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Abstract Vicia sepium (bush vetch) is a perennial legume widely distributed throughout the Eurasian continent. However, its distribution in Japan is limited to Mt. Ibuki and small parts of central and southern Hokkaido. Therefore, each Japanese V. sepium lineage has been considered to have been introduced separately from Europe. Here, we examined whether the species was introduced or not on the basis of cpDNA sequences and genome-wide SNPs from Japanese and overseas samples. Both the cpDNA haplotype network and the nuclear DNA phylogenetic tree showed that Japanese V. sepium is monophyletic. Furthermore, although the nuclear DNA phylogenetic tree also showed that each lineage is clearly monophyletic, genetic admixture of the genetic cluster dominated in the Hokkaido lineage was also detected in the Mt. Ibuki lineage. Population divergence analysis showed that the two lineages diverged during the last glacial period. The Mt. Ibuki lineage showed a sudden population decline 300–400 years ago, indicating that some anthropogenic activity might be involved, while the Hokkaido lineage showed a gradual population decline from 5000 years ago. Consequently, these two lineages show low current genetic diversity compared with overseas lineages. These results show that the Japanese V. sepium is not introduced but is native.

Lanthanide elements such as europium exhibit distinctive emissions due to the transitions of inner-shell 4f electrons. Inorganic materials containing lanthanide elements have been widely used as phosphors in conventional displays. The hybridization of lanthanide ions with organic components enables to control of the material’s shapes and properties and broadens the possibility of lanthanide compounds as inorganic–organic materials. Lanthanide ion-containing polyoxometalate anions (Ln-POM) are a promising category as an inorganic component to design and synthesize inorganic–organic hybrids. Several inorganic–organic Ln-POM systems have been reported by hybridizing with cationic surfactants as luminescent materials. However, single-crystalline ordering has not been achieved in most cases. Here, we report syntheses and structures of inorganic–organic hybrid crystals of lanthanide-based POM and bolaamphiphile surfactants with two hydrophilic heads in one molecule. An emissive decatungstoeuropate ([EuW10O36]9−, EuW10) anion was employed as a lanthanide source. The bolaamphiphile counterparts are 1,8-octamethylenediammonium ([H3N(CH2)8NH3]2+, C8N2) and 1,10-decamethylenediammonium ([H3N(CH2)10NH3]2+, C10N2). Both hybrid crystals of C8N2-EuW10 and C10N2-EuW10 were successfully obtained as single crystals, and their crystal structures were unambiguously determined using X-ray diffraction measurements. The photoluminescence properties of C8N2-EuW10 and C10N2-EuW10 were investigated by means of steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy. The characteristic emission derived from the EuW10 anion was retained after the hybridization process.

The hybridization of inorganic and organic components is a promising strategy to build functional materials. Among several functions, luminescence is an important function which should be considered for practical usage. Inorganic–organic hybrid luminescent materials have been investigated as phosphors, sensors, and lasers. Organic luminescent centers such as dye molecules have often been hybridized with inorganic matrices. Polyoxometalate anions (POMs) are effective inorganic luminescent centers due to their luminescent properties and structural designability. However, most luminescent POM components are limited to lanthanide-based POMs. In this report, a photoluminescent inorganic–organic hybrid crystal based on a non-lanthanide POM was successfully synthesized as a single crystal. Anderson-type hexamolybdochromate ([CrMo6O18(OH)6]3−, CrMo6) anion exhibiting emission derived from Cr3+ was utilized with n-dodecylammonium ([C12H25NH3]+, C12NH3) surfactant cation to obtain a photoluminescent hybrid crystal. The grown single crystal of C12NH3-CrMo6 comprised a distinct layered structure consisting of inorganic CrMo6 layers and interdigitated C12NH3 layers. In the CrMo6 layers, the CrMo6 anions were associated with water molecules by hydrogen bonding to form a densely packed two-dimensional network. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed that the C12NH3-CrMo6 hybrid crystal exhibited characteristic emission from the CrMo6 anion. Preliminary lasing properties were also observed for C12NH3-CrMo6, which shows the possibility of using the C12NH3-CrMo6 hybrid crystal as an inorganic–organic hybrid laser.

