Structural insight into crystal structure of helicase domain of DDX53.

DEAD box helicase proteins are a family of RNA helicases that participate in various RNA metabolisms such as RNA unwinding, RNA processing, and RNPase activities. A particular DEAD box protein, the DDX53 protein, is primarily expressed in cancer cells and plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis. Numerous studies have revealed that DDX53 interacts with various microRNA and Histone deacetylases. However, its molecular structure and the detailed binding interaction between DDX53 and microRNA or HDAC is still unclear. In this study, we used X-ray crystallography to investigate the 3D structure of the hlicase C-terminal domain of DDX53, and successfully determined its crystal structure at a resolution of 1.97 Å. Subsequently, a functional analysis of RNA was conducted by examining the binding properties thereof with DDX53 by transmission electron microscopy and computing-based molecular docking simulation. The defined 3D model of DDX53 not only provides a structural basis for the fundamental understanding of DDX53 but is also expected to contribute to the field of anti-cancer drug discovery such as structure-based drug discovery and computer-aided drug design.

Lateral Size Effect of Graphene Oxide on Its Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Property.

The lateral size effect of graphene oxide (GO) on surfaced-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) property is systematically investigated by using size-fractionalized GO. For the size fractionalization without changes of chemical structure, large-sized GO (LGO) and small-sized GO (SGO) are separated from the as-synthesized GO (AGO) by centrifugation and membrane filtration, respectively. The size-fractionalized GO sheets are immobilized on a solid substrate for the parallel comparison of their SERS property. As a result, we find that LGO shows considerably higher SERS property than SGO for typical Raman probes such as rhodamine 6G and crystal violet. Furthermore, the lateral size effect of GO derivatives is consistently observed when they are hybridized with plasmonic silver nanoparticles. These results indicate that LGO is superior to AGO and SGO as a SERS platform, and it is also quantitatively confirmed by calculating their enhancement factor.

Polyacrylonitrile-based carbon nanofibers as a matrix for laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric analysis of small molecules under both positive and negative ionization modes.

Carbon fiber (CNF), prepared by carbonization of electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers, is systematically investigated as a mediator to replace conventional organic matrices for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). CNF exhibits a high salt tolerance, sensitivity, and resolution for organic matrix-free laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) analysis of various analytes under both positive and negative ionization modes. Especially, saccharides, a neutral molecule having low negative ionization efficiency, are successfully detected with CNF. Taken together, this study clearly demonstrates CNF is a promising material to develop an efficient and universal platform for LDI-MS analysis regardless of preferential ionization modes of analytes. Graphical abstract.

Analysis of the effect of organic solvent-sheet interfacial interaction on the exfoliation of sulfur-doped reduced graphene oxide sheets in a solvent system using molecular dynamics simulations.

In this study, the effect of interfacial interaction between solvent and sheets on the exfoliation of sulfur-doped reduced graphene oxide (SrGO) sheets was studied, using molecular dynamics simulations. Four organic solvents of toluene, tetrahydrofuran, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and sulfolane, were used in this simulation. An insertion simulation considering the size effect of insertion molecules was used to determine the insertion efficiency of the solvent molecules. The insertion efficiency of toluene was the best among the four solvents due to the influence of the effective thickness of the solvent. An exfoliation simulation considering electrostatic interaction was conducted to evaluate the exfoliation efficiency of the SrGO sheets. Unlike the insertion efficiency case, the sulfolane was found to have the best exfoliation efficiency among the four solvents, due to the strong electrostatic repulsion and weak attractive energy between the SrGO sheets. The exfoliation efficiency of the SrGO sheets was improved by increasing the sulfur content and the ratio of the thiol type to the total number of sulfur-doped groups. These results reveal that decreasing the attractive energy and increasing the electrostatic repulsion between the solvent and SrGO sheets are a useful way to improve the exfoliation efficiency of SrGO sheets.

Deep-Blue Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters Containing Diphenyl Sulfone Group for Organic Light Emitting Diodes.

