Gallium phosphide nanowires as a substrate for cultured neurons

Dissociated sensory neurons were cultured on epitaxial gallium phosphide (GaP) nanowires grown vertically from a gallium phosphide surface. Substrates covered by 2.5 microm long, 50 nm wide nanowires supported cell adhesion and axonal outgrowth. Cell survival was better on nanowire substrates than on planar control substrates. The cells interacted closely with the nanostructures, and cells penetrated by hundreds of wires were observed as well as wire bending due to forces exerted by the cells.     

Content of amino acids in fresh and frozen and cooked broad bean seeds (Vicia faba var major) depending on cultivar and degree of maturity

In broad been seeds (cultivars Comprimo RS and Threefoldwhite) harvested at four stages of maturity, which corresponded to dry matter content at the levels of I—25%, II—30%, III—35% and IV—40%, the content of amino acids was determined (g 16 g N⁻¹). The determinations concerned raw broad bean and frozen products cooked for consumption. The content of total and essential amino acids was similar in the two cultivars. With increasing maturity the content of total amino acids and essential amino acids varied, showing a tendency to increase between maturity stages I and IV in all the amino acids, except aspartic acid and alanine in Threefoldwhite. In both cultivars the content of cystine and glutamic acid showed the most rapid rise. Compared with raw broad beans, intact seeds cooked for consumption contained more total amino acids. In products of Comprimo RS the total content of amino acids and essential amino acids was similar in intact seeds and in the dehulled seeds. In products from Threefoldwhite the content of total amino acids and essential amino acids was higher in intact seeds than in dehulled seeds except in the most mature sample where these values were similar. The limiting amino acids were methionine with cystine in both raw broad bean and cooked seeds. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

A Comparison of the Effect of Lead (Pb) on the Slow Vacuolar (SV) and Fast Vacuolar (FV) Channels in Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Taproot Vacuoles

Little is known about the effect of lead on the activity of the vacuolar K⁺ channels. Here, the patch-clamp technique was used to compare the impact of lead (PbCl₂) on the slow-activating (SV) and fast-activating (FV) vacuolar channels. It was revealed that, under symmetrical 100-mM K⁺, the macroscopic currents of the SV channels exhibited a typical slow activation and a strong outward rectification of the steady-state currents, while the macroscopic currents of the FV channels displayed instantaneous currents, which, at the positive potentials, were about three-fold greater compared to the one at the negative potentials. When PbCl₂ was added to the bath solution at a final concentration of 100 µM, it decreased the macroscopic outward currents of both channels but did not change the inward currents. The single-channel recordings demonstrated that cytosolic lead causes this macroscopic effect by a decrease of the single-channel conductance and decreases the channel open probability. We propose that cytosolic lead reduces the current flowing through the SV and FV channels, which causes a decrease of the K⁺ fluxes from the cytosol to the vacuole. This finding may, at least in part, explain the mechanism by which cytosolic Pb²⁺ reduces the growth of plant cells.     

Evaluation of Antioxidative Constituents from Thyme

The non-polar fraction of thyme was examined for the occurrence of phenolic components and their antioxidative activity. In addition to carvacrol ( II ) and thymol ( III ), p -cymene-2,3-diol (I ; 2,3-dihydroxy-4-isopropyl-1-methylbenzene) was isolated for the first time from thyme. The structure of I was elucidated using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ¹³C NMR, and mass spectrometry. Antioxidative activity was investigated with the Rancimat method (100°C) and the Schaal test (60°C). Compound I exhibited the strongest antioxidative activity which was greater than that of α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxyanisole. Five thyme species were analysed by means of HPLC with electrochemical detection for the concentration of compounds I – III . The highest amounts of I – III were found in Thymus vulgaris L.     

Aromatic Bis[aminomethylidenebis(phosphonic)] Acids Prevent Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss and Suppress Osteoclastogenesis in Mice

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease associated with excessive bone turnover. Among the compounds with antiresorptive activity, nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates play the most important role in antiosteoporotic treatment. In previous studies, we obtained two aminomethylidenebisphosphonates—benzene-1,4-bis[aminomethylidene(bisphosphonic)] (WG12399C) acid and naphthalene-1,5-bis[aminomethylidene(bisphosphonic)] (WG12592A) acid—which showed a significant antiproliferative activity toward J774E macrophages, a model of osteoclast precursors. The aim of these studies was to evaluate the antiresorptive activity of these aminobisphosphonates in ovariectomized (OVX) Balb/c mice. The influence of WG12399C and WG12592A administration on bone microstructure and bone strength was studied. Intravenous injections of WG12399C and WG12592A bisphosphonates remarkably prevented OVX-induced bone loss; for example, they sustained bone mineral density at control levels and restored other bone parameters such as trabecular separation. This was accompanied by a remarkable reduction in the number of TRAP-positive cells in bone tissue. However, a significant improvement in the quality of bone structure did not correlate with a parallel increase in bone strength. In ex vivo studies, WG12399C and WG12592A remarkably bisphosphonates reduced osteoclastogenesis and partially inhibited the resorptive activity of mature osteoclasts. Our results show interesting biological activity of two aminobisphosphonates, which may be of interest in the context of antiresorptive therapy.     

New algorithms for power transformer inter-turn fault protection

In the paper new algorithms for detection of internal inter-turn faults in power transformers are described. Such faults are extremely difficult to detect since they induce negligible increase of the currents at the transformer terminals, although the currents flowing at the fault place are very high and dangerous for the transformer to be protected. The algorithms developed are based on the differential equation of the equivalent circuit of the transformer. In one version additional information from a CT installed inside of the triangle of delta side windings is used, which brings very promising results. Theoretical investigations are supported and illustrated with simulation studies performed both with MATLAB and EMTP-ATP programs.