PEO-Based Solid Composite Polymer Electrolyte for High Capacity Retention All-Solid-State Lithium Metal Battery.

The limited ionic conductivity at room temperature and the constrained electrochemical window of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) pose significant obstacles that hinder its broader utilization in high-energy-density lithium metal batteries. The garnet-type material Li6.4 La3 Zr1.4 Ta0.6 O12 (LLZTO) is recognized as a highly promising active filler for enhancing the performance of PEO-based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). However, its performance is still limited by its high interfacial resistance. In this study, a novel hybrid filler-designed SPE is employed to achieve excellent electrochemical performance for both the lithium metal anode and the LiFePO4 cathode. The solid composite membrane containing hybrid fillers achieves a maximum ionic conductivity of 1.9 × 10-4 S cm-1 and a Li+ transference number of 0.67 at 40 °C, respectively. Additionally, the Li/Li symmetric cells demonstrate a smooth and stable process for 2000 h at a current density of 0.1 mA cm-2 . Furthermore, the LiFePO4 /Li battery delivers a high-rate capacity of 159.2 mAh g-1 at 1 C, along with a capacity retention of 95.2% after 400 cycles. These results validate that employing a composite of both active and inactive fillers is an effective strategy for achieving superior performance in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs).

Interfacial Plasticization Strategy Enabling a Long-Cycle-Life Solid-State Lithium Metal Battery.

The limited ionic conductivity and unstable interface due to poor solid-solid interface pose significant challenges to the stable cycling of solid-state batteries (SSBs). Herein, an interfacial plasticization strategy is proposed by introducing a succinonitrile (SN)-based plastic curing agent into the polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based composite polymer electrolytes (CPE) interface. The SN at the interface strongly plasticizes the PAN in the CPE, which reduces the crystallinity of the PAN drastically and enables the CPE to obtain a low modulus surface, but it still maintains a high modulus internally. The reduced crystallinity of PAN provides more amorphous regions, which are favorable for Li+ transport. The gradient modulus structure not only ensures intimate interfacial contact but also favors the suppression of Li dendrites growth. Consequently, the interfacial plasticized CPE (SF-CPE) obtains a high ionic conductivity of 4.8 × 10-4 S cm-1 as well as a high Li+ transference number of 0.61. The Li-Li symmetric cell with SF-CPE can cycle for 1000 h at 0.1 mA cm-2, the LiFeO4 (LFP)-Li full-cell demonstrates a high capacity retention of 86.1% after 1000 cycles at 1 C, and the LiCoO2 (LCO)-Li system also exhibits an excellent cycling performance. This work provides a novel strategy for long-life solid-state batteries.

An experimental study on the visual identification of Fritillaria ussuriensis based on LAMP and nucleic acid colloidal gold technique.

Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxim is one of the traditional Chinese valuable herbs, which is the dried bulb of Fritillaria, a plant of the lily family. The identification of authenticity about F. ussuriensis is still technically challenging. In this study, visual identification was performed by ring-mediated isothermal amplification and nucleic acid colloidal gold techniques. Firstly, multiple sequence comparative analysis was performed by DNAMAN to find the differential sites of F. ussuriensis and its mixed pseudo-products, and the specific identification primers of F. ussuriensis were designed. Genomic DNA was extracted by the modified CTAB method, and the reaction system and reaction conditions were optimized to construct LAMP for the visual detection of F. ussuriensis, meanwhile, the genuine product was cloned and the extracted plasmid was sequenced. The specificity and sensitivity were detected, and also verified by nucleic acid colloidal gold method, and 20 commercially available samples were tested. The extracted DNA met the requirements of the experiment, and the genuine F. ussuriensis PCR product titrated on a test strip showed two bands on the T and C lines, while the counterfeit and negative control showed only one band on the C line, which matched the LAMP results. The specificity was 100 %, and the sensitivity of LAMP assay was up to 0.01 ng µL-1, while that of colloidal gold assay was 0.1 ng µL-1, thus the LAMP assay had high sensitivity. 14 out of 20 commercially available samples of F. ussuriensis were qualified, and 6 were unqualified, and the results of the two methods of identification were consistent. In this study, the combined detection method of LAMP and colloidal gold for nucleic acid was established to be specific, rapid, precise and visualized, which can provide a new technical idea for the detection of F. ussuriensis.

