Search

This review article describes recent studies on the self-assembly and co-assembly of Π-conjugated molecules into nanotubes and nanocoils. Such Π-conjugated molecules include phenylenes, phenylene vinylenes, phenylene ethynylenes, porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are properly modified with hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic side chains for cooperative interactions. Not only nanocoils but also most reported nanotubes possess a helical chirality. These assembling events possibly show chiral amplification, where one-handedness can be realized even from stereochemically impure components (majority rule). Combination of components leading to non-tubular assemblies with properly chosen chiral components may give rise to nanotubes or nanocoils with one-handed helical chirality (sergeants-and-soldiers effect). Covalent modification of assembled components can enhance physical robustness against heating and solvolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are grouped into two cell types; embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). hESCs have provided multiple powerful platforms to study human biology, including human development and diseases; however, there were difficulties in the establishment of hESCs from human embryo and concerns over its ethical issues. The discovery of hiPSCs has expanded to various applications in no time because hiPSCs had already overcome these problems. Many hPSC-based studies have been performed using two-dimensional monocellular culture methods at the cellular level. However, in many physiological and pathophysiological conditions, intra- and inter-organ interactions play an essential role, which has hampered the establishment of an appropriate study model. Therefore, the application of recently developed technologies, such as three-dimensional organoids, bioengineering, and organ-on-a-chip technology, has great potential for constructing multicellular tissues, generating the functional organs from hPSCs, and recapitulating complex tissue functions for better biological research and disease modeling. Moreover, emerging techniques, such as single-cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, and artificial intelligence (AI) allowed for a denser and more precise analysis of such heterogeneous and complex tissues. Here, we review the applications of hPSCs to construct complex organs and discuss further prospects of disease modeling and drug discovery based on these PSC-derived organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acoustic cavitation occurs in ultrasonic treatment causing various phenomena such as chemical synthesis, chemical decomposition, and emulsification. Nonlinear oscillations of cavitation bubbles are assumed to be responsible for these phenomena, and the neighboring bubbles may interact each other. In the present study, we numerically investigated the dynamic behavior of cavitation bubbles in multi-bubble systems. The results reveal that the oscillation amplitude of a cavitation bubble surrounded by other bubbles in a multi-bubble system becomes larger compared with that in the single-bubble case. It is found that this is caused by an acoustic wake effect, which reduces the pressure near a bubble surrounded by other bubbles and increases the time delay between the bubble contraction/expansion cycles and sound pressure oscillations. A new parameter, called "cover ratio" is introduced to quantitatively evaluate the variation in the bubble oscillation amplitude, the time delay, and the maximum bubble radius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcriptional initiation of each gene is assumed to be independently controlled in mammals. On the other hand, recent large-scale transcriptome analyses have shown that the genome is pervasively transcribed, such that the most of its DNA gives rise to RNAs. This raises the question of whether it is possible to pinpoint and activate a particular locus without perturbing numerous neighbouring transcripts. Here we show that intensive transcription at one locus frequently spills over into its physical neighbouring loci. Rapid induction of immediate-early genes (IEGs) in response to growth factor stimulation is accompanied by co-upregulation of their neighbouring genes. Profiling the primary transcripts in the nucleus with whole-genome tiling arrays delineated simultaneous activation of transcription centred on IEGs. Even in surrounding intergenic regions, transcriptional activation took place at the same time. Acetylation levels of histone H3 and H4 are elevated along with the IEG induction and neighbouring co-upregulation. Inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway or the transcription factor SRF suppresses all transcriptional upregulation. These results suggest that transcriptional activation has a ripple effect, which may be advantageous for coordinated expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence shows that tight junctions (TJs) in the granular layer contribute to the epidermal barrier, suggesting that the regulation of TJ assembly in keratinocytes may provide a clue to understanding the role of barrier formation in epidermis. In this study, we investigated the behavior of TJ-related molecules in cultured human keratinocytes during keratinization induced by transfer to high-calcium medium, and the effect of RNA interference of TJ-related molecules on intercellular permeability and morphological features. The expression of TJ-related molecules and transepithelial electrical resistance were increased by transfer to high-calcium medium. In cells under the same conditions, we observed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy that TJ strands developed on the apposing cell membranes. In contrast, the transepithelial electrical resistance was clearly suppressed when the expression of claudin-1 or occludin was blocked by RNA interference. The morphological features of these knock-down cells were the same as those of MOCK cells, except for a marked decrease in the number of TJ strands. Furthermore, claudin-1 suppression inhibited occludin localization at the cell membrane, whereas suppression of occludin did not influence the localization of claudin-1. These results suggest that claudin-1 plays a crucial role in recruiting occludin to TJs, and that occludin is involved in intercellular barrier function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that solidification of molten metals occurs under the influence of transient unsteady phenomena, which are difficult to control in actual casting operation. Examples include buoyancy flows, natural heat convection, repeated remelting and solidification in mushy zone and solid shell at the mold interface. This paper presents the results suggesting that ultrasound waves, irradiated into the hot-top mold offers an attractive way to control the transient phenomena in DC casting of aluminum alloy billets. A novel mathematical model was developed to simulate the DC casting with considering transient melt flow, heat transfer, ultrasound propagation, acoustic streaming and solidification. It was found that ultrasound irradiation alters the solidification behavior of melt and sump evolution especially in the earlier stage of casting, however as the billet length increases, the sump profile becomes almost the same for both the ultrasonic and conventional castings. In this condition, the casting speed becomes the key parameter influencing the sump evolution and mushy zone volume. The results reveal that ultrasound-driven acoustic streaming and turbulent oscillations result in a suppression of buoyancy flow in the sump and lead to an increase of frequency of the melt temperature oscillations at the solidification interface. One of the useful results of these phenomena can be a more frequent repetition of remelting/solidification cycle and improvement of the billet quality, particularly the billet surface morphology. The effect of ultrasound irradiation on the billet morphology was verified experimentally using a pilot DC caster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coordination-driven self-assembly of four different trigonal prisms from 3 equiv of one of four different tetrapyridyl star connectors and 6 equiv of a platinum linker dication in nitromethane is presented. This face-directed approach affords high yields without template assistance. The prisms have been characterized by multinuclear and DOSY NMR and dual ESI-FT-ICR mass spectrometry. The use of a conformationally chiral star connector leads to a conformationally chiral prism when connector arm ends attached to a vertex have a strongly correlated twist sense and chirality is communicated across polyhedral faces, edges, and vertices. Molecular mechanics results suggest that in the smallest prism 3d collective effects dominate and the all-P and all-M conformers are strongly favored. NMR data prove that the two edges of the pyridine rings in the triflate salts of 