Comprehensive Fungal Community Analysis of House Dust Using Next-Generation Sequencing.

Fungal community analyses in homes have been attracting attention because fungi are now generally considered to be allergens. Currently, these analyses are generally conducted using the culture method, although fungal communities in households often contain species that are difficult to culture. In contrast, next-generation sequencing (NGS) represents a comprehensive, labor- and time-saving approach that can facilitate species identification.

Equilibrium and thermodynamic studies of chromic overcrowded fluorenylidene-acridanes with modified fluorene moieties.

Chromic materials, an important class of stimuli-responsive materials, have aroused extensive attention in recent years. Normally, their color is based on changes in morphology. Few examples of chromic material based on conformational isomerization, such as in overcrowded alkenes, have been reported previously.

High mobility approaching the intrinsic limit in Ta-doped SnO films epitaxially grown on TiO (001) substrates.

Achieving high mobility in SnO, which is a typical wide gap oxide semiconductor, has been pursued extensively for device applications such as field effect transistors, gas sensors, and transparent electrodes. In this study, we investigated the transport properties of lightly Ta-doped SnO (SnTaO, TTO) thin films epitaxially grown on TiO (001) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The carrier density (n) of the TTO films was systematically controlled by x.

Solvothermal synthesis of n-type Bi(SeTe) nanoplates for high-performance thermoelectric thin films on flexible substrates.

To improve thermoelectric performance of materials, the utilization of low-dimensional materials with a multi-alloy system is a promising approach. We report on the enhanced thermoelectric properties of n-type Bi(SeTe) nanoplates using solvothermal synthesis by tuning the composition of selenium (Se). Variation of the Se composition within nanoplates is demonstrated using X-ray diffraction and electron probe microanalysis.

PrP (122-139) is a covert mitochondrial targeting signal of prion protein and it specifically triggers the perinuclear clustering of mitochondria in neuronal culture cells.

In many neurodegenerative diseases, mitochondria are actively involved in the onset and/or progression of diseases because the energy depletion of the neuronal cells directly leads to the dysfunction and degeneration of cells. In the case of prion diseases, mitochondrial involvement has been reported recently and evidence that prion protein (PrP) is localized in mitochondria is increasing. Despite these findings, the precise molecular mechanism by which PrP targets mitochondria remains unclear.

Decellularized extracellular matrices derived from cultured cells at stepwise myogenic stages for the regulation of myotube formation.

The regulation of stem cell differentiation is key for muscle tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. To this end, various substrates mimicking the native extracellular matrix (ECM) have been developed with consideration of the mechanical, topological, and biochemical properties. However, mimicking the biochemical properties of the native ECM is difficult due to its compositional complexity.

Needle-shaped amyloid deposition in rat mammary gland: evidence of a novel amyloid fibril protein.

Amyloidosis is an extremely rare event in rats. In this study, we report that lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) is the most likely amyloidogenic protein in rat mammary amyloidosis. Histologically, corpora amylacea (CA) and stromal amyloid (SA) were observed in rat mammary glands, and needle-shaped amyloid (NA) was also observed on the surface or gap of CA and SA.

High-yielding Pd(dba)·CH-based four-fold Sonogashira coupling with selenophene-conjugated magnesium tetraethynylporphyrin for organic solar cells.

A catalytic system using Pd(dba)·(CH)/PPh/CuI for Sonogashira coupling was demonstrated to synthesize a selenophene-conjugated magnesium tetraethynylporphyrin Mg-TEP-(Se-DPP) (2a). The catalytic system enabled four-fold cross-coupling of the four terminal alkynes of magnesium tetraethynylporphyrin with bromoselenophene-tethered diketopyrrolopyrroles (DPPs) to produce the desired star-shaped 2a in 80% yield. This molecule shows higher solubility in organic solvents, more efficient visible and near-infrared region absorption, and a narrower band gap compared with reference thiophene-conjugated congeners.

WITHDRAWN: Association Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Cancer - A Short Overview.

The following article has been withdrawn at the request of the authors and editor of the journal Current Medicinal Chemistry: Title: Association between Alzheimer's Disease and Cancer - A Short Overview. Authors: Katarzyna Szczechowiak, Anna Brzecka, Naomi Hachiya, Joanna Wyka and Jerzy Leszek* Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may cause. Bentham Science Disclaimer: It is a condition of publication that manuscripts submitted to this journal have not been published and will not be simultaneously submitted or published elsewhere.

A new approach for reconstructing the I-spreading due to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident by means of measuring I in airborne particulate matter.

To retrieve the diffusion trajectory of the I dispersed in the environment by the nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima in 2011, airborne particulate matter (APM) samples collected in the Tokyo metropolitan area were analyzed for their I contents by means of accelerator mass spectrometry. In evaluating blank levels of chemicals and filters used for collecting APM, we established the analytical procedure for determining the I activity of as low as 10 Bq for a small piece of filter samples (about 0.1 cm).

Effect of copper substitution on the local chemical structure and dissolution property of copper-doped β-tricalcium phosphate.

Substitution of inorganic ions into β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is a well-known approach for facilitating biological functions of bioceramics. However, the dissolution mechanism of those β-TCPs is still under intensive debates. In the present study, the effect of copper substitution into β-TCP crystal structure on the local chemical structure and dissolution property of the copper-doped β-TCP (CuTCP) was investigated to clarify the dissolution mechanism of β-TCP.

Decellularized Extracellular Matrix for Cancer Research.

Genetic mutation and alterations of intracellular signaling have been focused on to understand the mechanisms of oncogenesis and cancer progression. Currently, it is pointed out to consider cancer as tissues. The extracellular microenvironment, including the extracellular matrix (ECM), is important for the regulation of cancer cell behavior.

