Ni/NiO@NC as a highly efficient and durable HER electrocatalyst derived from nickel(II) complexes: importance of polydentate amino-acid ligands.

Research on Ni/NiO electrocatalysts has advanced significantly, but the main obstacles to their use and commercialization remain their relatively ordinary activity and stability. In this paper, a chelating structure based on the coordination of multidentate ligands and Ni(II) is proposed to limit the growth of Ni and Ni oxide grains. These features reduce the particle size of Ni/NiO, increase particle dispersion, and maintain the high activity and stability of the catalyst. Aspartic acid, as a polydentate ligand, could coordinate with Ni2+ to form structurally stable chelate rings. The latter can limit grain growth, but also coat the active core with thin carbon layers after calcination to further achieve the confinement and protection of nanoparticles. The hydrogen evolution overpotential of prepared nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon shells (Ni/NiO@NC) nanoparticles was 100 mV (vs. RHE) when the current density was 10 mA cm-2 in 1 M KOH. The hydrogen evolution overpotential increased by only 4 mV after 6000 continuous cyclic-voltammetry scans. Moreover, when coated on different conductive substrates, the overpotential of this catalyst dropped to 34.6 mV (vs. RHE) at a current density of 10 mV cm-2. The lowest overpotential of the composite was only 194.9 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm-2, which is comparable with that of noble metal-based electrocatalysts. This work provides a plausible method for designing high-performance electrocatalysts of small size.

Tannic acid: a crosslinker leading to versatile functional polymeric networks: a review.

With the thriving of mussel-inspired polyphenol chemistry as well as the demand for low-cost analogues to polydopamine in adhesive design, tannic acid has gradually become a research focus because of its wide availability, health benefits and special chemical properties. As a natural building block, tannic acid could be used as a crosslinker either supramolecularly or chemically, ensuring versatile functional polymeric networks for various applications. Up to now, a systematic summary on tannic-acid-based networks has still been waiting for an update and outlook. In this review, the common features of tannic acid are summarized in detail, followed by the introduction of covalent and non-covalent crosslinking methods leading to various tannic-acid-based materials. Moreover, recent progress in the application of tannic acid composites is also summarized, including bone regeneration, skin adhesives, wound dressings, drug loading and photothermal conversion. Above all, we also provide further prospects concerning tannic-acid-crosslinked materials.

Identification of RHOBTB2 aberration as an independent prognostic indicator in acute myeloid leukemia.

Rho-related BTB domain (RhoBTB) proteins belong to Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases). Their putative role implicated in carcinogenesis has been supported by accumulating evidence. However, their expression pattern and potential role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain unclear. We profiled RHOBTB mRNA expression via the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2) database. Survival analysis was conducted with GEPIA2 and UALCAN. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to validate RHOBTB genes as independent prognostic indicators in the LAML cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Data regarding expression in different subtypes and relationships with common disease-related genes were retrieved from UALCAN. Co-expressed genes were screened out and subsequently subjected to functional enrichment analysis. We observed aberrant transcription levels of RHOBTB genes in AML patients. RHOBTB2 was identified as a prognostic candidate for overall survival (OS), independent of prognosis-related clinical factors and genetic abnormalities. Moreover, RHOBTB2 expression was increased in non-acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) subtypes, patients without FLT3 mutation and PML/RAR fusion, and imparted a positive correlation with the expression of FLT3, FHL1, and RUNXs. Co-expressed genes of RHOBTB2 were enriched in functional pathways in AML. Our findings suggest that RHOBTB2 might be a novel biomarker and independent prognostic indicator in AML and provide insights into the leukemogenesis and molecular network of AML.

Merkel cell carcinoma after liver transplantation: a case report and review of the literature.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of highly aggressive cutaneous malignant neuroendocrine tumor. The incidence of Merkel cell carcinomas is higher in organ transplant recipients than healthy controls. There are some reports of Merkel cell carcinomas after kidney transplantation, but few reports of Merkel cell carcinomas after liver transplantation are available. We present a 64-year-old Chinese woman with an asymptomatic nodule on her right tibia 6 years after liver transplantation. The nodule appeared as a purulent scab on the surface and measured 2.4×2.5 cm in diameter. Histopathologic and immunohistochemistry examinations confirmed the nodule to be a Merkel cell carcinoma. No residual Merkel cell carcinoma was detected at the surgical margins after surgical resection. No metastases were detected in a sentinel lymph node biopsy specimen. The wound was suctioned with negative pressure. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged 16 days after surgery. Then, she underwent postsurgical adjuvant radiotherapy. No relapse was observed for approximately 24 months of follow-up. Merkel cell carcinoma may severely impact health, especially among transplant recipients. Immunosuppressants that must be administered after transplantation can increase the risk of Merkel cell carcinoma and physicians should be aware of Merkel cell carcinomas occurring in liver transplant recipients.

Red wine-inspired tannic acid-KH561 copolymer: its adhesive properties and its application in wound healing.

