Kobe Women's Junior College

Measurements of the cosmic-ray hydrogen and helium spectra at energies from 20 to 800 TeV are presented. The experiments were performed on a series of twelve balloon ights, including several long duration Australia to South America and Antarctic circumpolar ights. No clear evidence is seen for a spectral break. Both the hydrogen and the helium spectra are consistent with power laws over the entire energy range, with integral spectral indices 1.80 ^0.04 and for the protons and helium, respec-1.68 ~0.06 `0.04 tively. The results are fully consistent with expectations based on supernova shock acceleration coupled with a "" leaky box model of propagation through the Galaxy.

A polysaccharide was extracted from fruit bodies of Grifola frondosa (maitake), and the chemical structure and antitumor activity were studied. The extracted polysaccharide could be hydrolyzed by ?A-glucanase into glucose, indicating it to be a β-glucan. The sample gave methyl 2, 3, 4, 6- tetra-Ο-, methyl 2, 4, 646-Ο-, methyl 2, 3, 4-tri -Ο- and methyl 2, 4-di-Ο-methylglucoside in the molar ratio of 4 : 2 : 1 : 4 on methylation. In the carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum, the signals of C-6' (related to (1-6) bonding) and C-3' (related to (1-3) bonding) were observed in addition to those of free C-6 and C-3. These results indicate that the major chain is made up of β-1, 6-linked glucose residues with branches of β-1, 3-linked glucose. This glucan inhibited the growth of Sarcoma 180 tumor in ICR mice.

It has previously been shown that the susceptibility of human teeth to acid dissolution can be reduced by the presence of various chemical agents in the dissolution medium or by pretreatment of the teeth with laser irradiation. Now synergism between these two approaches to improving acid resistance has been demonstrated. Extracted human teeth were irradiated with a continuous-wave carbon dioxide laser at a wavelength of 10.6 microns. Energy doses of either 65 or 130 J/cm2 given over periods of 2 or 4 s, respectively, were applied and the teeth subjected to a severe acid challenge (0.1 M acetate buffer, pH 4.5, no calcium or phosphate common ion present) for 24 h. Mineral loss was assessed by measurement of mineral density profiles with quantitative microradiography. Experiments were carried out in the presence or absence of three chemical inhibitors with distinctly different mechanisms of action: ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphonic acid, fluoride, and dodecylamine HCl. Laser irradiation alone was found to lead to increased resistance of the teeth to acid challenge, with the higher energy dose being more effective than the lower dose. Each of the chemical inhibitors was effective on both lased and unlased teeth, with the percent reduction of dissolution greater when the inhibitors were applied to teeth lased with an energy dose of 130 J/cm2 which were already more resistant to acid challenge than were unlased teeth or teeth lased with a dose of 65 J/cm2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The acid-insoluble, alkali-soluble, hot-water-extractable polymer (a polysaccharide containing approximately 30% of protein; D-fraction) obtained from the fruit bodies of Grifola frondosa (maitake) exhibited antitumor activities against allogenic and syngeneic tumors on oral administration to mice. Winn assay conducted to examine the tumor growth-suppressing effect revealed a complete inhibition of the tumor by the oral administration of D-fraction. This fact indicates that stimulation of the immune response system triggered by the tumor-bearing state is activated by D-fraction. Consequently, the activity of D-fraction on cells associated with immune response was examined. The cytolytic activity and interleukin-1 productivity of macrophages or T cells which exhibit antigen-specific cytotoxicity were enhanced. D-fraction was found to potentiate the delayed-type hypersensitivity response which is associated with tumor growth suppression.

The 1H-NMR spectra of eight unsaturated disaccharides obtained by bacterial eliminase digestion of chondroitin sulfate and of heparan sulfate/heparin were recorded in order to construct an NMR data base of sulfated oligosaccharides and to investigate the effects of sulfation on the proton chemical shifts. These shifts were assigned by two-dimensional HOHAHA (homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn) and COSY (correlation spectroscopy) methods. The results indicated the following. (1) Two sets of proton signals were observed, corresponding to the alpha and beta anomers of these disaccharides, except those containing N-sulfated GlcN (2-deoxy-2-amino-D-glucose), in which only one set of signals appeared, corresponding to the alpha anomer. (2) Signals of protons bound to an O-sulfated carbon atom and those bound to the immediately neighboring carbon atoms were shifted downfield by 0.4-0.7 and 0.07-0.3 ppm, respectively. (3) For the disaccharides containing the N-sulfated GlcN, the signals of the protons bound to C-2 and C-3 were shifted upfield by 0.6 and 0.15 ppm, respectively, but that of C-1 was shifted downfield by 0.25 ppm when compared with those of the corresponding N-acetylated disaccharides. (4) For the chondroitin sulfate disaccharides sulfated on the C-4 position of GalNAc (2-deoxy-2-N-acetylamino-D-galactose) or the C-2 position of delta GlcA (D-gluco-4-ene-pyranosyluronic acid), the signal of the H-3 proton of delta GlcA or the H-4 proton of GalNAc was shifted upfield by 0.1-0.15 ppm, indicating the steric interaction of the two sugar components. (5) These effects of sulfation on chemical shifts are additive.

