Photocurrent generation enhanced by charge delocalization over stacked perylenediimide chromophores assembled within DNA.

We now report the photocurrent generation and charge transfer dynamics of stacked perylenediimide (PDI) molecules within a π-stack array of DNA. The cofacially stacked PDI dimer and trimer were found to strongly enhance the photocurrent generation compared to an isolated PDI monomer. Femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption experiments revealed that the excitation of the stacked PDI dimer and trimer provided the broad transient absorption band, which was attributed to the charge delocalization of a negative charge over the PDI chromophores.

Single-particle study of Pt-modified Au nanorods for plasmon-enhanced hydrogen generation in visible to near-infrared region.

Pt-modified Au nanorods (NRs) synthesized by anisotropic overgrowth were used for producing H2 under visible and near-infrared light irradiation. The Pt-tipped sample exhibited much higher activity compared with fully covered samples. Using single-particle spectroscopies combined with transmission electron microscopy, we observed obvious quenching phenomena for photoluminescence and light scattering from individual Pt-tipped NRs.

Simulated distribution and ecotoxicity-based assessment of chemically-dispersed oil in Tokyo Bay.

To assess risks of chemically-dispersed oil to marine organisms, oil concentrations in the water were simulated using a hypothetical spill accident in Tokyo Bay. Simulated oil concentrations were then compared with the short-term no-observed effect concentration (NOEC), 0.01 mg/L, obtained through toxicity tests using marine diatoms, amphipod and fish.

Proteomic analysis of patient tissue reveals PSA protein in the stroma of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease frequently associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that involves hyperplasia of both epithelial and stromal cells. Stromal fibrosis is a distinctive feature of BPH, but the exact mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood.

Methods: In the current study, proteomics analyses were utilized to identify proteins altered in the BPH stromal compartment from patients with symptomatic BPH.

Radical cation of star-shaped condensed oligofluorenes having isotruxene as a core: importance of rigid planar structure on charge delocalization.

Because of their excellent optical and electronic properties, oligofluorenes and polyfluorenes have been investigated for years. Recently developed star-shaped oligomers bearing a truxene or isotruxene core are interesting two-dimensional oligomers. Since employment of a condensed ring system will be effective in further extension of π-conjugation system, we studied electronic and vibrational properties of radical cation of CITFn, star-shaped condensed oligomer with isotruxene core and fluorene unit, by means of the radiation chemical methods.

Photoinduced charge-separation in DNA.

DNA site-specifically modified with a photosensitizer (Sens) was synthesized and the charge-separation and charge-recombination dynamics in DNA were studied. We specifically focused on the formation of the long-lived charge-separated state whose lifetime (τ) is longer than 0.1 μs.

Regulation of photodynamic interactions in 1,8-naphthalimide-linker-phenothiazine dyads by cyclodextrins.

This study examines the effects of cyclodextrin (CD) on the photophysical properties of 1,8-naphthalimide (NI) derivatives including NI-linker-phenothiazine (NI-L-PTZ) dyads in a H2O/CH3CN solution (v/v = 9 : 1). Peculiar excimer and exciplex emissions were observed with reference NI and NI-L-PTZ, respectively, in an aqueous environment. The NI-CD complexes exhibited monomeric emission spectral features, which resulted from their inclusion into the CD cavity.

A nanocomposite superstructure of metal oxides with effective charge transfer interfaces.

The alignment of nanoparticle building blocks into ordered superstructures is one of the key topics in modern colloid and material chemistry. Metal oxide mesocrystals are superstructures of assembled nanoparticles of metal oxides and have potentially tunable electronic, optical and magnetic properties, which would be useful for applications ranging from catalysis to optoelectronics. Here we report a facile and general approach for synthesizing metal oxide mesocrystals and developing them into new nanocomposite materials containing two different metals.

Analysis of needs of patients with idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head: using focus group interviews.

Aim: The current needs of patients with idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head were analyzed for the purpose of seeking effective support programs that would maintain and improve the quality of life of the patients.

