RNA‐Directed Amino Acid Coupling as a Model Reaction for Primitive Coded Translation

The stereochemical theory claims that primitive coded translation initially occurred in the RNA world by RNA‐directed amino acid coupling. In this study, we show that the HIV Tat aptamer RNA is capable of recognizing two consecutive arginine residues within the Tat peptide, thus demonstrating how RNA might be able to position two amino acids for sequence‐specific coupling. We also show that this RNA can act as a template to accelerate the coupling of a single arginine residue to the N‐terminal arginine residue of a peptide primer. The results might have implications for our understanding of the origin of translation.     

Dioxin concentrations in breast milk of Vietnamese nursing mothers: a survey four decades after the herbicide spraying

In an operation by United States Armed Forces during 1961 to 1971, large quantities of herbicides were sprayed in South Vietnam. These herbicides contained 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetraCDD), the most toxic congener of dioxins. Several decades after the herbicide spraying ceased, dioxin concentrations in the environment and human remained elevated in the sprayed areas. Breast milk samples from 520 nursing mothers residing in areas including the hot spots as well as the sprayed and unsprayed areas were collected to quantify the levels of dioxins. The total toxic equivalents of 2,3,7,8-substitued PCDDs/PCDFs in breast milk of mothers living in the hot spots, and the sprayed and unsprayed areas were 14.10 pg/g lipid, 10.89 pg/g lipid, and 4.09 pg/g lipid for primiparae and 11.48 pg/g lipid, 7.56 pg/g lipid, and 2.84 pg/g lipid for multiparae, respectively, with significant differences in the values among the three areas. In the hot spots, dioxin levels were highly correlated with the residency of mothers after adjustment for their age and parity.     

Organic–inorganic hybrid material as zwitterion: Synthesis and structure of terminal ammonium ions-containing organosilyl species supported on mono-lacunary Dawson polyoxometalate

The title compound 1 with a formula of (Bu₄N)₄[α₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁{Me₃N⁺(CH₂)₃Si}₂O] · CH₃CN was obtained in 77.1% (4.21 g scale) yield by a 1:2 molar-ratio reaction of the mono-lacunary Dawson polyoxometalate (POM) [P₂W₁₇O₆₁]¹⁰⁻ with N-trimethoxysilylpropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride ([Me₃N(CH₂)₃Si(OMe)₃]Cl) in mixed water/acetonitrile solution under acidic conditions and unequivocally characterized with complete elemental analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TG/DTA), FTIR, solution (³¹P, ¹H, ¹³C and ²⁹Si) NMR and X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 contained two types of the ammonium cations, i.e., the counterions Bu₄N⁺ (free cations) and the terminal quaternary ammonium ions (bound cations) which are connected to the POM through the organosilyl groups.     

Flow-induced stripe pattern formation in phase-separating fluids

We demonstrated that the introduction of a temperature gradient along the free surface induces a particular stripe pattern in phase-separating fluids. The horizontal temperature gradient drove lateral-periodic spiral liquid motion flowing from warmer to cooler places due to thermocapillarity. Properly chosen polymer compositions and initial film thicknesses in ternary solutions allowed us to promote a phase separation in the presence of spiral flow, which assembled the demixed polymer droplets along the flow-stagnation lines. The resulting assembled phases aligned in the temperature gradient direction and eventually formed periodic polymer stripes involving the same spacing as that of the flow axis. The critical condition for the stripe pattern formation was given by the ratio of two relevant film thicknesses, i.e. the thickness for the onset of the phase separation and that for the cessation of liquid motion.     

Evolution of Interfacial Microstructure between Barium Titanate and Binary Glasses

Evolution of interfacial microstructure between BaTiO₃ and the binary glasses used as frits in thick-film technology has been studied. Possible reaction mechanisms for the interfacial compounds have been determined by comparing the results of the sintering study with the reaction of BaTiO₃, powder with glass powders. The interfacial microstructure can be divided into two types. The first type of interfacial microstructure is observed for glasses rich in PbO or Bi₂O₃ network modifiers and is characterized by the penetration of glass into the BaTiO₃ grain boundaries, accompanied by incorporation of Pb into the perovskite lattice. The second type of interfacial microstructure is observed for glasses rich in B₂O₃ or SiO₂ network formers and is characterized by the formation of interfacial compounds.     

High rate performance of a lithium polymer battery using a novel ionic liquid polymer composite

We present a new design of a lithium gel-polymer battery, fabricated with a (LILP) composite consisting of a lithium salt dissolved in an ionic liquid (binary Li-IL) and an ultra high molecular weight ionic liquid polymer (ILP). This polymer, with a Mw of over a million, was prepared by the bulk radical polymerization of a novel ionic liquid monomer, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-methacryloylethyl)-N-methylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (DEMM-TFSI). The polymer could form a binary Li-IL solid at a concentration of only 5 wt%. We selected high power-active electrode materials, and combined them with the LILP system. The demonstration vapor-free cell had a higher discharge performance than a conventional lithium polymer battery: at 40 °C, it retained 83% of its discharge capacity at a 3 C current, and relatively good cycle performance. This is the first report of to knowledge that a lithium ion cell with a LILP system performed, in terms of cell performance and cycle durability, at a level of practical utility.     

Anti-melanogenesis properties of quercetin- and its derivative-rich extract from Allium cepa

In an effort to find a new whitening agent, we have found that the methanol extract of the dried skin of Allium cepa showed inhibition of melanin formation. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of quercetin (1) and quercetin 4’-O-β-glucoside (3) from A. cepa as the inhibitors of melanin formation in B16 melanoma cells with IC₅₀ values of 26.5 and 131 μM, respectively. In addition, we evaluated the effect of some quercetin derivatives, such as isoquercitrin (2), quercetin 3,4’-O-diglucoside (4), rutin (5) and hyperin (6) on B16 melanoma cells. These quercetin derivatives did not show any inhibition of melanin formation. Furthermore, the ORAC values of compounds 1–6 were 7.64, 8.65, 4.82, 4.32, 8.17 and 9.34 μmol trolox equivalents/μmol, respectively. Dried skin of red onion showed inhibitory activity against melanin formation in B16 melanoma cells, as well as antioxidant properties.     

Riboflavin deficiency and β-oxidation systems in rat liver

Weanling rats were fed a riboflavin-deficient diet. The mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in liver was depressed in riboflavin deficiency but restored after supplementation of riboflavin. Among the enzymes involved in this system, only the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.2 and 1.3.99.3) activities varied with the change in fatty acid oxidation. An accumulation of the apoforms of acyl-CoA dehydrogenases was found in riboflavin deficiency. The levels of electron transfer flavoprotein and other enzymes involved in the β-oxidation system remained unchanged. The peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation and levels of individual enzymes of this system remained constant. No accumulation of the apoform of acyl-CoA oxidase was observed under simple, riboflavin-deficient conditions. However, accumulation of a large amount of apo-acyl-CoA oxidase was observed when the peroxisomal system was induced by administration of a peroxisome proliferator, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, under riboflavin-deficient conditions.