β-elemene Isopropanolamine Derivative LXX-8250 Induces Apoptosis Through Impairing Autophagic Flux PFKFB4 Repression in Melanoma Cells.

Melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer and accounts for most of the skin cancer-related deaths. The efficacy of current therapies for melanoma remains to be improved. The isopropanolamine derivative of β-elemene LXX-8250 was reported to present better water solubility and stronger toxicity to tumor cells than β-elemene.

Bcl-2-functionalized ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with amphiphilic polymer enhance the labeling efficiency of islets for detection by magnetic resonance imaging.

Based on their versatile, biocompatible properties, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) or ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles are utilized for detecting and tracing cells or tumors in vivo. Here, we developed an innoxious and concise synthesis approach for a novel B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 monoclonal antibody-functionalized USPIO nanoparticle coated with an amphiphilic polymer (carboxylated polyethylene glycol monooleyl ether [OE-PEG-COOH]). These nanoparticles can be effectively internalized by beta cells and label primary islet cells, at relatively low iron concentration.

The role of exendin-4-conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in beta-cell-targeted MRI.

Noninvasive targeted visualization of pancreatic beta cells or islets is becoming the focus of molecular imaging application in diabetes and islet transplantation studies, but it is currently unsuccessful due to the lack of specific beta cell biomarkers. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) is highly expressed in beta cells and considered as a promising target. We here developed a targeted superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticle using GLP-1 analog-exendin-4 which is conjugated to polyethylene glycol coated SPIO (PEG-SPIO).

Layer-by-layer synthesis of γ-Fe2O3@SnO2@C porous core-shell nanorods with high reversible capacity in lithium-ion batteries.

We demonstrated the layer-by-layer synthesis of γ-Fe2O3@SnO2@C porous core-shell nanorods. FeOOH nanorods were first synthesized via a hydrothermal process, and acted as a template for subsequent layer-by-layer deposition. It was indicated that the electrostatic attraction between the charged species may play the key role in the formation of the core-shell nanostructures.

Detection of viability of transplanted beta cells labeled with a novel contrast agent - polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles by magnetic resonance imaging.

Islets can be visualized on MRI by labeling with superparamagnetic contrast agent during the transplantation procedure. However, whether the signal intensity reflects the cell number and cellular viability has not been determined. We used a self-synthesized novel superparamagnetic contrast agent -polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (PVP-SPIO) - to label β-TC-6 cells (a mouse insulinoma cell line) or primary islets with commercial Feridex as a control.

One-Pot Synthesis of Biocompatible CdSe/CdS Quantum Dots and Their Applications as Fluorescent Biological Labels.

We developed a novel one-pot polyol approach for the synthesis of biocompatible CdSe quantum dots (QDs) using poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as a capping ligand at 240°C. The morphological and structural characterization confirmed the formation of biocompatible and monodisperse CdSe QDs with several nanometers in size. The encapsulation of CdS thin layers on the surface of CdSe QDs (CdSe/CdS core-shell QDs) was used for passivating the defect emission (650 nm) and enhancing the fluorescent quantum yields up to 30% of band-to-band emission (530-600 nm).

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes anchored with SnS2 nanosheets as high-performance anode materials of lithium-ion batteries.

A nanocomposite of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) anchored with SnS(2) nanosheets (NS) (SnS(2) NS@MWCNTs coaxial nanocables) has been synthesized through a simple solution-based method at room temperature. The synthetic mechanism of these intriguing nanocomposites is proposed as electrostatic attraction between tin ions and MWCNTs, followed by the nucleation and two-dimensional growth of SnS(2). The as-synthesized SnS(2) NS@MWCNTs coaxial nanocables have been applied as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, which show better lithium storage performance compared to pure SnS(2) nanosheets and MWCNTs.

Self-templating synthesis of SnO2-carbon hybrid hollow spheres for superior reversible lithium ion storage.

