Structural analyses of unknown red dyes detected in dried strawberry

We examined two unknown red dyes (designated as red dyes "A" and "B") from a dried strawberry package with a label that indicated the presence of food red No. 40 (R40). Red dye "A" was identified as trisodium 3-hydroxy-4-[(2'-methoxy-5'-methyl-4'-sulfonatophenyl)azo]-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonate (CSA-R) by HPLC, UV-VIS spectra and MS spectra. This compound is one of the four reported subsidiary colors of R40. Detailed analyses of red dye "B" by MS and NMR demonstrated that its structure was disodium 3-hydroxy-4-[(2'-methoxy-5'-methyl-4'-sulfonatophenyl)azo]-2-naphthalenesulfonate. Red dye "B" is a structural isomer of R40, that has not been reported previously. Our results suggest that the two minor red dyes were subsidiary colors contained in R40, which had been added to the dried strawberries.     

Alkaline Corrosion Resistance of Anodized Aluminum Coated with Zirconium Oxide by a Sol-Gel Process

To improve the alkaline corrosion resistance of aluminum, composite films were prepared that consisted of a porous layer of anodically grown aluminum oxide filled with zirconium oxide, with a zirconium oxide coating layer that was deposited thereon via the sol—gel process, using a dip-coating technique. The alkaline corrosion resistance of these composite films was extremely improved when this coating layer was placed on an anodic oxide film. Comparisons of the composite film and conventional anodic oxide film showed that the alkaline corrosion resistance of the composite film was increased by a factor of 24–50. Because these composite films, which have high corrosion resistance, indicated a vibration phenomenon of voltage in the duration time curve of the electromotive force measurement, the composite film had a self-repairing action for alkaline corrosion.     

A New Hypothetical Concept in Metabolic Understanding of Cardiac Fibrosis: Glycolysis Combined with TGF-β and KLF5 Signaling

The accumulation of fibrosis in cardiac tissues is one of the leading causes of heart failure. The principal cellular effectors in cardiac fibrosis are activated fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, which serve as the primary source of matrix proteins. TGF-β signaling pathways play a prominent role in cardiac fibrosis. The control of TGF-β by KLF5 in cardiac fibrosis has been demonstrated for modulating cardiovascular remodeling. Since the expression of KLF5 is reduced, the accumulation of fibrosis diminishes. Because the molecular mechanism of fibrosis is still being explored, there are currently few options for effectively reducing or reversing it. Studying metabolic alterations is considered an essential process that supports the explanation of fibrosis in a variety of organs and especially the glycolysis alteration in the heart. However, the interplay among the main factors involved in fibrosis pathogenesis, namely TGF-β, KLF5, and the metabolic process in glycolysis, is still indistinct. In this review, we explain what we know about cardiac fibroblasts and how they could help with heart repair. Moreover, we hypothesize and summarize the knowledge trend on the molecular mechanism of TGF-β, KLF5, the role of the glycolysis pathway in fibrosis, and present the future therapy of cardiac fibrosis. These studies may target therapies that could become important strategies for fibrosis reduction in the future.     

Formation of a thiamine disulfide complex with fatty acid: Mechanism of formation of the complex

The formation of complexes between thiamine disulfide (TDS) orO-acetyl thiamine disulfide (O-acetyl TDS) and fatty acid or fatty acid methyl ester in methanol has been studied by fluorescence quenching and¹³C NMR relaxation (T₁) measurements. The association constants (K-values) of TDS andO-acetyl TDS with fatty acids (from 11∶0 to 18∶0, and 18∶1, 18∶2, 18∶3 and 20∶4) and fatty acid methyl esters have been determined. These values do not depend on either the number of carbon atoms or the degree of unsaturation of the fatty acid. The K-values of TDS andO-acetyl TDS with fatty acid were 7.8 M⁻¹ and 5.1 M⁻¹, respectively. The K-values of TDS andO-acetyl TDS with fatty acid methyl ester were very small. These results show that the-OH moiety in TDS and the-COOH moiety in the fatty acid are necessary for formation of the complex     

核电厂冷凝脱盐设备的含氨再生废水的处理

核电厂中冷凝脱盐设备的更新期间被排放的含氨再生的废水通过投加碱进行处理，在加热条件下通风，分离气相NH3。用一种催化剂分解产生的NH3。     

Radiofrequency current caused slowing of non-reentrant idiopathic right ventricular tachycardia originating from a wide arrhythmogenic area

