Keratin Microspheres as Promising Tool for Targeting Follicular Growth

Skin is the body barrier that constrains the infiltration of particles and exogenous aggression, in which the hair follicle plays an important role. Recent studies have shown that small particles can penetrate the skin barrier and reach the hair follicle, making them a potential avenue for delivering hair growth-related substances. Interestingly, keratin-based microspheres are widely used as drug delivery carriers in various fields. In this current study, we pursue the effect of newly synthesized 3D spherical keratin particles on inducing hair growth in C57BL/6 male mice and in human hair follicle dermal papilla cells. The microspheres were created from partially sulfonated, water-soluble keratin. The keratin microspheres swelled in water to form spherical gels, which were used for further experiments. Following topical application for a period of 20 days, we observed a regrowth of hair in the previously depleted area on the dorsal part of the mice in the keratin microsphere group. This observation was accompanied by the regulation of hair-growth-related pathways as well as changes in markers associated with epidermal cells, keratin, and collagen. Interestingly, microsphere keratin treatment enhanced the cell proliferation and the expression of hair growth markers in dermal papilla cells. Based on our data, we propose that 3D spherical keratin has the potential to specifically target hair follicle growth and can be employed as a carrier for promoting hair growth-related agents.

Poly(lactic acid) stereocomplex microspheres as thermally tolerant optical resonators

Thermally tolerant polymer optical resonators are fabricated from a stereocomplex of poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid) through the oil-in-water miniemulsion method. The thermal stability of the microspheres of the stereocomplex poly(lactic acid) (SC-PLA) is superior to that of the homochiral poly(lactic acid) (HC-PLA). As a result of the high thermal stability, the optical resonator properties of the SC-PLA microspheres are preserved at an elevated temperature of up to 230 °C, which is 70 °C higher than that of microspheres formed from HC-PLA.

Pathway Complexity in Nanotubular Supramolecular Polymerization: Metal-Organic Nanotubes with a Planar-Chiral Monomer

Here, we report an anomalous pathway complexity in the supramolecular polymerization of a chiral monomer, which displays an unusual chiroptical feature that does not follow any of the known stereochemical rules such as "chiral self-sorting" and "majority rule". We newly developed a planar-chiral ferrocene-cored tetratopic pyridyl monomer FcL, which underwent AgBF₄-mediated supramolecular polymerization to give nanotubes FcNTs composed of metal-organic nanorings FcNRs. Although FcNRs must be homochiral because of a strong geometrical constraint, FcNRs were formed even efficiently from racemic FcL and AgBF₄. Detailed studies revealed the presence of two competing pathways for producing homochiral FcNRs as the constituents of FcNTs: (i) spontaneous cyclization of initially formed acyclic polymers -[FcL-Ag⁺]_n- and (ii) template (FcNR)-assisted cyclization via a Ag⁺···Ag⁺ metallophilic interaction. The dominance of the two pathways changes depending on the %ee of chiral FcL. Namely, when the %ee of FcL is high, -[FcL-Ag⁺]_n- must contain sufficiently long homochiral sequences that can be readily cyclized into FcNRs. Meanwhile, when the %ee of FcL is low, the homochiral sequences in -[FcL-Ag⁺]_n- must be short and therefore are hardly eligible for spontaneous cyclization. Why were FcNRs formed? Even though the probability is very low, homochiral -[FcL-Ag⁺]_n- can be statistically generated and undergo spontaneous cyclization to give FcNRs minutely. We found that FcNRs can be amplified by heterochirally templating their own synthesis using metallophilic interaction. Because of this stereochemical preference, the growth of FcNRs into FcNTs via the template-assisted mechanism occurs only when both ^(R,R)FcL and ^(S,S)FcL are present in the polymerization system.

Molecular and Supramolecular Designs of Organic/Polymeric Micro-photoemitters for Advanced Optical and Laser Applications

ConspectusFor optical and electronic applications of supramolecular assemblies, control of the hierarchical structure from nano- to micro- and millimeter scale is crucial. Supramolecular chemistry controls intermolecular interactions to build up molecular components with sizes ranging from several to several hundreds of nanometers using bottom-up self-assembly process. However, extending the supramolecular approach up to a scale of several tens of micrometers to construct objects with precisely controlled size, morphology, and orientation is challenging. Especially for microphotonics applications such as optical resonators and lasers, integrated optical devices, and sensors, a precise design of a micrometer-scale object is required. In this Account, we review the recent progress on precise control of microstructures from π-conjugated organic molecules and polymers, which work as micro-photoemitters and are suitable for optical applications.After the introduction on the importance of the control of the hierarchical structures from molecular assembly, we review supramolecular methodology for assembling molecules and supramolecules to form microstructures such as spheres and polygons with precisely controlled morphology and molecular orientations. The resultant microstructures act as anisotropic emitters of circularly polarized luminescence. We report that synchronous crystallization of π-conjugated chiral cyclophanes forms concave hexagonal pyramidal microcrystals with homogeneous size, morphology, and orientation, which clearly paves the way for the precise control of skeletal crystallization under kinetic control. Furthermore, we show microcavity functions of the self-assembled micro-objects. The self-assembled π-conjugated polymer microspheres work as whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical resonators, where the photoluminescence exhibits sharp and periodic emission lines. The spherical resonators with molecular functions act as long-distance photon energy transporters, convertors, and full-color microlasers. Fabrication of microarrays with photoswitchable WGM microresonators by the surface self-assembly technique realizes optical memory with physically unclonable functions of WGM fingerprints. All-optical logic operations are demonstrated by arranging the WGM microresonators on synthetic and natural optical fibers, where the photoswitchable WGM microresonators act as a gate for light propagation via a cavity-mediated energy transfer cascade. Meanwhile, the sharp WGM emission line is appropriate for utilization as optical sensors for monitoring the mode shift and mode splitting. The resonant peaks sensitively respond to humidity change, absorption of volatile organic compounds, microairflow, and polymer decomposition by utilizing structurally flexible polymers, microporous polymers, nonvolatile liquid droplets, and natural biopolymers as media of the resonators. We further construct microcrystals from π-conjugated molecules with rods and rhombic plates, which act as WGM laser resonators with light-harvesting function. Our developments, precise design and control of organic/polymeric microstructures, form a bridge between nanometer-scale supramolecular chemistry and bulk materials and pave the way toward flexible micro-optics applications.