This paper reports a novel self-templating methodology for the formation of SnO(2)-carbon hybrid hollow spheres by using Sn spheres as sacrificing templates. The time-sequenced structural evolution of the templates indicates that the nanoscale Kirkendall effect plays a critical role in the transformation from Sn spheres to the hybrid hollow spheres. Moreover, the as-synthesized SnO(2)-carbon hybrid hollow spheres have been applied as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, which exhibit a much higher initial Coulombic efficiency and better cycling performance than pure SnO(2) hollow spheres.

Porous ZnCo2O4 nanowires synthesis via sacrificial templates: high-performance anode materials of Li-ion batteries.

A simple microemulsion-based method has been developed to synthesize ZnCo(2)(C(2)O(4))(3) nanowires that can be transformed to porous ZnCo(2)O(4) nanowires under annealing conditions. The morphology of porous ZnCo(2)O(4) nanowires can be tuned by the initial ZnCo(2)(C(2)O(4))(3) nanowires and the annealing temperatures. The as-synthesized porous ZnCo(2)O(4) nanowires have been applied as anode materials of Li-ion batteries, which show superior capacity and cycling performance.

Assembling CoSn3 nanoparticles on multiwalled carbon nanotubes with enhanced lithium storage properties.

CoSn(3) nanoparticles have been successfully assembled on noncovalently poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via a chemical reduction method in a polyol system. The influences of the surface functionality and the reaction temperature on the synthesis of uniform CoSn(3)-MWCNTs nanohybrids have been investigated. The as-synthesized CoSn(3)-MWCNTs nanohybrids have been applied as anodes for lithium-ion batteries, and show better lithium storage performance compared to the bare CoSn(3) nanoparticles and MWCNTs.

Large-scale synthesis of ultrathin hexagonal tin disulfide nanosheets with highly reversible lithium storage.

Ultrathin hexagonal SnS(2) nanosheets are synthesized via a simple hydrothermal reaction. The nanosheets have been applied as an anode for lithium-ion battery, which shows highly reversible capacity and good cycling stability with excellent capacity retention of 96% after 50 cycles.

Large-scale synthesis of water-soluble nanowires as versatile templates for nanotubes.

This study presents a large-scale synthesis of water-soluble sodium fluosilicate (Na(2)SiF(6)) nanowires, which serve as a versatile template for producing nanotubes.

Selective Synthesis of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 Nanowires Via a Single Precursor: A General Method for Metal Oxide Nanowires.

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) and magnetite (Fe3O4) nanowires with the diameter of about 100 nm and the length of tens of micrometers have been selectively synthesized by a microemulsion-based method in combination of the calcinations under different atmosphere. The effects of the precursors, annealing temperature, and atmosphere on the morphology and the structure of the products have been investigated. Moreover, Co3O4 nanowires have been fabricated to confirm the versatility of the method for metal oxide nanowires.

Labeling transplanted mice islet with polyvinylpyrrolidone coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for in vivo detection by magnetic resonance imaging.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO) are emerging as a novel probe for noninvasive cell tracking with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and have potential wide usage in medical research. In this study, we have developed a method using high-temperature hydrolysis of chelate metal alkoxide complexes to synthesize polyvinylpyrrolidone coated iron oxide nanoparticles (PVP-SPIO), as a biocompatible magnetic agent that can efficiently label mice islet beta-cells. The size, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the as-synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized.

Cobalt ferrite nanorings: Ostwald ripening dictated synthesis and magnetic properties.

CoFe(2)O(4) nanorings were synthesized by a simple solvothermal process, in which Ostwald ripening was definitely responsible for the formation of hollow structures, and their ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature was observed.

From cobalt nitrate carbonate hydroxide hydrate nanowires to porous Co(3)O(4) nanorods for high performance lithium-ion battery electrodes.

We have developed a simple approach for the large-scale synthesis of cobalt nitrate carbonate hydroxide hydrate (Co(CO(3))(0.35)(NO(3))(0.2)(OH)(1.