Research on interaction of innovation spillovers in the AI, Fin-Tech, and IoT industries: considering structural changes accelerated by COVID-19.

This paper aims to probe the influence of innovation spillovers in the artificial intelligence (AI) and financial technology (Fin-tech) industries on the value of the internet of things (IoT) companies. Python was utilized to download public information from Yahoo Finance, and then the GARCH model was used to extract the fluctuations of cross-industry innovation spillovers. Next, the Fama-French three-factor model was used to explore the interactive changes between variables. The panel data regression analysis indicates that the more firms accept innovation spillovers from other industries, the better the excess return; however, this effect differs because of industrial attributes and the environmental changes induced by COVID-19. Additionally, this study finds that investing in large-cap growth stocks of IoT firms is more likely to yield excess returns. Finally, the study yields lessons for policy leverage to accelerate the upgrading and transformation of innovation-interactive industries by referring to the practices of Singapore and South Korea.

Modification of N-terminal α-amino groups of peptides and proteins using ketenes.

A method of highly selective N-terminal modification of proteins as well as peptides by an isolated ketene was developed. Modification of a library of unprotected peptides XSKFR (X varies over 20 natural amino acids) by an alkyne-functionalized ketene (1) at room temperature at pH 6.3 resulted in excellent N-terminal selectivity (modified α-amino group/modified ε-amino group = >99:1) for 13 out of the 20 peptides and moderate-to-high N-terminal selectivity (4:1 to 48:1) for 6 of the 7 remaining peptides. Using an alkyne-functionalized N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester (2) instead of 1, the modification of peptides XSKFR gave internal lysine-modified peptides for 5 out of the 20 peptides and moderate-to-low N-terminal selectivity (5:1 to 1:4) for 13 out of the 20 peptides. Proteins including insulin, lysozyme, RNaseA, and a therapeutic protein BCArg were selectively N-terminally modified at room temperature using ketene 1, in contrast to the formation of significant or major amounts of di-, tri-, or tetra-modified proteins in the modification by NHS ester 2. The 1-modified proteins were further functionalized by a dansyl azide compound through click chemistry without the need for prior treatment.

Modulation of collagen alignment by silver nanoparticles results in better mechanical properties in wound healing.

Our previous study has revealed that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have potential to promote wound healing by accelerated re-epithelization and enhanced differentiation of fibroblasts. However, the effect of AgNPs on the functionality of repaired skin is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the tensile properties of healed skin after treatment with AgNPs. Immunohistochemical staining, quantitative assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to detect and compare collagen deposition, and the morphology and distribution of collagen fibers. Our results showed that AgNPs improved tensile properties and led to better fibril alignments in repaired skin, with a close resemblance to normal skin. Based on our findings, we concluded that AgNPs were predominantly responsible for regulating deposition of collagen and their use resulted in excellent alignment in the wound healing process. The exact signaling pathway by which AgNPs affect collagen regeneration is yet to be investigated. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: The aim of this study was to explore the tensile properties of healed skin after treatment with AgNPs. These nanoparticles improved tensile properties and led to better fibril alignments in repaired skin, with a close resemblance to normal skin. The exact signaling pathway by which AgNPs affect collagen regeneration is yet to be investigated.

Safety and effectiveness of new embolization microspheres SCBRM for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: A feasibility study.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is, currently, the recommended treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, long-term chemoembolization triggers the inflammatory response and may lead to postembolization syndrome (PES). Although several types of degradable microspheres have been developed to reduce drug toxicity and PES incidence, the clinical outcomes remain unsatisfactory. Previously, we have developed a new type of spherical, calibrated, biodegradable, radiopaque microspheres (SCBRM) and demonstrated their safety and efficacy in a pig model. Thus, the goal of this feasibility study was to determine the clinical safety and efficacy of the new SCBRM in intermediate-stage HCC patients. In this study, 12 intermediate-stage HCC patients underwent TACE using SCBRM with a calibrated size of 100-250 µm. The disease control rates at 1 month and 3 months after TACE-SCBRM treatment were 100% and 75.0%, respectively. The objective response rates at 1 month and 3 months after treatment were 66.7% and 58.3%, respectively. Very few adverse events were observed with one patient developing nausea. One day after the treatment, alanine aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels were slightly elevated in the patients, but all returned to baseline on day 7. The median and mean overall survival times were 33 months (interquartile range, 12.8-42.0) and 29.2 ± 14.3 months, respectively. The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 91.7% and 58.3%, respectively. In conclusion, TACE with the new SCBRM microspheres is clinically safe and effective, and it represents a promising approach in the management of intermediate-stage HCC.

