Pathogenesis and therapeutic applications of microglia receptors in Alzheimer's disease.

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, continuously monitor the brain's microenvironment through their array of specific receptors. Once brain function is altered, microglia are recruited to specific sites to perform their immune functions, including phagocytosis of misfolded proteins, cellular debris, and apoptotic cells to maintain homeostasis. When toxic substances are overproduced, microglia are over-activated to produce large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which induce chronic inflammatory responses and lead to neurotoxicity.

Natural Biodegradable Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) Nanocomposites with Multifunctional Cellulose Nanocrystals/Graphene Oxide Hybrids for High-Performance Food Packaging.

High-performance and useful graphene oxide (GO) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are easily extracted from natural graphite and cellulose raw materials, and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is produced by bacterial fermentation from natural plant corn stalks, etc. In this study, novel ternary nanocomposites consisting of PHBV/cellulose nanocrystal-graphene oxide nanohybrids were prepared via a simple solution casting method. The synergistic effect of CNC with GO nanohybrids obtained by chemical grafting (CNC-GO, covalent bonds) and physical blending (CNC/GO, noncovalent bonds) on the physicochemical properties of PHBV nanocomposites was evaluated and the results compared with a single component nanofiller (CNC or GO) in binary nanocomposites.

Green one-step synthesis of ZnO/cellulose nanocrystal hybrids with modulated morphologies and superfast absorption of cationic dyes.

Zinc oxide/cellulose nanocrystal (ZnO/CNC) hybrids with modulated morphologies were prepared by using bamboo CNC as templates via green one-step technique. The effect of pH values on the morphology, microstructure, thermal stability, antibacterial efficiency and dye absorption kinetics of hybrids were investigated. A possible mechanism for various hybrid morphologies at different pH values was provided.

WO3-x Nanoplates Grown on Carbon Nanofibers for an Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

The search for non-noble metal catalysts with high activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for efficient hydrogen production at low cost and on a large scale. Herein, we report a novel WO3-x catalyst synthesized on carbon nanofiber mats (CFMs) by electrospinning and followed by a carbonization process in a tubal furnace. The morphology and composition of the catalysts were tailored via a simple method, and the hybrid catalyst mats were used directly as cathodes to investigate their HER performance.

Fabrication of multifunctional cellulose nanocrystals/poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites with silver nanoparticles by spraying method.

The poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/functionalized cellulose nanocrystals formates (CNFs) were prepared by solution casting and then the binary films were sprayed with silver ammonia aqueous solution to fabricate PLA/CNF/Ag ternary nanocomposites. It was found that both deposited silver (Ag) nanoparticles and CNFs showed efficient reinforcing effect on the thermal, mechanical, barrier properties and antibacterial activity of PLA matrix. Especially, the maximum decomposition temperature (Tmax) and Young's modulus of PLA/CNF/Ag(6) nanocomposite film increased by 15.

Design of two-dimensional, ultrathin MoS₂ nanoplates fabricated within one-dimensional carbon nanofibers with thermosensitive morphology: high-performance electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Two-dimensional MoS2 nanoplates within carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with monolayer thickness, nanometer-scale dimensions and abundant edges are fabricated. This strategy provides a well-defined pathway for the precise design of MoS2 nanomaterials, offering control over the evolution of MoS2 morphology from nanoparticles to nanoplates as well as from mono- to several-layer structures, over a lateral dimension range of 5 to 70 nm. CNFs play an important role in confining the growth of MoS2 nanoplates, leading to increases in the amount of exposed edge sites while hindering the stacking and aggregation of MoS2 layers, and accelerating electron transfer.

S-rich single-layered MoS2 nanoplates embedded in N-doped carbon nanofibers: efficient co-electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

S-rich MoS2-NCNF hybrid nanomaterials exhibiting extraordinary HER activity, with a very low onset potential of 30 mV and a small Tafel slope of 38 mV per decade, were successfully fabricated by combining N-doped carbon nanofibers and single-layered MoS2 nanostructures with abundant edge active sites.

Self-assembly of various Au nanocrystals on functionalized water-stable PVA/PEI nanofibers: a highly efficient surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates with high density of "hot" spots.

We have demonstrated a facile approach for the fabrication of flexible and reliable sulfydryl functionalized PVA/PEI nanofibers with excellent water stability for the self-assembly of Au nanocrystals, such as Au nanoparticles (AuNPs), Au nanoflowers (AuNFs) and Au nanorods (AuNRs), used as the highly efficient surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates for the detection of rhodamine B (RhB). Various methods were employed to cross-link the PVA nanofibers with better morphology and porous structures after immersing in water for desired times. Various SERS-active Au nanocrystals, such as AuNPs, AuNFs, and AuNRs have been successfully synthesized.

Facile fabrication of AgNPs/(PVA/PEI) nanofibers: high electrochemical efficiency and durability for biosensors.

A novel, facile and green approach for the fabrication of H2O2, glutathione (GSH) and glucose detection biosensor using water-stable PVA and PVA/PEI nanofibers decorated with AgNPs by combining an in situ reduction approach and electrospinning technique has been demonstrated. Small, uniform and well-dispersed AgNPs embedded in the PVA nanofibers and immobilized on functionalized PVA/PEI nanofibers indicate the highly sensitive detection of H2O2 with a detection limit of 5 μM and exhibit a fast response, broad linear range, low detection limit and excellent stability and reusability.

Effect of silicon on the formation of silk fibroin/calcium phosphate composite.

The silk fibroin/calcium phosphate composites were prepared by adding the different amount of Na(2)SiO(3) to assess the effect of silicon on the HA (hydroxyapatite) formation in the composites. FTIR and XRD results suggested that the inorganic phase was constituted mainly by the amorphous DCPD (dicalcium phosphate dehydrate), a precursor of HA in the bone mineral, when the composites were prepared at the final Na(2)SiO(3) concentration lower than 0.008%.

[Structure-based design and biosynthesis of collagen proteins].

Collagen is the most abundant protein in human body and a periodic helix, i. e. , triple helix, fibrous protein, which provides the scaffold structures for the cell adhesion and macromolecule aggregation, etc.