A redox-responsive drug delivery system based on RGD containing peptide-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

In this paper, an intracellular glutathione (GSH) responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN-S-S-RGD) was developed as a drug nanocarrier by immobilizing the gatekeeper (RGD containing peptide) onto MSNs using disulfide bonds. The antitumor drug, DOX was loaded onto the porous structure of the MSNs and the DOX@MSN-S-S-RGD system has been proved to be an effective nanocarrier. It was determined that most of the drug could be entrapped with only a slight leakage.

Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vector Ebola Vaccine.

Background: The unprecedented 2014 epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) prompted an international response to accelerate the availability of a preventive vaccine. A replication-defective recombinant chimpanzee adenovirus type 3-vectored ebolavirus vaccine (cAd3-EBO), encoding the glycoprotein from Zaire and Sudan species, that offers protection in the nonhuman primate model, was rapidly advanced into phase 1 clinical evaluation.

Methods: We conducted a phase 1, dose-escalation, open-label trial of cAd3-EBO.

Phytoextraction of uranium from contaminated soil by Macleaya cordata before and after application of EDDS and CA.

This is the first report on using Macleaya cordata for phytoextraction of uranium from the uranium contaminated soil in the greenhouse. Macleaya M. cordata was found to increase uranium concentration in the soil solution by increasing the dissolved organic carbon (DOC).

Unprecedented metal-mediated in situ reactions of heterocyclic disulfide of di[4-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidinyl]disulfide.

By the combination of different metal salts and solvents, four unprecedented in situ reactions have been discovered for heterocyclic disulfide of 2-ppds (2-ppds = di[4-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidinyl]disulfide). In the CH3CN-DMF solvent, reaction of 2-ppds with AgNO3 produced a one-dimensional chain structure of {[Ag2(1L)2]·2CH3CN}n (1), wherein 2-ppds was converted into its sulfonate of 1L by means of oxidative cleavage of the S-S bond. In the CH3CN-DCM solvent, reaction between 2-ppds and Cu(ClO4)2 yielded a discrete mononuclear Cu(II) coordination structure of [Cu(2L)2H2O)](ClO4)2 (2), of which 2-ppds was turned into a totally unexpected zwitterion product of 2L via C-S bond scission followed by O substitution.

Circulating betatrophin levels are increased in patients with type 2 diabetes and associated with insulin resistance.

Context: Betatrophin has recently attracted increasing interests as a potential β-cell regenerative therapy in diabetes. However, differences in betatrophin profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain unclear.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine circulating betatrophin levels in subjects with different glucose tolerance status and its correlation with insulin resistance.

Redox-responsive nanoreservoirs based on collagen end-capped mesoporous hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery.

Mesoporous hydroxyapatite (MHAp) nanoparticles have great potential in nanoscaled delivery devices due to their excellent biocompatibility, nontoxicity and high surface areas. In order to achieve targeting based on cell-specific recognition and site directed, timed and quantitatively controlled drug release to malignant cells, redox-responsive nanoreservoirs based on MHAp (LA-Col-S-S-MHAp) were fabricated by using lactobionic acid-conjugated collagen (LA-Col) as a cap, disulfide bonds as intermediate linkers and MHAp as nanoreservior. Lactobionic acid (LA) molecules acted as the targeting moiety to achieve the targeted drug delivery.

Continuous bed motion on clinical scanner: design, data correction, and reconstruction.

With the addition of variable bed speed capabilities, continuous bed motion (CBM) becomes an acquisition generalization for axial sensitivity modeling and therefore a flexible tool in axial local image quality adjustment. In this paper, we describe the principles behind CBM mode planning and its influence on image reconstruction. The data correction method underwent the most changes compared to the commonly used step and shoot (S&S) mode.

Spatiotemporally programmable surface engineered nanoparticles for effective anticancer drug delivery.