A water-soluble ruthenium glycosylated porphyrin catalyst for carbenoid transfer reactions in aqueous media with applications in bioconjugation reactions.

Water-soluble [Ru(II)(4-Glc-TPP)(CO)] (1, 4-Glc-TPP = meso-tetrakis(4-(beta-D-glucosyl)phenyl)porphyrinato dianion) is an active catalyst for the following carbenoid transfer reactions in aqueous media with good selectivities and up to 100% conversions: intermolecular cyclopropanation of styrenes (up to 76% yield), intramolecular cyclopropanation of an allylic diazoacetate (68% yield), intramolecular ammonium/sulfonium ylide formation/[2,3]-sigmatroptic rearrangement reactions (up to 91% yield), and intermolecular carbenoid insertion into N-H bonds of primary arylamines (up to 83% yield). This ruthenium glycosylated porphyrin complex can selectively catalyze alkylation of the N-terminus of peptides (8 examples) and mediate N-terminal modification of proteins (four examples) using a fluorescent-tethered diazo compound (15). A fluorescent group was conjugated to ubiquitin via 1-catalyzed alkene cyclopropanation with 15 in aqueous solution in two steps: (1) incorporation of an alkenic group by the reaction of N-hydroxysuccinimide ester 19 with ubiquitin and (2) cyclopropanation of the alkene-tethered Lys(6) ubiquitin (23) with the fluorescent-labeled diazoacetate 15 in the presence of a catalytic amount of 1. The corresponding cyclopropanation product (24) was obtained with approximately 55% conversion based on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The products 23, 24, and the N-terminal modified peptides and proteins were characterized by LC-MS/MS and/or SDS-PAGE analyses.

Electron-deficient alkynes as cleavable reagents for the modification of cysteine-containing peptides in aqueous medium.

An efficient method has been developed for the chemoselective cysteine modification of unprotected peptides and proteins in aqueous media through the formation of a vinyl sulfide linkage by using electron-deficient alkynes, including alkynoic amides, esters and alkynones. The terminal alkynone-modified peptides could be converted back into the unmodified peptides (81% isolated yield) by adding thiols under mild conditions. The usefulness of this thiol-assisted cleavage of the vinyl sulfide linkage in peptides has been exemplified by the enrichment of a cysteine-containing peptide (71% recovery) from a mixture of cysteine-containing and non-cysteine-containing peptides.

Silver nanoparticles inhibit hepatitis B virus replication.

BACKGROUND: Silver nanoparticles have been shown to exhibit promising cytoprotective activities towards HIV-infected T-cells; however, the effects of these nanoparticles towards other kinds of viruses remain largely unexplored. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of silver nanoparticles on hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS: Monodisperse silver nanoparticles with mean particle diameters of approximately 10 nm (Ag10Ns) and approximately 50 nm (Ag50Ns) were prepared from AgNO3 in HEPES buffer. The in vitro anti-HBV activities of these particles were determined using the HepAD38 cell line as infection model. RESULTS: Ag10Ns and Ag50Ns were able to reduce the extracellular HBV DNA formation of HepAD38 cells by >50% compared with the vehicle control (that is, HepAD38 cells in the absence of silver nanoparticles). Silver nanoparticles had little effect on the amount of HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), but could inhibit the formation of intracellular HBV RNA. Gel mobility shift assays indicated that Ag10Ns bound HBV double-stranded DNA at a DNA:silver molar ratio of 1:50; an absorption titration assay showed that the nanoparticles have good binding affinity for HBV DNA with a binding constant (Kb) of (8.8 +/- 1.0)x10(5) dm(3)mol(-1). As both the viral and Ag10Ns systems are in the nanometer size range, we found that Ag10Ns could directly interact with the HBV viral particles as revealed by transmission electronic microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Silver nanoparticles could inhibit the in vitro production of HBV RNA and extracellular virions. We hypothesize that the direct interaction between these nanoparticles and HBV double-stranded DNA or viral particles is responsible for their antiviral mechanism.

