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In this study, we found that nuclear receptors FXR and LXR (originally characterized as regulatory factors involved in cholesterol/bile acid homeostasis) regulate the expression of Oct3/4, a marker for cell differentiation, in both normal renal-derived cell line HK-2 and renal adenocarcinoma cell line ACHN. Down-regulation of Oct3/4 expression by activating FXR and LXR occurs only in normal renal cell-derived HK-2 cells. We also found that the RNA-binding protein, ELAVL2, oppositely regulates Oct3/4 expressions in HK-2 and ACHN cells. Moreover, we revealed that LXR-alpha and LXR-beta regulate each other's expression. Although an LXR-beta-specific agonist is assumed to be the basis for an anti-arteriosclerotic drug that only stimulates reverse cholesterol transport, our findings show that the development of such an anti-arteriosclerotic drug would require further elucidation of the complex mechanism of LXR-alpha and LXR-beta regulation.

SIRT1, an NAD+-dependent deacetylase, causes deacetylation and down-regulation of its target p53. Given that p53 is an upstream regulator of the transcription of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21/Cip1, SIRT1 is hypothesized to play a stimulatory role in carcinoma cell proliferation. We previously reported that down-regulation of SIRT1 caused the increase in p21/Cip1 in a post-transcriptional manner, suggesting that p53 is not involved in the p21/Cip1 increase and raising the question whether SIRT1 exhibits the activity other than deacetylase. In the present study, we examined whether SIRT1 down-regulation and the inhibitor for SIRT1 deacetylase activity affects p21/Cip1 and p53 expression in renal adenocarcinoma cells and normal renal cells. SIRT1 knockdown caused an increase in p53 and p21/Cip1 protein levels in renal adenocarcinoma ACHN cells but not normal renal-derived HK-2 cells. The increase in p53 in ACHN cells is unlikely to contribute to the upregulation of p21/Cip1 expression, given that SIRT1 knockdown did not increase p21/Cip1 mRNA levels in these cells. In contrast to the SIRT1-knock down assay, SIRT1 deacetylase inhibitor did not affect p53 or p21/Cip1 protein levels in ACHN cells. Therefore, SIRT1-knockdown likely stimulates p53 and p21/Cip1 protein expression in a deacetylase-independent manner.

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid-activated nuclear receptor which is abundant in the liver, intestine, and kidney. FXR is a pivotal factor in cholesterol/bile acid homeostasis but is involved in the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In the present study, we investigated whether FXR is also involved in the growth of renal adenocarcinoma cells. The cell growth of renal adenocarcinoma cell line ACHN was inhibited by FXR knockdown and stimulated by FXR ligand, while that of a normal renal cell-derived cell line, HK-2, was not affected. The carcinoma-specific stimulation of cell growth by FXR was found to arise from down-regulation of p53 and p21/Cip1 mRNA expression. Our study showed that FXR stimulates proliferation of renal adenocarcinoma cells and that FXR knockdown is useful for growth suppression of renal adenocarcinoma without cytotoxicity to normal renal cells.

By using a piezoelectric actuator, a real steel bridge can be accelerated locally to detect the effect of small damage like fatigue crack and connection damage as a response to change of vibration. Power spectrum density (PSD) function of the response can give us the indication of the extent of damage before and after the damage. Detailed analysis of PSD before and after damage can give us the location and size (area) of damage. This paper shows the experimental result of damage detection by using local excitation method on a real bridge.

The Bridge Engineering Laboratory in Kitami Institute of Technology, Japan has introduced a number of different damage identification techniques to detect structural damage and identify its location utilizing piezoelectric actuators as a localized excitation source. Several spectral functions, such as cross spectral density, power spectral density, phase angle and transfer function estimate, were used to estimate the dynamic response of the structure. Each function’s magnitude, measured in a specified frequency range, is used in the damage identification methods. The change of the spectral function magnitude between the baseline state and the current state is then used to identify the location of possible damage in the structure. It is then necessary to determine which spectral function is best able to estimate the dynamic response and which algorithm is best able to identify the damage. The first part of this paper compares the performance of different spectral functions when their magnitude is used in one damage identification algorithm using experimental data from a railway steel bridge. The second part of this paper compares the performance of different damage identification algorithms using the same data.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential of substituting autogenous bone (AB) by bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC). Both AB and BMAC were tested in combination with a bovine bone mineral (BBM) for their ability of new bone formation (NBF) in a multicentric, randomized, controlled, clinical and histological noninferiority trial.Materials and Methods: Forty-five severely atrophied maxillary sinus from 26 patients were evaluated in a partial cross-over design. As test arm, 34 sinus of 25 patients were augmented with BBM and BMAC containing mesenchymal stem cells. Eleven control sinus from 11 patients were augmented with a mixture of 70% BBM and 30% AB. Biopsies were obtained after a 3-4-month healing period at time of implant placement and histomorphometrically analyzed for NBF.Results: NBF was 14.3%+/- 1.8% for the control and nonsignificantly lower (12.6%+/- 1.7%) for the test (90% confidence interval: -4.6 to 1.2). Values for BBM (31.3%+/- 2.7%) were significantly higher for the test compared with control (19.3%+/- 2.5%) (p Conclusions: NBF after 3-4 months is equivalent in sinus, augmented with BMAC and BBM or a mixture of AB and BBM. This technique could be an alternative for using autografts to stimulate bone formation.