Polymer-enhanced peroxidase activity of ceria nanozyme for highly sensitive detection of alkaline phosphatase.

Nanoceria have demonstrated a wide array of catalytic activity similar to natural enzymes, holding considerable significance in the colorimetric detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which is a biomarker of various biological disorders. However, the issues of physiological stability and formation of protein corona, which are strongly related to their surface chemistry, limit their practical application. In this work, CeO2 nanoparticles characterized by enhanced dimensional uniformity and specific surface area were synthesized, followed by encapsulation with various polymers to further increase catalytic activity and physiological stability. Notably, the CeO2 nanoparticles encapsulated within each polymer exhibited improved catalytic characteristics, with PAA-capped CeO2 exhibiting the highest performance. We further demonstrated that the PAA-CeO2 obtained with enhanced catalytic activity was attributed to an increase in surface negative charge. PAA-CeO2 enabled the quantitative assessment of AA activity within a wide concentration range of 10 to 60 µM, with a detection limit of 0.111 µM. Similarly, it allowed for the evaluation of alkaline phosphatase activity throughout a broad range of 10 to 80 U/L, with a detection limit of 0.12 U/L. These detection limits provided adequate sensitivity for the practical detection of ALP in human serum.

Non-heme Iron Single-Atom Nanozymes as Peroxidase Mimics for Tumor Catalytic Therapy.

Single-atom nanozymes (SAzymes) open new possibilities for the development of artificial enzymes that have catalytic activity comparable to that of natural peroxidase (POD). So far, most efforts have focused on the structural modulation of the Fe-N4 moiety to mimic the metalloprotein heme center. However, non-heme-iron POD with much higher activity, for example, HppE, has not been mimicked successfully due to its structural complexity. Herein, carbon dots (CDs)-supported SAzymes with twisted, nonplanar Fe-O3N2 active sites, highly similar to the non-heme iron center of HppE, was synthesized by exploiting disordered and subnanoscale domains in CDs. The Fe-CDs exhibit an excellent POD activity of 750 units/mg, surpassing the values of conventional SAzymes with planar Fe-N4. We further fabricated an activatable Fe-CDs-based therapeutic agent with near-infrared enhanced POD activity, a photothermal effect, and tumor-targeting ability. Our results represent a big step in the design of high-performance SAzymes and provide guidance for future applications for synergistic tumor therapy.

Thickness-ratio-dependent performances of broadband organic photodiodes based on a tin phthalocyanine/PTCDA heterojunction.

Employing a photosensitive donor/acceptor planar heterojunction (DA-PHJ) with complementary optical absorption as the active layer is one of the key strategies for realizing broad spectral organic photodiodes (BS-OPDs). To achieve superior optoelectronic performance, it is vital to optimize the thickness ratio of the donor layer to acceptor layer (the DA thickness ratio) in addition to the optoelectronic properties of the DA-PHJ materials. In this study, we realized a BS-OPD exploiting tin(II) phthalocyanine (SnPc)/3,4,9,10-perylenete-acarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) as the active layer and investigated the effect of the DA thickness ratio on the device performance. The results showed that the DA thickness ratio has a significant impact on the device performance, and an optimized DA thickness ratio of 30:20 was found. Upon the optimization of the DA thickness ratio, improvements of 187% in photoresponsivity and 144% in specific detectivity were achieved on average. Trap-free space-charge-limited photocarrier transport and balanced optical absorption over the wavelength range can be ascribed to the improved performance at the optimized DA thickness ratio. These results establish a solid photophysical foundation for improving the performance of BS-OPDs via thickness ratio optimization.