Novel blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters, D1-DPS and D2-DPS, were designed and synthesized. Diphenyl sulfone (DPS) group functioned as a common acceptor, and it combined with each of two different spiro-acridine groups, D1 and D2. The calculated energy differences (ΔEST) of the singlet and triplet excited states of D1-DPS (0.062 eV) and D2-DPS (0.128 eV) had sufficiently small ΔEST values, which is favorable in the thermally activated reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) process from the T1 state to the S1 state. A device doped 10 wt% of D2-DPS with ADN host material, obtained 5.05% of external quantum efficiency with deep-blue emission having CIExy coordinates of (0.152, 0.065). The results showed that these molecules are promising host-free TADF deep-blue emitters by inhibiting concentration quenching.

Indenophenanthrene Derivatives for Highly Efficient Blue Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

In this study, we designed and synthesized three fluorescent blue emitting materials based on indenophenanthrene derivatives. These derivatives were synthesized by Suzuki coupling reaction. Particularly, a device C using 9,10-bis(9,9-dimethyl-9H-indeno[2,1-l]phenanthren-11-yl)anthracene as blue emitter showed maximum values of luminous efficiency, power efficiency, and external quantum efficiency of 7.58 cd/A, 5.87 lm/W, 4.20%, respectively.

Diphenylaminoarylvinyl-Substituted Diphenylanthracenes for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

Two blue fluorescent materials based on diphenylaminoarylvinyl-substituted diphenylanthracene have been synthesized. Multilayered organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) with the following sequence; ITO/NPB (50 nm)/Blue materials (30 nm)/Bphen (30 nm)/Liq (2 nm)/Al (100 nm) were fabricated using these materials as emitters. Two devices exhibited blue electroluminescence. Particularly, a device using 6-(4-(10-phenylanthracen-9-yl)styryl)-N,N-diphenylnaphthalen-2-amine (2) exhibited blue emission with a luminance efficiency, a power efficiency, an external quantum efficiency and CIE coordinates of 5.69 cd/A, 1.99 lm/W, 3.39% at 100 mA/cm² and (x = 0.19, y =0.31) at 8.0 V, respectively.

Highly Efficient Blue Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Diarylamine-Substituted Pyrene Derivatives.

In this study, we designed and synthesized three blue fluorescence materials based on diarylamine-substituted pyrene derivatives. Organic Light Emitting-Diodes devices using these materials were fabricated in the following sequence; ITO/2-TNATA (300 Å)/NPB (200 Å)/α,ß-ADN: 10 wt% blue materials 1-3 (300 Å)/DNAB (300 Å)/Liq (20 Å)/Al (1000 Å). All devices showed highly efficient blue emissions. Particularly, a device using materials (3) shown highly efficient blue emission with luminous efficiency of 8.94 cd/A, power efficiency of 4.40 lm/W, external quantum efficiency of 6.62% at 20 mA/cm², respectively, and the CIE coordinates of (0.16, 0.23) at 6.0 V.

Highly Efficient Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Naphthoanthracene Derivatives Containing Different Arylamines.

Herein, we designed and synthesized emitting materials based on naphthoanthracene with the different arylamino-substituents. Organic Light Emitting-Diodes (OLEDs) devices using these materials were fabricated in the following sequence; ITO/N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-(2-napthyl)-(1,1'-phenyl)-4,4'- diamine (NPB) (500 Å)/Emitters (400 Å)/Alumium quinolate (Alq3) (150 Å)/lithium quinolate (Liq) (20 Å)/Al (1000 Å). All devices showed efficient emissions. In particular, a device using 4-((5,5-dimethyl-9-phenyl-5H-naphtho[3,2,1-de]anthracen-3-yl)(phenyl)amino)benzonitrile as an emitter exhibited the luminous efficiency, power efficiency, and external quantum efficiency of 9.15 cd/A, 6.36 lm/W, 2.72% at 20 mA/cm², respectively, with the Commission Internationale d'Énclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.30, 0.62) at 6.0 V.

Synthesis of Benzo[g]quinoline Derivatives and Their Electroluminescent Properties.

Two fluorescent benzo[g]quinoline derivatives were synthesized via Friedländer synthesis. Multilayered OLEDs using benzo[g]quinoline derivatives as the emitters showed unexpected emissions by electroplexes. Particularly, a device using 2-(naphthalen-3-yl)-4-phenylbenzo[g]quinoline as an emitting material exhibited efficient emission with a luminous efficiency, a power efficiency, an external quantum efficiency, and CIE coordinates of 3.58 cd/A, 1.11 lm/W, 1.08% at 20 mA/cm², and (0.36, 0.56) at 1,000 cd/m², respectively.

