Structural Analysis of Sydowic Acid by X-ray Diffraction

Streptomyces sp. No. 280 produced several kinds of amylase inhibitors (amylase inhibitor A, B, B' and C). Two amylase inhibitors (designated as AI-A₁ and AI-A₂) were obtained from an amylase inhibitor A fraction by paper chromatography. AI-A₁ inhibited muscle phosphorylase a much more than AI-A₂ and was hydrolyzed by sweet potato β-amylase whereas AI-A₂ was not. Both amylase inhibitors had a carbohydrate and were hydrolyzed by some kinds of amylases or acids. They lost their inhibitory activity against phosphorylase a after treatment with acids or hog pancreatic α-amylase, but they showed increased inhibitory activity toward porcine small intestinal sucrase.

Both AI-A₁ and AI-A₂ were composed of glucose and a basic moiety which gave a positive ninhydrin reaction. The molecular weights of AI-A₁ and AI-A₂ were estimated to be approximately 1300 ? 1500 by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-15 column. The nitrogen content of the amylase inhibitors was found to be about 1.3% by elementary analysis     

Differentiation of embryonic stem cells into inner ear vestibular hair cells using vestibular cell derived-conditioned medium

Vestibular hair cells (V–HCs) in the inner ear have important roles and various functions. When V–HCs are damaged, crippling symptoms, such as vertigo, visual field oscillation, and imbalance, are often seen. Recently, several studies have reported differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells, as pluripotent stem cells, to HCs, though a method for producing V–HCs has yet to be established. In the present study, we used vestibular cell conditioned medium (V-CM) and effectively induced ES cells to differentiate into V–HCs. Expressions of V-HC-related markers (Math1, Myosin6, Brn3c, Dnah5) were significantly increased in ES cells cultured in V-CM for 2 weeks, while those were not observed in ES cells cultured without V-CM. On the other hand, the cochlear HC-related marker Lmod3 was either not detected or detected only faintly in those cells when cultured in V-CM. Our results demonstrate that V-CM has an ability to specifically induce differentiation of ES cells into V–HCs.     

Genetic diversity of nine faba bean (Vicia faba L.) populations revealed by isozyme markers

Seven isozyme systems (Sod, 6-Pgd, Me, Est, Skdh, Fdh and Gdh) representing nine loci were used to study the genetic diversity of nine faba bean populations. Seven loci revealed polymorphic bands and showed the same quaternary structure as that found in several species. They revealed a high number of phenotypes. Indeed, from 3 to 9 phenotypes per locus were investigated in this study. The percentage of polymorphic loci (P = 59.3 %) was higher than that mentioned in the autogamous species (P = 20.3 %) and less than the optimum (P=96 %) indicated for allogamous plants. Total genetic diversity (H _T) and within population genetic diversity (H _S) were estimated with the isozyme markers. The contribution of among population genetic diversity (D _ST) to total genetic diversity was 22%. Enzyme markers pointed out an average inbreeding level for whole population (F _IT) and within population (F _IS). Within population genetic diversity represents 78% of total diversity. Intra-population genetic diversity (H _S = 0.206) was ranged with the respect of allogamous species and was clearly higher than that of among population genetic diversity (D _ST = 0.057) indicating an out-crossing predominance in the studied populations. The expected heterozygosity was higher than that observed heterozygosity at the allogamous species was confirmed in this study. Although, the mean estimated gene flow was less than 1(Nm=0.814), the dendrogram based on Nei’s genetic distance of the 9 populations using UPGMA method showed some genetic drift between populations.     

Induction of lung-like cells from mouse embryonic stem cells by decellularized lung matrix

Decellularization of tissues is a recently developed technique mostly used to provide a 3-dimensional matrix structure of the original organ, including decellularized lung tissues for lung transplantation. Based on the results of the present study, we propose new utilization of decellularized tissues as inducers of stem cell differentiation. Decellularized lung matrix (L-Mat) samples were prepared from mouse lungs by SDS treatment, then the effects of L-Mat on differentiation of ES cells into lung cells were investigated. ES cell derived-embryoid bodies (EBs) were transplanted into L-Mat samples and cultured for 2 weeks. At the end of the culture, expressions of lung cell-related markers, such as TTF-1 and SP-C (alveolar type II cells), AQP5 (alveolar type I cells), and CC10 (club cells), were detected in EB outgrowths in L-Mat, while those were not found in EB outgrowths attached to the dish. Our results demonstrated that L-Mat has an ability to induce differentiation of ES cells into lung-like cells.     

