Abstract: Provided is a resin film that has a stress integral value of greater than 10 MPa and 1000 MPa or less when uniaxially stretched at a tensile speed of 300 mm/min at 25° C. until it breaks. The resin film showing these properties is supple and durable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic or millifluidic chips (1) comprising at least one pressure sensing unit (4) able to measure a fluid flow pressure. The present invention also relates to a method for a direct and contact-free measuring of a local pressure of a fluid circulating in a microfluidic circuit, using a microfluidic or millifluidic chips (1) according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing cancer stem cells that comprises culturing a living cell population containing cancer cells in the presence of a gel substance to obtain a living cell population containing cancer stem cells, wherein the gel substance is a material that induces expression of osteopontin in at least a portion of cells contained in the living cell population. Moreover, the present invention relates to an agent for inducing conversion of cancer cells to cancer stem cells that comprises a gel substance that induces expression of osteopontin in at least a portion of the cells contained in a living cell population. The gel substance is a synthetic polymer gel composed of, for example, double network gel, PNaSS gel, PCDME gel, PA gel, PAMPS gel, PDMA gel or PAAc gel. The present invention provides means and a method that enable the preparation of cancer stem cells in a relatively short period of time and at a relatively low culturing cost without requiring expensive equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing cancer stem cells that comprises culturing a living cell population containing cancer cells in the presence of a gel substance to obtain a living cell population containing cancer stem cells, wherein the gel substance is a material that induces expression of osteopontin in at least a portion of cells contained in the living cell population. Moreover, the present invention relates to an agent for inducing conversion of cancer cells to cancer stem cells that comprises a gel substance that induces expression of osteopontin in at least a portion of the cells contained in a living cell population. The gel substance is a synthetic polymer gel composed of, for example, double network gel, PNaSS gel, PCDME gel, PA gel, RAMPS gel, PDMA gel or PAAc gel. The present invention provides means and a method that enable the preparation of cancer stem cells in a relatively short period of time and at a relatively low culturing cost without requiring expensive equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic or millifluidic chips (1) comprising at least one pressure sensing unit (4) able to measure a fluid flow pressure. The present invention also relates to a method for a direct and contact-free measuring of a local pressure of a fluid circulating in a microfluidic circuit, using a microfluidic or millifluidic chips (1) according to the invention.

Abstract: The hydrogel includes a first network structure and a second network structure. The second network structure is entwined with the first network structure. The first network structure contains a polymer crosslinked with a first crosslinking agent. The second network structure contains a polymer crosslinked with a second crosslinking agent. 50 mol % or more of the first crosslinking agent does not contain a decomposable bond. 50 mol % or more of the second crosslinking agent does not contain a decomposable bond.

Abstract: A temperature-responsive hydrogel which contains a carboxyl group-bearing polymer and a divalent-metal salt of an organic acid is provided. The carboxyl group-bearing polymer may be a homopolymer of a carboxyl group-bearing monomer or a copolymer of a plurality of monomers including the monomer. A method for producing the temperature-responsive hydrogel involves immersing a carboxyl group-bearing polymer in an aqueous solution of a divalent-metal salt of an organic acid. The concentration of the divalent-metal salt of an organic acid in the aqueous solution may be 50 mM to the saturation concentration. It is possible to provide a temperature-responsive gel having an LCST with no volume phase transition and a method for producing the temperature-responsive gel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gel material having a high water content and excellent mechanical properties. The gel material includes repeating units derived from the following monomers (A) and (B): (A) an anionic monomer containing a polymerizable carbon-carbon multiple bond and an aromatic ring, and (B) a cationic monomer containing a polymerizable carbon-carbon multiple bond and an aromatic ring. The gel material has a water content of 20% by mass to 95% by mass, a tensile elastic modulus of 9 MPa to 1000 MPa, and a tensile elongation at break of 50% to 5000%.

Abstract: When a polymer gel has excellent mechanical strength and an ability to maintain surface wetness for a longer time, the polymer gel may be very widely applied to a variety of fields. The present disclosure provides example embodiments of a polymer gel having excellent mechanical strength and an ability to maintain surface wetness for a longer time. Further, the present disclosure provides example embodiments of a method of preparing the polymer gel.

Abstract: The hydrogel includes a first network structure and a second network structure. The second network structure is entwined with the first network structure. The first network structure contains a polymer crosslinked with a first crosslinking agent. The second network structure contains a polymer crosslinked with a second crosslinking agent. 50 mol % or more of the first crosslinking agent does not contain a decomposable bond. 50 mol % or more of the second crosslinking agent does not contain a decomposable bond.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing cancer stem cells that comprises culturing a living cell population containing cancer cells in the presence of a gel substance to obtain a living cell population containing cancer stem cells, wherein the gel substance is a material that induces expression of osteopontin in at least a portion of cells contained in the living cell population. Moreover, the present invention relates to an agent for inducing conversion of cancer cells to cancer stem cells that comprises a gel substance that induces expression of osteopontin in at least a portion of the cells contained in a living cell population. The gel substance is a synthetic polymer gel composed of, for example, double network gel, PNaSS gel, PCDME gel, PA gel, RAMPS gel, PDMA gel or PAAc gel. The present invention provides means and a method that enable the preparation of cancer stem cells in a relatively short period of time and at a relatively low culturing cost without requiring expensive equipment.