Several studies have reported certain bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) to have positive effects on bone generation. Although some investigators have studied the effects of human recombinant BMP (rhBMP-2) in sinus augmentation in sheep, none of these studies looked at the placement of implants at the time of sinus augmentation. Furthermore, no literature could be found to report on the impact that different implant systems, as well as the positioning of the implants had on bone formation if rhBMP-2 was utilized in sinus-lift procedures.The aim of this study was to compare sinus augmentation with rhBMP-2 on a poly-d, l-lactic-co-glycolic acid gelatine (PLPG) sponge with sinus augmentation with autologous pelvic cancellous bone in the maxillary sinus during the placement of different dental implants.Nine adult female sheep were submitted to bilateral sinus-floor elevation. In one side (test group) the sinus lift was performed with rhBMP-2 on a PLPG-sponge, while the contralateral side served as the control by using cancellous bone from the iliac crest. Three different implants (Bränemark(®), 3i(®) and Straumann(®)) were inserted either simultaneously with the sinus augmentation or as a two staged procedure 6 weeks later. The animals were sacrificed at 6 and 12 weeks for histological and histomorphometrical evaluations during which bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone density (BD) were evaluated.BD and BIC were significantly higher at 12 weeks in the test group if the implants were placed at the time of the sinus lift (p0.05). No difference was observed between the different implant systems or positions.The use of rhBMP-2 with PLPG-sponge increased BIC as well as BD in the augmented sinuses if compared to autologous bone. Different implant systems and positions of the implants had no effect on BIC or BD.

Our aim was to compare the osteogenic potential of mononuclear cells harvested from the iliac crest combined with bovine bone mineral (BBM) (experimental group) with that of autogenous cancellous bone alone (control group). We studied bilateral augmentations of the sinus floor in 6 adult sheep. BBM and mononuclear cells (MNC) were mixed and placed into one side and autogenous bone in the other side. Animals were killed after 8 and 16 weeks. Sites of augmentation were analysed radiographically and histologically. The mean (SD) augmentation volume was 3.0 (1.0) cm 3 and 2.7 (0.3) cm 3 after 8 and 16 weeks in the test group, and 2.8 (0.3) cm 3 (8 weeks) and 2.8 (1.2) cm 3 (16 weeks) in the control group, respectively. After 8 weeks, histomorphometric analysis showed 24 (3)% BBM, and 19 (11)% of newly formed bone in the test group. The control group had 20 (13%) of newly formed bone. Specimens after 16 weeks showed 29 (12%) of newly formed bone and 19 (3%) BBM in the test group. The amount of newly formed bone in the control group was 16 (6%). The results show that mononuclear cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, in combination with BBM as the biomaterial, have the potential to form bone.

We previously demonstrated that FGD1, the Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) responsible for faciogenital dysplasia, and its homologue FGD3 are targeted by the ubiquitin ligase SCF(FWD1) upon phosphorylation of two serine residues in their DSGIDS motif and subsequently degraded by the proteasome. FGD1 and FGD3 share highly homologous Dbl homology (DH) and adjacent pleckstrin homology (PH) domains, both of which are responsible for GEF activity. However, their function and regulation are remarkably different. Here we demonstrate extracellular signal-responsive translocation of FGD1, but not FGD3. During the wound-healing process, translocation of FGD1 to the leading edge membrane occurs in cells facing to the wound. Furthermore, epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates the membrane translocation of FGD1, but not FGD3. As the most striking difference, FGD3 lacks the N-terminal proline-rich domain that is conserved in FGD1, indicating that proline-rich domain may play a crucial role in signal-responsive translocation of FGD1. Indeed, there is a faciogenital dysplasia patient who has a missense mutation in proline-rich domain of FGD1, by which the serine residue at position 205 is substituted with isoleucine. When expressed in cells, the mutant FGD1 with S(205)/I substitution fails to translocate to the membrane in response to the mitogenic stimuli. Thus we present a novel mechanism by which the activity of FGD1, a GEF for Cdc42, is temporally and spatially regulated in cells.

