Influence of conductive carbon and MnCo2O4 on morphological and electrical properties of hydrogels for electrochemical energy conversion.

In this work, a strategy for one-stage synthesis of polymer composites based on PNIPAAm hydrogel was presented. Both conductive particles in the form of conductive carbon black (cCB) and MnCo2O4 (MCO) spinel particles were suspended in the three-dimensional structure of the hydrogel. The MCO particles in the resulting hydrogel composite acted as an electrocatalyst in the oxygen evolution reaction. Morphological studies confirmed that the added particles were incorporated and, in the case of a higher concentration of cCB particles, also bound to the surface of the structure of the hydrogel matrix. The produced composite materials were tested in terms of their electrical properties, showing that an increase in the concentration of conductive particles in the hydrogel structure translates into a lowering of the impedance modulus and an increase in the double-layer capacitance of the electrode. This, in turn, resulted in a higher catalytic activity of the electrode in the oxygen evolution reaction. The use of a hydrogel as a matrix to suspend the catalyst particles, and thus increase their availability through the electrolyte, seems to be an interesting and promising application approach.

Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of MnCo1.5Fe0.5O4Spinel for Oxygen Evolution Reaction through Heat Treatment.

MnCo1.5Fe0.5O4 spinel oxide was synthesized using the sol-gel technique, followed by heat treatment at various temperatures (400, 600, 800, and 1000 °C). The prepared materials were examined as anode electrocatalysts for water-splitting systems in alkaline environments. Solid-state characterization methods, such as powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), were used to analyze the materials' crystallographic structure and surface characteristics. The intrinsic activity of the MnCo1.5Fe0.5O4 was fine-tuned by altering the electronic structure by controlling the calcination temperature, and the highest activity was observed for the sample treated at 800 °C. A shift in the valence state of surface cations under oxidative conditions in an alkaline solution during the oxygen evolution reaction was detected through ex situ XAS measurements. Moreover, the influence of the experimental conditions on the electrocatalytic performance of the material, including the pH of the electrolyte and the temperature, was demonstrated.

Evaluation of electrosynthesized reduced graphene oxide-Ni/Fe/Co-based (oxy)hydroxide catalysts towards the oxygen evolution reaction.

In this work, the specific role of the addition of graphene oxide (GO) to state-of-the-art nickel-iron (NiFe) and cobalt-nickel-iron (CoNiFe) mixed oxides/hydroxides towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is investigated. Morphology, structure, and OER catalytic activity of the catalysts with and without GO were studied. The catalysts were fabricated via a two-step electrodeposition. The first step included the deposition of GO flakes, which, in the second step, were reduced during the simultaneous deposition of NiFe or CoNiFe. As a result, NiFe-GO and CoNiFe-GO were fabricated without any additives directly on the nickel foam substrate. A significant improvement of the OER activity was observed after combining NiFe with GO (OER overpotential η(10 mA·cm-2): 210 mV) compared to NiFe (η: 235 mV) and GO (η: 320 mV) alone. A different OER activity was observed for CoNiFe-GO. Here, the overall catalytic activity (η: 230 mV) increased compared to GO alone. However, it was reduced in comparison to CoNiFe (η: 224 mV). The latter was associated with the change in the morphology and structure of the catalysts. Further OER studies showed that each of the catalysts specifically influenced the process. The improvement in the OER by NiFe-GO results mainly from the structure of NiFe and the electroactive surface area of GO.

Tuning Electrochemical Performance by Microstructural Optimization of the Nanocrystalline Functional Oxygen Electrode Layer for Solid Oxide Cells.