3a-3d are distinct. An Eyring plot of rates obtained from line-shape analysis and 1-D EXCHSY NMR yields an activation enthalpy ΔH‡ of ~12 kcal/mol and activation entropy ΔS‡ of ~-15 cal/mol·K for the edge interconversion process, compatible with pyridine rotation around the Pt-N bond. For 3c, this behavior is observed only up to ~318 K. At higher temperatures, the Eyring plot is again linear but follows a very different straight line, with a ΔH‡ of ~35 kcal/mol and ΔS‡ of ~60 cal/mol·K. This highly unusual result is further investigated and discussed in the following companion paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Ti-44Ni-6Fe (at. %) alloy was recently reported to exhibit a second order-like incommensurate-commensurate transformation. Whether or not the commensurate (C) phase and the R-phase in Ti-Ni alloys are the same phase has now been investigated. Transformation behaviour was examined in a series of Ti-(50 - x)Ni-xFe (at. %) alloys with x = 2.0, 4.0, 5.0, 5.5, 5.7, 6.0. Transformation temperature, entropy change and the transformation strain decrease continuously as x increases up to x = 5.7, where the product phase is apparently the R-phase. However, there is an obvious discontinuity in these values between x = 5.7 and x = 6.0. In addition, electron diffraction experiments have revealed that the intensity of satellite reflections of the C-phase is obviously weaker than that of the R-phase. These results strongly suggest that the C-phase is different from the R-phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have calculated the electronic structure of B2-type Ti–(50− x)Ni–xFe (0≤ x ≤28at.%) and Ti–(50− x)Pd–xFe (0≤ x ≤22at.%) alloys in order to understand the origin of diffuse scattering appearing in these systems, and the stability of the B2-type structure. For both systems, the Fermi surface of each alloy shows nesting with a sharp peak in the generalized susceptibility χ( q ) at a nesting vector of q n =[ζ n ζ n 0]2π/a. The value of ζ n of the peak position decreases linearly as the Fe content increases. In addition, the peak of χ( q ) decreases as the Fe content increases except for Ti–(50− x)Ni–xFe with x ≤4at.%. These results suggest that the position of diffuse scattering shifts towards its nearest fundamental reflection of the B2-phase as the Fe content increases and that the stability of the B2-phase increases with increasing Fe content. These suggestions are in good agreement with experimental results reported until now. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Diffuse scatterings appearing in electron diffraction patterns of Ti-(50 - x)Ni-xFe (x = 6, 7, 8, 10, in at.%) alloys were investigated. In the alloys, martensitic (R-phase) transformation is suppressed down to 4.2 K, but the electrical resistivity exhibits a local minimum at Tmin (210 K, 195 K, 180 K and 140 K for x = 6, 7, 8, 10, respectively). The following results were obtained for all the alloys. Diffuse scattering appears below Tmin and its intensity maximum is located at an incommensurate position of g + 〈ζζ0〉*, where g is a reciprocal lattice vector of the B2-phase. The value ζ at Tmin is significantly smaller than 1/3 and increases with decreasing temperature; it decreases with increasing Fe content. The value of ζ at Tmin agrees with the length of nesting vector obtained by a band calculation, suggesting that the diffuse scattering is caused by the nesting effect of the Fermi surface in the B2-type structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In epithelia, tight junctions (TJs) create a primary barrier to the diffusion of solutes through the paracellular pathway. Although TJ-related molecules are present in the epidermis, the precise mechanisms underlying TJ functions in this tissue remain unclear. In this study, we use an ultraviolet (UV) B-irradiated murine skin model, in which the epidermal barrier function has been perturbed, to demonstrate a correlation between the expression patterns of TJ-related molecules and the epidermal permeability of TJs. Occludin remained localized in the upper epidermis, regardless of UVB irradiation (0.15 J per cm2). ZO-1 was localized in the upper portion of normal epidermis, and within 3–4 days of UVB irradiation, it was expressed throughout the upper epidermis and their expression coincided with epidermal thickening. Protein expression of claudin-1 and occludin did not alter until 3 and 4 days after UVB irradiation, respectively and thereafter expression remained elevated above pre-irradiation levels. An in vivo epidermal permeability assay revealed that tight junction-barrier function was perturbed by UVB irradiation, whereby biotinylated markers clearly permeated the stratum granulosum 3–5 days after irradiation. These results suggest that TJ-related molecules play important roles in epidermal barrier function in murine skin and show that changes in their expression patterns are associated with epidermal barrier perturbation after UVB irradiation. Specifically, it appears that epidermal barrier recovery is accelerated by the increased production and dense localization of occludin in the cell–cell contact region of the stratum granulosum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To understand the molecular basis underlying the anabolic action of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on bone, the anti-apoptotic action of PTH on osteoblast-like cells was investigated. Since Akt is a key protein kinase for cell survival, we focused on a possible involvement of Akt in the anti-apoptotic action of PTH. Human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells cultured without serum were treated with PTH. Western blot analysis revealed that PTH rapidly phosphorylated Akt and induced its nuclear translocation. The phosphorylation of pro-apoptotic protein Bad was also increased by PTH, leading to its inactivation. The PTH-dependent activation of Akt was also detected in other osteoblastic cell lines, SaOS-2 and ROS 17/2.8. The pretreatment of MG-63 cells with either one of inhibitors for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), wortmannin or LY294002 prevented Akt and Bad phosphorylation. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that PTH receptor (PTH-1R) directly interacted with p85, a regulatory subunit of PI3K, in a PTH-dependent manner. Serum withdrawal induced the apoptosis of MG-63 cells, and PTH prevented the apoptosis, which was inhibited by PI3K inhibitors. These results demonstrate the presence of a novel PTH/PTH receptor signaling cascade consisting of PTH-1R, PI3K, Akt and Bad and that this cascade can work as an anti-apoptotic signaling pathway in osteoblast-like cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We evaluated the response of Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi Sieb. & Zucc.) to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) (689 ± 75 ppm in 2002 and 697 ± 90 ppm in 2003) over 2 years in a field experiment with open-top chambers. Root activity was assessed as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake rates estimated from successive measurements of absorbed amounts. Dry matter production of whole plants was unaffected by elevated [CO2] in the first year of treatment, but increased significantly in response to elevated [CO2] in the second year. In contrast, elevated [CO2] increased the root to shoot ratio and fine root dry mass in the first year, but not in the second year. Elevated [CO2] had no effect on tissue N, P and K concentrations. Uptake rates of N, P and K correlated with whole-plant relative growth rates, but were unaffected by growth [CO2] assumed to be important for nutrient uptake in trees. We conclude that improved growth of Larix kaempferi in response to elevated [CO2] is accompanied by increased root biomass, but not by increased root activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newly designed norbornene-appended hexabenzocoronene 1 self-assembles, upon diffusion of an Et2O vapor into its CH2Cl2 solution, to form either graphitic nanocoils or nanotubes, depending on the self-assembling conditions. The coiled assembly, selectively formed at 15 °C, is a kinetic intermediate for the tubular assembly and transforms into nanotubes on standing at 25 °C. However, post-ring-opening metathesis polymerization of the norbornene pendants of 1 enhances the thermal stability of the coiled assembly as well as the tubular one and disables a thermodynamic coil-to-tube transition. The polymerized nanocoils show an electroconductivity of 1 × 10-4 S cm-1 upon doping with I2, while the nonpolymerized nanocoils are disrupted upon being doped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Data on irradiation hardening and embrittlement of 8–10Cr normalized and tempered martensitic steel (TMS) alloys has been compiled from the literature, including results from neutron, spallation proton (SP) and He-ion (HI) irradiations. Limitations of this database are briefly described. Simple, phenomenological–empirical