Researchers around the world are developing technologies to minimize carbon dioxide emissions or carbon neutrality in various fields. In this study, the dry spinning of regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) ...was achieved as a proof of concept for a process using ionic liquids as dissolution aids and plasticizers in developing natural polymeric materials. A dry spinning equipment system combining a stainless-steel syringe and a brushless motor was built to generate fiber compacts from a dope of silk fibroin obtained by degumming silkworm silk cocoons and ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (HMIMCl) according to a general method. The maximum stress and maximum elongation of the RSF fibers were 159.9 MPa and 31.5%, respectively. RSF fibers containing ionic liquids have a homogeneous internal structure according to morphological investigations. Elemental analysis of fiber cross sections revealed the homogeneous distribution of nonvolatile ionic liquid HMIMCl in RSF fibers. Furthermore, the removal of ionic liquids from RSF fibers through impregnation washing with organic solvents was verified to enhance industrial applications. Tensile testing showed that the fiber strength could be maintained even after removing the ionic liquid. Thermogravimetric analysis results show that the organic solvent 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol is chemically coordinated to silk fibroin and, as a natural polymer, can withstand heat up to 250 °C.
As a summary of this study, at first, Questionnaire of selective question was performed. At second, Landscape resources were extracted by cluster analysis based on the questionnaire of free ...description. At third, Landscape characteristics were extracted by text mining analysis based on free writing. As a result, usability of data and analysis methods were exposed by questionnaire in Akita city. We think, this result is useful about landscape policies in other city.
In this paper, in situ surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) based on both an open and a coated system, without using volatile reagents, was developed to overcome the ...limited usage of ATRP due to the necessity of sealing. Nonvolatile ionic liquid (IL)-type components were used, specifically
,
-diethyl-
-(2-methacryloylethyl)-
-methylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide as the polymerizable monomer and
-diethylmethyl(2-methoxyethyl)ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide as the polymerization solvent. In the experiment, the reversible-deactivation radical polymerization characteristics are properly ensured in nonvolatile ATRP solution coated on silicon wafer as thin liquid film, to form concentrated polymer brushes (CPBs). The average molecular weight and molecular-weight distribution of the polymer produced in the liquid film and formed on silicon wafer were measured by gel permeation chromatography, which confirms that the polymerization reaction occurred as designed. Furthermore, it is clarified that the surface of the polymer brush synthesized in situ swollen by IL also exhibited low friction characteristics, comparable to that synthesized in a typical immersion process. This paper is the first to establish the effectiveness of in situ preparation for CPBs by using the coating technique.
As a summary of this study, at first, Questionnaire of selective question was performed. At second, Landscape resources were extracted by cluster analysis based on the questionnaire of free ...description. At third, Landscape characteristics were extracted by text mining analysis based on free writing. As a result, usability of data and analysis methods were exposed by questionnaire in Akita city. We think, this result is useful about landscape policies in other city.
Rice powder extract (RPE) from black and brown rice (Oryza sativa L. indica) improves hepatic lipid accumulation in obese and diabetic model mice via peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation. RPE showed ...PPARα agonistic activity which did not differ between black and brown RPE despite a higher anthocyanin content in black RPE.
Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (Lgr4) is a type of membrane receptor with a seven-transmembrane structure. LGR4 is homologous to gonadotropin receptors, such as ...follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (Fshr) and luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (Lhcgr). Recently, it has been reported that Lgr4 is a membrane receptor for R-spondin ligands, which mediate Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Defects of R-spondin homolog (Rspo1) and wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 4 (Wnt4) cause masculinization of female gonads. We observed that Lgr4−/− female mice show abnormal development of the Wolffian ducts and somatic cells similar to that in the male gonads. Lgr4−/− female mice exhibited masculinization similar to that observed in Rspo1-deficient mice. In Lgr4−/− ovarian somatic cells, the expression levels of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (Lefl) and Axin2 (Axin2), which are target genes of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, were lower than they were in wild-type mice. This study suggests that Lgr4 is critical for ovarian somatic cell specialization via the cooperative signaling of Rspo1 and Wnt/beta-catenin.
