A Large-Area Patterned TiO2/SnO2 Bilayer Type Photocatalyst Prepared by Gravure Printing

Anatase TiO₂ films (thickness = 50 nm) were formed in shape of stripes (width = 1.6 mm, interval = 0.4 mm) by gravure printing on commercially available SnO₂ coated soda-lime glass substrates (dimension = 300 × 300 mm). Its photocatalytic activity was examined for the gas-phase oxidation of CH₃CHO in comparison with a simple TiO₂ photocatalyst formed on a silica glass. The patterned TiO₂/SnO₂ bilayer type photocatalyst showed a high photocatalytic activity in an H₂O bearing atmosphere. On the other hand, neither the patterning nor stacking effect was observed for the same reaction under dry conditions. These results could be explained in terms of the reducing potential of the electrons in the conduction band of the SnO₂ layer.     

Increased viscosity of erythrocyte suspension upon hemolysis

Viscous properties of partially hemolyzed erythrocyte suspensions were studied with a cone-plate viscometer. A Casson plot was successfully applied for analysis of the viscous properties. When the degree of hemolysis was increased, Casson viscosity ( _c) of the partially hemolyzed erythrocyte suspensions increased, but the substitution of hemoglobin solution with the same O₂-carrying capacity of hemolyzed fraction (containing ghost) reduced the _c remarkably. The yield stress (f _c) of the intact erythrocyte suspension increased with increasing hematocrit, but thef _c of partially hemolyzed erythrocyte suspension was dependent on both hematocrit and the degree of hemolysis. The apparent viscosity ( _a) of erythrocyte suspension was drastically increased with the slight hemolysis, and became maximum at a certain degree of hemolysis which was dependent on both total hemoglobin concentration and shear rate. Such influence of hemolysis on the _a was also evident in the mixture of erythrocyte suspension and hemoglobin solution. These results suggest that the hemoglobin molecule plays a certain role in erythrocyte-erythrocyte interaction in their suspension, which modifies the viscosity.     

Photophysical properties of oligo(2,3-thienyleneethynylene)s

Photophysical properties of oligo(2,3-thienyleneethynylene)s (nTE, n denotes the number of thiophene rings, n = 2, 3) in benzene were investigated using steady-state, time-resolved fluorescence, and transient absorption spectroscopies. For 2TE, generation of the radiative S2 and nonradiative S1 states was confirmed. Upon excitation, the S2 state was initially generated and deactivated to the S1 state within 10 ps. The S1 state exhibited the transient absorption band at 470 nm, of which the lifetime was estimated to be 5.3 ns. In the case of 3TE, on the other hand, it was revealed that the radiative S1 state with a transient absorption peak at 650 nm was generated upon excitation. The T1 states of nTE were generated from the S1 states. The quantum yields were estimated to be 0.52 and 0.54 for 2TE and 3TE, respectively. Extremely fast reactions in the higher triplet excited state were indicated for both 2TE and 3TE.     

Kinetics of transient end-to-end contact of single-stranded DNAs

The formation of the pyrene (Py) dimer radical cation (Py(2)(*+)) was used to measure the kinetics of the intrastrand end-to-end contact rates of single-stranded DNAs (ssDNAs) in the 10 nanoseconds to the tens of microseconds time range. ssDNAs labeled with Py at both ends with the lengths of 3, 6, and 9 mer were synthesized, and the two-photon ionization method was employed to generate a Py(*+), which enables the measurements of the end-to-end contact rates from 10 ns. The formation rate of Py(2)(*+) depended on the length and the sequence of the ssDNAs, and about 1 order of magnitude faster rates were observed for the T-rich ssDNAs compared to those for the corresponding length of A-rich ssDNAs, showing that ssDNA made from adenines is much more rigid than that composed of thymidines. As for the T-rich ssDNAs, the formation of Py(2)(*+) attributed to the misfolded structures was also observed, which is consistent with the configurational diffusion model suggested by Ansari and co-workers.     

Magnetic microcapsules for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

To achieve targeted distribution of anticancer drugs with sustained activity, ferromagnetic ethylcellulose microcapsules containing an anticancer drug, mitomycin C (FM-MMC-mc), were prepared by a method based on phase separation principles. Two prototypes of FM-MMC-mc were made: one with the drug as the core and zinc ferrite on its capsular surface (outer type); the other with both the drug and zinc ferrite as the core (inner type). Both preparations provided a sustained-release property and a sensitive response to conventional magnetic force, although certain differences in the release rate of drug, magnetic responsiveness, and particle size were found between the two dosage forms. Animal studies showed that the magnetic microcapsules could be magnetically controlled in the artery and urinary bladder. VX2 tumors in the rabbit hind limb and urinary bladder were successfully treated with magnetic control of FM-MMC-mc. Pharmacokinetic study revealed that the targeting of the microcapsules markedly enhanced the drug absorption into the surrounding tissues for a prolonged period of time. The results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the magnetic microcapsules as a targeted drug delivery system.     

