Alpha scattering from nonclosed shell nucleus 12C and alpha-nucleus interaction

In order to understand the α-nucleus interactions for the α+¹²C～α+¹⁶O systems systematically, α scattering from ¹²C is studied in a microscopic coupled-channel model using a folding potential and realistic microscopic wave functions of ¹²C. The experimental angular distributions of elastic and inelastic scattering to the 2⁺(4.43 MeV), 3^? (9.64 MeV), and 0 ₂ ⁺ (7.66 MeV) states in the range of E _α = 41–172.5 MeV are analyzed.     

Profiling the Cell Surface Glycome of Five Fungi Using Lectin Microarray

Fungal surface glycans play roles in cell protection and interaction. Our knowledge of fungal glycans, however, is limited to model yeasts and a few medically/industrially important fungi. We evaluated the usefulness of a lectin microarray in analysis of live cell surface glycans and then applied the technique to glycome of varieties of yeast-form fungi from various phyla and subphyla. We found glycan profiles are different among and within taxonomic groups. For example, Saccharomycotina were classified into two groups, one bound to mannose-specific lectins and the other bound to galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific lectins. In Basidiomycota, Pucciniomycotina yeasts were distinguished from other subphylum members in binding to fucose-specific lectins. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry to view the free supplemental file.     

Antiviral activities of glycyrrhizin and its modified compounds against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro.

Chemically modified compounds of glycyrrhizin have been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effect on the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Among them, the 11-deoxo compound having a heteroannular diene structure at the C and D rings proved as active against HIV-1 as glycyrrhizin in MT-4 and MOLT-4 cells. It completely inhibited HIV-1-induced cytopathogenicity in both cell lines at a concentration of 0.16 mM. The compound was also effective against HSV-1 with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 0.5 mM [corrected].     

Equivalent cross-relaxation rate imaging in the synthetic copolymer gels and invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast

The values of equivalent cross-relaxation rate (ECR) correlated well with [i] water conditions in various copolymer gels and [ii] nature of malignant cells with regard to nuclear dysplasia and mitotic potential in breast carcinomas. The synthetic copolymer gels composed of any two or three monomers among 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone (N-VP), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and benzyl methacrylate (BMA). The ECR measurement was performed by using an off-resonance saturation pulse under conventional field-echo imaging at frequency within +/- 75 ppm apart from the water resonance frequency. The ECR values were readily to determine and non-time consuming parameter for cross relaxation rate. The ECR values at the frequency offset by 7-ppm (ECR-7) were divided the sample gels two classes, which must correspond to hydrophilic or hydrophobic ones.The sensitivity in the gels was nearly equivalent to the cross-relaxation rate itself. In the breast carcinomas, the ECR-7 correlates with the nature of malignant cells with regard to nuclear dysplasia and mitotic potential. The ECR-7 is better or more accurate than the STR-7 because the SDNRs between carcinoma and glandular tissue increased by approximately 50% on the ECR-7 compared with the STR-7. Thus the ECR values could be a new parameter for malignancy and cell proliferative activity of the breast carcinomas with non-invasive modalities by magnetic resonance imaging.     

Lectin-based structural glycomics: a practical approach to complex glycans

Glycans exist in nature in various forms of glycoconjugates, i.e., glycoproteins, glycolipids, and glycosaminoglycans, either in soluble or membrane-bound forms. One of their prominent properties distinguished from nucleic acids and proteins is "heterogeneity" largely attributed to their inherent features of biosynthesis. In general, various methods based on the physicochemical principles have been taken for their separation and structural determination although all of them require prior liberation of glycans and appropriate labeling. On the other hand, a series of carbohydrate-binding proteins, or "lectins," have extensively been used in a more direct manner for cell typing, histochemical staining, and glycoprotein fractionation. Although most procedures conventionally used are useful, unfortunately they lack "throughput" comparable to a performance required for current omics studies. Recently, a novel technique called lectin microarray has attracted increasing attention from not only glycoscientists but also researchers in other fields, because it is straightforward and also informative. The method is innovating in that it enables direct approach to glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins and even cells without liberation of glycans from the core substrate, and therefore can be effectively applied for the sake of differential profiling in various fields. Concept, strategy, and technical advancement of lectin microarray are described. Also, as an introduction to glycomics, the authors explain the motivation to challenge this theme.     

A world of sphingolipids and glycolipids in the brain--novel functions of simple lipids modified with glucose

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are present on cell surface membranes and are particularly abundant in the brain. Since over 300-400 GSLs are synthesized from glucosylceramide (GlcCer), GlcCer is believed to only serve as the source of most GSLs, including sialic acid-containing GSLs or gangliosides, in the brain. Recent studies, however, suggest that GlcCer itself plays a role in the heat stress response, as it functions as a glucose donor for the synthesis of cholesterylglucoside, a lipid mediator in heat stress responses in animals. GlcCer in adipose tissues is also thought to be involved in mechanisms that regulate energy (sugar and lipid) metabolism. Our extensive structural study revealed an additional novel glucosylated membrane lipid, called phosphatidylglucoside, in developing rodent brains and human neutrophils. These lipids, all modified with glucose, are enriched in lipid rafts and play important roles in basic cellular processes. Here, I summarize the recent progress regarding these glucosylated lipids and their biosynthesis and regulation in the central nervous system (CNS).     

Infrared spectroscopy of SO2 clusters in rare gas matrices revisited: Assignment of species in Ar matrix

We have observed infrared spectra of the SO₂ clusters in rare gas matrices (Ar, Kr, Xe). The spectral dependence on temperature and concentration led us to the firm assignment of the SO₂ dimer in Kr and Xe, the result of which was used to reassign dimeric vibrational transitions in Ar that have been controversial for more than ten years.