A New Boron-Rhodamine-Containing Carboxylic Acid as a Sugar Chemosensor.

We propose a boron-rhodamine-containing carboxylic acid (BRhoC) substance as a new sugar chemosensor. BRhoC was obtained by the Friedel-Crafts reaction of 4-formylbenzoic acid and -dimethylphenylboronic acid, followed by chloranil oxidation. In an aqueous buffer solution at pH 7.

Ergot alkaloids in sclerotia collected in Japan: synthetic profiles and induction of apoptosis by Clavine-type compounds.

The genus Claviceps (Clavicipitaceae) is famous for producing ergot alkaloids (EAs) in sclerotia. EAs can cause ergotism, resulting in convulsions and necrosis when ingested, making these compounds a serious concern for food safety. Agroclavine (2), a typical Clavine-type EA, is a causative agent of ergotism and is listed as a compound to be monitored by the European Food Safety Authority.

Maternal and Fetal Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Cannabidiol during Pregnancy in Mice.

Cannabidiol (CBD), a major component of cannabis, has various effects, such as antiemetic and anxiolytic activities, and has recently been marketed as a supplement. The number of people using CBD during pregnancy is increasing, and there are concerns about its effects on the fetus. In addition, the scientific evidence supporting the fetal safety of CBD use during pregnancy is insufficient.

Incorporation of tetracarboxylate ions into octacalcium phosphate for the development of next-generation biofriendly materials.

Octacalcium phosphate (OCP; Ca(HPO)(PO) ∙ 5HO) is a precursor of hydroxyapatite found in human bones and teeth, and is among the inorganic substances critical for hard tissue formation and regeneration in the human body. OCP has a layered structure and can incorporate carboxylate ions into its interlayers. However, studies involving the incorporation of tetracarboxylic and multivalent (pentavalent and above) carboxylic acids into OCP have not yet been reported.

Heterophyllous Shoots of Japanese Larch Trees: The Seasonal and Yearly Variation in CO Assimilation Capacity of the Canopy Top with Changing Environment.

Japanese larch ( = ) is often characterized by its high growth rate with heterophyllous shoots, but the functional differences of heterophyllous shoots still remain unclear. Recently, abrupt high temperature and drought during spring induced high photosynthetic rate via change in leaf morphology of the deciduous habit. In order to reveal the photosynthetic characteristics of both short and long-shoot needles of sunny canopy of the larch trees using a canopy tower, we calculated the seasonal change of gas exchange characters and leaf mass per area (LMA) and foliar nitrogen content (N) of heterophyllous needles: short and long-shoot needles over 3 years.

Homogeneous nucleation of corundum nanocrystallites by rapid heating of aluminum formate hydroxide-based precursor powder.

The high density nucleation of α-AlO nanocrystallites was observed by rapid heating of the aluminum formate hydroxide-based precursor powder at 1200 °C for 50 s. The nucleation of α-AlO nanocrystallites with less 10 nm in size from high purity aluminum oxide matrix has not been observed to our knowledge. Based on the results of XRD and TEM, α-AlO nanocrystallites nucleated from the amorphous phase which formed after thermal decomposition of the precursor powder.

Changes in the Expression of Aquaporin-3 in the Gastrointestinal Tract Affect Drug Absorption.

Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) plays an important role in water transport in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In this study, we conducted a Caco-2 cell permeability assay to examine how changes in the expression and function of AQP3 affect the rate at which a drug is absorbed via passive transport in the GI tract. When the function of AQP3 was inhibited by mercuric chloride or phloretin, there was no change in warfarin permeability.

Density functional study of the phase stability and Raman spectra of YbO, YbSiO and YbSiO under pressure.

The phase stability and Raman spectra of Yb2O3, Yb2SiO5 and Yb2Si2O7 under hydrostatic pressure are investigated using density functional theory calculations. The calculated energies of polymorphs of each compound show that the stable phases at zero pressure, viz., C-type Yb2O3, X2-Yb2SiO5 and β-Yb2Si2O7, exhibit a pressure-induced phase transition as compressive pressure increases, which is consistent with available experimental data.

Effect of the active ingredient of Kaempferia parviflora, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam.