Clinical Evaluation of Cystic Renal Masses With Bosniak Classification by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and Contrast-Enhanced Computer Tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to compare retrospectively three clinically applied methods for the diagnostic performance of cystic renal masses (CRMs) by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computer tomography (CECT) with Bosniak classification system. METHODS: A total of 52 cases of Bosniak II-IV CRMs in 49 consecutive patients were diagnosed from January 2013 to July 2022 and their data were analyzed. All patients had been subjected to CEUS and CECT simultaneously. Pathological diagnoses and masses stability were used as standard references to determine whether lesions were malignant or benign. Then 49 CRMs only with pathologic results were classified into group 1 and 2. RESULTS: A total of 52 CRMs in 49 enrolled patients were classified into 8 category II, 16 category IIF, 15 category III, and 13 category IV by CEUS (EFSUMB 2020), 10 category II, 13 category IIF, 16 category III, and 13 category IV by CEUS (V2019), while 15 category II, 9 category IIF, 13 category III, and 15 category IV by CECT (V2019). Pathological results and masses stability longer than 5 years follow-up performed substantially for CEUS (EFSUMB 2020), CEUS (V2019), and CECT (V2019) (kappa values were 0.696, 0.735, and 0.696, respectively). Among 49 pathologic approving CRMs, wall/septation thickness ≥4 mm, wall/septation thickness, presence of enhancing nodule and the diameter were found to be statistically significant for malignancy. Twenty-two malignant masses were correctly diagnosed by CEUS (V2019), while 21 malignant masses were both correctly diagnosed by CEUS (EFSUMB 2020) and CECT (V2019), and 1 mass was misdiagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Bosniak classification of EFSUMB 2020 version might be as accurate as version 2019 CEUS and version 2019 CECT in diagnosing CRMs, and CEUS is found to have an excellent safety profile in dealing with clinical works.

Motor-cognitive functions required for driving in post-stroke individuals identified via machine-learning analysis.

BACKGROUND: People who were previously hospitalised with stroke may have difficulty operating a motor vehicle, and their driving aptitude needs to be evaluated to prevent traffic accidents in today's car-based society. Although the association between motor-cognitive functions and driving aptitude has been extensively studied, motor-cognitive functions required for driving have not been elucidated. METHODS: In this paper, we propose a machine-learning algorithm that introduces sparse regularization to automatically select driving aptitude-related indices from 65 input indices obtained from 10 tests of motor-cognitive function conducted on 55 participants with stroke. Indices related to driving aptitude and their required tests can be identified based on the output probability of the presence or absence of driving aptitude to provide evidence for identifying subjects who must undergo the on-road driving test. We also analyzed the importance of the indices of motor-cognitive function tests in evaluating driving aptitude to further clarify the relationship between motor-cognitive function and driving aptitude. RESULTS: The experimental results showed that the proposed method achieved predictive evaluation of the presence or absence of driving aptitude with high accuracy (area under curve 0.946) and identified a group of indices of motor-cognitive function tests that are strongly related to driving aptitude. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed method is able to effectively and accurately unravel driving-related motor-cognitive functions from a panoply of test results, allowing for autonomous evaluation of driving aptitude in post-stroke individuals. This has the potential to reduce the number of screening tests required and the corresponding clinical workload, further improving personal and public safety and the quality of life of individuals with stroke.

Topical review: recent progress of charge density waves in 2D transition metal dichalcogenide-based heterojunctions and their applications.

Charge density wave (CDW) is an intriguing physical phenomenon especially found in two-dimensional (2D) layered systems such as transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). The study of CDW is vital for understanding lattice modification, strongly correlated electronic behaviors, and other related physical properties. This paper gives a review of the recent studies on CDW emerging in 2D TMDs. First, a brief introduction and the main mechanisms of CDW are given. Second, the interplay between CDW patterns and the related unique electronic phenomena (superconductivity, spin, and Mottness) is elucidated. Then various manipulation methods such as doping, applying strain, local voltage pulse to induce the CDW change are discussed. Finally, examples of the potential application of devices based on CDW materials are given. We also discuss the current challenge and opportunities at the frontier in this research field.

