Photoactivable Elimination of Tumorigenic Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells by Using a Lectin–Doxorubicin Prodrug Conjugate

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are attractive resources for regenerative medicine, but medical applications are hindered by their tumorigenic potential. Previously, a hPSC-specific lectin probe, rBC2LCN, was identified through comprehensive glycome analysis by using high-density lectin microarrays. Herein, a lectin–doxorubicin (DOX) prodrug conjugate, with controllable photolysis activation for the elimination of tumorigenic human induced pluripotent stem cells, has been developed. rBC2LCN was fused with a biotin-binding protein, tamavidin (BC2Tama), and the fusion protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by means of affinity chromatography. BC2Tama was then conjugated with doxorubicin-photocleavable biotin (DOXPCB). The BC2Tama–DOXPCB conjugates were observed to bind to hPSCs followed by internalization. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light, DOX was released inside the cells, which allowed specific killing of the hPSCs. Thus, BC2Tama–DOXPCB should be useful for the targeted elimination of hPSCs contained in hPSC-derived cell therapy products. This is the first report of the generation of lectin–prodrug conjugates. BC2Tama should be applicable for the targeted delivery of various types of biotinylated compounds into hPSCs.     

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Biomarkers for Neurodegenerative Diseases

There has been an increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases with the rapid increase in aging societies worldwide. Biomarkers that can be used to detect pathological changes before the development of severe neuronal loss and consequently facilitate early intervention with disease-modifying therapeutic modalities are therefore urgently needed. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising tool that can be used to infer microstructural characteristics of the brain, such as microstructural integrity and complexity, as well as axonal density, order, and myelination, through the utilization of water molecules that are diffused within the tissue, with displacement at the micron scale. Diffusion tensor imaging is the most commonly used diffusion MRI technique to assess the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. However, diffusion tensor imaging has several limitations, and new technologies, including neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, diffusion kurtosis imaging, and free-water imaging, have been recently developed as approaches to overcome these constraints. This review provides an overview of these technologies and their potential as biomarkers for the early diagnosis and disease progression of major neurodegenerative diseases.     

Pulverization mechanism of hydrogen storage alloys on microscale packing structure

In-situ and transient visualizations of the packing structure of a hydrogen storage alloy bed are carried out using an X-ray computed tomography (CT) system. The packing structure is clearly observed on the microscale using the CT system. When the alloy bed is subjected to hydrogen absorption–desorption cycles, the pulverization progresses from the lower to the upper regions of the bed. After several hydrogen absorption–desorption cycles, the packing structure in the lower region of the bed changes and the microstructural void decreases slightly. Based on these results, we propose a pulverization mechanism of the packed bed in which the friction between particles affects the pulverization process.     

Cooperative enhancement of deoxyribozyme activity by chemical modification and added cationic copolymer

Deoxyribozymes (DNAzymes) having RNA-cleaving activity have widely been explored as tools for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Both the chemical cleaving step and the turnover step should be improved for enhancing overall activity of DNAzymes. We have shown that cationic copolymer enhanced DNAzyme activity by increasing turnover efficacy. In this paper, effectｓ of the copolymer on DNAzymes modified with locked nucleic acids (LNA) or 2′-O-methylated (2′-OMe) nucleic acids were studied. The copolymer increased activity of these chemically modified DNAzymes. More than 30-fold enhancement in multiple-turnover catalytic activity was observed with 2′-OMe-modified DNAzyme in the presence of the copolymer. DNAzyme catalytic activity was successfully enhanced by cooperation of the added copolymer and chemical modification of DNAzyme.     

Preparation of ultrafine polyurethane fiber web by laser‐electrospinning combined with air blowing

Thermoplastic polyurethane fiber webs were prepared using a laser‐heated electrospinning process combined with air blowing. The effect of spinning conditions such as air flow rate and air temperature on fiber diameter and molecular weight was investigated. Although the average fiber diameter decreased with increased air flow rate at each air temperature, the diameter increased when the air flow rate was >15 NL min^?1. In addition, the fiber was comparatively thicker with an increase in the air temperature. The variation in the fiber diameter tends to increase with the air flow rate, and a reduction in the molecular weight of the fiber by thermal degradation was suppressed. The thinnest and most uniform fiber with a diameter of 0.9 µm and a diameter coefficient variation of 15% was obtained at an air temperature of 25°C under an air flow rate of 15 NL min^?1. This fiber also had a minimum of decreased molecular weight. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2605–2609, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanochemical solid-phase reaction between polyvinylidene fluoride and sodium hydroxide

Grinding a mixture of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and NaOH was conducted by a planetary ball mill at atmospheric condition to investigate mechanochemical reaction between the two substances. The grinding stimulates the reaction to form NaF and organic composites. Yield of fluorine converted from PVDF to NaF increases with an increase in grinding time and reaches 90% at 60 min or more. As for the organic phase, oxygen-bearing compounds are formed due to substitution of fluorine by OH base. The organic compounds are classified into water-soluble and insoluble ones, depending on their structures. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2249–2252, 2001     

Rotary scanning wireless temperature measurement method for hyperthermia using ferromagnetic implants

Recently, the use of a ferromagnetic material in a soft‐heating method has garnered much attention as a novel method for cancer treatment. By concurrently using this material as a thermal probe, we are currently developing a minimally invasive heating and wireless temperature measurement system. To make the approach feasible in a clinical setting, it is vital to overcome the key challenge of heating the local tumor at a constant temperature. In previous conventional approaches, it was necessary to switch the induction‐heating power supply on/off after the target tumor temperature was reached. However, it cannot determine the temperature of the material during the power‐off period. Therefore, we changed this approach and found that by adjusting the distance between the heating coil and the material while maintaining a constant current flow in heating coil, the drift problem, which happened just after power is supplied during the on/off operation, did not occur any longer. Accordingly, it was not required to use multiple sensors to reduce the drift, thereby minimizing the cost. This study verifies the validity of our wireless thermometry approach while performing rotary scanning and proposes a technique for determining achievement of the target temperature. This knowledge complements other approaches for cancer treatment utilizing hyperthermia. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Measurement method of plasma current and density in atmospheric pressure plasma jet

We present a measurement method of the plasma current and density in an atmospheric‐pressure plasma generated using a quartz tube, helium gas, and copper foil electrode by applying a high RF voltage. The plasma in the form of a bullet is released as a plume or jet into the atmosphere. To study the characteristics of the atmospheric‐pressure plasma, the plasma current is measured using a current probe, and the drift velocity of plasma plume is measured using a photodetector. The current of the plasma plume is estimated by subtracting the ground line current from the power line current in the circuit. The density of plasma plume n is estimated from the plasma plume current I and the drift velocity v as I = envS, where S is the cross section of plasma plume. The density of the released plasma into the atmosphere is estimated as ∼10¹⁸ m⁻³ by the method. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.