NanoPARCEL: a method for controlling cellular behavior with external light

We developed a simple preparation procedure for the protein encapsulated nanoparticle and used the nanoparticle for spatiotemporal activity control of various proteins. We succeeded in the local protein activation within cells by light using the nanoparticle.     

Silica-porphyrin hybrid nanotubes for in vivo cell tracking by near-infrared fluorescence imaging

Near-infrared fluorescent silica-porphyrin hybrid nanotubes (HNTs) were successfully synthesized by π-π stacking, electrostatic interaction and a sol-gel reaction. The HNTs-labeled macrophages were detected in vivo, and the minimum detectable number of cells was 200. Furthermore, the biodistribution of HNTs-labeled macrophages was tracked by fluorescence imaging.     

Influence of peak inspiratory flow rates and pressure drops on inhalation performance of dry powder inhalers

The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between human inspiratory flow patterns and the concomitant drops in pressure in different inhalation devices, and the influence of the devices on inhalation performance. As a model formulation for inhalers, a physically mixed dry powder composed of salbutamol sulfate and coarse lactose monohydrate was selected. The drops in pressure at 28.3?L/min of three inhalation devices, Single-type, Dual-type, and Reverse-type, was 1.0, 5.1, and 8.7?kPa, respectively. Measurements of human inspiratory patterns revealed that although the least resistant device (Single) had large inter- and intra-individual variation of peak flow rate (PFR), the coefficients of variation of PFR of the three devices were almost the same. In tests with a human inspiratory flow simulator in vitro, inhalation performance was higher, but the variation in inhalation performance in the range of human flow patterns was wider, for the more resistant device. To minimize the intra- and inter-individual variation in inhalation performance for the model formulation in this study, a formulation design that allows active pharmaceutical ingredient to detach from the carrier with a lower inhalation flow rate is needed.     

Angular dependence of 1H-NMR and 2H-NMR spectra of water absorbed in cellulose film

¹H-NMR and ²H-NMR spectra of water (H₂O and D₂O) absorbed in Visking cellulose tubing have been observed as a function of the angle Θ between the film surface and the magnetic field. ¹H-NMR spectra show broad lines, and the chemical shift and the linewidth depend on Θ. From the angular dependence of the chemical shift, the anisotropic volume diamagnetic susceptibilities of the film are determined, i.e., χ_∥ in the direction longitudinal to the tubing (stretched direction) is 0.43 ppm, and χ_⊥ in the transverse direction is 0.57 ppm. The different values of χ_∥ and χ_⊥ afford an evidence of the anisotropy of the film. ²H-NMR spectra of D₂O absorbed in the film show quadrupole splitting which also depends on Θ. The angular dependences of the linewidth (¹H-NMR) and the quadrupole splitting (²H-NMR) indicate that the H? H axes of the water molecules have a tendency to orient in the direction longitudinal to the film surface.     

Generation of 2-Carboethoxyethylzinc iodide and 3-carboethoxypropylzinc iodide and their application to the synthesis of γ- and δ-keto esters

2-Carboethoxyethylzinc iodide and 3-carboethoxypropylzinc iodide are generated by the reaction of the corresponding iodoesters with Zn-Cu couple and utilized for the palladium catalyzed coupling reaction with acid chloride to quantitatively provide gamma- and delta- keto esters, respectively.     

Visual enantiomeric recognition of amino acid derivatives in protic solvents

Various types of chiral host molecules 2-7 based on a phenolphthalein skeleton and two crown ethers were prepared for use in visual enantiomeric recognition, and we examined their enantioselective coloration in complexation with chiral amino acid derivatives 9-22 in methanol solution. Methyl-substituted host (S,S,S,S)-3 showed particularly prominent enantiomer selectivity for the alanine amide derivatives 11 and 12. A combination of methyl-substituted host (S,S,S,S)-3 with guest (R)-11 or (R)-12 developed a purple color, whereas no color development was observed with (S)-11 or (S)-12. On the other hand, phenyl-substituted host (S,S,S,S)-6 showed deeper coloration with a wide range of (S)-beta-amino alcohols compared to that seen with host (S,S,S,S)-6 and the corresponding (R)-beta-amino alcohols at 0 degrees C. Furthermore, absorbance inversion temperatures (AIT) were observed within the range of 0-50 degrees C in many cases.     

Development of xanthene dyes containing arylacetylenes: The role of acetylene linker and substituents on the aryl group

Fluorescent dyes possessing a variety of arylacetylenes at the 9-position of a xanthene skeleton were synthesized and their optical properties were investigated. The π system effectively expanded over the xanthene skeleton and the aryl group through the triple bond. Starting from the emission wavelength (λ_em) of 9-methyl xanthene 20 in basic DMSO solution at 536?nm, the emission wavelengths gradually shifted to the red region for methylacetylene 17 (λ_em?=?600?nm), phenylacetylene 5 (λ_em?=?636?nm), and p-CF₃-phenylacetylene 11 (λ_em?=?660?nm). On the basis of these data, we estimated the substituent effects for the red shift on the emission wavelength and rationally explained the results by DFT calculations. Furthermore, potential applicability of these fluorescent dyes to cell staining was exemplified.     

One‐pot Annulation for Biaryl‐fused Monocarba‐closo‐dodecaborate through Aromatic B−H Bond Disconnection

We have developed a one‐pot annulation reaction of monocarba‐closo‐dodecaborate with cyclic diaryliodonium salts to afford biaryl‐fused derivatives. Aryl functionalities are introduced at both the 1‐carbon and unreactive ortho‐boron vertices of the “σ‐aromatic” carborane cage without the need for pre‐functionalization. DFT calculations revealed that the palladium‐catalyzed C?B bond‐formation step in this process proceeds through a concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD)‐type pathway for the B?H bond disconnection on the aromatic cage, though such bonds are generally regarded as hydridic.     

Anomalous binding profile of phenylboronic acid with N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) in aqueous solution with varying pH

Borates are known to interact with carbohydrate moieties expressed on the surface of biological membranes of a variety of cells, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This study revealed the anomalous binding profile of borate in aqueous solution with N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac, sialic acid) as a potential receptor site on the surfaces of biological membranes using (11)B, (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. 3-(Propionamido)phenylboronic acid (PAPBA) was chosen as the model borate compound. The equilibrium constant (K) for Neu5Ac binding to PAPBA was compared with those for glucose, mannose, and galactose, which are the major carbohydrate constituents of glycoproteins and glycolipids expressed on biological membranes. In the Neu5Ac/PAPBA system, the unusual pH dependency of the K values, a decrease in K with increasing pH, was observed, suggesting the formation of a trigonal-formed complex stabilized by the coordination of an amide group of Neu5Ac at the C-5 position to the boron atom, forming intramolecular B-N or B-O bonding. Furthermore, the anomalously high complexing ability at physiological pH 7.4 was confirmed for this system, with the K value 37.6 which is approximately 7 times higher than that for glucose. This exceptionally high value of K at physiological pH, compared to those of other sugars, strongly suggests that the boronic acid selectively recognizes the Neu5Ac residues of the glycosylated components including glycoproteins and gangliosides existing on the surface of the biological membranes.