Fabrication of Blue Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Indeno-Phenanthrene/Triphenylene Amine Derivatives.

Among the three primary colors, blue-emitting materials are limited by the wide energy band gap. In this study, we designed and synthesized emitting materials based on indeno-phenanthrene/ triphenylene derivatives. Organic light emitting-diodes (OLEDs) using these materials were fabricated in the following sequence; ITO/N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-(2-napthyl)-(1,1'-phenyl)-4,4'-diamine (NPB) (500 Å)/Blue materials (30 nm)/4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BPhen) (30 nm)/lithium quinolate (Liq) (20 Å)/Al (1000 Å). All the devices showed efficient blue emission. Particularly, a device using 10,10-dimethyl-N,N-diphenyl-10H-indeno[1,2-b]triphenylen-12-amine as an emitter exhibited luminous efficiency, power efficiency, and external quantum efficiency of 3.62 cd/A, 1.83 lm/W, 2.82% at 20 mA/cm², respectively, with Commission Internationale d'Énclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.16, 0.15) at 6.0 V.

Synthesis of biologically-active reduced graphene oxide by using fucoidan as a multifunctional agent for combination cancer therapy.

A therapeutic reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is synthesized by using fucoidan (Fu) as the reducing and surface functionalizing agent. The synthesized Fu-RGO exhibits promising characteristics for therapeutic applications such as high dispersity in aqueous media, biocompatibility, selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells, high loading capacity of the anticancer drug, and photothermal conversion effect. Therefore, Fu-GO is successfully harnessed as a combinatorial cancer treatment platform through bio-functional (Fu), chemo (doxorubicin (Dox)) and photothermal (RGO with near-infrared irradiation) modalities.

Influences of carboxyl functionalization of intercalators on exfoliation of graphite oxide: a molecular dynamics simulation.

In this study, the influences of the carboxyl functionalization of intercalators on exfoliation of graphite oxide were analyzed using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Molecular models of four-layered graphene oxide (GO) sheets, four different solvents (ethanol, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), and four different intercalators (anthracene, 2-anthracenecarboxylic acid, 2,3-anthracenedicarboxylic acid, and 2,6-anthracenedicarboxylic acid) were used in the MD simulations. A separation simulation of GO sheets was performed to determine the point at which the GO sheets begin to exfoliate. An insertion simulation was used to obtain the minimum kinetic energy required for exfoliation and to calculate GO-solvent and GO-intercalator interaction energies. As the simulation result, GO-solvent and GO-intercalator interactions affected the minimum kinetic energy required for exfoliation. Having more carboxyl functional groups on the anthracene improved both the GO-intercalator interaction and the efficiency of the intercalators during exfoliation. These results reveal that increasing the interaction energy between the GO sheets and the insertion molecules is an efficient way to improve the performance of the solvents and the intercalators for the exfoliation of GO sheets.

Naphthalene Derivatives End-Capped with 2-(Diphenylamino)-9,9-Diethylfluorenes for Blue Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

To investigate the electroluminescent (EL) properties of fluorescent materials based on fluorene-substituted naphthalene, multilayered OLEDs with the following sequence; indium- tin-oxide (ITO)/N,N'-di(1-naphthyl)-N,N'-diphenyl-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diamine (NPB) (50 nm)/Blue emitting materials (30 nm)/4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Bphen) (30 nm)/lithium quinolate (Liq) (2 nm)/Al (100 nm) were fabricated using these materials as emitters. These devices exhibited blue emissions. Particularly, a device using 7-(1-(1-(2-(diphenylamino)-9,9-diethyl-9H-fluoren-7- yl)naphthalen-4-yl)naphthalen-4-yl)-9,9-diethyl-N,N-diphenyl-9H-fluoren-2-amine as a blue emitting material exhibited blue emission with a luminous efficiency, a power efficiency, an external quantum efficiency, and CIE coordinates of 2.79 cd/A, 1.19 lm/W, 2.30% at 1,000 cd/m2, and (0.14, 0.12) at 8.0 V, respectively. This study demonstrates that 2-(Diphenylamino)-9,9-diethylfluorenes endcapped naphthalene derivatives have the excellent properties for blue emitting materials for OLEDs.