A simple method for calculating the productivity of polyphenol separations by polymer-based chromatography

A simple method for calculating the productivity of chromatography processes was proposed based on the iso-resolution curve concept. The model separation system was polyphenol separations by polystyrene divinylbenzene resins with the ethanol–water mixture mobile phase. The distribution coefficient K was determined as a function of ethanol concentration I by linear gradient elution experiments. The HETP-mobile phase velocity u curves were determined as a function of I. Using K and HETP, the iso-resolution curve was calculated, from which the productivity was determined as a function of I. It was found that there is an optimum I, where the highest productivity with the minimum amount of mobile phase consumption is obtained.     

A familial case of visceral toxocariasis due to consumption of raw bovine liver

We present 3 adult cases of visceral toxocariasis from the same family, who each consumed thin slices of raw bovine liver weekly, and developed eosinophilia and multiple small lesions in their livers and lungs. Serological examinations using the larval excretory–secretory product of Toxocara canis strongly indicated infection with Toxocara species larvae. The patients responded well to treatment with albendazole. Ingestion of raw liver from paratenic animals is considered to be a common transmission route of human toxocariasis, especially in adults.     

Design and synthesis of 3-substituted benzamide derivatives as Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitors

A series of 3-substituted benzamide derivatives structurally related to STI-571 (imatinib mesylate), a Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), was prepared and evaluated for antiproliferative activity against the Bcr-Abl-positive leukemia cell line K562. About ten 3-halogenated and 3-trifluoromethylated benzamide derivatives were identified as highly potent Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitors. One of these, NS-187 (9b), is a promising new candidate Bcr-Abl inhibitor for the therapy of STI-571-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia.     

Preliminary X-ray diffraction studies on a [4Fe4S] ferredoxin from Bacillus thermoproteolyticus

A [4Fe4S] ferredoxin from Bacillus thermoproteolyticus has been crystallized. The space group is P1 with two molecules in the unit cell, with the dimensions $\text{a = 32.96}\text{A}\text{?}\text{, b = 37.83}\text{A}\text{?}\text{, c = 39.82}\text{A}\text{?}\text{, α = 118.1 °, β = 104.2 °}\text{and}\text{γ = 89.7 °}$. The Bijvoet-difference Patterson map of the native crystal shows up a prominent peak of [4Fe4S] cluster.     

Structure-function relationship of [2Fe2S] ferredoxins and design of a model molecule

[2Fe2S] ferredoxins isolated from various plants and algae comprise 93–99 amino acid residues and resemble each other not only in sequences, but also in physiological functions. One of them isolated from Spirulina platensis was subjected to X-ray analysis and its three dimensional structure is now known. [2Fe2S] ferredoxins of a different type are found in halobacteria and comprise 128 amino acid residues. Both types of the [2Fe2S] ferredoxins exhibit low redox potentials. By comparing the amino acid sequences of 28 [2Fe2S] ferredoxins and the tertiary structure of S. platensis ferredoxin we predicted a common three-dimensional structure to the [2Fe2S] ferredoxins and proposed a molecular surface area to be interacting with FNR. An artificial small molecule composed of 20 amino acid residues is designed on the basis of the tertiary structure of S. platensis ferredoxin. The amino acid sequence was predicted to be ProTyrSerCysArgAlaGlyAlaCysSerThrCysAlaGly ProLeuLeuThr CysVal which should have a [2Fe2S] cluster with a low redox potential     

Preparation of Aroma Compounds by Microbial Transformation of Isophorone with Aspergillus niger

( ± )-cis-γ-Irone (1a), ( ± )-cis-dihydro-γ-irone (2a) and their trans- isomers (1b, 2b) were synthesized via 3,3-(Claisen) or 2,3-sigmatropic rearrangement of 1-hydroxymethyl-3,3,4- trimethyl-1-cyclo he xene (8) derivatives as each key step.