Studies on an antibody-coated tube method of aldosterone

We studied on the basic performance of a non-extraction coated tube RIA kit, DPC Aldosterone kit (Nippon DPC Corporation). 1. The average binding CVs of the calibrators (25 to 1,200 pg/ml) were stable in a range from 1.4 to 1.9%. 2. The minimum sensitivity was 17 pg/ml from 2SD method of 0 calibrator. 3. The intra-assay reproducibility test showed an average CV as 9.0%, and the inter-assay test showed as 8.8%. 4. The recovery ratios of a recovery test were 85.4 to 121.6%. 5. The correlation test with another maker's kit showed a correlation curve as y = 0.970 x + 19.68 and a correlation coefficiency as r = 0.970. 6. The normal range, the correlation between fasting recumbency and daytime sitting, and the correlation between walking and resting, showed similar results as former reports.     

Synthesis of Di‐peri‐dinaphthoporphyrins by PtCl2‐Mediated Cyclization of Quinodimethane‐type Porphyrins

Di‐peri‐dinaphthoporphyrins can be regarded as a key and common substructure of fused porphyrinoids. PtCl₂‐mediated cycloisomerization reaction of quinodimethane‐type porphyrins provided these doubly fused porphyrins, which exhibit characteristic paratropic ring currents that presumably arise from 24π antiaromatic circuit as a dominant resonance contributor. UV/Vis absorption spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and excited‐state dynamics as well as theoretical calculation support this conclusion.     

Assessment of the serotonin pathway as a therapeutic target for pulmonary hypertension

Blockade of the serotonin reuptake transporter (5‐HTT), using fluoxetine, has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for preventing and, importantly, reversing pulmonary hypertension (PH). This study utilized synchrotron radiation microangiography to determine whether fluoxetine could prevent or reverse endothelial dysfunction and vessel rarefaction, which underpin PH. PH was induced by a single injection of monocrotaline (MCT; 60 mg kg^?1). Following MCT administration, rats received daily injections of either saline or fluoxetine (MCT+Fluox; 10 mg kg^?1) for three weeks. A third group of rats also received the fluoxetine regime, but only three weeks after MCT (MCT+Fluox_Delay). Control rats received daily injections of saline. Pulmonary microangiography was performed to assess vessel branching density and visualize dynamic changes in vessel diameter following (i) acute fluoxetine or (ii) acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside, BQ‐123 (ET‐1_A receptor blocker) and L‐NAME (NOS inhibitor). Monocrotaline induced PH that was inevitably terminal. `Delayed' treatment of fluoxetine (MCT+Fluox_Delay) was unable to reverse the progression of PH. Early fluoxetine treatment pre‐PH (i.e. MCT+Fluox) attenuated but did not completely prevent vascular remodeling, vessel rarefaction and an increase in pulmonary pressure, and it did not prevent pulmonary endothelial dysfunction. Interestingly, fluoxetine treatment did counter‐intuitively prevent the onset of right ventricular hypertrophy. Using synchrotron radiation microangiography, selective blockade of the serotonin reuptake transporter alone is highlighted as not being sufficient to prevent pulmonary endothelial dysfunction, which is the primary instigator for the inevitable onset of vascular remodeling and vessel rarefaction. Accordingly, potential therapeutic strategies should aim to target multiple pathways to ensure an optimal outcome.     

Mechanisms of electron transport through bellows-shaped fullerene tubes

A bellows-shaped fullerene tube is featured by diameter modulation along the tube, where C60 molecules polymerize with tubular linkages between the molecules. The electronic structures of two types of bellows-shaped fullerene tube are theoretically found to exhibit band gaps indicating semiconducting characteristics. Although the effective masses of the conduction states of the two tubes are similar, these states have different spatial distributions. One of the two tubes is expected to exhibit thermally assisted electron transport.     

