Co-exposure of sulfur nanoparticles and Cu alleviate Cu stress and toxicity to oilseed rape Brassica napus L.

Experiments were performed to explore the impact of sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs) on growth, Cu accumulation, and physiological and biochemical responses of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) inoculated with 5 mg/L Cu-amended MS medium supplemented with or without 300 mg/L SNPs exposure. Cu exerted severe phytotoxicity and inhibited plant growth. SNPs application enhanced the shoot height, root length, and dry weight of shoot and root by 34.6%, 282%, 41.7% and 37.1%, respectively, over Cu treatment alone, while the shoot and root Cu contents and Cu-induced lipid perodixation as the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in shoots and roots were decreased by 37.6%, 35%, 28.4% and 26.8%. Further, the increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme activities caused by Cu stress were mitigated in shoots (10.9%-37.1%) and roots (14.6%-35.3%) with SNPs addition. SNPs also positively counteracted the negative effects on shoot K, Ca, P, Mg, Mn, Zn and Fe contents and root K, Ca, Mg and Mn contents from Cu exposure alone, and significantly promoted the nutrients accumulation in plant. Additionally, in comparison with common bulk sulfur particles (BSPs) and sulfate, SNPs showed more positive effects on promoting growth in shoots (6.7% and 19.5%) and roots (10.9% and 15.1%), as well as lowering the shoot Cu content (40.1% and 43.3%) under Cu stress. Thus, SNPs application has potential to be a green and sustainable technology for increasing plant productivity and reducing accumulation of toxic metals in heavy metal polluted soils.

Investigate the metabolic profile and potential active compounds of Fructus Corni in the treatment of heart failure by applying ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and network pharmacology.

Fructus Corni has been reported to contain a wide variety of pharmacological effects and previous studies had revealed that Fructus Corni might protect the cardiac indices. However, the all-encompassing metabolic profile of Fructus Corni has not been well illuminated. In this research, high-sensitivity ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was adopted to identify the metabolic profile after oral administration of Fructus Corni extract, especially the metabolic characterization of serum and heart, for which the targets and signaling pathways about heart failure were hunted through compound-target-disease-pathway intersection network. Ultimately, 37 ingredients were identified in Fructus Corni extract, and 22 prototypes and 134 metabolites that were identified in serum, heart, feces, and urine were tentatively characterized, which contained iridoids, flavonoids, tannins, organic acids, and others. Additionally, 10 putative key compounds including four prototypes and six phase I metabolites were screened by network pharmacology and molecular docking, among which, secoxyloganin (P7), loganin (P14), cornuside III (P17) and cornuside (P20) were the absorbed compounds to represent the potential active ingredients of Fructus Corni engaged in heart failure condition. In general, this method provided the combined strategy to preliminarily settle the complex of Fructus Corni's metabolic profiling and anti-heart failure pharmacologic activities.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of BBX Transcription Factors in Iris germanica L.

The family of B-box (BBX) transcription factors contains one or two B-BOX domains and sometimes also features a highly conserved CCT domain, which plays important roles in plant growth, development and stress response. Nevertheless, no systematic study of the BBX gene family in Iris germanica L. has been undertaken. In this study, a set of six BBX TF family genes from I. germanica was identified based on transcriptomic sequences, and clustered into three clades according to phylogenetic analysis. A transient expression analysis revealed that all six BBX proteins were localized in the nucleus. A yeast one-hybrid assay demonstrated that IgBBX3 has transactivational activity, while IgBBX1, IgBBX2, IgBBX4, and IgBBX5 have no transcriptional activation ability. The transcript abundance of IgBBXs in different tissues was divided into two major groups. The expression of IgBBX1, IgBBX2, IgBBX3 and IgBBX5 was higher in leaves, whereas IgBBX4 and IgBBX6 was higher in roots. The stress response patterns of six IgBBX were detected under phytohormone treatments and abiotic stresses. The results of this study lay the basis for further research on the functions of BBX gene family members in plant hormone and stress responses, which will promote their application in I. germanica breeding.

Deep Penetration of Targeted Nanobubbles Enhanced Cavitation Effect on Thrombolytic Capacity.