trans-3,4-Dihydroxyselenolane (DHS), a water-soluble cyclic selenide, exhibits selenoenzyme-like unique redox activities through reversible oxidation to the corresponding selenoxide. Previously, we demonstrated that DHS can be applied as an antioxidant against lipid peroxidation and a radioprotector by means of adequate modifications of the two hydroxy (OH) groups. Herein, we synthesized new DHS derivatives with a crown-ether ring fused to the OH groups (DHS-crown-n (n = 4 to 7), 1–4) and investigated their behaviors of complex formation with various alkali metal salts. According to the X-ray structure analysis, it was found that the two oxygen atoms of DHS change the directions from diaxial to diequatorial by complexation. The similar conformational transition was also observed in solution NMR experiments. The 1H NMR titration in CD3OD further confirmed that DHS-crown-6 (3) forms stable 1:1 complexes with KI, RbCl and CsCl, while it forms a 2:1 complex with KBPh4. The results suggested that the 1:1 complex (3·MX) exchanges the metal ion with metal-free 3 through the formation of the 2:1 complex. The redox catalytic activity of 3 was evaluated using a selenoenzyme model reaction between H2O2 and dithiothreitol. The activity was significantly reduced in the presence of KCl due to the complex formation. Thus, the redox catalytic activity of DHS could be controlled by the conformational transition induced by coordination to an alkali metal ion.

Surfactants are functional molecules utilized in various situations. The self-assembling property of surfactants enables several molecular arrangements that can be employed to build up nanometer-sized architectures. This is beneficial in the construction of functional inorganic–organic hybrids holding the merits of both inorganic and organic components. Among several surfactants, bolaamphiphile surfactants with two hydrophilic heads are effective, as they have multiple connecting or coordinating sites in one molecule. Here, a functional polyoxotungstate inorganic anion was successfully hybridized with a bolaamphiphile to form single crystals with anisotropic one-dimensional alignment of polyoxotungstate. Keggin-type metatungstate ([H2W12O40]6−, H2W12) was employed as an inorganic anion, and 1,12-dodecamethylenediammonium (C12N2) derived from 1,12-dodecanediamine was combined as an organic counterpart. A simple and general ion-exchange reaction provided a hybrid crystal consisting of H2W12 and C12N2 (C12N2-H2W12). Single crystal X-ray structure analyses revealed a characteristic honeycomb structure in the C12N2-H2W12 hybrid crystal, which is possibly effective for the emergence of conductivity due to the dissociative protons of C12N2.

Crystals with layered structures are crucial for the construction of functional materials exhibiting intercalation, ionic conductivity, or emission properties. Polyoxometalate crystals hybridized with surfactant cations have distinct layered packings due to the surfactants which can form lamellar structures. Introducing metal cations into such polyoxometalate-surfactant hybrid crystals is significant for the addition of specific functions. Here, polyoxomolybdate–surfactant hybrid crystals were synthesized as single crystals, and unambiguously characterized by X-ray structure analyses. Octamolybdate ([Mo8O26]4–, Mo8) and heterocyclic surfactant of 1-dodecylpyridinium (C12py) were employed. The hybrid crystals were composed of α-type and β-type Mo8 isomers. Two crystalline phases containing α-type Mo8 were obtained as pseudopolymorphs depending on the crystallization conditions. Crystallization with the presence of rubidium and cesium cations caused the formation of metal cation-introduced hybrid crystals comprising β-Mo8 (C12py-Rb-Mo8 and C12py-Cs-Mo8). The yield of the C12py-Rb-Mo8 hybrid crystal was almost constant within crystallization temperatures of 279–303 K, while that of C12py-Cs-Mo8 decreased over 288 K. This means that the C12py-Mo8 hybrid crystal can capture Rb+ and Cs+ from the solution phase into the solids as the C12py-Rb-Mo8 and C12py-Cs-Mo8 hybrid crystals. The C12py-Mo8 hybrid crystals could be applied to ion-capturing materials for heavy metal cation removal.

