A matroid generalization of theorems of Lewin and Gallai

This paper presents a theorem concerning a matroid with the parity condition. The theorem provides matroid generalizations of graph-theoretic results of Lewin and Gallai.     

Adult onset cardiac dilatation in a transgenic mouse line with Galβ1,3GalNAc α2,3-sialyltransferase II (ST3Gal-II) transgenes: a new model for dilated cardiomyopathy

Sugar chain abnormalities in glycolipids and glycoproteins are associated with various diseases. Here, we report an adult onset cardiac dilatation in a transgenic mouse line with Galβ1,3GalNAc α2,3-sialyltransferase II (ST3Gal-II) transgenes. The transgenic hearts at the end-stage, at around 7 months old, were enlarged, with enlarged cavities and thin, low-tensile walls, typical of dilated cardiomyopathy. Although no apparent change was found in heart gangliosides, glycosylation of heart proteins was altered. Interestingly, sugar moieties not directly related to the ST3Gal-II catalytic reaction were also changed. Significant increases in calreticulin and calnexin were observed in hearts of the transgenic mice. These results suggest that expression of ST3Gal-II transgenes induces abnormal protein glycosylation, which disorganizes the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum quality control system and elevates the calreticulin/calnexin level, resulting in suppression of cardiac function. The transgenic mice showed 100% incidence of adult onset cardiac dilatation, suggesting great potential as a new model for dilated cardiomyopathy.     

Synthesis and radical polymerization of end-methacrylated poly(succinimide) leading to poly(aspartic acid) hydrogel

The polycondensation of aspartic acid in the presence of phthalic anhydride was carried out in mesitylene/sulfolane using o-phosphoric acid as a catalyst. The polymer yields were 91–78%, when 5–20 mol-% phthalic anhydride was added into the feed. The obtained poly(succinimide) carried a phthalic imide unit and a succinic acid unit as end groups. In the MALDI-TOF mass spectrum, the peak-to-peak distances between adjacent signals were 97.07 m/z, corresponding to the calculated value (97.07) of the succinimide unit. Poly(succinimide) was reacted with 2-(methacryloxy)ethyl isocyanate to give end-methacrylated poly-(succinimide), in which the end-functionality of the methacrylate group was ca. 1. End-methacrylated poly-(succinimide) was polymerized with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate using 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile to give poly(succinimide) gel, which could be converted into water-absorbing poly(aspartic acid) hydrogel.