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.     

Three new quassinoids,ailantinol E,F, and G,from Ailanthus altissima

Three new quassinoids, ailantinol E (1), ailantinol F (2), and ailantinol G (3), and related compounds were isolated from Ailanthus altissima grown in Taiwan. Their structures were elucidated from spectral evidence. Each new quassinoid was evaluated for its antitumor promoting effects against Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation introduced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in Raji cells. The new quassinoids were found to show potent activity without showing any cytotoxicity. The screening for inhibitors against nitric oxide donor action was also conducted using the new quassinoids and some standard samples.     

Studies on imidazole derivatives and related compounds. 3. Regioselective glycosylation of 4-carbamoylimidazolium-5-olate

In the synthesis of glycosyl derivatives of 4-carbamoylimidazolium-5-olate ( 2 ) by the silyl-Hilbert-Johnson method using trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as catalyst, we obtained N-3 nucleosides 5 as major products and N-1,N-bis-nucleosides 6 as minor ones. The desired N-1 nucleosides 4 were isolated in only low yields. However, the yields of 4 were improved by adding ca. One equivalent of stannic chloride to the silylated 4-carbamoylimidazolium-5-olate ( 3 ). On the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C and ²⁹Si) and ultraviolet spectroscopic studies, we verify the formation of σ-complexes between the silylated base 3 and the Lewis acid (stannic chloride or trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate), and the propose the structures of these complexes and the reaction mechanism.     

Synthesis of Novel Spiro[indol-2,2′-pyrroles] Using Isocyanide-Based Multicomponent Reaction

An efficient and facile method for the synthesis of novel spiro[indole-2,2′-pyrroles] from N-methyl-3-isatin imines, t-butyl isocyanide, and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate has been achieved by [3 + 2] cyclo addition reaction. All the products were purified by column chromatography as yellow solids and confirmed with ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, fast atom bombardment, mass, and infrared. Compound 11 was further confirmed with x-ray analysis.     

Alternate stranded triplex formation of chimeric DNA composed of tandem alpha- and beta-anomeric strands

A chimeric oligoDNA composed of a natural beta-anomeric oligonucleotide portion and an unnatural alpha-anomeric oligonucleotide portion forms an alternate stranded triplex possessing enhanced thermal stability compared to the triplexes composed of the parental oligomers.     

Confinement in carbon nanospace-induced production of KI nanocrystals of high-pressure phase

An outstanding compression function for materials preparation exhibited by nanospaces of single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) was studied using the B1-to-B2 solid phase transition of KI crystals at 1.9 GPa. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction examinations provided evidence that KI nanocrystals doped in the nanotube spaces of SWCNHs at pressures below 0.1 MPa had the super-high-pressure B2 phase structure, which is induced at pressures above 1.9 GPa in bulk KI crystals. This finding of the supercompression function of the carbon nanotubular spaces can lead to the development of a new compression-free route to precious materials whose syntheses require the application of high pressure.     

Nanoparticles in Emissions and Atmospheric Environment: Now and Future

Journal of Nanoparticle Research -