Prevention of carcinogenesis and cancer metastasis by bovine lactoferrin

Increasing attention is being paid to chemopreventive agents for individuals at high risk of cancer. We have concentrated on bovine lactoferrin (bLF), an 80 kDa iron-binding glycoprotein known to have anti-microbial and immunoprotective effects. Lactoferrin is particularly abundant in colostrum, and is also present in tears, saliva and seminal and uterine secretions. However, only little is known regarding its influence on carcinogenesis. We have shown preventive effects of bLF and its fragment peptide, lactoferricin (bLFcin), consisting of a 25 amino acid sequence without iron binding capacity, on chemically-induced colon carcinogenesis in the rat and transplanted carcinoma cell metastasis in the mouse. The mechanisms are wide-spectrum, including elevation of caspase-1 and IL-18 in the small intestine, enhancement of the cell killing activity of cytotoxic T and natural killer (NK) cells, and anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects. It also inhibits the induction of liver CYP1A2, a carcinogen activating enzyme, and induces apoptosis in the colon epithelium of carcinogen treated rats. Thus, bLF possesses multi-functional potential to suppress carcinogenesis and is a good candidate for practical application in humans.     

Stepwise growth of polypalladium chains in 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene sandwich complexes

A series of 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene multinuclear palladium sandwich complexes are synthesized by stepwise growth of palladium chains within a sandwich framework.     

Novel molecular recognition via fluorescent resonance energy transfer using a biotin-PEG/polyamine stabilized CdS quantum dot

A novel functionally PEGylated quantum dot (QD) was prepared by a coprecipitation method in the presence of the biotin-PEG/polyamine block copolymer. When CdCl2 and Na2S were mixed in aqueous media in the presence of the biotin-PEG-b-poly(2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) [biotin-PEG/PAMA], a CdS QD with a size of ca. 5 nm was prepared. The polyamine segment was anchored on the surface of the formed CdS nanoparticle, whereas the PEG segment was tethered on the surface to form a hydrophilic palisade, thus improving the dispersion stability in aqueous media even under a high salt concentration condition. An effective fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) was observed by the specific interaction of the biotin-PEG/PAMA stabilized CdS QD with TexasRed-labeled streptavidin of the physiological ionic strength of 0.15 M. The extent of the energy transfer was in proportion to the concentration of the TexasRed-streptavidin. This FRET system using the PEGylated CdS QD coupled with fluorescent-labeled protein can be utilized as a highly sensitive bioanalytical system.     

Oxidation of 3-hydroxypiperidines with iodosylbenzene in water: tandem oxidative Grob fragmentation-cyclization reaction

Oxidation of 3-hydroxypiperidine with iodosylbenzene in water afforded 2-pyrrolidinone directly in good yields. The reaction probably involves oxidative Grob fragmentation yielding imino aldehyde, which upon hydrolysis produces 2-pyrrolidinone via a cyclization-oxidation sequence.     

Fiber-Optic Ammonia Sensors Utilizing Rectangular-Cladding Eccentric-Core Fiber

A new fiber-optic ammonia sensor utilizing rectangular-cladding eccentric-core fiber and a sensitive film containing an indicator dye is demonstrated. The sensitive film is a SiO₂-GeO₂ gel film including an indicator dye of bromocresol purple or bromocresol green, which is dip-coated by a sol-gel technique. The attenuation of this sensor changes depending on the concentration of ammonia at the wavelength range of 500–700 nm. This sensor can detect several ppm of gaseous ammonia. Various factors determining the sensitivity to detect the ammonia gas and time response of the sensor are also studied.     

The counter anion effect of (16-ethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-9H-dibenzo-[b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraazacyclotetradecinato)nickel(II) complexes

The eight nickel(II) complexes with 16-ethyl-5,6,7,8,9,14-hexahydrodibenzo[b, i][1,4,8,11]tetraazacyclotetradecine and a counter anion have been synthesized and their spectroscopic properties were studied. The δ N-H values of NiLCl and NiLBr are observed in a more downfield range than those of NiLPF₆, NiLBF₄ and NiLClO₄ in acetonitrile and nitromethane solutions. The plot of δ N-H against molar conductance is found to be approximately linear. The N-H stretching modes of NiLBF₄, NiLPF₆ and NiLClO₄ shift to lower frequency and those of NiLCl, NiLBr and NiLI shift to higher frequency upon metal-coordination.     

Characteristics of the S/N ratio of the beat note obtained from the frequency-mixing experiments between a CO2 and an H2O laser

The S/N ratio of the beat note obtained from the frequency mixing between a 32 THz CO₂ laser, a 10.7 THz H₂O laser and a 22 GHz klystron is measured as a function of incident power of both lasers and the klystron on the W-Ni point contact diode. A maximum S/N ratio of 36 dB is obtained. It is found that the S/N ratio arises from the product of the contributions due to the incident power and the fifth coefficient of the current-voltage characteristic of the W-Ni diode. These characteristics are discussed qualitatively.