Degradable optical resonators as in situ microprobes for microscopy-based observation of enzymatic hydrolysis

Optical resonators work as precise physical and chemical sensors. Here, we assemble a whispering gallery mode resonator from a natural polymer, fibroin protein, and successfully observe its catalytic degradation reaction as a spectral shift. This methodology will contribute to the precise in situ observation of biological reactions by optical microscopy.

Synchronous assembly of chiral skeletal single-crystalline microvessels

Skeletal or concave polyhedral crystals appear in a variety of synthetic processes and natural environments. However, their morphology, size, and orientation are difficult to control because of their highly kinetic growth character. We report a methodology to achieve synchronous, uniaxial, and stepwise growth of micrometer-scale skeletal single crystals from planar-chiral double-decker molecules. Upon drop-casting of a heated ethanol solution onto a quartz substrate, the molecules spontaneously assemble into standing vessel-shaped single crystals uniaxially and synchronously over the wide area of the substrate, with small size polydispersity. The crystal edge is active even after consumption of the molecules and resumes stereoselective growth with successive feeding. The resultant morphology can be packed into polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-like microarchitectures and behaves as a microscopic container.

Functions and fundamentals of porous molecular crystals sustained by labile bonds

Organic molecules favour dense packing so that they can maximise the enthalpic gain upon solidification. Multidentate organic molecules that can form reticular bonding networks have been considered essential to overcome...

Solvophobicity-directed assembly of microporous molecular crystals

Dense packing is a universal tendency of organic molecules in the solid state. Typical porous crystals utilize reticular strong intermolecular bonding networks to overcome this principle. Here, we report a solvophobicity-based methodology for assembling discrete molecules into a porous form and succeed in synthesizing isostructural porous polymorphs of an amphiphilic aromatic molecule Py₆Mes. A computational analysis of the crystal structure reveals the major contribution of dispersion interaction as the driving force for assembling Py₆Mes into a columnar stacking while the columns are sterically salient and form nanopores between them. The porous packing is facilitated particularly in solvents with weak dispersion interaction due to the solvophobic effect. Conversely, solvents with strong dispersion interaction intercalate between Py₆Mes due to the solvophilic effect and provide non-porous inclusion crystals. The solvophobicity-directed polymorphism is further corroborated by the polymorphs of Py₆Mes-analogues, m-Py₆Mes and Ph₆Mes.

Polymer Optical Microcavity Sensor for Volatile Organic Compounds with Distinct Selectivity toward Aromatic Hydrocarbons

A whispering-gallery mode (WGM) optical resonance sensor for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is developed from polystyrene (PS) microspheres doped with fluorescent β-cyano-appended oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (β-COPV). The β-COPV-doped PS microspheres (MS_COPV) are formed by the miniemulsion method in a binary solvent. MS_COPV expand upon permeation of VOCs into the PS matrix and exhibit a spectral shift of the WGM resonance peak. The permeation efficiency is highly dependent on the chemical affinity between the analyte and the polymer matrix, with exceptionally high selectivity toward aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTXs). The high selectivity and sensitivity of MS_COPV are in clear contrast to those of conventional WGM sensors that just detect VOCs nonpreferentially through adsorption onto the surface.

Intraspecific variations of the cytoplasmic male sterility genes orf108 and orf117 in Brassica maurorum and Moricandia arvensis, and the specificity of the mRNA processing

The mitochondrial gene orf108 co-transcribed with atp1 and causes cytoplasmic male sterility in Brassica crops, is widely distributed across wild species and genera of Brassicaceae. However, intraspecific variations in the presence of orf108 have not yet been studied, and the mechanisms for the wide distribution of the gene remain unclear. We analyzed the presence and sequence variations of orf108 in two wild species, Brassica maurorum and Moricandia arvensis. After polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 5' region of atp1 and the coding sequence of orf108, we determined the DNA sequences. B. maurorum and M. arvensis showed variations for the presence of orf108 or orf117 (orf108^V117) both between and within accessions, and were not fixed to the mitochondrial type having the male sterile genes. Sequencing of the amplicons clarified that B. maurorum has orf108^V117 instead of orf108. Sequencing also indicated mitochondrial heteroplasmy in the two species; particularly, in B. maurorum, one plant possessed both the orf108 and orf108^V117 sequences. The results suggested that substoichiometric shifting of the mitochondrial genomes leads to the acquisition or loss of orf108. Furthermore, fertility restorer genes of the two species were involved in the processing of the mRNA of the male sterility genes at different sites.