Droplet-based light-sheet fluorescence microscopy for high-throughput sample preparation, 3-D imaging and quantitative analysis on a chip.

We report a novel fusion of droplet microfluidics and light-sheet microscopy, to achieve high-throughput sample compartmentalization, manipulation and three-dimensional imaging on a chip. This optofluidic device characterized by orthogonal plane illumination and rapid liquid handling is compact and cost-effective, and capable of preparing sample droplets with tunable size, frequency and ingredient. Each droplet flowing through the device's imaging region is self-scanned by a laser-sheet, three-dimensionally reconstructed and quantitatively analysed. This simple-and-robust platform combines fast 3-D imaging with efficient sample preparation and eliminates the need of a complicated mechanical scan at the same time. Achieving 500 measurements per second and screening over 30 samples per minute, it shows great potential for various lab-on-a-chip biological studies, such as embryo sorting and cell growth assays.

Silver nanoparticles fabricated in Hepes buffer exhibit cytoprotective activities toward HIV-1 infected cells.

Silver nanoparticles fabricated in Hepes buffer exhibit potent cytoprotective and post-infected anti-HIV-1 activities toward Hut/CCR5 cells.

Nitric oxide-releasing ruthenium nanoparticles.

Nitric oxide-releasing ruthenium nanoparticles were synthesized by the reaction of alkanethiolate-protected ruthenium nanoparticles with tert-butyl nitrite ((t)BuONO), and their water-soluble derivatives are able to deliver NO to proteins such as reduced myoglobin upon light irradiation in aqueous media.

Oxidative dissolution of silver nanoparticles by dioxygen: a kinetic and mechanistic study.

We have recently reported a kinetic and mechanistic study on oxidative dissolution of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by H(2)O(2). In the present study, the parameters that govern the dissolution of AgNPs by O(2) were revealed by using UV/Vis spectrophotometry. Under the same reaction conditions (Tris-HOAc, pH 8.5, I=0.1 M at 25 °C) the apparent dissolution rate (k(app)) of AgNPs (10±2.8 nm) by O(2) is about 100-fold slower than that of H(2)O(2). The reaction rate is first-order with respect to [Ag(0)], [O(2)], and [Tris](T), and inverse first-order with respect to [Ag(+)] (where [Ag(0)]=total concentration of Ag metal and [Tris](T)=total concentration of Tris). The rate constant is dependent on the size of AgNPs. No free superoxide (O(2)(-)) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) were detected by trapping experiments. On the basis of kinetic and trapping experiments, an amine-activated pathway for the oxidation of AgNPs by O(2) is proposed.

Hydrothermal synthesis of platinum-group-metal nanoparticles by using HEPES as a reductant and stabilizer.

Platinum-group-metal (Ru, Os, Rh, Ir, Pd and Pt) nanoparticles are synthesized in an aqueous buffer solution of 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) (200 mM, pH 7.4) under hydrothermal conditions (180 degrees C). Monodispersed (monodispersity: 11-15%) metal nanoparticles were obtained with an average particle size of less than 5 nm (Ru: 1.8+/-0.2, Os: 1.6+/-0.2, Rh: 4.5+/-0.5, Ir: 2.0+/-0.3, Pd: 3.8+/-0.4, Pt: 1.9+/-0.2 nm). The size, monodispersity, and stability of the as-obtained metal nanoparticles were affected by the HEPES concentration, pH of the HEPES buffer solution, and reaction temperature. HEPES with two tertiary amines (piperazine groups) and terminal hydroxyl groups can act as a reductant and stabilizer. The HEPES molecules can bind to the surface of metal nanoparticles to prevent metal nanoparticles from aggregation. These platinum-group-metal nanoparticles could be deposited onto the surface of graphite, which catalyzed the aerobic oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes.

