A new (2) and three known diarylheptanoids (1, 3, and 4), along with one known sesquiterpenoid (5), were isolated from the roots of Juglans mandshurica, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies. Four of these compounds (2-5) exhibited moderate cytotoxicities against human colon carcinoma and human lung carcinoma cell lines with IC(50)'s ranging from 2 to 25 microg/mL.

Acidovorax (formerly Pseudomonas) sp. strain JS42 utilizes 2-nitrotoluene as sole carbon, nitrogen, and energy source. 2-Nitrotoluene 2,3-dioxygenase (2NTDO) catalyzes the initial step in 2-nitrotoluene degradation by converting 2-nitrotoluene to 3-methylcatechol. In this study, we identified specific amino acids at the active site that control specificity. The residue at position 350 was found to be critical in determining both the enantiospecificity of 2NTDO with naphthalene and the ability to oxidize the ring of mononitrotoluenes. Substitution of Ile350 by phenylalanine resulted in an enzyme that produced 97% (+)-(1R, 2S)-cis-naphthalene dihydrodiol, in contrast to the wild type, which produced 72% (+)-(1R, 2S)-cis-naphthalene dihydrodiol. This substitution also severely reduced the ability of the enzyme to produce methylcatechols from nitrotoluenes. Instead, the methyl group of each nitrotoluene isomer was preferentially oxidized to form the corresponding nitrobenzyl alcohol. Substitution of a valine at position 258 significantly changed the enantiospecificity of 2NTDO (54% (-)-(1S, 2R)-cis-naphthalene dihydrodiol formed from naphthalene) and the ability of the enzyme to oxidize the aromatic ring of nitrotoluenes. Based on active site modeling using the crystal structure of nitrobenzene 1,2 dioxygenase from Comamonas sp. JS765, Asn258 appears to contribute to substrate specificity through hydrogen bonding to the nitro group of nitrotoluenes.

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Nocardia species NRRL 5646 stereospecifically hydrates 4-vinylphenol (15) to S-1-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol (17), and further oxidizes 17 to 4'-hydroxyacetophenone (18). Labeled metabolites 17 and 18 obtained from incubations in D2O and H218O support initial enzymatic tautomerization of 15 to a reactive quinone methide (16), which adds water in the first reaction. Commitment to catalysis is high in the hydration reaction, while the alcohol dehydrogenation reaction appears to be reversible. The stereochemical features of water addition, alcohol oxidations, and ketone reductions with growing culture biocatalysis were established by chiral HPLC. Alcohol oxidations or ketone reductions in 12 000 × g supernatants preferentially require NADP+–NADPH,H+ as co-factors. The alcohol dehydrogenase has broad substrate specificity, favoring the oxidation of primary alkanols and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohols.Key words : 4-vinylphenol, Nocardia sp., enantiospecific hydration, 1-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol, 4'-hydroxyacetophenone

Gastric intrinsic factor (GIF) and transcobalamin (TC) are required for absorption of vitamin B12 across the ileal enterocyte. Polymorphisms in GIF (A68G) and TC (C776G) have been identified. Previously, we observed differences in plasma holoTC and homocysteine levels among individuals with the TC C776G polymorphism in a cohort of elderly Latinos (Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging ‐ SALSA). Little is known about the effect of GIF A68G on indicators of B12 status, although the polymorphism has been linked to risk of pernicious anemia. In this study we investigated the prevalence of GIF A68G and its association with B12 status and TC genotype in the SALSA cohort (N=813, age 60–93y). The distribution of GIF genotypes was 94% wild‐type (AA) and 6% heterozygotes (AG), with 1 subject homozygous for the variant isoform (GG). No differences among the GIF genotypes were observed in total B12, holoTC, or homocysteine. However, interactions between GIF genotype and TC genotype were observed on total B12 (p=0.007) and holoTC (p=0.05) such that subjects with both the GIF 68G allele and TC 776G allele had lower total B12 and holoTC than all other allelic combinations. There was no interaction between the GIF and TC genotypes on homocysteine. The GIF A68G polymorphism is prevalent in elderly Latinos and combined with the TC C776G polymorphism may influence B12 absorption and status. NIH AG12975; USDA 00–35200–9073

This study assessed dominant fish species, and the characteristics and spatio-temporal distribution of fish schools using acoustic and catch data in the marine ranching area (MRA) of Yeosu in July and August 2013. Acoustic data were collected using a 200-kHz dual beam transducer, and catch data were analyzed through auction data generated by a set net installed in the MRA. More fish schools were detected by acoustic methods in July than in August. The temporal distribution of fish schools differed between July and August, but, many schools demonstrated a high mean volume scattering strength (SV) around artificial reefs. Additionally, the characteristics of fish schools detected by echograms and the species caught by set nets differed between July and August. The dominant fish species were Engraulis japonicus, Pampus argenteus, Scomberomorus niphonius, and Pampus echinogaster in July, and approximately 85% of the catch in August consisted of Scomberomorus niphonius. Therefore, hydro-acoustic tools are useful for estimating fish school characteristics in large areas over a short period. To determine species, it is important to conduct net sampling surveys during the acoustic surveys. However, if a database of fish school characteristics organized by species is constructed through continuous study, it could be possible to identify fish species through acoustic methods alone.

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Aconiti Lateralis Preparata Radix (AP) and Acanthopanacis Cortex (AT) extracts in bone-derived adipocyte OP9 cell, osteoclast and osteoblast-like MG63 cells.Methods : MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of AP and AT extracts on OP9, osteoclast and MG63 cells. OP9 cells were treated with AP and AT, and the alterations in fat storage in the cells were determined by the Oil red O. To explain effects of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone

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