Three discrete tetrasaccharide structures which are resistant to Flavobacterium heparinase and heparitinases I and II were isolated from porcine intestinal heparin after exhaustive digestion with a mixture of all the above enzymes, and the tri-, tetra-, and penta-sulfated structures were determined by negative ion mode fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and 500-MHz 1H NMR analysis as delta 4,5GlcA beta 1-4GlcNAc (6-sulfate)alpha 1-4GlcA beta 1-4GlcN(N,3-disulfate), delta 4,5 GlcA beta 1-4GlcNAc(6-sulfate)alpha 1-4GlcA beta 1-4GlcN (N,3,6-trisulfate), and delta 4,5GlcA beta 1-4GlcN (N,6-disulfate)alpha 1-4GlcA beta 1-4GlcN(N,3,6-trisulfate). The three components share the 3-O-sulfated reducing GlcN and the 6-O-sulfated internal GlcN, indicating that they are structural variants derived from the nonreducing portion of the minimal pentasaccharide sequence required for binding to antithrombin III. Isolation of the pentasulfated component has never been reported. Their unexpected resistance to heparitinases I and II indicates that 3-O-sulfation of the reducing GlcN contributes to the resistant nature of these tetrasaccharides to the enzymes. The present study demonstrates that the nonreducing trisaccharide portion of the structural variants of the antithrombin III-binding pentasaccharide sequence can be isolated in tetrasaccharides resistant to heparinase/heparitinases I and II, while the rest of the repeating region is degraded into disaccharide units. The lyase treatment is applicable to evaluation of heparin/heparan sulfate preparations in terms of the presence or absence of the specific structure containing the 3-O-sulfated GlcN representing biosynthetic precursors, intermediates or final products of the binding site.

The influence of CO2 laser irradiation on the dissolution behavior of human dental enamel has been investigated. Human enamel was irradiated by a continuous-wave CO2 laser at 10.6 microns and initial dissolution rates (IDRs) were measured in 0.1 mol/L acetate buffer, pH = 4.5, both with and without calcium and/or phosphate common ion, by means of a rotating disk assembly. The effects of (1-hydroxyethylidene) bisphosphonic acid (EHDP), fluoride (F), and dodecylamine HCl (DAC) at various levels upon the IDR were also determined. All of the findings were consistent with the hypothesis that CO2 laser irradiation converts dental enamel to hydroxyapatite (HAP) possessing site #2 character (Yamamoto et al., 1986). The dissolution driving force function, KHAP = aCa10aPO4(6)aOH2, was found to have a value of 10(-129.9) after being lased, as compared with 10(-121.4) before being lased. The IDR values for EHDP (3 mmol/L) and DAC (3 mmol/L) were essentially zero as expected for site #2 HAP. For solution F, the deduced dissolution driving force function, KFAP = aCa10aPO4(6)aF2 was 10(-128.6) after being lased as compared with 10(-116.3) before being lased. These results all support the hypotheses (1) that laser irradiation may convert the surface of human dental enamel to an apatite of significantly lower effective solubility (i.e., site #2 HAP) than that of unlased enamel; and (2) that there is significant synergism between laser treatment and these chemical dissolution rate inhibitors (again consistent with site #2 HAP). Simple model calculations indicate that, in both the presence and absence of fluoride, these laser-induced changes in the driving force for dissolution should dramatically lessen the susceptibility of enamel to the types of acid challenge that might be encountered in the mouth.

A polysaccharide (3-branched β-1, 6-glucan MT-2) extracted from fruit bodies of Grifola frondosa (maitake) showed an antitumor effect against mouse syngeneic tumors (MM-46 carcinoma and IMC-carcinoma). It is not only directly activates various effector cells (macrophages, natural killer cells, killer T cells, etc.) to attack tumor cells, but also potentiates the activities of various mediators including lymphokines and interleukin-1. Thus, it acts to potentiate cellular functions and at the same time to prevent a decrease of immune functions of the tumor-bearing host.

