Utilization of carbohydrates by radiation processing

Upgrading and utilization of carbohydrates such as chitosan, sodium alginate, carrageenan, cellulose, pectin have been investigated for recycling these bio-resources and reducing the environmental pollution. These carbohydrates were easily degraded by irradiation and various kinds of biological activities such as anti-microbial activity, promotion of plant growth, suppression of heavy metal stress, phytoalexins induction, etc. were induced. On the other hand, some carbohydrate derivatives, carboxymethylcellulose and carboxymethylstarch, could be crosslinked under certain radiation condition and produce the biodegradable hydrogel for medical and agricultural use.     

Current R & D activities at TRCRE in polymer processing by EB

The current status of the R & D activities is presented on electron beam processing of polymers being carried out at TRCRE. Topics included are sterilization of medical products, graft polymers for selective separation or absorbents and curing of liquid prepolymer-monomer systems.     

Genetically Encoded Bioluminescent Indicator for ERK2 Dimer in Living Cells

In this study, a genetically encoded bioluminescent indicator for ERK2 dimer was developed with the split Renilla luciferase complementation method, in which the formation of ERK2 dimer induces a spontaneous emission of bioluminescence in living cells. In response to extracellular stimuli, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) or 17β‐estradiol (E2), extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) is phosphorylated by its upstream kinase MEK, and also phosphorylates its substrates in various regions of the cell, including the nucleus. Phosphorylated ERK2 is led to form its dimer, thereby transporting itself into the nucleus. We demonstrated with the indicator that stimulation with EGF or E2 induces the formation of ERK2 dimer in living MCF‐7 cells. The dynamics of this dimer formation was examined and discussed.     

Novel trichothecanes, paecilomycine A, B, and C, isolated from entomopathogenic fungus, Paecilomyces tenuipes

Paecilomycine A (1), B (2), and C (3) were isolated from cultivated fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces tenuipes (Isaria japonica), which is a popular entomopathogenic fungus used in folk medicine and health foods in China, Korea, and Japan. The structures of 1-3 were deduced from their spectroscopic data and their absolute configurations were elucidated by preparing their MPA esters. Compound 1 showed activity in the neurotrophic factor biosynthesis in glial cells.     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by tri-n-butylborane–organic halide systems

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by tri-n-butylborane (TBB) was studied in the presence of various organic halides (R′X). It was found that R′X accelerated the polymerization of MMA. Aliphatic halides were more effective than aromatic halides. Cocatalytic effects of butyl halides decreased in the order: n -BuI > n -BuBr > n -BuCl; n -BuBr ? sec-BuBr > i-BuBr > tert-BuBr. In the polymerization of MMA by TBB- n -BuI, the initial rate of polymerization was found to be proportional to the concentration of MMA and to the square root of the concentration of TBB-n-BuI. The apparent activation energy was 5.3 kcal/mole. From this and other results, it was assumed that the polymerization of MMA by this initiator system proceeds by a radical mechanism via a weak complex between TBB and R′X; alkyl radicals are formed by the interaction of R′X with TBB. The TBB–R′X system can initiate the polymerization of MMA and AN, but is ineffective in the polymerization of styrene.     

Prolonged release of drug from triacetyl-β-CyD complex for oral and rectal administration

Triacetyl--cyclodextrin (TA--CyD), a hydrophobic cyclodextrin derivative, that is insoluble in water, was used to form a complex with flufenamic acid (FA). FA-TA--CyD complex formation was demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffractometry. The release rate of FA from the FA-TA--CyD complexes in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 was significantly retarded compared to that of FA from the FA and glucose mixture. When the FA-TA--CyD complexes were administered directly into the intraduodenal lumen, the plasma concentration of FA remained at a plateau level (10-18 g/ml) for 6–8 h. An increased mean residence time of FA following FA-TA--CyD complexes administration was observed. These results indicate that TA--CyD may serve as a hydrophobic carrier in prolonged-release preparations of FA.     

Theoretical approach and the practice to the evaluation of structural parameters characterizing concentration polarization alongside ion-exchange membranes by means of dielectric measurement

As the application of a dielectric theory proposed previously (J Membrane Sci 64:153–161 (1991)), theoretical formulation and the practical procedure of dielectric analysis are developed to calculate the structural parameters such as the conductivity gradient and the thickness of the concentration polarization layer, the capacitances and the conductances of the two adjoining aqueous phases from the observed dielectric parameters. The procedure of calculation consequent upon the theoretical formulation was applied to double relaxation data observed for cation-exchange membrane systems under application of d.c. bias voltage. As a consequence, the structural parameters of concentration polarization were readily obtained with accuracy.     

Determination of clethodim and its oxidation metabolites in crops by liquid chromatography with confirmation by LC/MS

A method was developed for determination of the herbicide clethodim (C0) and its oxidation metabolites clethodim sulfoxide (C1) and clethodim sulfone (C2) in agricultural products. Upon extraction, both C0 and C1 were oxidized to C2 by m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, and C2 was determined by liquid chromatography (LC). The C2 peak was confirmed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI). Recoveries of C0 from radish, tomato, onion, sweet potato, kidney bean, carrot, cabbage, and lettuce ranged from 91 to 118% following fortification at 0.05-1.0 ppm. The detection limit of C2 in crops was 0.01 ppm (S/N > 3). The fortified samples of onion, sweet potato, kidney bean, and carrot were confirmed by LC/MS (ESI), and the peak of C2 was detected.