fitting models were used to assess the dose (displacement-per-atom, dpa), irradiation temperature (T i) and test temperature (T t) dependence of yield stress changes (Δσ y), as well as the corresponding dependence of sub-sized Charpy V-notch impact test transition temperature shifts (ΔT c). The Δσ y are generally similar for SP and neutron irradiations, with very high and low helium to dpa ratios, respectively. Further, the Δσ y trends were found to be remarkably consistent with the T i and dpa hardening-dependence of low alloy steels irradiated at much lower doses. The similar T i and (low) dose dependence of Δσ y and ΔT c, as well as an analysis of paired ΔT c–Δσ y datasets, show that embrittlement is typically dominated by a hardening mechanism below about 400°C. However, the corresponding hardening-Charpy shift coefficient, C c =ΔT c/Δσ y ≈0.38±0.18°C/MPa is lower than that for the fracture toughness reference temperature, T 0, with ΔT 0/Δσ y ≈0.58±0.1°C/MPa, indicating that sub-sized Charpy tests provide non-conservative estimates of embrittlement. The C c increases at T i >400°C, and ΔT c >0 are sometimes observed in association with Δσ y ⩽0, indicative of a non-hardening embrittlement (NHE) contribution. Analysis of limited data on embrittlement due to thermal aging supports this conclusion, and we hypothesize that the NHE regime may be shifted to lower temperatures by radiation enhanced diffusion. Possible effects of helium on embrittlement for T i between 300 and 400°C are also assessed based on observed trends in C c. The available data is limited, scattered, and potentially confounded. However, collectively the database suggests that there is a minimal NHE due to helium up to several hundred appm. However, a contribution of helium to NHE appears to emerge at higher helium concentrations, estimated to be more than 400–600appm. This is accompanied by a transition from transgranular cleavage (TGC) to intergranular fracture (IGF). IGF generally occurs only at high Δσ y. Synergistic combinations of large Δσ y and severe NHE, due to helium weakening of grain boundaries, could lead to very large transition temperature shifts in first wall and blanket structures at fusion spectrum dose levels above 50–75dpa and in SP irradiations at much lower doses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Numerous studies indicated that Nef is a pleiotropic factor. Although it has been shown that Nef impairs the antigen-presenting activity of dendritic cells, more recent studies have shown no such impairment. This issue is critical for designing a vaccine expressing Nef. To refine our knowledge regarding the effect of Nef on dendritic cells, we developed constitutive and inducible adenovirus vector systems that express high levels of Nef in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs). We showed here that Nef expression clearly downregulated CD4 expression of MDDCs but had little or no effect on other surface molecules, including MHC class I. Nef also did not affect the functional maturation of MDDCs. Use of the inducible Nef-expression system clearly revealed that adenovirus infection per se modulates cytokine secretion and the expression of apoptosis-related molecules in MDDCs, whereas Nef had no effect on these functions. Moreover, the antigen-presenting activity of MDDCs was not disturbed by the presence of Nef. On the contrary, we found that Nef-expressing MDDCs generated from HIV-1-infected individuals efficiently activated Nef-reactive T cells. Therefore, although adenovirus vector may modulate some aspects of MDDC function, Nef-expressing adenovirus would be served as one of HIV vaccine candidates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: The ERK family of MAP kinase plays a critical role in growth factor-stimulated cell-cycle progression from G0/G1 to S phase. It has been suggested that sustained activation, but not transient activation, of ERK is necessary for inducing S phase entry. Although the essential role of ERK MAP kinase in growth factor-stimulated gene expression, especially expression of immediate-early genes, is well established, it has remained unclear how ERK activity duration affects the promotion of G1 phase progression to S phase. Results: We have found that inhibition of ERK activation by the MEK inhibitor or dominant-negative MEK1 even immediately before the onset of S phase leads to the cessation of S phase entry. Our analyses reveal that there are ERK-dependent downregulated genes, whose expression levels return to their original levels rapidly after ERK inactivation, and that their downregulation mostly requires AP-1 activity. Remarkably, microinjection experiments demonstrate that many of the downregulated genes act as antiproliferative genes during G1 phase and that their forced expression to the levels before growth factor stimulation even in late G1 phase blocks S phase entry. Conclusions: Thus, continuous ERK activation downregulates antiproliferative genes until the onset of S phase to allow successful G1 phase progression. This mechanism may also work as a fail-safe mechanism, which prevents inappropriate stimuli that induce transient ERK activation from causing S phase entry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two nanoscale truncated tetrahedral were synthesized via Pt(II)-mediated self-assembly. The first resulted from the reaction of 3 equiv of cis-Pt(PMe3)2(OTf)2 and 2 equiv of 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridylethynyl)benzene, giving a truncated tetrahedron with a diameter of approximately 25 Å. The second, analogous structure was obtained by the self-assembly of cis-Pt(PMe3)2(OTf)2 and 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridyl-trans-ethenyl)-benzene. These two truncated tetrahedral were crystallized after partially exchanging the counterion to cobalticarborane for the X-ray structural analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian preimplantation development involves several crucial events, such as compaction and blastocyst formation, but little is known about essential genes that regulate this developmental process. Here, we have focused on MAP kinase signaling pathways as potential regulatory pathways for the process. Our results show that inhibition of the JNK pathway or of the p38 MAP kinase pathway, but not of the ERK pathway, results in inhibition of cavity formation, and that JNK and p38 are active during mouse preimplantation development. Our subsequent microarray analyses show that, of about 39,000 transcripts analyzed, the number of those genes whose expression level is sensitive to the inhibition of the JNK or the p38 pathway, but insensitive to the inhibition of the ERK pathway, is only 156. Moreover, of the 156 genes, expression of 10 genes (two genes upregulated and eight genes downregulated) is sensitive to either inhibition of the JNK or p38 pathways. These 10 genes include several genes known for their function in axis and pattern formation. Downregulation of some of the 10 genes simultaneously using siRNA leads to abnormality in cavity formation. Thus, this study has successfully narrowed down candidate genes of interest, detailed analysis of which will probably lead to elucidation of the molecular mechanism of preimplantation development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tob, a member of the Tob and BTG antiproliferative protein family, plays an important role in many cellular processes including cell proliferation. In this study, we have addressed molecular mechanisms regulating subcellular localization of Tob. Treatment with leptomycin B, an inhibitor of nuclear export signal (NES) receptor, resulted in a change in subcellular distribution of Tob from its pan-cellular distribution to nuclear accumulation, indicating the existence of NES in Tob. Our results have then identified an N-terminal region (residues 2–14) of Tob as a functional NES. They have also shown that Tob has a functional, bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) in residues 18–40. Thus, Tob is shuttling between the nucleus and the cytoplasm by its NES and NLS. To examine a possible relationship between subcellular distribution of Tob and its function, we exogenously added a strong NLS sequence or a strong NES sequence or both to Tob. The obtained results have demonstrated that the strong NLS-added Tob has a much weaker activity to inhibit cell cycle progression from G0/G1 to S phase. These results suggest that cytoplasmic localization or nucleocytoplasmic shuttling is important for the antiproliferative function of Tob. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A supramolecular dimeric rhomboid and its trimeric counterpart, a hexagon, are generated by design via the directional bonding methodology of self-assembly. The different-sized supramolecular macrocycles formed by Pt-coordination undergo a concentration- and temperature-dependent dynamic equilibrium. The two structures are characterized by multinuclear NMR and ESI-MS. Extensive study of the dynamic equilibrium of the two species in solution is performed to obtain its thermodynamic properties. By varying the ionic strength, μ, of the solutions, the true thermodynamic equilibrium constant, K, is determined at each experimental temperature (K[sub 253] = 36 ± 7, K[sub 273] = 18 ± 6, K[sub 293] = 10 ± 3, K[sub 313] = 9 ± 2, K[sub 333] = 5 ± 2, and K[sub 353] = 3.0 ± 0.2). By applying these values of true K at the respective temperatures to the van't Hoff equation extended with the entropy term, the standard enthalpy and entropy changes are determined for the equilibrium: with ΔH° = -18 ± 1 kJ mol[sup -1] and ΔS° = -43 ± 4 J mol[sup -1] K[sup -1], respectively, for the forward reaction (rhomboid to hexagon) of the equilibrium. The rhomboid is selectively crystallized, and its crystal structure is determined by X-ray diffraction. The structure reveals a significant amount of porosity as well as distortion of the rhomboid from planarity, leading to channels that can be observed from two viewing positions of the packing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study addresses the incorporation of fine particles into liquids via the creation of a large-scale swirling vortex on the liquid free surface using a rotary impeller positioned along the axis of a cylindrical vessel. Four types of particles are used in the experiments to investigate the incorporation efficiency of the particles into a water bath under different impeller rotation speeds. Additionally, the vortex characteristics are investigated numerically. The results reveal that two factors, namely the particle wettability and turbulent oscillations at the bottom part of vortex surface, play dominant roles in determining the particle incorporation behavior. Hydrophobic particles are incapable of being incorporated into the water bath under any of the conditions examined in the present study. Partly wettable particles are entrained into the water bath, with the efficiency increasing with the impeller rotation speed and particle size. This is because an increase in the impeller rotation speed causes vortex deformation, whereby its bottom part approaches the impeller blades where the turbulent surface oscillations reach maximum amplitudes. Another possible mechanism of particle incorporation is the effect of capillary increases of liquid into the spaces between particles, which accumulate on the bottom surface of the vortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has improved the mortality rate in the general population, its efficacy against rapidly mutating virus strains, especially in kidney transplant recipients, remains unclear. We examined the anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibody and neutralizing antibody titers and cellular immunity against B.1.1, BA.1, and BA.5 antigens in 73 uninfected kidney recipients and 16 uninfected healthy controls who received three doses of an mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The IgG antibody titers were significantly lower in recipients than in healthy controls. Similarly, neutralizing antibody titers against three viral variants were significantly lower in recipients. When the virus was mutated, the neutralizing antibody titers decreased significantly in both groups. In cellular immunity analysis, the number of spike-specific CD8 + non-naïve T cells against three variants significantly decreased in recipients. Conversely, the frequency of spike-specific Th2 CD4 + T-cells in recipients was higher than that in healthy controls. Nineteen recipients and six healthy controls also received a bivalent omicron-containing booster vaccine, leading to increase IgG and neutralizing antibody titers in both groups. After that, eleven recipients and five healthy controls received XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccines, increasing the neutralizing antibody titers against not only XBB.1.5, but also EG.5.1 and BA.2.86 antigens in kidney recipients. Although kidney recipients did not gain sufficient immunity against Omicron BA.5 with the third dose of vaccine, humoral response against mutant SARS-CoV-2 lineages significantly increased after bivalent Omicron-containing booster vaccine and the XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine. Therefore, it is important for kidney recipients to continue to administer updated vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence suggests that endothelial cells can be useful therapeutic targets. One of the potential targets is an endothelial cell-specific protein, Roundabout4 (ROBO4). ROBO4 has been shown to ameliorate multiple diseases in mice, including infectious diseases and sepsis. However, its mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, using RNA-seq analysis, we found that ROBO4 downregulates prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), which encodes cyclooxygenase-2. Mechanistic analysis reveals that ROBO4 interacts with IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) and TNF receptor-associated factor 7 (TRAF7), a ubiquitin E3 ligase. In this complex, ROBO4 enhances IQGAP1 ubiquitination through TRAF7, inhibits prolonged RAC1 activation, and decreases PTGS2 expression in inflammatory endothelial cells. In addition, Robo4-deficiency in mice exacerbates PTGS2-associated inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, edema, and pain. Thus, we reveal the molecular mechanism by which ROBO4 suppresses the inflammatory response and vascular hyperpermeability, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases. ROBO4 suppresses PTGS2/COX-2 expression by inhibiting prolonged RAC1 activation in endothelial cells, ameliorating inflammatory diseases in mice; these endothelial molecules represent potential therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cavitation bubbles implode causing fine droplets of bismuth to form emulsion. • Acoustic streaming transfers bismuth droplets throughout the melt. • After solidification, 90% of bismuth particles have size under 10 m. • Most bismuth particles remain embedded inside aluminum grains. The aim of this study is to develop an ultrasound-assisted process for fabrication of frozen emulsion alloys, which are a type of miscibility gap alloys (MGAs). Al-Bi system was used to produce 2-kg ingots of Al-Bi frozen emulsion alloys in the following two steps: (1) emulsification treatment of Al-Bi melt by introducing high-intense ultrasound vibrations into it in a temperature range of Al-Bi binodal decomposition, and (2) casting of the melt into a book mold. The ingot samples were analyzed with SEM/EDX for the alloy microstructure and bismuth particle distribution. Besides, cold model experiments, thermodynamic and CFD numerical simulations were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of emulsification including droplet fragmentation and acoustic streaming. The results reveal that the alloys with Bi concentration of 4%~9.4% can be fabricated by the proposed technique. Within this range, 90% of Bi particles have a diameter under 10 µm, and the majority of them are incorporated into aluminum grains. Especially, a uniform microstructure is obtained when concentration of Bi is less than 6%. Emulsification was found to occur at the interface between two liquids when cavitation bubbles collapse in the interface vicinity followed by high-velocity micro-jetting which is responsible for the emulsion droplet formation. Another positive effect of ultrasound is acoustic streaming which is responsible for the effective agitation of molten bath preventing the sedimentation of Bi droplets during the ultrasound treatment and casting operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An emulsification process of water-gallium system during ultrasound irradiation was investigated. • Formation of ultrafine droplets occurs when a greatly expanded cavitation collapses near the water-gallium interface and the distance between the droplet and bubble is small. • A high-velocity liquid jet makes a cavity in the surface of gallium forcing it to take a crown shape that eventually results in the droplet fragmentation. • The above mechanism is supported by a simplified model of droplet formation considering the balance of energy and pressure. Aiming at elucidating ultrasonic emulsification mechanisms, the interaction between a single or multiple acoustic cavitation bubbles and gallium droplet interface was investigated using an high-speed imaging technique. To our best knowledge, the moment of emulsification and formation of fine droplets during ultrasound irradiation were observed for the first time. It was found that the detachment of fine gallium droplets occurs from the water-gallium interface during collapse of big cavitation bubbles. The results suggest that the maximum size of cavitation bubble before collapsing is of prime importance for emulsification phenomena. Previous numerical simulation revealed that the collapse of big cavitation bubble is followed by