Medicinal foodstuffs. XXII. Structures of oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, pisumsaponins I and II, and kaurane-type diterpene oligoglycosides, pisumosides A and B, from green peas, the immature seeds of Pisum sativum L

Two new oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, pisumsaponins I and II, and two new kaurane-type diterpene oligoglycosides, pisumosides A and B, were isolated from the immature seeds (green peas) of Pisum sativum L. together with soyasaponin I, bersimoside I, dehydrosoyasaponin I, and their 6'-methyl esters. The structures of pisumsaponins and pisumosides were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence as 22-O-malonylsoyasapogenol B 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (22-O-malonylsoyasaponin I), sandosapogenol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid, 17-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-6beta,7beta,13gamma,17-tetrahydroxy-19-kauranoic acid 19-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and 6beta,7beta,13beta,17-tetrahydroxy-19-kauranoic acid 19-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively.     

Time-dependent complex formation of dendritic poly(L-lysine) with plasmid DNA and correlation with in vitro transfection efficiencies

Dendritic poly(L-lysine) of the 6th generation shows high transfection efficiency into several cultivated cells with low cytotoxicity. In order to understand the mechanism of complex formation with plasmid DNA, the complex was observed using atomic force microscopy. After mixing for 15 min, 1-2 microns assemblies of complexes composed of several small particles (50-200 nm) were observed. At the same time, individual small complexes of 50 to 500 nm were observed on a mica surface. After incubation for 2 h, only the large complexes were found on the mica surface. As a result of further dynamic light scattering analysis and measurement of the transfection efficiency at different time points, the transfection efficiency of KG6 was found to increase with increasing size of the DNA-complexes. This result indicates that large complexes of more than 1 micron are major species that contribute to transfection in vitro.     

VARIATION IN THE PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIVITY OF THYMINE IN THE DNA OF B. SUBTILIS SPORES, VEGETATIVE CELLS AND SPORES GERMINATED IN CHLORAMPHENICOL*,†

Abstract— The chief photoproduct of thymine produced in u.v. irradiated (2537Å) vegetative cells of B. subtilis is the cyclobutane-type dimer while in spores very little of this dimer is produced (maximum yield 2·6 per cent of thymine) but a new photoproduct is produced in high yield (maximum of 28·4 per cent of thymine). This difference in photochemical response appears to be due, at least in part, to a difference in uydration of the DNA. The photochemistry of thymine in isolated DNA irradiated in solution is similar to that of DNA in irradiated vegetative cells, but differs markedly from that of isolated DNA irradiated dry. The yield of cyclobutane-type thymine dimer is much reduced in isolated DNA irradiated dry but a new photoproduct of thymine. is produced which is chromatographically similar to the spore photoproduct. The yield of this photoproduct, however, is never as great as that obtained in irradiated spores. The photochemistry of the DNA thymine of spores germinated in the presence of chloramphenicol is very similar to that of normal vegetative cells. Except for hydration, the physical state of the DNA is probably not otherwise altered by germination in the presence of chloramphenicol since DNA replication is prevented by the presence of chloramphenicol. These results are also consistent with the hypothesis that the unique photochemistry of spores is due, at least in part, to the hydration state of the DNA. The acid stability of the spore photoproduct is indicated by the fact that it is isolated from irradiated spores after hydrolysis in trifluoroacetic acid at 155°C for 60 min. It still contains the methyl group of thymine as judged by the fact that for a given dose of u.v. the same yield of photoproduct was obtained whether the spores were labeled with thymine-2–C-14 or -methyl-C-14. This photoproduct is stable to reirradiation (2537Å) in solution under condiditions where thymine dimers of the cyclobutane-type are completely converted back to monomeric thymine. On a column of molecular sieve material (Sephadex-G10), the spore photoproduct elutes in a region intermediate between the cyclobutanetype thymine dimers and monomeric thymine. Of the numerous compounds tested by paper chromatography, the spore photoproduct is most similar (but not identical) in several solvents to 5–hydroxyuracil and 5–hydroxymethyluracil. Our data do not allow us to decide if the product is a monomer or a dimer. Although the photochemistry of thymine in the DNA of spores differs markedly from that for vegetative cells, several lines of evidence make it seem doubtful that the enhanced resistance of spores to u.v. relative to that of vegetative cells can be explained solely on the basis of this difference in the photochemistry of DNA thymine.     

Grafting of polymers with controlled molecular weight onto ultrafine silica surface

To graft polymers with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution, the grafting of polymers onto ultrafine silica surface by the termination of living polymer cation with amino groups introduced onto the surface was investigated. The introduction of amino or N-phenylamino groups onto the silica surface was achieved by the treatment of silica with γ-aminopropyltriethxysilane or N-phenyl-γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane. It was found that these amino groups on silica are readily reacted with living poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) (polyIBVE), which was generated with CF₃COOH/ZnCl₂ initiating system, and polyIBVE with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution is grafted onto the surface. By the termination of living poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline), which was generated with methyl p-toluenesulfonate initiator, with amino groups on silica, polyMeOZO was also grafted onto the surface. The percentage of grafting of polymer onto the silica surface decreased with increasing molecular weight of the living polymer, because the steric hindrance of silica surface increases with increasing molecular weight of living polymer. Polymer-grafted silica gave a stable dispersion in a good solvent for grafted chains. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structures of new aromatics glycosides from a Japanese folk medicine, the roots of Angelica furcijuga

Three new aromatics glycosides, hyuganosides II, IIIa, and IIIb, were isolated from a Japanese folk medicine, the roots of Angelica furcijuga KITAGAWA. The structures of the new glycosides were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence.     