Robust Angular Anisotropy of Circularly Polarized Luminescence from a Single Twisted-Bipolar Polymeric Microsphere

It has long been surmised that the circular polarization of luminescence (CPL) emitted by a chiral molecule or a molecular assembly should vary with the direction in which the photon is emitted. Despite its potential utility, this anisotropic CPL has not yet been demonstrated at the level of single molecules or supramolecular assemblies. Here we show that conjugated polymers bearing chiral side chains self-assemble into solid microspheres with a twisted bipolar interior, which are formed via liquid-liquid phase separation and subsequent condensation into a cholesteric lyotropic liquid crystalline mesophase. The resultant microspheres, when dispersed in methanol, exhibit CPL with a g_lum value as high as 0.23. The microspheres are mechanically robust enough to be handled with a microneedle under ambient conditions, allowing comprehensive examination of the angular anisotropy of CPL. The single microsphere is found to exhibit distinct angularly anisotropic birefringence and CPL with g_lum up to ∼0.5 in the equatorial plane, which is 2.5-fold greater than that along the polar axis. Such optically anisotropic solid materials are important for the application to next-generation microlight-emitting and visualizing devices as well as for fundamental optics studies of chiral light-matter interaction.

A single nucleotide substitution in the coding region of Ogura male sterile gene, orf138, determines effectiveness of a fertility restorer gene, Rfo, in radish

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) observed in many plants leads defect in the production of functional pollen, while the expression of CMS is suppressed by a fertility restorer gene in the nuclear genome. Ogura CMS of radish is induced by a mitochondrial orf138, and a fertility restorer gene, Rfo, encodes a P-type PPR protein, ORF687, acting at the translational level. But, the exact function of ORF687 is still unclear. We found a Japanese variety showing male sterility even in the presence of Rfo. We examined the pollen fertility, Rfo expression, and orf138 mRNA in progenies of this variety. The progeny with Type H orf138 and Rfo showed male sterility when their orf138 mRNA was unprocessed within the coding region. By contrast, all progeny with Type A orf138 were fertile though orf138 mRNA remained unprocessed in the coding region, demonstrating that ORF687 functions on Type A but not on Type H. In silico analysis suggested a specific binding site of ORF687 in the coding region, not the 5′ untranslated region estimated previously, of Type A. A single nucleotide substitution in the putative binding site diminishes affinity of ORF687 in Type H and is most likely the cause of the ineffectiveness of ORF687. Furthermore, fertility restoration by RNA processing at a novel site in some progeny plants indicated a new and the third fertility restorer gene, Rfs, for orf138. This study clarified that direct ORF687 binding to the coding region of orf138 is essential for fertility restoration by Rfo.

Long-wavelength visible to near infrared photoluminescence from carbon-bridged styrylstilbene and thiadiazole conjugates in organic and aqueous media

Donor–acceptor–donor conjugates composed of electron-donating carbon-bridged styrylstilbene (COPV2) and electron-accepting thiadiazole derivatives equipped with carbazolyl (Cz) terminators, Cz-COPV2-A-COPV2-Cz (A = benzothiadiazole (BTz), naphthobis(thiadiazole) (NTz), or benzobis(thiadiazole) (BBTz)), were newly synthesized and found to serve as efficient and stable long-wavelength photoluminescent dyes in organic and aqueous media. In particular, Cz-COPV2-BBTz-COPV2-Cz showed photoluminescence in the near infrared region (895–927 nm) with a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of up to 0.19 in cyclohexane and of 0.02–0.03 in THF/water mixtures. Its analogues with weaker acceptors, Cz-COPV2-BTz-COPV2-Cz and Cz-COPV2-NTz-COPV2-Cz, showed yellow to deep-red emission in organic solvents, with PLQYs of up to 0.71 in organic solvents and 0.45 in THF/water mixtures.

Efficient long-wavelength visible to NIR-emitting materials have been synthesized by use of rigid planar styrylstilbene as a donor component.

Fluorescence Switchable Conjugated Polymer Microdisk Arrays by Cosolvent Vapor Annealing

Depositing minute light emitters into a regular array is a basic but essential technique in display technology. However, conventional lithographic methodologies involve multistep and energy-consuming processes. Here, we develop a facile method in which organic and polymeric fluorescent dyes spontaneously aggregate to form a patterned microarray. We find that a thin film of fluorescent π-conjugated polymer transforms into micrometer-sized aggregates when exposed to binary organic vapor at ambient temperature. The arrayed microaggregates can be formed over the whole substrate surface when using a quartz substrate that is prepatterned with regular hydrophilic boxes and hydrophobic grids. The resultant microarray is applicable to optical memories and displays when photoswitchable fluorophores are doped into the polymer matrix.