Sonothrombolysis with microbubbles can enhance the dissolution of thrombus through the cavitation effect of microbubbles under ultrasound irradiation. However, the detailed mechanism of thrombolysis with microscaled or nanoscaled bubbles is still not so clear. This study compared the thrombolytic capacity of cRGD-targeted or nontargeted bubbles with different particle sizes combined with urokinase (UK). The size of the microscaled bubbles (Mbs or Mbs-cRGD) was mostly approximately 3 µm, while the nanoscaled bubbles (Nbs or Nbs-cRGD) were mainly around 220 nm. In vitro testing was performed on an extracorporeal circulation device that mimics human vascular thromboembolism. The rabbit clots in Mbs with UK groups showed peripheral worm-like dissolution, while the clots in Nbs with UK groups showed internal fissure-like collapse. In addition, the thrombolysis rate of Nbs-cRGD with the UK group was the highest. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopic images showed that the fibrin network was the most severely damaged by the Nbs-cRGD, and most of the fibrin strands were dissolved. Especially, the Nbs-cRGD can penetrate much deeper than Mbs-cRGD into the thrombus and loosen the fibrin network. Taken together, benefiting from the specific identification and deep penetration to thrombus, our developed novel targeted Nbs may have broad application prospects in the clinic.

CREPT and p15RS regulate cell proliferation and cycling in chicken DF-1 cells through the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

The CREPT (cell cycle-related and expression elevated protein in tumor, also known as RPRD1B) and p15RS (p15INK4b -related sequence, also known as RPRD1A) have been shown to regulate cell proliferation and alter the cell cycle through Wnt/ß-catenin pathway downstream genes in human. Although several studies have revealed the mechanism by which CREPT and p15RS regulate cell proliferation in human and mammals, it is still unclear how these genes function in poultry. In order to determine the function of CREPT and p15RS in chicken, we examined the expression of CREPT and p15RS in a variety of chicken tissues and DF-1 cells. Then, we determined the effect of overexpression or depletion of CREPT or p15RS, by transiently transfecting chicken DF-1 cells with overexpression and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) vectors respectively, on the regulation of cell proliferation. The results showed that CREPT and p15RS had different expression patterns and opposite effects on the cell cycling and proliferation. Knockdown of p15RS expression or overexpression of CREPT facilitated cell proliferation by promoting the cell-cycle transition from G0/G1 to S-phase and G2/M, whereas knockdown of CREPT or overexpression of p15RS inhibited cell proliferation. Mechanistically, CREPT and p15RS control DF-1 cell proliferation by regulating the expression of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway downstream regulatory genes, including ß-catenin, TCF4, and Cyclin D1. In conclusion, CREPT and p15RS regulate cell proliferation and the cell-cycle transition in chicken DF-1 cells by regulating the transcription of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway downstream regulatory genes.

Over-expression of chrysanthemum CmDREB6 enhanced tolerance of chrysanthemum to heat stress.

BACKGROUND: Chrysanthemum is among the top ten traditional flowers in China, and one of the four major cut flowers in the world, but the growth of chrysanthemum is severely restricted by high temperatures which retard growth and cause defects in flowers. DREB (dehydration-responsive element-binding) transcription factors play important roles in the response to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, whether the DREB A-6 subgroup is involved in heat tolerance has not been reported conclusively. RESULT: In the present study, CmDREB6 was cloned from chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) 'Jinba'. CmDREB6, containing a typical AP2/ERF domain, was classed into the DREB A-6 subgroup and shared highest homology with Cichorium intybus L. CiDREB6 (73%). CmDREB6 was expressed at its highest levels in the leaf. The CmDREB6 protein localized to the nucleus. Based on the yeast one hybrid assay, CmDREB6 showed transcription activation activity in yeast, and the transcriptional activation domain was located in the 3 'end ranging from 230 to 289 amino acids residues. CmDREB6 overexpression enhanced the tolerance of chrysanthemum to heat. The survival rate of two transgenic lines was as high as 85%, 50%, respectively, in contrast to 3.8% of wild-type (WT). Over-expression of CmDREB6 promoted the expression of CmHsfA4, CmHSP90, and the active oxygen scavenging genes CmSOD and CmCAT. CONCLUSION: In this study, DREB A-6 subgroup gene CmDREB6 was cloned from chrysanthemum 'Jinba'. Overexpression of CmDREB6 enhanced heat tolerance of chrysanthemum by regulating genes involved in the heat shock response and ROS homeogenesis.

