Search

Alternatives to ethoxyquin (Etq) are needed for controlling superficial scald of 'Anjou' european pears (Pyrus communis) during long-term storage. The current commercial standard storage conditions [Etq + -1 °C + controlled atmosphere (CA) with 1.5 kPa O2] reduced scald occurrence compared with control fruit (-1 °C + CA) during 6-8 months storage. At 1 °C in air, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) fumigation at 0.15 µL·-1 at harvest was more efficient on reducing scald than Etq but did not prevent scald during 6-8 months storage. The 1-MCP-treated fruit at 1 °C in air developed their ripening capacity at 20 °C following 6-8 months storage but had deceased shipping ability (softening and yellowing of fruit). Although Etq inhibition of scald was associated with the inhibition of α-farnesene oxidation to conjugated trienols (CTols); 1-MCP reduced a-farnesene synthesis and thereby the availability of substrate to oxidize to CTols. CA storage at 1.5 kPa O2 totally prevented scald and retarded the loss of shipping ability without affecting the ripening capacity of 1-MCP-treated fruit at 1 °C through further decreases in the syntheses of ethylene, a-farnesene and CTols during 6-8 months storage. In addition, 1-MCP prevented a CA-induced disorder, pithy brown core (PBC), in 'Anjou' pears possibly through enhancing an oxidative/reductive metabolic balance during extended storage. In conclusion, the combinations of 1 °C + 1-MCP + CA is a potential commercial alternative to Etq for scald control while allowing the 1-MCP-treated 'Anjou' pears to recover ripening capacity during the shelf life period after 6-8 months storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Out of 2,655 scholarly journals published in Japan in 2005 in the fields of science, technology and medicine, 2,046 (77.1%) were indexed by one or more Japanese databases such as Nll-CJP, JAPIC, Ichushi, or JST. Also 665 (25.0%) were indexed by one or more western databases such as MEDLINE, SCI, CA or Scopus. With regard to 351 English-language journal titles, the coverage of Japanese databases was 281 titles (80. 0%) and that of western databases was 238 titles (67.8%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All the extracted intermediates are compounds that are cited in chemical abstracts and registered assigned CAS Registry Number. Among those intermediates which can be used in synthesis of investigative new drugs, a growing business field in the market, the authors particularly extracted intermediates which are available in plural number of investigative drugs (so-called common intermediates). It is said to be significant factor in intermediate business that those compounds can be applied in diversified uses. It is found that the common intermediates covered in this study are highly expected to be used not only in investigative drugs for a diversity of diseases but also in investigative drugs a number of companies deal with in the new drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antigen presentation induces lymphokine gene expression in T cells and an autocrine stimulatory pathway leading to cell growth and proliferation. Cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK-506, two potent, clinically relevant immunosuppressive compounds, function by preventing lymphokine production, particularly interleukin-2. These compounds act at the level of transcription by inhibiting the activation of a set of transcription factors that are required for initiation of lymphokine gene expression. Several of these factors have been the subject of intense scrutiny. Some, such as NF-AT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) are cell type specific, while others, such as NF-κB, are ubiquitously expressed. These factors do not share a common mechanism of activation, but calcineurin, a Ca-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase plays a central role in the activation of each of them. Thus, not only are these immunosuppressive drugs clinically important, but they have served as unique probes of the signal transduction pathways that lead to activation of specific transcription factors involved in lymphokine gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]