Phase-separated cationic giant unilamellar vesicles as templates for the polymerization of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS).

Unlike homogeneous liposomes, phase-separated liposomes have the potential to be attractive soft materials because they exhibit different properties for each phase. In this study, phase separation was observed when liposomes were prepared using 1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride (DOTAP), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), and cholesterol. The pH of the DOTAP-rich phase was evaluated using a coumarin derivative, and measurements showed that DOTAP molecules accumulated hydroxyl ions (OH) in the DOTAP-rich phase.

Coherent spin transport in a copper protein.

Context: The coherent electron/spin transport in azurin, a species of copper protein, was calculated based on the Landauer model. The research is motivated by the fast electron transport and spin selectivity/polarization in azurin, which have been reported in relation to the chiral-induced spin selectivity of the peptide structure. The calculated spin polarization of copper proteins was large.

Classification of binding property of amyloid β to lipid membranes: Membranomic research using quartz crystal microbalance combined with the immobilization of lipid planar membranes.

A biomembrane-related fibrillogenesis of Amyloid β from Alzheimer' disease (Aβ) is closely related to its accumulation behavior. A binding property of Aβ peptides from Alzheimer' disease to lipid membranes was then classified by a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) method combined with an immobilization technique using thiol self-assembled membrane. The accumulated amounts of Aβ, Δf, was determined from the measurement of the maximal frequency reduction using QCM.

Development of Novel Decarboxylation-Urea Method toward Interlayer-Anion-Controlled Layered Double Hydroxides.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are representative of a 2D anionic clay. Simple and homogeneous synthesis of interlayer-anion-controlled LDH is essential for studies and industrial production. In this study, we report the one-pot synthesis of an LDH that is selective for interlayer anions, which was labeled as "decarboxylation-urea method".

Nickel-catalyzed Nucleophilic C-Borylation of Imines.

Application of bioisostere plays an important role in drug discovery. α-Aminoboronic acid is the familiar bioisostere of α-amino acid. Developing reactions for the synthesis of a wide variety of α-aminoboronic acid is one important task for synthetic chemistry.

Cholesterol as a Subsidiary Component of Sorbitan Surfactant-Based Aggregates: A Study of Formation, Hydrophobicity, and Estimation of Localization of Embedded Molecules.

Aggregates of amphiphilic molecules can be used as drug carriers, for which the properties can be modified by mixing with other molecules such as cholesterol. It is important to understand the effects of such additives on the properties because they directly define the material functions. In this work, we investigated the effect of cholesterol on the formation and hydrophobicity of aggregates of sorbitan surfactants.

Photoinduced adsorption of oligonucleotides on polyvinyl chloride films containing malachite green derivative.

DNA adsorption on the micrometer scale in a simple and cost-effective manner has received considerable interest. We prepared a film by casting an organic solvent containing polyvinyl chloride and a malachite green derivative, which can be photoionized to afford a cationic moiety for interaction with DNA. In this article, we report photoinduced oligonucleotide adsorption on a film that offers spatial and temporal control over oligonucleotide adsorption.

Molecular Insight into the Ionic Conduction of Quaternary Ammonium and Phosphonium Cation-Based Ionic Liquids Using Dielectric and Spectroscopy Analyses.

We analyzed the primary properties of ionic liquids (ILs) comprising quaternary phosphonium cations and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide anions and compared them with those of corresponding quaternary-ammonium-cation-based ILs. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy was used to confirm the coupling between the translational and orientational motions of ions, and our results demonstrated that the high ionic conductivity of the phosphonium-based ILs was attributed to their fast rotational dynamics. The differences between ILs with different cations were further evaluated using vibrational (Raman and terahertz) spectroscopy.

Possible Role of Bent Structure of Methylated Lithocholic Acid on Artificial and Plasma Membranes.

Bile acids form micelles that are essential for the absorption of dietary lipids. However, excessive bile acid micelles can disrupt the plasma membrane by removing phospholipids, resulting in cell death. We hypothesized that the bent geometrical structure of the steroid scaffold of bile acids decreases the lipid order (similar to unsaturated phospholipids with double bonds), disrupting the plasma membrane.

A Parametric Study of Flushing Conditions for Improvement of Angioscopy Visibility.