Methods: A focus group interview method was used to collect data. Interviewees included eight patients.

Dynamics in the heme geometry of myoglobin induced by the one-electron reduction.

Purpose: As the conformational change of a protein is intimately related with its function in vivo, the determination of its structure and the understanding of its conformational change occurring in physiological condition is of critical importance. In this regard, we have investigated conformational changes in heme moieties of both folded and unfolded myoglobin (Mb) induced by one-electron reduction.

Material And Methods: The conformational changes of the heme moiety of folded/unfolded metmyoglobin (metMb) induced by one-electron reduction were investigated using the combination of pulse radiolysis and time-resolved resonance Raman (TR(3)) spectroscopy.

Au/TiO2 superstructure-based plasmonic photocatalysts exhibiting efficient charge separation and unprecedented activity.

Plasmonic photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by the modification of TiO2 mesocrystals with Au nanoparticles (NPs) by a simple impregnation method. The Au NP sensitizers show a strong photoelectrochemical response in the visible-light region (400-800 nm) due to their surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy measurements on a wide range of time scales (from picoseconds to minutes) demonstrate that a substantial part of electrons, injected from the Au NPs to the TiO2 mesocrystals through the SPR excitation, directionally migrate from the basal surfaces to the edges of the plate-like mesocrystals through the TiO2 nanocrystal networks and are temporally stored there for further reactions.

Prediction of partial nephrectomy outcomes by using the diameter-axis-polar nephrometry score.

Objectives: To evaluate the utility of diameter-axis-polar nephrometry score to evaluate partial nephrectomy outcomes.

Methods: Renal tumors of 127 patients with a functional contralateral kidney who underwent partial nephrectomy were scored using the diameter-axis-polar and R.E.

Efficient electron transfer in i-motif DNA with a tetraplex structure.

Electron transfer through DNA: The electron-transfer dynamics of i-motif DNA conjugated with pyrene (Py) and anthraquinone (AQ) has been investigated by fluorescence up-conversion and transient absorption spectroscopic methods. Electron transfer (see red arrows) in i-motif DNA is more efficient than in duplex DNA, suggesting that i-motif DNA can be used as electron carrier in nanoelectronic devices.

Intravesical application of rebamipide suppresses bladder inflammation in a rat cystitis model.

Purpose: We examined the effects of intravesical application of rebamipide (Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Tokyo, Japan) on bladder inflammation and overactivity in a chemically induced cystitis model.

Materials And Methods: Female Sprague Dawley® rats under isoflurane anesthesia were injected with 150 mg/kg cyclophosphamide in the peritoneum, and 1 mM or 10 mM rebamipide or vehicle was administered in the bladder and remained for 1 hour. Control rats were injected with saline in the peritoneum and vehicle was administered in the bladder.

Genetic deletion of afadin causes hydrocephalus by destruction of adherens junctions in radial glial and ependymal cells in the midbrain.

Adherens junctions (AJs) play a role in mechanically connecting adjacent cells to maintain tissue structure, particularly in epithelial cells. The major cell-cell adhesion molecules at AJs are cadherins and nectins. Afadin binds to both nectins and α-catenin and recruits the cadherin-β-catenin complex to the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion site to form AJs.

Synthesis and physical properties of a ball-like three-dimensional π-conjugated molecule.

Curved π-conjugated molecules with closed and three-dimensional (3D) structures, such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, have been the subject of intensive research due to their potential applications in molecular electronics. However, basic molecular skeletons of 3D molecules are limited because of the lack of a rational and selective synthetic method by organic synthesis. Here we report the synthesis of a 3D π-conjugated molecule based on the platinum-mediated assembly of four molecules of a stannylated trisubstituted benzene derivative forming a hexanuclear platinum complex with an octahedral shape, from which reductive elimination of platinum gave the target molecule.

Photochemistry of singlet oxygen sensor green.