Appearance of male sterile and black radishes in the progeny of cross between Raphanus raphanistrum and Raphanus sativus

In addition to Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), which is used extensively for F₁ hybrid seed production in Brassicaceae crops, two other CMS systems, NWB CMS and DCGMS, have also been identified. The causal gene for the latter two CMS systems has been identified as a novel chimeric gene, orf463. We previously reported that orf463 is specific to black radish cultivars and that it is present in line 'RS-5' of Raphanus raphanistrum; however, the orf463 sequence in 'RS-5' differed from that of black radish cultivars. Though, R. raphanistrum with an orf463 sequence identical to that found in black radish cultivars was recently identified. We therefore sought to determine whether the orf463 gene in line 'RS-5' induces CMS in radishes. We crossed 'RS-5' as a female parent with a cultivated radish, 'Uchiki-Gensuke', as a male parent, and examined the gross plant morphology and pollen fertility of the resulting progeny. The F₂ population contained both male sterile plants and plants with black roots. The findings showed that R. raphanistrum contains two types of orf463 genes that induce CMS, and that the origin of black radishes could be attributed to R. raphanistrum having orf463 gene.

Molecular simulation on the stability and adsorption properties of choline-based ionic liquids/IRMOF-1 hybrid composite for selective H2S/CO2 capture

The compatibility and performance of an Isoreticular Metal-Organic Frameworks (IRMOF-1) impregnated with choline-based ionic liquids (ILs) for selective adsorption of H₂S/CO₂, were studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Cholinium alanate ([Chl][Ala]) was nominated as the suitable IL for impregnation into IRMOF-1, consistent with the low RMSD values (0.546 nm, 0.670 nm, 0.776 nm) at three IL/IRMOF-1 w/w ratios (W_IL/IRMOF-1 = 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2). The [Chl]⁺ and [Ala]^- ion pair was located preferentially around the carboxylate group within the IRMOF-1 framework, with the latter interacting strongly with the host than the [Chl]⁺. Results of radius of gyration (Rg) and root mean square displacement (RMSD) revealed that a ratio of 0.4 w/w of IL/IRMOF-1 (Rg = 1.405 nm; RMSD = 0.546 nm) gave the best conformation to afford an exceptionally stable IL/IRMOF-1 composite. It was discovered that the IL/IRMOF-1 composite was more effective in capturing H₂S and CO₂ compared to pristine IRMOF-1. The gases adsorbed in higher quantities in the IL/IRMOF-1 composite phase compared to the bulk phase, with a preferential adsorption for H₂S, as shown by the uppermost values of adsorption ( [Formula: see text] = 17.954 mol L^-1 bar^-1) and an adsorption selectivity ( [Formula: see text] = 43.159) at 35 IL loading.

Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) predicts long-term survival and limb events in patients with peripheral artery disease

Background

Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) was developed as a “nutrition-related” risk index and was reported in different populations as associated with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the associations of GNRI with mortality and amputation free survival in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods

From January 2011 to June 2016, 295 consecutive patients (73.3±9.2 years; 75.6% male) with PAD undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT) in our hospital were retrospectively examined. The GNRI on admission was calculated as follows: 14.89 × serum albumin (g/dl) + 41.7 × body mass index (BMI)/22. Characteristics and mortality were compared between 2 groups: low GNRI (<92, n=110) with moderate or severe nutritional risk; and high GNRI (≥92, n=185) with no or low nutritional risk.

Results

The median follow up period was 39.4±26.4months. There were 85 deaths (28.8%) and 13 major amputation (4.4%) during the follow-up. Patients in the low-GNRI group were more often higher age, non-ambulatory state, hemodialysis and critical limb ischemia. BMI, serum hemoglobin, albumin, low-density lipoprotein were significantly lower, whereas serum C-reactive protein was significantly higher in the low-GNRI group than the high-GNRI group (P<0.05, respectively). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that patients in the low-GNRI group had a significantly lower amputation free survival, compared to those in the high-GNRI group (log-rank test, P<0.001).

Conclusion

The low GNRI is associated with an increased risk of mortality and limb events in patients with PAD.

Amputation-free survival (Kaplan-Meier)

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Sigmoidally hydrochromic molecular porous crystal with rotatable dendrons

Vapochromic behaviour of porous crystals is beneficial for facile and rapid detection of gaseous molecules without electricity. Toward this end, tailored molecular designs have been established for metal-organic, covalent-bonded and hydrogen-bonded frameworks. Here, we explore the hydrochromic chemistry of a van der Waals (VDW) porous crystal. The VDW porous crystal VPC-1 is formed from a novel aromatic dendrimer having a dibenzophenazine core and multibranched carbazole dendrons. Although the constituent molecules are connected via VDW forces, VPC-1 maintains its structural integrity even after desolvation. VPC-1 exhibits reversible colour changes upon uptake/release of water molecules due to the charge transfer character of the constituent dendrimer. Detailed structural analyses reveal that the outermost carbazole units alone are mobile in the crystal and twist simultaneously in response to water vapour. Thermodynamic analysis suggests that the sigmoidal water sorption is induced by the affinity alternation of the pore surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic.

Facile light-initiated radical generation from 4-substituted pyridine under ambient conditions

A facile photogeneration of a stable radical species from a 4-substituted pyridine derivative under ambient conditions is achieved. The radical generation reaction accompanies visible colour change into green and is repeatable multiple times.