generation of high-velocity liquid jet directed toward the water-gallium interface. Such a jet is assumed to be the prime cause of liquid emulsification. The distance between cavitation bubbles and water-gallium interface was found to slightly affect the emulsification onset. The droplet fragmentation conditions are also discussed in terms of the balance between (1) interfacial and kinetic energies and (2) dynamic and Laplace pressure during droplet formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Acoustic streaming velocity in aluminum melt and water was measured through Karman vortex frequency measurement. • The velocity of acoustic streaming is independent of amplitude of horn tip oscillation both in water and aluminum melt. • The velocity of acoustic streaming in aluminum melt is approximately the same as that in water. It is well known that ultrasonic cavitation causes a steady flow termed acoustic streaming. In the present study, the velocity of acoustic streaming in water and molten aluminum is measured. The method is based on the measurement of oscillation frequency of Karman vortices around a cylinder immersed into liquid. For the case of acoustic streaming in molten metal, such measurements were performed for the first time. Four types of experiments were conducted in the present study: (1) Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurement in a water bath to measure the acoustic streaming velocity visually, (2) frequency measurement of Karman vortices generated around a cylinder in water, and (3) in aluminum melt, and (4) cavitation intensity measurements in molten aluminum. Based on the measurement results (1) and (2), the Strouhal number for acoustic streaming was determined. Then, using the same Strouhal number and measuring oscillation frequency of Karman vortices in aluminum melt, the acoustic streaming velocity was measured. The velocity of acoustic streaming was found to be independent of amplitude of sonotrode tip oscillation both in water and aluminum melt. This can be explained by the effect of acoustic shielding and liquid density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Combination of acoustic cavitation and plasma results in an enhancement of degradation efficiency. • Acoustic cavitation assisted plasma can be created in wide ranges of pH and electrical conductivity. • Higher flow rates of circulating solutions cause a further enhancement in the degradation efficiency. • The process proposed has the potential to extend the application area of underwater plasma. The present study investigates the wastewater treatment performance of an acoustic cavitation assisted plasma (ACAP) process in a circulating reactor using Rhodamine B (RhB) as a model water pollution. The concept of this process was proposed by the authors recently for a batch type rector. The measurements revealed that combining the ultrasound irradiation with pulsed discharge plasma allows the RhB degradation efficiency to be drastically increased as compared with the plasma-alone case. This effect is especially significant at higher values of solution electrical conductivity examined in a range of 20 ~ 400 μS/cm. Acidic conditions and larger flow rates of solution were found to be favorable for the degradation efficiency. The effect of flow rate was also analyzed through numerical simulation. The results indicated that the mass transfer of RhB to the plasma-cavitation zone is one of the controlling parameters influencing the degradation performance. Behavior of bubbles and pulse discharge frequency were examined using a high-speed video camera. Relatively large bubbles were found to favor the plasma pulse generation and propagation when move near the high-voltage electrode. On the whole, the results of this study suggest that the ACAP process has the potential to synergistically extend the application area of underwater plasma in both research and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal stability of a self-assembled micelle was remarkably enhanced by a topology effect. Linear poly(butyl acrylate)-block-poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(butyl acrylate) (1) and the cyclized product, poly(butyl acrylate)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (2), were self-assembled to form flower-like micelles. By means of viscometry, the critical micelle concentrations were determined to be 0.13 and 0.14 mg/mL for 1 and 2, respectively. Dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed that both micelles are spherical and approximately 20 nm in diameter. Despite no distinctive change in the chemical composition or structure of the micelle, we found that the cloud point (Tc) was elevated by more than 40 °C through the linear-to-cyclic topological conversion of the polymer amphiphile. Furthermore, the Tc was tuned by coassembly of 1 and 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An efficient and regioselective method for iodination of electron-rich aromatic compounds was found using N-chlorosuccinimide and sodium iodide in AcOH with short reaction times. This method is also applicable to non-benzenoid aromatic or heteroaromatic compounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the importance of cationic gold in chemistry in the U.S. It states that cationic gold complexes have emerged as powerful acids capable of promoting a diverse range of enyne cycloisomerization reactions. It is discussed that in these reactions, the gold catalyst not only serves to activate the alkyne toward nucleophilic addition, but also plays a role in stabilizing the cationic intermediates produced in the cyclization event.

Direct Synthesis of Chain-end-functionalized Poly(3-hexylthiophene) without Protecting Groups Using a Zincate Complex B Back Cover b : In article 2000148, Tomoya Higashihara and co-workers synthesize chain-end-functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene)s (P3HTs) with benzyl alcohol, phenol, and benzoic acid groups via Negishi catalyst-transfer polycondensation using a zincate complex. The chain-end-functionalized P3HTs have controlled number-average molecular weights and high chain-end functionality. [Extracted from the article]

• A liquid jet of acoustic cavitation near a droplet was investigated numerically. • The liquid-jet strength becomes strong with increase of ultrasonic pressure amplitude. • The liquid-jet direction depends on the material of droplet. • The directionality of liquid jet can be explained by the location of high-pressure spot. The present study numerically investigates liquid-jet characteristics of acoustic cavitation during emulsification in water/gallium/air and water/silicone oil/air systems. It is found that a high-speed liquid jet is generated when acoustic cavitation occurs near a minute droplet of one liquid in another. The velocity of liquid jet significantly depends on the ultrasonic pressure monotonically increasing as the pressure amplitude increases. Also, the initial distance between cavitation bubble and liquid droplet affects the jet velocity significantly. The results revealed that the velocity takes maximum values when the initial distance between the droplet and cavitation bubble is moderate. Surprisingly, the liquid jet direction was found to depend on the droplet properties. Specifically, the direction of liquid jet is toward the droplet in the case of water/gallium/air system, and vice versa the jet is directed from the droplet in the case of water/silicone oil/air system. The jet directionality can be explained by location of the high-pressure spot generated during the bubble contraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work investigated melt flow pattern and temperature distribution in the sump of aluminum billets produced in a hot-top equipped direct chilling (DC) caster conventionally and with ultrasonic irradiation. The main emphasis was placed on clarifying the effects of acoustic streaming and hot-top unit type. Acoustic streaming characteristics were investigated first by using the earlier developed numerical model and water model experiments. Then, the acoustic streaming model was applied to develop a numerical code capable of simulating unsteady flow phenomena in the sump during the DC casting process. The results revealed that the introduction of ultrasonic vibrations into the melt in the hot-top unit had little or no effect on the temperature distribution and sump profile, but had a considerable effect on the melt flow pattern in the sump. Our results showed that ultrasound irradiation makes the flow velocity faster and produces a lot of relatively small eddies in the sump bulk and near the mushy zone. The latter causes frequently repeated thinning of the mushy zone layer. The numerical predictions were verified against measurements performed on a pilot DC caster producing 203 mm billets of Al-17%Si alloy. The verification revealed approximately the same sump depth and shape as those in the numerical simulations, and confirms the frequent