Surface engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are fabricated from polycaprolactone-polyethylenimine-folic acid (PCL-PEI-FA) and polycaprolactone-S-S-polyethylene glycol (PCL-S-S-PEG) copolymers. FESEM reveals the core-shell structure of these NPs of about 230 nm size. It is assumed that the inner cores of these NPs are composed of PCL, while the outer shells are adorned with PEG and folic acid, introducing a stealthy nature and specific targeting capability.

Automated prediction of early blood transfusion and mortality in trauma patients.

Background: Prediction of blood transfusion needs and mortality for trauma patients in near real time is an unrealized goal. We hypothesized that analysis of pulse oximeter signals could predict blood transfusion and mortality as accurately as conventional vital signs (VSs).

Methods: Continuous VS data were recorded for direct admission trauma patients with abnormal prehospital shock index (SI = heart rate [HR] / systolic blood pressure) greater than 0.

A new nanosensor composed of laminated samarium borate and immobilized laccase for phenol determination.

A new nanosensor composed of laminated samarium borate and immobilized laccase was developed for phenol determination. The laminated samarium borate was synthesized by a mild solid-state-hydrothermal (S-S-H) method without any surfactant or Template. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the samples.

Loss of collectrin, an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 homolog, uncouples endothelial nitric oxide synthase and causes hypertension and vascular dysfunction.

Background: Collectrin is an orphan member of the renin-angiotensin system and is a homolog of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, sharing ≈50% sequence identity. Unlike angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, collectrin lacks any catalytic domain. Collectrin has been shown to function as a chaperone of amino acid transporters.

Monitoring of monocyte recruitment in reperfused myocardial infarction with intramyocardial hemorrhage and microvascular obstruction by combined fluorine 19 and proton cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Monocytes and macrophages are indispensable in the healing process after myocardial infarction (MI); however, the spatiotemporal distribution of monocyte infiltration and its correlation to prognostic indicators of reperfused MI have not been well described.

Methods And Results: With combined fluorine 19/proton ((1)H) magnetic resonance imaging, we noninvasively visualized the spatiotemporal recruitment of monocytes in vivo in a rat model of reperfused MI. Blood monocytes were labeled by intravenous injection of (19)F-perfluorocarbon emulsion 1 day after MI.

Synthesis and catalytic properties of a series of cobalt porphyrins as cytochrome P450 model: the effect of substituents on the catalytic activity.

A series of cobalt porphyrins derived from hemin was prepared as cytochrome P450 models. Effects of substituents at the cobalt deuteroporphyrin-propionate side chains are investigated in oxidation of toluene with air to benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol without the use of solvent and sacrificial co-reductant. The catalytic activity of cobalt porphyrins depends on the type of substituents.

1,1'-(Ethane-1,2-di-yl)dipyridinium bis-(1,2-di-cyano-ethene-1,2-di-thiol-ato-κ(2) S,S')cuprate(II).

In the title ion-pair complex, (C12H14N2)[Cu(C4N2S2)2], the complex anion exhibits a highly twisted coordination environment around the tetra-coordinated Cu(II) atom. The dihedral angles between the 1,2-di-cyano-ethene-1,2-di-thiol-ato ligands and between the two pyridine rings in the cation are 37.49 (3) and 29.

Sequence representation during response preparation in the serial reaction time task.

The type of representations involved in implicit learning during the response preparation stage of sequence learning was studied using the response-locked lateralized readiness potential (LRP-R) as an index. Participants performed a modified serial reaction time task on an eight-letter sequence; half were informed to look for patterns in the sequence and half were not. The standard sequence was occasionally replaced by one of two deviant sequences and the LRP-R elicited was analyzed.

Tracking the formation of a polynuclear Co16 complex and its elimination and substitution reactions by mass spectroscopy and crystallography.

