Control of the incorporation and release of guest molecules by photodimerization in liposomes

In a drug-delivery system using liposomes, the use of guest molecules bearing hydrophilic moieties results in some leakage from lipid membranes. We suppressed the leakage of coumarins (used as model guest molecules in a drug-delivery system) from lipid membranes by photodimerization at 365 nm. The reason for this phenomenon could be ascribed to an increase in the hydrophobicity of the dimers of the coumarins. The formation of the dimers was detected by 1H NMR, UV-vis absorption, and mass spectra and the leakage percentages of the coumarins were determined by 1H NMR spectra based on the peak intensities. In contrast, when the dimer reverted to a monomer by ultraviolet (254 nm) irradiation, the resulting monomer was released from liposomes.This work was supported by a JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (Grant No. JP16H04133) and a Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research (Grant No. JP16K13982)

A Study of a Japanese Language Lesson to Make Pupils Enjoy Reading and Find Meanings of a Story : Through the Practice Using "Wani No Ojiisan No Takaramono" in Grade 3.

本研究の目的は，読むことを楽しみ，物語の意味を見出すことのできる単元を開発することである。そこで，第3学年において「わにのおじいさんのたから物」を題材として「作品との出会いを大切にする」「他者の読みを生かす」「読み取ったことをもとに続き物語を創作する」の3点を手立てとした単元を構成し，実践を試みた。実践を通して，これらの手立ては，子どもたちの興味・関心を引き出し，他者とともに学ぶことのよさを実感させることに有効であることがわかった。さらに，子どもたちがつくった続き物語には，一人ひとりのたから物についてのとらえが反映されており，たから物についての考えをさまざまに深めるとともに，子ども自身が納得する形の結末にして，物語を意味付けようとしていることがうかがえた。今後も，読むことを楽しみ物語の意味を見出すことにつながる授業をつくっていきたい。The aim of this study is to develop a lesson which enables pupils to enjoy reading and to find meanings of a story. This study was conducted in Grade 3 using ''wani no ojiisan no takaramono" as a reading material. The lesson was organized and put in practice by taking following three steps: (1) value the encounter with the story, (2) relate other's interpretations to their own, and (3) imagine what will happen afterwards and write stories based on their imagination. As a result, these three steps seemed effective to arouse pupils' interests and get them to realize the importance of peer learning. Besides, from their interpretations of treasure based on their imaginative stories, it can be inferred that each pupil developed the idea of treasure and interpreted the story by ending it in their acceptable ways. Future studies are expected to help pupils enjoy reading more and find the meaning of a story profoundly

The Japanese Learning on Experiencing a New Fun of Reading Story: Through Class Practice of Unit "The Loudest Noise in the World" in Fourth Grade Elementary School

本研究の目的は，物語を読む新たな楽しさを味わうことのできる単元を開発することである。そこで，第4学年において「世界でいちばんやかましい音」を題材として， 「作品との出会いを大切にする」 「他者の読みを生かす」「作者の表現の工夫に着目する」 の3点を手立てとした単元を構成し実践を試みた。実践を通してこれらの手立ては，物語の展開のおもしろさにつながる作者の表現の工夫を見つけたり，作者が題名に込めた物語の意味を考えたりするなど，物語を読む新たな楽しさを味わわせることに有効であることがわかった。さらに，単元の導入の工夫や他者との交流は，子どもたちが課題意識をもって物語を読み，自分の読みを深めることにつながった。今後も，物語を読む新たな楽しさを味わうことにつながる授業をつくっていきたい。The purpose of this study is to develop a unit which enables students to experience a fun of reading story. In this study, the researcher developed a class practice of a unit "The Loudest Noise in the World" focusing on three points: 1) to treasure the encounter with works, 2) To make the most of understanding from others, 3) To pay attention to the author's expressions. Through the practice, the results suggest that three points were identified to be effective for the students in enjoying some new interest in reading story such as finding the author's efforts through the expressions and considering what the writer expresses in the story including its title. In addition, students managed to develop their knowledge of reading because of providing the introduction of the unit and the opportunity to discuss the story with other students encouraged students to read the story with an awareness of problem-finding. Concerning the results, the further Japanese classes would be possibly expected to be conducted in order to explore a new fun of reading story

Different stabilities of liposomes containing saturated and unsaturated lipids toward the addition of cyclodextrins

Liposomes composed of unsaturated lipids were more stable than those containing saturated lipids toward DMe‐β‐CDx, DMe‐α‐CDx and DMe‐β‐CDx. The Hill coefficient values (n) indicated that the saturated lipid•DMe‐CDx complexes had stoichiometric ratios in the range of 1:3‒1:4, while the unsaturated lipid•DMe‐CDx complexes had ratios in the range of 1:1.5‒1:3. That is, a cis alkene group in the unsaturated lipids prevented complexation with a second DMe‐CDx in the direction toward each acyl chain. Furthermore, the liposomes composed of the unsaturated lipids were much slower to form precipitates upon the addition of α‐CDx than those of the saturated lipids. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example showing that CDxs interact with unsaturated lipids.This work was supported by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI a Grant‐in‐Aid for Scientific Research (B) (Grant No. 25288037 and No. 16H04133) and a Grant‐in‐Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research (Grant No. 16K13982)

