Cell patterning using a template of microstructured organosilane layer fabricated by vacuum ultraviolet light lithography

Micropatterning techniques have become increasingly important in cellular biology. Cell patterning is achieved by various methods. Photolithography is one of the most popular methods, and several light sources (e.g., excimer lasers and mercury lamps) are used for that purpose. Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light that can be produced by an excimer lamp is advantageous for fabricating material patterns, since it can decompose organic materials directly and efficiently without photoresist or photosensitive materials. Despite the advantages, applications of VUV light to pattern biological materials are few. We have investigated cell patterning by using a template of a microstructured organosilane layer fabricated by VUV lithography. We first made a template of a microstructured organosilane layer by VUV lithography. Cell adhesive materials (poly(d-lysine) and polyethyleneimine) were chemically immobilized on the organosilane template, producing a cell adhesive material pattern. Primary rat cardiac and neuronal cells were successfully patterned by culturing them on the pattern substrate. Long-term culturing was attained for up to two weeks for cardiac cells and two months for cortex cells. We have discussed the reproducibility of cell patterning and made suggestions to improve it.     

Nanomolar fluorescent detection of c-di-GMP using a modular aptamer strategy

C-di-GMP regulates important processes involved in biofilm formation and virulence factors production in several bacteria. Herein we report a simple fluorescent strategy that allows for the detection of c-di-GMP (as low as 320 nM) using a Vc2 class I riboswitch domain as the sensing region and spinach as the fluorescent reporting module.     

Al electroplating on the AZ121 Mg alloy in an EMIC–AlCl3 ionic liquid containing ethylene glycol

To improve the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys, an Al layer was electrodeposited on the Mg surface from an ionic liquid of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMIC) and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) at 283?K. A smooth surfaced Al electrodeposit can be electroplated in the AlCl₃–EMIC ionic liquid by pulse electrolysis at 6.7?Hz and a duty ratio of 0.67. A denser and flatter Al layer was successfully electroplated on AZ121 substrate at the lower temperature of 283?K in an AlCl₃–EMIC ionic liquid with 0.1?M ethylene glycol added.     

Excited-state dynamical behavior of 1,4-anthraquinone in a fluid solution.

The excited triplet-state transient time profiles of 1,4-anthraquinone (1,4-AQ) have been measured in a degassed CCl4 fluid solution at different temperatures near room temperature, together with the steady-state emission spectra, which consist of the S1(n, pi*) and weak S2(pi, pi*) fluorescence at room temperature, and of the T1(pi, pi*) phosphorescence at 77 K. Quantitative analysis of the T1 triplet decay profiles measured as a function of temperature provides estimates for the energy and rates that characterize the excited-state dynamical behavior of 1,4-AQ.     

Encapsulation of ion pairs in extended, self-assembled structures

Encapsulation of ion pairs in small spaces that are isolated from the medium is expected to result in amplified interactions between the ions. Yet, sequestration of ion pairs in self-assembled capsules is complicated by competition of the acids and bases for binding directly to the assembly components. We describe here a hydrogen-bonded capsule 1.2(8).1 that accommodates two γ-picolines and two acids as ion pairs. The supramolecular structure of the discrete 14-component assembly is characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The structure reveals the acids in the tapered ends of the capsule and γ-picoliniums near the glycoluril spacers in the capsule's center. Similar acid-base ion pairs are also obtained with 4-ethylpyridine, γ-picoline with difluoroacetic acid, and γ-picoline with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. The (1)H NMR spectrum of the γ-picoline/trifluoroacetic acid ion pair shows a signal at δ = 18.7 ppm, indicating the acidic proton is in contact with both the picoline nitrogen and the trifluoroacetate oxygen. Further details about the unusual structures of ion pairs in small spaces are reported.     

Psychological and Antibacterial Effects of Footbath Using the Lindera umbellata Essential Oil

Lindera umbellata (Lu) essential oil primarily contains linalool and has relaxation properties. We investigated the psychological and antibacterial effects of footbath with Lu essential oil. The participants included 20 women without medical history and received two intervention plans: footbath without any essential oil and footbath using Lu essential oil. Next, questionnaires regarding impressions and mood states were provided for them to answer. In addition, their autonomic nervous system activity was measured, and the aerobic viable of count on the feet was determined. The high-frequency value reflecting the parasympathetic nervous system activity significantly increased after footbath using Lu essential oil. In the questionnaire about the mood states, the subscale scores of tension–anxiety, depression, fatigue, and confusion after intervention were lower than those before intervention regardless of the use of the essential oil. Conversely, the anger–hostility score decreased only in the group using Lu essential oil. Furthermore, the decrease in aerobic viable count after intervention was not significantly different between the two groups. Footbath using Lu essential oil increased the parasympathetic nervous system activity and relieved anger. Taken together, we suggest that footbath using Lu essential oil has a relaxation effect.     

A new class of flavonoids bearing macrocyclic polyethers by stereoselective photochemical cycloaddition reaction

A new class of flavonoids bearing cyclic polyethers involving a phenyl ring was conveniently provided by the intramolecular photochemical dimerization of 2-chromonecarboxylic esters. Irradiation of 2-chromonecarboxylate with a polyether tethered at both ends promoted intramolecular [2 + 2] cyclobutane formation leading to 14- to 27-membered cyclic polyethers. The efficiency depended on the substituted position of the phenyl ring, with ortho- and meta-substituted derivatives giving cycloadducts in good chemical yields and quantum efficiencies, whereas the para-derivatives were inert toward photolysis. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that the stereochemistry of the macrocyclic cycloadducts exhibited C₂-symmetry.     

Extremely high and specific activity of DNA enzymes in cells with a Philadelphia chromosome

BACKGROUND: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) results from chromosome 22 translocations (the Philadelphia chromosome) that creates BCR-ABL fusion genes, which encode two abnormal mRNAs (b3a2 and b2a2). Various attempts to design antisense oligonucleotides that specifically cleave abnormal L6 BCR-ABL fusion mRNA have not been successful. Because b2a2 mRNA cannot be effectively cleaved by hammerhead ribozymes near the BCR-ABL junction, it has proved very difficult to engineer specific cleavage of this chimeric mRNA. Nonspecific effects associated with using antisense molecules make the use of such antisense molecules questionable. RESULTS: The usefulness of DNA enzymes in specifically suppressing expression of L6 BCR-ABL mRNA in mammalian cells is demonstrated. Although the efficacy of DNA enzymes with natural linkages decreased 12 hours after transfection, partially modified DNA enzymes, with either phosphorothioate or 2'-O-methyl groups at both their 5' and 3' ends, remained active for much longer times in mammalian cells. Moreover, the DNA enzyme with only 2'-O-methyl modifications was also highly specific for abnormal mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: DNA enzymes with 2'-O-methyl modifications are potentially useful as gene-inactivating agents in the treatment of diseases such as CML. In contrast to conventional antisense DNAs, some of the DNA enzymes used in this study were highly specific and cleaved only abnormal BCR-ABL mRNA.