Uncoupling of an epithelial cell membrane junction by calcium-ion removal

Calcium takes part in maintaining ion communication between salivary gland cells (Chironomus thummi). Its withdrawal from the cell systems results in virtual disconnection of ion communication, at Ca(++) concentrations which do not noticeably affect cell adhesion. The junctional membrane surfaces. which are normally quite freely permeable to ions, become as impermeable as the nonjunctional membrane surfaces; each cell seals itself off irreversibly as a unit. In maintaining ion communication Mg(++) substitutes for Ca(++)     

A Mixed-Integer Optimization Technique for Developing a Sulfur Emission Control Strategy for China

The economical development and increasing population of China and other East Asian countries is expected to be accompanied by an increase in the emission of air pollutants. The objective of this study is to develop an effective and economical emission control strategy for sulfur in East Asia. There are existing methods for controlling sulfur emission, such as changing to lower sulfur content fuel, introducing desulfurization devices for emission sources, and promoting efficient energy use. The applicability of such measures is restricted by both energy supply and control cost, amongst other concerns. As a case study, an optimal control strategy based on the estimated sulfur emission for China in 2010, is simulated using a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming technique with several restrictions that satisfies, among other constraints, the atmospheric environment requirements for SO₂ and the soil load limit for SO₄ deposition.     

Effects of two sex steroid hormones on early oogenesis in Japanese huchen (Hucho perryi)

The present study was carried out to investigate whether several sex steroid hormones are able to induce oogonial proliferation or initiation of meiotic division I in vitro. The results showed that 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α, 20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α, 20β-DHP) were able to induce the DNA synthesis of ovarian germ cells. The percentage of oocytes in 17α, 20β-DHP treated fragments was significantly higher than that in the other treatments. From these results, we conclude that endogenous E2 and 17α, 20β-DHP synthesized in ovary play significant roles in the proliferation of oogonia and the initiation of meiotic division I in early oogenesis, respectively.     

NMVOCs and CO Emission Inventory in East Asia

For analyzing acidification in East Asia, long range transportation models has been developed, which require emissions inventories of the precursors. SO₂ and NOx emissions inventories were reported previously; here emissions of NMVOCs (Non methane volatile organic compounds) and CO in East Asia; China, Republic Korea, Japan and Taiwan area, are estimated. For the years 1994–95, the total emissions of NMVOC and CO in East Asia are estimated at 17.7 and 94.1Tg/y respectively. Small coal boiler and biomass use for residences are dominant sources of NMVOCs in the area, especially in China. More than half of CO emission comes from biomass use in residences in China. Regionally at east costal area in China high density emission is seen in the 1×1 degree grid emission map.     

Shear tests of double shear plate connector joints in sugi—Japanese larch composite glulam beams

To study the shear strength of structural joints in sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) — Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi Carriere) composite glulam beams using structural connectors with double shear plates, shear tests were conducted on two types of joint (post-beam and girder-beam). Two types of the composite beam (240 and 300 mm depth) were prepared for the tests. Ordinary sugi glulam beam and Japanese larch glulam beam were also used as control specimens. The load—displacement curves of joints in composite beams were somewhere between those of sugi and Japanese larch glulam beams. The shear strength of joints in composite beams was higher than that in the sugi glulam beam control. However, the allowable loads of the joints in composite beams were lower than those in the sugi beam with 240 mm depth. Large variation of maximum load of the joints in the composite beams resulted in lower allowable load.     

Changes of plasma concentrations of steroid hormones, prostaglandin F2 alpha-metabolite and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin during pregnancy in thoroughbred mares.

Plasma concentrations of estrogens, gestagens, cortisol (F), 13, 14-dihydro, 15-keto PGF2 alpha (PGFM) and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) in 10 Thoroughbred mares were measured for a 11-month pregnancy period. Estrone (E1) and estradiol-17 beta (E2) levels gradually increased as the pregnancy advanced, showing a peak around Month 8 and decreased thereafter. Progesterone (P) levels increased on Months 3 and 11, and 17 alpha-OH-progesterone (17 alpha-OHP) levels peaked on Month 3, whereas 20 alpha-OH-progesterone (20 alpha-OHP) levels increased sharply after Month 6. PGFM indicated peaks on Months 2 and 11. F and PMSG levels peaked on Months 2 and 3. From factor analysis, Month, E1, E2 and 20 alpha-OHP were discriminated as Factor 1, increasing with the progress of pregnancy, PMSG, 17 alpha-OHP and P as Factor 2, showing a relation with the secondary corpus luteum, and PGFM and F as Factor 3, affecting PGFM change on Month 2 by F. P also related to both Factors 1 and 3, showing an inverse relation against PGFM. In conclusion E1, E2 and 20 alpha-OHP contained in Factor 1 were suggested to be important especially as parameters of placental function after Month 6.     

A mixed green vegetable and fruit beverage decreased the serum level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients

The effects of a canned mixed green vegetable and fruit beverage, containing broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L.) as main materials, on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic patients were investigated. Thirty-one adult subjects were administered two cans of the beverage (160 g/can) per day for 3 weeks. Their serum total cholesterol (TC) levels significantly decreased from 6.7 +/- 0.8 to 6.1 +/- 0.6 mmol/L, and, more strikingly, the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) significantly decreased from 4.4 +/- 0.8 to 3.8 +/- 0.7 mmol/L. At 9 weeks after the cessation of the administration, these levels had returned to the preadministration levels. Furthermore, 14 other subjects who were administered one can of the sample for 12 weeks also showed a significant reduction in the levels of serum TC and LDL-C. Thus, daily consumption of this mixed green vegetable and fruit beverage may be useful in lowering serum TC and LDL-C levels in hypercholesterolemic patients.     

Rinsing of Saline Water from Road Salt in a Sandy Soil by Infiltrating Rainfall: Experiments,Simulations, and Implications

Saline melt water from road salt applications that has percolated into a fine sandy soil in winter is rinsed out of the soil by infiltrating rainwater in the following warmer seasons. This sequence of saturated and unsaturated flow processes associated with saline water transport in a fine sandy soil was studied by simulation and exploratory laboratory experiments. Experiments in soil columns of 300-μm sand revealed that two rinses of pure water, each of one pore volume, were sufficient to reduce the salt concentration by 99% of its original value in the soil column. Simulated time variations of salt concentration in the effluent from the column agreed with experimental results. Based on simulated and experimental results, a sandy soil must become saturated to experience pore water flow in order to efficiently rinse saline snowmelt water. Depending on the saturated hydraulic conductivity and the soil depth, days, weeks, or months of freshwater infiltration in summer are needed to rinse saline melt water from an unsaturated sandy soil after road salt applications in winter. This explains findings of significant salt concentrations in surface and shallow groundwater during summer months, long after road salt application and infiltration has ceased.