Taichi Ito

We have fabricated a molecular recognition ion gating membrane. This synthetic membrane spontaneously opens and closes its pores in response to specific solvated ions. In addition to this switching function, we found that this membrane could control its pore size in response to a known concentration of a specific ion. The membrane was prepared by plasma graft copolymerization, which filled the pores of porous polyethylene film with a copolymer of NIPAM (N-isopropylacrylamide) and BCAm (benzo[18]

The hybrid cross-linked HA-nanoparticle system described here appears to be a biocompatible and highly effective adhesion barrier, which could also deliver antiadhesion drugs.

A controlled-release device that responds to a specific molecular signal is an ideal goal in drug delivery and tissue engineering. A molecular recognition ion gating membrane, in which a copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and benzo[18]-crown-6-acrylamide was grafted onto the surface of the porous polyethylene film, was used to control the permeability of vitamin B12 and lysozyme in response to a specific ion signal. The observed response depended on the amount of grafted copolymer. When the graf

A molecular recognition gating ion membrane was prepared by graft copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide and benzo[18]crown-6-acrylamide onto the pore surface of porous polyethylene film. This membrane captured Ba2+ with its crown ether receptors and generated osmotic pressure in response to Ba2+ autonomously and reversibly. However, the membrane never generated osmotic pressure in response to Ca2+. In addition, the concentration gradient of both the ion and other solute such as dextran could

A molecular recognition ion gating membrane opens and closes its pores using the volume phase transition of PE (polyethylene)-g-N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM)-co-benzo[18]crown-6-acrylamide (BCAm), which recognizes specific ions with its BCAm receptors and changes its volume by swelling and shrinking. In this study, we clarify the mechanism of the molecular recognition response of the PE-g-NIPAM-co-BCAm. The complex formation constant (log K) of the crown ether receptors contained in BCAm units w

We have developed a new hydrogel hemostat composed of hyaluronan (HA) conjugated with inorganic polyphosphate (PolyP). A hemostatic hydrogel, HAX-PolyP, was formed rapidly by mixing aldehyde-modified HA and hydrazide-modified HA conjugated with PolyP (HA-PolyP). Although the gelation rate decreased with increasing PolyP content, the gelation time was below 5 min. In addition, the hydrogel swelling volume decreased with increasing PolyP content, but the degradation rate did not depend on PolyP co

In full swing: Nonlinear oscillations by molecular signals are one of the inherent properties of life. An artificial ion-gating membrane, which was synthesized from a thermosensitive polymer and a crown ether, generated a relaxation oscillation similar to that of neurons in response to a specific ion signal (see picture). Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2006/z600298_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher

Postoperative peritoneal adhesions could cause pelvic pain, infertility, and bowel obstruction. In addition, adhesiolysis makes second surgery difficult. For the first time, we fabricated double-layered hydrogels in situ on the trauma surface via sequential double spray processes to prevent peritoneal adhesions. The spray conditions were optimized for spray distance and gas flow rate to create homogeneous and seamless double-layered hydrogels. The top layer was composed of alginate (Alg)-carboxy

Abstract Human red blood cells (hRBCs) possess a unique biconcave structure with a highly deformable cell membrane and condensed cytosol hemoglobin for oxygen delivery. Inspired by hRBCs, novel deformable core‐shell particles are developed as perfluorocarbon‐based oxygen carriers (OCs), called “cDFCs” (concave‐shaped deformable PFC‐based OCs), using the Shirasu porous glass (SPG) membrane emulsification technique. cDFCs have a perfluorooctyl bromide core of high oxygen solubility and poly(lactid

We have developed microsized perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions with different sizes as artificial oxygen carriers (OCs) via Shirasu porous glass membrane emulsification. Monodispersed PFC emulsions with narrow size distribution were obtained. By changing the membrane pore size, we were able to precisely control the size of emulsions and fabricate emulsions similar in size to human red blood cells. Behaviors of Pluronics with different physiochemical properties (F127, F68, P85, and P103) as surfact