Hollow mesoporous MnO2-carbon nanodot-based nanoplatform for GSH depletion enhanced chemodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, and normal/cancer cell differentiation.

A redox-responsive chemodynamic therapy (CDT)-based theranostic system composed of hollow mesoporous MnO2 (H-MnO2), doxorubicin (DOX), and fluorescent (FL) carbon nanodots (CDs) is reported for the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. In general, since H-MnO2 can be degraded by intracellular glutathione (GSH) to form Mn2+ with excellent Fenton-like activity to generate highly reactive ·OH, the normal antioxidant defense system can be injured via consumption of GSH. This in turn can potentiate the cytotoxicity of CDT and release DOX. The cancer cells can be eliminated effectively by the nanoplatform via the synergistic effect of chemotherapy and CDT. The FL of CDs can be restored after H-MnO2 is degraded which blocked the fluorescence resonance energy transfer process between CDs as an energy donor and H-MnO2 as an FL acceptor. The GSH can be determined by recovery of the FL and limit of detection is 1.30 µM with a linear range of 0.075-0.825 mM. This feature can be utilized to efficiently distinguish cancerous cells from normal ones based on different GSH concentrations in the two types of cells. As a kind of CDT-based theranostic system responsive to GSH, simultaneously diagnostic (normal/cancer cell differentiation) and therapeutic function (chemotherapy and CDT) in a single nanoplatform can be achieved. The redox-responsive chemodynamic therapy (CDT)-based theranostic system is fabricated by H-MnO2, DOX, and fluorescent CDs. The nanoplatform can realize simultaneously diagnostic (normal/cancer cell differentiation) and therapeutic function (chemotherapy and CDT) to improve the therapeutic efficiency and security.

Nanoplatform based on GSH-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles for cancer therapy and mitochondrial targeted imaging.

Mitochondria, as the energy factory of most cells, are not only responsible for the generation of adenosine triphosphoric acid (ATP) but also essential targets for therapy and diagnosis of various diseases, especially cancer. The safe and potential nanoplatform which can deliver various therapeutic agents to cancer cells and mitochondrial targeted imaging is urgently required. Herein, Au nanoparticles (AuNPs), mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN), cationic ligand (triphenylphosphine (TPP)), doxorubicin (DOX), and carbon nanodots (CDs) were utilized to fabricate mitochondrial targeting drug delivery system (denoted as CDs(DOX)@MSN-TPP@AuNPs). Since AuNPs, as the gatekeepers, can be etched by intracellular glutathione (GSH) via ligand exchange induced etching process, DOX can be released into cells in a GSH-dependent manner which results in the superior GSH-modulated tumor inhibition activity. Moreover, after etching by GSH, the CDs(DOX)@MSN-TPP@AuNPs can serve as promising fluorescent probe (λex = 633 nm, λem = 650 nm) for targeted imaging of mitochondria in living cells with near-infrared fluorescence. The induction of apoptosis derived from the membrane depolarization of mitochondria is the primary anti-tumor route of CDs(DOX)@MSN-TPP@AuNPs. As a kind of GSH-responsive mitochondrial targeting nanoplatform, it holds great promising for effective cancer therapy and mitochondrial targeted imaging. The mitochondrial targeting drug delivery system was fabricated by AuNPs, MSN, TPP, and CDs. The nanoplatform can realize redox-responsive drug delivery and targeted imaging of mitochondria in living cells to improve the therapeutic efficiency and security.

Research of Fluorescent Properties of a New Type of Phosphor with Mn2+-Doped Ca2SiO4.

