Enhanced growth inhibition of hepatic multicellular tumor spheroids by lactosylated poly(ethylene glycol)-siRNA conjugate formulated in PEGylated polyplexes

PEGylated polyplexes (lac-PEGylated polyplexes) composed of poly(L-lysine) and lactosylated poly(ethylene glycol)-small interfering RNA conjugate, which inhibits the RecQL1 gene product, were revealed to show an appreciable growth inhibition of multicellular HuH-7 spheroids (human hepatocarcinoma cell lines) for up to 21 days (IC(50)=6 nM); this system used as an in vitro three-dimensional (3D) model mimicking the in vivo biology of tumors. The PEGylated polyplexes thus prepared had a size of approximately 110 nm with clustered lactose moieties on their periphery as targeting ligands for the asialoglycoprotein-receptor-expressing HuH-7 cells. In contrast, OligofectAMINE/siRNA (cationic lipoplex) was observed to have almost no growth-inhibitory effect against HuH-7 spheroids, even though the lipoplex showed a stronger growth-inhibitory effect than the lac-PEGylated polyplexes on conventional monolayer-cultured HuH-7 cells. The FITC-tagged conjugate in the lac-PEGylated polyplexes showed smooth penetration into the HuH-7 spheroids compared with that in the lipoplexes, as observed by confocal fluorescence-scanning microscopy. This indicates that the small size of approximately 100 nm and the reduced nonspecific interaction due to the nonionic and hydrophilic lactosylated PEG layer contributes to the smooth penetration of the PEGylated polyplexes into the spheroid interior, eventually facilitating their uptake into the cells composing the spheroids. Cellular apoptosis indicating programmed cell death was also observed in the HuH-7 spheroids treated with the PEGylated polyplexes, revealing that the observed growth inhibition was indeed induced by the RNAi of the RecQL1 siRNA. These data suggest that the smart PEGylated polyplexes can indeed penetrate into the multiple cell layers of 3D tumor masses in vivo, exerting therapeutic effects through the RNAi.     

Application of enzymatically gelled chitosan solutions to water‐resistant adhesives

An investigation was undertaken on the application of dilute chitosan solutions gelled by tyrosinase‐catalyzed reaction with 3,4‐dihydroxyphenethylamine (dopamine). The tyrosinase‐catalyzed reaction with dopamine conferred water‐resistant adhesive properties to the semidilute chitosan solutions. The viscosity of the chitosan solutions increased highly by the tyrosinase‐catalyzed reaction and the subsequent reactions between o‐quinone compounds and chitosan. These highly viscous, gel‐like modified chitosan materials were allowed to spread onto the surfaces of the glass slides, which were tightly lapped together and held them in water. Tensile shear adhesive strength of over 400 kPa was observed for the modified chitosan samples. The increase in the amino group concentration of the chitosan solutions and the molecular mass of the chitosan used effectively led to the increase in adhesive strength of the glass slides. In addition, in the case where the chitosan solution was gelled by the enzymatic reaction with dopamine in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol), adhesive strength sharply increased at shorter reaction times concomitantly with the increase in the viscosity of the chitosan solutions because the tyrosinase activity effectively was retained by poly(ethylene glycol). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1818–1827, 2007     

Fabricating microgrooves with varied cross-sections by electrodischarge machining

A two-step electrodischarge machining method was proposed for fabricating microgrooves with varied cross-sections on hard materials. Firstly, tungsten tool electrodes were shaped by wire electrodischarge grinding, and then the resulting tool electrodes were used to electrodischarge machine microgrooves on stainless steel. Preliminary experimental results showed that, in the first step, a sharp tool electrode with surface roughness of 0.3 µmRa could be achieved, and the surface roughness of the resulting groove was 0.16 µmRa in the second step. Voltage strongly affects the machining speed. A high voltage (>70 V) was preferable for improving the material removal rate. However, significant tool wear took place when using a high condenser capacitance at high voltages. To suppress tool wear, a high voltage and a small capacitance should be used. As test pieces, microgrooves having rectangular, triangular, circular and semi-closed cross-sections were fabricated.     

Adsorption and desorption properties of cationic polyethylene film gels to organic anions and their regeneration

An investigation was undertaken on the adsorption and desorption properties of 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate grafted polyethylene (PE‐g‐PDMAEMA) films to anionic dye anions with one to three sulfonic groups in response to pH and temperature changes. The amounts of dye anions adsorbed on the PE‐g‐PDMAEMA films passed through the maximum values at about pH 3 because of an increase in the protonation of dimethylamino groups caused by a decrease in the pH value. The amounts of adsorbed dye anions decreased below pH 3 because the ionic strength increased with the addition of HCl to adjust the initial pH values of the aqueous dye solutions. The amounts of adsorbed dye anions decreased with an increase in the number of sulfonic groups in the dye molecules at the same pH value because electrostatic repulsion was generated between free sulfonic groups of the dye anions adsorbed onto the PE‐g‐PDMAEMA films and free dye anions in the medium. A large number of dye anions adsorbed were desorbed from the PE‐g‐PDMAEMA film with initial pH values above 11.0. The cyclic processes of adsorption at pH 3.0 and desorption at pH 11.0 were repeated without considerable fatigue. The PE‐g‐PDMAEMA films showed practically regenerative adsorption and desorption behavior in response to the pH changes. In addition, when the dye‐anion‐adsorbed PE‐g‐PDMAEMA films were alternately immersed in water at two different temperatures, dye anions were desorbed in water at higher temperatures without any chemical agents because of the deprotonation of dimethylamino groups and thermosensitive contraction of grafted PDMAEMA chains. These results indicate that PE‐g‐PDMAEMA films can be applied as regenerative ion‐exchange membranes for adsorption and desorption processes of anionic compounds in response to the pH and temperature. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 381–391, 2006     