Abstract: A temperature-responsive hydrogel which contains a carboxyl group-bearing polymer and a divalent-metal salt of an organic acid is provided. The carboxyl group-bearing polymer may be a homopolymer of a carboxyl group-bearing monomer or a copolymer of a plurality of monomers including the monomer. A method for producing the temperature-responsive hydrogel involves immersing a carboxyl group-bearing polymer in an aqueous solution of a divalent-metal salt of an organic acid. The concentration of the divalent-metal salt of an organic acid in the aqueous solution may be 50 mM to the saturation concentration. It is possible to provide a temperature-responsive gel having an LCST with no volume phase transition and a method for producing the temperature-responsive gel.

Abstract: An aqueous gel that is prepared by gelling a polymer components, the polymer components containing polymer A, which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer component containing a betaine monomer represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R2 represents an alkylene, arylene, aralkylene, —COOH— or —CONH— group; R3 and R4 represent an alkyl group, and R5 represents an alkylene group, and a polymer B, which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer component containing an acidic monomer represented by the formula (II): wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R6 represents an optionally neutralized sulfonate group, an optionally neutralized phosphate group, or an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, carboxyl or amino group carrying an optionally neutralized sulfonate group or an optionally neutralized phosphate group.

Abstract: When a polymer gel has excellent mechanical strength and an ability to maintain surface wetness for a longer time, the polymer gel may be very widely applied to a variety of fields. The present disclosure provides example embodiments of a polymer gel having excellent mechanical strength and an ability to maintain surface wetness for a longer time. Further, the present disclosure provides example embodiments of a method of preparing the polymer gel.

Abstract: A composite containing a fabric and a polyampholyte hydrogel is provided. In the composite, the polyampholyte hydrogel is a hydrogel of a polymer containing randomly dispersed cationic and anionic repeat groups and at least a part of the fabric is coated with the polyampholyte hydrogel. A method of preparation of the composite involves steps (a) to (c): (a) providing a monomer mixture for preparation of a polyampholyte hydrogel; (b) immersing a fabric in the monomer mixture solution; and (c) polymerizing monomers in the monomer mixture solution to obtain a precursor of the composite.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a medical material which enables a new method for cartilage tissue regeneration treatment based on an entirely new concept unlike a treatment method by transplantation of autologous cartilage tissue, a cartilage alternative or undifferentiated cells. The invention provides a bone filler for cartilage tissue regeneration comprising hydrogel having an interpenetrating network structure formed by two or more crosslinked network polymers or a semi-interpenetrating network structure formed by a crosslinked network polymer and a linear polymer. By filling the bone filler of the invention in a hole or a groove provided in subchondral bone just under damaged cartilage tissue, regeneration of the cartilage tissue or both the cartilage tissue and the subchondral bone can be promoted.

Abstract: An aqueous gel that is prepared by gelling a polymer components, the polymer components containing polymer A, which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer component containing a betaine monomer represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R2 represents an alkylene, arylene, aralkylene, —COOH- or —CONH-group; R3 and R4 represent an alkyl group, and R5 represents an alkylene group, and a polymer B, which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer component containing an acidic monomer represented by the formula (II): wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R6 represents an optionally neutralized sulfonate group, an optionally neutralized phosphate group, or an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, carboxyl or amino group carrying an optionally neutralized sulfonate group or an optionally neutralized phosphate group.

Abstract: A cell culture scaffold containing a gel having a network structure comprised of a synthetic polymer such that cultured cells spread in a shorter time and the number of adsorbed cultured cells per unit area is larger than in the case of using a gel having a network structure comprised of polyacrylic acid, while taking advantage of synthetic polymers with low manufacturing cost, easy quality control and no risk of virus infection in cultured cell. Used as the cell culture scaffold is a gel containing a synthetic polymer obtained by polymerization or copolymerization of a monomer having a sulfonic group such as p-styrenesulfonic acid sodium salt (NaSS) and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid sodium salt (NaAMPS).

Abstract: It is intended to provide a medical material which enables a new method for cartilage tissue regeneration treatment based on an entirely new concept unlike a treatment method by transplantation of autologous cartilage tissue, a cartilage alternative or undifferentiated cells. The invention provides a bone filler for cartilage tissue regeneration comprising hydrogel having an interpenetrating network structure formed by two or more crosslinked network polymers or a semi-interpenetrating network structure formed by a crosslinked network polymer and a linear polymer. By filling the bone filler of the invention in a hole or a groove provided in subchondral bone just under damaged cartilage tissue, regeneration of the cartilage tissue or both the cartilage tissue and the subchondral bone can be promoted.

Abstract: A hydrogel of the semi-interpenetrating network structure or interpenetrating network structure, characterized in that the hydrogel is one formed from a first monomer ingredient at least 10 mol % of which is accounted for by a charge-possessing unsaturated monomer, the molar ratio of the first monomer ingredient to the second monomer ingredient being from 1/2 to 1/100, and that the second monomer ingredient has been polymerized and crosslinked to a lower degree of crosslinking than the first monomer ingredient. The hydrogel is usable in a diaper, sanitary good, sustained-release agent, construction material, building material, communication material, soil conditioner, contact lens, ocular lens, hollow fiber, artificial cartilage, artificial organ, material for fuel cells, battery diaphragm, impact-resistant material, cushion, etc.