Dhh1p, a putative RNA helicase, associates with the general transcription factors Pop2p and Ccr4p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

It is generally believed that the neuronal form of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is constitutively expressed and that regulation of this enzyme's activity is mediated solely by changes in cytosolic calcium concentration. Serendipitously, however, we observed that pretreatment of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which coexpress muscarinic M1 receptors and nNOS, with 3.3 microM or 1 mM carbachol (CCh) for 48 h resulted in marked enhancement of maximal muscarinic receptor-stimulated nNOS activity as determined by L-[3H]citrulline and cyclic [3H]GMP production. This was accompanied by a decrease in the potency of CCh. Muscarinic receptor density was reduced in the agonist-pretreated cells, as determined by specific [N-methyl-3H]scopolamine methyl chloride binding, whereas competition binding studies revealed no changes in agonist affinity. Both receptor-stimulated inositol phosphate formation and elevation of intracellular calcium concentrations were found to be desensitized in agonist-pretreated cells in a manner dependent on CCh pretreatment concentration. It is interesting that ionomycin-stimulated nNOS activity was greater in CCh-pretreated cells. Also, western analysis revealed increased nNOS immunoreactivity in pretreated cells. A similar increase in nNOS immunoreactivity following agonist treatment was demonstrated in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells, which endogenously express nNOS and muscarinic M1 receptors. Thus, the enhancement of maximal receptor-stimulated nNOS activity following agonist pretreatment can be attributed to up-regulation of nNOS. It is interesting that this augmentation of the response takes place in spite of receptor down-regulation and desensitization of multiple steps involved in nNOS activation.     

Synthesis and properties of lithium ion conductors Li3−2x(Sc1−xZrx)2(PO4)3

Lithium ion conductors, Li_3−2x(Sc_1−xZr_x)₂(PO₄)₃ (0 x 0.3), were prepared by a solid-state reaction. TG–DTA analysis indicated no phase transition in the samples with x superior to 0.05. X-ray powder diffraction analysis of these samples clearly showed the stabilization of a superionic conduction phase at room temperature with an orthorhombic system Pbcn. The highest conductivity was observed for the sample with x=0.05, and ascribed to the stabilization of the superionic conduction phase and the introduction of vacancies on the Li⁺ sites by substituting Zr⁴⁺ for Sc³.     

Thermoelectric properties of porous SiC/C composites

We developed a porous SiC/C composite by oxidizing a SiC/C composite made from a mixed powder of wood charcoal and SiO₂ (32–45 μm) by pulse current sintering at 1600 and 1800 °C under a N₂ atmosphere. The microstructures of the porous SiC/C composites with oxidation and the SiC/C composites without oxidation were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Raman spectra revealed the disappearance of excess carbon and the presence of β-SiC. The porous microstructure was monitored by SEM observation as a function of the heat treatment temperature. The thermoelectric properties of porous SiC/C composites with oxidation and SiC/C composites without oxidation were investigated by measuring the Seebeck coefficient, the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. The Seebeck coefficient of all samples revealed n-type conduction, and the absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient for the porous SiC/C samples with oxidation was much larger than that for the SiC/C samples without oxidation. For the electrical conductivity the reverse is true. Only the thermal conductivity of the SiC/C sample heated to 1800 °C without oxidation was high initially and stayed rather high. In general, the thermoelectric properties improved at higher measurement temperatures indicating their suitability for high-temperature thermoelectric conversion. A maximum figure of merit of 2.01×10⁻⁵ K⁻¹ was obtained at 700 °C in porous SiC/C samples sintered at 1800 °C with oxidation.     

Three-dimensional sonography in diagnosing trisomy 18

The minimally invasive reversed Z sternotomy is a surgical approach for aortic valve operations that provides an excellent view of the aortic root and allows access to the right atrium. It confers the advantages of preservation of the sternocostal articulations and both internal thoracic arteries with no need to enter either pleural cavity. It facilitates aortic and atrial cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass and allows access for a superior pulmonary vein cardiac vent.     

Antigen-specific IgA response of NALT and cervical lymph node cells in antigen-primed rats

Three models to estimate energy requirement as a function of growth curve pattern were applied to controlled experimental data of male vs female of broilers and turkeys. The share of maintenance out of total feed requirement was 55% for the average of the three models with major divergence due to age. Comparison of the ratio between actual and estimated feed consumption reveals that the relative energy requirement was always lower in females than in males in the range of 5 to 10% for the three models, with an average of 7.7%. It appears, therefore, that in estimating the energy requirement for use in practical feeding, specific models should be assigned for males and females in both broilers and turkeys.     