To detect singlet oxygen ((1)O2), the commercially available fluorescent sensor named Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green (SOSG) has been the most widely used from material studies to medical applications, for example, photodynamic therapy. In light of the previous studies, SOSG is a dyad composed of fluorescein and anthracene moieties. In the present study, we carried out quantitative studies on photochemical dynamics of SOSG for the first time, such as the occurrence of intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET), (1)O2 generation, and two-photon ionization.

Growth pattern, an important pathologic prognostic parameter for clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To assess the validity of growth pattern as a unique prognostic parameter for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Methods: In total, 561 patients with pathologic tumor stage 1 (pT1), pT2, and pT3a ccRCC without preoperative metastasis were evaluated. Clinicopathologic parameters, including pathologic tumor stage, Fuhrman grade, tumor necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, and growth pattern, were analyzed to predict disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS).

Regenerative treatment of male stress urinary incontinence by periurethral injection of autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells: 1-year outcomes in 11 patients.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of a novel cell therapy for male stress urinary incontinence consisting of periurethral injection of autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells, and to determine the 1-year outcomes.

Methods: A total of 11 male patients with persistent stress urinary incontinence after prostate surgery were included in the study. The Celution system was used to isolate adipose-derived regenerative cells from abdominal adipose tissue obtained by liposuction.

Intraoperative medial pivot affects deep knee flexion angle and patient-reported outcomes after total knee arthroplasty.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between clinical results including patient-reported outcomes and intraoperative knee kinematic patterns after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A cross-sectional survey of forty consecutive medial osteoarthritis patients who had a primary TKA using a CT-based navigation system was conducted. Subjects were divided into two groups based on intraoperative kinematic patterns: a medial pivot group (n = 20) and a non-medial pivot group (n = 20).

Detection of single-nucleotide variations by monitoring the blinking of fluorescence induced by charge transfer in DNA.

Charge transfer dynamics in DNA: Photo-induced charge separation and charge-recombination dynamics in DNA was assessed by monitoring the blinking of fluorescence. Single nucleotide variations, mismatch and one base deletion, were differentiated based on the length of the off-time of the blinking, which corresponds to the lifetime of the charge-separated state.

An Adaptor Molecule Afadin Regulates Lymphangiogenesis by Modulating RhoA Activity in the Developing Mouse Embryo.

Afadin is an intracellular binding partner of nectins, cell-cell adhesion molecules, and plays important roles in the formation of cell-cell junctions. Afadin-knockout mice show early embryonic lethality, therefore little is known about the function of afadin during organ development. In this study, we generated mice lacking afadin expression in endothelial cells, and found that the majority of these mice were embryonically lethal as a result of severe subcutaneous edema.

Hole transfer kinetics of DNA.

Not long after the discovery of the double-helical structure of DNA in 1952, researchers proposed that charge transfer along a one-dimensional π-array of nucleobases might be possible. At the end of the 1990s researchers discovered that a positive charge (a hole) generated in DNA migrates more than 200 Å along the structure, a discovery that ignited interest in the charge-transfer process in DNA. As a result, DNA became an interesting potential bottom-up material for constructing nanoelectronic sensors and devices because DNA can form various complex two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures, such as smiley faces and cubes.

Interaction of G-quadruplex with RecA protein studied in bulk phase and at the single-molecule level.

As in the human genome there are numerous repeat DNA sequences to adopt into non-B DNA structures such as hairpin, triplex, Z-DNA, G-quadruplex, and so on, an understanding of the interaction between DNA repair proteins and a non-B DNA forming sequence is very important. In this regard, the interaction between RecA protein and human telomeric 5'-TAGGG-(TTAGGG)3-TT-3' sequence and the G-quadruplex formed from this sequence has been investigated in bulk phase and at the single-molecule level. The RecA@ssDNA filament, which is formed by the interaction between RecA protein and a G-rich sequence, was dissociated by the addition of K(+) ions, and the dissociated G-rich sequence was quickly folded to a G-quadruplex structure, indicating that the G-quadruplex structure is more favorable than the RecA@ssDNA filament in the presence of K(+) ions.