Damaged tissue with an open wound is one of the daily injuries and can have different levels of severity. Inspired by the textile dyeing, coloration and skin care effect of pyrogallol-rich red wine, tannic acid-KH561 (TA561) copolymer was fabricated by phenol-silanol reaction and polycondensation of silane in an aqueous medium under mild conditions. This copolymer could undergo sol-gel transition via continuous heating or when simply placed at room temperature, during which liquid TA561 oligomers connected with each other to form solid TA561 as a bulk resin or thin film. Combining the advantages of the polyphenols and polysiloxane, TA561 can be used as an adhesive for multiple surfaces, including wood, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly(vinyl chloride), aluminum chips and silicon rubber. Furthermore, TA561 also possessed reducing activity towards Ag+ or Au3+ ions to form the corresponding nanoparticles. An in vivo antimicrobial ability test indicated that TA561 could promote wound healing and showed resistance to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in comparison with KH561. Indeed, TA561 has the potential to be utilized as a low-cost, green bioadhesive material for skin preparations.

Differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA modulates the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of glioma cells by targeting the miR-216a/LGR5 axis and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Purpose: DANCR plays an important role in various types of cancer. However, its role in gliomas remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the role of DANCR in gliomas. Methods: DANCR expression was measured by qRT-PCR, and expression of LGR5, PI3K, AKT, and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) was detected by western blotting. The combination of miR-216a and DANCR was quantified by Luciferase reporter assays. Proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle, migration and invasion, and angiogenesis of glioma cells were measured by MTT, flow cytometry, Transwell, and Tube formation assays, respectively. Results: DANCR expression was significantly higher in glioma cells than in normal human astrocytes. Silencing of DANCR inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of glioma cells, promoted apoptosis, blocked the cell cycle at the G1/S transition, and reduced LGR5, PI3K, and p-AKT expression. We identified miR-216a as a direct target of DANCR. Silencing of DANCR in glioma cells increased miR-216a expression. Further, miR-216a suppression increased proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis and inhibited apoptosis of glioma cells transfected with DANCR-targeting siRNA. In addition, miR-216a suppression compromised inhibition of the G1/S transition caused by DANCR silencing. Furthermore, suppression of miR-216a increased accumulation of LGR5, PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT in glioma cells transfected with DANCR-targeting siRNA. Conclusion: DANCR modulates growth and metastasis by targeting the miR-216a/LGR5 axis and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery combined with stereotactic aspiration as an effective treatment method for large cystic brain metastases.

In the present study, the efficacy and clinical outcomes of stereotactic aspiration combined with the Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) method were evaluated retrospectively for patients with large cystic brain metastases. This combined method aims to decrease the tumor weight (volume) and increase the possible radiation dose. The present study involved 48 patients who were diagnosed with cystic metastatic brain tumors between January 2008 and December 2012 in the Department of Neurosurgery of Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University (Guangzhou, China). Every patient underwent Leksell stereotactic frame, 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided stereotactic cyst aspiration and Leksell GKRS. Subsequent to the therapy, MRI was performed every 3 months. The results indicated that 48 cases were followed up for 24-72 months, with a mean follow-up duration of 36.2 months. Following treatment, 44 patients (91.7%) exhibited tumor control and 4 patients (8.3%) experienced progression of the local tumor. During this period, 35 patients (72.9%) succumbed, but only 2 (4.2%) of these succumbed to the brain metastases. The total local control rate was 91.7% and the median overall survival time of all patients was 19.5 months. The 1-year overall survival rate was 70.8% and the 2-year overall survival rate was 26.2%. In conclusion, these results indicated that the method of stereotactic cyst aspiration combined with GKRS was safe and effective for patients with large cystic brain metastases. This method is effective for patients whose condition is too weak for general anesthesia and in whom the tumors are positioned at eloquent areas. This method enables patients to avoid a craniotomy, and provides a good tumor control rate, survival time and quality of life.

PEGylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes for encapsulation and sustained release of oxaliplatin.

PURPOSE: To develop PEGylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a sustained release drug delivery system. METHODS: Oxaliplatin was incorporated into inner cavity of PEGylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-PEG) using nano-extraction. Oxaliplatin release rates from MWCNT-PEG-Oxaliplatin were investigated using dialysis tubing. Cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin, MWCNT-Oxaliplatin and MWCNT-PEG-Oxaliplatin were evaluated in HT29 cell by MTT assay, Pt-DNA adducts formation, γ-H2AX formation and cell apoptosis assay. RESULTS: Loading of oxaliplatin into MWCNT-PEG was ~43.6%. Sustained release occurred to MWCNT-PEG-Oxaliplatin, with only 34% of oxaliplatin released into medium within 6 h. In MTT assay, MWCNT-PEG-Oxaliplatin showed slightly decreased cytotoxic effect when cell viability was assessed at 12 and 24 h. A drastic increase of cytotoxicity was found when cell viability was assessed at 48 and 96 h. Pt-DNA adducts formation, γ-H2AX formation and cell apoptosis assay results showed the same trend as the MTT assay, suggesting sustained-release for MWCNT-Oxaliplatin and MWCNT-PEG-Oxaliplatin formulations. CONCLUSIONS: PEGylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes can be used as sustained release drug delivery system, thus remarkably improving cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin on HT-29 cells.