Confirmation that SNPs in the high mobility group‐A2 gene (HMGA2) are associated with adult height in the Japanese population; wide‐ranging population survey of height‐related SNPs in HMGA2

Adult height is a highly heritable trait in that multiple genes are involved. Recent genome‐wide association studies have identified a novel single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1042725 in the high mobility group‐A2 gene (HMGA2) and shown it to be associated with human height in Caucasian populations. We performed a replication study to examine the associations between SNPs in HMGA2 and adult height in the Japanese population based on autopsy cases. Although we could not confirm a significant association between rs1042725 in HMGA2 and adult height, another SNP, rs7968902, in the gene achieved significance for its association in the same populations, and the effect was the same as that documented previously. These findings permit us to conclude that the SNPs in HMGA2 are common variants influencing human height across different populations. Moreover, a worldwide population study of these SNPs using 14 different populations including Asians, Africans and Caucasians demonstrated that both haplotypes and genotypes for three height‐related SNPs (rs1042725, rs7968682 and rs7968902) in HMGA2 were distributed in an ethnicity‐dependent manner. This information will be useful for clarifying the genetic basis of human height.     

Preparation and Characterization of Phospha Sugar Analogues, 2,3-Dibromo-3-methyl-1- phenylphospholane 1-Oxide Derivatives,as Novel Anticancer Agents

The synthesis of new phospha sugar analogues or phosphorus heterocycles and their biological activities as novel anticancer agents are reported in this article. A 1,2-dibromo-1,2-dideoxy phospha sugar derivative, 2,3-dibromo-3-methyl-1-phenylphospholane 1-oxide (2), was prepared from 1-phenyl-3-methyl-2-phospholene 1-oxide (1), and the yield and ratio of diastereomers 2a to 2d were changed by a catalyst such as manganese(IV) oxide and manganese(II) bromide. The antitumor activities of the mixture of dibromides 2 and the separated diastereomeric components 2a to 2d of the dibromides were evaluated by MTT in vitro method against the human leukemia cell lines of K562 and U937. The results showed that all of the diastereomers 2a to 2d as well as the diastereomer mixture exert excellent anticancer activity, and moreover, among them, diastereomer 2d showed the highest antitumor activity.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Thermal diffusivity in femtosecond-laser-structured micro-volumes of polymers

Thermal diffusivity of laser micro-structured regions in plastics was determined using a temperature wave method with a lateral resolution reduced to ∼10 μm using an array of micro-sensors. A high volume fraction (>25%) of laser modified phase was recorded by tightly focused femtosecond-laser pulses inside films of poly-methylmethacrylate, non-oriented polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyimide-Kapton. Changes in thermal diffusivity inside the laser-structured volumes of the order of a few percent were reliably determined with the miniaturized sensors. The origin of the change of thermal properties in plastics is discussed.     

Global analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the exons of human deoxyribonuclease I-like 1 and 2 genes

Several SNPs in the deoxyribonuclease I-like 1 (DNase 1L1) and DNase 1L2 were investigated. In the present study, the genotype distributions of three synonymous SNPs (V59V, rs1050095; P67P, rs1130929; A277A, rs17849495) in the DNase 1L1 gene and four non-synonymous SNPs, V122I (rs34952165), Q170H (rs6643670), and D227A (rs5987256) in the DNase 1L1 gene, as well as D197A (rs62621282) in the DNase 1L2 gene were investigated in 13 populations. In all the populations, no variation was found in four SNPs (V59V, Q170H, D227A, and A277A) in DNASE1L1 or in D197A in DNASE1L2. As for V122I, only the German population showed a low degree of polymorphism. The SNP V122I in DNASE1L1 was monoallelic for the G-allele in all of the Asian and African populations examined, with no polymorphism being evident. Since the A-allele in SNP V122I was distributed in only the Caucasian populations, not in the other ethnic groups, it was confirmed that the A-allele in SNP V122I was Caucasian-specific. On the other hand, only P67P in DNASE1L1 was polymorphic among three synonymous SNPs. The effect of nucleotide substitution corresponding to polymorphic SNP P67P on DNase 1L1 activity was examined: the corresponding nucleotide substitution in polymorphic SNP P67P has little effect on the DNase activity.     

