Presence of peroxyradicals in cigarette smoke and the scavenging effect of shikonin, a naphthoquinone pigment

Using a new method having been developed for the purpose of quantitative determination for peroxyradicals, the presence of peroxyradicals was proved in cigarette smoke. In brief, peroxyradicals in cigarette smoke were measured by ESR spectrometry coupled to non-reductive scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). As a result, peroxyradicals were found to be major reactive oxygen species (ROS) since the concentration of peroxyradicals recovered from cigarette smoke was much higher than that of any of other ROS (superoxide and hydroxyl radical) and nitric oxide. Furthermore, several antioxidants (ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione, epigallocatechin gallate, shikonin) were examined for scavenging activity against peroxyradicals in the cigarette smoke. Among them shikonin alone exerted the scavenging activity, suggesting that shikonin is promising antioxidant for cigarette filters because of its effectiveness against broad range of ROS including peroxyradicals, heat resistance, nonvolatility and high affinity to the filter.     

Interaction between amphiphiles and water molecules in concentrated bilayer aqueous colloids

Interaction between amphiphiles and water molecules in micelle or bilayer structure has been investigated using aqueous colloids of various amphiphiles through the rheological data and the spin-lattice relaxation timeT ₁ of the proton of water molecule.T ₁ of the water proton has been measured by the inversion recovery method and determined as a single exponential relaxation process.The chemical shift of the water proton is almost independent of the amphiphilic concentration; however, it shifts toward a higher magnetic field with increasing temperature in a way similar to that in pure water and in the amphiphilic aqueous systems. These facts mean that there is no significant difference in the magnetic field environment of the water protons in these systems.The water molecule is not necessarily bound in the fully developed micelle or bilayer (rod-like or lamella) structure which induces the high viscosity or high rigidity of the colloidal system. On the other hand, the water molecule is bound in the micelle colloids of amphoteric amphiphiles or amphiphiles whose molecular assembly creates a relatively strong electrostatic field. The activation entropy of the bound water is negative and this suggests that water molecules assume some ordered structure in the bound state.     

Electrochemical formation of stable ferrocene anion and the formal rate constant of the ferrocene0/− electrode

A reversible cyclic voltammogram for the one-electron reduction of ferrocene in 1,2-dimethoxyethane is recorded under experimental conditions that enable the ferrocene anion to exist for a few minutes. The formal rate constant of the ferrocene^0/? electrode, determined by cyclic voltammetry at ?45°C, ca. 10^?3 cm s^?1, is in striking contrast with that of ferrocene^+/0, > 10^?1 cm s^?1. The distortion of the ferrocene molecule caused by reduction may be a reason for this difference in electron-transfer rate.     

Synthesis of 2-, 4- and 5-(2-alkylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-7-alkyloxybenzo[b]furans and their leukotriene B4 receptor antagonistic activity

Variable benzo[b]furan derivatives having (E)- and (Z)-2-alkylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl groups at the 2-, 4- and 5-positions and a carboxylpropoxy or (1-phenyl)ethoxy group at the 7-position were prepared to find novel and selective leukotriene B4(LTB4) receptor antagonists. (E)-2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzo[b]furan (4v) showed selective inhibition to the human BLT2 receptor (hBLT2). On the other hand, (E)-2-acetyl-4-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzo[b]furan (7v) inhibited both human BLT(1) receptor (hBLT1) and hBLT2. The (E)-2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl) group lay on approximately the same plane as the benzo[b]furan ring, whereas the (E)-4-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl) group had the torsion angle (45.7 degree) from the benzo[b]furan ring plane. However, the (Z)-(2-alkylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzo[b]furans were inactive. The inhibitory activity depended on the conformation of the 2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl group.     

Crystalline orientation of the InN films prepared by atmospheric pressure halide chemical vapor deposition

The structural analysis of the hexagonal InN film prepared on a Si(100) substrate by the AP-HCVD technique using InCl₃ and NH₃ as starting materials were carried out by the X-ray pole figure analysis. The deposited films consist of the hexagonal InN pillar crystals. It was found that the pillar crystals, which have random rotation around the 100 axis, were grown at an angle of 70–90° to the substrate.     

Birefringence control by hydrogen bonding on compatible polymer pair composed of hydrogenated ring‐opening polymer and modified polystyrene

A new polymer blend composed of a hydrogenated ring‐opening polymer (HROP) with an ester group and hydroxyl functionalized polystyrene (HFP) produced the excellent transparent materials which enabled a precise birefringence control in keeping with the other physical properties for optical film use. The blend with a composition from 0.28 to 0.35 for the HFP weight fraction showed an extraordinary wavelength dispersion, transmitting through a zero birefringence point at the critical fraction of 0.45, while each polymer showed an ordinary wavelength dispersion. The observed excellent transparency even above those of the glass transition temperature was attributed to a depressed phase separation that resulted from strong hydrogen bond between the ester and hydroxyl groups. An IR analysis of the film demonstrated a remarkable red‐shift in the carbonyl peak with an increase of the hydroxylated polystyrene content, indicating a strong hydrogen bond between those groups. This new polymer blend provides a useful design to achieve practical demands for film use, both optical and mechanical under the fabrication conditions using the melt extrusion technique. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3132–3143     

Microstructure change in deuterium implanted CLAM steel induced by electron irradiation

As Reduced Activation Ferritic/Martensitic (RAFM) steel is considered the primary candidate for use as a structural material in fusion power reactors,many countries are developing different kinds of RAFM.China is developing new CLAM (China Low Activation Martensitic) steel.The study investigates microstructural changes in CLAM steel implanted with deuterium ions induced by 1250 keV electron irradiation from R.T.to 873 K,and observes both the growth and shrinkage of the defect clusters produced by deuterium ...     

Unexpected formation of benziphthalocyanine dimer: An easily synthesizable dimer of phthalocyanine analogue

Methylene-bridged benziphthalocyanine dimer 2 was unexpectedly generated by the reaction of dihydroxybenziphthalocyanine 1 and formaldehyde in the presence of a catalytic amount of a base at room temperature. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 2 revealed a V-shaped structure. Dimer 2 exhibited longer-wavelength absorption and fluorescence bands than monomer 1 in the near-IR region.     

Regioselective Alkylation of Thiazolylsulfonamides: Direct and Efficient Synthesis of 3‐Alkylthiazolidene Derivatives

Various N‐3‐alkylated thiazolidenesulfonamide derivatives were efficiently prepared by the direct endo‐selective alkylation of thiazolylsulfonamides. The effects of different bases and solvents were investigated, and the NaH–THF combination was found to be the most effective at conferring high yields and endo‐selectivity.