Synthesis and Electroluminescent Properties of Quinoline-Substituted Anthracene Derivatives for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

In this study, two anthracene derivatives with quinoline moieties were synthesized. To investigate their electroluminescent (EL) properties, multilayered OLEDs with the following sequence; indiumtin-oxide (ITO)/N, N'-di(1-naphthyl)-N, N'-diphenyl-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diamine (NPB) (20 nm)/Blue emitting materials (30 nm)/bathophenanthroline (Bphen) (30 nm)/lithium quinolate (Liq) (2 nm)/Al (100 nm) were fabricated using these materials as emitters. Two devices exhibited EL in blue to sky-blue regions. Especially, a device using 2,3-diphenyl-6-(10-(naphthalen-7-yl)anthracen-9-yl)quinoline (1) as an emitting material exhibited blue emission with a luminous efficiency, a power efficiency, an external quantum efficiency, and Commission International de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of 1.01 cd/A, 0.43 lm/W, 0.80% at 20 mA/cm2, and (0.17, 0.22) at 6.0 V, respectively.

Efficient Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Naphthoanthracene Derivatives.

In this study, we designed and synthesized emitting materials based on naphthoanthracene derivatives. Organic Light Emitting-Diodes (OLEDs) devices using each four materials were fabricated. All devices showed efficient emissions. In particular, a device using 1-(5,5-Dimethyl-9-phenyl-[5H-naphth[3,2,1-de]anthracen-3-yl])-1H-indole as an emitter at 20 mA/cm2 exhibited luminous efficiency, power efficiency, and external quantum efficiency of 6.51 cd/A, 4.19 lm/W, and 2.48%, respectively, with Commission Internationale d'Énclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.19, 0.49) at 7.0 V.

Minimization of Radial Forearm Flap Donor-Site Scar Using Endoscopy and Allogeneic Dermal Matrix.

Radial forearm free flaps are widely used for soft tissue reconstruction in the oral cavity. However, preparation of the vascular pedicle leaves long undesirable scars. Extensive scar formation also occurs at the skin defect site. Over recent years, endoscopic surgery has been increasingly used for minimally invasive procedures. We report 4 cases involving the formation of radial forearm free flaps using endoscopy and an alloplastic skin graft, resulting in minimal scar formation and favorable results.

Emerging Roles of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in Immunological Disorders and Cancer.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that triggers the expression of inflammatory molecules, including other cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. TNFα induces the expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). VCAM-1 was originally identified as a cell adhesion molecule that helps regulate inflammation-associated vascular adhesion and the transendothelial migration of leukocytes, such as macrophages and T cells. Recent evidence suggests that VCAM-1 is closely associated with the progression of various immunological disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, transplant rejection, and cancer. This review covers the role and relevance of VCAM-1 in inflammation, and also highlights the emerging potential of VCAM-1 as a novel therapeutic target in immunological disorders and cancer.

Significantly Increased Solubility of Carbon Nanotubes in Superacid by Oxidation and Their Assembly into High-Performance Fibers.

This study demonstrates that small amount of oxygen incorporated into carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during the purification process greatly increases their solubility in chlorosulfonic acid (CSA). Using as-purchased and unpurified CNT powders, the optimal purification process is established to significantly increase the solubility of CNTs in CSA, and spin CNT fibers with high mechanical strength (0.84 N tex-1 ) and electrical conductivity (1.4 MS m-1 ) from the CNT liquid crystal dope with high concentration of CNTs in CSA. The knowledge obtained here may guide development of a way to dissolve extremely long CNTs at high concentration and thereby to enable production of CNT fibers with ultimate properties.

Optimum thickness of epsilon negative tri-metal layer electrodes for maximizing OLED outcoupling efficiency.

A transparent electrode is an essential component that has a strong influence on the extraction of light from organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) due to its effect on both electrical and optical performance. In this work, we present theoretical studies, full wave simulations, and experimental results to evaluate the influence of the thickness of epsilon negative tri-metal layer (TML) electrodes on the performance of red phosphorescent OLEDs (PHOLEDs) via an optical microcavity effect. The results show that the external quantum efficiency of the optimized TML-based red PHOLED of 17.6% is significantly improved, and it is approximately 40% higher than that of the conventional indium tin oxide (ITO)-based red PHOLED of 12.5%.