Evidence that activation of Src family kinase is not required for fertilization-associated [Ca2+]i oscillations in mouse eggs

Recent evidence in marine invertebrate, frog, and zebrafish eggs suggests the involvement of a Src family kinase (SFK) in fertilization-induced Ca2+ release. In the present study, we have investigated whether activation of an SFK is required for initiation of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) oscillations in mouse fertilization. We detected a Hck-like protein and tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in soluble and insoluble sperm fractions, respectively. However, the presence of these proteins did not correspond to the active fractions of porcine sperm extracts (pSE). Moreover, [Ca2+]i oscillations induced by pSE in mouse eggs were unaltered by pre-incubation of pSE with specific SFK inhibitors such as 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazol[3,4-d]-pyrimidine (PP2) or lavendustin A, despite the fact that the inhibitors were shown to be active both in vivo and in vitro. Another SFK inhibitor, peptide A, blocked oscillations when incubated with pSE prior to injection into eggs, but this inhibition required more than ten times the concentration reportedly required to inhibit SFK activity. In addition, pre-injection or pre-incubation of eggs with these inhibitors did not affect the ability of pSE to trigger [Ca2+]i oscillations in mouse eggs. Microinjection of a recombinant c-Src protein or mRNAs encoding constitutively active Src proteins did not induce [Ca2+]i release. Finally, when sperm and eggs, both of which were pre-treated with PP2, were fertilized, [Ca2+]i oscillations occurred normally. We can therefore conclude that activation of an SFK is neither necessary nor sufficient for triggering fertilization-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations.     

Structure–property relationship in polybutadiene–polyamide multiblock copolymers

Two kinds of aromatic–aliphatic polyamide oligomers were newly prepared by the reactant pairs of 3,4′-oxydianiline–adipic acid and 3,4′-oxydianiline–azelaic acid. These oligomers were then condensed separately with α, ω-polybutadienedicarboxylic acid giving two series of polybutadiene–polyamide multiblock copolymers. Properties of four series of polybutadiene–polyamide multiblock copolymers, whose polyamide blocks consisted of not only newly prepared polyamides but also previously synthesized aromatic polyamides derived from 4,4′-oxydianiline–isophthalic acid and 3,4′-oxydianiline–isophthalic acid, were investigated on the view point of structure-property relationship. A larger extent of the T_g depression of polybutadiene phase, and higher tensile strength and modulus were observed in the block copolymers having aromatic polyamides compared with those having aliphatic ones.     

Direct imaging of molecular chains in a poly(p-xylylene) single crystal

Individual chains comprising a β-form poly(p-xylylene) (PPX) single crystal were resolved with a high resolution electron microscope (JEM-500). In a polymer crystal the important limiting factor for resolution is radiation damage. The total end point dose of a PPX crystal is about 0.5 coulomb cm^?2 for 500 kV electron irradiation which is more than 20 times greater than that for a polyethylene crystal. The high resolution image obtained was processed by optical filtering to reduce noise due to the granularity of film. The processed image, which corresponds to the ab-plane projection of polymer chains, shows clearly the mutual arrangement of each molecule in the crystal. This high resolution image is sufficient to provide a starting point for determining the unknown crystal structure of the β-modification of PPX.     

Preparation of plasma-polymerized membranes from I-(trimethylsilyl)-I-propyne and gas permeability through the membranes

Summary Plasma-polymerized membranes for gas separation were prepared from 1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne. The permeation data of He, H₂ 0₂, N₂, CO₂, and CH₄ through the membranes showed plasma-polymerized 1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne had high permselectivity but low permeability compared with poly[l-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne]. This behavior is considered to be due to the crosslinking structure of the plasma-polymerized membrane. The correlation between plasma polymerization conditions and the membrane performance was studied. The optimum condition at which the deposition rate of the plasma polymer is maximized agreed with the optimum value to yield maximum separation factor of gases through the membrane.     

Dependence of Diamond Transition on Microtexture in Graphite Starting Materials under Shock Compression

The effect of microtexture on diamond transition was examined for graphite starting materials under shock compressions of 50 to 60 GPa and 80 to 90 GPa. Each of the starting materials used in the present study possessed a fully homogeneous microtexture. To distinguish the effect of microtexture from that of other experimental parameters, the shock conditions were standardized for all specimens tested. Three graphite materials—a glassy carbon, a carbon black, and a natural graphite—were selected and shock compressed using a quenching technique to generate conditions common to all samples. Detailed characterization by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy revealed a clear tendency: The lower the crystallinity and crystallite size of the starting graphite, the more easily the graphite transformed to diamond when the transition mechanism was reconstructive.     

Measurement of charge carrier's transportation in a large size self-standing CVD single crystal diamond film fabricated using lift-off method

Using lift-off method, we synthesized large self-standing plasma CVD diamond films on various substrates. Charge carrier transportation in diamond was measured using α particle measurements and TOF methods with a short-pulsed UV laser. The high-quality films were synthesized rapidly. We observed the maximum transit time of holes and electrons shorter than 5 ns. The lift-off method is useful to fabricate the high-quality diamond with excellent drift velocities of the charge carrier. The charge transport characteristics of our diamond films are comparable to those of a commercially available (Element Six Ltd.) electronics grade IIa diamond single crystal.     

Synthesis and properties of novel side-chain-sulfonated polyimides from bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)-2-(3-sulfobenzoyl)]phenyl sulfone

A novel side-chain-sulfonated aromatic diamine of bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)-2-(3-sulfobenzoyl)]phenyl sulfone (BAPSBPS) was synthesized. Sulfonated copolyimides were synthesized by random and sequenced block copolymerization of 1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride, BAPSBPS and nonsulfonated diamine. They displayed good solubility in common aprotic solvents and high desulfonation temperature of 350 °C, suggesting the high stability of sulfonic acid groups. The reduced viscosity was in the range of 0.4-1.8 dl/g at 0.5 g/dl and 35 °C. Flexible and tough membranes with reasonably high mechanical strength were prepared. They showed anisotropic membrane swelling with larger swelling in thickness than in plane. They displayed reasonably high proton conductivity (σ), taking their lower ion exchanging capacity (IEC) into account. For example, the membrane with IEC of 1.54 mequiv/g showed σ values of 81 and 11 mS/cm in water and 70% RH, respectively, at 60 °C.