Further evidence for the intramolecular charge-transfer interaction between tropylium ion and remote benzene rings in 9,10-dihydro-9,10-(1,2-tropylio)anthracene tetrafluoroborate and its methyl derivatives

A series of 9,10-dihydro-9,10-(1,2-tropylio)anthracene tetrafluoroborates

has been prepared. The intramolecular charge-transfer interactions in

were confirmed by their UV spectra and pK_R+ values. As a model compound 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-(1,2-tropylio)naphthalene tetrafluoroborate ($\text{5}$)_was also examined.     

Compressibility and correlation length of helium-4 above the critical point

We have observed the temperature dependence of the critical opalescence in helium-4.     

A novel action of terpendole E on the motor activity of mitotic Kinesin Eg5

To reveal the mechanism of mitosis, the development of M phase-specific inhibitors is an important strategy. We have been screening microbial products to find specific M phase inhibitors that do not directly target tubulins, and rediscovered terpendole E (TerE) as a novel Eg5 inhibitor. TerE did not affect microtubule integrity in interphase, but induced formation of a monoastral spindle in M phase. TerE inhibited both motor and microtubule-stimulated ATPase activities of human Eg5, but did not affect conventional kinesin from either Drosophila or bovine brain. Although terpendoles have been reported as inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyltransferase (ACAT), the Eg5 inhibitory activity of TerE was independent of ACAT inhibition. Taken together, we demonstrate that TerE is a novel Eg5 inhibitor isolated from a fungal strain.     

Third- and fourth-order active dispersion compensation with a phase modulator in a terabit-per-second optical time-division multiplexed transmission

Broadening of the pulse waveforms by the higher-order dispersion of a transmission line is a critical limiting factor in achieving terabit-per-second optical time-division multiplexed (OTDM) transmission with femtosecond pulses. We show that the third- and fourth-order dispersion of a transmission line can be simultaneously compensated for by use of a phase modulator. In this method, sinusoidal phase modulation applied to the linearly chirped pulse before transmission compensates for the phase shift caused by the third- and fourth-order dispersion of the transmission line. The pulse broadening of a 380-fs pulse after a 70-km transmission in a 1.28-Tbit/s OTDM experiment was as small as 20 fs.     

Validity of retinal oxygen saturation analysis: Hyperspectral imaging in visible wavelength with fundus camera and liquid crystal wavelength tunable filter

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the feasibility of a newly developed hyperspectral fundus imaging camera with a liquid crystal tunable filter. The intensities of different wavelengths of light transmitted through an artery, vein, and the area surrounding these vessels and reflected out were measured, and the differential spectral absorptions were analyzed. Measurements were made from 16 normal eyes and from two artificial capillaries. The ratios of absorption (ROA) of arteries to veins from 500 to 580 nm (range 1) and from 600 to 720 nm (range 2) were calculated. For all eyes, the ROA_range1 was larger than ROA_range2. The ROA obtained from the artificial capillary filled with blood saturated with oxygen or nitrogen was similar to that of simulated data of oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin extinction rate. Most ROAs of human eyes were lower than those of the simulated data and the artificial capillaries. Oxygen saturation analysis by hyperspectral fundus imaging of retinal vessels were qualitatively in agreement with thein vitro analysis or simulated values. However, further improvements are necessary to evaluate the oxygen saturation quantitatively in the retinal blood vessels.     

Characterization and quantification of fluoxymesterone metabolite in horse urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Fluoxymesterone, an anabolic steroid with the 17alpha-methyl,17beta-hydroxy group, has been developed as an oral formulation for therapeutic purposes. However, it is also used illegally in racehorses to enhance racing performance. In this study, we detected 9alpha-fluoro-17,17-dimethyl-18-norandrostane-4,13-dien-11beta-ol-3-one by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which has not been reported as a fluoxymesterone metabolite so far in horse. It was synthesized for use as a reference standard, and characterized on the basis of (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectra, as well as GC/MS EI mass spectra of TMS derivatives. It was excreted as the main metabolite in horse urine, and its reference standard could be synthesized easily. Therefore, this metabolite could be a useful target for a doping test of fluoxymesterone in racehorses.     

Immunoassay based on a polyclonal antibody for sex steroid hormones produced by a heterogeneous hapten-conjugated immunogen: Estimation of its potentiality and antibody characteristics

A method in which antibodies are produced by using an immunogen heterogeneously conjugated with two or more kinds of haptens having unlike chemical structures against a same carrier protein was offered as an efficient approach for development of antibody to low molecular compounds. To appreciate the potentiality of the approach, 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone were selected as model compounds. The I₅₀ values of antiserum developed were 6 and 8 μg L⁻¹ with the detection limits of 0.02 and 0.15 μg L⁻¹ for E2 and testosterone, respectively. Antiserum owned an interesting characteristic that it was possible to independently analyze E2 and testosterone without mutual interference by making proper use of coating antigens. When using β-estradiol 17-hemisuccuinate (EH) conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a coating antigen, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was very selective to E2 and some estrogen analogues. Therefore, if testosterone coexisted in the ELISA for E2 detection, it showed no interference with it. From these findings, it was suggested that the verified method was an efficient and rational approach in development of polyclonal antibody to low molecular compounds.