Fluorescent optical fiber temperature sensors have attracted extensive attention due to their strong anti-electromagnetic interference ability, good high-voltage insulation performance, and fast response speed. The fluorescent material of the sensor probe directly determines the temperature measurement effect. In this paper, a new type of fluorescent material with a Mn2+-doped Ca2SiO4 phosphor (CSO:Mn2+) is synthesized via the solid-state reaction method at 1450 °C. The X-ray diffraction spectrum shows that the sintered sample has a pure phase structure, although the diffraction peaks show a slight shift when dopants are added. The temperature dependence of the fluorescence intensity and lifetime in the range from 290 to 450 K is explored with the help of a fluorescence spectrometer. Green emission bands peaking at 475 and 550 nm from Mn2+ are observed in the fluorescence spectra, and the intensity of emitted light decreases as the temperature rises. The average lifetime of CSO:Mn2+ is 17 ms, which is much higher than the commonly used fluorescent materials on the market. The fluorescence lifetime decreases with increasing temperature and shows a good linear relationship within a certain temperature range. The research results are of great significance to the development of a new generation of fluorescence sensors.

Resveratrol alleviates sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by deactivating the lncRNA MALAT1/MiR-205 axis.

INTRODUCTION: Resveratrol plays a protective role against sepsis development, and the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MALAT1 is an inflammation-relevant biomarker. This investigation attempted to reveal whether resveratrol attenuated inflammation of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) by regulating MALAT1. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total 120 rats were divided into a control group (n = 20), a Sham group (n = 20), a sepsis group (n = 40) and a resveratrol group (n = 40), and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and AKI biomarkers were determined. An equal number of rats under identical treatments were, additionally, tracked for their survival, and the serum level of lncRNA MALAT1 was measured by RT-PCR. Moreover, septic cell models were constructed by treating HK-2 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 levels released by the cells were determined with ELISA. RESULTS: Resveratrol treatment significantly brought down serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (i.e. TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6), kidney function indicators (i.e. Scr, blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and Scys C), AKI biomarkers (i.e. NGAL and KIM-1) and MALAT1 in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic model rats (all p < 0.05), and the life span of septic rats was elongated by resveratrol treatment (p < 0.05). Viability and cytokine release of LPS-treated HK2 cells were rescued by resveratrol (p < 0.05), which was accompanied by a marked fall of MALAT1 expression (p < 0.05). In addition, si-MALAT1 diminished viability and suppressed cytokine release of HK2 cells, while pcDNA3.1-MALAT1 hindered the impact of resveratrol on the inflammatory response of HK2 cells (p < 0.05). Ultimately, miR-205, a protective molecule in sepsis-relevant AKI, was down-regulated by resveratrol and si-MALAT1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Resveratrol relieved sepsis-induced AKI by restraining the lncRNA MALAT1/miR-205 axis.

Application of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients with Scrub Typhus Complicated with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

A 68-year-old woman was diagnosed with scrub typhus and acute pneumonia. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurred on day 4 after admission and was treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). After 7 days of ECMO assistance, her respiratory condition gradually improved, and ECMO was removed. On day 20 after admission, she was discharged without any sequelae. The results suggest that ECMO should be considered as early as possible for patients with ARDS caused by scrub typhus.