日本新建筑标准的结构抗火设计

本的目的是为了说明1998—2000期间日本建筑规程(日本建筑标准)以及相关技术标准的修订。考虑了功能要求后，规程修订趋向于以性能为主。在抗大这一章节中，功能要求指的是在发生火灾时防止结构倒塌以及火势向其他隔问的蔓延，同时还包括防止火势由失火建筑物内部向周围建筑的扩散。为了满足功能上的要求，我们提供了三种方法(A、B、C)。方法A是传统的设计方法，即建筑框架及隔墙采用防火构件。相对于方法A，新近引进了以考虑性能为主的方法B。在方法B中，由一系列设计公式计算出指定部分发生火灾可能产生的后果、结构和边界部分的热反应、构件破坏的临界时间。设计公式应足够简单，以便于建筑工程师和有关官员的使用。由方法B计算出的结果通常是保守的。方法C是一个框架，用最先进的设计方法。规程没有指定采用的设计方法，但是工程上火灾和结构分析的结果只有在全面地考证后才能被行业接受。     

Identification of a model of grinding wheel life by the group method of data handling

A mathematical model for grinding wheel redress life is identified by the polynomial theory of complex systems. Wheel speed, feed, grain size and grade are chosen as the independent variables from among the factors considered to have an effect on wheel wear through the identification of the model. The model obtained enables the redress life to be predicted for all combinations of grinding wheel, work material and grinding conditions, and serves as an aid in the optimization of the grinding process.     

Development of a swim-type ROV for narrow space inspection

The swim-type remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for inspection of narrow spaces in nuclear power plants has been developed. Many structures are crowded in a confined space at regular intervals in the bottom area of a reactor. So, the thickness of the ROV shape is an important design point to ensure that the ROV can move in the space. The developed ROV has a three-dimensional swimming mechanism using six thrusters, three cameras for observing the position while moving and for making inspections easily, and a localization system. The localization system combines two elements: a gyroscope to detect the progression direction; and a slit laser that detects the progression distance using the optical cutting method. The localization method is called the modified inertial navigation (MIN) method and it was evaluated in a mock-up examination. The ROV was able to move smoothly using the MIN method and its position could be detected without making a mistake in the route followed.     

Economic analysis of energy-saving renovation measures for urban existing residential buildings in China based on thermal simulation and site investigation

Energy-saving renovations of existing residential buildings have proven to be very helpful in alleviating the pressure of energy shortages and CO₂ emission, but an economic analysis of the measures by using a life cycle cost (LCC) method is very important and necessary to determine whether to implement them or not. Based on thermal simulation and site investigation, the paper uses one urban existing residential building in Hangzhou city of China as the subject building, and analyzes the economic benefits from the energy-saving renovation measures through the LCC method.     

Method for altering deformational characteristics of controlled-clearance piston-cylinders

A new controlled-clearance pressure balance has been developed to improve the hydraulic pressure standard for pressures up to 1 GPa. For several controlled-clearance (CC) piston-cylinders, characterization experiments based on the Heydemann-Welch (H-W) model were performed to estimate the pressure dependence of the effective area. The results of the experiments, specifically, the changes in the piston fall-rate and the generated pressure in response to the applied jacket pressure, are summarized for CC piston-cylinders of different pressure ranges. At pressures higher than a few hundred MPa, the characteristics of some piston-cylinders differed from those predicted by the H-W model. In this paper, a method for altering the deformational characteristics of CC piston-cylinders is examined. It was found that adjusting the area of the outer surface of the cylinder to which the jacket pressure is applied is an effective method for obtaining deformational characteristics that satisfy the conditions of the H-W model.     

Thermal Behavior of BaTiO3 Particles Synthesized by Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition

The thermal behavior of nanoparticles BaTiO₃, prepared by a radio-frequency plasma chemical vapor deposition (RF-plasma CVD) method, was characterized by various analysis methods. The BaCO₃ phase was included in the powder as byproducts, which is also observed in hydrothermal BaTiO₃ powder. The BaCO₃ phase decomposed and disappeared by annealing at 873 K for 30 min. H₂O, N₂, CO₂ and H₂, were detected by a thermal desorption spectra measurement from BaTiO₃ powder. The annealed powder became well-crystallized particles without grain growth, although as-prepared powder included polycrystalline particles. We successfully observed in-situ grain growth for BaTiO₃ nanoparticles by thermal transmission electron microscope. At the initial step of normal grain growth, very fine particles with 40–60 nm diameters started to merge into the larger grains around 1083 K. The migration rate was measured by video images and a grain boundary diffusion coefficient D_gb was calculated.