Reversible Supramolecular System of Porphyrin Exchange between Inclusion in Cyclodextrin and Intercalation in DNA by Change in pH

Under the coexistence of cyclodextrin and DNA in water, 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin interacted with the cavities of two cyclodextrin molecules in a solution at an around neutral pH and intercalated into DNA under acidic conditions. The supramolecular phenomena occurred completely and reversibly owing to the change in pH.This work was supported by a JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (Grant No. JP16H04133) and a Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research (Grant No. JP16K13982)

Incorporation of large guest molecules into liposomes via chemical reactions in lipid membranes

The incorporation of hydrophobic guest molecules into lipid membranes by the exchange of the guest molecule from a cyclodextrin (CDx) complex to a liposome is limited to guest molecules that can be included in CDxs. To solve this problem, large guest molecules were incorporated into liposomes by chemical reactions of guest molecules in lipid membranes. Stable lipid-membrane-incorporated fullerene derivatives with large substituent(s) were prepared by Diels–Alder reactions in lipid membranes.Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Schematic representation of the premixing and exchange methods, 1H NMR spectra and UV-vis absorption spectra. See DOI: 10.1039/c6ob02343fThis work was supported by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (Grant No. JP16H04133) and a Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research (Grant No. JP16K13982)

Formation of lipid membrane‐incorporated small π‐molecules bearing hydrophilic groups

Nineteen poorly water‐soluble π‐conjugated molecules were evaluated in terms of their ability to be stably incorporated into lipid membranes. The resulting lipid membrane-incorporated π‐conjugated guest molecules (LMIGs) were classified into four categories, including (i) those that formed stable LMIGs; (ii) those where some of guest molecules precipitated; (iii) those that formed small self‐aggregates consisting of lipids and/or guest molecules; and (iv) those that leaked some of the guest molecules into the bulk water. Compounds belonging to category (ii) were confirmed by UV‐vis absorption analysis. In contrast, compounds belonging to categories (i), (iii) and (iv) were discriminated based on their 1H NMR spectra and the broadening or disappearance of the peaks of the guest molecules and the lipids in LMIGs and large liposomes. Several LMIGs could be converted from one category to another using other lipids. Furthermore, the guest molecules belonging to category (iv) were successfully predicted using the octanol‐water partition coefficient, which was calculated by simulation.This work was supported by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant‐in‐Aid for Scientific Research (B) (Grant No. JP16H04133) and a Grant‐in‐Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research (Grant No. JP16K13982)

Adsorption of tetrakis(4-sulfophenyl)porphyrin onto liposomal surfaces composed of neutral diacylphosphatidylcholine and release by cyclodextrin

Anionic tetrakis(4-sulfophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) interacts with liposomal surfaces composed of neutral diacylphosphatidylcholine at high lipid concentrations. TPPS interacted with liposomal surfaces through four contact points. The association constant was obtained to be 9.0 × 10^5 M^-4. TPPS was peeled off the liposomal surfaces by the addition of cyclodextrin.Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures and UV-vis absorption and 1H NMR spectra. See DOI: 10.1039/c8ra01411fThis work was supported by a JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (Grant No. JP16H04133) and a Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research (Grant No. JP16K13982)

Lipid-membrane-incorporated arylboronate esters as agents for boron neutron capture therapy

Arylboronate esters bearing methyl groups in both of their ortho positions were stably incorporated into lipid membranes at high concentrations without undergoing hydrolysis to the corresponding boronic acids. This method could be used in combination with previous methods to increase the maximum ratio of boron atoms in liposomal boron carriers.This work was supported by a JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (Grant No. JP16H04133) and a Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research (Grant No. JP16K13982)

Japanese language instruciton under MEXT 2008 course of study : Learning for developing students' universe of language through transactions with words of others

本研究は,学習者が自分のまわりの他者と出会いかかわり合うことをとおして,自分自身の言葉の世界を広げ,自らの学びを探究していくことができるようにするための効果的な指導法を開発していくことを目的としている。そこで,小学1年生と小学4年生において,他者の言葉として教科書以外のテキストを位置付け,言葉をとおしたかかわり合いの場を意図的,計画的に設定し,教科書本文との比較をとおして読みを深める実践を試みた。1年生では,教科書と絵本を比べることによって,共通点や相違点に気付き,物語の本質的なおもしろさに迫っていくことができた。4年生では,自分の読みをもたせることを大切にした結果,子どもたちは自分たちの考えと比べて感想や疑問を抱きながら本文を読み,主体的な読みを生み出すことができた。二つの実践をとおして,学年やねらいに応じて他者の言葉を設定することの有効性がわかった。その際,他者の言葉を吟味して選択するとともに,比べ方や比べる視点を明確にすることが必要であると感じた。今後は,他者の言葉として,テキストとともに学習者同士のかかわり合いを,授業の中に効果的に生かすことのできる単元づくりを試みたい