Remarkable In Vivo Nonlinear Photoacoustic Imaging Based on Near-Infrared Organic Dyes

Two near-infrared dyes featuring good dispersion and light-harvesting property present a remarkable nonlinear photoacoustic response in vitro and in vivo comparing with conventional gold nanorods. This study benefits the fabrication of drug delivery platforms with accurate targeting and control effect under photoacoustic image guidance.

Responsive Prodrug Self-Assembled Vesicles for Targeted Chemotherapy in Combination with Intracellular Imaging

Targeted drug delivery systems having controlled drug release property with an inherent fluorescence reporter have drawn a lot of attention in nanomedicine. However, only very few prodrugs can be directly used to construct such delivery systems. Herein, we report that an amphiphilic chlorambucil-based prodrug consisting of a fluorescence reporter and a d-mannose targeting ligand could directly self-assemble into glutathione-responsive nanovesicles for selective cancer therapy and intracellular imaging. These nanovesicles could be dissociated to release the chlorambucil drug with obviously red-shifted fluorescence when internalized by d-mannose receptor-overexpressed MCF-7 cancer cells. In addition, the nanovesicles displayed better selectivity and higher therapy efficiency than free chlorambucil drug.

Characterization and comparison of transgenic Artemisia annua GYR and wild-type NON-GYR plants in an environmental release trial

The anti-malarial drug, artemisinin, is quite expensive as a result of its slow content in Artemisia annua. Recent investigations have suggested that genetic engineering of A. annua is a promising approach to improve the yield of artemisinin. In this study, the transgenic A. annua strain GYR, which has high artemisinin content, was evaluated in an environmental release trial. First, GYR plants were compared with the wild-type variety NON-GYR, with regard to phenotypic characters (plant height, crown width, stem diameter, germination rate, leaf dry weight, 1000-seed weight, leave shape). Second, stress resistance in the two varieties (salt, drought, herbicide, and cold resistance) was evaluated under different experimental conditions. Finally, gene flow was estimated. The results indicated that there were significant differences in several agronomic traits (plant height, stem diameter, and leave dry weight) between the transgenic GYR and NON-GYR plants. Salt stress in transgenic and control plants was similar, except under high NaCl concentrations (1.6%, w/w). Leaf water, proline, and MDA content (increased significantly) were significantly different. Transgenic A. annua GYR plants did not grow better than NON-GYR plants with respect to drought and herbicide resistance. The two varieties maintained vitality through the winter. Third, gene flow was studied in an environmental risk trial for transgenic GYR. The maximum gene flow frequency was 2.5%, while the maximum gene flow distance was 24.4 m; gene flow was not detected at 29.2 m at any direction. Our findings may provide an opportunity for risk assessment in future commercialization of transgenic A. annua varieties.

The role of apoptosis inducing factor in the apoptosis of retinal pigment epithelium cells induced by oxidative stress

To explore the role of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) in the apoptosis of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells induced by oxidative stress. RPE cell apoptotic models were constructed by H2O2, Annexin V/PI flow cytometry and MTT assay were used to determine the changes of RPE cell apoptosis and proliferation. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were observed. QRT-PCR and western blot were used to determine the expression of AIF to evaluate whether AIF-mediated non caspase pathway participated in the RPE cell apoptosis induced by H2O2. After adding melatonin, the production of ROS, RPE apoptotic rate and the changes of AIF expression were also detected. The production of ROS and apoptotic rate of RPE cells increased with the increase of H2O2 concentration and treating time. The expression of AIF increased evidently in cytoplasm, while not in mitochondria. After intervention with melatonin, the production of ROS was inhibited and the apoptotic rate decreased. However, the expression of AIF was not inhibited correspondingly. AIF may participate in but not be dominant in the process of RPE cell apoptosis induced by oxidative stress.

