Kyushu University

About: Kyushu University is a education organization based out in Fukuoka, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 68284 authors who have published 135190 publications receiving 3055928 citations. The organization is also known as: Kyūshū Daigaku.

Characterization of Polyelectrolyte-Protein Multilayer Films by Atomic Force Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared Reflection-Absorption Spectroscopy.

Abstract: Protein-containing polyelectrolyte multilayer films of poly(styrenesulfonate) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride), fabricated by the sequential adsorption of polyelectrolyte and anti-immunoglobulin G (anti-IgG) on solid substrates, have been characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared reflection−absorption spectroscopy (FTIR-RAS). Visualization of the film structure on the nanometer scale, by AFM and SEM, showed that either layered or disordered films were formed depending on the number of polyelectrolyte layers separating each protein layer. For films where each anti-IgG layer was separated by one polyelectrolyte layer, an open, disordered film structure was observed and significant protein aggregation occurred. In contrast, for films in which the anti-IgG layers were separated by five polyelectrolyte layers, a layered structure with uniform protein layers was formed. Film thicknesses determined by SEM measurements were consistent w...

Super-liquid-repellent surfaces prepared by colloidal silica nanoparticles covered with fluoroalkyl groups.

Abstract: A simple and easy method to prepare super-liquid-repellent surfaces is proposed Sol-gel films were prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of alkoxysilane compounds Both surface energy and roughness were controlled using colloidal silica particles and fluoroalkylsilane When the fractional amounts of both colloidal silica and fluoroalkylsilane were optimized in the films, the film surface exhibited repellency to both water and oil Finally, it was shown that the method proposed here would be applied to a simple one-pot coating for a uniform large area, and be useful for practical use

Nystatin Perforated Patch Recording and Its Applications to Analyses of Intracellular Mechanisms

Abstract: We have reviewed the basic aspects of history, physicochemical properties, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of nystatin- and amphotericin B-perforated patch recording. Recently, we have developed a novel perforated patch technique using gramicidin [49, 132, 133]. Since gramicidin pores are permeable to Na+ and K+ but not to Cl-, it is possible to maintain the physiological concentration of intracellular Cl- and thereby to measure it in real-time from small neurons. Further improvement of the perforated patch techniques would be possible by limiting redistribution of specific intracellular ions. In light of their broad applicability, the perforated patch techniques will prove indispensable for electrophysiologists working on the functions and modulations of receptors, ion channels and transport phenomena. Research with the perforated patch should continue to provide important information relevant to the physiological and pathological conditions of cells.

Systematic conversion of single walled carbon nanotubes into n-type thermoelectric materials by molecular dopants.

Abstract: Systematic Conversion of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes into n-type Thermoelectric Materials by Molecular Dopants

Sensitivity to gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839) in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines correlates with dependence on the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and EGF receptor/Akt pathway for proliferation.

Abstract: Gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839), a quinazoline tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is approved for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in several countries including Japan. However, the mechanism of drug sensitivity to gefitinib is not fully understood. In this study, we examined the molecular basis of sensitivity to gefitinib using nine human lung cancer cell lines derived from NSCLC. PC9 was the most sensitive to gefitinib of the nine NSCLC cell lines when assayed either by colony formation or MTS assays. The various cell lines expressed different levels of EGFR, HER2, HER3, and HER4, but there was no correlation between levels of EGFR and/or HER2 expression and drug sensitivity. Phosphorylation of EGFR, protein kinase B/AKT (Akt), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was inhibited by much lower concentration of gefitinib in PC9 cells than in the other eight cell lines under exponential growing conditions. About 80% of cell surface EGFR in PC-9 was internalized within 10 min, whereas only about 30-50% of the cell surface EGFR was internalized in more drug-resistant cell lines in 15-60 min. The present study is the first to demonstrate that sensitivity to growth inhibition by gefitinib in NSCLC cell lines under basal growth condition is associated with dependence on Akt and ERK1/2 activation in response to EGFR signaling for survival and proliferation and also that drug sensitivity may be related to the extent of EGF-induced down-regulation of cell surface EGFR.