Ultrarapid Multimode Microwave Synthesis of Nano/Submicron β-SiC

Dual-targeting peptides@PMO, a mimetic to the pro-apoptotic protein Smac/DIABLO for selective activation of apoptosis in cancer cells

The refractoriness of tumor cells to apoptosis represents the main mechanism of resistance to chemotherapy. Smac/DIABLO mimetics proved to be effective in overcoming cancer-acquired resistance to apoptosis as a consequence of overexpression of the anti-apoptotic proteins XIAP, cIAP1, and cIAP2. In this work, we describe a dual-targeting peptide capable of selectively activating apoptosis in cancer cells. The complex consists of a fluorescent periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticle that carries the short sequences of Smac/DIABLO bound to the αvβ3-integrin ligand. The dual-targeting peptide @PMO shows significantly higher toxicity in αvβ3-positive HeLa cells with respect to αvβ3-negative Ht29 cells. @PMO exhibited synergistic effects in combination with oxaliplatin in a panel of αvβ3-positive cancer cells, while its toxicity is overcome by XIAP overexpression or integrin β3 silencing. The successful uptake of the molecule by αvβ3-positive cells makes @PMO promising for the re-sensitization to apoptosis of many cancer types.

Investigation on Characteristics of Microwave Treatment of Organic Matter in Municipal Dewatered Sludge

This study aimed to utilize a microwave technology to degrade active organic matters of the municipal dewatered sludge in a high-temperature environment. The effects of extraction agent, nanomaterial assistants, and microwave-absorbing agents and activating agents on the degradation efficiency were investigated. Dimethyl carbonate was used as the extraction agent. Nanostructured titanium oxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) exhibited effective assistance in the process of microwave treatment. We also developed a kind of microwave-absorbing agent, which was the sludge-based biological carbon. The sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) were selected as activating agents to facilitate the organic matter discharging from the sludge. Through optimizing the experimental factors, it was confirmed that 0.1 wt% TiO2, 0.1 wt% ZnO, 2 wt% dimethyl carbonate, 10 wt% sludge-based biological carbon, 7.5 wt% Ca(OH)2, 0.5 wt% MgCl2, and 6 wt% Na2SO4 were the most appropriate addition amounts in the municipal dewatered sludge to make the organic matter decrease from 42.17% to 22.45%, and the moisture content reduce from 82.98% to 0.48% after the microwave treatment. By comparison, the organic matter degradation is almost zero, and the moisture content decreases to 8.69% without any additives. Moreover, the residual inert organic matter and sludge can be further solidified to lightweight construction materials by using liquid sodium silicate as the curing agent. The research provides a significant reference for the effective, fast, and low-cost treatment of the organic matter in the municipal sludge.