Mesoscopic structures and dynamics of merocyanine J-aggregate studied by time-resolved fluorescence SNOM.

Time-resolved fluorescence SNOM is used to probe the mesoscopic structure and dynamics of long-chain merocyanine (C18MC) J-aggregates on glass plates prepared by spin coating, casting, and casting of water-soluble polymer films. A globular structure with an average diameter of approximately 1 microm and a height of approximately 50 nm was attributed to the J-aggregate of C18MC in the spin-coating film. In polymer films, the bandwidth of the absorption of J-aggregate is much narrower in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, approximately 20 nm) than that in polyvinyl sulphate (PVS, approximately 60 nm).

Excitation energy transfer of porphyrin in polymer thin films by time-resolved scanning near-field optical microspectroscopy.

Thin films of water-soluble free-base porphyrin, 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H, 23H-porphinetetrasulphonic acid (TPPS) mixed with poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA) have been prepared by a spin-coating method, in which the monomeric species were observed in the spin-coat film, whereas dimer was formed in the cast film prepared from TPPS/PDDA solution. Mesoscopic structures and dynamics of excitation energy migration and trapping of TPPS/PDDA spin-coat film have been analysed by time-resolved scanning near-field optical microspectroscopy (SNOM) and atomic force microscope. The observed film structure can be classified roughly into two parts: one is a large, flocculated polymer part, and the other is a smooth part widely spread around the flocculated polymers.

[Lobectomy of two or more lobes in patients with lung cancer].

We clinically examined patients who had undergone resection of two or more lobes for lung cancer. The subjects were 50 patients (25 who underwent pneumonectomy and 25 bilobectomy) who underwent lobectomy of two or more lobes from among those with primary non-small cell lung cancers in our hospital between 1975 and 1999; these individuals were assigned to Group A, and compared with 166 patients with lobectomy in Group B. The five-year survival rate was 27.

Network structure of curdlan in DMSO and mixture of DMSO and water.

The viscoelastic property of curdlan solution in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was investigated. We discuss the difference in the viscoelastic properties of curdlan solution in DMSO and that in 0.1 N NaOH aqueous solution.

[A case of G-CSF-producing large cell carcinoma of the lung with gastric metastasis].

We report a rare surgically-treated case of G-CSF-producing large cell carcinoma of the lung with gastric metastasis. A 65-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of fever, anemia and epigastralgia. Chest X-ray examination and CT scanning revealed a round mass shadow (8 cm) in contact with the chest wall in the right upper lung field and metastasis to the mediastinal lymph nodes.

Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on mitogen-activated protein kinase in human aortic smooth muscle cells.

The objective of the present study was to determine whether dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) modifies growth factor-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, based on our previous study demonstrating that DHEA attenuates fetal calf serum-induced proliferation in human male aortic smooth muscle cells (human male aortic SMCs). Human male aortic SMCs were used for this study. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), but not insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), stimulated MAPK activity.

alpha-tocopherol protects the peroxidative modification of LDL to be recognized by LDL receptors.

Background: Peroxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may contribute to the atherosclerotic process; therefore, protecting LDL against peroxidation may reduce or retard the progression of atherosclerosis. We evaluated the effect of alpha-tocopherol on copper-catalyzed LDL peroxidative modification.

Methods: The protective effects of alpha-tocopherol on copper-catalyzed LDL peroxidative modification were examined by measurement of the concentration of lipid hydroperoxides in LDL and by the provision of LDL cholesterol to lymphocytes via the LDL receptor-mediated pathway.

Strong synergistic anti-peroxidative effects of HDL3 and ascorbic acid against copper-catalyzed LDL peroxidation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high density lipoprotein 3 (HDL3) and ascorbic acid (AsA) in combination on copper-catalyzed low density lipoprotein (LDL) peroxidation. LDL and HDL3 were isolated from sera of healthy volunteers. LDL protein, 200 microg/ml, was incubated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing 2.

Negative strand of hepatitis C virus RNA in the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C after interferon treatment.

In patients receiving interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C, serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA often reverts from an undetectable to a detectable form after completion of treatment. Detection of the negative strand of HCV-RNA in liver tissue is regarded as an index of viral proliferation. Therefore, we investigated changes in the hepatic negative-strand HCV-RNA following interferon therapy to determine whether this parameter could predict the long-term response to treatment.

[A case of pulmonary tuberculosis associated with tuberculous fistula of anus].

A 39-year old male visited the hospital complaining of perianal pain, swelling and redness. Under the diagnosis of an anal abscess, drainage was performed repeatedly. As the wound failed to heal and fistulae were detected, excision of entire tract was performed.

Analysis of internal motion of single tryptophan in Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor from its picosecond time-resolved fluorescence.

A mode of internal motion of single tryptophan, Trp 86, of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor, was analyzed from its time-resolved fluorescence. The intensity and anisotropy decays of Trp 86 were measured in the picosecond range. These decays were analyzed with theoretical expressions derived assuming that the indole ring of tryptophan as an asymmetric rotor rotates around covalent bonds connecting indole with the peptide chain and an effective quencher of fluorescence of Trp 86 is the nearby SS bond of Cys 35-Cys 50.

