Ultrafast electron localization dynamics following photo-induced charge transfer

Molecular dynamics occurring in the earliest stages following photo-induced charge transfer were investigated. Femtosecond time-resolved absorption anisotropy measurements on [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, reveal a time dependence in nitrile solutions attributed to initial delocalization of the excited state over all three ligands followed by charge localization onto a single ligand. The localization process is proposed to be coupled to nondiffusive solvation dynamics. In contrast, measurements sampling population dynamics show spectral evolution associated with wave packet motion on the excited state surface that is independent of solvent. The results therefore reveal two important contributions to the evolution of charge transfer states in condensed phase, one that is strongly coupled to the surrounding environment and another that follows a potential internal to the molecule.     

Physicochemical and sensory characteristic changes in fortified peanut spreads after 3 months of storage at different temperatures

Three amino acid-balanced, vitamin- and mineral-fortified peanut spreads were stored at 4, 23, and 40 degrees C for 3 months. These were 69.6% peanut/19% soybean-40.5% fat, 61.9% peanut/19% soybean-44.5% fat, and 74.1% peanut/14% nonfat dry milk (NFDM)-40% fat. The peanut spreads were fortified with vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B(6), vitamin C, calcium, and iron to provide 33.3% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for children. Water-soluble vitamins were quite stable in deaerated peanut spreads. The antioxidant activity of phytochemicals in soybean prevented vitamin A degradation in soy-containing spreads, whereas the NFDM spread lost 70% of the initial content. Instron analysis detected major changes in texture when peanut spreads were stored at 40 degrees C, suggesting that the polymorphic form of lipid transformed and the proper crystallization of stabilizer was destroyed. Panelists did not detect the texture changes in peanut spreads stored at different temperatures. At 40 degrees C, the primary deteriorative changes in sensory quality were increased browning and the development of "soybean" and "oxidized" flavors as well as decreased "roasted peanutty" flavor.     

Absorption of Radioactive Strontium by Soil,Especially in Relation to Native Calcium

Since it has been well known that radioactive strontium, among the fission nuclides, is particularly important in respect to the potential biological radiation hazard, much attention has been given in recent years to the study on its behaviour in soil and plant. The experiments described herein were conducted in order to elucidate some of the features of carrier-free radioactive strontium added to soils especially in connection with native calcium.     

Oat Prevents Obesity and Abdominal Fat Distribution, and Improves Liver Function in Humans

Obesity is associated with a great diversity of diseases including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Our recent report suggested that oat, rich in beta-glucan, had a metabolic-regulating and liver-protecting effect in an animal model. In this study, we performed a clinical trial to further confirm the effect of oat. Subjects with BMI ≧27 and aged 18–65, were randomly divided into a control (n?=?18) and an oat-treated (n?=?16) group, taking a placebo or beta glucan-containing oat cereal, respectively, for 12 weeks. Our data showed that consumption of oat reduced body weight, BMI, body fat and the waist-to-hip ratio. Profiles of hepatic function, including AST, but especially ALT, were useful resources to help in the evaluation of the liver, since both showed decrements in patients with oat consumption. Nevertheless, anatomic changes were still not observed by ultrasonic image analysis. Ingestion of oat was well tolerated and there was no adverse effect during the trial. In conclusion, consumption of oat reduced obesity, abdominal fat, and improved lipid profiles and liver functions. Taken as a daily supplement, oat could act as an adjuvant therapy for metabolic disorders.     

A new approach to selecting a regionalized design hyetograph by principal component analysis and analytic hierarchy process

Designing storm hyetographs is the essential element of hydrologic modeling analysis and storm water drainage design. In order to reasonably use storm hyetograph design in an un-gauged area, a regional representative hyetograph from an alternative and uniform area must be found. A new approach is proposed in this study to select a regional design storm hyetograph using principal component analysis (PCA) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The proposed approach combines both PCA and cluster analysis techniques. Furthermore, the AHP method is also used to establish the regional design hyetograph. A case study applied in the area of northern Taiwan shows that our method can successfully categorize the area into three homogenous zones. A representative regional hyetograph can be obtained by selecting the largest priority vector or by the weighted average of rain gauges in each zone.     

Towards the Small and the Beautiful: A Small Dibromotyrosine Derivative from Pseudoceratina sp. Sponge Exhibits Potent Apoptotic Effect through Targeting IKK/NFκB Signaling Pathway

A dibromotyrosine derivative, (1′R,5′S,6′S)-2-(3′,5′-dibromo-1′,6′-dihydroxy-4′-oxocyclohex-2′-enyl) acetonitrile (DT), was isolated from the sponge Pseudoceratina sp., and was found to exhibit a significant cytotoxic activity against leukemia K562 cells. Despite the large number of the isolated bromotyrosine derivatives, studies focusing on their biological mechanism of action are scarce. In the current study we designed a set of experiments to reveal the underlying mechanism of DT cytotoxic activity against K562 cells. First, the results of MTT cytotoxic and the annexin V-FITC/PI apoptotic assays, indicated that the DT cytotoxic activity is mediated through induction of apoptosis. This effect was also supported by caspases-3 and -9 activation as well as PARP cleavage. DT induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as indicated by flow cytometric assay. The involvement of ROS generation in the apoptotic activity of DT was further corroborated by the pretreatment of K562 cells with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, which prevented apoptosis and the disruption of MMP induced by DT. Results of cell-free system assay suggested that DT can act as a topoisomerase II catalytic inhibitor, unlike the clinical anticancer drug, etoposide, which acts as a topoisomerase poison. Additionally, we found that DT treatment can block IKK/NFκB pathway and activate PI3K/Akt pathway. These findings suggest that the cytotoxic effect of DT is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction-dependent apoptosis which is mediated through oxidative stress. Therefore, DT represents an interesting reference point for the development of new cytotoxic agent targeting IKK/NFκB pathway.     

Comparison of postoperative effects between lidocaine infusion,meloxicam, and their combination in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy

ObjectiveTo compare the postoperative analgesic effects of intravenous (IV) lidocaine, meloxicam, and their combination in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.Study designProspective, randomized, double‐blind, controlled clinical trial.AnimalsTwenty‐seven dogs aged (mean ± SD) 16.1 ± 7.5 months and weighing 22.4 ± 17.9 kg scheduled for ovariohysterectomy.MethodsAnaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Dogs (n = 9 in each group) were allocated to receive just prior to and during surgery one of the following regimens: M group, 0.2 mg kg^?1 IV meloxicam then a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of lactated Ringer's at 10 mL kg^?1 hour^?1; L group, a bolus of lidocaine (1 mg kg^?1 IV) then a CRI of lidocaine at 0.025 mg kg^?1 minute^?1; and M + L group, both the above meloxicam and lidocaine treatments. Pain and sedation were scored, and venous samples taken for serum cortisol and glucose measurement before and at intervals for 12 hours after anaesthesia. Pain scores were assessed using a multi‐parameter subjective scoring scale (cumulative scale 0–21) by three observers. The protocol stated that dogs with a total score exceeding 9 or a sub‐score above 3 in any one category would receive rescue analgesia. Sedation was scored on a scale of 0–4.ResultsThere were no significant differences in subjective pain scores, serum cortisol, and glucose concentrations between the three groups. The highest pain score at any time was 5, and no dog required rescue analgesia. None of the three regimens caused any observable side effects during or after anaesthesia. At 1 and 2 hours after extubation dogs in group L were significantly more sedated than in the other two groups.Conclusions and Clinical relevanceThis study suggests that, with the scoring system used, IV lidocaine and meloxicam provide similar and adequate post‐operative analgesia in healthy dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.