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Multiple protein components in gingival crevicular fluid were analysed at the same time using mass spectrometry, and this approach may be useful for the diagnosis of periodontal diseases.

The synthesis of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes with submillimeter-order heights was performed using ethanol chemical vapor deposition with Co catalysts supported on Al 2 O 3 substrates. The effects of Al 2 O 3 in the form of amorphous alumina and single-crystalline sapphire were investigated through a characterization of the Co catalyst particles on the substrates. An important effect of Al 2 O 3 was found to be the production of highly dense and nanosized Co particles, owing to a low surface diffusivity.

It has been clarified in the present investigation that a high degree of oxidation at the benzylic position of phenolic lignans bearing a 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl group reduces their antioxidant activity and that the antioxidant activity of the bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)tetrahydrofuran lignan 2 is higher than that of the corresponding gamma-butyrolactone lignan 1. This was demonstrated by comparing the antioxidant activities of compounds 1 and 2 with those of the (benzyl)(hydroxybenzyl)tetrahydrofurans 3 and 4, the bis(hydroxybenzyl)tetrahydrofurans 7 and 8, the (benzoyl)(benzyl)tetrahydrofuran 6, and the dibenzoyltetrahydrofuran 9. The activity level of compound 2 was approximately the same potency as that of the tetrahydronaphthalene-tetrahydrofuran 5. These compounds possess either a 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl group or a 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoyl group as the benzyl or benzoyl group. An examination of radical scavenging activity showed differences of activity between diastereomers. To make this comparison possible, compounds 1-9 were synthesized using new synthetic routes for several of these lignans. In this investigation, stereoisomers of the (benzyl)(hydroxybenzyl)tetrahydrofurans 3 and 4 and liovils 7 and 8 were synthesized for the first time.