Graphene Oxide as a Self-Carbocatalyst to Facilitate the Ring-Opening Polymerization of Glycidol for Efficient Polyglycerol Grafting.

Grafting carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) with polyglycerol (PG) improves their application potentials in biomedicine and electronics. Although "grafting from" method offers advantages over "grafting to" one in terms of operability and versatility, little is known about the reaction process of glycidol with the surface groups onto CNMs. By using graphene oxide (GO) as a multi-functional model material, we examined the reactivity of the surface groups on GO toward glycidol molecules via a set of model reactions.

Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite using aqueous ammonium hydrogen carbonate solution and the ability of the exfoliated product as a hydrogen production electrocatalyst support.

Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite has attracted much attention as a practical mass production of two-dimensional graphene-like materials. There is an increasing desire to find new and improved methods to create unique exfoliated products with excellent functionality. We used aqueous ammonium hydrogen carbonate solution as a new electrolyte for anodic oxidative exfoliation of graphite.

Fibroblast Activation Protein-α Expression in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Shows the Poor Survival of Colorectal Cancer via Immune-Mediated Pathways : Implications of FAP in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Link Immune Dysregulation to Adverse Survival in Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and immune cells, the key components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play critical roles in oncogenesis. Despite the recognized function of fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP), a specific biomarker of CAFs in cancer progression, its role in the survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) remains unclear.

Methods: We investigated 180 pathological sections obtained from 178 consecutive patients with CRC who underwent surgical resection at Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital between January 2013 and December 2015.

Control of the electronic and optical properties of aminoxyl radicals boron complexation.

Stable radicals have attracted increasing attention in recent years because of their unique electronic and optical characteristics. Aminoxyl radicals are one of the most widely studied stable radicals to date, but their applications in opto-functional materials have yet to be explored in detail. Our group previously reported the boron complexes of aminoxyl radicals exhibit near-infrared (NIR) absorption.

Mass Production of Graphene Oxide Beyond the Laboratory: Bridging the Gap Between Academic Research and Industry.

The mass production of graphene oxide (GO) has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its potential applications in various fields, from materials science to biomedicine. Graphene, known for its unique properties, such as high conductivity and mechanical strength, has been extensively studied. However, traditional production methods such as the exfoliation of graphite with scotch tape are not suitable for large-scale production.

Clinical impact of the prognostic nutritional index and skeletal muscle index for the incompletion of adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy is a standard therapeutic option for resected pancreatic cancer. However, the risk factors for incompletion of adjuvant chemotherapy remain unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 72 patients who underwent radical pancreatectomy and received S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

Biocompatibility of Water-Dispersible Pristine Graphene and Graphene Oxide Using a Close-to-Human Animal Model: A Pilot Study on Swine.

Graphene-based materials (GBMs) are of considerable interest for biomedical applications, and the pilot study on the toxicological and immunological impact of pristine graphene (GR) and graphene oxide (GO) using swine as a close-to-human provides valuable insights. First, ex vivo experiments are conducted on swine blood cells, then GBMs are injected intraperitoneally (i.p.

Prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with Fontan-associated liver disease using gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid magnetic resonance imaging.

Aim: The unique feature of Fontan circulation is elevated central venous pressure, which causes Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD). FALD is associated with a high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Performing biopsies in patients with FALD is difficult as a result of warfarinization; gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a noninvasive examination, is useful for characterizing liver disease and detecting HCC.

Investigating the radical properties of oxidized carbon materials under photo-irradiation: behavior of carbon radicals and their application in catalytic reactions.

Oxidized carbon materials have abundant surface functional groups and customizable properties, making them an excellent platform for generating radicals. Unlike reactive oxygen species such as hydroxide or superoxide radicals that have been reported previously, oxidized carbon also produces stable carbon radicals under photo-irradiation. This has been confirmed through electron spin resonance.

Engineering Zeolitic-Imidazolate-Framework-Derived Mo-Doped Cobalt Phosphide for Efficient OER Catalysts.