Milbemycin derivatives: epoxidation of milbemycins

Epoxidation reactions (MCPBA epoxidation and Sharpless epoxidation) were examined as a means of chemically modifying milbemycins as part of our program for discovering anthelmintics. 8,9-Epoxy-, 14,15-epoxy-, 8,9-14,15-diepoxy-, and 3,4-8,9-14,15-triepoxymilbemycin A4 were selectively obtained from milbemycin A4 and its derivatives, in which either the C-5 and C-7 hydroxyl groups or C-5 alone were protected as appropriate by a silyl ether (in the former case) or a carbonyl group. Further silylation or epoxidation on these epoxidized compounds indicated that the configuration of each epoxide moiety of the mono- and diepoxides is in accord with that of the corresponding epoxide moiety of the triepoxide. Furthermore, in order to confirm the absolute configurations of these epoxide functionalities, an X-ray analysis of a carbamate derivative from the triepoxymilbemycin was conducted.     

Effects of concomitant usage of milrinone and catecholamine for weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass

To estimate the effectiveness of concomitant usage of milrinone and catecholamine for weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), a clinical study was made, in elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) cases. 24 consecutive patients underwent elective CABG in our institute. In all cases, moderate hypothermia and cardioplegic(St. Thomas solution) cardiac arrest were performed. In 12 cases, continuous intravenous 0.25 microgram/kg/min of milrinone, 3 micrograms/kg/min of dobutamine (DOB) and dopamine (DOA) as the initial doses, were used concomitantly as inotropic agents (Group-I). The same initial doses of catecholamine (DOB and DOA) as the Group-I were administered in another 12 patients (Group-II). When the pump flow of CPB decreased to a half, these drugs were administered in both groups. Hemodynamic data were measured before CPB, just after operation, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after operation. There were no significant differences in aortic and pulmonary artery pressure between both groups. However, cardiac index (CI) of the Group-I demonstrated significantly (p < 0.01) higher values than that of Group-II until 24 hours after surgery. Systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) of the Group-I demonstrated significantly (p < 0.01) lower value than that of Group-II from 3 to 12 hours after operation. There were no significant differences in oxygen delivery (DO2) and oxygen consumption (VO2) between both groups. These results suggested that concomitant usage of milrinone and low dose catecholamine increased CI and decreased SVRI, and made weaning from CPB very easy, demonstrating excellent hemodynamics. This high potential phosphodiesterase inhibitor may be suitable for not only weaning from CPB but also post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock.     

Estimation of hourly in-plane irradiation by using minutely horizontal data

To propose a formula for calculating in-plane irradiation onto a tilt surface from measured data on the tilt angle, detailed examination has been made by using data obtained for every 1 min. A new model to estimate in-plane irradiation from horizontal irradiance has been developed. Especially, it is showed that new model can estimate scattered irradiance correctly rather than the existing model by using scattered component ratio and clearness index. It is considered that measuring 1-min data has favorable influences instead of hourly data. Fluctuation of 1-min data contributes to estimate the scattered component.     

Interfacial crystallization and electronic properties of platinum double salts

Insoluble platinum double salts were crystallized by a novel method involving a solid-liquid interface. The platinum complexes included Magnus Green Salt, MGS ([Pt(NH)₃)₄]²⁺ [PtCl₄]^2–) and PBC ([Pt(bpy)₂]²⁺[Pt(CN)₄]^2–). The crystallization and molecular ordering of MGS and PBC on a Nafion membrane were achieved by controlling the diffusion of the cation and anion components to the solid-liquid interface. The electrical conductivity of the MGS film on Nafion was greatly augmented by oxidizing the polynuclear complex. A device consisting of the PBC film on Nafion, methyl viologen, and triethanolamine displayed photoelectrochromism.     

New Lanthanoid Metallofullerenes and their HPLC Elution Behavior

HPLC behaviors of metallofullerenes of 14 lanthanoid elements were studied by use of radiotracers, and the species of some of the metallofullerenes were identified by mass spectroscopy. From the HPLC elution behaviors, 14 lanthanoid elements forming metallofullerenes were found to be grouped into two, namely, Sm, Eu, Tm and Yb as one group and the rest of the elements as another. Some new species of metallofullerenes like La@C₇₄, and M@C_n (M=Eu, Tm, Yb; n=74, 82, 84, 88, 90, 92, 94) have been identified. The observed retention times of metallofullerenes are discussed in terms of the number of carbon atoms of the cage and from consideration of the electron donor and acceptor relation between the fullerene species and the HPLC stationary phases.