No abstract

Basement membranes are specialized extracellular matrices consisting of tissue-specific organizations of multiple matrix molecules and serve as structural barriers as well as substrates for cellular interactions. The network of collagen IV is thought to define the scaffold integrating other components such as, laminins, nidogens or perlecan, into highly organized supramolecular architectures. To analyze the functional roles of the major collagen IV isoform α1(IV)2α2(IV) for basement membrane assembly and embryonic development, we generated a null allele of the Col4a1/2 locus in mice, thereby ablating both α-chains. Unexpectedly, embryos developed up to E9.5 at the expected Mendelian ratio and showed a variable degree of growth retardation. Basement membrane proteins were deposited and assembled at expected sites in mutant embryos, indicating that this isoform is dispensable for matrix deposition and assembly during early development. However, lethality occurred between E10.5-E11.5, because of structural deficiencies in the basement membranes and finally by failure of the integrity of Reichert's membrane. These data demonstrate for the first time that collagen IV is fundamental for the maintenance of integrity and function of basement membranes under conditions of increasing mechanical demands, but dispensable for deposition and initial assembly of components. Taken together with other basement membrane protein knockouts, these data suggest that laminin is sufficient for basement membrane-like matrices during early development, but at later stages the specific composition of components including collagen IV defines integrity, stability and functionality.

Ag cocatalyst-loaded ALa(4)Ti(4)O(15) (A = Ca, Sr, and Ba) photocatalysts with 3.79-3.85 eV of band gaps and layered perovskite structures showed activities for CO(2) reduction to form CO and HCOOH by bubbling CO(2) gas into the aqueous suspension of the photocatalyst powder without any sacrificial reagents. Ag cocatalyst-loaded BaLa(4)Ti(4)O(15) was the most active photocatalyst. A liquid-phase chemical reduction method was better than impregnation and in situ photodeposition methods for the loading of the Ag cocatalyst. The Ag cocatalyst prepared by the liquid-phase chemical reduction method was loaded as fine particles with the size smaller than 10 nm on the edge of the BaLa(4)Ti(4)O(15) photocatalyst powder with a plate shape during the CO(2) reduction. CO was the main reduction product rather than H(2) even in an aqueous medium on the optimized Ag/BaLa(4)Ti(4)O(15) photocatalyst. Evolution of O(2) in a stoichiometric ratio (H(2)+CO:O(2) = 2:1 in a molar ratio) indicated that water was consumed as a reducing reagent (an electron donor) for the CO(2) reduction. Thus, an uphill reaction of CO(2) reduction accompanied with water oxidation was achieved using the Ag/BaLa(4)Ti(4)O(15) photocatalyst.

Ru/SrTiO 3 :Rh photocatalyst powder for H 2 evolution and varied photocatalyst powders for O 2 evolution such as BiVO 4 and WO 3 were suspended in acidified aqueous solutions, resulting in showing activities for water splitting into H 2 and O 2 in a stoichiometric ratio without an electron mediator under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic activities were dependent on pH. The highest activity was obtained at pH 3.5. An optical microscope observation of the aqueous suspension containing Ru/SrTiO 3 :Rh and BiVO 4 powders at pH 3.5 revealed that these powders aggregated with suitable contact. The condition of Rh doped in SrTiO 3 also affected strongly the photocatalytic activity and quenching of the photoluminescence of BiVO 4 . The high photocatalytic activity was obtained and the luminescence was remarkably quenched, when SrTiO 3 :Rh containing Rh species with reversible redox properties was used and mixed. These results indicated that the photocatalytic water splitting and quenching of the photoluminescence occurred through interparticle electron transfer from the conduction band of BiVO 4 to impurity level consisting of the reversible Rh species doped in SrTiO 3 . Thus, we succeeded in constructing unique and simple Z-scheme photocatalysis systems driven by interparticle electron transfer under visible light irradiation. In addition, the (Ru/SrTiO 3 :Rh)-(BiVO 4 ) system split water under simulated sunlight (AM-1.5).

scribed in frame, and coded mutant FLT3 with a long JM

We have constructed supramolecular solar cells composed of a series of porphyrin-peptide oligomers [porphyrin functionalized a-polypeptides, P(H 2 P) n or P(ZnP) n (n = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16)], and fullerenes assembled on a nanostructured SnO 2 electrode using an electrophoretic deposition method. Remarkable enhancement in the photoelectrochemical performance as well as the broader photoresponse in the visible and near-infrared regions is seen with increasing the number of porphyrin units in a-polypeptide structures. Formation of supramolecular clusters of porphyrins and fullerenes prepared in acetonitrile-toluene = 3 : 1 has been confirmed by transmission electron micrographs (TEM) and the absorption spectra. The highly colored composite clusters of porphyrin-peptide oligomers and fullerenes have been assembled as threedimensional arrays onto nanostructured SnO 2 films using an electrophoretic deposition method. A high power conversion efficiency (g) of y1.6% and the maximum incident photon-tophotocurrent efficiency (IPCE = 56%) were attained using composite clusters of free base and zinc porphyrin-peptide hexadecamers [P(H 2 P) 16 and P(ZnP) 16 ] with fullerenes, respectively. Femtosecond transient absorption and fluorescence measurements of porphyrin-fullerene composite films confirm improved electron-transfer properties with increasing number of porphyrins in a polypeptide unit. The formation of molecular assemblies between porphyrins and fullerenes with a polypeptide structure controls the electron-transfer efficiency in the supramolecular complexes, meeting the criteria required for efficient light energy conversion.

IrO2-loaded SrTiO3 doped with rhodium and antimony synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction splits water under visible light and simulated sunlight irradiation giving 0.1% of the apparent quantum yield at 420 nm. The response wavelength up to 500 nm is the longest among achieved photocatalytic water splitting with one-step photoexcitation.

Our results show that age, hemorrhagic diathesis, and initial leukocyte count are prognostic factors for APL treated with ATRA followed by intensive chemotherapy.