Chitosan Derivatives / Calcium Carbonate Composite Capsules Prepared by the Layer - by - Layer Deposition Method II Stabilization of the Shell by Crosslinking

The layer-by-layer deposition method is utilized to prepare rodlike core / shell capsules. Chitosan (polycation)and chitosansulfate (polyanion)were alternatively deposited on the surface of calcium carbonate whisker(rodlikeparticle). The thickness of the obtained shells ranged from 26 to 42 nm. After the deposition, the shell was treated with diisocyanate to form crosslink between the chitosan or chitosansulfate chains in order to stabilize the deposited shell. The obtained shell crosslinked rodlike capsules were successfully converted to hollow particles by immersing them into hydrochloric acid due to the enhanced shell stability, whereas from noncrosslinked shells, no hollow capsules were yielded : the shell was removed by dissolution in hydrochloric acid. It is revealed that the crosslinking reactivity is higher for 1,6-diisocyanatehexane than for tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate, suggesting that the reactivity depends on the size and flxibility of the crosslinking molecule

Enveloped artificial viral capsids self-assembled from anionic beta-annulus peptide and cationic lipid bilayer

Anionic artificial viral capsids were self-assembled from β-annulus-EE peptide, then complexed with lipid-bilayer-containing cationic lipids via electrostatic interaction to form enveloped artificial viral capsids. The critical aggregation concentration of the enveloped artificial viral capsid was significantly lower than that of the uncomplexed artificial viral capsid, indicating that the lipid bilayer stabilised the capsid structure

Chitosan Derivatives/Calcium Carbonate Composite Capsules Prepared by the Layer-by-Layer Deposition Method II Stabilization of the Shell by Crosslinking

The layer-by-layer deposition method is utilized to prepare rodlike core/shell capsules. Chitosan (polycation) and chitosansulfate (polyanion) were alternatively deposited on the surface of calcium carbonate whisker (rodlike particle). The thickness of the obtained shells ranged from 26 to 42 nm. After the deposition, the shell was treated with diisocyanate to form crosslink between the chitosan or chitosansulfate chains in order to stabilize the deposited shell. The obtained shell crosslinked rodlike capsules were successfully converted to hollow particles by immersing them into hydrochloric acid due to the enhanced shell stability, whereas from noncrosslinked shells, no hollow capsules were yielded: the shell was removed by dissolution in hydrochloric acid. It is revealed that the crosslinking reactivity is higher for 1,6-diisocyanatehexane than for tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate, suggesting that the reactivity depends on the size and flexibility of the crosslinking molecule

Direct Supply Chain from Forest to House Builder: A Japanese Business Model

AbstractWe developed a direct supply chain from a forest to a house builder for environment-friendly wooden long-life housing based on the “progressive market-in” method. This business model successfully incorporates the external environmental value of the house into its market price.In this paper, we discuss the direct supply chain business model and its environmental effect in Japan, using a micro approach (for individual economic bodies) and a macro approach for the country

Ghrelin inhibits insulin secretion through the AMPK–UCP2 pathway in β cells

AbstractGhrelin inhibits insulin secretion partly via induction of IA-2β. However, the orexigenic effect of ghrelin is mediated by the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)–uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) pathway. Here, we demonstrate that ghrelin’s inhibitory effect on insulin secretion also occurs through the AMPK-UCP2 pathway. Ghrelin increased AMPK phosphorylation and UCP2 mRNA expression in MIN6 insulinoma cells. Overexpression or downregulation of UCP2 attenuated or enhanced insulin secretion, respectively. Furthermore, AMPK activator had a similar effect to ghrelin on UCP2 and insulin secretion in MIN6 cells. In conclusion, ghrelin’s inhibitory effect on insulin secretion is partly mediated by the AMPK-UCP2 pathway, which is independent of the IA-2β pathway

Offshore-origin warm water inflows toward Totten Ice Shelf, East Antarctica

The Tenth Symposium on Polar Science/Ordinary sessions: [OM] Polar Meteorology and Glaciology, Thu. 5 Dec. / 2F Auditorium , National Institute of Polar Researc

Effectiveness of Anti-PD-1 Antibody Monotherapy for the Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Esophagus： A Case Report

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus（PMME）is extraordinarily rare with a high degree of malignancy and poor prognosis, and a standard therapy remains to be established. The anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab is a promising agent for various cancers. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of PMME where a complete response was achieved using nivolumab. We report an 80-year-old woman who was diagnosed with PMME with bone metastasis and lymph node metastases. Although dacarbazine combined chemotherapy was performed and continued for six cycles, the primary tumor progressed and liver metastases appeared. The patient then received nivolumab monotherapy. After three cycles, nivolumab monotherapy for PMME resulted in a complete response as shown by positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. In our case, nivolumab exerted a curative effect on PMME, thus suggesting that nivolumab can be effective in the treatment of this rare disease

The Usefulness of CYFRA21-1 in Diagnosing and Monitoring Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Five patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) were studied to determine whether CYFRA 21-1 is useful for diagnosis of this disease. In pleural effusions, the median concentration of CYFRA 21-1 from 4 patients with MPM was significantly higher than for 34 patients with benign diseases. The sensitivity of serum CYFRA 21-1 for diagnosis of MPM was 40% and its concentration changed in proportion to disease activity in all cases. Immunohistochemically, anticytokeratin 19 antibody revealed strong staining in both epithelial and sarcomatous MPM tissues. Based on these results, we conclude that measurement of CYFRA 21-1 in pleural effusions and serum may be useful for diagnosing and monitoring MPM.</p