During an angioscopy operation, a transparent liquid called dextran is sprayed out from a catheter to flush the blood away from the space between the camera and target. Medical doctors usually inject dextran at a constant flow rate. However, they often cannot obtain clear angioscopy visibility because the flushing out of the blood is insufficient.

Impact of sp carbon material species on Pt nanoparticle-based electrocatalysts produced by one-pot pyrolysis methods with ionic liquids.

Pt-nanoparticle-supported graphene nanoplatelets (Pt/GNPs) and multiwalled carbon nanotube composite (Pt/MWCNTs) electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) can be prepared using a one-pot method through the pyrolytic decomposition of the platinum precursor, platinum(ii) bis(acetylacetonate) (Pt(acac)) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([Cmim][TfN]) or ,,-trimethyl--propylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide ([N][TfN]) ionic liquids (ILs) with the target sp carbon support. In this one-pot pyrolysis method, which does not require any reagents to reduce Pt metal precursors or stabilize Pt nanoparticles, Pt nanoparticles are readily immobilized onto the sp surface by a thin IL layer formed at the interface, which can work as a binder. We used three types of sp carbon materials with different geometric shapes (graphene nanoplatelets with <3 (GNPs-3) and 18-24 layers (GNPs-20) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)) to investigate Pt nanoparticle formation and anchoring.

Flush Flow Behaviour Affected by the Morphology of Intravascular Endoscope: A Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study.

Whilst intravascular endoscopy can be used to identify lesions and assess the deployment of endovascular devices, it requires temporary blockage of the local blood flow during observation, posing a serious risk of ischaemia. To aid the design of a novel flow-blockage-free intravascular endoscope, we explored changes in the haemodynamic behaviour of the flush flow with respect to the flow injection speed and the system design. We first constructed the computational models for three candidate endoscope designs (, Model A, B, and C).

Quantitative Determination of Relative Permittivity Based on the Fluorescence Property of Pyrene Derivatives: An Interpretation of Hydrophobicity in Self-Assembled Aggregates of Nonionic Amphiphiles.

Aggregates in aqueous solutions can embed hydrophobic molecules, and their interactions depend on the properties of the aggregates. The electric surface potential, molecular mobility, and gradual hydrophobicity are the properties that regulate the interactions, and it is essential to understand these to quantify the properties. Electric surface potential and molecular mobility are quantified using the zeta potential and NMR measurements.

Nickel-Catalyzed Ring-Opening C-O Functionalization of -Xanthenoxanthenes for 8-Substituted Binaphthol Synthesis.

Herein, we disclose the Ni-catalyzed ring-opening C-O functionalization of -xanthenoxanthenes using Grignard reagents that forms 8-monofunctionalized binaphthols. 1,2-Bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane was the best ligand for alkylations and ICy for arylation. After mechanistic investigations, we assumed that the reaction proceeds via C-O reduction and subsequent C-O functionalization.

Theoretical Study on Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Properties for One-Hole-Doped Diradicaloids.

We investigate the relationships between open-shell character and longitudinal static second hyperpolarizabilities γ for one-hole-doped diradicaloids using the strong-correlated ab initio molecular orbital methods and simple one-dimensional (1D) three-site two-electron (3s-2e) models. As examples of one-hole-doped diradicaloids, we examine H , methyl radical trimer cation ((CH) ), silyl radical trimer cation ((SiH) ), and 1,2,3,5-dithiadizolyl trimer cation (DTDA ). For H , the static γ exhibits negative values and shows a monotonic increase in amplitude with an increase in the open-shell character defined by a neighbor-site interaction ( ).

Efficient Separation of Photoexcited Charge at Interface between Pure CeO and Y-Doped CeO with Heterogonous Doping Structure for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting.

Enhancement of photoexcited charge separation in semiconductor photocatalysts is one of the important subjects to improve the efficiency of energy conversion for photocatalytic overall water splitting into H and O. In this study, we report an efficient separation of photoexcited charge at the interface between non-doped pure CeO and Y-doped CeO phases on particle surfaces with heterogeneous doping structure. Neither non-doped pure CeO and homogeneously Y-doped CeO gave activities for photocatalytic H and O production under ultraviolet light irradiation, meaning that both single phases showed little activity.

pH-triggered solubility and cytotoxicity changes of malachite green derivatives incorporated in liposomes for killing cancer cells.