P179 Alterations of resting heart rate and heart rate viability after cryoballon ablation in the patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Background

While it is generally accepted that cardiac autonomic nervous system (CANS) plays an important role in atrial fibrillation (AF) and pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by radiofrequency catheter ablation modifies the ganglionated plexi (GP), the alterations of CANS after PVI are not clarified.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to investigate the alteration of CANS after conventional cryoballoon ablation (CBA) by using a non-invasive examination method of measuring resting heart rate (R-HR) and coefficient of variation of R-R interval (CVR-R) which is a representative parameter of heart rate viability. CVR-R reflects R-R interval variation affected by respiration. It is calculated from the R-R interval of consecutive 100 heart beats of sinus rhythm recorded at rest. Declines of CVR-R indicate the parasympathetic dysfunction and the normal range of it varies depend on the age. As age increases from 30s to 70s, the average value of CVR-R decreases from 4.0% to 2.4%.

Methods

Consecutive patients of paroxysmal AF treated with initial CBA in our institute participated. Subjects were limited to the patients who maintained sinus rhythm through the study and whose prescription had not been changed after procedure. All patients recorded 12-lead electrocardiogram to measure R-HR and CVR-R before and the day after the procedure. We compared R-HR and CVR-R of all patients before and after CBA. And in addition, we compared them in each of two groups whose pre-procedural H-RH were under 50 bpm (Group-U50) and over 70 bpm (Group-O70). All procedures were performed with second generation 28mm cryoballoon (CB)s under the conscious sedation with Dexmedetomidine. CB temperature was down to a minimum of -60°C and target application time was 180 seconds.

Results

In the procedure of all 105 patients (male gender, 54%; age, 66.9 ± 10.4years; CHADS2score, 1.15 ± 1.04; diabetes mellitus,14%; beta-blocker therapy, 16%), 1 of touch-up for PVI, 6 of supra vena cava isolation and 21 of cavotricuspid isthmus linear ablations with radiofrequency catheter were added. In all patients, R-HR increased from 58.9 ± 9.2bpm to 72.4 ± 9.5bpm (P < 0.01) and CVR-R decreased from 2.36 ± 1.08% to 1.24 ± 0.68% (P < 0.01), respectively. In Group-U50 (n = 14; male gender 64%; age 67.6 ± 12.4 years), R-HR increased from 47.1 ± 2.1bpm to 64.4 ± 7.9bpm (P < 0.01) and CVR-R decreased from 2.58 ± 1.59% to 1.34 ± 0.82% (P < 0.01), respectively. In Group-O70 (n = 17; male gender 43%; age 67.4 ± 12.6 years), R-HR increased from 73.7 ± 2.8bpm to 81.8 ± 7.4bpm (P < 0.01) and CVR-R decreased from 2.33 ± 0.94% to 1.14 ± 0.52% (P < 0.01), respectively. Values of CVR-R before and after CBA showed no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

After CBA, R-HR increment and CVR-R decrement were significantly observed. CVR-R was halved regardless of pre–procedural R-HR. Damages to GP by CBA would be reflected as denervation of vagus nerves in CANS. R-HR increase might be associated with parasympathetic suppression of CANS.

Self-assembly of lattices with high structural complexity from a geometrically simple molecule

Here we report an anomalous porous molecular crystal built of C-H···N-bonded double-layered roof-floor components and wall components of a segregatively interdigitated architecture. This complicated porous structure consists of only one type of fully aromatic multijoint molecule carrying three identical dipyridylphenyl wedges. Despite its high symmetry, this molecule accomplishes difficult tasks by using two of its three wedges for roof-floor formation and using its other wedge for wall formation. Although a C-H···N bond is extremely labile, the porous crystal maintains its porosity until thermal breakdown of the C-H···N bonds at 202°C occurs, affording a nonporous polymorph. Though this nonporous crystal survives even at 325°C, it can retrieve the parent porosity under acetonitrile vapor. These findings show how one can translate simplicity into ultrahigh complexity.

Multichromosomal structure of the onion mitochondrial genome and a transcript analysis

The structures of plant mitochondrial genomes are more complex than those of animals. One of the reasons for this is that plant mitochondrial genomes typically have many long and short repeated sequences and intra- and intermolecular recombination may create various DNA molecules in this organelle. Recombination may sometimes create a novel gene that causes cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). The onion has several cytoplasm types, with some causing CMS while others do not. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the onion was reported for an inbred line with CMS-S cytoplasm; however, the number of differences between onion strains remains unclear, and studies on purified mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have not yet been performed. Furthermore, analyses of transcripts in the mitochondrial genome have not been conducted. In the present study, we examined the mitochondrial genome of the onion variety "Momiji-3" (Allium cepa L.) possessing CMS-S-type cytoplasm using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The "Momiji-3" mitochondrial genome mainly exists as three circles as a result of recombination through repeated sequences and we herein succeeded for the first time in visualizing its structure using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The ability to clarify the structure of the mitochondrial genome is rare in plant mitochondria; therefore, "Momiji-3" represents a good example for elucidating complex plant mitochondrial genomes. We also mapped transcript data to the mitochondrial genome in order to identify the RNA-editing positions in all gene-coding regions and estimate the expression levels of genes. We identified 635 editing positions in gene-coding regions. Start and stop codons were created by RNA editing in six genes (nad1, nad4L, atp6, atp9, ccmFC, and orf725). The transcript amounts of novel open reading frames (ORFs) were all markedly lower than those of functional genes. These results suggest that a new functional gene was not present in the mitochondrial genome of "Momiji-3", and that the candidate gene for CMS is orf725, as previously reported.