Synthesis and antitumor activities of novel 6-5 fused ring heterocycle antifolates: N-[4-[omega-(2-amino-4-substituted-6,7-dihydrocyclopenta [d]pyrimidin-5-yl)alkyl]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acids.

Novel antifolates with a 6-5 fused ring system, 6,7-dihydrocyclopenta [d]pyrimidine, (3a,b and 4a,b) were synthesized on the basis of combined modification of the heterocycle and bridge regions of the folate molecule. The synthetic method involves (1) synthesis of key intermediates of tert-butyl 4-[omega-(2-substituted-3-oxocyclopentanyl) alkyl]benzoates (8a,b and 9a,b) by a carbon-carbon radical coupling of tert-butyl 4-(omega-iodoalkyl)benzoates (7a,b) with 2-substituted-2-cyclopenten-1-ones (5 and 6) utilizing tributyltin hydride, (2) cyclization of either the methyl enol-ethers derived from the 2-cyanocyclopentanones (8a,b) or the 2-(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentanones (9a,b) themselves by treatment with guanidine which leads to 6,7-dihydrocyclopenta [d]pyrimidines with a 4-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)phenylalkyl group (11a,b and 14a,b), (3) deprotection to the corresponding carboxylic acids (12a,b and 15a,b), and (4) amidation with diethyl glutamate and deesterification. Potent dihydrofolate reductase inhibition and highly potent cell growth inhibition were found with 2,4-diaminopyrimidine-fused cyclopentene compounds containing the trimethylene (3a) or ethylene bridge (3b) but not with the corresponding 2-amino-4-hydroxy analogs (4a,b).

Presence and significance of minor antenna components in the energy transfer sequence of the green photosynthetic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus.

Antenna components in the energy transfer processes of a green photosynthetic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus were spectrally investigated by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy at -196 degrees C on intact cells. Besides major antenna components so far reported, three minor components were resolved; those were Bchl c located at 785 nm, the baseplate Bchl a at 819 nm and Bchl a in the B808-866 complex at 910 nm. The last component was assigned to a longer wavelength antenna closely associated with a reaction center.

Structure and function of the photoreceptor stentorins in Stentor coeruleus. II. Primary photoprocess and picosecond time-resolved fluorescence.

Stentorin serves as the photoreceptor for the photophobic and negative phototactic responses in Stentor coeruleus. Two forms of the stentorin have been isolated and purified. The strongly fluorescent form, stentorin I at pH 7.

Structure and function of the photoreceptor stentorins in Stentor coeruleus. I. Partial characterization of the photoreceptor organelle and stentorins.

The unicellular ciliary protozoan, Stentor coeruleus, exhibits photophobic and phototactic responses to visible light stimuli. The pigment granule contains the photoreceptor chromoproteins (stentorins). Stentorin localized in the pigment granules of the cell serves as the primary photoreceptor for the photophobic and phototactic responses in this organism.

Temperature-induced changes in the coenzyme environment of D-amino acid oxidase revealed by the multiple decays of FAD fluorescence.

A temperature-dependent change in the microenvironment of the coenzyme, FAD, of D-amino acid oxidase was investigated by means of steady-state and picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Relative emission quantum yields from FAD bound to D-amino acid oxidase revealed the temperature transition when concentration of the enzyme was lowered. The observed fluorescence decay curves were well described with four-exponential decay functions.

Picosecond-resolved fluorescence spectra of D-amino-acid oxidase. A new fluorescent species of the coenzyme.

Protein dynamics of D-amino-acid oxidase in the picosecond region was investigated by measuring time-resolved fluorescence of the bound coenzyme, FAD. The observed nonexponential fluorescence decay curves were analyzed with four-exponential decay functions. The fluorescence lifetimes at the best fit were 26.

Primary photoprocesses of phytochrome. Picosecond fluorescence kinetics of oat and pea phytochromes.

The primary photoprocesses of etiolated oat and pea phytochromes (Pr forms) are diffusion-modulated by the microscopic viscosity within the chromophore pocket. The chromophore pocket is preferentially accessible to glycerol but not to Ficoll. Glycerol preferentially retarded the rate (rate constant ca.

Rat strain variations in liver cytosolic DT-diaphorase activity and possible significance of the trait in carcinogenesis by azo dyes.

1. Strain variations among female rats in terms of cytosolic DT-diaphorase activity were studied in liver, heart and glandular stomach tissues with or without administration of 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA). 2.

Viscosity dependence of primary photoprocesses of 124 kilodalton phytochrome.

To characterize the nature of primary photoprocesses of phytochrome which serves as the red-far red reversible photoreceptor for photomorphogenesis in plants, viscosity dependence of the fluorescence lifetimes of phytochrome isolated from etiolated oat seedling (Avena sativa L.) has been investigated. The fluorescence decay of phytochrome exhibited approximately two components, one with lifetime in the range of 50-70 ps and another with 1.