Assessment of DNA/RNA Deregulation in Cancer Using 99mTc-Labeled Thiopurine.

Background: DNA biomarkers are useful for the assessment of tumor cell proliferation. The authors aimed to synthesize a thiopurine-based ligand for evaluation of nuclear uptake and tumor localization. Materials and Methods: A 2-hydroxypropyl spacer was incorporated between a chelator (cyclam) and thiopurine ligand to produce SC-06-L1. In vitro cellular uptake and the cell/media ratios of [99mTc]Tc-SC-06-L1 were assessed in breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) and ovarian (TOV-112D, OVCAR3) cancer cells. The nuclear and cytosolic uptake ratio of [99mTc]Tc-SC-06-L1 was determined in OVCAR-3 and MCF-7 cells. Cytotoxicity assays and flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle apoptosis were conducted in cancer cells treated with SC-06-L1. Imaging was conducted in tumor-bearing mice; fluorine-18-2'-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) was used as a control. Results: The radiochemical purity of [99mTc]Tc-SC-06-L1 was >95%. [99mTc]Tc-SC-06-L1 exhibited higher cell-to-media ratios than [18F]FDG in cancer cells. [99mTc]Tc-SC-06-L1 had high uptake in the nuclear fractions in OVCAR-3 and MCF-7 cells, with nuclear/cytosolic ratios of 8 and 2, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays showed that SC-06-L1 was non-toxic compared with azathioprine in breast and ovarian cancer cells. Conclusions: [99mTc]Tc-SC-06-L1 was stable and involved in nuclear activities. [99mTc]Tc-SC-06-L1 showed non-toxic to cancer cells and exhibited fast kinetic uptake patterns for tumor imaging. [99mTc]Tc-SC-06-L1 represents a promising biomarker for imaging purine pathway-directed systems.

Dietary Exposure and Health Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Black Tea Consumed in Taiwan.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds found in many foods and drinks, and there have been some concerns over these compounds due to their carcinogenic nature. This study evaluated the concentrations of PAH4 (BaP, BaA, BbF, and CHR) in different black tea infusions and drinks based on the origin of the tea. The release of PAH4 from tea leaves to tea infusions was significantly low, with the highest transfer being 25.81%. The mean concentrations of BaP and PAH4 in tea infusions were used to conduct a risk assessment for the Taiwanese population, which showed that the 19-65 age group had the highest estimated intake of PAH4 and BaP among all age groups. These results, however, also showed margin of exposure (MOE) values well above the benchmark of 10,000. This indicated that PAH exposure from black tea consumption for the Taiwanese population constitutes a low-level health concern.

Using QuEChERS and HPLC Method to Monitor the Background Concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Commercial Black Tea Leaves and Infusions in Taiwan.

Tea is an integral part of Taiwanese culture and is a popular drink as it contains many beneficial compounds. However, during the processing of tea, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may form. This study investigated the concentrations of PAH4 in different black tea leaves and tea infusions based on the origin of the tea. The samples were extracted using QuEChERS, while the content of PAH4 was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). The content of PAH4 in the tea leaves ranged from 2.88 µg/kg to 218.2 µg/kg (dry weight), with the highest concentration being found in teas from Vietnam. The concentration of BaP ranged from ND to 47.92 µg/kg. The release of PAH4 from tea leaves to tea infusions was significantly low, with the highest transfer being 25.8%. In this study, all PAH4 compounds in commercial black tea leaves can be detected by QuEChERS extraction with a simple HPLC method.

Chelation-Tamoxifen Conjugates for Imaging of Estrogen Receptors.

Background: The differential diagnosis of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) pathway-activated systems by using a labeled antiestrogen helps to select the patients for optimal response to endocrine therapy and to discontinue the treatment when resistance occurs. The authors' purpose was to synthesize chelator-tamoxifen conjugates for imaging ER (+) diseases. Materials and Methods: A hydroxypropyl linker was incorporated between either cyclam or cyclam diacetic acid and tamoxifen analog to produce SC-05-L-1 (Z-1-(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecan-1-yl)-3-((5-(4-(2-(diethylamino)ethoxy)phenyl)-4,5-diphenylpent-4-en-1-yl)oxy)propan-2-ol) and SC-05-N-1 (Z-2,2'-(4-(3-((5-(4-(2-(diethylamino)ethoxy)phenyl)-4,5-diphenylpent-4-en-1-yl)oxy)-2-hydroxy-propyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8-diyl)diacetic acid), respectively. In vitro cell uptake and cell/media ratios of 99mTc-SC-05-L-1 and 99mTc- SC-05-N-1 in ER (+) ovarian cancer cells (TOV-112D and OVCAR3) were performed. To ascertain the specificity of cell uptake, the cell uptake was blocked with estrone. In vivo 99mTc-SC-05-L-1 or 99mTc-SC-05-N-1 single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography was conducted in tumor-bearing rodents and compared to 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (a reference technology). Results: The radiochemical purities of 99mTc-SC-05-L-1 and 99mTc-SC-05-N-1 were greater than 99% (n = 10). 99mTc-SC-05-L-1 had higher cell/media ratios than 99mTc-SC-05-N-1 in OVCAR-3 ER (+) cells. The cell uptake of 99mTc-SC-05-L-1 was blocked 80% by estrone indicating an ER-mediated process occurred. 99mTc-SC-05-N-1 was further selected for in vivo imaging studies due to higher maximum tolerated dose and superior water solubility than 99mTc-SC-05-L-1. 99mTc-SC-05-N-1 showed higher tumor uptake and tumor/muscle count density ratios than 18F-FDG in tumor-bearing rodents. Conclusion: 99mTc-SC-05-N-1 showed better differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors than 18F-FDG, indicating great promising in chelator-tamoxifen conjugate for ER pathway-directed systems imaging.

