Nickel-catalyzed carbonization of wood for coproduction of functional carbon and fluid fuels I: production of crystallized mesoporous carbon

Japanese larch wood loaded with nickel (1%–4%) alone or with nickel and calcium (0.25%–1.5%) was carbonized at 800°–900°C for 0–120min with a heating rate of 5°–20°C min⁻¹ in a helium flow of 5.8−46.4 ml STP cm⁻² min⁻¹ to examine the influence of these variables on the crystallization of carbon (the formation of T component) and the development of mesoporosity. From the obtained results, reaction conditions suitable for effective production of carbon with the dual functions of adequate electroconductivity and adsorption capacity in liquid phase were established, thereby explaining the factors that govern the process. It was also confirmed that mesopore having a diameter of about 4 nm was selectively produced at the cost of specific (BET) surface area in parallel with the formation of T component. This result provided good insight into how the simultaneous dual function could be realized.     

Phylogenetic analysis and PCR detection of Clostridium chauvoei, Clostridium haemolyticum, Clostridium novyi types A and B, and Clostridium septicum based on the flagellin gene

The flagellin genes (fliC) of Clostridium chauvoei, Clostridium haemolyticum, Clostridium novyi types A and B, and Clostridium septicum were analysed by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. The five Clostridium species have at least two copies of the flagellin gene (fliC) arranged in tandem on the chromosome. The deduced N- and C-terminal aminoacid sequences of the flagellin proteins (FliCs) of these clostridia are well conserved but their central region aminoacid sequences are not. Phylogenic analysis based on the N-terminal aminoacid sequence of the FliC protein revealed that these clostridia, which belong to Clostridium 16S rDNA phylogenic cluster I (), are more closely related to Bacillus subtilis than to Clostridium difficile, which belongs to the cluster XI. Moreover, a multiplex polymerase reaction (PCR) system based on the fliC sequence was developed to rapidly identify C. chauvoei, C. haemolyticum, C. novyi types A and B, and C. septicum. PCR of each Clostridium amplified a species-specific band. The multiplex PCR system may be useful for rapid identification of pathogenic clostridia.     

An improved method for hemagglutinin extraction from feline herpesvirus type 1-infected cell line

Hemagglutination (HA) activity of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) propagated in feline lung cell culture and two established feline cell lines, CRFK and fcwf-4, was investigated. Intra- and extracellular crude samples obtained from those infected cell cultures did not show HA activity. However, when treated with tween 80-ether, HA activity appeared. There was no correlation between virus infectivity titers and the HA titers at various harvesting times, and besides, hemagglutinins were found in intracellular samples at the early stage of infection. By ultrasonic destruction of the infected fcwf-4 cells, high titer hemagglutinins were obtained. High titer hemagglutinins were also extracted successfully from infected fcwf-4 cell membranes by solubilization with any of the three detergents: Triton X-100, DOC, and CHAPS. The optimal concentrations of each detergent for solubilizing hemagglutinin were 0.05 (v/v)%, 0.5 (w/v)%, and 0.1-0.2 (w/v)%, respectively. The HA activities of both the ultrasonic-treated hemagglutinin and the detergent-soluble hemagglutinin from infected fcwf-4 cells were inhibited specifically by anti-FHV-1 sera. Therefore, either hemagglutinin could be used as HA antigen for the hemagglutination-inhibition test.     

Nickel-catalyzed carbonization of wood for coproduction of functional carbon and fluid fuels II: improved fuel quality of oil fraction and increased heating value of gas fraction

The yields and properties of oil and gas fractions coproduced during carbonization of larch wood loaded with Ni 2%, Ni 2%+Ca 1%, and Ni 4% and without catalyst (None) at 700°–900°C were examined to clarify the catalytic effect in terms of conversion into fluid fuels. The net calorific value of oil occurred mainly below 500°C and increased in the order None < Ni 2% < Ni 4% < Ni 2%+Ca 1%, while the yield decreased in this order. The same order held for the production of gases enriched with hydrogen at 500°–700°C. Even above 800°C, markedly promoted evolution of hydrogen took place for all catalyst systems. These observations confirmed the effectiveness of nickel-catalyzed carbonization at 900°C, particularly Ni 2%+Ca 1%, for both upgrading of oil and gaseous fractions, although the quality of oil was not satisfactory. The catalysis of nickel with and without calcium is discussed on the basis of the modified Broid-Shafizadeh scheme, and the scheme was altered to adapt to the high temperature region where oil was no longer produced. Part of this study was presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the Japan Institute of Energy, Suita, August 2005, and at the 18th Symposium, Session D, of the Materials Research Society of Japan, Tokyo, December 2007     

Identification of feline herpesvirus type 1-hemagglutinin

The crude hemagglutinin of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), solubilized from infected fcwf-4 cells by detergents, was partially purified by three kinds of chromatographic methods. Lectin-affinity chromatography showed the hemagglutination (HA) activity in fractions, which was bound to Concanavalin A-sepharose and then eluted by alpha-methyl D-mannoside, suggesting that the hemagglutinin might include a glycoprotein. Ion-exchange and gel-exclusion chromatographies were also capable of purifying the detergent-soluble crude hemagglutinin. When peak HA fractions, which were obtained from each of the three procedures, were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the gel-exclusion chromatography was the most effective method. Electrophoreic analysis also showed only one band of 59,000 (59K) molecular weight protein, which was commonly observed in the three partially purified hemagglutinins with silver staining. In addition, the 59K protein band was clearly recognized in immunoblot analysis of the infected cell lysates using infected cat serum. These observations suggest that the FHV-1 detergent-soluble hemagglutinin from infected fcwf-4 cells may be closely related to a 59K immunogenic glycoprotein.     

The discovery of pyridalyl: a novel insecticidal agent for controlling lepidopterous pests

Synthesis of analogues of two compounds with known insecticidal activity, both of which contain a 3,3-dichloro-2-propenyloxy group, produced 2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-phenoxyphenyl 3,3-dichloro-2-propenyl ether, which had weak activity against lepidopterous larvae. Structural modifications around this lead compound led to the development of pyridalyl [Pleo, S-1812; 2,6-dichloro-4-(3,3-dichloroallyloxy)phenyl 3-[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridyloxy]propyl ether], which belongs to a new class of insecticides. Pyridalyl gives very good control of various lepidopterous and thysanopterous pests on cotton and vegetables, without phytotoxicity. It controls populations of Heliothis virescens F and Plutella xylostella (L) which are resistant to various currently used insecticides. It also produces unique insecticidal symptoms, so it may have a different mode of action from other existing insecticides. Pyridalyl is also less harmful than existing insecticides to various beneficial arthropods, so it should provide an important tool in IPM and insecticidal management programmes for the control of lepidopterous and thysanopterous pests. The first market introduction is expected in Japan and some Asian countries in the years between 2004 and 2005.