Bioinspired Color Elastomers Combining Structural, Dye, and Background Colors.

Organisms that alter body color undergo color change in response to environmental variations and stimuli by combining chromatophores that develop colors by various mechanisms. Inspired by their body color changes, we can develop sensors and optical materials that change colors in response to multiple stimuli, such as mechanical and light stimuli. In this study, we report on bioinspired composite elastomers that exhibit various color changes as the pigment color, structural color, and background color change. These composite elastomers exhibit structural colors due to their fine structures in which fine silica particles form colloidal crystals, and the structural colors reversibly change as the elastomers elongate. Furthermore, photochromic dyes can reversibly change color depending on the wavelength of irradiated light when they are introduced to the composite elastomers. Since the structural color is one of the three primary colors of light and the pigment color is the color that corresponds to the three primary colors of a pigment, each color becomes vivid when the background color is black or white. Thus, we clarify that the composite elastomers exhibit various color changes due to the combination of structural color change in response to the mechanical stimulus, pigment color change in response to light irradiation, and background color change.

Stimuli-Responsive Structural Colored Gel That Exhibits the Three Primary Colors of Light by Using Multiple Photonic Band Gaps Acquired from Photonic Balls.

A material that can capture changes in environmental stimuli as a color change can be used to develop sensors and displays. By producing an ordered structure in a polymer gel that reflects particular wavelengths of light, we can express the volume change that occurs based on the environment as the change in the wavelength of reflected light, i.e., structural color. To date, many systems have been developed to change the hue of the structural color as a function of temperature, pH, substance, applied force, and so on. However, as is expected from the principle of optical interference, the gel usually shows a red-shift with increasing volume. In this study, we propose a method for preparing structurally colored stimuli-responsive polymer gels that display appropriate color changes according to changes in environmental stimuli. For this purpose, we employ the photonic balls, which are spherical colloidal crystals consisting of monodisperse silica particles, as templates. By combining the wavelength-selective reflection generated from different photonic band gaps of the photonic balls, we succeeded in developing porous stimuli-responsive polymer gels that exhibited various types of color change, which are not observed in conventional systems.

Optical Characterization of the Photonic Ball as a Structurally Colored Pigment.

A photonic ball is a spherical colloidal crystal. Because it can exhibit vivid structural colors, many attempts have been made to apply it as a structurally colored pigment. However, the optical properties of the photonic ball are complicated because different crystal planes can be involved in the coloration mechanism, depending on the size of the constituent colloidal particles. In this paper, we report a comparative study of photonic balls consisting of silica particles with sizes ranging from 220 to 500 nm. We first analyze the reflectance spectra acquired in a nearly backscattering geometry and confirm that Bragg diffraction from different crystal planes causes several spectral peaks. Second, the angular dependence of reflection is experimentally characterized and theoretically analyzed with appropriate models. These analyses and a comparison with a planar colloidal crystal reveal that the spherical shape plays an essential role in the minor iridescence of photonic balls. We finally discuss a method to enhance color saturation by incorporating small light-absorbing particles. We also discuss the iridescence of the photonic ball under directional and ambient illumination conditions.

Bioinspired Color Materials Combining Structural, Dye, and Background Colors.

Human beings have developed many dyes and pigments and use them for printed and display materials to share information. Today's information society is not possible without these color materials. Some living organisms utilize body color for information exchange and protection by skilfully combining dye, structural, and background colors to realize a body color change based on circumstances. In this study, inspired by the extraordinary body color changes of living things, a composite color material combining photochromic dyes, a black substance, a spherical colloidal crystal exhibiting a structural color, and a background color is prepared. In addition to combining a dye color and a structural color that changes upon light irradiation, the contribution of the different effects of the background color on each coloring property allows the construction of a color material that can reversibly change into various colors under different conditions.

Gender differences in mRNA expression of aquaporin 8 and glutathione peroxidase in cataractous lens following intake of an antioxidant supplement.

Antioxidants can decrease oxidative damage and prevent age-related ocular disease. Our previous investigation on human aqueous humor following intake of a lutein-containing antioxidant supplement reported an increase in the scavenging activity of superoxide in both genders and an increase in the amount of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in females. Aquaporin 8 (AQP8) is a diffusion facilitator of H2O2 and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) is a H2O2 scavenging enzyme. The correlation between AQP8 and Gpx may be the key to determining how oxidative stress in the aqueous humor affects the lens after intake of antioxidant supplements. In this study, 24 patients with the same grade of binocular cataract were included. Anterior capsule samples, including lens epithelial cells (LECs), were collected during cataract surgery before (as pre-intake samples) and after 6 weeks of oral intake of Ocuvite Lutein ® (as post-intake samples). The mRNA expression of APQ8 and Gpx was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Among males, AQP8 expression decreased significantly after the supplementation (P = .03), while there was no statistical change among females. AQP8 expression was significantly correlated to that of Gpx in post-intake samples among females (R = 0.69, P = .02), while no correlation was evident among males. The results suggest antioxidant supplementation may work by different mechanisms on LECs between genders. After supplementation, a decrease in AQP8 in LECs may inhibit the influx of H2O2 from the aqueous humor in males. In females however, the correlation between AQP8 and Gpx in LECs may indicate an increase in Gpx activity following the influx of H2O2 from the aqueous humor and further scavenging of H2O2.