Selenium ameliorates Staphylococcus aureus-induced inflammation in bovine mammary epithelial cells by inhibiting activation of TLR2, NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) internalization into bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs) is considered an important pathogenic mechanism for the establishment of mastitis. Given the interesting link between selenium (Se) status and mastitis, our objective was to prove that Se was essential to suppress pro-inflammatory mediators, in part, by modulation of Toll-like receptor2 (TLR2), nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway in bMECs. RESULTS: Results showed that Se (0~ 16 µM) did not affect the growth of bMECs. The mRNA expression of TLR2, Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (Myd88), Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase4 (Irak4), Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase1 (Irak1) and TNF receptor-associated factor6 (Traf6) in TLR2 signal pathway were increased or significantly increased by S. aureus. Se played an important role in regulating the genes expression of TLR2, Myd88, Traf6 but not in controlling the expression of Irak4 and Irak1. In addition, Se exerted strong inhibitory effects on the genes expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) induced by S. aureus. To further investigate the possible signaling mechanisms involved in the processes, we analyzed the role of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathway in inflammation response in S. aureus-stimulated bMECs in vitro. Results showed that the phosphorylation of inhibitory kappaB alpha (IκBα), p65, p38 and extracellular regulated protein kinase (Erk) were significantly increased in S. aureus-stimulated bMECs. It indicated that S. aureus activated NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway. We also examined the effects of Se on the phosphorylation of IκBα, p65, p38 and Erk in NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway, which have well been proved to control the synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory mediators during inflammation. The findings are exciting, that pretreatment with Se (4, 8 µM) significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of IκBα, p65, p38 and Erk. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Se down-regulates inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 gene expressions via TLR2, NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway in S. aureus-stimulated bMECs, which may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect of Se.

Regulation of Hedgehog Signaling in Chicken Embryonic Stem Cells Differentiation Into Male Germ Cells (Gallus).

The study aims to analyze the key signaling pathways in regulating the process of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) differentiation into spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Based on RNA Sequencing result, we further explored the specific regulating mechanisms of Hedgehog (HH) signaling in this process. HH signaling was found to be a crucial signaling pathway participating in the differentiation process of ESCs to SSCs. In Retinoic acid (RA) induced in vitro differentiation assay, the expression of two germ cell marker genes, integrin α6, and integrin ß1, was observed to significantly increase, while it decreased dramatically when IHH was knocked down. Fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis showed that the proportion of integrin α6+ and integrin ß1+ cells in the RA group was significantly higher than that in the RA + siRNA- Indian Hedgehog (IHH) group. In in vivo situations, siRNA-IHH could stably express in fertilized chicken embryos and significantly down-regulate the IHH expression. With real-time quantitative PCR and western blot, we identified that integrin α6 and integrin ß1 expression was significantly suppressed along with IHH inhibition in vivo. We concluded that Hedgehog signaling pathway positively regulates the differentiation of ESCs to male germ cells through signal transduction by IHH. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1379-1386, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

CmMYB19 Over-Expression Improves Aphid Tolerance in Chrysanthemum by Promoting Lignin Synthesis.

The gene encoding the MYB (v-myb avian myeloblastosis vira l oncogene homolog) transcription factor CmMYB19 was isolated from chrysanthemum. It encodes a 200 amino acid protein and belongs to the R2R3-MYB subfamily. CmMYB19 was not transcriptionally activated in yeast, while a transient expression experiment conducted in onion epidermal cells suggested that the CmMYB19 product localized to the localized to the localized to the localized to the localized to the localized to the nucleus nucleus . CmMYB19 transcription was induced by aphid (Macrosiphoniella sanborni) infestation, and the abundance of transcript was higher in the leaf and stem than in the root. The over-expression of CmMYB19 restricted the multiplication of the aphids. A comparison of transcript abundance of the major genes involved in lignin synthesis showed that CmPAL1 (phenylalanine ammonia lyase 1), CmC4H (cinnamate4 hydroxylase), Cm4CL1 (4-hydroxy cinnamoyl CoA ligase 1), CmHCT (hydroxycinnamoyl CoA-shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase), CmC3H1 (coumarate3 hydroxylase1), CmCCoAOMT1 (caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase 1) and CmCCR1 (cinnamyl CoA reductase1) were all upregulated, in agreement in agreement in agreement in agreement in agreement in agreement with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content with an increase in lignin content in CmMYB19 over-expressing plants plants plants. Collectively, the over-expression of CmMYB19 restricted the multiplication of the aphids on the host, mediated by an enhanced accumulation of lignin.

Vinegar amount in the process affected the components of vinegar-baked Radix Bupleuri and its hepatoprotective effect.

