Worm-like carbon shell chains produced from wood

Large-scale utilization of wood which command absolute majority in biomass for functional carbon precursors contributes to reduce greenhouse effect. Wood char generally has a limit on material usage because of its non-graphitic structure^1^, so we developed a new functional wood char by iron-, or nickel-catalyzed carbonization, which has a graphite-like structure with mesopores good for electroconductivity and liquid phase adsorption capacity for macro molecules^2-5^. However the fine structure of the wood char is still not clear. Here we report more than 70 wt % of iron-catalyzed wood char is filled with chained carbon shells formed by 3~20 defective stacking layers of carbon hexagonal planes, which look like nanometer-sized worms swarm. We name them "carbon shell chains". The discussion of the formation mechanism reveals that the wood cell wall plays an important role for their efficient production. They are stable at 1800 ºC under vacuum, but in air, burn under 600 ºC, and are perfectly conversed into hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a short time by steam at 900 ºC. The control of their decomposition will bring out a new talent in the wood char as a big source of supply for nano-graphite or nano-graphene, for which nanometer size and edge effects have recently attracted considerable attention^6^. In addition, a simple and easy preparation of carbon shell chains implies that they may be naturally produced on or in the earth rich in iron, and might be misinterpreted as nano-worms, though most of them may decompose into organic gases

Immunological quantitation of tyrosinase from wild-type and albino mutant mice

AbstractThe relationship between gene dosage, enzyme activity, and level of immunologically cross-reacting material (CRM) was examined in mammalian tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Skin extracts from mice heterozygous (C/c) and homozygous (c/c) for the albino locus contain 46% and 0% of CRM, respectively, as compared with wild-type (C/C) animals. Enzyme activity and CRM level were directly proportional in these genotypes, suggesting that the albino locus controls the quantity of tyrosinase produced in melanocytes

Streptococcus thermophilus ST28 Ameliorates Colitis in Mice Partially by Suppression of Inflammatory Th17 Cells

The effects of Streptococcus thermophilus ST28 on cytokine production by murine splenocytes stimulated with transforming growth factor-β plus interleukin- (IL-) 6 were evaluated. The addition of ST28 significantly repressed IL-17 production compared to ATCC 19258 (type strain). ST28 also decreased the number of Th17 cells in the stimulated splenocytes. The anti-inflammatory effects of ST28 administration were evaluated in mice with colitis induced by dextran sodium sulphate (DSS). Oral treatment of mice with ST28 ameliorated the intestinal lesions by DSS. Upon DSS treatment, IL-17 production in lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs) was induced, but ST28 significantly decreased its production. ST28 also decreased the percentage of Th17 cells in LPL from DSS-induced colitis. The present results imply that ST28 suppresses the Th17 response in inflamed intestines and would be useful in the treatment of Th17-mediated diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease

Electron gun using coniferous carbon nano-structure

We have measured the emission stability of a coniferous carbon nano-structure (CCNS) field emis-sion electron source. Stable emission over the 1274 h measurement was observed at an emission current density of 20 mA·cm−2. The CCNS emitter can generate an emission current of more than 10 mA making it a practical choice for many applications requiring high electron current. For exam-ple, we are currently developing a CCNS based electron gun for electron accelerators and a portable X-ray source. Recent progress on both these applications is presented. 1

Relationship between postprandial glucose level and carotid artery stiffness in patients without diabetes or cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between postprandial glucose level and atherosclerosis in patients without diabetes and cardiovascular disease by determining carotid ultrasonographic variables and serum levels of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG). METHODS: The subjects were 72 patients without diabetes and cardiovascular disease being treated for hypertension or dyslipidemia. The clinical characteristics of all subjects, including the serum level of 1,5-AG, which appears to be well suited for monitoring postprandial hyperglycemia, were evaluated after an overnight fast. The average intima-media thickness (IMT) and the average pulsatility index (PI) of the right and left common carotid arteries were determined with high-resolution ultrasonography and used as ultrasonographic variables. The subjects were divided into a Lower 1,5-AG group (n = 36) and a Higher 1,5-AG group (n = 36). We evaluated the relationship between clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic variables of the carotid artery in both groups. RESULTS: The average PI in the Lower 1,5-AG group was significantly higher than that in the Higher 1,5-AG group, but the average IMT did not differ between the groups. Linear regression analysis, with the ultrasonographic variables as the dependent variables, with 1,5-AG as the independent variable, and adjusted for other clinical characteristics, showed significant correlation between 1,5-AG and the PI but not between 1,5-AG and IMT. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that postprandial hyperglycemia increases carotid artery stiffness, but not morphological change, in patients without diabetes or cardiovascular disease

Fibroblast growth factor 10 regulates Meckel's cartilage formation during early mandibular morphogenesis in rats

AbstractFibroblast growth factors (FGF) are pluripotent growth factors that play pivotal roles in the development of various organs. During mandibular organogenesis, Meckel's cartilage, teeth, and mandibular bone differentiate under the control of various FGF. In the present study, we evaluated the role of FGF10 in rat mandibular chondrogenesis and morphogenesis using mandibular organ culture and mandibular cell micromass culture systems. The overexpression of Fgf10 induced by the electroporation of an FGF10 expression vector not only altered the size and shape of Meckel's cartilage, but also upregulated the expression of the cartilage characteristic genes Col2a1 and Sox9 in a mandibular organ culture system. Meckel's cartilage was deformed, and its size was increased when Fgf10 was overexpressed in the lateral area of the mandible. Meanwhile, no effect was found when Fgf10 was overexpressed in the medial portion. In the mandibular cell micromass culture, recombinant FGF10 treatment enhanced chondrogenic differentiation and endogenous ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) phosphorylation in cells derived from the lateral area of the mandible. On the other hand, FGF10 did not have significant effects on mandibular cell proliferation. These results indicate that FGF10 regulates Meckel's cartilage formation during early mandibular morphogenesis by controlling the cell differentiation in the lateral area of the mandibular process in rats

Implications for Better Container Transit in the Lower Mekong River through the Field Survey and Policy Simulation

Inland waterway transport (IWT) via the Mekong River has an advantage over road transport in terms of shipping cost. In order to enhance the competitiveness of IWT, a field survey was carried out to identify issues which need to be addressed. The survey also included a night time border crossing by barge thanks to the cooperation of stakeholders in Cambodia and Vietnam. The survey results indicated that 24-hour border point operation along the river would increase transport capacity and provide access to mother container vessels calling at Southern Vietnamese ports. In addition, the simulation results of the container cargo assignment model show that the increase of barge size and 24-hours border point operation will enlarge the share of water transport. The improvements to the inland waterway system will create business opportunities for factories in Cambodia