We previously demonstrated that FGD1, the Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) responsible for faciogenital dysplasia, is targeted by the ubiquitin ligase SCF(FWD1/beta-TrCP) upon phosphorylation of two serine residues in its DSGIDS motif and subsequently degraded by the proteasome. Here we show that FGD3, which was identified as a homologue of FGD1 but has been poorly characterized, has conserved the same motif and is down-regulated similarly by SCF(FWD1/beta-TrCP). Although FGD3 and FGD1 share strikingly similar Dbl homology (DH) domains and adjacent pleckstrin homology (PH) domains, both of which are responsible for guanine nucleotide exchange, there also exist remarkable differences in their structures. Indeed, FGD1 and FGD3 induced significantly different morphological changes in HeLa Tet-Off cells: whereas FGD1 induced long finger-like protrusions, FGD3 induced broad sheet-like protrusions when the level of GTP-bound Cdc42 was significantly increased by the inducible expression of FGD3. Furthermore, FGD1 and FGD3 reciprocally regulated cell motility: when inducibly expressed in HeLa Tet-Off cells, FGD1 stimulated cell migration whereas FGD3 inhibited it. Thus we demonstrate that the highly homologous GEFs, FGD1 and FGD3 play different roles to regulate cellular functions but that their intracellular levels are tightly controlled by the same destruction pathway through SCF(FWD1/beta-TrCP).

This paper presents structural damage detection method based on changes in Transfer Function Estimate (TFE) for detecting damage, predicting its location and monitoring the growth in damage. This method assumes that the displacement or the acceleration response time histories at various locations along the structure both before and after damage are available for damage assessment These responses are used to estimate TFE. The change of TFE between the baseline state and the current state is then used to identify the location of possible damage in the structure. TI1e method is applied to the experimental and numerical data obtained from a railway steel bridge that is no longer in service. Several damage scenarios were introduced to the main girder of the test structure. Results show the method can be used to detect the damage, determine the exact location and measure the growth in damage with very good accuracy. The use of piezoelectric actuators as a local excitation source for large structures such as steel bridges is also presented. Experimental and numerical results show that the proposed approach may be successfully implemented on-line to detect the damage and to locate regions where damage occurred., application/pdf

Fatty acid hydroperoxide lyase (HPL), a member of cytochrome P450 (CYP74), produces aldehydes and oxo-acids involved in plant defensive reactions. In monocots, HPL that cleaves 13-hydroperoxides of fatty acids has been reported, but HPL that cleaves 9-hydroperoxides is still unknown. To find this type of HPL, in silico screening of candidate cDNA clones and subsequent functional analyses of recombinant proteins were performed. We found that AK105964 and AK107161 (Genbank accession numbers), cDNAs previously annotated as allene oxide synthase (AOS) in rice, are distinctively grouped from AOS and 13-HPL. Recombinant proteins of these cDNAs produced in Escherichia. coli cleaved both 9- and 13-hydroperoxide of linoleic and linolenic into aldehydes, while having only a trace level of AOS activity and no divinyl ether synthase activity. Hence we designated AK105964 and AK107161 OsHPL1 and OsHPL2 respectively. They are the first CYP74C family cDNAs to be found in monocots.

The sophisticated arrangement of confinement in columns using closely spaced stirrups not only interrupts the continuity and creates a plane of weakness between core and concrete cover, but also adds to the problem of congestion. This is the reason why most of the time it may not be possible to confine the structure sufficiently by providing laterals alone, and supplementary confinement such as ferrocement composites may be necessary. The success of the ferrocement technology is attributed to the ready availability of its component materials, low level of technology needed for construction and low cost. In the past decades, ferrocement has emerged as a very good rehabilitating/restrengthening material because of its superior mechanical properties, high in-plane strength and mouldability. In the present paper a review of the research on ferrocement confinement of plain and reinforced concrete with applications to column retrofitting is presented.

