Understanding the superconductivity and charge density wave interaction through quasi-static lattice fluctuations.

In unconventional superconductors, coupled charge and lattice degrees of freedom can manifest in ordered phases of matter that are intertwined. In the cuprate family, fluctuating short-range charge correlations can coalesce into a longer-range charge density wave (CDW) order which is thought to intertwine with superconductivity, yet the nature of the interaction is still poorly understood. Here, by measuring subtle lattice fluctuations in underdoped YBaCuO on quasi-static timescales (thousands of seconds) through X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy, we report sensitivity to both superconductivity and CDW.

Gap junctions mediate glucose transfer to promote colon cancer growth in three-dimensional spheroid culture.

In vivo tumor growth is characterized by a necrotic core generated by oxygen and nutrients gradients, which is replicated by in vitro three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroids but not traditional two-dimensional cell monolayers. Gap junctions provide direct communication between adjacent cells and play a critical role in cancer development, but their effects are still debatable. In this study, we found that connexin 43 (Cx43) reduced the area of necrotic core in colon cancer 3D spheroids, thus providing a growth advantage.

High-sensitivity x-ray/optical cross-correlator for next generation free-electron lasers.

We design and realize an arrival time diagnostic for ultrashort X-ray pulses achieving unprecedented high sensitivity in the soft X-ray regime via cross-correlation with a ≈1550 nm optical laser. An interferometric detection scheme is combined with a multi-layer sample design to greatly improve the sensitivity of the measurement. We achieve up to 275% of relative signal change when exposed to 1.

Green design "bioinspired disassembly-reassembly strategy" applied for improved tumor-targeted anticancer drug delivery.

In this study, a simple and green approach 'bioinspired disassembly-reassembly strategy' was employed to reconstitute lipoprotein nanoparticles (RLNs) using whole-components of endogenous ones (contained dehydrated human lipids and native apolipoproteins). These RLNs were engineered to mimic the configuration and properties of natural lipoproteins for efficient drug delivery. In testing therapeutic targeting to microtubules, paclitaxel (PTX) was reassembled into RLNs to achieve improved targeted anti-carcinoma treatment and minimize adverse effects, demonstrating ultimately more applicable than HDL-like particles which are based on exogenous lipid sources.

Dual-functional bio-derived nanoparticulates for apoptotic antitumor therapy.

The application of bio-derived nanoparticulates has gained a remarkable degree of interest as a promising sustained-release, site-targeted and completely biodegradable delivery system for chemotherapeutics. We hereby introduce a dual-functionalized biomimetic nanovector, cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-anchored recombinant high density lipoproteins (cp-rHDL), which affords high payload and improved targeting of gambogic acid (GA), a therapeutic agent for apoptotic antitumor therapy. GA-loaded cp-rHDL nanoparticles (cp-rHDL/GA) consisted of hydrophobic core modulating GA, apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) for attractive integrating and tumor-homing, and lipophilic anchored R6H4 (RRRRRRHHHH, a pH-responsive CPP) offering a pH-controlled penetrating potential.

Self-assembled nanoparticles from hyaluronic acid-paclitaxel prodrugs for direct cytosolic delivery and enhanced antitumor activity.

A prodrug-based nanosystem obtained by formulating prodrug and nanotechnology into a system is one of the most promising strategies to enhance drug delivery for disease treatment. Herein, we report a new nanosystem based on HA-PTX conjugates (HA-PTX Ns), which penetrated across cell membranes into cytosol, thus enhancing paclitaxel (PTX) delivery. HA-PTX Ns were successfully obtained based on HA-PTX, and their average particle size was approximately 200 nm.