Further development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) oxygen electrodes can be achieved through improvements in oxygen electrode design by microstructure miniaturization alongside nanomaterial implementation. In this work, improved electrochemical performance of an La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-d (LSCF) cathode was achieved by the controlled modification of the La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-d (LSC) nanocrystalline interlayer introduced between a porous oxygen electrode and dense electrolyte. The evaluation was carried out for various LSC layer thicknesses, annealing temperatures, oxygen partial pressures, and temperatures as well as subjected to long-term stability tests and evaluated in typical operating conditions in an intermediate temperature SOFC. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and a distribution of relaxation times analysis were performed to reveal the rate-limiting electrochemical processes that limit the overall electrode performance. The main processes with an impact on the electrode performance were the adsorption of gaseous oxygen O2, dissociation of O2, and charge transfer-diffusion (O2-). The introduction of a nanoporous and nanocrystalline interlayer with extended electrochemically active surface area accelerates the oxygen surface exchange kinetics and oxygen ion diffusions, reducing polarization resistances. The polarization resistance of the reference LSCF was lowered by one order of magnitude from 0.77 to 0.076 Ω·cm2 at 600 °C by the deposition of a 400 nm LSC interlayer at the interface. The developed electrode tested in the anode-supported fuel cell configuration showed a higher cell performance by 20% compared to the cell with the reference electrode. The maximum power density at 700 °C reaches 675 and 820 mW·cm-2 for the reference cell and the cell with the LSC interlayer, respectively. Aging tests at 700 °C under a high load of 1 A·cm2 were performed.

Extracellular Matrix Modulates Outgrowth Dynamics in Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian carcinoma (OC) forms outgrowths that extend from the outer surface of an afflicted organ into the peritoneum. OC outgrowth formation is poorly understood due to the limited availability of cell culture models examining the behavior of cells that form outgrowths. Prompted by immunochemical evaluation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in human tissues, laminin and collagen-rich ECM-reconstituted cell culture models amenable to studies of cell clusters that can form outgrowths are developed. It is demonstrated that ECM promotes outgrowth formation in fallopian tube non-ciliated epithelial cells (FNE) expressing mutant p53 and various OC cell lines. Outgrowths are initiated by cells that underwent outward translocation and retained the ability to intercalate into mesothelial cell monolayers. Electron microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and small amplitude oscillatory shear experiments reveal that increased ECM levels led to increased fibrous network thickness and high shear elasticity of the microenvironment. These physical characteristics are associated with outgrowth suppression. The low ECM microenvironment mimicks the viscoelasticity of malignant peritoneal fluid (ascites) and supports cell proliferation, cell translocation, and outgrowth formation. These results highlight the importance of the ECM microenvironment in modulating OC growth and can provide additional insights into the mode of dissemination of primary and recurrent ovarian tumors.

A dual-control strategy based on electrode material and electrolyte optimization to construct an asymmetric supercapacitor with high energy density.

Metal-organic frames (MOFs) are regarded as excellent candidates for supercapacitors that have attracted much attention because of their diversity, adjustability and porosity. However, both poor structural stability in aqueous alkaline electrolytes and the low electrical conductivity of MOF materials constrain their practical implementation in supercapacitors. In this study, bimetallic CoNi-MOF were synthesized to enhance the electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity of nickel-based MOF, as well as the electrochemical performance of the CoNi-MOF in multiple alkaline electrolytes was investigated. The CoNi-MOF/active carbon device, as-fabricated with a 1 M KOH electrolyte, possesses a high energy density of 35 W h kg-1with a power density of 1450 W kg-1, exhibiting outstanding cycling stability of 95% over 10,000 cycles. The design of MOF-based electrode materials and the optimization selection of electrolytes pave the way for constructing high-performance supercapacitors.

Manganese-Cobalt Based Spinel Coatings Processed by Electrophoretic Deposition Method: The Influence of Sintering on Degradation Issues of Solid Oxide Cell Oxygen Electrodes at 750 °C.

This paper seeks to examine how the Mn-Co spinel interconnect coating microstructure can influence Cr contamination in an oxygen electrode of intermediate temperature solid oxide cells, at an operating temperature of 750 °C. A Mn-Co spinel coating is processed on Crofer 22 APU substrates by electrophoretic deposition, and subsequently sintered, following both the one-step and two-step sintering, in order to obtain significantly different densification levels. The electrochemical characterization is performed on anode-supported cells with an LSCF cathode. The cells were aged prior to the electrochemical characterization in contact with the spinel-coated Crofer 22 APU at 750 °C for 250 h. Current-voltage and impedance spectra of the cells were measured after the exposure with the interconnect. Post-mortem analysis of the interconnect and the cell was carried out, in order to assess the Cr retention capability of coatings with different microstructures.

MALDI-MSI-A Step Forward in Overcoming the Diagnostic Challenges in Ovarian Tumors.

