Photopolymerization of an expanding monomer with an aromatic dioxirane

The objective was to study the photocationic polymerization of an expanding monomer, 1,5,7,11‐tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane (TOSU), and an aromatic dioxirane, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE). Both homopolymerizations and binary polymerizations were conducted. The homopolymer, poly(TOSU), was found to be a linear poly(carbonate), which was soluble in acetone. Poly(BADGE) products contained ether linkages in addition to primary and secondary alcohol functionalities. Binary polymerization products varied depending on the irradiation time and length of dark cure. ¹³C‐NMR analysis of binary polymerizate products revealed peaks not seen in homopolymer spectra consistent with the formation of copolymer linkages. Mass spectrometry data revealed peaks consistent with oligomers that contained both TOSU and BADGE mer units. The structures of key reaction products were proposed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 62–71, 2004     

Identification of high-affinity binding sites for the insulin sensitizer rosiglitazone (BRL-49653) in rodent and human adipocytes using a radioiodinated ligand for peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma

A radioiodinated ligand, [125I]SB-236636 [(S)-(-)3-[4-[2-[N-(2-benzoxazolyl)-N-methylamino]ethoxy]3-[125I]i odo phenyl]2-ethoxy propanoic acid], which is specific for the gamma isoform of the peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor (PPARgamma), was developed. [125I]SB-236636 binds with high affinity to full-length human recombinant PPARgamma1 and to a GST (glutathione S-transferase) fusion protein containing the ligand binding domain of human PPARgamma1 (KD = 70 nM). Using this ligand, we characterized binding sites in adipose-derived cells from rat, mouse and humans. In competition experiments, rosiglitazone (BRL-49653), a potent antihyperglycemic agent, binds with high affinity to sites in intact adipocytes (IC50 = 12, 4 and 9 nM for rat, 3T3-L1 and human adipocytes, respectively). Binding affinities (IC50) of other thiazolidinediones for the ligand binding domain of PPARgamma1 were comparable with those determined in adipocytes and reflected the rank order of potencies of these agents as stimulants of glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and antihyperglycemic agents in vivo: rosiglitazone > pioglitazone > troglitazone. Competition of [125I]SB-236636 binding was stereoselective in that the IC50 value of SB-219994, the (S)-enantiomer of an alpha-trifluoroethoxy propanoic acid insulin sensitizer, was 770-fold lower than that of SB-219993 [(R)-enantiomer] at recombinant human PPARgamma1. The higher binding affinity of SB-219994 also was evident in intact adipocytes and reflected its 100-fold greater potency as an antidiabetic agent. The results strongly suggest that the high-affinity binding site for [125I]SB-236636 in intact adipocytes is PPARgamma and that the pharmacology of insulin-sensitizer binding in rodent and human adipocytes is very similar and, moreover, predictive of antihyperglycemic activity in vivo.     

Antimicrobial mixtures used by tissue banks for harvested skin: comparative in vitro activity

The activities of antimicrobial combinations from three geographically diverse skin/tissue banks used in the processing of skin/ tissue were compared using bacteria and yeast isolated from burn patients. All formulations showed 90% or more effectiveness against bacteria generally susceptible to antibiotics but were less effective (60-80%) when tested against bacteria resistant to specific antimicrobials. Anti-yeast activity was present when an appropriate antifungal agent was included in the combination. All formulations were stable for at least six weeks. Results of this study raise certain questions about the use of these antimicrobial combinations in contemporary skin/tissue banking and point the way toward areas for future study.     

Effect of light, solvents and commercial enzymes on the solubility and stability of sesquiterpene lactones from chicory roots

Summary The solubility of lactucin, 8-deoxylactucin and lactucopicrin, all sesquiterpene lactones of chicory roots, was determined as a function of pH (pH 1–10) in the presence and absence of polysaccharides. The stability of the sesquiterpene lactones, when dissolved in water, decreased under influence of daylight as a function of pH. Enzymatic hydrolysis of lactucopicrin by commercial enzyme preparations, used for liquefaction of chicory roots into lactucin and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, was not found.

