Two-dimensional network formation of cardiac myocytes in agar microculture chip with 1480 nm infrared laser photo-thermal etching

We have developed a new method that enables agar microstructures to be used to cultivate cells and that allows cell network patterns to be controlled. The method makes use of non-contact three-dimensional photo-thermal etching with a 1480 nm infrared focused laser beam, which is strongly absorbed by water and agar gel, to form the shapes of agar microstructures. It allows microstructures to be easily formed in an agar layer within a few minutes, with cell-culture holes formed by the spot heating of a 100 mW laser and tunnels by the tracing of a 100 microm s(-1), 40 mW laser. We cultivated rat cardiac myocytes in adjacent microstructures and observed synchronized beating in them 90 min after they had made physical contact. Our results indicate that the system can make and use microstructures for cell-network cultivation in a minimal amount of time without any expensive microfabrication facilities or complicated procedures.     

The influence of polytypic structures on the M011-->M101 solid-solid phase transition of n-C36H74: an application of the oblique infrared transmission method

The molecular displacements on the M011-->M101 phase transition of n-hexatriacontane (n-C36H74) have been investigated with an IR microscope designed for the oblique infrared transmission method. It has been clarified that two polytypic structures of the M011 modification, single-layered structure (Mon) and double-layered one (Orth II), both transform to the M101 modification of single-layered structure with their respective mechanisms. On the M011(Mon)-->M101 transition, the inclination direction of molecular axis is changed by 90 degrees through an intermediate state in which the molecular chain is set perpendicular to the basal plane of the single crystal. On the other hand, a polymorphic-polytypic composite structural change on the M011(Orth II)-->M101 transition is accomplished through two kinds of molecular displacements occurring alternately along the stacking direction of molecular layers.     

Study of thermodynamic stabilities of polytypes of n-C36H74 by solubility measurements and incoherent inelastic neutron scattering

The thermodynamic properties of the two polytypes of n-hexatriacontane (n-C36H74), single-layered structure Mon and double-layered structure Orth II have been investigated by means of solubility measurements and incoherent inelastic neutron scattering. The solubility measurements reveal that Orth II is more stable than Mon by 1.2 kJ/mol because of the advantage of larger entropy. The neutron scattering measurements show that the vibrational modes of Orth II shift to the lower frequencies compared with those of Mon in the frequency region below 120 cm(-1). The advantage of Orth II in vibrational entropy due to the low-frequency shifts is estimated to be 9.6 J K(-1)/mol at 288 K under the harmonic approximation, which nearly agrees with the entropy difference of 6.8 J K(-1)/mol between Mon and Orth II determined by solubility measurements. These results suggest that the difference in vibrational entropy due to low-frequency modes mainly contributes to the relative thermodynamic stabilities of polytypic structures of long-chain compounds. From the frequency of methyl torsional mode, it is suggested that the cohesive force at the lamellar interface is stronger in Mon than in Orth II.     

13C-NMR studies on the cevanine alkaloids : the application of 13C-NMR spectrum for structure elucidation of new alkaloids,baimonidine and isoverticine

The ¹³C-NMR spectra of seven cavanine alkaloids isolated from Veratrum and Fritillaria plants were measured and their signals were assigned, and these results were applicated for structure elucidation of two new cevanine alkaloids, baimonidine and isoverticine, isolated from mature Fritillaria verticillata.     

Synthesis of two naturally occurring 3-methyl-2,5-dihydro-1-benzoxepin carboxylic acids

[structures: see text] Two naturally occurring 3-methyl-2,5-dihydro-1-benzoxepin carboxylic acids, 6-hydroxy-3-methyl-8-(phenylethyl)-2,5-dihydro-1-benzoxepin-9-carboxylic acid (radulanin E) (1) and 9-hydroxy-3-methyl-2,5-dihydro-1-benzoxepin-7-carboxylic acid (2), were synthesized using Stille coupling followed by Mitsunobu cyclization.     

Induced Circular Dichroism and Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectra of Maleimide and Related Molecules

The induced circular dichroism (ICD) spectra of the inclusion complexes of maleimide, phthalimide, and naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboximide with β‐ or γ‐cyclodextrin (CDx) have been measured. The structure of the CDx inclusion complexes are interpreted by the signs and shapes of ICD spectra compared with the results of PPP calculations. In maleimide and naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboximide, the ICD spectra of the β‐CDx inclusion complex are very similar to those of the γ‐CDx inclusion complex in spite of the differences in dimensions between the cavity of β‐CDx and that of γ‐CDx. In phthalimide, the ICD spectra of the β‐CDx inclusion complex are very different from those of the γ‐CDx inclusion complex. The split‐type ICD bands at 220–235 nm show that the dimer of phthalimide is formed in the presence of β‐CDx.     

Novel Lewis-base ionic liquids replacing typical anions

We have synthesized two kinds of new Lewis-base ionic liquids (ILs); one is based on the relatively strong Lewis basic acetate anion, and the other is a salt composed of a mono-alkylated diamine such that the Lewis base site is incorporated in the cation. 1-Octyl-4-aza-1-azonia-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, [C₈dabco]TFSA, and N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium acetate, [p_1,4]OAc, melted into fluid liquids at 26 and 81 °C, respectively. The thermal decomposition of [p_1,4]OAc started at around 150 °C, whereas the thermal stability of [C₈dabco]TFSA was almost equal to that of typical TFSA-based ILs in spite of the Lewis base site. This suggests that if the Lewis base site is incorporated into the cation the IL can maintain higher thermal stability. In addition, as a further result of the presence of the basic nitrogen, [C₈dabco]TFSA can dissolve hydrated Cu(NO₃)₂ whereas the other TFSA-based ILs cannot.     

Effect of solvent on the cation-sensitive fluorescence of polyanions bearing 4′-acryloylbenzo-18-crown-6 Units

Changes in the fluorescence intensity of polyanions bearing 4-acryloylbenzo-18-crown-6 units on the addition of cations were studied in a mixed solvent of methanol and water at 30°C. The sensitivity of the change in fluorescence intensities of the polymers toward cations was strongly enhanced compared to that of the corresponding model compound. When alkali metal cations were added, the fluorescence intensity of the polymers decreased in the orders Li⁺>Na⁺>Cs⁺>Rb⁺>K⁺ in a methanol-water (19) mixture and Li⁺>Na⁺>Rb⁺>K⁺Cs⁺ in a methanol-water (91) mixture. Alkaline earth metal cations and alkylamine hydrochlorides decreased the fluorescence intensity of the polymers in a methanol-water (19) mixture. The cation-dependent decrease in the fluorescence intensity of the polymers was affected by the water fraction in a mixed solvent of methanol and water.