This study presents the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) directly on the tissue of two ovarian tumors that often present a diagnostic challenge, a low-grade serous borderline ovarian tumor and ovarian fibrothecoma. Different spatial distribution of m/z values within the tissue samples was observed, and regiospecific peaks were identified. Among the 106 peaks in the borderline ovarian tumor five, regiospecific peaks (m/z: 2861.35; 2775.79; 3368.34; 3438.43; 4936.37) were selected using FlexImaging software. Subsequently, the distribution of those selected peaks was visualized on the fibrothecoma tissue section, which demonstrated the differences in the tissue homo-/heterogeneous structure of both tumors. The comparison with the histopathological staining of the ovarian borderline tumor tissue section, obtained during serial sectioning, showed a close correlation of the molecular map with the morphological and histopathological features of the tissue and allowed the identification of different tissue types within the sample. This study highlights the potential significance of MSI in enabling morphological characterization of ovarian tumors as well as correct diagnosis and further prognosis than thus far seen in the literature. Osteopontin, tropomyosin and orosomucoid are only a couple of the molecules investigated using MALDI-MSI in ovarian cancer research. This study, in line with the available literature, proves the potential of MALDI-MSI to overcome the current limitations of classic histopathological examination giving a more in-depth insight into the tissue structure and thus lead to the more accurate differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors, especially in the most challenging cases.

The Influence of the Electrodeposition Parameters on the Properties of Mn-Co-Based Nanofilms as Anode Materials for Alkaline Electrolysers.

In this work, the influence of the synthesis conditions on the structure, morphology, and electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of Mn-Co-based films is studied. For this purpose, Mn-Co nanofilm is electrochemically synthesised in a one-step process on nickel foam in the presence of metal nitrates without any additives. The possible mechanism of the synthesis is proposed. The morphology and structure of the catalysts are studied by various techniques including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The analyses show that the as-deposited catalysts consist mainly of oxides/hydroxides and/or (oxy)hydroxides based on Mn2+, Co2+, and Co3+. The alkaline post-treatment of the film results in the formation of Mn-Co (oxy)hydroxides and crystalline Co(OH)2 with a ß-phase hexagonal platelet-like shape structure, indicating a layered double hydroxide structure, desirable for the OER. Electrochemical studies show that the catalytic performance of Mn-Co was dependent on the concentration of Mn versus Co in the synthesis solution and on the deposition charge. The optimised Mn-Co/Ni foam is characterised by a specific surface area of 10.5 m2·g-1, a pore volume of 0.0042 cm3·g-1, and high electrochemical stability with an overpotential deviation around 330-340 mV at 10 mA·cm-2geo for 70 h.

Ovarian steroid cell tumor as an example of severe hyperandrogenism in 45-year-old woman.

Approximately, 5% of ovarian tumors have hormonal activity. Steroid cell tumors (SCTs) represent about 0.1% of all ovarian tumors. They cause hyperandrogenism associated with typical virilization. In this case report, we present 45-year-old women with unmalignant ovarian SCT-producing androgens which cause severe virilization and secondary amenorrhea lasting two years. Transvaginal ultrasound, computed tomography of adrenal glands, magnetic resonance imaging of small pelvis, laboratory tests (including serum concentration of FSH, LH, testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), as well as ROMA index) were performed. During hormonal evaluation, elevated concentrations of serum T - on admission 1.72 ng/ml and one month later 3.75 ng/ml (normal range 0.08-0.82 ng/ml) and A - 24.90 ng/ml (normal range 0.40-3.40 ng/ml) were found. The ROMA index was within the normal range. Enlargement of the left ovary by solid mass 56 × 43 mm was found during ultrasound examination. Based on small pelvis MRI scan and hormonal finding, patient was qualified for laparotomy. During this procedure, the left salpingo-oophorectomy with removal of the tumor was performed. The histopathological examination identified SCT. During follow-up examination, one day after surgery, we found serum testosterone levels within normal ranges - 0.74 ng/ml (normal range 0.08-0.82 ng/ml). This case shows that hormone-producing ovarian tumors are rare but very important clinical causes of severe hyperandrogenism.

Preparation of Hydrogen Electrodes of Solid Oxide Cells by Infiltration: Effects of the Preparation Procedure on the Resulting Microstructure.