Refined Sulfur Nanoparticles Immobilized in Metal-Organic Polyhedron as Stable Cathodes for Li-S Battery

The lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery presents a promising rechargeable energy storage technology for the increasing energy demand in a worldwide range. However, current main challenges in Li-S battery are structural degradation and instability of the solid-electrolyte interphase caused by the dissolution of polysulfides during cycling, resulting in the corrosion and loss of active materials. Herein, we developed novel hybrids by employing metal-organic polyhedron (MOP) encapsulated PVP-functionalized sulfur nanoparticles (S@MOP), where the active sulfur component was efficiently encapsulated within the core of MOP and PVP as a surfactant was helpful to stabilize the sulfur nanoparticles and control the size and shape of corresponding hybrids during their syntheses. The amount of sulfur embedded into MOP could be controlled according to requirements. By using the S@MOP hybrids as cathodes, an obvious enhancement in the performance of Li-S battery was achieved, including high specific capacity with good cycling stability. The MOP encapsulation could enhance the utilization efficiency of sulfur. Importantly, the structure of the S@MOP hybrids was very stable, and they could last for almost 1000 cycles as cathodes in Li-S battery. Such high performance has rarely been obtained using metal-organic framework systems. The present approach opens up a promising route for further applications of MOP as host materials in electrochemical and energy storage fields.

Remarkable Vapochromic Behavior of Pure Organic Octahedron Embedded in Porous Frameworks

Vapochromic behavior is employed to selectively monitor the vapor changes in surrounding environment, particularly for toxic gas leaking and floating detection. Thus, sensitive trapping and accurate response to different toxic vapors are critical factors in vapochromic sensing. In this work, a self-assembled hybrid that consists of fluorescent organic octahedron encapsulated by metal-organic polyhedron (MOP) is reported. The fluorescent octahedron is used as a responsive sensor to probe various solvent vapors, while the MOP is employed as a protector to prevent the corrosion of solvents to the organic octahedron. The hybrid exhibits remarkable vapochromic behavior to different solvents, and shows the highest selectivity and sensitivity specifically to acetone. In addition, acetone vapor under different conditions is utilized for further studying the response mechanism of the hybrid. This work presents a promising vapochromic sensor with good stability, selectivity, and sensitivity. The study is expected to open up the applicability of MOP-based hybrids for specific molecular capture, interim storage, controlled release, and advanced sensing.

Perylenetetracarboxylic-metal assemblies and anisotropic charge transport in a Cu(II) assembly

Structural diversity and uniformity of nanomaterials are usually prerequisites for many practical applications involving the oriented fabrication of various devices with full control over their desired physiochemical properties. Particularly in the optoelectronic field, ordered assembly inside cells is required not only for obtaining attractive configurations but also for playing an important role in the characteristics of photoconduction and conductivity. Here, we present a synergetic self-assembly driven by coordination and intermolecular interactions for the construction of organic-inorganic hybrids with multi-morphologies and tunable physical properties. 3,4,9,10-Perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride was treated with base to produce various assemblies by coordination with metal ions, showing morphologies of nanowires, nanosheets, nanoribbons and nanorods. The organic π-spacer affords an extension in different directions through the suitable incorporation of metal ions with different coordination modes for the formation of metal-ligand complexes. Interestingly, the obtained nanorods were twisted rods with obvious screw threads on the rod wall, supporting the synergetic self-assembly. Then, anisotropic mobility measurements of the obtained Cu(2+)-ligand assembly were carried out to show the importance of the size- and shape-confined synthesis of the hybrids. By presenting a series of ordered metal-ligand complex superstructures driven by synergetic self-assembly, this work is expected to pave the way for future anisotropic measurements of complex assemblies.

[Correlation between morphogical factor of lateral plateau fracture and meniscus injury]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze morphological character of lateral tibial plateau fracture fragment, and its correlation to the presence of a meniscus injury in tibial plateau fractures.

METHODS

A total of 79 consecutive patients of the simple lateral tibial plateau fractures from July 2011 to July 2015 were included in this study, with 65 males and 14 females with an average age of (34.3±7.2) years and 22-61 years. According to Schatzker classification, 21 cases were of Type I, 41 cases Type II, and 17 cases Type III. The characteristics of lateral tibial plateau fractures were evaluated by plain X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The type and severity of meniscus injury were diagnosed by MRI scan. Three-dimensional measurements of the lateral fragment width (LFW), the lateral plateau depression (LPD), the coronal angulation of lateral fragment (CALF), and tibial plateau widening (TPW) were measured with Picture Archiving and Communication Systems(PACS) software. The patients with and without meniscus injuries were divided into different groups and analyzed respectively. Comparison of the above measurements between the two groups was analyzed by independent t test.