The Raman lines of the carotenoid in the reaction centers of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides 2.4.1 and G1C were compared to those of the 14 different configurational isomers of β-carotene. The isomers include the all-trans; 7-cis; 9-cis; 13-cis; 15-cis; 9-cis,13-cis; 9-cis,15-cis; 9-cis,13'-cis; and 13-cis,15-cis isomers, the configurations of which have been determined, as well as five isomers with unknown configurations. The isomers were isolated by means of HPLC after thermal isomerization of the all-trans isomer. Comparison of the C=C stretching frequencies in the 1570-1520 cm -1 region as well as of the spectral patterns in the 1300-1100 cm -1 region (the C-C stretching lines predominate) led us to an assignment of the configuration of the carotenoid in the reaction centers to 15-czs, which is in accord with our previous conclusion (Y. Koyama, M. Kito, T. Takii, K. Saiki, K. Tsukida and J. Yamashita, Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1982) 680, 109-118). Electronic absorption spectra of the isomers of β-carotene also were recorded and used as additional criteria for predicting the configuration of the carotenoid in the reaction centers.

Agarwood (Jinkoh in Japanese) is an Oriental medicine for use as a sedative. Neuropharmacological studies have been conducted with the extracts of petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, and water from agarwood (Aquilaria sp.; probably Aquilaria malaccensis Benth.) in mice. The benzene extract showed a reducing effect in spontaneous motility, a prolonging effect on hexobarbiturate-induced sleeping time, a hypothermic effect in terms of rectal temperature, and a suppressive effect on acetic acid-writhing by oral administration. Fr. 1 of the three fractions which were obtained from the benzene extract by column chromatography was found to produce more positive effects on these neuropharmacological tests than the original benzene extract. These facts suggest that the benzene extractable compounds of agarwood possess potent central nervous system depressant activities.

Abstract The biosynthesis of the benzo[ c ]phenanthridine alkaloids was investigated in a cell suspension culture of Macleaya cordata (papaveraceae) . Feeding experiments define the biosynthetic pathway (–)‐7,8,13,13a‐tetrahydrocoptisine →(–)‐ cis‐N ‐methyl‐7,8,13,13a‐tetrahydrocoptisinium salt 15 → protopine (5) → sanguinarine (1) → chelirubine (3) → macarpine (4) .

Poly(9-vinyladenine) was synthesized and utilized as an affinity macroligand entrapped within the gel matrix. Base-specific separation of oligodeoxynucleotides was achieved with high resolution and high speed by electrophoresis, using capillaries filled with conjugated polyacrylamide-poly(9-vinyladenine) gel. Oligothymidylic acids were selectively separated from the mixture of oligothymidylic and oligodeoxyadenylic acids by utilizing a specific hydrogen bonding between poly(9-vinyladenine) and oligothymidylic acids. Migration time and resolution of oligodeoxynucleotides were influenced by several parameters, such as the size of poly(9-vinyladenine), capillary temperature, and concentrations of poly(9-vinyladenine) and urea. Some guidelines are presented, based on the theoretical formulation of the effect of these parameters, in order to find optimum electrophoretic conditions. Analytical capillary affinity gel electrophoresis was developed for the selective and sensitive base recognition of oligodeoxynucleotides with efficiencies as high as several 10(6) plates/m by using a urea-gel capillary with poly(9-vinyladenine) and temperature-programming.

To solve the problem of delivering drugs to skeletal tissue at high enough local concentrations for desirable therapeutic effects, we report a novel approach using a self-setting hydroxyapatite cement, with cephalexin and norfloxacin as model drugs. After setting, the cement was transformed into hydroxyapatite with affinity for hard bone tissue. Continuous in-vitro drug release profiles from loaded cement pellets (0.9-4.8% by weight) in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C followed the Higuchi equation.

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTBenzylisoquinoline Biosynthesis by Cultivated Plant Cells and Isolated EnzymesMeinhart H. Zenk, Martina Rueffer, Manfred Amann, Brigitte Deus-Neumann, and Naotaka NagakuraCite this: J. Nat. Prod. 1985, 48, 5, 725–738Publication Date (Print):September 1, 1985Publication History Published online1 July 2004Published inissue 1 September 1985https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/np50041a003https://doi.org/10.1021/np50041a003research-articleACS PublicationsRequest reuse permissionsArticle Views301Altmetric-Citations61LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail Other access optionsGet e-Alertsclose Get e-Alerts

Protein binding properties of 22-oxa-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (22-oxa-1,25-D3), a synthetic analogue of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-D3), were compared with those of vitamin D3 derivatives. The order of binding affinity to the chick embryonic intestinal receptor was 1,25-D3 greater than 22-oxa-1,25-D3 greater than 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-D3) greater than 24R, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24, 25-D3) greater than vitamin D3 (D3), while that to the rat plasma vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) was 25-D3 greater than 24,25-D3 greater than D3 greater than 1,25-D3 greater than 22-oxa-1,25-D3. The binding potencies of 22-oxa-1,25-D3 to the receptor and DBP were about 1/8 and 1/600 of the respective values of 1,25-D3. When the distribution of the tritiated compounds in human plasma components was examined by an in vitro polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic method, [3H]-22-oxa-1,25-D3 was found to bind only to the lipoproteins including chyromicron. These results suggest that the replacement of a carbon atom into an oxygen atom in the side chain structure of 1,25-D3 results significant decrease in the binding affinity to DBP and that 22-oxa-1,25-D3 is transported as a complex-form not with DBP but with lipoprotein to the target tissues.