Oxidative dissolution of silver nanoparticles by biologically relevant oxidants: a kinetic and mechanistic study.

The oxidative dissolution of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) plays an important role in the synthesis of well-defined nanostructured materials, and may be responsible for their activities in biological systems. In this study, we use stopped-flow spectrophotometry to investigate the kinetics and mechanism of the oxidative dissolution of AgNPs by H(2)O(2) in quasi-physiological conditions. Our results show that the reaction is first order with respect to both [Ag(0)] and [H(2)O(2)], and parallel pathways that involve the oxidation of H(2)O(2) and HO(2)(-) are proposed. The order of the reaction is independent of the size of the AgNPs (approximately 5-20 nm). The rate of dissolution increases with increasing pH from 6.0 to 8.5. At 298 K and I=0.1 M, the value of k(b) is five orders of magnitude higher than that of k(a) (where k(a) and k(b) are the rate constants for the oxidative dissolution of AgNPs by H(2)O(2) and HO(2)(-), respectively). In addition, the effects of surface coating and the presence of halide ions on the dissolution rates are investigated. A possible mechanism for the oxidative dissolution of AgNPs by H(2)O(2) is proposed. We further demonstrate that the toxicities of AgNPs in both bacteria and mammalian cells are enhanced in the presence of H(2)O(2), thereby highlighting the biological relevance of investigating the oxidative dissolution of AgNPs.

Silver nanoparticles mediate differential responses in keratinocytes and fibroblasts during skin wound healing.

With advances in nanotechnology, pure silver has been recently engineered into nanometer-sized particles (diameter <100 nm) for use in the treatment of wounds. In conjunction with other studies, we previously demonstrated that the topical application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can promote wound healing through the modulation of cytokines. Nonetheless, the question as to whether AgNPs can affect various skin cell types--keratinocytes and fibroblasts--during the wound-healing process still remains. Therefore, the aim of this study was to focus on the cellular response and events of dermal contraction and epidermal re-epithelialization during wound healing under the influence of AgNPs; for this we used a full-thickness excisional wound model in mice. The wounds were treated with either AgNPs or control with silver sulfadiazine, and the proliferation and biological events of keratinocytes and fibroblasts during healing were studied. Our results confirm that AgNPs can increase the rate of wound closure. On one hand, this was achieved through the promotion of proliferation and migration of keratinocytes. On the other hand, AgNPs can drive the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, thereby promoting wound contraction. These findings further extend our current knowledge of AgNPs in biological and cellular events and also have significant implications for the treatment of wounds in the clinical setting.

A selective G-quadruplex-based luminescent switch-on probe for the detection of nanomolar silver(I) ions in aqueous solution.

A G-quadruplex-based luminescent platinum(II) switch-on probe has been developed for the selective detection of nanomolar Ag(+) ions in aqueous solution.

Graphite-supported gold nanoparticles as efficient catalyst for aerobic oxidation of benzylic amines to imines and N-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines to amides: synthetic applications and mechanistic study.

Selective oxidation of amines using oxygen as terminal oxidant is an important area in green chemistry. In this work, we describe the use of graphite-supported gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/C) to catalyze aerobic oxidation of cyclic and acyclic benzylic amines to the corresponding imines with moderate-to-excellent substrate conversions (43-100%) and product yields (66-99%) (19 examples). Oxidation of N-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines in the presence of aqueous NaHCO3 solution gave the corresponding amides in good yields (83-93%) with high selectivity (up to amide/enamide=93:4) (6 examples). The same protocol can be applied to the synthesis of benzimidazoles from the reaction of o-phenylenediamines with benzaldehydes under aerobic conditions (8 examples). By simple centrifugation, AuNPs/C can be recovered and reused for ten consecutive runs for the oxidation of dibenzylamine to N-benzylidene(phenyl)methanamine without significant loss of catalytic activity and selectivity. This protocol "AuNPs/C+O2" can be scaled to the gram scale, and 8.9 g (84 % isolated yield) of 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline can be obtained from the oxidation of 10 g 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline in a one-pot reaction. Based on the results of kinetic studies, radical traps experiment, and Hammett plot, a mechanism involving the hydrogen-transfer reaction from amine to metal and oxidation of M-H is proposed.