In Situ Tissue Engineering of the Bile Duct Using Polypropylene Mesh-Collagen Tubes

Multiple attempts have been made to replace biliary defects with a variety of materials. Recently, successful biliary reconstruction using the Gore-Tex vascular graft has been reported experimentally and clinically We designed a new artificial bile duct consisting of collagen sponge and polypropylene mesh. We presently evaluated the feasibility of using this prosthesis as a scaffold for bile duct tissue regeneration in a canine model. Our prosthesis, a sponge made from porcine dermal collagen, is reinforced with a polypropylene mesh cylinder. We used the prosthesis to reconstruct the middle portion of the common bile duct in seven beagle dogs to evaluate its efficacy. While one dog died of biliary stricture 8 months after operation, six survived without problems to scheduled time points for tissue evaluation at 1 to 12 months. All prostheses had become completely incorporated into the host. A confluent epithelial lining was observed within 3 months. In cholangiograms the prosthesis displayed long-term patency in the six dogs and provided satisfactory bile drainage for up to 12 months. Our graft thus shows promise for repair of biliary defects and should lead to development of a new treatment for biliary reconstruction.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequences of Brassica rapa (Chinese cabbage and mizuna), and intraspecific differentiation of cytoplasm in B. rapa and Brassica juncea

The complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome was determined for two cultivars of Brassica rapa. After determining the sequence of a Chinese cabbage variety, 'Oushou hakusai', the sequence of a mizuna variety, 'Chusei shiroguki sensuji kyomizuna', was mapped against the sequence of Chinese cabbage. The precise sequences where the two varieties demonstrated variation were ascertained by direct sequencing. It was found that the mitochondrial genomes of the two varieties are identical over 219,775 bp, with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) between the genomes. Because B. rapa is the maternal species of an amphidiploid crop species, Brassica juncea, the distribution of the SNP was observed both in B. rapa and B. juncea. While the mizuna type SNP was restricted mainly to cultivars of mizuna (japonica group) in B. rapa, the mizuna type was widely distributed in B. juncea. The finding that the two Brassica species have these SNP types in common suggests that the nucleotide substitution occurred in wild B. rapa before both mitotypes were domesticated. It was further inferred that the interspecific hybridization between B. rapa and B. nigra took place twice and resulted in the two mitotypes of cultivated B. juncea.

Redox-Responsive Molecular Systems and Materials

Redox reactions can alter the electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of molecules and their ensembles by adding or removing electrons. Here, the developments made over the past 10 years using molecular events are discussed, such as assembly/disassembly, transformation of ensembles, geometric changes, and molecular motions that are designed to be redox-responsive. Considerable progress has occurred in the application of these events to the realization of electronic memory, color displays, actuators, adhesives, and drug delivery. In these cases, systems behave in either a highly or a poorly correlated manner depending on the number of redox-active units involved, based on the method of integration. One of the great advantages of redox-responsive devices and materials is that they have the potential to be readily integrated into existing electronic technologies.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of black mustard (Brassica nigra; BB) and comparison with Brassica oleracea (CC) and Brassica carinata (BBCC)

Crop species of Brassica (Brassicaceae) consist of three monogenomic species and three amphidiploid species resulting from interspecific hybridizations among them. Until now, mitochondrial genome sequences were available for only five of these species. We sequenced the mitochondrial genome of the sixth species, Brassica nigra (nuclear genome constitution BB), and compared it with those of Brassica oleracea (CC) and Brassica carinata (BBCC). The genome was assembled into a 232 145 bp circular sequence that is slightly larger than that of B. oleracea (219 952 bp). The genome of B. nigra contained 33 protein-coding genes, 3 rRNA genes, and 17 tRNA genes. The cox2-2 gene present in B. oleracea was absent in B. nigra. Although the nucleotide sequences of 52 genes were identical between B. nigra and B. carinata, the second exon of rps3 showed differences including an insertion/deletion (indel) and nucleotide substitutions. A PCR test to detect the indel revealed intraspecific variation in rps3, and in one line of B. nigra it amplified a DNA fragment of the size expected for B. carinata. In addition, the B. carinata lines tested here produced DNA fragments of the size expected for B. nigra. The results indicate that at least two mitotypes of B. nigra were present in the maternal parents of B. carinata.

Cytoplasmic male sterility in Brassicaceae crops

Brassicaceae crops display strong hybrid vigor, and have long been subject to F1 hybrid breeding. Because the most reliable system of F1 seed production is based on cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), various types of CMS have been developed and adopted in practice to breed Brassicaceae oil seed and vegetable crops. CMS is a maternally inherited trait encoded in the mitochondrial genome, and the male sterile phenotype arises as a result of interaction of a mitochondrial CMS gene and a nuclear fertility restoring (Rf) gene. Therefore, CMS has been intensively investigated for gaining basic insights into molecular aspects of nuclear-mitochondrial genome interactions and for practical applications in plant breeding. Several CMS genes have been identified by molecular genetic studies, including Ogura CMS from Japanese radish, which is the most extensively studied and most widely used. In this review, we discuss Ogura CMS, and other CMS systems, and the causal mitochondrial genes for CMS. Studies on nuclear Rf genes and the cytoplasmic effects of alien cytoplasm on general crop performance are also reviewed. Finally, some of the unresolved questions about CMS are highlighted.