Three different malachite green leuco derivatives (MG-Xs) are incorporated in liposomes. In all three cases, a substituent (X) is covalently linked to the central carbon atom, abbreviated as MG-OH, MG-OCH3, and MG-CN. The three MG-X compounds are solubilized separately in liposome membranes and become cationic (MG+) and water soluble under acidic conditions.

Preparation of Biocompatible Liquid Marbles Stabilized by Food-Grade Stearate Microparticle for Aerobic Bacteria Cultivation.

Liquid marble (LM), a non-stick drop coated with micro- or nano-scale particles, has great potential in a wide range of applications. LMs have an advantageous feature in which gas or vapor can freely transport through their particle shell; therefore, it makes them an ideal candidate to be utilized as microbioreactor containing aerobic microorganisms. In this study, safer and more biocompatible LMs were successfully prepared using a food-grade calcium stearate microparticle as a stabilizer.

Prevalence and risk factors of post-traumatic stress disorder among elderly survivors six months after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China.

Background: Several studies indicate that older age is a risk factor for probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, evidence on the prevalence and risk factors for elderly disaster survivors is limited.

Methods: Multi-stage stratified sampling was applied in this cross-sectional study.

Ni-Catalyzed α-Selective C-H Borylations of Naphthalene-Based Aromatic Compounds.

The ability of α-borylated naphthalene-based aromatic compounds is important because it provides ready access to interesting novel extended π-systems. In this report, we disclose the Ni-catalyzed α-selective C-H borylations of naphthalene-based aromatic compounds. The reaction proceeds with -xanthenoxanthene and other aromatic compounds to regioselectively afford the α-borylated products without directing groups.

C-H Triflation of BINOL Derivatives Using DIH and TfOH.

C-H trifluoromethanesulfonyloxylation (triflation) of 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) derivatives has been established under mild conditions using 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DIH) and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH). Up to eight TfO groups can be introduced in a single operation. The resulting highly oxidized BINOL derivatives can be successfully converted to 8,8'-dihydroxy BINOL and bisnaphthoquinone compounds.

Effect of dehydrocholic acid conjugated with a hydrocarbon on a lipid bilayer composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine.

The effects of bile acids, dehydrocholic acid (DHA) and DHA conjugated with a hydrocarbon (6-aminohexanoate; 6A-DHA) were evaluated using a lipid bilayer composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC). DOPC formed a homogenous thin membrane in presence or absence of the DHA, while 20 mol% 6A-DHA induced phase separation on the DOPC thin membrane. It was observed formation of a stomatocyte-like liposomes when these membranes were suspended in a basic solvent.

Photoinduced binding of malachite green copolymer to parallel G-quadruplex DNA.

Designing ligands that selectively target G-quadruplex DNAs has gained attention due to their possible roles in regulation of gene expression and as anti-cancer agents. In this article, we report irradiation-induced ligand binding to G-quadruplex DNAs which offers a novel approach to targeting specific G-quadruplexes. Photoinduced binding to G-quadruplex DNAs was observed for copolymers of poly(vinyl alcohol) carrying a malachite green moiety (PVAMG).

Endosomal escape by photo-activated fusion of liposomes containing a malachite green derivative: a novel class of photoresponsive liposomes for drug delivery vehicles.

We conducted photo-activated delivery of drugs based on the fusion of liposomes with endocytic membranes, thus allowing the direct release of encapsulated drugs inside the cytoplasm. As described in our earlier works, liposomes can be photoresponsive and fusogenic following the incorporation of a malachite green derivative carrying a long alkyl chain (MGL) into the lipid membrane. We prepared MGL liposomes using 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine and encapsulated doxorubicin (DOX).

Aggregation of chlorophyll a induced in self-assembled membranes composed of DMPC and DHPC.

The J-aggregate of chlorophyll a (Chla) functions as a light-harvesting antenna in natural systems. In this study, we employed the phospholipid membranes composed of longer-chain 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and shorter-chain 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DHPC), as a platform to induce Chla aggregates. The DMPC/DHPC assembly at the mixing ratio (q) = 1.