Taurine transport was investigated at the blood–testis barrier (BTB) formed by Sertoli cells. An integration plot analysis of mice showed the apparent influx permeability clearance of [3H]taurine (27.7 μL/(min·g testis)), which was much higher than that of a non-permeable paracellular marker, suggesting blood-to-testis transport of taurine, which may involve a facilitative taurine transport system at the BTB. A mouse Sertoli cell line, TM4 cells, showed temperature- and concentration-dependent [3H]taurine uptake with a Km of 13.5 μM, suggesting that the influx transport of taurine at the BTB involves a carrier-mediated process. [3H]Taurine uptake by TM4 cells was significantly reduced by the substrates of taurine transporter (TauT/SLC6A6), such as β-alanine, hypotaurine, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), with no significant effect shown by L-alanine, probenecid, and L-leucine. In addition, the concentration-dependent inhibition of [3H]taurine uptake revealed an IC50 of 378 μM for GABA. Protein expression of TauT in the testis, seminiferous tubules, and TM4 cells was confirmed by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry by means of anti-TauT antibodies, and knockdown of TauT showed significantly decreased [3H]taurine uptake by TM4 cells. These results suggest the involvement of TauT in the transport of taurine at the BTB.

Inorganic-organic hybrid crystals were successfully obtained as single crystals by using polyoxotungstate anion and cationic dodecylpyridazinium (C12pda) and dodecylpyridinium (C12py) surfactants. The decatungstate (W10) anion was used as the inorganic component, and the crystal structures were compared. In the crystal comprising C12pda (C12pda-W10), the heterocyclic moiety directly interacted with W10, which contributed to a build-up of the crystal structure. On the other hand, the crystal consisting of C12py (C12py-W10) had similar crystal packing and molecular arrangement to those in the W10 crystal hybridized with other pyridinium surfactants. These results indicate the significance of the heterocyclic moiety of the surfactant to construct hybrid crystals with polyoxometalate anions.

Polyoxomolybdate inorganic-organic hybrid crystals were synthesized with 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium as ionic-liquid surfactants. Both hybrid crystals possessed alternate stacking of surfactant layers and octamolybdate (Mo8) monolayers, while the molecular structures of Mo8 were different depending on the surfactants and solvents employed for crystallization. Each Mo8 anion was connected by two sodium cations to form infinite one-dimensional chain. The surfactant chains in these crystals were arranged in a complicatedly bent manner, which will be induced by the weak C–H···O hydrogen bonds between the Mo8 anions and ionic-liquid surfactants.

Ionic liquids are an important component for constructing functional materials, and polyxometalate cluster anion is a promising partner for building inorganic−organic hybrid materials comprising ionic liquids. In such hybrid materials, the precise control of the molecular arrangement in the bulk structures is crucial for the emergence of characteristic functions, which can be realized by introducing an amphiphilic moiety into the ionic liquids. Here, an amphiphilic polymerizable imidazolium ionic liquid with a methacryloyl group was firstly hybridized with polyoxometalate anions of octamolybdate ([Mo8O26]4−, Mo8) and silicotungstate ([SiW12O40]4−, SiW12) to obtain inorganic−organic hybrid crystals. The polymerizable ionic liquid with a octyl chain (denoted as MAImC8) resulted in the formation of anisotropic molecular arrangements in the bulk crystal structure, which was compared with the hybrid crystals composed from the polymerizable ionic liquid without a long alkyl chain (denoted as MAIm). Rather densely packed isotropic molecular arrangements were observed in the hybrid crystals of MAIm−Mo8 and MAIm−SiW12 due to the lack of the amphiphilic moiety. On the other hand, using the amphiphilic MAImC8 cation gave rise to a honeycomb-like structure with the Mo8 anion and a layered structure with the SiW12 anion, respectively.

A polyoxotungstate-surfactant hybrid layered compound was synthesized as a single phase by using decatungstate ([W10O32]4−, W10) and hexadecylpyridinium (C16py). The X-ray structure analysis combined with infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis revealed the formula to be (C16py)4[W10O32] (C16py-W10). The layered structure consisted of alternative stacking of W10 inorganic monolayers and interdigitated C16py bilayers with layered periodicity of 23.3 Å. Each W10 anion in the W10 inorganic monolayers was isolated by the hydrophilic heads of C16py. The hybrid crystals of C16py-W10 decomposed at around 500 K. The conductivity of the hybrid layered crystal was estimated to be 4.8 × 10−6 S cm−1 at 423 K by alternating current (AC) impedance spectroscopy.