In this work, the infiltration technique was used to produce hydrogen electrodes for solid oxide cells. Different infiltration methodologies were tested in order to try to shorten the infiltration cycle time. The porous scaffolds used for infiltration were based on highly porous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) obtained by etching the reduced nickel from the Ni-YSZ cermet in HNO3 acid. The support had a complex structure which included a ~130 µm porous functional layer with small pores and a ~320 µm thick supporting layer with large pores. Infiltrations have been carried out using aqueous nickel nitrate solutions. Various infiltration procedures were used, differing in temperature/time profiles. The results show that slow evaporation is crucial for obtaining a homogeneous material distribution leading to high-quality samples. A longer evaporation time promotes the proper distribution of nickel throughout the porous scaffold. The shortening of the heat treatment procedure leads to blockage of the pores and not-uniform nickel distribution.

Serum angiogenesis profile in gestational trophoblastic neoplasm using multiplex immunoassay.

AIMS: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasms (GTN) exemplify a rare, mostly curable but highly aggressive disease. It is often associated with a rapid formation of distant metastases and most likely with an intense neoangiogenesis processes. The aim of the study was to analyze markers in serum of patients with GTN before chemotherapy compared to healthy pregnant women. MAIN METHODS: In this study sixteen protein angiogenesis markers were evaluated in serum of 21 patients with GTN before chemotherapy and compared with healthy pregnant women. Markers were measured using BioPlex Pro Human Cancer Biomarker Panel 1 immunoassay. t-Tests and receiver operating characteristic curves were used for statistical analysis. KEY FINDINGS: Receiver operator curve analysis identified six proteins (sTIE-2, osteopontin, sIL-6α, sVEGFR-2, sEGFR, PECAM-1) which had sufficient sensitivity and specificity (AUC > 0,70) to distinguish GTN patients before the treatment from pregnant controls. The levels of three proteins (sTIE-2, osteopontin and sIL-6α) were altered in GTN patients before the treatment as compared to healthy controls (p = 0,0112; p = 0,0442; p = 0,0488, respectively) and thereby may serve as potential disease markers. SIGNIFICANCE: Serum concentration of proteins related to angiogenesis changes in the course of GTN and may appear useful in the diagnostic process of this disease.

Genomic markers of ovarian adenocarcinoma and its relevancy to the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer and the seventh highest cause of cancer-associated mortality in women worldwide. It is the second highest cause of mortality among female reproductive malignancies. The current standard first-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer includes a combination of surgical debulking and standard systemic platinum-based chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Although a deeper understanding of this disease has been attained, relapse occurs in 70% of patients 18 months subsequent to the first-line treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a novel drug that effectively affects ovarian cancer, particularly tumors that are resistant to current chemotherapy. The aim of the present study was to identify genes whose expression may be used to predict survival time or prognosis in ovarian cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Gene or protein expression is an important issue in chemoresistance and survival prediction in ovarian cancer. In the present study, the research group consisted of patients treated at the Surgical Clinic of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Gynecological Clinical Hospital, Poznan University of Medical Sciences (Poznan, Poland) between May 2006 and November 2014. Additional eligibility criteria were a similar severity (International Federation of Gynecolgy and Obstetrics stage III) at the time of diagnosis, treatment undertaken in accordance with the same schedule, and an extremely good response to treatment or a lack of response to treatment. The performance of the OncoScan® assay was evaluated by running the assay on samples obtained from the four patients and by following the recommended protocol outlined in the OncoScan assay manual. The genomic screening using Affymetrix OncoScan Arrays resulted in the identification of large genomic rearrangements across all cancer tissues. In general, chromosome number changes were detected in all examined tissues. The OncoScan arrays enabled the identification of ~100 common somatic mutations. Chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer is extremely complex and challenging to study. The present study identified specific genetic alterations associated with ovarian cancer, but not with response for treatment.

Severe hyperandrogenemia in postmenopausal woman as a presentation of ovarian hyperthecosis. Case report and mini review of the literature.

Ovarian hyperthecosis (OH) is characterized by the presence of abundant luteinized theca cells in ovaries that secret androgen. It typically presents as severe hyperandrogenism and/or virilization in postmenopausal woman. Here we describe a 66-year old woman with presentation of severe hirsutism, alopecia, clitoromegaly and laboratory finding of significantly elevated serum total testosterone concentration and hyperinsulinemia. Performed imaging studies revealed normal sized, homogeneous ovaries, signs of endometrial hypertrophy and normal adrenal glands. Due to severe hyperandrogenemia and signs of endometrial hypertrophy, the total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy has been performed. Pathological examination revealed OH and endometrial hyperplasia. Androgenic activity of ovarian stromal cells has been confirmed using alpha-inhibin histochemical staining. Postmenopausal hyperandrogenemia is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge and the imaging studies often may be misleading and require careful and critical consideration.