BACKGROUND: Bupleuri Radix (in Chinese Chaihu), the dried roots of Bupleurum Chinense DC, is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used to treat fever, hepatitis, jaundice, nephritis, dizziness. When baked with vinegar, its effect is more focused on liver related disease. This paper was undertaken to determine the best vinegar amount in the processing and explore its key efficacy components. METHODS: Hepatoprotective effects of Radix Bupleuri after processing with different amount of vinegar (1:5, 2:5, 3:5) were investigated on liver hurt rats, and the change of constituents were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). RESULTS: With the increasing amount of vinegar, the hepatoprotective effects of vinegar-baked Radix Bupleuri (VBRB) and the content of saikosaponin b2 increased. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that vinegar amount in the process affected the pharmacological effect of VBRB significantly and saikosaponin b2 may be the key efficacy component of it.

Chrysanthemum WRKY gene CmWRKY17 negatively regulates salt stress tolerance in transgenic chrysanthemum and Arabidopsis plants.

KEY MESSAGE: CmWRKY17 was induced by salinity in chrysanthemum, and it might negatively regulate salt stress in transgenic plants as a transcriptional repressor. WRKY transcription factors play roles as positive or negative regulators in response to various stresses in plants. In this study, CmWRKY17 was isolated from chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium). The gene encodes a 227-amino acid protein and belongs to the group II WRKY family, but has an atypical WRKY domain with the sequence WKKYGEK. Our data indicated that CmWRKY17 was localized to the nucleus in onion epidermal cells. CmWRKY17 showed no transcriptional activation in yeast; furthermore, luminescence assay clearly suggested that CmWRKY17 functions as a transcriptional repressor. DNA-binding assay showed that CmWRKY17 can bind to W-box. The expression of CmWRKY17 was induced by salinity in chrysanthemum, and a higher expression level was observed in the stem and leaf compared with that in the root, disk florets, and ray florets. Overexpression of CmWRKY17 in chrysanthemum and Arabidopsis increased the sensitivity to salinity stress. The activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase and proline content in the leaf were significantly lower in transgenic chrysanthemum than those in the wild type under salinity stress, whereas electrical conductivity was increased in transgenic plants. Expression of the stress-related genes AtRD29, AtDREB2B, AtSOS1, AtSOS2, AtSOS3, and AtNHX1 was reduced in the CmWRKY17 transgenic Arabidopsis compared with that in the wild-type Col-0. Collectively, these data suggest that CmWRKY17 may increase the salinity sensitivity in plants as a transcriptional repressor.

Isolation and characterization of six AP2/ERF transcription factor genes in Chrysanthemum nankingense.

The AP2/ERF family of plant transcription factors (TFs) regulate a variety of developmental and physiological processes. Here, we report the isolation of six AP2/ERF TF family genes from Chrysanthemum nankingense. On the basis of sequence similarity, one of these belonged to the Ethylene Responsive Factor (ERF) subfamily and the other five to the Dehydration Responsive Element Binding protein (DREB) subfamily. A transient expression experiment showed that all six AP2/ERF proteins localized to the nucleus. A yeast-one hybrid assay demonstrated that CnDREB1-1, 1-2 and 1-3 all function as transactivators, while CnERF1, CnDREB3-1 and 3-2 have no transcriptional activation ability. The transcription response of the six TFs in response to wounding, salinity and low temperature stress and treatment with abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) showed that CnERF1 was up-regulated by wounding and low temperature stress but suppressed by salinity stress. The transcription of CnDREB1-1, 1-2 and 1-3 was down-regulated by ABA and JA to varying degrees. CnDREB3-1 and 3-2 was moderately increased or decreased by wounding and SA treatment, suppressed by salinity stress and JA treatment, and enhanced by low temperature stress and ABA treatment.

A transcriptomic analysis of Chrysanthemum nankingense provides insights into the basis of low temperature tolerance.

