Chemically-induced geometrical isomerization of stilbenes during peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence reaction: revisit to 'photochemistry without light'

The chemically-induced isomerization of stilbenes during the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (PO-CL) reactions was reinvestigated. The PO-CL reactions using bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate in the presence of several stilbenes (type A reaction) produced cis-stilbenes in 0-4% yields, which was dependent on the singlet excitation energy of the stilbenes. On the other hand, the PO-CL reactions of the oxalates, containing the stilbene moieties in the molecules (type B reaction), produced cis-stilbenes 0-9.3% yields, some of which were much more effective than the type A reactions considering the amount of the oxalate moiety as the energy supplier.ArticleTETRAHEDRON LETTERS. 55(3):619-622 (2014)journal articl

Oral health status: relationship to nutrient and food intake among 80‐year‐old Japanese adults

Objectives The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the relationship of oral health status defined on the basis of presence of posterior occluding pairs ( POP s) and adequacy of removable denture fit as determined by self‐report to nutrient and food intake among older Japanese. Methods The subjects were 353 Japanese aged 80 years in 2008 and were classified into four groups according to the number of POP s, defined as pairs of occluding natural, restored, or fixed prosthetic postcanine teeth (range: 0–8) and removable denture status. The groups were: (i) good dentition ( n  =   56; 8 POP s and no removable prosthesis), (ii) well‐fitting dentures ( n  =   158; <8 POP s with self‐reported good‐fitting dentures), (iii) ill‐fitting dentures ( n  =   70; <8 POP s with self‐reported ill‐fitting dentures), and (iv) compromised dentition ( n  =   69; <8 POP s and no removable prosthesis). Multivariable analysis of the differences in nutrient and food intake outcome variables which were collected via validated food frequency questionnaire among the four oral health status groups was conducted using general linear models. Results Intake of multiple nutrients was significantly ( P  <   0.05) lower in the group with ill‐fitting dentures or compromised dentition than in the good dentition group. Vegetable, fish, and shellfish consumption was significantly lower in the ill‐fitting dentures or compromised dentition groups. No significant differences were seen in dietary intake between the well‐fitting dentures and good dentition groups. Conclusions Dietary intake was poorer in those with self‐perceived ill‐fitting dentures or fewer POP s than among those having all POP s. Regular dental care to maintain intact dentition, as well as dental treatment to replace missing teeth and ensure adequate denture fit and function, may be important to the diet intake and subsequent nutritional status of older Japanese.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108691/1/cdoe12100.pd

Patterns that induce advice in remote cooking support via first person vision communication

Multimedia & Expo Workshops (ICMEW), 2015 IEEE International Conference, June 29 2015 - July 3 2015, Turin.In this study, we introduce a novel scheme for distance learning that aims to teach people how to cook, thereby reaching people who are unable to join online cooking classes, supporting rehabilitation and care for single-living elderly people, and handing down dietary knowledge and culture. Our scheme utilizes a framework of working support through first person vision (FPV) communication, in which a worker with a head-mounted camera works under the guidance of an experienced mentor monitoring the FPV from a distance. To make this scheme fully effective, we investigated the communication that takes place in this environment, i.e., how typical response patterns and absence pauses induce advice. Through experiments, temporal characteristics of such features are found to be tightly related to the occurrences of advice

A post-labeling method for multiplexed and multicolored genotyping analysis of SSR, indel and SNP markers in single tube with bar-coded split tag (BStag)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Genotyping analysis using capillary DNA sequencing with fluorescently labeled primer pairs obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely used, but is expensive. The post-PCR labeling method using fluorescently labeled short oligonucleotides and nested PCR of the amplified product obtained from unlabeled primer pairs is a simple and inexpensive alternative. However, previously reported protocols often produced spurious peaks or inconsistent amplification under multiplexed analysis as a result of simultaneous progress of both the amplification and labeling reactions and local homology of the attached tag sequence.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A set of 16 bp-long oligonucleotide sequences termed bar-coded split tag (BStag), comprising a common basal region, a three-nucleotide 'bar-code' sequence, and a mismatched nucleotide at the middle position were designed for selective post-PCR labeling. The BStag was attached at the 5' end of the forward primer of interest. The melting temperature of the BStag was low enough to separate the labeling reaction from initial PCR amplification, and each sequence was minimally divergent but maintained maximum selectivity. Post-PCR labeling of the amplified product was achieved by extending for three cycles at a lower annealing temperature after the conventional amplification program with the appropriate fluorescently labeled BStag primer. No amplification was confirmed with BStag primers for 12 plant species. The electropherogram of the labeled product obtained using this method was consistent with that of prelabeled primer, except for their apparent size.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>BStag enabled multiplexed post-PCR labeling of simple sequence repeat or insertion/deletion markers with different dyes in a single tube. BStag in conjunction with locus specific oligo and allele specific oligo was also useful for single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. The labeling protocol was simple and no additional operation was required. Single-tube multiplexed post-PCR labeling is useful for a wide variety of genotyping studies with maximal flexibility and minimal costs.</p

Enzymatic control of anhydrobiosis-related accumulation of trehalose in the sleeping chironomid, Polypedilum vanderplanki

Larvae of an anhydrobiotic insect, Polypedilum vanderplanki, accumulate very large amounts of trehalose as a compatible solute on desiccation, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this accumulation are unclear. We therefore isolated the genes coding for trehalose metabolism enzymes, i.e. trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP) for the synthesis step, and trehalase (TREH) for the degradation step. Although computational prediction indicated that the alternative splicing variants (PvTpsα/β) obtained encoded probable functional motifs consisting of a typical consensus domain of TPS and a conserved sequence of TPP, PvTpsα did not exert activity as TPP, but only as TPS. Instead, a distinct gene (PvTpp) obtained expressed TPP activity. Previous reports have suggested that insect TPS is, exceptionally, a bifunctional enzyme governing both TPS and TPP. In this article, we propose that TPS and TPP activities in insects can be attributed to discrete genes. The translated product of the TREH ortholog (PvTreh) certainly degraded trehalose to glucose. Trehalose was synthesized abundantly, consistent with increased activities of TPS and TPP and suppressed TREH activity. These results show that trehalose accumulation observed during anhydrobiosis induction in desiccating larvae can be attributed to the activation of the trehalose synthetic pathway and to the depression of trehalose hydrolysis