Long-wavelength Ultraviolet A1 and Visible Light Photoprotection: A Multimodality Assessment of Dose and Response

Human skin is exposed to visible light (VL; 400–700 nm) and long-wavelength ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) radiation (370–400 nm) after the application of organic broad-spectrum sunscreens. The biologic effects of these wavelengths have been demonstrated; however, a dose–response has not been investigated. Ten subjects with Fitzpatrick skin phototype IV-VI were enrolled. Subjects were irradiated with 2 light sources (80–480 J cm⁻²): one comprising VL with less than 0.5% UVA1 (VL+UVA1) and the other pure VL. Skin responses were evaluated for 2 weeks using clinical and spectroscopic assessments. 4-mm punch biopsies were obtained from nonirradiated skin and sites irradiated with 480 J cm⁻² of VL+UVA1 and pure VL 24 h after irradiation. Clinical and spectroscopic assessments demonstrated a robust response at VL+UVA1 sites compared with pure VL. Histology findings demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the marker of inflammation (P < 0.05) and proliferation (P < 0.05) at the irradiated sites compared with nonirradiated control. Threshold doses of VL+UVA1 resulting in biologic responses were calculated. Results indicate that approximately 2 h of sun exposure, which equates to VL+UVA1 dose (~400 J cm⁻²), is capable of inducing inflammation, immediate erythema and delayed tanning. These findings reinforce the need of photoprotection beyond the UV range.     

High performance liquid chromatography as a tool in the definition of abnormalities in monoamine and tryptophan metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with neurological disorders

In this study we report the levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovallinic acid, tryptophan, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid and serotonin in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular disease and muscular tension headache the later, as healthy controls. The separation of these substances was performed on a reversed phase column by ion pair high performance liquid chromatography and detection was made by a glassy carbon electrode set at +900 mV vs Ag+/AgCl. The whole separation was achieved within 25 min. Concentrations of all substances (10-1000 pmole/L) were linearly proportional to areas obtained. The system is sensitive, stable and reproducible. The significance of CSF levels of these metabolites from patients groups compared with healthy controls are discussed.     

Organic–inorganic nanocomposites prepared from fluoro-aramid and silica

Fluoro-aramid-based sol/gel-derived nanocomposites were synthesized by condensing a mixture of 4,4′-(hexafluoro-isopropylidene)dianiline and 1,3-phenylenediamine with terephthaloylchloride (TPC) in dimethylacetamide. TPC was added in slight excess to produce amide chains with carbonyl chloride end groups and then replaced with alkoxy groups using aminophenyltrimethoxysilane to develop bonding with the silica network. Mechanical, dynamic mechanical thermal, water absorption and morphological measurements were carried out on the thin hybrid films. Increase in the tensile strength and modulus was observed as compared to pristine polyamide. The thermal decomposition temperature was found in the range of 400–500 °C. The water absorption was found to be reduced with higher silica content. The glass transition temperature and the storage moduli increased with increasing silica concentration. The maximum increase in the T _g value (345 °C) was observed with 20 wt% silica. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the uniform distribution of silica in the matrix with an average particle size ranging from 8 to 50 nm.     

Synthesis of a Glyoxalase I Inhibitor from Streptomyces griseosporeus NIIDAet OGASAWARA

The pseudolactones 6 and 12 were prepared in a straightforward way from methyl α-D -glucopyranoside and methyl α-D -mannopyranoside, respectively. The pseudolactone 6 reacted with tert-butyl lithioacetate to give the protected, trihydroxylated cyclohexenone carboxylate 7 (51 %). The sterically hindered, L-ribo-configurated pseudolactone 12 reacted with diethyl ethylphosphonate and dimethyl methylphosphonate to give the protected trihydroxycyclohexenones 17 (49 %) and 18 (62 %), respectively. The hydroxymethylated cyclohexenone 21 was obtained from 18 by treatment with Me₂AlSPh and then formaldehyde, oxidation of the product 19 , and elimination. Deprotection of 21 gave 2 , identical with KD16-Ul. Esterification of 2 gave 1 , identical with the title compound. Alternatively, 1 was obtained in higher yields by esterification of 21 , followed by deprotection of the hydroxy groups. This synthesis gave 1 and 2 from methyl α-D -mannopyranoside in an overall yield of 18 and 20 %, respectively, confirming their absolute configuration.     