Determination of thoron and radon ratio by liquid scintillation spectrometry

Summary A portable liquid scintillation counter was applied for the analysis of alpha-ray energy spectrum to determine the ratio of ²²⁰Rn/²²²Rn in fumarolic gas in the field. A surface-polished vial was developed, by which a Gaussian distribution could be approximated for the alpha-ray energy spectra and the peak areas of the nuclides could be estimated independently, because of the wide FWHM in the liquid scientillation pulse. A fumarolic gas sample was collected in Mt. Kamiyama (Hakoneyama geothermal field in Japan) having low ²²⁰Rn/²²²Rn ratio of 2.20±0.13.     

Spin trapping of propagating radicals derived from dialkyl fumarates

Propagating radicals of dialkyl fumarates (DRFs) and deuterated fumarate were trapped by admitting a 2-methyl-2-introsopropane (BNO) solution to the polymerization mixture containing the active radicals or by the polymerizations initiated with di-t-butyl hyponitrite in the presence of BNO. Although ESR spectra of the propagating radicals were appreciably changed with the size of the ester alkyl groups, all the nitroxyl radicals resulting from the spin trapping exhibited similar six-line spectra. The hyperfine splitting constant for the α-hydrogen of the radical moiety showed a slight dependence on the chain length, and the bulkiness of the ester alkyl group did not affect splitting of the spectra. These findings indicate that a substituted methylene radical is produced by addition of the primary radical to DRF followed by propagation throughout the polymerization and that poly(DRF) radical does not encounter severe hindrance in the reaction with BNO.     

The order of a meridian of a knotted Klein bottle

We consider the order of a meridian (of the group) of a Klein bottle smoothly embedded in the -sphere . The order of a meridian of a Klein bottle in is a non-negative even integer. Conversely, we prove that, for every non-negative even integer , there exists a Klein bottle in whose meridian has order .

     

Microdetermination of carbon and hydrogen using nitrogen as a transport gas

Summary A method for the microdetermination of carbon and hydrogen is described. In this method a sample is burned in a stream of nitrogen by adding a suitable amount of oxygen generated electrolytically. In the combustion tube, a new absorbent for halogens and sulphur oxides, a combustion catalyst and a roll of reduced copper gauze are packed. Nitrogen oxides resulting from samples containing nitrogen are reduced to nitrogen by the copper gauze. About 50 successive determinations can be carried out with a copper gauze without renewing it. A new absorbent for halogens and sulphur oxides has an extremely high capacity compared with the usual absorbents such as silver wire, or silver granules, and it does not damage the combustion tube when it is exhausted. For the absorption tubes for water and carbon dioxide, the author's metal needle tubes are used, and the results obtained with various samples are found to be satisfactory.

---

Zusammenfassung Ein Verfahren zur Mikrobestimmung von Kohlenstoff und Wasserstoff wurde beschrieben. Dabei wird die Probe im Stickstoffstrom verbrannt, dem eine geeignete Menge elektrolytisch hergestellten Sauerstoffs zugemischt wird. Ein neues Absorptionsmittel für Halogene und Schwefeloxyde, ein Verbrennungskatalysator und eine Rolle aus reduziertem Kupferdrahtnetz dienen als Rohrfüllung. Die Stickstoffoxyde aus stickstoffhältigen Substanzen werden am Kupferdrahtnetz reduziert. Etwa 50 Bestimmungen können ohne Erneuerung der Drahtnetzrolle durchgeführt werden. Das neue Absorptionsmittel für Halogene und Schwefeloxyde hat im Vergleich zu dem sonst verwendeten Silberdraht oder granuliertem Silber eine besonders große Kapazität und beschädigt das Verbrennungsrohr nicht, wenn es erschöpft ist. Als Absorptionsröhrchen für Wasser und Kohlendioxyd werden die vom Verfasser angegebenen Metall-Nadel-Röhrchen verwendet. Die mit verschiedenen Substanzen erhaltenen Resultate sind befriedigend.

---

Résumé On décrit une méthode de microdosage du carbone et de l'hydrogène. Dans cette méthode, on brûle l'échantillon dans un courant d'azote, en ajoutant une quantité convenable d'oxygène (formé électrolytiquement). On dispose dans le tube à combustion un nouvel absorbant des halogènes et des oxydes du soufre, un catalyseur de combustion et une toile de cuivre réduit enroulée. Les oxydes d'azote provenant des échantillons qui contiennent de l'azote sont réduits en azote par la toile de cuivre. On peut effectuer environ 50 dosages successifs avec une toile de cuivre, sans la changer. Le nouvel absorbant des halogènes et des oxydes du soufre a une capacité extrêmement élevée par rapport aux absorbants usuels, tels qu'un fil d'argent ou des grains d'argent, et il n'abîme pas le tube à combustion quand il est épuisé. En ce qui concerne les tubes à absorption pour l'eau et le gaz carbonique, on utilise les tubes à aiguilles métalliques de l'auteur. Les résultats obtenus avec divers échantillons ont été satisfaisants.