RESULTS

In all the 79 lateral tibial plateau fracture patients, 26 cases (32.9%) of meniscus injuries were detected by MRI. Among all the meniscus injury cases, 3 were of Schatzker I, 16 Schatzker II, and 7 Schatzker III. In meniscus intact group, the average LFW was (22.0±2.8) mm while in meniscus injury group it was (21.3± 3.3) mm (t=-1.008, P=0.317).The average LPD of non meniscus injury group was (5.4±2.8) mm, while in meniscus injury group was (8.7±2.8) mm (t=4.98, P=0.001). The average CALF of the two groups were 9.1°±6.1°and 10.6°± 7.1°, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (t=0.38, P=0.831). The average TPW was (3.0± 1.1) mm, and (4.8±1.7) mm of the two groups. There were significant differences between the two groups (t=5.216, P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

There was no obvious correlation between the LFD and meniscus injury. The CALF of lateral tibial plateau fracture had no significant correlation with meniscus injury either. The degree of LPD and TPW may indicate injury of the meniscus in tibial plateau fractures.

Synergistic Assembly of Covalent and Supramolecular Polymers

Integrating irreplaceable features of both covalent chemistry and noncovalent interactions into a single entity to maximize the applicability is highly desired. Here, a discovery of this type of hybrid, developed by Stupp and co-workers, is developed, where a synergistic combination of covalent and noncovalent compartments enables them to assemble by each other perfectively. The covalent compartments can grow into polymer chains assisted by a supramolecular compartment. The supramolecular compartments can be reversibly removed and re-formed to reconstitute the hybrid structure. The obtained soft materials can serve as functional platforms for molecular delivery or self-repairing materials.

Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β promotes autophagy to protect mice from acute liver failure mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α

Our previous studies have demonstrated that inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) activity protects mice from acute liver failure (ALF), whereas its protective and regulatory mechanism remains elusive. Autophagy is a recently recognized rudimentary cellular response to inflammation and injury. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that inhibition of GSK3β mediates autophagy to inhibit liver inflammation and protect against ALF. In ALF mice model induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), autophagy was repressed compared with normal control, and D-GalN/LPS can directly induce autophagic flux in the progression of ALF mice. Autophagy activation by rapamycin protected against liver injury and its inhibition by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or autophagy gene 7 (Atg7) small interfering RNA (siRNA) exacerbated liver injury. The protective effect of GSK3β inhibition on ALF mice model depending on the induction of autophagy, because that inhibition of GSK3β promoted autophagy in vitro and in vivo, and inhibition of autophagy reversed liver protection and inflammation of GSK3β inhibition. Furthermore, inhibition of GSK3β increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and the downregulated PPARα by siRNA decreased autophagy induced by GSK3β inhibition. More importantly, the expressions of autophagy-related gene and PPARα are significantly downregulated and the activity of GSK3β is significantly upregulated in liver of ALF patients with hepatitis B virus. Thus, we have demonstrated the new pathological mechanism of ALF that the increased GSK3β activity suppresses autophagy to promote the occurrence and development of ALF by inhibiting PPARα pathway.

Superstructure Formation and Topological Evolution Achieved by Self-Organization of a Highly Adaptive Dynamer

The adaptive property of supramolecular building blocks facilitates noncovalent synthesis of soft materials. While it is still a challenging task, fine-tuning and precise control over topological nanostructures constructed from the self-assembly of low-molecular-weight building blocks are an important research direction to investigate the structure-property relationship. Herein, we report controlled self-assembly evolution of a low-molecular-weight building block bearing cholesterol and naphthalene-dicarboximide moieties, showing ultrasensitivity to solvent polarity. In low-polarity solvents (<4), it could form an M-type fiber-constituted organogel (supergel) with high solvent content, columnar molecular packing, and self-healing property. Highly polar solvents (>7.8) favor the formation of P-type helical nanostructures terminated by nanotoroids, having lamellar molecular packing. With a further increase in solvent polarity (up to 9.6), unilamellar and multilamellar vesicles were generated, which could undergo an aggregation-induced fusion process to form branched nanotubes tuned by the concentration. Self-attractive interactions between aggregates were found to be responsible for the formation of superstructures including helix-nanotoroid junctions as well as membrane-fused nanotubes.

The benefits and risks of DPP4-inhibitors vs. sulfonylureas for patients with type 2 diabetes: accumulated evidence from randomised controlled trial

AIM

To assess the efficacy and safety of dipeptidyl peptidase 4-inhibitors (DPP4-I) compared with sulphonylureas in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus.