On the 3s-subshell excitation spectrum of argon

New results on the high resolution spectrum of ArI in the 3s-subshell excitation region are reported. The spectra are recorded in the second order of a 3-meter vacuum spectrograph and synchrotron radiation as the background source of continuum. The transitions: $$\begin{array}{*{20}c} {3s^2 3p^6 {}^1S_0 \to 3s({}^2S_{{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 2}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 2}} )3p^6 np} & {{}^1P_1 (4 \leqq n \leqq 25)} \\ \end{array} $$ have been extended to highern-values and more accurate level positions and binding energy of the 3s-subshell is achieved from the series limit. The spectrum has been analysed within the framework of non-relativistic Hartree-Fock and relativistic Hartree-Fock calculations. Intensity anomalies aroundn=9 have been atributed to an additional level arising from doubly excited state 3s ²3p ⁴4s4p.     

The role of various binding materials for trace elemental analysis of powder samples using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Study of various binding materials like potassium bromide, poly(vinyl alcohol), starch, silver and aluminum has been carried out using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The role of matrix effects using these five binders on LIBS signal intensity was investigated for better performance of LIBS technique as a quantitative analytical tool. For comparative study of different binders, the signal intensity of different Mg lines at 518.3, 517.2, 383.8 and 279.5 nm wavelengths were recorded for pellets prepared with known concentrations of Mg in these binders. The influence of laser energy on ablated mass under different binding materials and its correlation with LIBS signal intensity has been explored. Optical scanning microscopy images of the ablated crater were studied to understand the laser ablation process. The study revealed that the binding material plays an important role in the generation of LIBS signal. The relative signal intensity measured for a standard Mg line (at 518.3 nm) were 735, 538, 387, 227 and 130 for potassium bromide, starch, poly(vinyl alcohol), silver and aluminum as binders, respectively. This indicates clearly that potassium bromide is better as a binder for LIBS studies of powder samples.     

Autoionisation resonances in the photoabsorption spectra of Ge I and Sn I

We report new measurements in the photoabsorption spectra of Ge I and Sn I in the vacuum ultraviolet region. The spectra were recorded in the first order of a 1-metre vacuum spectrograph using synchrotron radiation as the background source of continuum. Autoionisation resonances above the first ionisation were observed which are identified as the 4s 4p ^{3 1} P ₁ and 5s5p ^{3 1} P ₁ levels in Ge I and Sn I respectively. Resonances due to excitation to these levels from thermally populatedms ² mp ^{2 3} P _{0, 1, 2} levels in the ground states have also been observed. Single configuration Hartree-Fock calculations are reported for the 4s4p ³ and 5s5p ³ configurations for Ge I and Sn I. Fano parameterisation was used to determine the Resonance wavelengths, the line widths and the asymmetry or line shape parameters.     

Experimental study of effect of void volume fraction on neutron diffusion parameters in water

The dependence of the diffusion parameters including slowing down area, neutron diffusion length and migration length on the voided volume fraction in water has been studied experimentally. For this purpose, the PIEAS Neutron Transport Facility (PNTF) comprised of a 10 Ci Am–Be neutron source and a water filled aluminum tank with Perspex voided tubes has been designed and fabricated. A BF₃ detector was used for the neutron counting. The slowing down area was determined at the cadmium cutoff level. The diffusion parameters were determined first in the absence of voids. The experimentally measured values of the slowing down area, the diffusion length and the migration length have been found in good agreement with the corresponding values determined by other workers. By varying void volume fraction from 0% to 7.5%, the experimental measurements show a monotonic increase in the slowing down area from 58.71±2.6 to 71.28±3.2 cm², in the diffusion length from 2.95±0.13 to 3.11±0.13 cm and in the migration length from 8.21±0.165 to 8.99±0.169 cm. Our measurements show that the diffusion parameters exhibit a quadratic dependence on the void volume fraction.     

Extraction and characterization of adenovirus

A new methodology for the extraction and characterization of proteins from Coomassie-stained sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) has been described. The utility of this methodology was demonstrated in the characterization of adenovirus proteins. The key steps in the extraction and destaining process involve washing the excised band with a combination of solvents that include 10% acetic acid, acetonitrile, methanol, and formic acid:water:isopropanol mixture. By using this procedure, we determined adenovirus proteins with molecular weights ranging from 10,000 to 110,000 Da by MALDI-MS, obtaining a detection limit of approximately 6 pmol. Parallel experiments were successfully carried out to analyze adenovirus proteins from Cu-stained gels. It was observed that increase in laser intensity resulted in significant improvements in the quality of MALDI mass spectra for the analysis of inefficiently destained proteins from Cu-stained gels.