Endothelial Robo4 regulates IL-6 production by endothelial cells and monocytes via a crosstalk mechanism in inflammation.

Roundabout4 (Robo4) is an endothelial cell-specific receptor that stabilizes vasculature in pathological angiogenesis. Previous studies have shown that Robo4 is a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases, but its precise roles in inflammation remain unclear. To investigate physiological Robo4 functions in inflammation, we performed a loss-of-function study in vitro and in vivo using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia models. Subcutaneous injection of LPS into Robo4-knockout mice reduced circulating IL-6 levels. siRNA-mediated Robo4 knockdown suppressed IL-6 production induced by LPS, IL-1ß, and TNFα, in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Coculture experiments with HUVECs and a monocytic cell line, U937 cells, demonstrated that Robo4 knockdown suppresses IL-6 production by both endothelial cells and U937 cells. Further coculture experiments demonstrated that Robo4 knockdown inhibited a novel IL-6 amplification mechanism mediated by crosstalk between endothelial cells and U937 cells via direct interactions and two mediators, GM-CSF and IL-1ß. Taken together, we demonstrated novel Robo4 functions in inflammation, i.e., it promotes IL-6 production by endothelial cells and immune cells via crosstalk.

Immunolocation of Aquaporin 8 in Human Cataractous Lenticular Epithelial Cells.

PURPOSE/AIM: Aquaporin 8 (AQP8) is a diffusion facilitator of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) through cell membranes. The purpose of this study was to confirm and localize AQP8 in human lenticular epithelial cells (LECs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lenticular anterior capsule samples, including LECs, were collected during cataract surgery of cataract patients after informed consent. The localization of AQP8 was detected by immunohistochemical staining using an antibody to AQP8. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was also used to determine the AQP8 mRNA expression levels. The PCR products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis following analyses of band density. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining showed AQP8 was distributed throughout the whole area of the anterior capsulotomy. AQP8 labeling was observed surrounding and within the cytoplasm of LECs. RT-PCR and gel electrophoresis also revealed the presence of AQP8 mRNA in the lenticular anterior capsule. The results of immunohistochemical staining were comparable to those of RT-PCR and gel electrophoresis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate the distribution of AQP8 in human LECs. This is the first investigation confirming the presence of AQP8 in human LECs.

Identification of UV-Induced Diterpenes Including a New Diterpene Phytoalexin, Phytocassane F, from Rice Leaves by Complementary GC/MS and LC/MS Approaches.

Rice phytoalexins are regarded as one of the most important weapons against pathogenic microorganisms. We attempted to identify novel phytoalexins and their derivatives using GC/MS and LC/MS analyses. Diterpene derivatives, 9ß-pimara-7,15-diene-3ß,6ß,19-triol, 1, stemar-13-en-2α-ol, 2, and 1α,2α-dihydroxy-ent-12,15-cassadiene-3,11-dione, 3, were isolated from UV-irradiated rice leaves by chromatographic methods. These structures were confirmed by 1D- and 2D-NMR and MS analyses. Interestingly, all three compounds were accumulated following an infection by the rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited weak antifungal activity and may be the biosynthetic intermediates of rice phytoalexins momilactones and oryzalexin S, respectively. Compound 3 exhibited relatively high inhibitory activity against the fungal mycelial growth of M. oryzae to the same extent as the known phytoalexin phytocassane A. We conclude that 3 is a member of the cassane-type phytoalexin family and propose the name phytocassane F.

The gender-differentiated antioxidant effects of a lutein-containing supplement in the aqueous humor of patients with senile cataracts.