Proton-conductive solid electrolytes are significant for fuel-cell battery technology. Especially for use in motor vehicles, proton conductors which work at intermediate temperatures (373–673 K) under an anhydrous atmosphere are desired to improve the fuel cell stability and efficiency. Inorganic–organic hybrid supramolecular architectures are a promising option for the realization of highly conductive proton conductors. Here, a hybrid layered crystal was synthesized for the first time by using an proton-containing decavanadate (V10) anion and a heterocyclic surfactant cation. A simple ion-exchange reaction led to the formation of an inorganic–organic hybrid of V10 by using dodecylpyridazinium (C12pda) as the heterocyclic surfactant. Single crystal X-ray analyses revealed that four C12pda cations were associated with one V10 anion, which was a diprotonated species forming a one-dimensional infinite chain structure through hydrogen bonds. Anhydrous proton conductivity was investigated by alternating current (AC) impedance spectroscopy in the range of 313–393 K, exhibiting a maximum value of 1.7 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 373 K.

Inorganic-organic hybrid crystals containing α-octamolybdate (Mo8) or hexamolybdate (Mo6) were isolated by using hexadecyltrimethylammonium (C16) surfactant. The packing mode of the inorganic layers depended on a difference in the polyoxomolybdate molecular structure. The structure for both crystals consisted of alternate stacking of C16 organic bilayers and polyoxomolybdate inorganic layers with a periodicity of 24.4–24.6 Å. However, the C16-Mo8 crystals contained Mo8 monolayers, while the C16-Mo6 crystals contained Mo6 bilayers. These lattice structures for the polyoxometalate/organic hybrid will be designed by the molecular structures of polyoxometalate.

Solid electrolytes are crucial materials for lithium-ion or fuel-cell battery technology due to their structural stability and easiness for handling. Emergence of high conductivity in solid electrolytes requires precise control of the composition and structure. A promising strategy toward highly-conductive solid electrolytes is employing a thermally-stable inorganic component and a structurally-flexible organic moiety to construct inorganic-organic hybrid materials. Ionic liquids as the organic component will be advantageous for the emergence of high conductivity, and polyoxometalate, such as heteropolyacids, are well-known as inorganic proton conductors. Here, newly-designed ionic liquid imidazolium cations, having a polymerizable methacryl group (denoted as MAImC1), were successfully hybridized with heteropolyanions of [PW12O40]3− (PW12) to form inorganic-organic hybrid monomers of MAImC1-PW12. The synthetic procedure of MAImC1-PW12 was a simple ion-exchange reaction, being generally applicable to several polyoxometalates, in principle. MAImC1-PW12 was obtained as single crystals, and its molecular and crystal structures were clearly revealed. Additionally, the hybrid monomer of MAImC1-PW12 was polymerized by a radical polymerization using AIBN as an initiator. Some of the resulting inorganic-organic hybrid polymers exhibited conductivity of 10−4 S·cm−1 order under humidified conditions at 313 K.

A hybrid layered crystal containing polyoxomolybdate was successfully synthesized from reduced Mo-blue species as starting material. The hybrid crystal, [C5H5N(C16H33)]2[β-H2Mo8O26]·2C2H5OH (C16py-H2Mo8), was obtained as a single phase by the gradual oxidation of hexadecylpyridinium-Mo-blue (C16py-Mo-blue) hybrid. The X-ray structure analysis revealed that C16py-H2Mo8 comprised β-type octamolybdate anion with two protons (β-H2Mo8). The β-H2Mo8 anions and ethanol molecules of crystallization formed two-dimensional anionic layers. The pyridine rings of C16py did not attend to form the two-dimensional inorganic layers, and the interdigitated C16py bilayers were sandwiched by the β-H2Mo8 anionic layers with periodicity of 18.2 Å. These C16py-H2Mo8 hybrid layered crystals possibly work as a new class of proton conductor.

