A chemically-defined plastic scaffold for the xeno-free production of human pluripotent stem cells.

Clinical use of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is hampered by the technical limitations of their expansion. Here, we developed a chemically synthetic culture substrate for human pluripotent stem cell attachment and maintenance. The substrate comprises a hydrophobic polyvinyl butyral-based polymer (PVB) and a short peptide that enables easy and uniform coating of various types of cell culture ware.

Synthesis of Recyclable Magnetic Cellulose Nanofibers from Ionic Liquids for Practical Applications in Separation Science.

The present study focused on coupling cellulose nanofibers (alternative materials for plastics and metals) with a magnetic ionic liquid (synthesized by a microwave-assisted method) through mixing to yield magnetic cellulose nanofibers (MCNFs) that can be recycled by attracting them to a magnet. Accordingly, two types of ionic liquids were synthesized: (a) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate(III) {[bmim] FeCl} and (b) 1-glycidyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate {[glmi]FeCl}, which were characterized by the fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) technique. Impregnation of the cellulose nanofibers with the {[bmim]FeCl} ionic liquid caused the latter to be physically adsorbed onto the nanofibers to produce {MCNF@{[bmim]FeCl}, whereas the corresponding {[glmi]FeCl} ionic liquid was chemically bonded to the cellulose nanofibers to yield magnetic {MCNF@[glmi]FeCl} nanofibers.

In Search of the Driving Factor for the Microwave Curing of Epoxy Adhesives and for the Protection of the Base Substrate against Thermal Damage.

This study used controlled microwaves to elucidate the response of adhesive components to microwaves and examined the advantages of microwave radiation in curing epoxy adhesives. Curing of adhesives with microwaves proceeded very rapidly, even though each component of the adhesive was not efficiently heated by the microwaves. The reason the adhesive cured rapidly is that microwave heating was enhanced by the electrically charged (ionic) intermediates produced by the curing reaction.

One-colour control of activation, excitation and deactivation of a fluorescent diarylethene derivative in super-resolution microscopy.

We demonstrated one-colour control of activation, excitation and deactivation of a fluorescent diarylethene derivative by using a 532 nm CW laser at a weak output power. This one-colour control method was applied to single-molecule tracking in polymer films over a total duration of a few hours at room temperature and PALM for the nanostructures of polymer systems.

Boiogito Increases the Metabolism of Fatty Acids in Proximal Tubular Cells through Peroxisome Proliferators-Activated Receptor (PPAR) α Agonistic Activity.

The promotion of fatty acid metabolism, to which peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) α contributes, has been suggested to participate in maintaining the function of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs). The loading of fatty acids to PTECs could result in cell inflammation and cell death. A "Kampo" medicine, Boiogito (BO), is used to treat overweight women exhibiting chronic fatigue and edema in the lower extremities or knees.

Migracins A and B, new inhibitors of cancer cell migration, produced by Streptomyces sp.

In the course of screening for breast cancer cell migration inhibitors, we isolated two novel compounds, migracins A and B from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. MI264-NF2. Their structures are related to those of luminacins previously isolated from Streptomyces.