5,7-Dimethoxyflavone (5,7-DMF), one of the major components of Kaempferia parviflora, has anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic effects. On the other hand, in vitro studies have reported that it directly inhibits the drug metabolizing enzyme family cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3As. In this study, its safety was evaluated from a pharmacokinetic point of view, based on daily ingestion of 5,7-DMF.

Zonation of the drug-metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 3A in infant mice begins in pre-weaning period.

The drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP3A is a heterogeneous enzyme found in the liver that displays local characteristics referred to as "zonation." Zonation contributes to improved energy efficiency in metabolism. The objective of this study was to determine a scientific basis for the safety of fetuses and nursing infants in cases in which the use of pharmaceuticals by pregnant and nursing mothers is unavoidable.

Relationship between low midazolam metabolism by cytochrome P450 3A in mice and the high incidence of birth defects.

The use of midazolam in early stages of pregnancy has resulted in a high incidence of birth defects; however, the underlying reason is unknown. We investigated expression changes of the CYP3A molecular species and focused on its midazolam metabolizing activity from the foetal period to adulthood. CYP3A16 was the only CYP3A species found to be expressed in the liver during the foetal period.

Canopy nitrogen distribution is optimized to prevent photoinhibition throughout the canopy during sun flecks.

As photoinhibition primarily reduces the photosynthetic light use efficiency at low light, sunfleck-induced photoinhibition might result in a fatal loss of carbon gain in the shade leaves within a canopy with barely positive carbon balance. We hypothesized that shade leaves at the lower canopy might retain a certain amount of leaf nitrogen (N) to maintain energy consumption via electron transport, which contributes to circumventing photoinhibition during sunflecks to keep efficient utilization of low light during the rest period of daytime. We investigated excess energy production, a potential measure of susceptibility to photoinhibition, as a function of N distribution within a Japanese oak canopy.

Role of the Drug-Metabolizing Enzyme CYP during Mouse Liver Development.

The drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP is mainly involved in the metabolism of various substances in the liver, such as drugs, endogenous substances, and carcinogens. Recent reports have also revealed that CYP1B1 plays a major role in the developmental process. Because the level of CYP expression is markedly high in the liver, we hypothesize that CYP plays a role in the developmental process of the liver.

Analysis of CYP2R1 and CYP26A1 Expression Patterns in Regeneration in Mice with Liver Injury.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) are involved in the metabolism of various substances in the liver and small intestine and show markedly higher expression levels in the liver compared to other organs. The liver exhibits a remarkable capacity to regenerate. After excision of 70% of the liver, the organ can regenerate to its original size in approximately 1 week.

Mechanism for Increased Expression of UGT2B in the Liver of Mice with Neuropathic Pain.

Approximately 30% of patients with cancer pain experience concurrent neuropathic pain. Since these patients are not sufficiently responsive to morphine, the development of an effective method of pain relief is urgently needed. Decreased function of the μ opioid receptor, which binds to the active metabolite of morphine M-6-G in the brain, has been proposed as a mechanism for morphine resistance.

Increased phytotoxic O3 dose accelerates autumn senescence in an O3-sensitive beech forest even under the present-level O3.

Ground-level ozone (O3) concentrations are expected to increase over the 21(st) century, especially in East Asia. However, the impact of O3 has not been directly assessed at the forest level in this region. We performed O3 flux-based risk assessments of carbon sequestration capacity in an old cool temperate deciduous forest, consisting of O3-sensitive Japanese beech (Fagus crenata), and in a warm temperate deciduous and evergreen forest dominated by O3-tolerant Konara oak (Quercus serrata) based on long-term CO2 flux observations.

Mice with neuropathic pain exhibit morphine tolerance due to a decrease in the morphine concentration in the brain.

The chronic administration of morphine to patients with neuropathic pain results in the development of a gradual tolerance to morphine. Although the detailed mechanism of this effect has not yet been elucidated, one of the known causes is a decrease in μ-opioid receptor function with regard to the active metabolite of morphine, M-6-G(morphine-6-glucuronide), in the ventrotegmental area of the midbrain. In this study, the relationship between the concentration of morphine in the brain and its analgesic effect was examined after the administration of morphine in the presence of neuropathic pain.

