Fluorescence polarization (FP) offers easy operation and rapid processing, making it implementable in molecular interaction analysis. Previously we have developed a unique FP measurement system using a liquid crystal (LC) layer and an image sensor. The system is based on a principle of synchronized detection between the switching rate of the LC layer and the sampling rate of the CCD. The FP system realized simultaneous multiple sample detection; however, the measurement precision was lower than that of the conventional FP apparatus. The main drawbacks were low light transmittance of the LC layer and insufficient synchronization between the LC layer and CCD. In this paper, we developed a new FP analyzer based on LC-CCD synchronization detection. By using a newly designed LC with high transmittance and improving synchronization, the performance of the system has been dramatically improved. Additionally, we reduced the cost by using an inexpensive CCD and an LED as the excitation source. Simultaneous FP immunoassay of multiple samples of prostaglandin E2 was performed. The error rate of the FP system is reduced from 16.9% to 3.9%, as comparable to the commercial conventional FP system.
Abstract Invited for this month's cover is the group of Osamu Kanie and co‐workers at Tokai University. The cover picture shows the interaction of an incoming molecule and a receptor surface as the first process of a molecular sensing mechanism. For this, porous silica particles were decorated with protected carbohydrates to create artificial pocket‐like structures on its surface. More information can be found in the Research Article by O. Kanie and co‐workers .
In general, dewatering of plant tissues (such as vegetables) and food materials is achieved by heating. In order to prevent the degradation of biologically active components in plant materials, the dewatering process should be carried out at low temperature. Therefore, in the present study, we attempted to develop a simple protocol for dewatering cryo-preserved plant tissues using liquefied dimethyl ether (DME). Prior to dewatering from frozen plant materials, we have examined the efficiency of liquefied DME for cryogenic removal of water from ice cubes. Here, lemon peel residue (consisting of flavedo and albedo) was chosen as the model plant material for dewatering and concomitant extractions of water-soluble components such as ascorbate and citric acid and hydrophobic components, chiefly, essential oils (EOs). By focusing on the exploitation of unused resources after food processing, the juice extraction residues from lemon fruits (lemon peels) were used as the starting materials. The yield of vitamin C (VC) extracted from the peel tissues derived from a single lemon fruit exceeded the amount of VC found in the manually press-extracted juice from a single lemon fruit. The major components in DME-extracted crude lemon EOs were determined and quantified with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) to be limonene (40.4%, w/w), β-pinene (10.4%, w/w), and γ-terpinene (6.9 %, w/w).
Fluorescent polarization immunoassay (FPIA) is a single-step immunoassay method that is applicable to point-of-care testing; however, its applicability to large biomolecules has been restricted because ordinary FPIA is a competitive assay. Here, we report a noncompetitive FPIA using the variable domain from the heavy chain of a camelid antibody (VHH antibody). FPIA with VHH was successfully used to quantitate rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) and demonstrated a wider response range than that observed with antibody-binding (Fab) fragment. Then, using a portable FPIA instrument, a VHH-based immunoassay of human IgG in a human serum certified reference material was demonstrated.
Poly(NIPAM-co-AAC) (P(NI-AC)) was synthesized by changing the polymerization conditions using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (NIPAM) as temperature-responsive polymer and acrylic acid (AAC). Thermosensing color indicators, that changes color depending on the external temperature, were fabricated using P(NI-AC), a pH indicator, and agar. The pH of the P(NI-AC) aqueous solution increased above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST, 34°C), and a gradual pH rise and the shrinkage of aggregate diameter continued up to 70 °C under conditions with high AAC polymerization ratio. The LCST of P(NI-AC) aqueous solution with glucose decreased, and the discoloration temperature range of the thermosensing color indicator with glucose shifted to lower temperature side from 37 to 30°C. The LCST of polymer synthesized with NIPAM, AAC, and N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) increased, and the discoloration temperature range of the thermosensing color indicator shifted to higher temperature side from 39 to 50°C. These results indicated that the discoloration temperature range was successfully adjusted by as much as 20 °C.
This chapter examines how the Nazi Party influenced German colonies in East Asia during the Third Reich, and the National Socialist regime's process of coordinating political and other activities, known as Gleichschaltung . In Germany this process was symbolized by centralized control over the regional state governments through the appointment of an official known as the Reichsstatthalter ( Reich governor), who exercised supremacy and eliminated local independence. A similar system of coordinated control was adopted over domestic social movements to eradicate dissent. Non-Nazi parties were formally dissolved, the labour movement was radically restructured, youth were drafted into loyal organizations, and traditional social milieus were despised. The most useful materials include official records of the foreign organization (Auslands-Organisation, hereafter AO) of the Nazi Party. Once the Nazi Party groups were formed in Japan, they encountered bureaucratic and personal opposition from diplomats and merchants who held a certain social status among the German residents. Keywords: East Asia; German colonies; Gleichschaltung ; labour movement; local independence; Nazi Party; Reichsstatthalter ( Reich governor)