Manipulation of discrete nanostructures by selective modulation of noncovalent forces

Covalent organic synthesis commonly uses the strategy of selective bond cleavage and formation. If a similar approach can be applied stepwisely to noncovalent synthesis, more exotic or challenging nanostructures might become achievable. Here, we report that ferrocene-based tetratopic pyridyl ligands, which can dynamically change their geometry by means of thermal rotation of their cyclopentadienyl rings in solution, assemble with AgBF4 into discrete metal-organic nanotubes with large and uniform diameters. The nanotubes can be cut into metal-organic nanorings through selective attenuation of the inter-nanoring interaction via ferrocene oxidation. The resultant nanorings can be transferred onto inorganic substrates electrostatically or allowed to reassemble to form the original nanotube by the reductive neutralization of their oxidized ferrocene units.

Successful lung transplantation in a case with diffuse pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Diffuse pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are associated with a poor prognosis and the therapeutic strategy remains controversial. We describe a pediatric patient with diffuse pulmonary AVMs associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), who presented with two cerebral AVMs in the parietal and occipital lobes as well. Of note, successful bilateral lung transplantation not only improved the hypoxemia but also resulted in size reduction of the cerebral AVMs. Although it is essential to consider involvements other than pulmonary AVMs, especially brain AVMs, to decide the indication, lung transplantation can be a viable therapeutic option for patients with diffuse pulmonary AVMs and HHT.

Variations in the structure and transcription of the mitochondrial atp and cox genes in wild Solanum species that induce male sterility in eggplant (S. melongena)

In order to determine the molecular basis of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in alloplasmic lines of eggplant, the genomic structures and transcription patterns of mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit (atp) and cytochrome oxidase subunit (cox) genes were studied for wild and cultivated eggplants. Alloplasmic eggplant lines with cytoplasms of wild Solanum species showing either anther indehiscent type of CMS or non-pollen production type of CMS were studied with the cultivated eggplant Solanum melongena, used as a control. Southern hybridization of the mitochondrial genes indicated the difference between the two types of CMS and showed complete identity within each type. The cytoplasmic patterns of all wild species differed from that of the cultivated eggplant. Thus, the cytoplasm of the six wild eggplants and the one cultivated eggplant was classified into three groups. Male sterile plants of both types of CMS showed novel transcription patterns of atp1, whereas a different transcription pattern of cox2 was observed only in the anther indehiscent type. Based on these differences, we determined the DNA sequences of about a 4 kbp segment in the atp1 region. Although the coding and 3' flanking regions were almost identical among the cytoplasms, the 5' flanking region was completely different and novel open reading frames (orfs) were found for each of the CMS types and the cultivated eggplant. The cytoplasm of Solanum kurzii inducing the anther indehiscent type CMS had orf312, and those of Solanum aethiopicum and Solanum grandifolium of non-pollen production type CMS had orf218. The correspondence between the transcription patterns of these orfs and phenotypic expression of male sterility strongly suggests that these orfs are causal genes for each type of CMS.

A possible breakage of linkage disequilibrium between mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes during Emmer and Dinkel wheat evolution

In wheat (Triticum) and Aegilops, chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes have been studied for over three decades to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among species, and most of the maternal lineages of polyploid species have been clarified. Mitochondrial genomes of Emmer (tetraploid with nuclear genome AABB) and Dinkel (hexaploid with AABBDD) wheat are classified into two different types, VIIa and VIIb, by the presence–absence of the third largest HindIII fragment (named H3) in the mitochondrial DNA. Although the mitochondrial genome in the genera often provides useful information to clarify the phylogenetic relationship among closely related species, the phylogenetic significance of this dimorphism has yet not been clarified. In this study, to facilitate analysis using a large number of accessions, a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker that distinguishes the type VIIb mitochondrial genome from type VIIa was first developed. Mitochondrial genome type was determined for each of 30 accessions of wild and cultivated Emmer wheat and 25 accessions of Dinkel wheat. The mitochondrial genome type for each accession was compared with the plastogroup that had been determined using chloroplast microsatellite markers. Unexpectedly, the distribution of mitochondrial genome type was not in accordance with that of the plastogroups, suggesting occasional paternal leakage of either the mitochondrial or chloroplast genome during speciation and differentiation of Emmer and Dinkel wheat. An alternative possibility that substoichiometric shifting is involved in the observed dimorphism of the mitochondrial genome is also discussed.

A complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Ogura-type male-sterile cytoplasm and its comparative analysis with that of normal cytoplasm in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

BACKGROUND

Plant mitochondrial genome has unique features such as large size, frequent recombination and incorporation of foreign DNA. Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is caused by rearrangement of the mitochondrial genome, and a novel chimeric open reading frame (ORF) created by shuffling of endogenous sequences is often responsible for CMS. The Ogura-type male-sterile cytoplasm is one of the most extensively studied cytoplasms in Brassicaceae. Although the gene orf138 has been isolated as a determinant of Ogura-type CMS, no homologous sequence to orf138 has been found in public databases. Therefore, how orf138 sequence was created is a mystery. In this study, we determined the complete nucleotide sequence of two radish mitochondrial genomes, namely, Ogura- and normal-type genomes, and analyzed them to reveal the origin of the gene orf138.