METHOD

Randomised controlled trials were collected from PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar and conference. The primary outcome was the change in HbA1c. Secondary outcomes included weight gain, the change in postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), insulin resistance and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), adverse event (AE) and incidence of hypoglycaemia.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies including 5480 patients randomised to DPP4-I and 5214 patients randomised to sulphonylureas were eligible for the meta-analysis. Compared with sulphonylureas, DPP4-I were associated with a smaller decline in HbA1c (WMD, weighted mean differences 0.08%, 95% CI: 0.03-0.14, p = 0.001), and resulted in weight loss of 1.945 kg (95% CI: -2.237 to -1.653, p < 0.0001). The effect of DPP4-I lowering FPG was inferior to that of sulfonylureas (WMD, 0.268 mmol/l, 95% CI, 0.151-0.385, p < 0.0001), and similar in reducing PPG (WMD, 0.084, 95% CI, -0.701 to 0.869, p = 0.833). According to the follow-up period, the included trials were separated into three groups (group 1: less than half one year, group 2: from half one year to 1 year, group 3: more than 1 year). Subgroup analysis showed that the difference in HbA1c between DPP4-I and sulphonylureas presented a decline curve (group 1: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.15-0.84, group 2: 0.05, 95% CI: -0.05 to 0.15, group 3: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03-0.15). DPP4-I had a favourable insulin resistance compared with sulfonylureas (WMD, -0.673, 95% CI, -1.248 to -0.097, p = 0.022). In addition, compared with sulfonylureas, DPP4-I was associated with a decrease in overall risk for AE (RR, 0.93, 95% CI, 0.91-0.96, p < 0.0001). The incidence of hypoglycaemia was lower with DPP4-I (RR, 0.24, 95% CI, 0.21-0.27, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with T2D who receive DPP4-I could achieve almost similar glycaemic targets with sulphonylureas, with favourable effects on body weight and lower incidence of hypoglycaemia.

Morphology Tuning of Self-Assembled Perylene Monoimide from Nanoparticles to Colloidosomes with Enhanced Excimeric NIR Emission for Bioimaging

Organic near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes have been recognized as an emerging class of materials exhibiting a great potential in advanced bioanalytical applications. However, synthesizing such organic probes that could simultaneously work in the NIR spectral range and have large Stokes shift, high stability in biological systems, and high photostability have been proven challenging. In this work, aggregation induced excimeric NIR emission in aqueous media was observed from a suitably substituted perylene monoimide (PeIm) dye. Controlled entrapment of the dye into pluronic F127 micellar system to preserve its monomeric green emission in aqueous media was also established. The aggregation process of the PeIm dye to form organic nanoparticles (NPs) was evaluated experimentally by the means of transmission electron microscope imaging as well as theoretically by the molecular dynamics simulation studies. Tuning the morphology along with the formation of colloidosomes by the controlled self-aggregation of PeIm NPs in aqueous suspension was demonstrated successfully. Finally, both excimeric and monomeric emissive PeIm NPs as well as PeIm colloidosomes were employed for the bioimaging in vitro.

Remarkable colorimetric sensing of heavy metal ions based on thiol-rich nanoframes

Tailored dimercaptosuccinic acid based nanoframes were developed for sensing heavy metal ions, where remarkable colorimetric changes were observed in response to different heavy metal ions. The present work demonstrates a simple and effective approach for the detection of heavy metal ions.

Enhanced performance in gas adsorption and Li ion batteries by docking Li+ in a crown ether-based metal–organic framework

Incorporating supramolecular recognition units, crown ether rings, into metal–organic frameworks enables the docking of metal ions through complexation for enhanced performance.

Towards rational design of core–shell catalytic nanoreactor with high performance catalytic hydrogenation of levulinic acid

Core–shell catalytic nanoreactor was designed, exhibiting high catalytic activity for levulinic acid hydrogenation.

Hierarchically porous Pd nanospheres: facile synthesis and their application in HCOOH electrooxidation

With the help of rhodamine B base, hierarchically porous Pd nanospheres with highly electrocatalytic activity were synthesized very facilely.

Nanoscale covalent organic frameworks as smart carriers for drug delivery

Two nanoscale covalent organic frameworks as drug carriers with good biocompatibility were developed, showing high drug loading capacity and sustained release in vitro.

Factors affecting the recurrence and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: a retrospective study of 601 Chinese patients

OBJECTIVE

Indications for resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain controversial. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors that affect overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with HCC after hepatectomy.