Red Phosphorus Potassium-Ion Battery Anodes.

Phosphorus (P) possesses the highest theoretical specific capacity (865 mA h g-1) among all the elements for potassium-ion battery (PIB) anodes. Although Red P (RP) has intrinsic advantages over its allotropes, including low cost and nontoxicity, and simpler preparation, it is yet unknown to effectively activate it into a high-performance PIB anode. Here, high-performance RP PIB anodes are reported. Two important factors are found to facilitate RP react with K-ions reversibly: i) nanoscale RP particles are dispersed evenly in a conductive carbon matrix composed of multiwall carbon nanotubes and Ketjen black that provide an efficient electrical pathway and a tough scaffold. ii) The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectrum and the electrochemical performance perhaps show that no P-C bond formation is beneficial to allow K-ions to react with RP effectively. As a result, the RP/C electrodes deliver a reversible specific capacity of ≈750 mA h g-1 and exhibit a high-rate capability (≈300 mA h g-1 at 1000 mA g-1). RP/C full cells using potassium manganese hexacyanoferrate as cathode show a long cycling life (680 cycles) at a current density of 1000 mA g-1, in addition, a pouch-type battery is built to demonstrate practical applications.

Solution Synthesis of Iodine-Doped Red Phosphorus Nanoparticles for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes.

Red phosphorus (RP) is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its earth abundance and a high theoretical capacity of 2596 mA h g-1. Although RP-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries have been reported, they were all in the form of carbon-P composites, including P-graphene, P-graphite, P-carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and P-carbon black, to improve P's extremely low conductivity and large volume change during cycling process. Here, we report the large-scale synthesis of red phosphorus nanoparticles (RPNPs) with sizes ranging from 100 to 200 nm by reacting PI3 with ethylene glycol in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in ambient environment. Unlike the insulator behavior of commercial RP (conductivity of <10 -12 S m-1), the conductivity of RPNPs is between 2.62 × 10-3 and 1.81 × 10-2 S m-1, which is close to that of semiconductor germanium (1.02 × 10-2 S m-1), and 2 orders of magnitude higher than silicon (5.35 × 10-4 S m-1). Around 3-5 wt % of iodine-doping was found in RPNPs, which was speculated as the key to significantly improve the conductivity of RPNPs. The significantly improved conductivity of RPNPs and their uniform colloidal nanostructures enable them to be used solely as active materials for LIBs anodes. The RPNPs electrodes exhibit a high specific capacity of 1700 mA h g-1 (0.2 C after 100 cycles, 1 C = 2000 mA g-1), long cycling life (∼900 mA h g-1 after 500 cycles at 1 C), and outstanding rate capability (175 mA h g-1 at the charge current density of 120 A g-1, 60 C). Moreover, as a proof-of-concept example, pouch-type full cells using RPNPs anodes and Li(Ni0.5Co0.3Mn0.2)O2 (NCM-532) cathodes were assembled to show their practical uses.

Phosphorus-Rich Copper Phosphide Nanowires for Field-Effect Transistors and Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Phosphorus-rich transition metal phosphide CuP2 nanowires were synthesized with high quality and high yield (∼60%) via the supercritical fluid-liquid-solid (SFLS) growth at 410 °C and 10.2 MPa. The obtained CuP2 nanowires have a high aspect ratio and exhibit a single crystal structure of monoclinic CuP2 without any impurity phase. CuP2 nanowires have progressive improvement for semiconductors and energy storages compared with bulk CuP2. Being utilized for back-gate field effect transistor (FET) measurement, CuP2 nanowires possess a p-type behavior intrinsically with an on/off ratio larger than 10(4) and its single nanowire electrical transport property exhibits a hole mobility of 147 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), representing the example of a CuP2 transistor. In addition, CuP2 nanowires can serve as an appealing anode material for a lithium-ion battery electrode. The discharge capacity remained at 945 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles, showing a good capacity retention of 88% based on the first discharge capacity. Even at a high rate of 6 C, the electrode still exhibited an outstanding result with a capacity of ∼600 mA h g(-1). Ex-situ transmission electron microscopy and CV tests demonstrate that the stability of capacity retention and remarkable rate capability of the CuP2 nanowires electrode are attributed to the role of the metal phosphide conversion-type lithium storage mechanism. Finally, CuP2 nanowire anodes and LiFePO4 cathodes were assembled into pouch-type lithium batteries offering a capacity over 60 mA h. The full cell shows high capacity and stable capacity retention and can be used as an energy supply to operate electronic devices such as mobile phones and mini 4WD cars.