Brown adipocyte activation or beige adipocyte emergence in white adipose tissue (WAT) increases energy expenditure, leading to a reduction in body fat mass and improved glucose metabolism. We found ...that activin E functions as a hepatokine that enhances thermogenesis in response to cold exposure through beige adipocyte emergence in inguinal WAT (ingWAT). Hepatic activin E overexpression activated thermogenesis through Ucp1 upregulation in ingWAT and other adipose tissues including interscapular brown adipose tissue and mesenteric WAT. Hepatic activin E-transgenic mice exhibited improved insulin sensitivity. Inhibin βE gene silencing inhibited cold-induced Ucp1 induction in ingWAT. Furthermore, in vitro experiments suggested that activin E directly stimulated expression of Ucp1 and Fgf21, which was mediated by transforming growth factor-β or activin type I receptors. We uncovered a function of activin E to stimulate energy expenditure through brown and beige adipocyte activation, suggesting a possible preventive or therapeutic target for obesity.
The pandemic caused by the new type corona virus is now going to change the structure of our society from the ground. Under such a circumstance, we can see so much interest in “ infection ” among us ...people in the world, inevitably. With the increase interest, the market relating to antibacterial matters is now expanding very rapidly. The antibacterial phenomena can be considered as correlation between materials’ surfaces and microbiome environments. Therefore, problem solving approach from the viewpoint of surface finishing technology can pave the way to establish effective countermeasures. Surface Finishing and Coating technology is one of the promising ways to solve the industrial problems in the field, not only from business, but also from humanitarian standpoints. In this paper, we introduced the evaluation methods for antibacterial, antivirus and antibiofilm coatings in microbiome environments and tried to show our trial research and development for them.
Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (Lgr4) is a type of membrane receptor with a seven-transmembrane structure. LGR4 is homologous to gonadotropin receptors, such as ...follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (Fshr) and luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (Lhcgr). Recently, it has been reported that Lgr4 is a membrane receptor for R-spondin ligands, which mediate Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Defects of R-spondin homolog (Rspo1) and wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 4 (Wnt4) cause masculinization of female gonads. We observed that Lgr4(-/-) female mice show abnormal development of the Wolffian ducts and somatic cells similar to that in the male gonads. Lgr4(-/-) female mice exhibited masculinization similar to that observed in Rspo1-deficient mice. In Lgr4(-/-) ovarian somatic cells, the expression levels of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (Lefl) and Axin2 (Axin2), which are target genes of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, were lower than they were in wild-type mice. This study suggests that Lgr4 is critical for ovarian somatic cell specialization via the cooperative signaling of Rspo1 and Wnt/beta-catenin.
Edman degradation is a well-known method for obtaining amino acid (AA) sequences from a peptide by means of sequential reactions that release the N-terminal AAs from the peptide as a ...phenylthiohydantoin (PTH) derivative. Because of unexpected loss during the reaction and handling, there are few reports of use of this reaction for quantification. This manuscript describes the development of isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for 20 PTH-AA derivatives, and long-term stability testing of PTH-AAs to ensure quantitative quality in the reaction. The 20 corresponding (13)C(6)-PTH-AAs were prepared by use of a one-pot reaction involving a mixture of (13)C(6)-Edman reagent and 20 AAs. Good linearity was observed for standard curves for the PTH-AAs, using the corresponding (13)C(6)-PTH-AAs as internal standards (1-100 pmol per injection, r(2)=0.989-1.000). Serum albumin (human), pepsin (porcine stomach mucosa), alpha -casein (bovine milk), ribonuclease A (bovine), lysozyme (chicken egg white), and insulin (bovine) subjected to Edman degradation were examined as model proteins and peptides for N-terminal AA analysis. The results of the impurity test were satisfactory. Yield from the entire reaction with human serum albumin was estimated to be at least 75 %, indicating great potential for absolute quantification of proteins without protein standards.
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