Novel use of cross-linked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel for organic reactions in aqueous media

A poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) gel cross-linked with quaternized aminoalkyls was designed. A novel recyclable system based on the external solvent-responsive oil-absorption/elution transition ability of the PNIPAAm gel matrix was then developed.     

Retroperitoneal ancient schwannoma presenting as an adrenal incidentaloma: CT and MR findings

A 35-year-old woman was referred to our institution for additional examinations to evaluate bilateral suprarenal masses incidentally found on abdominal ultrasonographic images obtained during an annual medical health checkup. Our computed tomographic scans showed bilateral and well-circumscribed low-density suprarenal masses, while MRI revealed the tumors to be heterogeneous with low intensity on T₁-weighted images and high intensity on T₂-weighted images. A laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed under the suspicion of a malignant tumor, such as a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Pathologic findings indicated a retroperitoneal ancient schwannoma of two histologic types: Antoni A and Antoni B. We considered that elucidation of the characteristic features of a schwannoma would provide helpful preoperative information for diagnosis.     

Relationship between acetabular labrum evaluation by using radial magnetic resonance imaging and progressive joint space narrowing in mild hip dysplasia

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between abnormal acetabular labrum depicted by radial magnetic resonance and progressive joint space narrowing (JSN) of hip dysplasia. METHODS: Subjects were 23 joints [21 patients; mean age: 35.1 years (16-53 years)] that had acetabular dysplasia with lateral center-edge angle of Wiberg (CE angle) greater than 5 degrees and smaller than 25 degrees (mean, 16.4 degrees ), which did not show any arthrotic changes on plain radiograms and were followed up for 3 years or longer. Radial images of acetabular labrum were classified into three stages. RESULTS: Progression of JSN was not significantly related to CE angle but to progression of MRI stage (P=.006). In multivariate analysis, one rank progression of MRI stage was significantly associated with progression of JSN (adjusted OR=11.41, 95% CI: 1.51-86.24, P=.018). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that in patients whose acetabular dysplasia has 5-25 degrees CE angle, MRI staging based on radial MRI is a better factor for prediction of progression of JSN than CE angle.     

Exploring the vacuum structure near identity-based solutions

We explore the vacuum structure in the bosonic open string field theory expanded near an identity-based solution parameterized by a (≥ ?1/2). Analyzing the expanded theory using the level-truncation approximation up to the level 20, we find that the theory has the tachyon vacuum solution for a ≥ ?1/2. We also find that at a = ?1/2, there exists an unstable vacuum solution in the expanded theory and the solution is expected to be the perturbative open string vacuum. These results reasonably support the hypothesis that the identity-based solution is a trivial pure gauge configuration for a > ?1/2, but it can be regarded as the tachyon vacuum solution at a = ?1/2.     

Dynamic portfolio optimization with risk control for absolute deviation model

In this paper, we present a new multiperiod portfolio selection with maximum absolute deviation model. The investor is assumed to seek an investment strategy to maximize his/her terminal wealth and minimize the risk. One typical feature is that the absolute deviation is employed as risk measure instead of classical mean variance method. Furthermore, risk control is considered in every period for the new model. An analytical optimal strategy is obtained in a closed form via dynamic programming method. Algorithm with some examples is also presented to illustrate the application of this model.     

Structures and gas-sorption properties of carbonaceous film prepared by radio-frequency sputtering of polysaccharides pectin

Carbonaceous films with microcolumnar layer have been prepared by radio-frequency sputtering of polysaccharides pectin. The repeated sputtering has developed the densely packed seamless microcolumns, which are separated by the narrow grooves. The residual film stress has formed the honeycomb-patterned ridges. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersion spectroscopy revealed the inclusion of nitrogen in the film constituents. The film surface is hydrophilic mainly due to the polar functional groups, such as the carboxyl and amino groups. Nitrogen adsorption measurement revealed that the specific surface area of the film was no less than 109 m²/g. Impedance analysis of the film-coated quartz crystal resonator clarified that the film had the higher adsorption capacities to the polar and cohesive vapors, such as ethyl alcohol. The adsorption of organic vapors has not induced the viscoelastic changes in the film.     

Solid‐Phase Synthesis of a Combinatorial Methylated (±)‐Epigallocatechin Gallate Library and the Growth‐Inhibitory Effects of these Compounds on Melanoma B16 Cells

We report on the solid‐phase synthesis of a combinatorial methylated (±)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) library and its biological evaluation. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and its methylated derivatives, which are members of the catechin family, exhibit various anti‐cancer effects. The solid‐phase synthesis of methylated EGCG involves the preparation of the α‐acyloxyketone by the coupling of a solid‐supported aldehyde with a ketone and an acid. The subsequent release and reductive etherification reaction of the solid‐supported α‐acyloxyketone provide the protected EGCG in good total yields. Sixty‐four methylated EGCGs were successfully prepared. The growth‐inhibitory effects of the methylated EGCG library were also examined. Although methylation of EGCG generally causes reduced growth inhibition, the growth‐inhibitory effect of 7‐OMe EGCGs was comparable to that of EGCG. The 7‐OMe EGCGs are attractive drug candidates because of their enhanced bioavailability.     

MassBank: a public repository for sharing mass spectral data for life sciences

MassBank is the first public repository of mass spectra of small chemical compounds for life sciences (<3000 Da). The database contains 605 electron‐ionization mass spectrometry(EI‐MS), 137 fast atom bombardment MS and 9276 electrospray ionization (ESI)‐MSⁿ data of 2337 authentic compounds of metabolites, 11 545 EI‐MS and 834 other‐MS data of 10 286 volatile natural and synthetic compounds, and 3045 ESI‐MS² data of 679 synthetic drugs contributed by 16 research groups (January 2010). ESI‐MS² data were analyzed under nonstandardized, independent experimental conditions. MassBank is a distributed database. Each research group provides data from its own MassBank data servers distributed on the Internet. MassBank users can access either all of the MassBank data or a subset of the data by specifying one or more experimental conditions. In a spectral search to retrieve mass spectra similar to a query mass spectrum, the similarity score is calculated by a weighted cosine correlation in which weighting exponents on peak intensity and the mass‐to‐charge ratio are optimized to the ESI‐MS² data. MassBank also provides a merged spectrum for each compound prepared by merging the analyzed ESI‐MS² data on an identical compound under different collision‐induced dissociation conditions. Data merging has significantly improved the precision of the identification of a chemical compound by 21–23% at a similarity score of 0.6. Thus, MassBank is useful for the identification of chemical compounds and the publication of experimental data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.