本論文は橋梁全体の資産価値を評価するため, まず橋梁各部材の資産的評価を計算する手法を検討した. これまでの多くの橋梁の施工実績経費から橋梁各部材の単価的な建設必要経費を算出するとともに, 橋梁全体の初期建設費としての資産価値を評価できる手法を検討した. また橋梁点検要領による点検結果のランクを損傷係数として用いて現存する橋梁の現在の残存資産価値を算出した. これらの残存資産価値と初期建設費との比を橋梁健全度指数 (BHI) と呼び, 現存する橋梁の劣化を考慮した健全度をあらわす指標とした. またこれらの健全度指数についての解析結果を著者らが前論文において解析した橋梁総合健全度に関する解析結果と比較検討して, 橋梁健全度指数 (BHI) の有効性について検討した.

Purpose Novel gabapentin-lactam (GBP-L) has shown its potency in enhancing new bone formation (NBF) in vitro. The objective of the present preclinical trial was to investigate the in vivo performance of GBP-L. Materials and Methods Bilateral sinus floor augmentations in 10 adult sheep were conducted. Bovine bone mineral (BBM) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) combined with novel GBP-L were placed into the test sinus of each sheep. The BBM and MSCs alone served as the control on the contralateral side. Simultaneously, 3 dental implants were inserted in each maxillary sinus. The animals were sacrificed after 8 and 16 weeks, and the amount of NBF was analyzed using histomorphometry. The osteogenic potency of the MSCs was demonstrated using the colony-forming unit and differentiation assay. Statistical evaluation was performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and 3-factorial nonparametric analysis of variance. Results The histologic examination showed NBF in tight contact with the original bone in the control and test groups. The NBF was not significantly different between the test and control sites (P > .05). However, a highly significant difference in NBF between the apical and coronal sites in the specimens from the control and test groups was detected (P Conclusions Bone formation is initiated from the residual alveolar crest and along the implant. The elected mode of GBP-L application did not induce faster NBF. Alternate forms of application (eg, slow release or systemic administration) might clarify the controversial in vitro findings.

橋梁の維持点検データに基づいて健全度を診断する手法として数量化理論とコンピュータ・グラフィクスを組み合わせた解析方法を提案した. 橋梁健全度の総合評価を機能的評価と物理的評価に大別し, 機能的健全度評価においては幅員, 線形, 交通混雑度など7項目のアイテム, また物理的健全度評価においては主部材, 床版など17項目のアイテムを設定して数量化理論による解析を行っている. またコンピュータ・グラフィクスの 3D Rotation 法を用いて評価の解析結果を明確に表示できることを示した.

FGD1 encodes a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Cdc42. Mutations in the FGD1 gene are responsible for an X-linked disorder known as Aarskog-Scott syndrome (AAS). While most mutations were found in the catalytic region, which consists of Dbl homology (DH) domain and adjacent pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, a missense mutation in the proline-rich domain is also found in a patient with typical clinical features as AAS. In this mutant FGD1, the serine residue at 205 is replaced with isoleucine. We recently demonstrated that FGD1 translocated to the membrane in response to extracellular stimuli such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) whereas FGD1 with S(205)/I substitution did not. Here we show that the proline-rich domain is critical for FGD1-induced directionally persistent cell migration. When inducibly expressed in HeLa Tet-Off cells, FGD1 stimulates directional migration whereas FGD1 with S(205)/I substitution does not affect it. We further demonstrate that FGD1 augments EGF-stimulated c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. In the presence of JNK inhibitor SP600125, motility of FGD1-expressing cells is significantly impaired, indicating a critical role of JNK in cell migration. However, FGD3, an FGD1 homologue lacking the proline-rich domain, and FGD1 with S(205)/I substitution augment EGF-stimulated JNK activation similarly to FGD1, suggesting that the proline-rich domain is not involved in the regulation of JNK. Finally, we show that FGD1, but not FGD1 with S(205)/I substitution, is phosphorylated in response to EGF, suggesting that the phosphorylation of S(205) may trigger the FGD1 translocation to the leading edge membrane and enable cells to undergo directional migration.

The C-scan images of defects made by drilled holes with different types are obtained and the effect of length and inclination of drilled holes on the images are discussed in this paper. The artificial cylindrical defect of diameter 1mm and 2mm were made in a steel plate specimen of 9mm thick and 3D images of these defects are obtained by using a graphic software on a workstation from the maximum amplitude data and path length data of received waves. In the detail waveform analysis of boundary and bottom echo the method to get more accurate size of defect are shown. And in order to apply C-scan ultrasonic test to a field inspection the effect of surface roughness and thickness of specimen on their images are analyzed and the modified immersion method to use a small water bag between a probe and a specimen are proposed.