Antioxidant supplements are expected to decrease oxidative damage and prevent ocular diseases. In this study, changes in the anti-oxidative ability and oxidative status in the aqueous humor before and after intake of a lutein-containing supplement were measured. Forty patients who all had identical grades of cataracts in both eyes were included. The aqueous humor was collected as pre-intake samples during cataract surgery. Ocuvite + Lutein(Ⓡ), an antioxidant supplement, was administered orally beginning the day after surgery. Six weeks later, the aqueous humor was collected as a post-intake sample during cataract surgery of the opposite eye. To determine the anti-oxidative ability, the levels of superoxide (O2(*-)) scavenging activity were measured. To determine the oxidative status, the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and total amount of hydroperoxides (TH, including H2O2 and peroxides of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) were measured. In post-intake samples, the O2(*-) scavenging activities were significantly higher in both genders (p < 0.05). The levels of H2O2 were significantly higher (p < 0.01) while the levels of TH were significantly lower (p < 0.01) only in females. The level of H2O2 was significantly negatively correlated to the TH in the post-intake samples of both genders (r = -0.50 and p < 0.05 for males; r = -0.59 and p < 0.01 for females) while the level of H2O2 was significantly positively correlated to the O2(*-) scavenging activity in both pre- and post-intake aqueous humor in females only (r = 0.66 and p < 0.01 for pre-intake samples, r = 0.71 and p < 0.01 for post-intake samples). After the introduction of the antioxidant supplement, O2(*-) scavenging activity increased while H2O2 levels remained the same in males, suggesting that scavenging rates are proportional. In postmenopausal females, the superoxide scavenging activity also increased, however unlike in males, the H2O2 levels also increased meaning H2O2 was not completely scavenged. H2O2 is a non-free radical and can be excreted from the aqueous humor to prevent further oxidation of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, which was confirmed by the low levels of TH in post-intake samples. Antioxidant supplements are suggested to be effective in reducing oxidation in the aqueous humor by different mechanisms in both genders.

[Study of free radicals in aqueous humor in glaucoma and cataracts: differences in presence or absence of diabetes mellitus and neovascular glaucoma].

PURPOSE: This study was conducted for the purpose of comparing differences in the types of free radicals in the aqueous humor of glaucoma and cataract patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Free radicals in the aqueous humor of 44 glaucoma eyes and 15 cataract eyes were measured by electron spin resonance (ESR), followed by comparing the detection rates. In addition, subgroup analyses were also conducted for the presence or absence of complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in the patients. RESULTS: Three types of free radicals were measured, ascorbate-free radical (AFR), AFR containing a trace amount of superoxide (SO) (AFR +), and SO containing a trace amount of AFR (SO +). Significant differences were observed in the detection rates of each type between the glaucoma group (maximum SO +) and the cataract group (maximum AFR), between the DM group (maximum SO +) and the non-DM group (maximum AFR) in the glaucoma, and between the DM group (maximum AFR +) and the non-DM group (maximum AFR) in the cataract. SO + was detected in all cases of NVG regardless of whether they were DM or non-DM. CONCLUSION: Glaucoma cases are more susceptible to the generation of SO in the aqueous humor than cataracts, and they are more liable to occur in DM than in non-DM in both glaucoma and cataract cases. This study suggest an evidence for a strong correlation with SO and vascularization in NVG.

Endothelial cell-specific expression of roundabout 4 is regulated by differential DNA methylation of the proximal promoter.

OBJECTIVE: The molecular basis of endothelial cell (EC)-specific gene expression is poorly understood. Roundabout 4 (Robo4) is expressed exclusively in ECs. We previously reported that the 3-kb 5'-flanking region of the human Robo4 gene contains information for lineage-specific expression in the ECs. Our studies implicated a critical role for GA-binding protein and specificity protein 1 (SP1) in mediating overall expression levels. However, these transcription factors are also expressed in non-ECs. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that epigenetic mechanisms contribute to EC-specific Robo4 gene expression. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bisulfite sequencing analysis indicated that the proximal promoter of Robo4 is methylated in non-ECs but not in ECs. Treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine increased Robo4 gene expression in non-ECs but not in ECs. Proximal promoter methylation significantly decreased the promoter activity in ECs. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that DNA methylation of the proximal promoter inhibited SP1 binding to the -42 SP1 site. In DNase hypersensitivity assays, chromatin condensation of the Robo4 promoter was observed in some but not all nonexpressing cell types. In Hprt (hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase)-targeted mice, a 0.3-kb proximal promoter directed cell-type-specific expression in the endothelium. Bisulfite sequencing analysis using embryonic stem cell-derived mesodermal cells and ECs indicated that the EC-specific methylation pattern of the promoter is determined by demethylation during differentiation and that binding of GA-binding protein and SP1 to the proximal promoter is not essential for demethylation. CONCLUSIONS: The EC-specific DNA methylation pattern of the Robo4 proximal promoter is determined during cell differentiation and contributes to regulation of EC-specific Robo4 gene expression.

Identification of a novel casbane-type diterpene phytoalexin, ent-10-oxodepressin, from rice leaves.

A 70% methanol extract of UV-irradiated rice leaves (400 g) was separated by chromatographic methods to give UV-induced compound 1 (2.1 mg) which showed a possible molecular ion at m/z 300 in the GC/MS analysis. Its structure was determined by NMR and MS methods. The 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra of 1 were identical to those of 10-oxodepressin (2), a casbane-type diterpene derived from the soft coral, Sinularia depressa. The specific rotation of 1 was positive, whereas that of 2 was negative. We therefore established 1 as ent-10-oxodepressin. The accumulation of 1 was also induced by an inoculation of the rice blast fungus. Compound 1 inhibited spore germination (IC50 30 ppm) and germ tube growth (IC50 10 ppm) of the rice blast fungus. We thus concluded that 1 was a novel rice phytoalexin.