Potential of temperature-response collagen-genipin sols as a novel submucosal injection material for endoscopic resection.

 We developed a novel submucosal (SM) injection material that contained pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC), genipin (Ge) and phosphate buffer (PB). The aim of this study was to validate safety and usability of it for endoscopic resection (ER).  In preliminary studies, 1) appropriate warming time and concentration of Ge, and concentration of NaCl in PB, 2) storage modulus of PSC, Ge, and PB mixture (PSC/Ge), and PSC as a mechanical property, 3) histological finding after injection, and histological toxicity of PSC/Ge was evaluated.

Supermicroporous Silica Nanograins: Synthesis and Application.

Supermicroporous silicas having micropores 1-2 nm in diameter were miniaturized to 30-40 nm in diameter using a combination of binary organic agents: cationic surfactant as a porogen and polyethylene glycol as a growth suppressor in a concentrated system. The miniaturized nanograins of the porous silica were effective as a porous and transparent matrix for WO quantum dots that exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity.

The effect of alkaline pretreatment on the biochemical characteristics and fibril-forming abilities of types I and II collagen extracted from bester sturgeon by-products.

Non-mammalian collagens have attracted increasing attention for industrial and biomedical use. We have therefore evaluated extraction conditions and the biochemical properties of collagens from aquacultured sturgeon. Pepsin-soluble type I and type II collagen were respectively extracted from the skin and notochord of bester sturgeon by-products, with yields of 63.

Fluorescence Enhancement of Ethanolic Solution of Nitroarenes and Its Analytical Application.

When ethanolic solutions of 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) and 3-nitrobenzanthorone (3-NBA) were irradiated with intense light, which they absorb, for several minutes, the fluorescence characteristics of the solutions were significantly changed. After such preliminary irradiation, the fluorescence intensity of 1-NP increased immediately by a factor of 10 with a blue shift of 100 nm and that of 3-NBA 700 with a red shift of 10 nm. The findings were applied to high performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector so that the two nitroarenes could be quantitatively analyzed by preliminary irradiation of their solutions before measurements.

A novel method for continuous formation of cord-like collagen gels to fabricate durable fibers in which collagen fibrils are longitudinally aligned.

We developed a continuous formation method of cord-like collagen gels comprising fibrils preferentially aligned along the geometrical axes (CCGs). Collagen (2.5%) dissolved in a sodium phosphate buffer containing 280 mM of sodium chloride was introduced into a stainless cylinder (length 52 mm, diameter 2.

Evaluation of Relative Sensitivity Factors for Elemental Analysis of Aluminum and Magnesium Using Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry with a Fast-Flow Grimm-type Ion Source.

Relative sensitivity factors on glow discharge mass spectrometry were evaluated for unalloyed and alloyed metals of aluminum and magnesium using a glow discharge mass spectrometer operated with fast flow Grimm-type source. All the elements measured could be classified into two groups, i.e.

Distribution of Sterigmatocystin-producing Aspergilli in Japan.

Sterigmatocystin is a genotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin that contaminates foods and environments worldwide. Sterigmatocystin is produced as a precursor to aflatoxin B1 or as an end product by certain Aspergilli. section is one of the major sections including sterigmatocystin-producing species and is thus a potential health and environmental hazard.

Ex vivo assessment of anchoring force of covered biflanged metal stent and covered self-expandable metal stent for interventional endoscopic ultrasound.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transmural drainage using a covered biflanged metal stent (CBFMS) and a conventional tubular biliary covered self-expandable metal stent (CSEMS) has recently been performed by EUS experts. However, appropriate traction force of the sheath to prevent the migration during stent deployment is well unknown. Herein, we assessed the anchoring force (AF) of the distal flange in CBFMSs and CSEMSs.

Comprehensive proteomic profiles of mouse AApoAII amyloid fibrils provide insights into the involvement of lipoproteins in the pathology of amyloidosis.

Unlabelled: Amyloidosis is a disorder characterized by extracellular fibrillar deposits of misfolded proteins. The amyloid deposits commonly contain several non-fibrillar proteins as amyloid-associated proteins, but their roles in amyloidosis pathology are still unknown. In mouse senile amyloidosis, apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II) forms extracellular amyloid fibril (AApoAII) deposits with other proteins (AApoAII-associated proteins) in many organs.

Effect of Silane Coupling Agent on Tribological Properties of Hemp Fiber-Reinforced Plant-Derived Polyamide 1010 Biomass Composites.

We have studied the effects of silane coupling agents used for the surface treatment of fiber on the tribological properties of hemp fiber (HF) reinforced plant-derived polyamide 1010 (PA1010) biomass composites. Hemp fibers were surface-treated by two surface treatment methods: (a) alkali treatment by sodium hydroxide solution and (b) surface treatment by silane coupling agents. Three types of silane coupling agents, namely aminosilane, epoxysilane and ureidosilane were used.

Improvement of the method to estimate the relative reaction rate constants of hydroxyl radical with polyphenols using ESR spin trap: X-ray irradiation of water with a flowing system.

UV-photolysis of hydrogen peroxide is a useful technique to produce hydroxyl radical. However, it is not an appropriate method to estimate the reactivity of polyphenols with hydroxyl radicals because many of the polyphenol derivatives also absorb the UV-light to generate hydroxyl radicals. In this study, X-ray irradiation of water with a flowing system was applied to estimate the reactivity of hydroxyl radicals with polyphenols using electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trap.

Significant Increase in Band Gap and Emission Efficiency of InO Quantum Dots by Size-Tuning around 1 nm in Supermicroporous Silicas.

The size of InO quantum dots (QDs) is tuned from 0.57 to 1.80 nm by using supermicroporous silicas (SMPSs) as a template.