them with mass spectroscopy. Based on these results, we suggest that factors in photosynthesis such as ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase, glycolysis pathway enzymes, heat-shock proteins and ATP synthase play positive or negative roles in the growth of a pumpkin fruit. These results provide a step toward the development of plant biotechnology to control fruit size in the future.     

Profiles of lipid components,fatty acid distributions of triacylglycerols and phospholipids in Jack beans (Canavalia gladiata DC.)

Endogenous tocopherols in extracted lipids from Jack beans (Canavalia gladiata DC.) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and were investigated in relation to the fatty acids (FA) distribution of triacylgycerols (TAG) and phospholipids (PL). The dominant tocopherols were (δ)-tocopherol (78.9–96.5 mg%) and (γ)-tocopherol (42.1–56.1 mg%) with much smaller amounts of (α)-tocopherol (1.1–1.3 mg%). The lipids of Jack beans comprised mainly TAG (34.6–38.6 wt.%) and PL (54.8–57.4 wt.%), and other components were also detected in minor proportions (0.3–3.8 wt.%). The PL components included phosphatidyl choline (46.2–48.7 wt.%), phosphatidyl inositol (23.4–29.6 wt.%) and phosphatidyl ethanolamine (18.5–21.2 wt.%). Comparison of these different beans showed, with a few exceptions, no significant differences (P > 0.05) in FA distribution. The FA distribution of TAG among the five beans was evident in the Jack beans: unsaturated FA (93.3–95.3 wt.%) were predominantly concentrated at the sn-2 position and saturated FA (33.6–34.4wt.%) primarily occupying the sn-1 position or sn-3 position. The results obtained from this work would provide useful information to both producers and consumers for manufacturing functional foods or beverages in Japan and elsewhere.     

Structures and Binary Mixing Characteristics of Enantiomers of 1-Oleoyl-2,3-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol (S-OPP) and 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-3-oleoyl-sn-glycerol (R-PPO)

We performed differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD) experiments of polymorphic structures and binary mixing characteristics of the enantiomers of 1-oleoyl-2,3-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol (S-OPP) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-oleoyl-sn-glycerol (R-PPO). In the two enantiomers, oleic and palmitic acid moieties are asymmetrically connected at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of the glycerol groups, with palmitic acid moiety at the sn-2 position. Pure enantiomer samples (>99 %) were synthesized and employed throughout this study. The following results were obtained. (1) A basic feature of the mixture systems of S-OPP and R-PPO is of a eutectic nature due to different polymorphic structures of two enantiomers and the racemic compound of PPO (rac-PPO). (2) Polymorphic behavior of S-OPP and R-PPO was quite similar, both having α-2 and β′-3, whereas rac-PPO contained α _rac-3, β′_rac-2, and β′_rac-3. The DSC measurements showed that the melting points of β′-3 (S-OPP = 35.3 °C and R-PPO = 34.9 °C) were higher than that of β′_rac-3 (31.0 °C). β was not crystallized in the pure enantiomers, and rac-PPO. (3) α_rac-3 was crystallized at low cooling rates (~2 °C/min), whereas α-2 of the two enantiomers was crystallized only with very rapid cooling (~10 °C/min). (4) Triple-chain-length structures were formed in α_rac-3, β′_S-3 (=β′_R-3), and β′_rac-3; α-2 with a double-chain-length structure was formed in both enantiomers. These results indicate the importance of the relationship between subcell packing and glycerol conformation in the polymorphism and mixing characteristics of asymmetric unsaturated–saturated-saturated mixed-acid triacylglycerols.     

Self-healing bio-based furan polymers cross-linked with various bis-maleimides

A series of bio-based self-healing polymers was prepared by cross-linking a furan polymer, poly(2,5-furandimethylene succinate), with bis-maleimide compounds by means of Diels–Alder reactions. In addition to the amount of the bis-maleimide linker, the molecular structure of the bis-maleimide played a key role in determining the extent of the Diels–Alder reaction and the mechanical and healing properties of the polymers. Bis-maleimides with phenylene rings markedly enhanced the tensile strength of the network polymers but hindered healing. In contrast, bis-maleimides with a flexible molecular structure tended to improve the polymer elongation, affording polymers with excellent healing ability. The efficiencies of self-healing (=healing without any external stimulus) and healing with an assistance of solvent (CHCl₃) were over 70% and 80%, respectively, for the network polymer crosslinked by bis-maleimide with flexible long-alkyl segment. Thus, our results indicate that the choice of bis-maleimide linker is an important factor for designing furan-maleimide–based self-healing polymers.     

Study on the retention behavior of hydrogen isotopes and the change of chemical states of boron film exposed to hydrogen plasma in LHD

The behavior of hydrogen retention and the change of chemical states of boron film exposed to hydrogen plasma in LHD were investigated. The sample was prepared in LHD, and atomic concentrations for the boron film after hydrogen plasma exposure were changed from 75% for boron, 15% for carbon and 8% for oxygen to 53%, 18% and 22%, respectively. BC bond was a major chemical state of the boron film after hydrogen plasma exposure, although abundance of BB bond was the highest before the plasma exposure. Total hydrogen retention measured by TDS was evaluated to be 1.7 × 10²⁰ H m^?2, and the retentions of hydrogen as BHB, BH and BCH bonds were, respectively, 4.8 × 10¹⁹, 7.2 × 10¹⁹ and 5.2 × 10¹⁹ H m^?2. It was concluded that the hydrogen retention could be estimated by taking account not only of chemical states of impurities, but also of hydrogen depth profile.     

Synergistic effect of high hydrostatic pressure treatment and food additives on the inactivation of Salmonella enteritidis

The synergistic effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment and food additives (FAs) on the inactivation of Salmonella enteritidis was investigated. At 1% concentrations, all of the FAs tested showed significant synergistic effects, and 9 of 30 FAs showed strong synergistic effects. Citric acid, adipic acid, C8-sugarester, C10-sugarester, tannin, nisin, wasabi extract, ε-polylysine, and protamine each showed a strong inactivation effect when administered alone at the 1% level. In the HHP treatment at 250 MPa for 30 min, the minimum effective concentrations of C8-sugarester, C10-sugarester, and protamine were 0.25, 0.125, and 0.06%, respectively. These results indicate that some FAs are useful for increasing the inactivation ratio of S. enteritidis in HHP treatment.