Islet transplantation improved penile tissue fibrosis in a rat model of type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Glycaemic control is one of the most effective strategies for the treatment of diabetes-related erectile dysfunction (DMED). Compared to conventional anti-diabetic drugs and insulin, islet transplantation is more effective in the treatment of diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of islet transplantation for reversing advanced-stage DMED in rats and to observe its influence on corpus cavernosum fibrosis. METHODS: Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin to establish a diabetes model. After 12 weeks, the rats were divided into 4 groups: diabetic, insulin, islet transplantation, and normal control. Following supplementation, the changes in blood glucose and weight were determined sequentially. Penile erectile function was evaluated by apomorphine experiments in the fourth week, and the penile corpus cavernosum was also collected for assessment by Masson staining, immunohistochemistry and Western blot to observe the spongy tissue and the related cellular changes at the molecular level. RESULTS: Islet transplantation significantly ameliorated penile erectile function in advanced-stage diabetic rats. The ratio of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells to fibroblasts and the expression level of α-SMA in the islet transplantation group were significantly higher than those in the diabetic and insulin groups. In addition, the expression levels of TGF-ß1, p-Samd2, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the islet transplantation and insulin groups were much lower than those in the diabetic group, while those in the islet transplantation group were significantly lower than those in the insulin group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings strongly suggest that islet transplantation can promote the regeneration of smooth muscle cells and ameliorate corpus cavernosum fibrosis to restore its normal structure in advanced-stage diabetic rats. The possible mechanism of ameliorating corpus cavernosum fibrosis by islet transplantation may be associated with improvement of the hyperglycaemic status in diabetic rats, thereby inhibiting the TGF-ß1/Samd2/CTGF pathway.

Green emitting N,S-co-doped carbon dots for sensitive fluorometric determination of Fe(III) and Ag(I) ions, and as a solvatochromic probe.

N,S-co-doped carbon dots (N,S-CDs) were synthesized via a single-step solvothermal process by using sodium lignosulfonate and p-phenylenediamine as carbon/nitrogen/sulfur sources. The N,S-CDs have an average diameter of 2.02 ± 1 nm and display green fluorescence, with excitation/emission peak wavelengths at 380/540 nm for optimal fluorescence. Fluorescence is excitation wavelength-dependent and stable in aqueous salt solutions. The fluorescence of the N,S-CDs is selectively quenched by Fe(III) and Ag(I) ions. These ions can be quantified by fluorometry with a limit of detection of 1.7 µM for Fe(III) ions and 11.6 µM for Ag(I) ions. The N,S-CDs also undergo solvatochromism in that emission is green in water solution but blue in polar organic solvents such as ethanol or N,N-dimethylformamide. The color of fluorescence gradually shifts from green to blue when continuously increasing the fraction of organic solvent in water. Graphical abstract N,S-co-doped carbon dots (N,S-CDs) are synthesized by using sodium lignosulfonate and p-phenylenediamine as C/N/S sources. The N,S-CDs can sensitively detect Fe(III) and Ag(I) ions based on fluorometry, and can be used as a solvatochromic probe.

Potential antitumor effects of panaxatriol against DU-15 human prostate cancer cells is mediated via mitochondrial mediated apoptosis, inhibition of cell migration and sub-G1 cell cycle arrest.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men and the second major reason of cancer death in males. Currently, there are no viable options available for the treatment of advanced-stage prostate cancer. Against this backdrop, the present study aimed to study the anticancer effect of panaxatriol against prostate DU-15 cancer cells. METHODS: MTT cell viability assay evaluated the effects of the drug on cell cytotoxicity, while clonogenic assay was used to assess the effects on colony formation in DU-15 cells. Apoptotic effects were evaluated by DAPI staining using fluorescence microscopy. Effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated by flow cytometry using DCFH-DA and DiOC6. Effects on cell cycle were measured by flow cytometry, while cell migration tendency of the cells was evaluated by in vitro wound healing assay. RESULTS: The results indicated that panaxatriol exerts dosedependent cytotoxic effects on prostate DU-15 cancer cells. The IC50 of panaxatriol was 30 µM. Panaxatriol was found to exert its anticancer activity through induction of apoptosis. The apoptosis of DU-15 cancer cells was prompted by ROSmediated alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, panaxatriol induced sub-G1 cell cycle arrest and suppressed the DU-15 cell migration ability in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Taken together, we strongly believe that panaxatriol may prove handy in the treatment and management of prostate cancer and deserves further research.

Spectroscopic and Microscopic Studies on the Mechanism of Mitochondrial Toxicity Induced by CdTe QDs Modified with Different Ligands.

