A study on solidification of CaCO3 powder containing C-14 by using a low melting glass material

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - CaCO3 powder containing C-14, which has a long half-life, is generated from the treatment process of spent activated carbons from the air cleaning...     

Expression and Production of Therapeutic Recombinant Human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus eryngii</Emphasis>

Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) is widely used in many therapeutic applications. Until now, there has been no report on rhPDGF-BB expressed in fungi. In this study, we tested whether Pleurotus eryngii could support the expression of human therapeutic rhPDGF-BB protein. A binary vector pCAMBIA1304 containing the hPDGF-BB gene was constructed and introduced into P. eryngii via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The transformation of hPDGF-BB gene was confirmed by Southern blot and PCR, whereas the expression was confirmed by Western blot analysis. The recombinant hPDGF-BB reached a maximum expression level of 1.98% of total soluble protein in transgenic mycelia and was in dimeric form. A bioassay revealed that hPDGF-BB expressed in P. eryngii increased proliferation of NIH-3T3 cells similarly to standard material. These results suggest that P. eryngii can be a robust system for the production of human therapeutic proteins including the hPDGF-BB.     

Synthesis and photochromism of polymer-bound phenoxyquinone derivatives

Acrylate- and styrene-derived polymers having pendant phenoxyquinones for photochromism were prepared by 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN)-initiated radical polymerization. Synthesis of the monomers were straightforward and the polymers were obtained in high yields in spite of the quinone moieties presented in the monomers, which usually can function as radical scavengers and/or catalysts poison. Photo-induced rearrangement from the “trans”-quinone forms to the “ana”-quinone forms readily occurred when the polymer films were irradiated with UV light.     

Herinase: A Novel Bi-functional Fibrinolytic Protease from the Monkey Head Mushroom, Hericium erinaceum

Herinase, a new bi-functional fibrinolytic metalloprotease, was purified from a medicinal and edible mushroom Hericium erinaceum. The enzyme was monomeric with a molecular mass of 51 kDa. Analysis of fibrin zymography showed an active band with a similar molecular mass. The N-terminal sequence of herinase VPSSFRTTITDAQLRG was highly distinguished from known fibrinolytic enzymes. Moreover, the enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by EDTA and EGTA, indicating that herinase is a metalloprotease. Herinase exhibited high specificity for the substrate t-PA followed by plasmin. The K _m and V _max values for H-D-Ile-Pro-Arg-PNA were found to be 4.7 mg and 26.7 U/ml respectively. Similarly, fibrin plate assays revealed that it was able to degrade fibrin clot directly and also able to activate plasminogen. Herinase provoked a rapid degradation of fibrin and fibrinogen α chains and slower degradation of γ chains. It had no activity on the β chains of fibrin and fibrinogen. This result suggests that herinase could possibly contain higher amount of α-fibrinogenase. The activity of herinase was stimulated by metal ions such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Mn²⁺, but inhibited by Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Zn²⁺. Herinase exhibited maximum activity at 30 °C and pH 7.0. These results demonstrate that herinase could be a novel fibrinolytic enzyme.     

A study on immobilization of 14CO2 using inorganic materials

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Activated carbon wastes from the air cleaning system in a nuclear facility contain a long half-life value of 14C (5700&nbsp;years). This 14C...     

Microwave-assisted C-C coupling reaction using polymer-supported electron-rich oxime palladacycles in aqueous condition

Previously reported polymer-supported oxime palladacycle catalyst has shown effective catalytic activity in the Suzuki coupling reaction. In this work, the effect of microwave on reaction rate and induction period was examined by comparing them with the conventional heating. Undoubtedly, microwave heating effectively enhanced the catalytic performance in the Suzuki reaction. In-depth observation of the kinetic profiles revealed that the microwave irradiation not only reduced the overall reaction time but also significantly decreased the induction period to less than 3 min. Finally, the performance of the catalyst in water, coupling of potassium phenyltrifluoroborate and aryl bromides, and recyclability were also examined.     

Undariase,a Direct-Acting Fibrin(ogen)olytic Enzyme from Undaria pinnatifida,Inhibits Thrombosis In Vivo and Exhibits In Vitro Thrombolytic Properties

A direct-acting fibrinolytic serine protease named undariase possessing anticoagulant and antiplatelet properties was purified from Undaria pinnatifida. Undariase showed a molecular weight of 50 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and mass spectrometry. It displayed a strong fibrin zymogram lysis band corresponding to the same molecular mass. The N-terminal sequence of undariase, LTATTCEELAAAPTD, does not match with any known fibrinolytic enzyme. The enzyme was stable and active at high temperatures (35–70 °C). The fibrinolytic activity of undariase was strongly inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and 4-(amidinophenyl) methanesulfonyl fluoride (APMSF). The K _m and V _max values for substrate S-2251 were determined as 6.15 mM and 90.91 mM/min/ml, respectively. Undariase resulted in clot lysis by directly cleaving α and β chains of fibrin. Similarly, it preferentially acted on the Aα chain of fibrinogen followed by cleavage of the Bβ chain. It significantly prolonged the PFA-100 closure times of citrated whole human blood. In addition, undariase delayed the coagulation time and increased activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT). Undariase exerted a significant protective effect against collagen plus epinephrine-induced pulmonary thromboembolism in mice. It prevented carrageenan-induced thrombus formation in the tail of mice. It also resulted in prolongation of APTT ex vivo. In conclusion, these results suggested a therapeutic potential of undariase for thrombosis.