BACKGROUND: A major constraint affecting the quality and productivity of chrysanthemum is the unusual period of low temperature occurring during early spring, late autumn, and winter. Yet, there has been no systematic investigation on the genes underlying the response to low temperature in chrysanthemum. Herein, we used RNA-Seq platform to characterize the transcriptomic response to low temperature by comparing different transcriptome of Chrysanthemum nankingense plants and subjecting them to a period of sub-zero temperature, with or without a prior low temperature acclimation. RESULTS: Six separate RNA-Seq libraries were generated from the RNA samples of leaves and stems from six different temperature treatments, including one cold acclimation (CA), two freezing treatments without prior CA, two freezing treatments with prior CA and the control. At least seven million clean reads were obtained from each library. Over 77% of the reads could be mapped to sets of C. nankingense unigenes established previously. The differentially transcribed genes (DTGs) were identified as low temperature sensing and signalling genes, transcription factors, functional proteins associated with the abiotic response, and low temperature-responsive genes involved in post-transcriptional regulation. The differential transcription of 15 DTGs was validated using quantitative RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: The large number of DTGs identified in this study, confirmed the complexity of the regulatory machinery involved in the processes of low temperature acclimation and low temperature/freezing tolerance.

Modulatory effects of extracts of vinegar-baked Radix Bupleuri and saikosaponins on the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes in vitro.

1. In this article, the modulatory effects of extracts from vinegar-baked Radix Bupleuri (VBRB) and saikosaponins on the activity of CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 were investigated in vitro. 2. Microsomal in vitro incubation method was utilized to simulate metabolic reaction under physiological environment by incubating the marker with liver microsomes in the absence or presence of VBRB and saikosaponins. The contents of 4-acetamidophenol, 6ß-hydroxyltestosterone and 4-hydroxydiclofenac, the metabolites of phenacetin, testosterone and diclofenac, which were selected as specific probe drugs of CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, respectively, were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. 3. The production of the metabolites was incubation time dependent. The modulatory effects of different VBRB extracts and saikosaponins on CYP isoforms increased with concentration. Among all the extracts studied, BC1 has a strong inhibition effect compared to the three CYP isoforms tested, while the others have only significant inhibition on the activity of CYP2C9. 4. This in vitro study demonstrated that various extracts of VBRB tested in this study have negligible potential to interfere with CYP1A2- and CYP3A4-metabolized drugs; risk of herb-drug interaction might occur when VBRB is concurrently taken with CYP2C9 substrates.

Vinegar-baked Radix Bupleuri modulates the cell membrane constituents and inhibits the P-gp activity in rat hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND: Vinegar-baked Radix Bupleuri (VBRB) enhances the effects of other drugs on the liver by increasing drug distribution to the liver, but the mechanism of action remains unclear. The present study was designed to determine the effects of VBRB on the membrane permeability, constituents, and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity of hepatocyte BRL cells, in order to interpret the liver targeting enhancing effects of VBRB. METHODS: The membrane permeability and P-gp expression were analyzed by flow cytometry. The membrane constituents were determined by an automatic biochemistry analyzer and thin-layer chromatography. RESULTS: The results showed that, compared with the control, VBRB enhanced the membrane permeability by 41-67% (P < 0.05), which occurred in the absence of any cytotoxicity. VBRB had marginal effects on the cholesterol content, but significantly affected the total protein contents and the lipid constituents of the cell membrane in a dose- and time-dependent manner. VBRB inhibited P-gp expression in the cell membrane by 59-86% (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: VBRB affects the constituents of BRL cells and increases its permeability, which may help explain its liver-targeting effects.

[Pharmacokinetic study on peoniflorin, astilbin, rosmarinic acid, isofraxidin and liquiritin in rat blood after oral administration of shaolin xiaoyin tablets].

To establish a method for the determination of astilbin, peoniflorin, rasmarinci acid, isofraxidin and liquiritin contained in Shaolin Xiaoyin tablets, in order to lay a foundation for designing late-stage dosage forms and clinical medication schemes. In this paper, efforts were made to establish a method for the determination of the blood concentration of the five components and study the in vivo pharmacokinetics in rats. The blood concentration was determined by HPLC. Phenomenex C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was adopted and eluted with methanol-acetonitrile-0.05% formic acid, the flow rate was 0.8 mL x min(-1), and the wavelength was 275 nm. The samples were processed by the solid phase extraction method. After oral administration of Shaoling Xiaoyin tablets, the rat bloods were collected at different time points to determine the blood concentrations. The experimental results showed that the baseline separation could be adopted for the five components, and astilbin, peoniflorin, rasmarinci acid, isofraxidin and liquiritin showed good linear relations within ranges of 2.48-248, 0.213 6-21.36, 0.531-53.1, 0.704-70.4, 0.253-25.3 mg x L(-1). All the five components could be absorbed in blood and excreted quickly. The method established in this paper is rapid and accurate, and could be used for in vivo analysis on preparations containing similar components. The main components in Shaoling Xiaoyin tablets could be absorbed and excreted quickly, and thus suitable to be made into sustained release tablets. Common preparations are required to be taken for 4-6 times a day.

