Spatially-targeted laser fabrication of multi-metal microstructures inside a hydrogel

The spatially-targeted fabrication of bimetallic microstructures coexisting in the supporting hydrogel is demonstrated by multi-photon photoreduction. Microstructures composed of gold and silver were fabricated along a predefined trajectory by taking advantages of the hydrogel's ionic permeability. Different resonant wavelengths of optical absorption were obtained for gold, silver, and their bimetallic structures. Transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed that the optical properties are attributable to the formation of bimetallic structure consisted of core-shell nanoparticles. The fabrication of dissimilar metal structures within hydrogel is a promising technique for optically driven actuators in soft robotics and sensing applications by allowing for site-selective optical properties. © 2019 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreemen

The Factors Related to the Minimum and Maximum Survival of Patents against Challenges to Validity

総合政策 / Multi Disciplinary policy studiesIn order to shed new light on the methodology of empirical studies on factors relating to patent validity, this study uses criteria based on the difference of the scope of protection at the time of grant and after the challenge as the dependent variable, and includes some new and recently studied independent variables related to the patent application and prosecution. Thus, 267 Japanese patents with application dates between October 2001 and December 2004 which were subsequently challenged in invalidation trials were categorized into three outcomes; (1) “complete survival”, (2) “partial survival” and (3)“complete loss”. Groups (1)+(2) and (3), or groups (1) and (2)+(3) were compared using logistic regression analysis to identify factors relating to the minimum and maximum survival of patents, respectively. The results showed a different set of variables significantly correlating with the minimum and maximum survival, indicating differences in the qualitative impacts of the variables on patent validity. Policy implications are also considered.http://www.grips.ac.jp/list/jp/facultyinfo/niidome_yutaka

Effect of introduction of chondroitin sulfate into polymer-peptide conjugate responding to intracellular signals

We recently developed a novel tumor-targeted gene delivery system responding to hyperactivated intracellular signals. Polymeric carrier for gene delivery consists of hydrophilic neutral polymer as main chains and cationic peptide substrate for target enzyme as side chains, and was named polymer-peptide conjugate (PPC). Introduction of chondroitin sulfate (CS), which induces receptor-medicated endocytosis, into polymers mainly with a high cationic charge density such as polyethylenimine can increase tumor-targeted gene delivery. In the present study, we examined whether introduction of CS into PPC containing five cationic amino acids can increase gene expression in tumor cells. Size and zeta potential of plasmid DNA (pDNA)/PPC/CS complex were <200 nm and between -10 and -15 mV, respectively. In tumor cell experiments, pDNA/PPC/CS complex showed lower stability and gene regulation, compared with that of pDNA/PPC. Moreover, no difference in gene expression was identified between positive and negative polymer. These results were caused by fast disintegration of pDNA/PPC/CS complexes in the presence of serum. Thus, we suggest that introduction of negatively charged CS into polymers with a low charge density may lead to low stability and gene regulation of complexes

Determination of Redox Potentials of Single-walled Carbon Nanotube by Using Spectroelectrochemistry

ナノダイナミクス国際シンポジウム 平成22年1月21日(木) 於長崎大学Nagasaki Symposium on Nano-Dynamics 2010 (NSND2010), January 21, 2010, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan, Invited Lectur

Microbial Community Composition of Two Environmentally Conserved Estuaries in the Midorikawa River and Shirakawa River

To provide a general overview of the microbial communities in environmentally conserved estuaries, the top 5 cm of sediment was sampled from the sandy estuary of the Shirakawa River and from the muddy estuary of the Midorikawa River. Higher amounts of organic matter were detected in the Midorikawa estuary sample than in the Shirakawa estuary sample. Measurement of redox potential revealed that the Shirakawa estuary was aerobic and the Midorikawa estuary was much less aerobic. Clone analysis was performed by targeting partial 16S rRNA gene sequences and using extracted DNA from the samples as a template. Various bacteria were detected, among which Gammaproteobacteria was dominant at both estuaries. Unclassified clones were detected in the Gammaproteobacteria group, mainly among samples from the Midorikawa estuary. Other detected bacterial groups were Alphaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. All the Deltaproteobacteria clones were anaerobic sulfate-reducing bacteria. Those aerobic and anaerobic bacteria coexisted in the top 5 cm of the estuary sediments indicating the surface layer have active sulfur and carbon cycle. Abundance of aerobic Gammaproteobacteria may be an indicator for conserved estuaries

Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes the generation of microtubule-associated protein 2-positive cells from microglia

We recently demonstrated that microglia as multipotential stem cells give rise to microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2)-positive and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells and that microglia-derived MAP2-positive cells possess properties of functional neurons. In this study, we investigated the role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling in the molecular mechanism underlying the generation of microglia-derived MAP2-positive and GFAP-positive cells. Real-time quantitative PCR analyses demonstrated that mRNA levels of a family of three FGF receptors, Fgfr1-3, were upregulated in microglia treated with 70% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Immunocytochemical analyses demonstrated that basic FGF (bFGF) promoted the generation of microglia-derived MAP2-positive and GFAP-positive cells, and the FGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU5402 and the MEK inhibitor PD98059 both inhibited this process. Western blot analyses demonstrated that bFGF increased phosphorylated ERK1/2 levels without altering total ERK1/2 levels. These results suggest that bFGF promotes the generation of microglia-derived MAP2-positive and GFAP-positive cells via FGF receptors and the ERK-MAP kinase pathway

Cooperative nanoparticles for tumor detection and photothermally triggered drug delivery

Author Manuscript: 2011 March 15.A cooperative nanosystem consisting of two distinct nanomaterials works in vivo to detect tumor tissues and deliver drugs to the site. Gold nanorods (GNRs) localize to the tumor region, where they report their location and convert near-infrared radiation to thermal energy. Circulating thermally labile therapeutic liposomes respond to the thermal signal, releasing their drug payload selectively in the GNR-populated tumor.National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (U54 CA 119335 UCSD CCNE)National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (Grant 5-R01-CA124427)National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (Grant U54 CA119349 MIT CCNE)Moores Cancer CenterNanoTUMOR Cente

One-step continuous synthesis of biocompatible gold nanorods for optical coherence tomography

We present a novel one-step flow process to synthesize biocompatible gold nanorods with tunable absorption and biocompatible surface ligands. Photothermal optical coherence tomography (OCT) of human breast tissue is successfully demonstrated using tailored gold nanorods designed to have strong absorption in the near-infrared range.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (grant CHE-0714189)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-CA75289-15)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (K99-EB010071-01A1)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-10-1-0063)Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG-GSC80-SAOT)Spain. Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (MEC)US-UK Fulbright Commissio

Development and characterization of an enhanced nonviral expression vector for electroporation cancer treatment

Nonviral plasmid DNA gene therapy represents a promising approach for the treatment of many diseases including cancer. Intracellular delivery of DNA can be achieved with the application of electroporation, which facilitates the initial transport of exogenous DNA across the cell membrane into the cytoplasm. However, it does not guarantee further transport of the DNA from the cytoplasm to the nucleus for subsequent mRNA expression, resulting in varying degrees of exogenous gene translation and a major limitation in comparison to viral approaches. To overcome these expression difficulties, we developed a proof-of-concept vector enhanced expression vector (EEV), which incorporates elements from viral systems including nuclear localization sequences and a viral replicase from the Semliki Forest virus. The replicase allows for cytoplasmic mRNA expression and bypasses the need for nuclear localization to generate high levels of gene expression. We have demonstrated that our EEV is capable of achieving high levels of expression in a variety of tissue types. Antitumor effects of pEEV were demonstrated by the delayed growth and increased survival of the nontherapeutic pEEV-treated CT26 tumor model. Using a novel endoscopic electroporation system, EndoVe, we demonstrate and compare, for the first time, both standard cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-driven plasmid and EEV gene expression in intraluminal porcine tissues. Our EEV plasmid displays reliable and superior expression capability, and due to its inherent induced oncolytic activity in transfected cells, it may enhance the efficacy and safety of several cancer immunogene therapy approaches

Cathodic Corrosion: A Quick, Clean, and Versatile Method for the Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles**

A simple and effective method for the synthesis of nanoparticles is reported based on extreme cathodic polarization of a metal, formation of cation-stabilized metal anions, and their agglomeration (see picture). The improved catalytic activity of these nanoparticles in the oxidation of carbon monoxide as well as methanol is shown using platinum.<br/