Basic studies on an immunoradiometric assay system for human parathyrin (intact PTH1-84)

Two-site immunoradiometric assay for human parathyrin (PTH1-84) is specific for the intact, secreted, biologically active 84 amino peptide. This system incorporates two-different polyclonal antibodies to human intact PTH and has several technical advantages for use. This assay could detect a wide range of PTH in patients with hypo-, hyperparathyroidism, chronic renal failure and hypercalcemia with malignancy, especially distinguishing the level of human intact PTH in hypoparathyroidism from in normal.     

Solvent extraction of alkaline earth metals,and lithium with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-acylpyrazol-5-ones and trioctylphosphine oxide

The synergic extraction of magnesium, calcium, strongium, barium and lithium into cyclohexane or benzene containing 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-acyl-pyrazol-5-one (HA) and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) was investigated as a function of pH, HA and TOPO concentration. The extracted species when the 4-benzoyl compound was used, were MA₂(TOPO)₂ (M = Mg, Ca, Sr), BaA₂(TOPO)₃ and LiA(TOPO)₂. When the 4-trifluoro-acetyl derivatives was used, the extracted species were the same except for SrA₂(TOPO)₃. Extraction constants for the synergic extractions were calculated.     

The solvent extraction of europium and barium with 1-aryl-3-methyl-4-aroyl-5-pyrazolones

Eleven 1-aryl-3-methyl-4-aroyl-5-pyrazolone derivatives were synthesized. Their acid dissociation constants were determined spectrophotometrically; there was a linear relationship between them and Hammett's σ values. Europium and barium ions were readily extracted into benzene and n-octyl alcohol, respectively, at very low pH.     

Solvent extraction of divalent metal ions with azacrown ether substituted acylpyrazolones

Novel 4-acyl-5-pyrazolones having aza-15-crown-5 (HPMP-A15C5) and aza-18-crown-6 (HPMP-A18C6) moieties as an intramolecular synergist have been synthesized by simple coupling reactions between 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-chloroacetyl-5-pyrazolone and the corresponding azacrown ethers. The solvent extraction of the divalent metal ions (Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+)) were examined. Synergistic extractions with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone (HPMBP) and benzocrown ethers were also examined for a comparison. Extractions with the novel acylpyrazolones were unique and quite different from those with HPMBP and benzocrown ethers. The synergistic effect with benzocrown ethers was low, and an obvious difference brought by the ring size was not observed. The extractions of the divalent metal ions with HPMP-A18C6 were generally enhanced, as compared to those alone with HPMBP; on the contrary, the extractions with HPMP-A15C5 were relatively poor.     

Release profiles of dexamethasone dipropionate from admixtures of steroid and heparinoid ointments prepared by different mixing methods

Characterization and release profiles of commercial dexamethasone dipropionate (DDP) from an innovator and 2 generic ointments (Methaderm (IM), Promethasone (GP), and Mainvate (GM)) and their admixtures with heparinoid ointment (Hirudoid Soft) were investigated. The admixtures were prepared using 2 mixing methods (slab or rotation/revolution mixer). Microscopic and FT-Raman spectrometric analyses revealed that the ointments, except for IM, contained DDP crystals. A silicone membrane was used for the evaluation of the DDP permeation. The permeated DDP amounts from GP and GM were lower than that from IM, indicating that DDP solubility in the ointment vehicle affected the release of DDP from the ointment. No significant differences were observed in DDP release between IM alone and its admixture prepared using a slab; however, DDP release from the admixture prepared using a rotation/revolution mixer was significantly lower than those from IM alone and its admixture by slab. In the GP system, DDP release from the admixtures by the 2 mixing methods was higher than that from GP alone, whereas no significant difference in DDP release between the 2 mixing methods was observed. No significant differences were observed between the GM and admixtures. The apparent solubility of DDP in the admixtures as determined by the ultracentrifugal separation method indicated that the DDP amount in the liquid phase of admixtures with GP was 6 times higher than that of admixtures with IM or GM. Therefore, the apparent solubility of DDP in the liquid phase in the GP system might influence the DDP release in admixtures.