STUMP - atypowy miesniak macicy - mimikra guza zlosliwego?

This study describes the ultrasound diagnostic process and management in a patient with a unique, rare form of fibroids, i.e. the atypical variant. According to the WHO definition, an atypical uterine myoma cannot be histologically unambiguously diagnosed as benign or malignant. Atypical leiomyomas are characterized by moderate or high quantity of pleomorphic atypical tumor cells, with a small number of mitotic divisions and lack of coagulative necrosis in the tumor. They have a low rate of extrauterine, intraabdominal recurrence, with a negligible risk for distant metastases. Due to the fact the atypical variant of leiomyomas is very rare, it presents a significant diagnostic challenge for obstetricians. The most reliable diagnosis can be made only on the basis of the histopathological examination. In this paper, we present a case of a patient in whom an echo with the diameter of 92 mm and a heterogeneous echogenicity with visible anechoic fields were discovered in the uterine fundus. HD color Doppler demonstrated high vascularization within the tumor, peripherally as well as centrally. The peripheral and central vascularization was rated at 4/4 points on a scale by Exacoustos. The tumor in the uterus met the criteria of high probability of malignancy i.e. 8 points on the vascular scale (power Doppler scale ≥ 7 pts.), solid tumor and a size over 8 cm. Blood flow velocity and vascular resistance in the tumor vessels were evaluated (PSV - 5.76 cm/s, ED - 3.16 cm/s, RI - 0.45 S / D - 1.82). Blood flow in the tumor presented low resistance. Hysterectomy without oophorectomy, with an intraoperative histopathological examination, was performed, and a fibroid was confirmed. The tumor was soft, yellow, with small and medium level of dispersed atypia in microscopic examination. There was no necrosis or mitotic figures. The histopathological image confirmed the atypical leiomyoma of low risk of recurrence. Atypical fibroids are rare in gynecological oncology and they do not have the characteristic clinical course. Furthermore, they do not show the typical characteristics during imaging studies, including ultrasound screening, Sometimes, due to the sonographic image, they should be differentiated from sarcomas. Also, it is necessary to exclude malignancy because of their ambiguous histological characteristics.

Clinical application of HE4 and CA125 in ovarian cancer type I and type II detection and differential diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of HE4 in detecting and differentiating between types I and II epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in comparison with CA125. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We measured HE4 and CA125 serum concentrations in 206 samples taken from patients operated in Gynecologic Oncology Department due to ovarian tumors. Ovarian cancer was confirmed in 89 cases divided into type I and type II. 52 healthy patients without any gynecological disease formed the control group. The sensitivity and specificity for type I and type II EOC detection and differentiating between both types was evaluated for HE4 and CA125. RESULTS: The HE4 and CA125 serum concentrations were significantly higher in type II than in type I EOC (p=0.008696, p=0.000243 respectively). The HE4 and CA125 sensitivity for type I and benign tumors differentiation was 63.16% for both of them and specificity was 87.29% vs 67.89% respectively. For CA125 these differences did not reach statistical significance. The HE4 sensitivity and specificity for type II and benign tumors differentiation were 87.14% and 96.61%, respectively and for CA125 these values were 82.86% and 94.07%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment analysis of HE4 serum concentration is superior to CA125 in differential diagnosis of ovarian cancer subtypes (I and II). HE4 is superior to CA125 in detecting ovarian cancer type II. Neither HE4 nor CA125 is an effective diagnostic tool for type I ovarian cancer detection. A new highly specific and highly sensitive tumor marker for type I EOC is needed.

Evaluation of the markers of inflammation in the umbilical cord blood of newborns of mothers with thrombophilia.