and large fluctuations of the melt temperature during ultrasound irradiation. However, the measured temperature distribution in the sump significantly differed from that predicted numerically. This suggests that the present mathematical model should be further improved, particularly in terms of more accurate descriptions of boundary conditions and mushy zone characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cavitation bubble fragmentation was investigated through a three-dimensional simulation and experiment. • The bubble takes a non-spherical shape resulting from the pressure distribution around the bubble. • The non-spherical oscillations of bubble are amplified during its high-frequency oscillations after Rayleigh collapse. • The amplified oscillations cause the bubble fragmentation. In the present study, dynamic behavior and fragmentation mechanism of acoustic cavitation bubbles are investigated under relatively small pressure amplitudes of ultrasonic wave through a three-dimensional compressive multiphase flow simulation and experimental observations. It is found that the oscillating bubble takes a non-spherical shape soon after occurring the Rayleigh collapse following the sound pressure distribution around the bubble. Then, the amplitude of non-spherical deformation is enhanced during small high-frequent oscillations after the Rayleigh collapse due to the fluid inertial effect. Finally, the oscillating bubble is fragmented into two smaller ones with the Laplace pressure gradient becoming the final trigger of bubble fragmentation. Besides, the results reveal that the temperature of bubble surface is varied when the non-spherical bubble deformation is large, while during spherical bubble oscillations the surface temperature remains almost unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To gain insight into how immunity develops against SARS-CoV-2 from 2020 to 2022, we analyzed the immune response of a small group of university staff and students who were either infected or vaccinated. We investigated the levels of receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific and nucleocapsid (N)-specific IgG and IgA antibodies in serum and saliva samples taken early (around 10 days after infection or vaccination) and later (around 1 month later), as well as N-specific T-cell responses. One patient who had been infected in 2020 developed serum RBD and N-specific IgG antibodies, but declined eight months later, then mRNA vaccination in 2021 produced a higher level of anti-RBD IgG than natural infection. In the vaccination of naïve individuals, vaccines induced anti-RBD IgG, but it declined after six months. A third vaccination boosted the IgG level again, albeit to a lower level than after the second. In 2022, when the Omicron variant became dominant, familial transmission occurred among vaccinated people. In infected individuals, the levels of serum anti-RBD IgG antibodies increased later, while anti-N IgG peaked earlier. The N-specific activated T cells expressing IFN γ or CD107a were detected only early. Although SARS-CoV-2-specific salivary IgA was undetectable, two individuals showed a temporary peak in RBD- and N-specific IgA antibodies in their saliva on the second day after infection. Our study, despite having a small sample size, revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers the expected immune responses against acute viral infections. Moreover, our findings suggest that the temporary mucosal immune responses induced early during infection may provide better protection than the currently available intramuscular vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Instrumentation failure (IF) is a major complication associated with growth-sparing surgery for pediatric spinal deformities; however, studies focusing on IF following each surgical procedure are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the incidence, timing, and rates of unplanned return to the operating room (UPROR) associated with IF following each surgical procedure in growth-sparing surgeries using traditional growing rods (TGRs) and vertical expandable prosthetic titanium ribs (VEPTRs). Methods: We reviewed 1,139 surgical procedures documented in a Japanese multicenter database from 2015 to 2017. Of these, 544 TGR and 455 VEPTR procedures were included for evaluation on a per-surgery basis. IF was defined as the occurrence of an implant-related complication requiring revision surgery. Results: The surgery-based incidences of IF requiring revision surgery in the TGR and VEPTR groups were 4.3% and 4.0%, respectively, with no significant intergroup difference. Remarkably, there was a negative correlation between IF incidence per surgical procedure and the number of lengthening surgeries in both groups. In addition, rod breakage in the TGR group and anchor-related complications in the VEPTR group tended to occur relatively early in the treatment course. The surgery-based rates of UPROR due to IF in the TGR and VEPTR groups were 2.0% and 1.5%, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference. Conclusions: We found that IF, such as anchor related-complications and rod breakage, occurs more frequently earlier in the course of lengthening surgeries. This finding may help in patient counseling and highlights the importance of close postoperative follow-up to detect IF and improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve a functional cure for HIV, treatment regimens that eradicate latently HIV-infected cells must be established. For this, many groups have attempted to reactivate latently-infected cells to induce cytopathic effects and/or elicit cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)/NK cell-mediated immune responses to kill these cells. We believe that not only the reactivation of latently-infected cells, but also the induction of strong CTL responses, would be required for this. Here, we used typical immune activators that target pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). For our experimental model, we identified eight SIV-infected cynomolgus monkeys that became natural controllers of viremia. Although plasma viral loads were undetectable, we could measure SIV-DNA by qPCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Using these PBMCs, we screened 10 distinct PRR ligands to measure IFN-α and IFN-γ production. Among these, STING ligands, cGAMP and c-di-AMP, and the TLR7/8 agonist R848 markedly increased cytokine levels. Both R848 and STING ligands could reactivate latently-infected cells in both cynomolgus monkeys and human PBMCs in vitro. Furthermore, c-di-AMP increased the frequency of SIV Gag-specific CD8+ T cells including polyfunctional CD8+ T cells, as compared to that in untreated control or R848-treated cells. Together, STING ligands might be candidates for HIV treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic polymers exhibit unique physical and chemical properties because of the restricted chain mobility and absence of chain ends. Although many types of homopolymers and diblock copolymers possessing cyclic architectures have been synthesized to date, there are relatively few reports of cyclic triblock terpolymers because of their synthetic difficulties. In this study, a novel synthetic approach for μ-ABC tricyclic miktoarm star polymers involving t-Bu-P4-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of glycidyl ethers and intramolecular copper-catalyzed azido-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) was developed. First, the t-Bu-P4-catalyzed ROP of decyl glycidyl ether, dec-9-enyl glycidyl ether, and 2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethoxy) ethyl glycidyl ether with the aid of functional initiators and terminators was employed for the preparation of a clickable linear triblock terpolymer precursor possessing three azido and three ethynyl groups at the selected positions. Next, the intramolecular CuAAC of the linear precursor successfully produced the well-defined tricyclic triblock terpolymer with narrow dispersity in a reasonable yield. The present strategy is useful for synthesizing model polymers for studying the topological effects on the triblock terpolymer self-assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life extension of light water reactors requires robust models to predict the embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels under long-term neutron irradiation. Embrittlement is due to nanoscale precipitation hardening by phases containing Cu, Mn, Ni, and Si, resulting in increases of the ductile to brittle transition temperature. Embrittlement data for low flux, high fluence extended life conditions, up to 80 years or more, are largely not available. Thus, higher flux, accelerated test reactor irradiations have been used to help develop models to predict low flux embrittlement at high fluence. Here flux, or dose rate, is expressed in units of displacements per atom per second (dpa/s). The dose rate can significantly influence