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Einfluß von Licht, Lösungsmittel und Handelsenzymen auf die Löslichkeit und Stabilität der Sesquiterpen-Lactone von Zichorienwurzeln

Zusammenfassung Die Stabilität von LaCA Bussurnctucin, 8-Deoxylactucin und Lactucopicrin (alles SesquiterpenLactone der Zichorienwurzel) wurde in Abhängigkeit vom pH-Wert beim Aufbewahren im Licht studiert. Es konnte ein Abbau dieser Verbindungen nachgewiesen werden. Die Löslichkeit dieser drei Verbindungen wurde in Abhängigkeit vom pH-Wert mit und ohne Polysaccharide bestimmt. Es wurde keine Hydrolyse des Lactucopicrins unter der Einwirkung von kommerziellen Enzymen, die bei der Verflüssigung von Zichorienwurzeln verwendet werden, gefunden.

     

Peanut proteins as food supplements: A compositional study of selected Virginia and Spanish peanuts

Three peanut cultivars (Virginia, red-skinned, and white-skinned Spanish) were analyzed and compared as potential protein supplements for food uses. The seeds were solvent-extracted in the laboratory to yield defatted flours with 9–10% nitrogen contents. Protein isolates were prepared from the flours by subsequent extraction with dilute salt solutions buffered at pH 7.0. Various parameters were compared, such as total protein contents, soluble proteins, amino acid compositions of flours and protein isolates, free amino acids and free sugars of defatted flours, and certain trace minerals in flours and soluble proteins. The application of these results to the selection of certain types of peanuts for potential uses as protein supplements in food products is discussed. Presented in the Symposium, Oilseed Proteins, 66th Annual AOCS Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 27–30, 1975.     

Immunization of Aotus nancymai with recombinant C terminus of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 in liposomes and alum adjuvant does not induce protection against a challenge infection

Merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) of Plasmodium falciparum is an antimalarial vaccine candidate. The highly conserved 19-kDa C-terminal processing fragment of MSP-1 (MSP-1(19)) is of particular interest since it contains epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies which inhibit the invasion of erythrocytes in vitro. The presence of naturally acquired anti-MSP-1(19) antibodies in individuals exposed to malaria has been correlated with reduced morbidity, and immunization with an equivalent recombinant P. yoelii antigen induces substantial protection against this parasite in mice. We have expressed P. falciparum MSP-1(19) in Escherichia coli as a correctly folded protein and immunized Aotus nancymai monkeys by using the protein incorporated into liposomes and adsorbed to alum. After vaccination, the sera from these animals contained anti-MSP-1(19) antibodies, some of which competed for binding to MSP-1(19) with monoclonal antibodies that inhibit parasite invasion of erythrocytes in vitro. However, after challenge with either a homologous or a heterologous strain of parasite, all animals became parasitemic and required treatment. The immunization did not induce protection in this animal model.     

Taste-potentiated noise-illness associations.

In five experiments we attempted to establish aversions to a noise presented each time thirsty rats licked a water source. Using an apparatus and a procedure similar to those of previous studies which reported noise-illness associations, weak taste-potentiated noise-illness associations were found (Experiment 1). However, when the apparatus and procedure were varied, noise-illness associations were not observed (Experiments 3, 4, and 5). The noise used in all of these failures was readily associated with shock (Experiment 2), which indicates that this noise was salient to the rats and could be associated with an aversive event. These failures to find noise-illness associations occurred despite the fact that the conditions were chosen to maximize the likelihood of observing these associations. Taste-illness associations always developed normally. The results are consistent with the idea that conditioned aversions to all exteroceptive stimuli are not equally well potentiated by taste. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Age, executive functions, and visuospatial functioning in healthy older adults.

Visuospatial test performance declines with age, whereas verbal test performance remains fairly constant. This pattern has been attributed to an age-related decline in either right-hemisphere functioning or executive functions (EFs), which may be associated with prefrontal cortical decline. Timed and untimed EF tests, and visuospatial tests requiring substantial integrative skill (I-VS) or little or no integrative skill (non-I-VS) were administered to young-old (aged 74 yrs and younger) and old-old (aged 75 yrs and older) healthy volunteers. Groups differed on I-VS tests and on many EF tests but not on non-I-VS tests. I-VS tests correlated highly with tests of EFs, but non-I-VS tests did not. These results are interpreted as supporting the proposal that an age-related decline in EF underlies the decline in visuospatial test performance observed with advancing age. Other issues regarding the relationship between age and EF are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)