OBJECTIVE: To answer the question as to whether the markers of thrombophilia in pregnant women, whose pregnancies ended in success, are reflected in the level of inflammation in the blood of the umbilical cord of the newborn. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Umbilical cord blood and placenta after childbirth were secured from 16 patients with inherited (n = 7), acquired (n = 9) thrombophilia, and control group (n = 20). The concentrations of cytokines IL1ß, IL10, TNFα, C5a anaphylatoxin, and granzyme A were assessed. decay accelerating factor (DAF) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP) levels were determined in the placentas, and the incidence of thrombotic changes was evaluated. RESULTS: Higher levels of anaphylatoxin C5a (P = 0.041), TNFα (P = 0.016), and IL1ß (P = 0.037) were observed in the study group compared to the control group. In the study group, C5a levels correlated with the levels of TNFα (P = 0.018) and IL1ß (P = 0.012). Higher levels of DAF and MCP proteins in study group were found in the control group (P < 0.001). In placentas from study group, there was a more frequent occurrence of incidences of thrombotic changes. CONCLUSION: The observed, increased levels of pro-inflammatory factors in the cord blood of newborns of mothers with thrombophilia may result from a reaction of the prothrombotic and pro-inflammatory markers of thrombophilia present in maternal blood.

Complement inhibitory proteins expression in placentas of thrombophilic women.

Factors controlling complement activation appear to exert a protective effect on pregnancy. This is particularly important in women with thrombophilia. The aim of this study was to determine the transcript and protein levels of complement decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP) in the placentas of women with acquired and inherited thrombophilia. Also, we assessed immunohistochemistry staining of inhibitors of the complement cascade, DAF and MCP proteins, in the placentas of thrombophilic women.Placentas were collected from eight women with inherited thrombophilia and ten with acquired thrombophilia.The levels of DAF and MCP transcripts were evaluated by qPCR, the protein level was evaluated by Western blot. We observed a higher transcript (p < 0.05) and protein (p < 0.001) levels of DAF and MCP in the placentas of thrombophilic women than in the control group. DAF and MCP were localized on villous syncytiotrophoblast membranes, but the assessment of staining in all groups did not differ. The observed higher expression level of proteins that control activation of complement control proteins is only seemingly contradictory to the changes observed for example in the antiphospholipid syndrome. However, given the hitherto known biochemical changes associated with thrombophilia, a mechanism in which increased expression of DAF and MCP in the placentas is an effect of proinflammatory cytokines, which accompanies thrombophilia, is probable.

Conducting Polymer Microelectrodes Anchored to Hydrogel Films.

We report the fabrication of totally organic hydrogel-based microelectrodes of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), which exhibit a lowered sheet resistivity of about 100 Ω/□. The preparation process starts with the electrodeposition of conductive PEDOT (ca. 20 S cm-1) on Pt microelectrodes. After laminating hydrogels onto the PEDOT-modified Pt electrode substrates, a second PEDOT (low conductivity) layer was electrodeposited to anchor the first PEDOT film to the hydrogel. Finally, the hydrogel sheet with PEDOT micropatterns was peeled off by taking advantage of the electroactuation property of PEDOT. The process proved to be versatile, allowing the use of most natural and synthetic hydrogels including agarose, collagen, polyacrylamide, and so on.

MT477 acts in tumor cells as an AURKA inhibitor and strongly induces NRF-2 signaling.

BACKGROUND: The novel compound thiopyrano [2,3-c]quinoline (MT477) has been shown to exhibit antitumor activity in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The present study examined the expression levels of 10,000 genes and how they changed after MT477 treatment in three cancer cell lines: H226, MDA231 and MiaPaCa-2. Materials and Methods/ RESULTS: Molecular function analysis revealed changes in genes involved in cell death, cell-cycle progression and cellular growth and proliferation in all three cancer cell lines. Canonical pathway analysis showed the involvement of the NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response, glucocorticoid, p53, RXR-VDR, G(1)/S checkpoint regulation, ERK, SAPK/JNK and JAS/Stat signaling. Analysis of 234 kinases and phosphatases using a kinase inhibition assay demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect for MAPK14 (104 ± 2%), AMPK A2/B1/G1 (89%) and FGR (83 ± 2%). AURKA was inhibited at 77 ± 1%. MiaPaCa-2 tumor xenograft studies showed a 49.5 ±1 4.8% inhibitory effect in mice treated with 100 µg/kg MT477 compared to untreated mice (p=0.0021). CONCLUSION: MT477 induces molecular mechanisms related to cell death, survival, and inhibition of cellular growth in vitro and in vivo.