Photochemical study of [3(3)](1,3,5)cyclophane and emission spectral properties of [3n]cyclophanes (n = 2-6)

Thephotochemical reaction of [3(3)](1,3,5)cyclophane 2, which is a photoprecursor for the formation of propella[3(3)]prismane 18, was studied using a sterilizing lamp (254 nm). Upon photolysis in dry and wet CH2Cl2 or MeOH in the presence of 2 mol/L aqueous HCl solution, the cyclophane 2 afforded novel cage compounds comprised of new skeletons, tetracyclo[6.3.1.0.(2,7)0(4,11)]dodeca-5,9-diene 43, hexacyclo[6.4.0.0.(2,6)0.(4,11)0.(5,10)0(9,12)]dodecane 44, and pentacyclo[6.4.0.0.(2,6)0.(4,11)0(5,10)]dodecane 45. All of these products were confirmed by the X-ray structural analyses. A possible mechanism for the formation of these photoproducts via the hexaprismane derivative 18 is proposed. The photophysical properties in the excited state of the [3n]cyclophanes ([3n]CP, n = 2-6) were investigated by measuring the emission spectra and determining the quantum yields and lifetimes of the fluorescence. All [3n]CPs show excimeric fluorescence without a monomeric one. The lifetime of the excimer fluorescence becomes gradually longer with the increasing number of the trimethylene bridges. The [3n]CPs also shows excimeric phosphorescence spectra without vibrational structures for n = 2, 4, and 5, while phosphorescence is absent for n = 3 and 6. With an increase in symmetry of the benzene skeleton in the [3(3)]- and [3(6)]CPs, the probability of the radiation (phosphorescence) process from the lowest triplet state may drastically decrease.     

Photoinduced desorption of sulfur from gold nanoparticles loaded on metal oxide surfaces

We now report photoinduced sulfur desorption from the surfaces of Au nanoparticles loaded on metal oxides. This reaction occurs in water at ordinary temperature and pressure. Nanometer-sized Au particles have been formed on the surfaces of various metal oxides by deposition-precipitation (Au/oxides). Elemental sulfur (S8) is selectively adsorbed on the Au nanoparticle surfaces of Au/oxides in an atomic state at a coverage of (theta) 1/3. Irradiation (lambdaex > 300 nm) of the sulfur adsorbed Au/anatase TiO2 in water has led to reductive desorption of the sulfurs at room temperature. Electrochemical measurements using Au/oxides indicate that the driving force for this reaction is the photoinduced upward shift of Fermi energy of the metal oxide-supported Au nanoprticles. This study will open up a novel and wide application of heterogeneous photocatalysis for thermal catalysts.     

Programmable DNA translation system using cross-linked DNA mediators

The information of template DNA strands was converted into the specific sequences in a programmable way by following the mediation of cross-linked DNAs.     

Formulation study for lansoprazole fast-disintegrating tablet. II. Effect of triethyl citrate on the quality of the products

The purpose of this study was to develop enteric-coated microgranules for the lansoprazole fast-disintegrating tablet (LFDT), which is a rapidly disintegrating tablet containing enteric-coated microgranules. In our previous study, it was clarified that sufficient flexibility of the enteric layer was achieved by the optimized combined ratio of methacrylic acid copolymer dispersion to ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymer dispersion and adding the optimized concentration of triethyl citrate to reduce the damage during the compression process. However, since triethyl citrate has an unpleasant bitter taste and is especially incompatible with lansoprazole, it adversely affects the taste and stability of lansoprazole in the enteric-coated microgranules. The enteric layer containing macrogol 6000 was proven useful to improve the unpleasant bitter taste and stability of lansoprazole, because macrogol 6000 does not have an unpleasant bitter taste and is more compatible than triethyl citerate. By covering the inner (first enteric layer) and outer side (third enteric layer) of the enteric layer containing triethyl citrate (second enteric layer) with the enteric layer containing macrogol 6000, we resolved the stability problem of lansoprazole and the unpleasant bitter taste. Finally, we developed enteric-coated microgranules comprising seven layers: 1) core, 2) active compound layer, 3) intermediate layer, 4) first enteric layer, 5) second enteric layer, 6) third enteric layer, and 7) over coating layer. The enteric-coated microgranules have the multiple functions of reducing the damage to the enteric layer during the compression process, improving the stability of lansoprazole, and masking the unpleasant bitter taste.     

Expansion of Photostable Luminescent Radicals by Meta-Substitution

Polychlorinated pyridyldiphenylmethyl radicals having substituents meta to the position bearing the carbon-centered radical (α-carbon) are synthesized. All of them are stable in ambient conditions in solutions and fluorescent in cyclohexane. The fluorescence of the radicals with bromo, phenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, or 2-pyridyl substituents are enhanced in chloroform, while the emission of the radicals with 2-thienyl or 2-furyl substituents are quenched in chloroform. DFT and TD-DFT calculations indicate that the first doublet excited states of the former are locally excited, while the first doublet excited states of the latter are charge transfer states from the π-electron-donating substituent to the accepting radical. The latter also show much higher photostability under 370-nm light irradiation compared with the first reported photostable fluorescent radical, (3,5-dichloro-4-pyridyl)bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical (PyBTM), with pronounced bathochromic shifts of the fluorescence.