Radiofrequency catheter ablation was attempted in a patient with non-reentrant idiopathic right ventricular tachycardia (VT). Endocardial mapping indicated that the VT originated in the outflow tract of the right ventricle; however, an electrogram with an almost the identical activation time was recorded from an area extending to 1.0 x 2.0 cm. Each application of radiofrequency current within the area terminated VT, but a progressively slower VT with the same QRS configuration was induced until the area was covered by separate radiofrequency lesions. A progressive prolongation of VT cycle length might be related to a residual arrhythmogenic myocardium. Termination and slowing of the VT rate can be a hallmark of efficacy of each radiofrequency lesion.     

Transadventitial localisation of atheromatous plaques by fluorescence emission spectrum analysis of mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to demonstrate specific detection of the fluorescence spectra of mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6 (NPe6) emitted from atherosclerotic arterial lesions using an extravascular approach. METHODS: Cholesterol fed atherosclerotic rabbits were injected intravenously with 0.5 mg.kg-1 of NPe6. A fluorescence spectrum analysis system with a dual real time imaging system and a flexible endoscopic catheter was used. The pulsed excimer dye laser excited the photosensitiser. The fluorescence spectra were measured by a fluorescence spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Analysis of fluorescence spectra detected from outside the adventitia showed that a fluorescence spectrum peak at 675 nm was obtained only in parts of the artery with an atheromatous plaque; however, no fluorescence could be shown in aortic segments free of atheroma. It was also noted that the intensity of the specific peak of the spectrum detected from outside a vessel was closely related to the depth of atheromatous lesions, as determined by histological analysis. An in vivo study revealed good correlation between the peak intensity (which could vary with the amount of NPe6 accumulated in the tissue) measured laparoscopically from outside the abdominal aorta and the peak intensity measured angioscopically from inside the abdominal aorta. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to detect atheroma from outside a vessel by fluorescence spectrum analysis employing NPe6 as the probe.     

Kinesin family in murine central nervous system

In neuronal axons, various kinds of membranous components are transported along microtubules bidirectionally. However, only two kinds of mechanochemical motor proteins, kinesin and brain dynein, had been identified as transporters of membranous organelles in mammalian neurons. Recently, a series of genes that encode proteins closely related to kinesin heavy chain were identified in several organisms including Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Aspergillus niddulans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditus elegans, and Drosophila. Most of these members of the kinesin family are implicated in mechanisms of mitosis or meiosis. To address the mechanism of intracellular organelle transport at a molecular level, we have cloned and characterized five different members (KIF1-5), that encode the microtubule-associated motor domain homologous to kinesin heavy chain, in murine brain tissue. Homology analysis of amino acid sequence indicated that KIF1 and KIF5 are murine counterparts of unc104 and kinesin heavy chain, respectively, while KIF2, KIF3, and KIF4 are as yet unidentified new species. Complete amino acid sequence of KIF3 revealed that KIF3 consists of NH2-terminal motor domain, central alpha-helical rod domain, and COOH-terminal globular domain. Complete amino acid sequence of KIF2 revealed that KIF2 consists of NH2-terminal globular domain, central motor domain, and COOH-terminal alpha-helical rod domain. This is the first identification of the kinesin-related protein which has its motor domain at the central part in its primary structure. Northern blot analysis revealed that KIF1, KIF3, and KIF5 are expressed almost exclusively in murine brain, whereas KIF2 and KIF4 are expressed in brain as well as in other tissues. All these members of the kinesin family are expressed in the same type of neurons, and thus each one of them may transport its specific organelle in the murine central nervous system.     

Increased serum CA125 levels in plasma cell dyscrasias

We describe two cases of malignant lymphoma presenting as inflammatory nodules of the leg and mimicking panniculitis clinically. In both cases the skin biopsies showed prominent involvement of the subcutaneous tissue by lymphoma cells. In addition, lymphoma cells invaded blood vessels in the dermis or the subcutaneous tissue. One case was characterized by predominantly extravascular and intravascular location of the lymphoma cells, and the other case by the predominantly extravascular and intramural location of lymphoma cells. These histological findings were compatible with those of angiocentric T-cell lymphoma but with some unusual features. Angiocentric T-cell lymphoma of the skin should be listed in the group of diseases which present as inflammatory nodules of the leg.