A new calix[5]arene-based container: selective extraction of higher fullerenes

[reaction: see text] A new double calix[5]arene successfully extracts higher fullerenes from fullerene mixtures. The syn isomer of the double calix[5]arene selectively captures higher fullerenes from fullerene mixtures. The elevation of the temperature more than 100 degrees C stimulates its conformational change to the anti isomer, bringing liberation of the captured higher fullerenes.     

Detection of varicocele by using 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid human serum albumin (99mTc-DTPA human serum albumin)

In order to detect the varicocele, scrotal scintigraphies by using 99mTc-HSA-D were performed in 14 patients with male infertile or palpable mass in left scrotum on physical examinations. Abnormal pooling of 99mTc-HSA-D, indicative of varicocele lesion, could be found in left scrotum in 9 cases, confirmed surgically or clinically. Compared with 99mTc-HSA, 99mTc-HSA-D was superior in high uptake ratio of varicocele to soft tissue and in nonvisualization of bladder. Thus, 99mTc-HSA-D scrotal scintigraphy seemed to be of a great use to detect the varicocele.     

Deuteron breakup with 3He at 89.4 and 118.9 MeV

Quasifree processes were studied by measuring coincident energy spectra for the ²H(³He, ³Hep)n, ²H(³He, tp)p and ²H(³He, dd)p reactions at 89.4 and 118.9MeV. The spectral shape was reproduced with two types of spectator model, that is, a three-body model (TBM) and a four-body model (FBM). The latter contains the effects of projectile breakup processes. Angular correlations of peak cross sections were explained by calculations in the FBM in contrast with those in the TBM. The absolute cross sections were not explained by either model.     

Determination of reduced and total ubiquinones in biological materials by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A convenient and reliable liquid chromatographic (LC) method with electrochemical detection (ED) was developed for the determination of reduced (ubiquinol) and total ubiquinones in biological materials. After extraction of samples with n-hexane, ubiquinol was separated on a reversed-phase column and assayed directly by ED. In order to determine the total amount of a ubiquinone in biological samples, the unbiquinone was converted into the corresponding reduced form by treatment with sodium borohydride. No significant interfering peak (plastoquinol-9, ubichromenol-9, etc.) was observed in the elution areas of ubiquinol-7 to -11. This LC-ED method was about 70 times more sensitive than the previous LC-UV method and was able to detect 150 pg of ubiquinol-10. The method was applied satisfactorily to the determination of the contents of ubiquinol homologues in biological materials. The content of ubiquinols is a major component of the total ubiquinones in human plasma and urine and rat plasma and liver, but a minor component in rat heart and kidney.