Procyanidins are potent inhibitors of LOX-1: a new player in the French Paradox

Lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) is an endothelial receptor for oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and plays multiple roles in the development of cardiovascular diseases. We screened more than 400 foodstuff extracts for identifying materials that inhibit oxLDL binding to LOX-1. Results showed that 52 extracts inhibited LOX-1 by more than 70% in cell-free assays. Subsequent cell-based assays revealed that a variety of foodstuffs known to be rich in procyanidins such as grape seed extracts and apple polyphenols, potently inhibited oxLDL uptake in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing LOX-1. Indeed, purified procyanidins significantly inhibited oxLDL binding to LOX-1 while other ingredients of apple polyphenols did not. Moreover, chronic administration of oligomeric procyanidins suppressed lipid accumulation in vascular wall in hypertensive rats fed with high fat diet. These results suggest that procyanidins are LOX-1 inhibitors and LOX-1 inhibition might be a possible underlying mechanism of the well-known vascular protective effects of red wine, the French Paradox.     

The E(4) Πu state in K2 and its perturbations

The E(4) ¹Π_u←X ¹Σ⁺_g band system of the K₂ molecule is investigated by the technique of Doppler-free optical–optical double resonance polarization spectroscopy. The observed vibrational levels v=0 to 9 of the E state are subject to numerous rotational perturbations by the neighboring 4 ³Π_u, 4 ¹Σ⁺_u, and 5 ³Σ⁺_u electronic states. By using deperturbation methods, the potential curves of the 4 ¹Π_u and 4 ³Π_u states are determined as well as some properties of the 4 ¹Σ⁺_u and 5 ³Σ⁺_u state potentials. The results are compared with predictions of ab initio calculations.     

Developmental changes of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase expression in Sarcophaga peregrina

To elucidate the physiological role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), we studied the levels of PARP mRNA and protein during the developmental stages of Sarcophaga peregrina. PARP mRNA expression changed remarkably throughout the developmental stages. The level of PARP mRNA (the molecular ratio of PARP mRNA to the total RNA) was highest in unfertilized eggs and that of PARP protein (the molecular ratio of PARP protein to the total protein of the crude extract) was high in unfertilized and fertilized eggs and in 1st instar larvae. During the embryogenesis period, the levels of PARP mRNA and protein gradually decreased. The levels of PARP mRNA during larval and pupal periods became less than about 5% of that in unfertilized eggs. After the emergence of adult flies, the levels of PARP mRNA and protein increased both in female and male flies. PARP activity normalized with the total amount of protein in the crude extract changed in parallel to the level of PARP protein throughout the developmental stages. The biological significance of the drastic change of mRNA and protein levels of PARP still remains to be clarified.     

Optimization of mark edge recording waveform for a phase change rewritable optical disk using a 680 nm laser diode

A high density mark edge recording method on a phase change rewritable disk is reported. A carrier-to-noise ratio of 55 dB for a mark length of 0.55,μm is obtained by using a 680 nm, NA 0.6 head and a phase change rewritable disk. In mark edge recording, it is necessary to record each mark in correct length. A new laser power modulation pattern is proposed. This pattern consists of a first-pulse, a multi-pulse chain and a last-pulse. Both positions of the first-ptilse and the last-pulse are movable. By adjusting these positions, a jitter, σ/T_w (T_w is window margin), is improved to 6.5% in high density EFM (Eight to Fourteen Modulation) recording of 0.4 μm/bit.     

Synthesis of redox-active, intramolecular charge-transfer chromophores by the [2+2] cycloaddition of ethynylated 2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-2-ones with tetracyanoethylene

Ethynylated 2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-2-ones 5-15 have been prepared by Pd-catalyzed alkynylation of 3-iodo-5-isopropyl-2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-2-one (2) with the corresponding ethynylarenes or the reaction of 2-iodothiophene with 3-ethynyl-5-isopropyl-2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-2-one (4) under Sonogashira-Hagihara conditions. Compounds 5-15 reacted with tetracyanoethylene in a formal [2+2] cycloaddition reaction, followed by ring opening of the initially formed [2+2] cycloadducts, cyclobutenes, to afford the corresponding 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobutadienyl (TCBD) chromophores 16-26 in excellent yields. The intramolecular charge-transfer interactions between the 2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-2-one ring and TCBD acceptor moiety were investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The redox behavior of the novel TCBD derivatives 16-26 was examined by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, which revealed multistep electrochemical reduction properties, depending on the number of TCBD units in the molecule. Moreover, a significant color change was observed by UV/Vis spectroscopy under electrochemical reduction conditions.     

Preparation of mixed isopropyl/trimethylsilyl derivatives of boric acid, (Me3SiO)nB(OiPr)3-n(n = 1–3), and their GC-M

Boric acid was trimethylsilylated with Me₃SiCl/(Me₃Si)₂O in the presence of 2-propanol. The resulting mixture was analysed by using a combi     

Dimensional stability of regenerated cellulose film in relation to orientations of crystalline and noncrystalline phases

The dimensional stability of regenerated cellulose film on swelling with water is discussed in relation to the biaxial orientation of the two kinds of structural units, cellulose II crystallites and noncrystalline chain segments, and their anisotropic swelling (anisotropic absorption of water). Considerable dimensional stability in the plane of the film but enormous instability of thickness on swelling in water of some commercial cellophanes is qualitatively interpreted in terms of the planar orientation of crystal (101) planes along the film surface and the orientation of the noncrystalline chain segments parallel to the film surface. The dimensional changes on swelling from the completely dry state to 10% moisture regain were further interpreted quantitatively in terms of the degrees of biaxial orientation of the two kinds of structural units and their degrees of anisotropic swelling by modifying the Hermans monophase model for crystalline and noncrystalline biphase structures. The following degrees of anisotropic swelling of the structural units were thus obtained: q_{c, [101]} = 0.40%, q_{c, [101 ]} = ?0.33%, and q_a = 2.42%.     

Photoelectron spectra and sum rule consideration: Effect of chlorine substitution on ionization energies for chloroethanes,chloroacetaldehydes and chloroacetyl chlorides

He(I) photoelectron spectra are reported for various series of chlorine-substituted compounds: (a) CH₃CH_3?mCl_m, (b) CH_3?mCl_mCCl₃, (c) CH_3?mCl_mCHO and (d) CH_3?mCl_mCOCl, where m = 1, 2 and 3. In each series it is shown that the total sum of vertical ionization energies over all p-type localized molecular orbitals (LO's) has an excellent linear relationship to the number of substituted chlorine atoms. The differences in the total orbital energy sum by successive chlorine substitutions are found to be 26.7 eV for series a and b and 27.2 eV for series c and d, yielding the corresponding experimental σ_CCl, energies useful for sum rule considerations. The photoelectron spectra of the chloro compounds studied are interpreted with the help of the sum rule as well as CNDO/2 calculations. Orbital correlation diagrams have been constructed for these compounds.