New Polylactide/Layered Silicate Nanocomposite: Nanoscale Control Over Multiple Properties

The preparation, characterization, materials properties, crystallization behavior and biodegradability of a polylactide (PLA)/organically modified layered silicate nanocomposite is described. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and high‐resolution TEM analyses confirmed that intercalated stacked and disordered/exfoliated mica layers coexist in the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite showed improved materials properties and crystallization behavior with a simultaneous improvement in biodegradability as compared to neat PLA.

Degree of biodegradation (i.e. CO₂ evolution) of neat PLA and PLACN4 under compost conditions.     

A chip-based miniaturized format for protein-expression profiling: the exploitation of comprehensively produced antibodies

Numerous antibodies have been developed and validated in recent years, and show promise for use in novel functional protein assays. Such assays would be an alternative to pre-existing comprehensive assays, such as DNA microarrays. Antibody microarrays are thought to represent those functional protein assays. While a variety of attempts have been made to apply DNA microarray technology to antibody microarrays, a fully optimized protocol has not been established. We have been conducting a project to comprehensively produce antibodies against mouse KIAA ("KI" stands for "Kazusa DNA Research Institute" and "AA" are reference characters) proteins. Using our library of antibodies, we established a novel antibody microarray format that utilizes surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology. A label-free real-time measurement of protein expression in crude cell lysates was achieved by direct readout of the bindings using SPR. Further refinement of the antibody microarray format enabled us to detect a smaller quantity of target proteins in the lysate without the bulk effect. In this review, we first summarize available antibody array formats and then describe the above-mentioned format utilizing updated SPR technology.     

An Efficient Preparation of 4, 4′-Dicarboxy-2, 2′-Bipyridine

A convenient and high yield preparation of 4, 4′-dicarboxy-2, 2′-bipyridine from the oxidation 4, 4′-dimethyl-2, 2′-bipyridine with potassium dichromate in sulfuric acid is reported.     

Stereospecific Synthesis of Enantiopure [6]Helicene Containing a Seven-Membered Ring and [7]Helicene by Acid-Promoted Stepwise Alkyne Annulations of Doubly Axial-Chiral Precursors**

Enantiopure [6]helicene containing an embedded seven-membered ring and carbo[7]helicene (>99 % ee) with opposite helicity were simultaneously and quantitatively (>99 %) synthesized with a perfect stereospecificity through stepwise acid-promoted intramolecular alkyne annulations of doubly axial-chiral cyclization precursors. The helical handedness of the [6]- and [7]helicenes was fully stereocontrolled by the doubly axial chirality of the precursors as a result of complete axial-to-helical chirality transfer. The cyclizations proceeded in a stepwise manner; the first six-membered ring formation was followed by the kinetically controlled seven- or six-membered ring formation with or without helix-inversion of a [4]helicene intermediate generated during the first cyclization step, thus quantitatively producing enantiopure circularly polarized luminescent [6]- and [7]helicenes with opposite helicity.     

Complexation of poly(acrylic acid)s with uranyl ion

The complexation of uranyl ion (UO₂²⁺) in aqueous solution with polymers containing carboxylic acid groups was studied potentiometrically. Overall formation constants of the uranyl complexes with poly(methacrylic acid) and crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) were much larger than those with the corresponding low molecular carboxylic acids. Decrease in the viscosity of the polymer solution on adding uranyl ion indicated that poly(acrylic acid) forms intra-polymer chelates with uranyl ion. The crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) adsorbed uranyl ions at higher efficiency than transition metal ions.