RESULTS

Ogura- and normal-type mitochondrial genomes were assembled to 258,426-bp and 244,036-bp circular sequences, respectively. Normal-type mitochondrial genome contained 33 protein-coding and three rRNA genes, which are well conserved with the reported mitochondrial genome of rapeseed. Ogura-type genomes contained same genes and additional atp9. As for tRNA, normal-type contained 17 tRNAs, while Ogura-type contained 17 tRNAs and one additional trnfM. The gene orf138 was specific to Ogura-type mitochondrial genome, and no sequence homologous to it was found in normal-type genome. Comparative analysis of the two genomes revealed that radish mitochondrial genome consists of 11 syntenic regions (length >3 kb, similarity >99.9%). It was shown that short repeats and overlapped repeats present in the edge of syntenic regions were involved in recombination events during evolution to interconvert two types of mitochondrial genome. Ogura-type mitochondrial genome has four unique regions (2,803 bp, 1,601 bp, 451 bp and 15,255 bp in size) that are non-syntenic to normal-type genome, and the gene orf138 was found to be located at the edge of the largest unique region. Blast analysis performed to assign the unique regions showed that about 80% of the region was covered by short homologous sequences to the mitochondrial sequences of normal-type radish or other reported Brassicaceae species, although no homology was found for the remaining 20% of sequences.

CONCLUSIONS

Ogura-type mitochondrial genome was highly rearranged compared with the normal-type genome by recombination through one large repeat and multiple short repeats. The rearrangement has produced four unique regions in Ogura-type mitochondrial genome, and most of the unique regions are composed of known Brassicaceae mitochondrial sequences. This suggests that the regions unique to the Ogura-type genome were generated by integration and shuffling of pre-existing mitochondrial sequences during the evolution of Brassicaceae, and novel genes such as orf138 could have been created by the shuffling process of mitochondrial genome.

Pluripotency of a polyploid H1 (ES) cell system without leukaemia inhibitory factor

OBJECTIVES

Tetraploid cells are strictly biologically inhibited from composition of embryos; by the same token, only diploid cells compose embryos. However, the distinction between diploid and tetraploid cells in development has not been well explained. To examine pluripotency of polyploid ES cells, a polyploid embryonic stem (ES)-cell system was prepared.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diploid, tetraploid, pentaploid, hexaploid, octaploid and decaploid H1 (ES) cells (2H1, 4H1, 5H1, 6H1, 8H1 and 10H1 cells, respectively) were cultured for about 460 days in L15F10 medium without leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF). The cells cultured under LIF-free conditions were denoted as 2H1(-), 4H1(-), 5H1(-), 6H1(-), 8H1(-) and 10H1(-) cells, respectively. Pluripotency and gene expression were examined.

RESULTS

Ploidy alteration of H1(-) cells was similar to that of H1 cells. The polyploid H1(-) cells showed positive activity of alkaline phosphatase, suggesting that they maintained pluripotency in vitro without LIF. The polyploid H1(-) cells formed teratocarcinomas in mouse abdomen, suggesting they could differentiate in mouse abdomen in vivo. 2H1, 4H1 and polyploid H1(-) cells expressed nanog, oct3/4 and sox2 genes, suggesting that they fulfilled the criteria of ES cells. Nanog gene was significantly over-expressed in 4H1 and polyploid H1(-) cells, suggesting that overexpression of nanog gene was a characteristic of polyploid H1 cells.

CONCLUSION

Polyploid H1 (ES) cells retained pluripotency in vitro, without LIF with nanog over-expression.

DNA-unstable decaploid mouse H1 (ES) cells established from DNA-stable pentaploid H1 (ES) cells polyploidized using demecolcine

OBJECTIVES

DNA content of diploid H1 (ES) cells (2H1 cells) has been shown to be stable in long-term culture; however, tetraploid and octaploid H1 (ES) cells (4H1 and 8H1 cells, respectively) were DNA-unstable. Pentaploid H1 (ES) cells (5H1 cells) established recently have been found to be DNA-stable; how, then is cell DNA stability determined? To discuss ploidy stability, decaploid H1 (ES) cells (10H1 cells) were established from 5H1 cells and examined for DNA stability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

5H1 cells were polyploidized using demecolcine (DC) and 10H1 cells were obtained by one-cell cloning.

RESULTS

Number of chromosomes of 10H1 cells was 180 and durations of their G(1), S, and G(2)/M phases were 3, 7 and 6 h respectively. Volume of 10H1 cells was double that of 5H1 cells and morphology of 10H1 cells was flagstone-like in shape. 10H1 cells exhibited alkaline phosphatase activity and their DNA content decayed in 91 days of culture. 10H1 cells injected into mouse abdomen formed solid tumours that contained several kinds of differentiated cells with lower DNA content, suggesting that 10H1 cells were pluripotent and DNA-unstable. Loss of DNA stability was explained using a hypothesis concerning DNA structure of polyploid cells as DNA reconstructed through ploidy doubling was arranged in mirror symmetry in a new configuration.

CONCLUSION

In the pentaploid-decaploid transition of H1 cells, cell cycle parameters and pluripotency were retained, but morphology and DNA stability were altered.