Metabolism of xanthohumol and isoxanthohumol, prenylated flavonoids from hops (Humulus lupulus L.), by human liver microsomes

The female flowers of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) used to flavor beer contain the prenylated flavonoids xanthohumol (XN) and isoxanthohumol (IX). IX is moderately estrogenic in vitro and XN has pharmacological properties that might make it useful as a cancer chemopreventive agent. The metabolism of these dietary flavonoids was investigated in vitro using human liver microsomes. Hydroxylation of a prenyl methyl group was the primary route of oxidative metabolism forming either cis or trans hydroxylated metabolites of IX but only the trans isomer of XN. The double bond on the prenyl group of both compounds formed an epoxide which was opened by an intramolecular reaction with the neighboring hydroxyl group. The potent phytoestrogen 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) was detected as a demethylation product of IX. However, the analogous demethylation reaction was not observed for XN. Since XN can be converted to IX through acid-catalyzed cyclization in the stomach, XN might contribute to the in vivo levels of estrogenic 8-PN following consumption of hops extracts.     

R-matrix methods for studying nuclear effects in μCF

Properties ofR-matrix theory that are useful for studying muon-catalyzed fusion reactions are reviewed, and applications to the dt system are discussed, using both improved adiabatic and non-adiabatic (variational) wave functions. We give complex eigenvalues and - sticking fractions for the (L, v)=(0,0) and (0, 1) states of dt using variational Hamiltonian matrix elements that have been properly symmetrized by means of the Block operator. Expressions for the fusion rate and - sticking fraction are developed from a time-dependent theory that uses the complex-energy states corresponding to the poles of the systemS-matrix. These are shown to reduce with the appropriate approximations to the expressions and values commonly used. Additional nuclear effects on these quantities can easily be studied within the framework developed, but they are not expected to be large.     

Cochlea's graded curvature effect on low frequency waves

In the ear, sound waves are processed by a membrane of graded mechanical properties that resides in the fluid-filled spiral cochlea. The role of stiffness grading as a Fourier analyzer is well known, but the role of the curvature has remained elusive. Here, we report that increasing curvature redistributes wave energy density towards the cochlea's outer wall, affecting the shape of waves propagating on the membrane, particularly in the region where low frequency sounds are processed.     

A radio-tracer study of self-diffusion in the smectic phases iso-butyl 4-(4′-phenylbenzylideneamino) cinnamate [IBPBAC]

Average translational self-diffusion coefficients, , have been determined in the smectic E, B and A phases of unaligned samples of iso-butyl 4-(4′-phenylbenzylideneamino) cinnamate. A radiotracer technique was employed which was based on the serial sectioning method used in the study of diffusion in solids. In the smectic E phase is about 1 × 10^-14 m² s^-1. The self-diffusion in the smectic B phase fits reasonably well to an Arrhenius law with an activation enthalpy of 82 kJ mol^-1. The transition from the smectic B to A phase results in a dramatic rise in . In the smectic A phase the results fit an activation enthalpy for self-diffusion of about 168 kJ mol^-1. Similarities between the diffusion in the smectic E and B phases and in plastic solids are observed.