Enhancing the Consistency and Performance of Graphene-Based Devices via Al Intermediate-Layer-Assisted Transfer and Patterning.

Graphene has garnered widespread attention, and its use is being explored for various electronic devices due to its exceptional material properties. However, the use of polymers (PMMA, photoresists, etc.) during graphene transfer and patterning processes inevitably leaves residues on graphene surface, which can decrease the performance and yield of graphene-based devices. This paper proposes a new transfer and patterning process that utilizes an Al intermediate layer to separate graphene from polymers. Through DFT calculations, the binding energy of graphene-Al was found to be only -0.48 eV, much lower than that of PMMA and photoresist with graphene, making it easier to remove Al from graphene. Subsequently, this was confirmed through XPS analysis. A morphological characterization demonstrated that the graphene patterns prepared using the Al intermediate layer process exhibited higher surface quality, with significantly reduced roughness. It is noteworthy that the devices obtained with the proposed method exhibited a notable enhancement in both consistency and sensitivity during electrical testing (increase of 67.14% in temperature sensitivity). The low-cost and pollution-free graphene-processing method proposed in this study will facilitate the further commercialization of graphene-based devices.

Preparation of a Polymeric Phosphoramide Flame-Retardant and Its Effect on the Flame-Retardant Properties of Epoxy Resin.

The flammability of epoxy resins and knowing how to achieve curing are particularly important factors during use. A novel approach for enhancing the fire resistance and reducing the smoke emission of epoxy resin during the curing process is suggested, which involves the utilization of a three-source integrated polymerization intumescent flame-retardant. In this study, the synthesis of poly 4,4-diaminodiphenylsulfone spirocyclic pentaerythritol bisphosphonate (PCS) is achieved through using solution polymerization, utilizing 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) and spirocyclic pentaerythritol bisphosphorate disphosphoryl chloride (SPDPC) as initial components. Following that, the EP underwent the inclusion of PCS to examine its resistance to heat, its ability to prevent flames, its effectiveness in reducing smoke and its curing effect. Compared to the unmodified epoxy resin, the addition of PCS can not only cure the epoxy resin, but also decompose before the epoxy resin and has a good carbonization effect. With the addition of 7 wt.% PCS, the LOI value can achieve 31.2% and successfully pass the UL-94 test with a V-0 rating. Moreover, the cone calorimeter experiment demonstrated a noteworthy decline of 59.7% in the maximum heat release rate (pHRR), 63.7% in overall heat release (THR), and 42.3% in total smoke generation (TSP). Based on the examination of TG-FTIR and SEM findings, there is ample evidence to suggest that PCS, functioning as a phosphorus-nitrogen intumescent flame-retardant that combines three origins, has the potential to exhibit a favorable flame-retardant impact in both its gas and condensed phases.

Correction: A Y1 receptor ligand synergized with a P-glycoprotein inhibitor improves the therapeutic efficacy of multidrug resistant breast cancer.

Correction for 'A Y1 receptor ligand synergized with a P-glycoprotein inhibitor improves the therapeutic efficacy of multidrug resistant breast cancer' by Yinjie Wang et al., Biomater. Sci., 2019, 7, 4748-4757, https://doi.org/10.1039/C9BM00337A.

Room temperature reduction of graphene oxide by formic acid catalyzed by platinum nanoparticles.

Graphene oxide (GO) was reduced by stirring the solution contaning GO sheets with platinum (Pt) nanoparticles and formic acid at room temperature for 72 h. The resulting reduced graphene oxide-Pt (RGO-Pt) nanocomposites were characterized, and it was found that the Pt nanoparticles of size 4-6 nm were anchored onto the RGO sheets. The reduction of GO was facilitated by formic acid catalysed by the Pt nanoparticles. The reduction level of the GO sheets was related to the pH of the mixed solution, and higher pH would induce higher reduction level of the GO sheets. The RGO-Pt nanocomposites synthesized at pH 4 and pH 7 exhibit large electrochemically active surface area of 49.45 m2/g and 56.78 m2/g, and high I(f)/I(b) ratio of 2.36 and 2.87 indicating high electrocatalytic activities. This paper presents a new energy efficient way to reduce GO and produce RGO-Pt for fuel cell and other applications.