New reconstructive and less invasive methods have been searched to optimize bone formation and osseointegration of dental implants in maxillary sinus augmentation.The aim of the presented ovine split-mouth study was to compare bovine bone mineral (BBM) alone and in combination with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) regarding their potential in sinus augmentation.Bilateral sinus floor augmentations were performed in six adult sheep. BBM and MSCs were placed into the test side and only BBM in the contra-lateral control side of each sheep. Animals were sacrificed after 8 and 16 weeks. Augmentation sites were analyzed by computed tomography, histology, and histomorphometry.The initial volumes of both sides were similar and did not change significantly with time. A tight connection between the particles of BBM and the new bone was observed histologically. Bone formation was significantly (p = 0.027) faster by 49% in the test sides.The combination of BBM and MSCs accelerated new bone formation in this model of maxillary sinus augmentation. This could allow early placement of implants.

Elastodynamic behavior of a two-dimensional composite rectangular beam, which has regularly-spaced fibers, is formulated by a couple of finite difference equation based on FEM formulation of rectangular element. Making use of modal analysis and Duhamel integral equation, the impulse response of the composite rectangular beam is obtained. The transient response from the first incident wave through the whole oscillation of the beam is found by the series of simulation analysis. The effects of coupling oscillation of the transducer and the beam on the impulse response of incident stress wave are obtained in experiments of the ultrasonic pulse method. In addition, the effect of internal friction of the beam and the frequency dependence of damping coefficient are discussed.

When we want to extend the life of an actual infrastructure and improve its serviceability adjusting the change of environmental situation, we need to evaluate its structural integrity quantitatively by using an appropriate inspection procedure on it. It is, therefore, important for a civil engineer to set up an effective inspection procedure to get the quantitative integrity evaluation of an infrastructure. The procedure of inspection for an infrastructure in Japan is divided into two types, that is, a periodical inspection and occasional (eventwise) inspection just after an earthquake. Inspector is chosen to have his experience career as a civil engineer more than 5 years and inspects infrastructures to classify the integrity level by five ranks on the each part of the structure by using the visual inspection according to the inspection manual tentatively provided by the Public Works Research Institute, Ministry of Construction. In the case if an inspector found any important damage or defect by the visual inspection, the precise inspection will be done by using a nondestructive testing to evaluate the size, shape and location of the damage or defect on the infrastructure. And if we could identify the damage or defect with an accurate information, we can evaluate its remaining life time by means of fracture mechanics and fatigue analysis and decide whether the damage or defect will propagate further or not. Thus we can, eventually, evaluate the structural integrity of the infrastructure by using the analysis of quantification theory [3] to classify the structures into four groups of integrity as A (Keep Watching), B (Need Small Repair), C (Need Large Repair) and D (Need Replace or Reconstruction).

When we diagnose the structural integrity of a steel member in service and evaluate its remaining life time, we need to improve analyzing method to get the accurate information of a internal defect of a member. And by the recent demand for high level quality control of welding of steel joint the accuracy improvement of defect detection in the image display became essential in nondestructive evaluation (NDE)[1][2][3]. So far the defect information obtained by an ultrasonic test is displayed in several ways and A-scan and B-scan displays are commonly used in a field inspection and C-scan display is used in laboratory test of the steel structural member[4][5].

A heat-peelable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet which ensures an efficient contact area even in case where the area of an adherend to be adhered is decreased and thus makes it possible to avoid adhesion failures such as chip-scattering or chipping. The heat-peelable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet comprises a substrate and a heat-expandable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing heat-expandable microspheres, formed on at least one side of the substrate, wherein the surface of the heat-expandable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer before heating has a center line average roughness of 0.4 μm or less.