Spray-Deposited Large-Area Copper Nanowire Transparent Conductive Electrodes and Their Uses for Touch Screen Applications.

Large-area conducting transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) were prepared by a fast, scalable, and low-cost spray deposition of copper nanowire (CuNW) dispersions. Thin, long, and pure copper nanowires were obtained via the seed-mediated growth in an organic solvent-based synthesis. The mean length and diameter of nanowires are, respectively, 37.7 µm and 46 nm, corresponding to a high-mean-aspect ratio of 790. These wires were spray-deposited onto a glass substrate to form a nanowire conducting network which function as a TCE. CuNW TCEs exhibit high-transparency and high-conductivity since their relatively long lengths are advantageous in lowering in the sheet resistance. For example, a 2 × 2 cm(2) transparent nanowire electrode exhibits transmittance of T = 90% with a sheet resistance as low as 52.7 Ω sq(-1). Large-area sizes (>50 cm(2)) of CuNW TCEs were also prepared by the spray coating method and assembled as resistive touch screens that can be integrated with a variety of devices, including LED lighting array, a computer, electric motors, and audio electronic devices, showing the capability to make diverse sizes and functionalities of CuNW TCEs by the reported method.

Stereochemical Course of Wittig Rearrangements of Dihydropyran Allyl Propargyl Ethers.

[2,3]-Wittig rearrangements of sugar-derived dihydropyran allyl propargyl ethers located at the 2- or 4-position have been studied as useful means for extending the carbon chains of the 4- or 2-position with chirality transfer. The stereochemical course of these reactions depends on the following factors: (1) deprotonation of pro-R or pro-S-H, (2) equilibration of the lithiated stereogenic carbanion, (3) conformational inversion during the rearrangement, and (4) concerted [2,3]- or [1,2]-Wittig rearrangement. In some cases, a stepwise mechanism that involves the allyl-C-O bond cleavage is shared as the first step by both the [2,3]- and [1,2]-Wittig rearrangements. The stereochemical courses of the rearrangements are compared among the lithiated reactants to determine the reaction pathways. These mechanisms in the polyoxygenated dihydropyran ring system were further supported by DFT calculations.

A slim apparatus of transferring discrete LEDs' light into an ultra-collimated planar light source.

In this paper, we proposed a novel apparatus, which has very slim volume and can transfer light emitted from discrete LEDs into a uniform and ultra-collimated planar light source (UCPLS). This apparatus adopts the two-layer folded frame and two-stage CPC design so that thickness of the entire apparatus can be minimized; especially the feeder in the two-stage CPC design can greatly reduce the thickness of the CPC and make the light passing through the second-stage CPC become much more collimated. In addition, by side-by-side arrangement, a large-sized UCPLS can also be obtained. In our embodiment with an emitting area of the upper LGP of 280 mmX80 mm and a LED with optical flux of 8 lumens used as the light source, the performance according to the related simulation results shows as follows: angular FWHM of the resultant light emitted from the apparatus in the vertical and horizontal is 4.87 degrees and 24 degrees, respectively; spatial uniformity and total energy efficiency reach 84% and 69%, respectively; the average head-on luminance reaches up 5600 nit, yet this apparatus consumes just 60 mW. Furthermore, the results also demonstrate this design has potential to be applied to the product of 23 inches above while thickness of the entire apparatus is only 2.2 mm.

Cognitive functioning correlates of self-esteem and health locus of control in schizophrenia.

AIM: The study aimed to investigate the relationship among sociodemographic factors, neurocognitive factors, self-esteem, and health locus of control in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. We examined the self-esteem, internal health locus of control, and external health locus of control through sociodemographic and neurocognitive factors. METHODS: Forty-six schizophrenic patients and 31 healthy residents from the community or hospital were recruited as the control group. All subjects participated in the self-esteem questionnaire, health locus of control questionnaire, and a series of neuropychological measures. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed that inhibition of attention and external health locus of control were predictors for self-esteem (r=-0.30, P<0.05; r=0.41, P<0.01); inhibition of attention and external health locus of control were contributors for internal health locus of control (r=-0.43, P<0.01; r=0.61, P<0.001); and education was related to external health locus of control (r=-0.31, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The current study integrated background characteristics and cognitive function to better understand the impact of self-esteem and health locus of control in schizophrenia. The findings indicated that inhibition of attention, external health locus of control, and education contributed to self-esteem, internal health locus of control and external health locus of control. However, the overall predicted variance accounted for by these predictors was small; thus, further research is necessary to examine imperative variables related with self-esteem and health locus of control in schizophrenia.