METHODS

From 2004 to 2010, 601 patients with HCC who underwent resection were enrolled. Factors stratified into the host, biochemical, surgical treatment and tumor-related features in terms of recurrence and overall survival were analyzed. Prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses, with Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

The overall survival rates of 1-, 3- and 5- year were 79, 62, and 54 %, and the corresponding DFS rates were 51, 38 and 31 %, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, Child-Pugh, serum AFP level, ALT level, time for hepatic resection, tumor differentiation, maximum size of tumors, local necrosis, portal vein tumor thrombus, and TNM Stage were correlated significantly with patients' OS. Gender (P = 0.046), cigarette smoking (P = 0.007), serum AFP level (P = 0.001), GGT level (P = 0.002), maximum size of tumors (P = 0.009), liver cirrhosis (P = 0.025), portal vein tumor thrombus (P = 0.022), microvascular tumor thrombus (P = 0.007) and TNM Stage (P = 0.001) were significantly affected DFS.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative AFP level, maximum size of tumors, portal vein tumor thrombus and TNM Stage were revealed as important prognostic factors for OS and DFS through follow-up of a relatively large cohort of Chinese HCC patients.

Effects of muscle fiber type on glycolytic potential and meat quality traits in different Tibetan pig muscles and their association with glycolysis-related gene expression

The myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition, glycolytic potential, mitochondrial content, and gene expression related to energy metabolism were analyzed in eight muscles from Tibetan pigs, to study how meat quality develops in different muscle tissues. The muscles were classified into three clusters, based on MyHC composition: masseter, trapezius, and latissimus dorsi as 'slow-oxidative-type'; psoas major and semimembranosus as 'intermediate-type'; and longissimus dorsi, obliquus externus abdominis, and semitendinosus as 'fast-glycolytic-type'. The 'slow-oxidative-type' muscles had the highest MyHC I and MyHC IIA content (P < 0.01); 'intermediate-type' muscles, the highest MyHC IIx content (P < 0.01); and 'fast-glycolytic-type' muscles, the highest MyHC IIb content (P < 0.01). The pH values measured in 'slow-oxidative-type' muscles were higher than those in the other clusters were; however, the color of 'fast-glycolytic-type' muscles was palest (P < 0.01). Mitochondrial content increased in the order: fast-glycolytic-type < intermediate-type < slow-oxidative-type. In the 'slow-oxidative-type' muscles, the expression levels of genes related to ATP synthesis were higher, but were lower for those related to glycogen synthesis and glycolysis. Mitochondrial content was significantly positively correlated with MyHC I content, but negatively correlated with MyHC IIb content. MyHC I and mitochondrial content were both negatively correlated with glycolytic potential. Overall, muscles used frequently in exercise had a higher proportion of type I fibers. 'Slow-oxidative-type' muscles, rich in type I fibers with higher mitochondrial and lower glycogen and glucose contents, had a higher ATP synthesis efficiency and lower glycolytic capacity, which contributed to their superior meat quality.

Identification of molecular markers related to human alveolar bone cells and pathway analysis in diabetic patients

Alveolar bone osteoblasts are widely used in dental and related research. They are easily affected by systemic diseases such as diabetes. However, the mechanism of diabetes-induced alveolar bone absorption remains unclear. This study systematically explored the changes in human alveolar bone cell-related gene expression and biological pathways, which may facilitate the investigation of its mechanism. Alveolar bone osteoblasts isolated from 5 male diabetics and 5 male healthy adults were cultured. Total RNA was extracted from these cells and subjected to gene microarray analysis. Differentially expressed genes were screened, and a gene interaction network was constructed. An enrichment pathway analysis was simultaneously performed on differentially expressed genes to identify the biological pathways associated with changes in the alveolar bone cells of diabetic humans. In total, we identified 147 mRNAs that were differentially expressed in diabetic alveolar bone cells (than in the normal cells; 91 upregulated and 36 downregulated mRNAs). The constructed co-expression network showed 3 pairs of significantly-expressed genes. High-enrichment pathway analysis identified 8 pathways that were affected by changes in gene expression; three of the significant pathways were related to metabolism (inositol phosphate metabolism, propanoate metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism). Here, we identified a few potential genes and biological pathways for the diagnosis and treatment of alveolar bone cells in diabetic patients.