A polyoxomolybdate inorganic-organic hybrid crystal was synthesized with deprotonatable ionic-liquid surfactant. 1-dodecylimidazolium cation was employed for its synthesis. The hybrid crystal contained δ-type octamolybdate (Mo8) isomer, and possessed alternate stacking of Mo8 monolayers and interdigitated surfactant bilayers. The crystal structure was compared with polyoxomolybdate hybrid crystals comprising 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium surfactant, which preferred β-type Mo8 isomer. The less bulky hydrophilic moiety of the 1-dodecylimidazolium interacted with the δ-Mo8 anion by N–H···O hydrogen bonds, which presumably induced the formation of the δ-Mo8 anion. Anhydrous conductivity of the hybrid crystal was estimated to be 5.5 × 10−6 S·cm−1 at 443 K by alternating current (AC) impedance spectroscopy.

Hybrid single crystals consisting of an organic surfactant and an inorganic moiety are promising functional materials. Layered crystals composed from alternate inorganic and surfactant layers are obtained by the template effect of long alkyl chain moiety. The composition, crystal packing, and molecular arrangement of the hybrid single crystals are controllable by changing the inorganic constituent and the surfactant molecular structure. The types of hybrid surfactant single crystals are twofold: (i) crystals consisting of discrete inorganic cation coordinated by ligands having amphiphilic moiety; and (ii) crystals comprising a surfactant cation and a discrete inorganic anion including polyoxometalate (POM) oxide clusters. The POM-surfactant hybrid single crystals are rather rare, and therefore promising as unprecedented functional materials. Their structural variation and functional properties are discussed.

The fatty acid composition of liver mitochondrial phospholipids from rats rendered deficient in essential unsaturated fatty acids has been determined, and compared with that of rats fed a diet containing corn oil. In addition to marked reductions in the amounts of linoleic and arachidonic acids esterified at the β-position of ethanolamine-, inositol-, and choline glycerophosphatides, the deficiency resulted in extensive changes in the distribution of saturated acids at both the α- and β-positions. Palmitoleic and oleic acids were increased in amount in fat deficiency, and large amounts of docosatrienoic acids appeared in these three phospholipids. The fatty acids of the sphingomyelins were not altered as a result of essential fatty acid deficiency.The data demonstrate that each phospholipid is unique in the way in which its fatty acid moieties change in response to feeding a fat deficient diet.

Pore structure of (NH4)4SiW12O40 sponge crystal was successfully elucidated by means of Ar adsorption isotherm analysis combined with molecular probe method and molecular modeling. The pores consist of spherical voids or "cages" with diameter of ca. 12¡ and these are connected by smaller "windows". These "cages" and "windows" are clearly resolved in the pore size distribution analysis for the first time. Molecular probe method elucidated the diameter of the "windows" is larger than 8.5¡ and smaller than 10.2¡,being consistent with molecular modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are small, bistable linear tetrapyrrole (bilin)-binding light sensors which are typically found as modular components in multidomain cyanobacterial signaling proteins. The CBCR family has been categorized into many lineages that roughly correlate with their spectral diversity, but CBCRs possessing a conserved DXCF motif are found in multiple lineages. DXCF CBCRs typically possess two conserved Cys residues: a first Cys that remains ligated to the bilin chromophore and a second Cys found in the DXCF motif. The second Cys often forms a second thioether linkage, providing a mechanism to sense blue and violet light. DXCF CBCRs have been described with blue/green, blue/orange, blue/teal, and green/teal photocycles, and the molecular basis for some of this spectral diversity has been well established. We here characterize AM1_1499g1, an atypical DXCF CBCR that lacks the second cysteine residue and exhibits an orange/green photocycle. Based on prior studies of CBCR spectral tuning, we have successfully engineered seven AM1_1499g1 variants that exhibit robust yellow/teal, green/teal, blue/teal, orange/yellow, yellow/green, green/green, and blue/green photocycles. The remarkable spectral diversity generated by modification of a single CBCR provides a good template for multiplexing synthetic photobiology systems within the same cellular context, thereby bypassing the timeconsuming empirical optimization process needed for multiple probes with different protein scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]