Berberine, palmatine and coptisine in Coptidis Rhizoma, Phellodendri Cortex and their oriental pharmaceutical preparations were determined by ion pair high performance liquid chromatography. Coptidis Rhizoma obtained in China had two unknown peaks which were not detected in that of Japan, and the ratios of palmatine to berberine in Chinese sample were ranged from 9.1 to 41.5%, meanwhile those in Japanese sample were from 1.4 to 4.8%. Discrimination between Chinese sample and Japanese one is possible from the ratio of these alkaloids. On the other hand, regarding Phellodendri Cortex constitutive difference between Chinese sample and Japanese one was not obtained. The recoveries of the alkaloids in the decoction of oriental pharmaceutical preparation were lower by 5093% than that of the powders, and those in even shichimotsukoka-to which did not contain Glycyrrhizae Radix and Rhei Rhizoma were decreased in its decoction was lower by about 50% than the powder. It was suggested that there were any components in Paeoniae Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma and Uncariae Ramulus which interacted with berberine-type alkaloids.

塩化リゾチームのHPLCによる定量分析法を設定し,日本薬局方外医薬品成分規格の溶菌法と比較検討した.カラムに逆相系オクタデシルシリカカラムを用い,移動相に0.1%トリフルオロ酢酸を含むアセトニトリル溶液のアセトニトリル濃度10%から50%へのリニアこう配溶離法を採用し,280nmで検出した.この方法により,塩化リゾチームは2ピークが得られ,両ピークとも良好な検量線を示し,溶菌活性も確認された.更に,加熱変性及びペプシン分解させた塩化リゾチーム及び製剤中の塩化リゾチームについて両方法で測定した結果,両者の定量値に良好な相関性が認められ,塩化リゾチーム配合製剤の分析法としてHPLCが有用であることが確認された.

A new, simple and rapid analytical method using ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography was developed for simultaneous determination of norephedrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and methylephedrine in Ephedrae Herba and oriental pharmaceutical preparations. A reversed-phase system consisting of an ODS chemically bonded silica gel column and a mixture of water, acetonitrile, sodium dodecyl sulfate and phosphoric acid (65 : 35 : 0.5 : 0.1) as the mobile phase was used. The four components extracted with the mobile phase could be completely separated within 15 min. The detection limits for the four components were 20 ng at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 : 1.

A new, simple method using ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography was developed for simultaneous determination of berberine, palmatine and coptisine in Coptidis Rhizoma, Phellodendri Cortex and oriental pharmaceutical preparations containing them. A reversed-phase system of ODS-silica gel with a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, 0.1N tartaric acid, methanol and acetonitrile (0.5 : 49.5 : 10 : 40) as the mobile phase was used. The three components extracted with the mobile phase could be completely separated within 15 min. The detection limits for the three components were 15 ng at a signal-to-noise ratio of 5 : 1. The results obtained with an ultraviolet detector were in good accord with those obtained with a fluorescence detector.

The infrared and Raman spectra of 1,2-dithiamethyl ethane have been measured in gaseous, liquid and solid states. Vibrational assignments have been made in relation to the rotational isomerism. The normal vibration calculation has been carried out in a modified Urey-Bradley force field. In the gaseous and liquid states, GTG′ and GGG molecular forms exist, while in the solid state the GTG′ form alone persists. The energy difference between GTG′ and GGG molecular forms has been found to be 1.1 kcal./mol. in the gaseous state and very small in the liquid state. The GTG′ form is more stable than the GGG form, in both the gaseous and liquid states.

A new ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in various kinds of crude drugs derived from solanaceous plants was evaluated using sodium dodecyl sulfate as a counter ion. A reversed-phase chromatographic system consisting of a chemically bonded ODS silica gel column with phosphate buffer (pH 2.5)-acetonitrile (65 : 35) containing 17.5mM sodium dodecyl sulfate as the mobile phase was used. Hyoscyamine and scopolamine in crude drugs derived from Scopolia, Atropa, Hyoscyamus and Datura species were separated from other compounds in the crude drugs and determined within 20 min after direct injection of the solution extracted with the mobile phase. The results for various kinds of samples are presented.

A new, simple and precise method using ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography was developed for the determination of alkaloids in Corydalis Tuber and Anchusan-to dry extract, i.e., tetrahydrocolumbamine, glaucine, tetrahydropalmatine, corydaline, columbamine, coptisine, palmatine, berberine and dehydrocorydaline. Reversed-phase systems with an octadecylsilane chemically bonded silica gel column using a mixture of sodium dodecyl sulfate, 0.05M tartaric acid and acetonitrile (0.5 : 62 : 38) and a mixture of sodium dodecyl sulfate, Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 3.0) and acetonitrile (0.5 : 56 : 34) as the mobile phases were suitable for the separation of tertiary alkaloids and quaternary alkaloids, respectively, in Corydalis Tuber.