Protective effects of an antioxidant derived from serine and vitamin B6 on skin photoaging in hairless mice

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) accelerates skin aging, which is known as photoaging. Because cutaneous iron catalyzes ROS generation, sequestering iron by chelating agents is thought to be an effective approach toward preventing photoaging. Previously, N-(4-pyridoxylmethylene)-l-serine (PYSer) was designed as an antioxidant to suppress iron-catalyzed ROS generation by its iron-sequestering activity. In this study, PYSer showed protective effects against skin damage in hairless mice irradiated with ultraviolet B (UV-B). Topical application of PYSer to the skin significantly delayed and/or decreased the visible wrinkle formation induced by chronic UV-B irradiation. A histological study indicated that UV-B-induced epidermal hypertrophy and lymphocytic infiltration were suppressed by PYSer. Moreover, PYSer showed suppressive activity against the UV-B-induced increase in glycosaminoglycans (GAG). These results indicate that PYSer is a promising antioxidant for the prevention of chronic skin photoaging by its iron-sequestering activity.     

Hybrid numerical technique combining the finite-difference beam-propagation method and the finite-difference time-domain method

A technique combining a scalar wide-angle finite-difference beam-propagation method with a scalar finite-difference time-domain method is proposed in cylindrical coordinates. The propagating field in a lensed coreless fiber is simulated, and the effect of a lens on the far-field pattern is evaluated.     

Uniaxial magnetization performance of Co-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nano-composite films electrochemically synthesized from acidic aqueous solution

In this study, Co-Al₂O₃ nano-composite films containing parallel-oriented cobalt nano-cylinders with length-to-diameter aspect ratios of ca. 4000 are synthesized to acquire a uniaxial magnetization property. The Co nano-cylinders were electrodeposited into anodized aluminum oxide films with numerous nano-channels under a low over-potential of less than 0.1 V using an acidic aqueous solution containing CoCl₂ at 75 °C. The long axis of Co nano-cylinders, which are electrodeposited at cathode potential of ?0.58 V vs. Ag/AgCl, coincides with the c axis of hexagonal close packed (hcp)-Co. The Co-Al₂O₃ nano-composite films show a uniaxial magnetization behavior due to the large shape anisotropy of Co nano-cylinders and the large magneto-crystalline anisotropy of the hcp-Co crystal structure. We achieved coercivity and squareness values of up to 2.4 and 1.0 kOe, respectively. This study shows an effective way to produce nano-composite films of altered coercivities.     

Environmental Radiation Monitoring after the Accidental Release from Bituminization Demonstration Facility

The fire and explosion of the Bituminization Demonstration Facility at PNC Tokai Works were occurred on March 11th, 1997. As soon as the fire occurred, environmental monitoring was started. The influence of accidental release was recognized from some samples of airborne dust and surface soil on site. No influence was recognized from the samples off site except the airborne dust collected at O-arai (20 km south). The official statement by the Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan was: "It was less than the value which has an influence on the environment and health."     

High-rate Deposition of Polycrystalline Diamond Film Using Time-series Exposure of Modulated/Non-modulated Induction Thermal Plasmas at Different Flow Rates of Carbon Source Gas

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing - In this paper $$\hbox {CH}_4$$ / $$\hbox {H}_2$$ gas flow rate effect on polycrystalline diamond deposition was studied using a time-series exposure...     

Palladium-catalyzed perarylation of 3-thiophene- and 3-furancarboxylic acids accompanied by C-H bond cleavage and decarboxylation

3-thiophene- and 3-furancarboxylic acids efficiently undergo perarylation accompanied by cleavage of the three C-H bonds and decarboxylation upon treatment with excess aryl bromides in the presence of a palladium catalyst to give the corresponding tetraarylated products in good yields.     

Monophosphaporphyrins: oxidative pi-extension at the peripherally fused carbocycle of the phosphaporphyrin ring

The 18pi-sigma3- and 22pi-sigma4-phosphaporphyrins were successfully prepared by an acid-promoted condensation between a phosphatripyrrane and a 2,5-bis[hydroxy(phenyl)methyl]pyrrole, and their structures, aromaticity, and optical and electrochemical properties were disclosed. Notably, a sigma4-phosphaporphyrinogen and the 18pi-sigma3-phosphaporphyrin undergo oxidative pi-extension at the peripherally fused carbocycle to afford the 22pi-sigma4-phosphaporphyrin.