1. introduction Isoquinoline alkaloids form the largest group of alkaloids in the plant kingdom. Numerous publications deal with aspects of the biosynthesis of these compounds in vivo [ 11, while isoquinoline biosynthesis at the cell-free level had hardly been touched [Z]. The initial reaction in isoquinoline biosynthesis has long [3] been assumed to be a condensation of two aromatic units, both derived from tyrosine, namely dopamine and 3,4-d~ydroxyphenylacet~dehyde [4]. This scheme was later modified [5] where it was reported that condensation of dopamine with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpyruvate would lead to an amino acid, norlaudanosoline-l-carboxylic acid, which in turn, by decarboxylation, would yield norlaudanosoline,

The effects of hyaluronan (HA) on the release of arachidonic acid (AA) from phospholipids induced by bradykinin in synovial fibroblasts of osteoarthritic patients were examined. HA inhibited [14C]AA release from prelabeled synovial cells stimulated with and without bradykinin 1 hr after incubation with HA and thereafter. The inhibitory effects of HA on [14C]AA release were dependent on the concentration and molecular weight of HA. However, inhibition of [14C]AA release by HA was not merely due to the viscosity of HA. The [14C]AA release induced by calcium-ionophore A23187 was also inhibited by HA with a high molecular weight. In addition, HA did not affect [14C]AA uptake by the cells. Our results suggest that HA with a high molecular weight elicits anti-inflammatory effects, at least in part, by inhibiting AA release in inflamed joints.

Vitamin D is metabolized to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) in the liver and subsequently to 1α, 25-dihydrovitamin D [1, 25-(OH)2D] or 24 R, 25- dihydroxyvitamin D [24, 25-(OH)2D] in the kidney when plasma calcium concentrations are lower or higher than normal (10 mg/ 100 mL). 1, 25-(OH)2D, which is known as an active form of vitamin D, is transported to the target organs, i.e., intestine, bone and others, to show the physiological activity. The most important role of 1, 25-(OH)2D is to keep the calcium homeostasis by accerelating the intestinal calcium absorption and bone remodeling. Recently, it has been clarified that the metabolite has the activity to differentiate myeloid leukemia cells to macrophages. The results suggested that 1, 25-(OH)2D and its modified compounds are available for the differentiation therapy for curing and preventing some kinds of cancer, i.e., myeloid leukemia, skin cancer, colon cancer and others. The metabolite has been also confirmed to be effective for curing the psoriasis.

A novel oxidase, catalyzing in the presence of oxygen the removal of four hydrogen atoms from a number of tetrahydroprotoberberines with simultaneous production of 1 mol H2O2 and H2O each, has been discovered and purified to homogeneity from Berberis wilsoniae cell cultures. This enzyme, (S)-tetrahydroprotoberberine oxidase, exhibited strict specificity for the (S)-enantiomer of tetrahydroprotoberberines and 1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, a pH optimum at 8.9, a molecular mass of 105 kDa and consisted of two subunits each of 53 kDa and covalently bound flavin. The Km values for (S)-scoulerine and (S)-norreticuline were 25 microM and 150 microM respectively. Concentration of the end-products, either protoberberines or H2O2, greater than 0.5 mM caused severe enzyme inhibition. This catalyst was responsible for the conversion of (S)-tetrahydrocolumbamine to the key intermediate, columbamine, in the metabolic pathway leading to berberine, jatrorrhizine and palmatine.

Ferredoxin immobilized on Sepharose 4B was prepared by reaction of CNBr-Sepharose 4B with spinach ferredoxin. The ferredoxin-Sepharose 4B conjugated ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (NADPH: ferredoxin oxidoreductase, [EC 1.6.7.1]) in dilute buffer solution and released it in high salt concentrations. A novel method of preparation for the reductase was established by a combination of affinity adsorption on the ferredoxin-Sepharose 4B column with usual purification procedures. It was found using the new method, that there are two forms of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase, FNR I and FNR II, in spinach. Comparative studies of the two components suggest that FNR I may be a dimer of FNR II.