precipitate evolution in a way that depends on fluence (dpa), temperature, and alloy composition, as well as flux itself. Here, we explore precipitation in surveillance steels with varying compositions at high fluxes (10−5–10−6 dpa/s) produced using 70 MeV Fe2+ ion irradiations. Atom probe tomography was used to characterize the dose dependence of precipitation at very high ion irradiation dose rates, and to evaluate corresponding similarities or differences compared to neutron irradiated steels at a much lower dose rate of ≈ 5 × 10−9 dpa/s. The data show that, on average, the ion irradiation precipitate volume fractions increase by factors of ∼ 1.5 to 2 between 0.3 dpa and 1.2 dpa. Limited data show that the major effect of neutron versus ion irradiation is the former has lower precipitate number densities and larger sizes. Otherwise, the precipitates are remarkably similar in composition and volume fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maternal liver is challenged by metabolic demands throughout pregnancy. However, hepatocyte dynamics and their physiological significance in pregnancy remain unclear. Here, we show in mice that hepatocyte proliferation is spatiotemporally regulated in each liver lobular zone during pregnancy, with transient proliferation of periportal and pericentral hepatocytes during mid and late gestation, respectively. Using adeno-associated virus (AAV)−8-mediated expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 in hepatocytes, we show that inhibition of hepatocyte proliferation during mid, but not late, gestation impairs liver growth. Transcriptionally, genes involved in glucose/glycogen metabolism are downregulated in late pregnancy when midgestational hepatocyte proliferation is attenuated. In addition, hepatic glycogen storage is abolished, with concomitant elevated blood glucose concentrations, glucose intolerance, placental glycogen deposition, and fetal overgrowth. Laser capture microdissection and RNA-seq analysis of each liver lobular zone show zone-specific changes in the transcriptome during pregnancy and identify genes that are periportally expressed at midgestation, including the hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (Hmmr). Knockdown of Hmmr in hepatocytes by AAV8-shHmmr suppresses periportal hepatocyte proliferation at midgestation and induces impaired hepatic glycogen storage, glucose intolerance, placental glycogen deposition and fetal overgrowth. Our results suggest that periportal hepatocyte proliferation during midgestation is critical for maternal glycogen metabolism and fetal size.Delineation of the zone-specific dynamics of hepatocytes during pregnancy in mice demonstrates that midgestational periportal hepatocyte proliferation is critical for maternal glucose homeostasis during late pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-service exposure to high-energy neutrons embrittles reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels. An increase in the yield stress (Δσ y) results in a corresponding increase in the brittle to ductile transition temperature (ΔT c). Most existing models underpredict ΔT c at higher fluence following accelerated irradiations in test reactors. High fluence, up to 1020 n/cm2 in some cases, will be reached over extended RPV vessel operation of 80 years, or more, at low service flux. Embrittlement has been extensively studied in accelerated, higher flux test reaction irradiations. However, the use of test reactor data naturally raises the question of flux effects. This study used a machine learning approach trained on a set of hardening data, covering a wide range of flux, fluence, and steel compositions to determine the interactive effects of both irradiation and material variables on Δσ y. The analysis included machine learning-based cross-plots of the variable dependence of Δσ y for six core steels (i.e., CM6, LC, LD, LG, LH, and LI), with controlled differences in their Cu and Ni contents. A primary objective is to evaluate an effective to actual fluence (ɸt e /ɸt) ratio, as a function of flux, fluence, and steel composition. This is information critical to properly use intermediate flux-high fluence data in calibrating a low flux-high fluence embrittlement model. The predicted ɸt e /ɸt is reasonably consistent with estimates previously derived from a physics-based solute recombination trap model. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotaxanes consisting of a high‐molecular‐weight axle and wheel components (macro‐rotaxanes) have high structural freedom, and are attractive for soft‐material applications. However, their synthesis remains underexplored. Here, we investigated macro‐rotaxane formation by the topological trapping of multicyclic polydimethylsiloxanes (mc‐PDMSs) in silicone networks. mc‐PDMS with different numbers of cyclic units and ring sizes was synthesized by cyclopolymerization of a α,ω‐norbornenyl‐functionalized PDMS. Silicone networks were prepared in the presence of 10–60 wt % mc‐PDMS, and the trapping efficiency of mc‐PDMS was determined. In contrast to monocyclic PDMS, mc‐PDMSs with more cyclic units and larger ring sizes can be quantitatively trapped in the network as macro‐rotaxanes. The damping performance of a 60 wt % mc‐PDMS‐blended silicone network was evaluated, revealing a higher tan δ value than the bare PDMS network. Thus, macro‐rotaxanes are promising as non‐leaching additives for network polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotaxanes consisting of a high‐molecular‐weight axle and wheel components (macro‐rotaxanes) have high structural freedom, and are attractive for soft‐material applications. However, their synthesis remains underexplored. Here, we investigated macro‐rotaxane formation by the topological trapping of multicyclic polydimethylsiloxanes (mc‐PDMSs) in silicone networks. mc‐PDMS with different numbers of cyclic units and ring sizes was synthesized by cyclopolymerization of a α,ω‐norbornenyl‐functionalized PDMS. Silicone networks were prepared in the presence of 10–60 wt % mc‐PDMS, and the trapping efficiency of mc‐PDMS was determined. In contrast to monocyclic PDMS, mc‐PDMSs with more cyclic units and larger ring sizes can be quantitatively trapped in the network as macro‐rotaxanes. The damping performance of a 60 wt % mc‐PDMS‐blended silicone network was evaluated, revealing a higher tan δ value than the bare PDMS network. Thus, macro‐rotaxanes are promising as non‐leaching additives for network polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Investigations on acoustic cavitation assisted plasma were conducted with a novel reactor. • Treatable range of solution electric conductivity has been remarkably expanded with acoustic cavitation. • Micro cavitation bubbles behave as "bridges" to help plasma propagate through water. • ACAP process shows good performance on Rhodamine B degradation with synergistic effects. Abstract A novel wastewater treatment process, acoustic cavitation assisted plasma (ACAP) is proposed in this study aiming at expanding the treatable range of water pollutants due to a synergetic effect of ultrasound irradiation and high voltage plasma discharge. In this process, the role of acoustic cavitation is not only to provide generation of chemically active OH radicals, as for example in conventional ultrasonic wastewater treatment techniques, but also to ensure conditions for stable plasma generation in wastewater and, thus, to extend the treatable range of water pollutants. Rhodamine B (RhB) was used as a model pollutant in experiments examining effects of ultrasound amplitude, RhB initial concentration, output voltage, solution pH and electrical conductivity on the RhB degradation efficiency. The results revealed that the ultrasound-assisted plasma generation requires lower output voltages and allows to increase the acceptable range of electrical conductivity of treatable solutions up to 1000 μS/cm, that is about 24 times higher than in the case of conventional plasma discharge treatment. The alkaline and acid medium were found to be favorable for higher degradation efficiency. Additional measurements and results of recent investigations concerning underwater plasma showed that microbubbles presented in cavitation zone could serve as "bridges" making the pulse discharge propagation between the electrodes easier than in the conventional case. Besides, acoustic cavitation assists a faster transition of plasma discharge from ineffective streamer type to more effective spark type that further contributes to the improvement of the treatment performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which reveals the successful formation of a nanotubular precursor bearing reactive surface groups. Researchers used [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azides and alkynes as a means of chemically modifying the graphitic nanotubes. Selective grafting of the G2 dendron on the exterior surface was also conducted to functionalize the interior of the nanotubes.

