Solid-state self carbo-passivation for refurbishing colloidal dispersity of catalytic silica nanoreactors.

Silica-based nanostructures are among the most utilized materials. However, a persistent challenge is their irreversible agglomeration upon drying and heat treatments, restricting their homogeneous colloidal re-dispersion - a mandatory requirement for diverse bio-applications. We address this bottleneck by developing a self carbo-passivation (SCP) strategy: silica nanoparticles (NPs), pre-included with the catalytic metal precursors and organosilanes undergo thermochemical conversion with highly controlled interior-to-surface segregation of nanometer-scale "carbonaceous skin patches".

Recent Advances in pH- or/and Photo-Responsive Nanovehicles.

The combination of nanotechnology and chemotherapy has resulted in more effective drug design via the development of nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) for tumor targeting. Stimulus-responsive DDSs in response to internal or external signals can offer precisely controlled delivery of preloaded therapeutics. Among the various DDSs, the photo-triggered system improves the efficacy and safety of treatment through spatiotemporal manipulation of light.

In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective effects of the aqueous extract from Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) root against alcohol-induced oxidative stress.

The protective effects of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) root against alcoholic liver damage were investigated in HepG2/2E1 cells and ICR mice. When an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species was induced by 300 mM ethanol in vitro, cell viability was drastically decreased by 39%. However, in the presence of hot water extract (TOH) from T.

Enzymatic deacetylation of chitin by extracellular chitin deacetylase from a newly screened Mortierella sp. DY-52.

Among more than a hundred colonies of fungi isolated from soil samples, DY-52 has been screened as an extracellular chitin deacetylase (CDA) producer. The isolate was further identified as Mortierella sp., based on the morphological properties and the nucleotide sequence of its 18S rRNA gene.

Soybean oil-degrading bacterial cultures as a potential for control of green peach aphids (Myzus persicae).

Microorganisms capable of degrading crude oil were isolated and grown in soybean oil as a sole carbon source. The microbial cultures were used to control green peach aphids in vitro. Approximately 60% mortality of aphids was observed when the cultures were applied alone onto aphids.

Antifungal activity of chitinases from Trichoderma aureoviride DY-59 and Rhizopus microsporus VS-9.

Two chitinolytic fungal strains, Trichoderma aureoviride DY-59 and Rhizopus microsporus VS-9, were isolated from soil samples of Korea and Vietnam, respectively. DY-59 and VS-9 crude chitinases secreted by these fungi in the 0.5% swollen chitin culture medium had an optimal pH of 4 and the optimal temperatures of 40 degrees C and 60 degrees C, respectively.

A new steroidal saponin, yuccalan, from the leaves of Yucca smalliana.

An extract of the leaves of Yucca smalliana Fern. (Agavaceae) showed potential antimicrobial activity. Employing a bioassay linked fractionation method, one of the active principles, namely yuccalan, was isolated as a new steroidal saponin.