We present the syntheses and structures of the biggest chiral cobalt coordination cluster, [Co16(L)4(H3L)8(N3)6](NO3)2·16H2O·2CH3OH (1, where H4L = S,S-1,2-bis(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-1,2-ethanediol). 1 consists of two Co4O4 cubes (Co4(L)2(H3L)2) alternating with Co2(EO-N3)2Co2 (Co4(L)2(H3L)2(N3)2), bridged by the benzimidazole and azide nitrogen atoms to form a twisted ring. The ligand adopts both cis and trans forms, and all the rings have the same chiralilty.

Design, synthesis and antitumor activity of novel 4-methyl-(3'S,4'S)-cis-khellactone derivatives.

An asymmetric synthesis of a series of novel 4-methyl-(3'S,4'S)-cis-khellactone derivatives 3a-o is reported for the first time. Their structures were confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and MS. Their cytotoxic activity was evaluated by the MTT assay against three selected human cancer cell lines: HEPG-2 (human liver carcinoma), SGC-7901 (human gastric carcinoma), LS174T (human colon carcinoma).

Serum lipid abnormalities are not associated with apoB 3' VNTR polymorphism in nephrotic children.

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) gene 3' variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) is highly variable, and therefore can be an informative marker for associative analysis of lipid metabolism. This is the first report focusing on a possible association of apoB VNTR polymorphism with nephrotic hyperlipidemia. Genomic DNA was extracted from 500 children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) and 500 healthy controls.

Polymorphisms of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A/2C receptor genes and 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter gene in Chinese patients with OSAHS.

Background: It is known that there is a genetic predisposition to OSAHS. Polymorphisms of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2A/2C receptors (5-HTR 2A/2C) genes and 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) gene may be associated with the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of polymorphisms of the 5-HTR 2A/2C genes and the 5-HTT gene in the Chinese Han OSAHS population.

Ethylene polymerization by new chromium catalysts based on carborane [SSO] ligands.

Tridentate carborane [S, S, O] ligands 2a-2b [(HOC6H2R2-4,6)(CH2)SC(B10H10)C(Ph)2P=S, R = (t)Bu (2a), R = Me (2b)] were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of CrCl3(THF)3 with the sodium salts of ligands 2a and 2b afford six-coordinated chromium complexes 3a and 3b. EXAFS spectroscopy performed on complex 3a to describe the coordination chemistry of ligand 2a around chromium center.

Synergistic activities of tigecycline with clarithromycin or amikacin against rapidly growing mycobacteria in Taiwan.

The occurrence of diseases caused by rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) is increasing in Taiwan. In this study, the in vitro antimicrobial activities of tigecycline, minocycline, tetracycline and doxycycline were evaluated against 160 clinical RGM isolates, including 34 Mycobacterium abscessus sensu stricto (s.s.

Monophyly or paraphyly--the taxonomy of Holcoglossum (Aeridinae: Orchidaceae).

Recently, there have been a lot of intense debates about the acceptance/rejection of paraphyletic groups in biological classification. On the one hand, evolutionary classification states that similarity and common descent are two criteria for biological classification and paraphyletic groups are natural units of biological classification. On the other hand, cladistic classification considers that common descent is the only criterion in biological classification and monophyly should be strictly adhered to.

Enhanced desorption of PCB and trace metal elements (Pb and Cu) from contaminated soils by saponin and EDDS mixed solution.

This study investigated the simultaneous desorption of trace metal elements and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) from mixed contaminated soil with a novel combination of biosurfactant saponin and biodegradable chelant S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS). Results showed significant promotion and synergy on Pb, Cu and PCB desorption with the mixed solution of saponin and EDDS. The maximal desorption of Pb, Cu and PCB were achieved 99.

Comparison of five equations for estimating resting energy expenditure in Chinese young, normal weight healthy adults.

Background: Most resting energy expenditure (REE) predictive equations for adults were derived from research conducted in western populations; whether they can also be used in Chinese young people is still unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to determine the best REE predictive equation in Chinese normal weight young adults.

Methods: Forty-three (21 male, 22 female) healthy college students between the age of 18 and 25 years were recruited.