Quantum dots (QDs) are increasingly applied in sensing, drug delivery, biomedical imaging, electronics industries, etc. Consequently, it is urgently required to examine their potential threat to humans and the environment. In the present work, the toxicity of CdTe QDs with nearly identical maximum emission wavelength but modified with two different ligands (MPA and BSA) to mitochondria was investigated using flow cytometry, spectroscopic, and microscopic methods. The results showed that QDs induced mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), which resulted in mitochondrial swelling, collapse of the membrane potential, inner membrane permeability to H(+) and K(+), the increase of membrane fluidity, depression of respiration, alterations of ultrastructure, and the release of cytochrome c. Furthermore, the protective effects of CsA and EDTA confirmed QDs might be able to induce MPT via a Ca(2+)-dependent domain. However, the difference between the influence of CdTe QDs and that of Cd(2+) on mitochondrial membrane fluidity indicated the release of Cd(2+) was not the sole reason that QDs induced mitochondrial dysfunction, which might be related to the nanoscale effect of QDs. Compared with MPA-CdTe QDs, BSA-CdTe QDs had a greater effect on the mitochondrial swelling, membrane fluidity, and permeabilization to H(+) and K(+) by mitochondrial inner membrane, which was caused the fact that BSA was more lipophilic than MPA. This study provides an important basis for understanding the mechanism of the toxicity of CdTe QDs to mitochondria, and valuable information for safe use of QDs in the future.

Hepatic stellate cell is activated by microRNA-181b via PTEN/Akt pathway.

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is an essential event in the initiation and progression of liver fibrosis. MicroRNAs have been shown to play a pivotal role in regulating HSC functions such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Recently, miR-181b has been reported to promote HSCs proliferation by targeting p27. But whether alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) or collagens could be promoted by miR-181b in activated HSCs is still not clear. Therefore, the understanding of the role of miR-181b in liver fibrosis remains limited. Our results showed that miR-181b expression was increased much higher than miR-181a expression in vitro in transforming growth factor-ß1-induced HSC activation as well as in vivo in carbon tetrachloride-induced rat liver fibrosis. Of note, overexpression of miR-181b significantly increased the expressions level of α-SMA and type I collagen, and further promoted HSCs proliferation. Furthermore, phosphatase and tensin homologs deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), a negative regulator of PI3K/Akt pathway, were confirmed as a direct target of miR-181b. We demonstrated that miR-181b could suppress PTEN expression and increase Akt phosphorylation in HSCs. Interestingly, the effects of miR-181b on the activation of HSCs were blocked down by Akt inhibitor LY294002. Our results revealed a profibrotic role of miR-181b in HSC activation and demonstrated that miR-181b could activate HSCs, at least in part, via PTEN/Akt pathway.

Comparison of interactions between human serum albumin and silver nanoparticles of different sizes using spectroscopic methods.

Three different sizes (15.9 ± 2.1 nm, 26.4 ± 3.2 nm and 39.8 ± 4.0 nm, respectively) of citrate-coated silver nanoparticles (SNPs) have been synthesized and characterized. The interactions of the synthesized SNPs with human serum albumin (HSA) at physiological pH have been systematically studied by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The results indicate that the SNPs can bind to HSA with high affinity and quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA. The binding constants and quenching rate constants were calculated. The apparent association constants (Kapp ) values are 2.14 × 10(4) M(-1) for 15.9 nm SNP, 1.65 × 10(4) M(-1) for 26.4 nm SNP and 1.37 × 10(4) M(-1) for 39.8 nm SNP, respectively. The values of binding constant obtained from the fluorescence quenching data match well with that determined from the absorption spectral changes. These results suggest that the smaller SNPs have stronger interactions to HSA than the larger ones at the same concentrations. Synchronous fluorescence, three-dimensional fluorescence and CD spectroscopy studies show that the synthesized SNPs can induce slight conformational changes in HSA.