Further evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of silver nanoparticles.

The production of pure silver in nanoparticle size has opened new dimensions in the clinical use of this precious metal. We and others have demonstrated previously that silver nanoparticles (nAg) possess efficient antimicrobial activity. Herein we show they may also have significant anti-inflammatory effects in a postoperative peritoneal adhesion model. This finding provides further insight into the biological actions of nAg as well as a potentially novel therapy for peritoneal adhesions in clinical surgery.With the advent of nanoscience, pure silver can now be made into nanometer-sized particles. As a result, we are able to explore the potentially beneficial properties of pure silver. In our previous study using a burn wound model in mice, we demonstrated that besides antibacterial action, silver nanoparticles (nAg) appear to have anti-inflammatory properties. Herein we further confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of nAg and explore their potential clinical application through a postoperative peritoneal adhesion model. We also elucidate the potential mechanism of action of silver. Our in vitro and in vivo experimental findings show that nAg are effective at decreasing inflammation in peritoneal adhesions without significant toxic effects. This study thus provides further evidence for and contributes to the understanding of the anti-inflammatory properties of nAg and may also give a novel therapeutic direction for the prevention of postoperative adhesions.

Proteomic identification of the Cus system as a major determinant of constitutive Escherichia coli silver resistance of chromosomal origin.

Although silver is one of the most potent and rapidly acting toxic metals to bacteria, silver-resistant bacteria do exist with low incidence. A proteomic approach was employed to identify the silver resistance determinants of a silver-resistant Escherichia coli strain isolated from stepwise selection against increasing concentrations of silver (Li et al. J. Bacteriol 1997, 179, 6127-32). Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry analysis revealed that members of the CusCFBA copper/silver chemiosmotic efflux system were highly expressed in the silver-resistant strain but undetectable in the parental silver-sensitive strain. Disruption of the cus locus of the silver-resistant strain resulted in a decrease of the minimum inhibitory concentration of Ag (+) from more than 1 mM to 12 microM. These results suggest that the chromosomally encoded Cus system, which naturally controls the periplasmic copper concentrations, is selectable to confer a constitutive silver resistance phenotype.

Homogeneous [Ru(III)(Me3tacn)Cl3]-catalyzed alkene cis-dihydroxylation with aqueous hydrogen peroxide.

A simple and green method that uses [Ru(Me3tacn)Cl3] (1; Me3tacn = N,N',N''-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) as catalyst, aqueous H2O2 as the terminal oxidant, and Al2O3 and NaCl as additives is effective in the cis-dihydroxylation of alkenes in aqueous tert-butanol. Unfunctionalized alkenes, including cycloalkenes, aliphatic alkenes, and styrenes (14 examples) were selectively oxidized to their corresponding cis-diols in good to excellent yield (70-96%) based on substrate conversions of up to 100%. The preparation of cis-1,2-cycloheptanediol (119 g, 91% yield) and cis-1,2-cyclooctanediol (128 g, 92% yield) from cycloheptene and cyclooctene, respectively, on the 1-mol scale can be achieved by scaling up the reaction without modification. Results from Hammett correlation studies on the competitive oxidation of para-substituted styrenes (rho = -0.97, R = 0.988) and the detection of the cycloadduct [(Me3tacn)ClRuHO2(C8H14)]+ by ESI-MS for the 1-catalyzed oxidation of cyclooctene to cis-1,2-cyclooctanediol are similar to those of the stoichiometric oxidation of alkenes by cis-[(Me3tacn)(CF3CO2)Ru(VI)O2]+ through [3+2] cycloaddition (W.-P. Yip, W.-Y. Yu, N. Zhu, C.-M. Che, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 14239).