Novel synthesis of 1α,25-dihydroxy-19-norvitamin D from 25-hydroxyvitamin D

19-Norvitamin D analogs 3a and 3b were synthesized from 25-hydroxyvitamin D, obtained via a bioconversion method. The synthetic route features a highly regio- and stereoselective hydroboration reaction to afford 25-hydroxy-3,5-cyclopropyl-vitamin D derivatives 12 having olefin at the C1-10-position.     

Intercomparison of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity methods for plastics

An intercomparison of measurements of the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of two poly(methyl methacrylates) is reported. A wide variety of methods were used: temperature wave analysis, laser flash, transient plane source (Hot Disk^®), transient line-source probe, and heat flux meter methods. Very good agreement of thermal conductivity results and, separately, of thermal diffusivity results was obtained. Similarly, good agreement between thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity results, when converted using specific heat capacity and density values, was also obtained. Typically, the values were within a range of approximately ±10%. Considering the significant differences between the methods and the requirements on specimen dimensions, the level of agreement between results was considered to be good.     

RP–HPLC–ESI–MS characterization of novel peptide fragments related to rat parotid secretory protein in parasympathetic induced saliva

Two peptides (MW 1211.7 and 928.5 Da) were detected by RP–HPLC–ESI–MS analysis of parotid saliva secreted upon continuous parasympathetic stimulation. The peptide with the higher mass (PSPFr‐A) corresponded to the N‐terminal dodecapeptide (Fragment 1–12) of rat parotid secretory protein (PSP), while the peptide with the lower mass (PSPFr‐B) corresponded to the 4–12 fragment of the same protein. During stimulation, the PSPFr‐A secretion increased, while the PSPFr‐B secretion decreased (HPLC–ESI–MS). In the presence of cycloheximide, PSPFr‐A was not demonstrated, while the PSPFr‐B secretion decreased. In the presence of aprotinin, the PSPFr‐B secretion was almost abolished, while the PSPFr‐A secretion increased to higher levels than those observed in the absence of the inhibitor. In vitro perfusion, with artificial solution, of stimulated rat parotid glands excluded that the fragments were derived from the circulation. Neither peptide occurred in enriched granule preparations from unstimulated glands. The results suggest that at least two pathways – granular and vesicular – are responsible for the generation of the two peptides. PSPFr‐A is the first cleavage product in both pathways. PRPFr‐B is probably generated from granular PSPFr‐A only and, at the end of the granule mediated pathway, by the action of an enzyme of the serine protease class.     

Invasion inhibitors of human fibrosarcoma HT 1080 cells from the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar: structures of phenylbutanoids, cassumunols

The methanolic extract and its EtOAc-soluble fraction from the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar inhibited invasion of human fibrosarcoma HT 1080 cells. From the EtOAc-soluble fraction, eight new phenylbutanoids, cassumunols A-H, were isolated together with 30 known constituents. The structures of new phenylbutanoids were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Principal constituents were examined the inhibitory effects on the invasion of HT 1080 cells. Among them, phlain I and III, (E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)buta-1,3-diene, (E)-1-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)buta-1,3-diene, and (-)-β-sesquiphellandrene showed anti-invasion effects. Interestingly, (E)-1-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)buta-1,3-diene [inhibition (%) 46.8 ± 7.2 (p<0.05) at 30 μM] significantly inhibited the invasion, and only a weak cytotoxic effect was observed.     

Tricalysionoside A, a megastigmane gentiobioside, sulfatricalysines A-F, and tricalysiosides X-Z, ent-kaurane glucosides, from the leaves of Tricalysia dubia

Further isolation work on the water-soluble fraction of a MeOH extract of Tricalysia dubia afforded one new megastigmane gentiobioside, named tricalysionoside A (1), and three sulfates, named sulfatricalysines A-C (2-4). Extensive isolation work on the 1-BuOH-soluble fraction of a MeOH extract of T. dubia yielded sulfatricalysines D-F (5-7) and three new ent-kaurane glucosides, named tricalysiosides X-Z (8-10). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by analyses of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute stereochemistry of tricalysionoside A (1) was established by modified Mosher's method.     

Solvent-free luminescent organic liquids

Illuminating! Isolation of a π-core by covalently attached flexible hydrocarbon chains has been employed to synthesize blue-emitting oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV) liquids with tunable viscosity and optical properties. A solvent-free, stable, white-light emitting ink/paint, which can be applied onto various surfaces and even onto LEDs, was made by blending of liquid OPVs with emissive solid dopants.