Growth overcompensation against O3 exposure in two Japanese oak species, Quercus mongolica var. crispula and Quercus serrata, grown under elevated CO2.

To assess the effects of elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3) on the growth of two mid-successional oak species native to East Asia, Quercus mongolica var. crispula and Quercus serrata, we measured gas exchange and biomass allocation in seedlings (initially 1-year-old) grown under combinations of elevated CO2 (550 μmol mol(-1)) and O3 (twice-ambient) for two growing seasons in an open-field experiment in which root growth was not limited. Both the oak species showed a significant growth enhancement under the combination of elevated CO2 and O3 (indicated by total dry mass; over twice of ambient-grown plants, p < .

Expression of hepatic cytochrome P450 in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis changes with pathological conditions.

Background And Aim: The expression levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) in the liver were analyzed over time in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis mouse model, from the initial active stage to the remission stage, to investigate the relationship between the changes in pathological conditions and CYP expression levels.

Methods: DSS solution was given to mice for 10 days, after which water without DSS was provided for 40 days. Pathological conditions and CYP expression levels were examined over time.

Mesophyll conductance in leaves of Japanese white birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica) seedlings grown under elevated CO2 concentration and low N availability.

To test the hypothesis that mesophyll conductance (gm ) would be reduced by leaf starch accumulation in plants grown under elevated CO2 concentration [CO2 ], we investigated gm in seedlings of Japanese white birch grown under ambient and elevated [CO2 ] with an adequate and limited nitrogen supply using simultaneous gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. Both elevated [CO2 ] and limited nitrogen supply decreased area-based leaf N accompanied with a decrease in the maximum rate of Rubisco carboxylation (Vc,max ) on a CO2 concentration at chloroplast stroma (Cc ) basis. Conversely, only seedlings grown at elevated [CO2 ] under limited nitrogen supply had significantly higher leaf starch content with significantly lower gm among the treatment combinations.

Enhanced apatite formation on Ti metal heated in PO2-controlled nitrogen atmosphere.

The oxynitridation of biomedical titanium metal under a precisely regulated oxygen partial pressure (PO2) of 10(-14)Pa in nitrogen atmosphere at 973 K for 1 h strongly enhanced apatite formation compared with that on Ti heated in air. The factors governing the high apatite-forming ability are discussed from the viewpoint of the surface properties of Ti heated under a PO2 of 10(-14)Pa in nitrogen atmosphere determined from X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and zeta potential measurements. Nitrogen (N)-doped TiO2 (interstitial N) was formed on pure Ti heated under a PO2 of 10(-14)Pa in nitrogen atmosphere at 973 K.

Photosynthetic traits around budbreak in pre-existing needles of Sakhalin spruce (Picea glehnii) seedlings grown under elevated CO2 concentration assessed by chlorophyll fluorescence measurements.

To assess the effects of elevated CO(2) concentration ([CO(2)]) on the photosynthetic properties around spring budbreak, we monitored the total leaf sugar and starch content, and chlorophyll fluorescence in 1-year-old needles of Sakhalin spruce (Picea glehnii Masters) seedlings in relation to the timing of budbreak, grown in a phytotron under natural daylight at two [CO(2)] levels (ambient: 360 μmol mol(-1) and elevated: 720 μmol mol(-1)). Budbreak was accelerated by elevated [CO(2)] accompanied with earlier temporal declines in the quantum yield of PSII electron transport (Φ(PSII)) and photochemical quenching (q(L)). Plants grown under elevated [CO(2)] showed pre-budbreak leaf starch content twice as high with no significant difference in Φ(PSII) from ambient-CO(2)-grown plants when compared at the same measurement [CO(2)], i.

Leaves of Japanese oak (Quercus mongolica var. crispula) mitigate photoinhibition by adjusting electron transport capacities and thermal energy dissipation along the intra-canopy light gradient.

We investigated the morphological and physiological acclimation of leaves grown within a canopy of Japanese oak tree (Quercus mongolica var. crispula) in terms of the susceptibility to photoinhibition under various growth light conditions. The maximum rates of photosynthesis (P(max)) and electron transport (ETR(max)) were higher in mature leaves grown under stronger light with higher area-based leaf nitrogen (N) content closely associated with higher leaf mass per area.