Development of a universal influenza vaccine that can provide robust and long-lasting protection against heterologous infections is a global public health priority. A variety of vaccine antigens are designed to increase the antigenicity of conserved epitopes to elicit cross-protective antibodies that often lack virus-neutralizing activity. Given the contribution of antibody effector functions to cross-protection, adjuvants need to be added to modulate antibody effector functions as well as to enhance antibody quantity. We previously showed that post-fusion influenza vaccine antigens elicit non-neutralizing but cross-protective antibodies against conserved epitopes. Here, using a murine model, we comparably assessed the adjuvanticity of the newly developed SA-2 adjuvant containing a synthetic TLR7 agonist DSP-0546 and squalene-based MF59 analog as representative Th1- or Th2-type adjuvants, respectively. Both types of adjuvants in the post-fusion vaccine comparably enhanced cross-reactive IgG titers against heterologous strains. However, only SA-2 skewed the IgG subclass into the IgG2c subclass in association to its Th1-polarizing nature. SA-2-enhanced IgG2c responses exhibited antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against heterologous virus strains, without cross-neutralizing activity. Eventually, the SA-2-adjuvanted vaccination provided protection against lethal infection by heterologous H3N2 and H1N1 viruses. Together, we conclude that the combination with a SA-2 is advantageous for enhancing the cross-protective capability of post-fusion HA vaccines that elicit non-neutralizing IgG antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid metabolism is one of energy metabolic pathways that produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In this pathway, lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) encoded by Lipase A (LIPA), plays an important role in catalyzing lipids to fatty acids (FAs), which drive oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and generate ATP. Previously, we found that a LIPA single nucleotide polymorphism rs143793106, which decreases the LAL activity, suppressed the cytodifferentiation of human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells. However, the mechanisms underlying that suppression are still not fully clarified. Thus, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms regulating the cytodifferentiation of HPDL cells by LAL in terms of energy metabolism. We performed the osteogenic induction of HPDL cells with or without Lalistat-2, a LAL inhibitor. To visualize lipid droplet (LD) utilization, we performed confocal microscopy on HPDL cells. We also performed real-time PCR to analyze the gene expression of calcification-related and metabolism-related genes. Furthermore, we measured the ATP production rate from two major energy production pathways, OXPHOS and glycolysis, and OXPHOS-related parameters of HPDL cells during their cytodifferentiation. We found that LDs were utilized during the cytodifferentiation of HPDL cells. Alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), collagen type 1 alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), ATP synthase F1 subunit alpha (ATP5F1A), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) mRNA expressions were upregulated, whereas lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) mRNA expression was downregulated. Additionally, total ATP production rate was significantly increased. In contrast, in the presence of Lalistat-2, LD utilization was inhibited and ALPL , COL1A1 , and ATP5F1A mRNA expression was downregulated. Additionally, ATP production rate and spare respiratory capacity of the OXPHOS pathway were decreased in HPDL cells during their cytodifferentiation. Collectively, the defect of LAL in HPDL cells decreased LD utilization and OXPHOS capacity, resulting in reduced energy to sustain the adequate ATP production required for the cytodifferentiation of HPDL cells. Thus, LAL is important for periodontal tissue homeostasis as a regulator of bioenergetic process of HPDL cells. [Display omitted] • LAL inhibition by Lalistat-2 suppressed the cytodifferentiation of HPDL cells. • LAL was involved in energy metabolism during HPDL cytodifferentiation. • LAL inhibition reduced spare respiratory capacity during HPDL cytodifferentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, experimental investigations of a class of temperature-responsive polymers tethered to oligooxyethylene side chains terminated with alkyl groups have been conducted. In this study, aqueous solutions of poly(glycidyl ether)s (PGE) with varying numbers of oxyethylene units, poly(methyl(oligooxyethylene)n glycidyl ether) (poly(Me(EO)nGE)), and poly(ethyl(oligooxyethylene)n glycidyl ether) (poly(Et(EO)nGE) (n = 0, 1, and 2) were investigated by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, focusing on the thermal responses of their chain extensions, the recombination of intrapolymer and polymer–water hydrogen bonds, and water-solvation shells around the alkyl groups. No clear relationship was established between the phase-transition temperature and the polymer-chain extensions unlike the case for the coil–globule transition of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). However, the temperature response of the first water-solvation shell around the alkyl group exhibited a notable correlation with the phase-transition temperature. In addition, the temperature at which the hydrophobic hydration shell strength around the terminal alkyl group equals the bulk water density ( T CRP ) was slightly lower than the cloud point temperature ( T CLP ) for the methyl-terminated poly(Me(EO)nGE) and slightly higher for the ethyl-terminated poly(Et(EO)nGE). It was concluded that the polymer-chain fluctuation affects the relationship between T CRP and T CLP . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human in vitro oogenesis provides a framework for clarifying the mechanism of human oogenesis. To create its benchmark, it is vital to promote in vitro oogenesis using a model physiologically close to humans. Here, we establish a foundation for in vitro oogenesis in cynomolgus (cy) monkeys (Macaca fascicularis): cy female embryonic stem cells harboring one active and one inactive X chromosome (Xa and Xi, respectively) differentiate robustly into primordial germ cell‐like cells, which in xenogeneic reconstituted ovaries develop efficiently into oogonia and, remarkably, further into meiotic oocytes at the zygotene stage. This differentiation entails comprehensive epigenetic reprogramming, including Xi reprogramming, yet Xa and Xi remain epigenetically asymmetric with, as partly observed in vivo, incomplete Xi reactivation. In humans and monkeys, the Xi epigenome in pluripotent stem cells functions as an Xi‐reprogramming determinant. We further show that developmental pathway over‐activations with suboptimal up‐regulation of relevant meiotic genes impede in vitro meiotic progression. Cy in vitro oogenesis exhibits critical homology with the human system, including with respect to bottlenecks, providing a salient model for advancing human in vitro oogenesis. Synopsis: This study establishes a foundation for in vitro oogenesis in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) by demonstrating the induction of fetal meiotic oocyte‐like cells from embryonic stem cells. Monkey in vitro oogenesis exhibits critical homology with the human system, providing a salient model for advancing human in vitro oogenesis.Induction of fetal meiotic oocyte‐like cells from ESCs in cynomolgus monkeys.Oocyte‐like cell development entails nearly complete DNA methylation reprogramming.X‐chromosome reactivation is partial with remaining epigenetic asymmetries between two X chromosomes.Oocyte‐like cells over‐activate developmental genes with suboptimal meiotic gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]