The synthesis of oligosaccharide-branched cyclodextrins and their interaction with concanavalin A

New oligosaccharide-branched -cyclodextrins having a various oligosaccharides in a primary hydroxyl group of -cyclodextrin(CD) were synthesized and examined for the interaction with the immobilized concanavalin A(ConA) compared with 6-O-glucosyl and maltosyl CD. Oligosaccharides were converted to lactones at the reducing end, which was connected with 6-monoamino--CD forming an amide bond. For the analysis of the interaction between ConA immobilized on an aminosilane-hydrogel surface and various oligosaccharide CDs, a biosensor of the FISONS IAsys apparatus based on a resonant mirror detector (RMD) was used. As a result, it interacted with immobilized ConA and both maltosyl--CD(3) and maltosyl--CD(6), and glucosylglucono-amide--CD(7) with the association constants, K_a of 134, 833 and 8730 M^–1, respectively.     

Crystallization of cellulose microfibrils in wood cell wall by repeated dry-and-wet treatment, using X-ray diffraction technique

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of repeated moisture change on the crystallinity and crystal size of cellulose microfibrils (CMF) in sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D.Don) and karamatsu (Larix kaempferi Gord.) wood cell wall. Based on obtained results, we discussed the qualitative change in the fine structure of CMF caused by repeated dry-and-wet (RDW) treatments. Green quarter-sawn specimens (5 × 16 × 15 mm in thickness × length × width) and microcrystalline cellulose powder (Avicel) were prepared, and these specimens were subjected to 7 times at most of heated or unheated RDW treatments. After giving RDW treatments, specimens were seasoned to the fiber saturated point and absolutely dried. Wide angle X-ray diffraction measurements were adopted to determine the crystallinity and the crystal size in each condition. Results indicate that crystallinity and crystal size in wood specimens gradually increased with the progress of heated or unheated RDW treatments, while no such increases were observed in Avicel powder. Those results suggest that RDW treatments promote the crystallization of CMF in wood cell wall, regardless of heating. We presume that noncrystalline cellulose forms hydrogen bonding with the cellulose at the surface of crystalline region with the progress of RDW treatments, thus enlarging the crystal size. Avicel powder did not show features that were observed in wood specimens by RDW treatments, because it contained few noncrystalline cellulose.     

Heterogeneous polymerization with polyaspartate macromonomer having vinyl pendant groups. II. Control of particle diameter and diameter distribution in dispersion copolymerization

To control particle diameter and particle diameter distribution in dispersion copolymerization of styrene and sodium polyaspartate macromonomer containing vinylbenzyl pendant groups, effects of some polymerization parameters, water contents, initiator concentration, styrene monomer concentration, reaction temperature, and type of initiator on the particle diameter and the diameter distribution were investigated. Variation of the water contents from 20 to 80 vol % controls the resultant particle diameter from 0.066 to 0.47 μm. The diameter increased with increasing initiator concentration. This tendency is similar to dispersion polymerization system using a nonpolymerizable stabilizer. Particle diameter distribution broadened with increasing styrene monomer concentration. This trend was attributed to the increase of a period of particle formation. This result indicated that the period of particle formation affected the resultant particle diameter distribution. Particle diameter distribution was successfully improved (CV = 9.1 from 23.6%) by shortening of decomposition time of initiator. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2281–2288, 2009     

Tie2 is tied at the cell-cell contacts and to extracellular matrix by Angiopoietin-1

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) binds to and activates Tie2 receptor tyrosine kinase. Ang1-Tie2 signal has been proposed to exhibit two opposite roles in the controlling blood vessels. One is vascular stabilization and the other is vascular angiogenesis. There has been no answer to the question as to how Tie2 induces two opposite responses to the same ligand. Our group and Dr. Alitalo''s group have demonstrated that trans-associated Tie2 at cell-cell contacts and extracellular matrix (ECM)-anchored Tie2 play distinct roles in the endothelial cells. The complex formation depends on the presence or absence of cell-cell adhesion. Here, we review how Ang1-Tie2 signal regulates vascular maintenance and angiogenesis. We further point to the unanswered questions that must be clarified to extend our knowledge of vascular biology and to progress basic knowledge to the treatment of the diseases in which Ang1-Tie2-mediated signal is central.     