Designing a cheap, competent, and durable catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is exceedingly necessary for generating oxygen through a water-splitting reaction. In this project, we have designed a ZIF-67-originated molybdenum-doped cobalt phosphide (CoP) using a simplistic dissolution-regrowth method using NaMoO and a subsequent phosphidation process. This leads to the formation of an exceptional hollow nanocage morphology that is useful for enhanced catalytic activity.

Light-Responsive and Antibacterial Graphenic Materials as a Holistic Approach to Tissue Engineering.

While the continuous development of advanced bioprinting technologies is under fervent study, enhancing the regenerative potential of hydrogel-based constructs using external stimuli for wound dressing has yet to be tackled. Fibroblasts play a significant role in wound healing and tissue implants at different stages, including extracellular matrix production, collagen synthesis, and wound and tissue remodeling. This study explores the synergistic interplay between photothermal activity and nanomaterial-mediated cell proliferation.

Size-Dependent Magnetic Responsiveness of a Photonic Crystal of Graphene Oxide Nanosheets.

A magnetically responsive photonic crystal of colloidal nanosheets can exhibit a controllable structural color, offering diverse potential applications. In this study, we systematically investigated how the lateral sizes of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets affect their magnetic responsiveness in a photonic system. Contrary to the prediction that larger lateral sizes of nanosheets would be more responsive to an applied magnetic field based on the magnetic energy of anisotropic materials, we discovered that GO nanosheets with larger lateral sizes in the photonic system scarcely responded to a 12 T magnetic field.

Ordered Carbonaceous Framework Synthesized from Hexaazatrinaphthylene with Enediyne Groups via Solid-State Bergman Cyclization Reaction.

Porous materials synthesized through bottom-up approaches, such as metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks, have attracted attention owing to their design flexibility for functional materials. However, achieving the chemical and thermal stability of these materials for various applications is challenging considering the reversible coordination bonds and irreversible covalent bonds in their frameworks. Thus, ordered carbonaceous frameworks (OCFs) emerge as a promising class of bottom-up materials with good periodicity, thermal and chemical stability, and electrical conductivity.

Diverse Hierarchical Meso/Nanoporous Pt Film Electrocatalysts Prepared via Hydrogen Adsorption-Assisted Dynamic Soft Templating.

In this study, we present an innovative approach for creating hierarchical meso/nanoporous Pt films using dynamic soft templating. The fabrication process, called dynamic soft templating, involves Pt electrodeposition within a specialized bicontinuous microemulsion (BME) system characterized by a sophisticated three-dimensional network comprising water and oil phases, surfactants, and cosurfactants. Pt electrodeposition exclusively occurs in the water phase of the BME.

Successful treatment with reduced oral steroid dosage in an 81-year-old woman with statin-induced anti-HMGCR immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy.

An 81-year-old woman presented with statin-induced anti-HMGCR immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy. Treatment was successful without complications with a reduced oral steroid dosage from the current consensus for all ages and backgrounds. This case suggests the importance of early diagnosis and the possibility of steroid dosage adjustment considering the patient's age, disease severity, and comorbidities.

Size, polyglycerol grafting, and net surface charge of iron oxide nanoparticles determine their interaction and toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The widespread application of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in environmental remediation has raised public concerns about their toxicity to aquatic organisms. Although appropriate surface modification can mitigate the ecotoxicity of NPs, the lack of polymer coating to inhibit toxicity completely and the insufficient knowledge about charge effect hinder the development of safe nanomaterials. Herein, we explored the potential of polyglycerol (PG) functionalization in alleviating the environmental risks of NPs.

Plasma-Derived Fibrin Hydrogels Containing Graphene Oxide for Infections Treatment.

Wound infection is inevitable in most patients suffering from extensive burns or chronic ulcers, and there is an urgent demand for the production of bactericidal dressings to be used as grafts to restore skin functionalities. In this context, the present study explores the fabrication of plasma-derived fibrin hydrogels containing bactericidal hybrids based on graphene oxide (GO). The hydrogels were fully characterized regarding gelation kinetics, mechanical properties, and internal hydrogel structures by disruptive cryo scanning electron microscopies (cryo-SEMs).