Bending of polyelectrolyte membrane platinum composites by electric stimuli: Part II. Response kinetics

In previous papers, it was reported that a solid polymer electrolyte membrane-platinum (SPM-Pt) composite bent in response to electric stimuli. In this paper, a model, in which electric fields can induce mechanical deformation in the SPM via electrokinetically induced pressure gradients, was applied to the kinetics of the bending response. In order to compare the theoretical model with the experimental result, simultaneous measurement was carried out with the displacement and the electrochemical properties for the composites prepared from membranes of different thickness in various kinds of salt solution. The curvature response was simulated by the empirical equations having one characteristic time. The characteristic time was linearly proportional to the square of the thickness of the membrane. The parameter which means curvature per unit charge was linearly proportional to the reciprocal of the square of the membrane thickness, and the water transference coefficient of the membrane of various ionic forms. The results support the theoretical model. In addition to the electrokinetic effect, the model includes the effect of the interfacial stress between the Pt electrode and the SPM. The bending behavior after the characteristic time can be explained successfully by the model including the interfacial effect.     

Polymerization of o‐quinodimethanes. V. Ionic polymerization of o‐quinodimethanes generated by thermal isomerization of corresponding benzocyclobutenes

The ionic polymerization of substituted o‐quinodimethanes via thermal isomerization of benzocyclobutenes is described. In the cationic polymerizations of 1‐methoxy‐o‐quinodimethane in the presence of various cationic initiators at 110 °C for 12 h, chain transfer reactions also considerably underwent besides the polymerization. Meanwhile, cationic polymerizations of 1‐trimethylsilyloxy‐o‐quinodimethane under the same conditions gave good yields of the corresponding polymer. Anionic polymerizations of 1‐cyano‐o‐quinodimethane in the presence of anionic initiators such as n‐BuLi or t‐BuOK were performed at various temperatures for 12 h. Good yields of hexane‐insoluble polymer, which was produced by anionic polymerization of corresponding o‐quinodimethane as an intermediate, were obtained above 120 °C. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 844–850, 2008     

Needle-type ultra micro silver/silver chloride reference electrode for use in micro-electrochemistry.

A needle-type ultra micro silver/silver chloride reference electrode having a micro capillary with outer and inner diameters of 1.0 microm and 0.5 +/- 0.2 microm, respectively, was constructed. This micro reference electrode can be stuck into a living cell, and is applicable to use in very small environments, such as an electrochemical cell of an electrochemical scanning tunneling microscope or the detection portion of a micro-TAS. Excellent stability and repeatability of the micro reference electrode potential could be obtained by filling the micro capillary with agar gel containing 3.33 mol/L potassium chloride as a salt bridge, by covering the bare part of the silver wire on which silver chloride was deposited, and by electromagnetic shielding of the measurement cell and wire lead from the electromagnetic waves. The electrode showed stable potential for 7 days after its fabrication using 3.3 mol/L potassium chloride aqueous solution containing silver chloride as an internal electrolyte solution. The electrode exhibited constant electrode potential and excellent stability in test solutions of pH 5-9. The electrode potential of a commercial pH glass electrode measured against the micro reference electrode in standard pH buffer solutions was in good accordance with the Nernst equation.     

Multiple layer structure of non-Abelian vortex

Bogomolny–Prasad–Sommerfield (BPS) vortices in U(N)$U(N)$ gauge theories have two layers corresponding to non-Abelian and Abelian fluxes, whose widths depend nontrivially on the ratio of U(1)$U(1)$ and SU(N)$\mathit{SU}(N)$ gauge couplings. We find numerically and analytically that the widths differ significantly from the Compton lengths of lightest massive particles with the appropriate quantum number.     

Total Synthesis of Actinorhodin

The enantioselective total synthesis of actinorhodin ( 1 ) is described. The synthesis features 1) dual benzyne reactions en route to the monomer, 2) the trans‐selective installation of the side chain, and 3) a regioselective oxidative dimerization.