Diffusion Mechanisms of Dissolved Gases in Transformer Oil Influenced with Moisture Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) of insulating oil is widely used for diagnosing transformer incipient faults. Moisture is a major contaminant and degradation byproduct of transformer insulating oil. In this paper, molecular dynamics simulation was used to study the influence of moisture on the diffusion movement of dissolved gases in the insulating oil.

Preclinical safety and hepatotoxicity evaluation of biomineralized copper sulfide nanoagents.

Albumin-biomineralized copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) have attracted much attention as an emerging phototheranostic agent due to their advantages of facile preparation method and high biocompatibility. However, comprehensive preclinical safety evaluation is the only way to meet its further clinical translation. We herein evaluate detailedly the safety and hepatotoxicity of bovine serum albumin-biomineralized CuS (BSA@CuS) NPs with two different sizes in rats.

Hepatotoxicity of copper sulfide nanoparticles towards hepatocyte spheroids using a novel multi-concave agarose chip method.

To explore the hepatotoxicity of copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuSNPs) toward hepatocyte spheroids. Other than the traditional agarose method to generate hepatocyte spheroids, we developed a multi-concave agarose chip (MCAC) method to investigate changes in hepatocyte viability, morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species and hepatobiliary transporter by CuSNPs. The MCAC method allowed a large number of spheroids to be obtained per sample.

Synthesis and drug delivery properties of Ibuprofen-Cellulose nanofibril system.

The Ibuprofen-Cellulose nanofibril (IBU-CNF) drug delivery system was prepared by esterification of Ibuprofen (IBU) and cellulose nanofibril (CNF) with isopropyl acetate as the solvent and sulfuric acid as the catalyst. The results showed that IBU was successfully grafted on to the CNF molecular chain and the crystal structure of CNF did not change. Moreover, the natural three-dimensional network structure was maintained to a large extent.

Preparation and adsorption properties of magnetic hydrophobic cellulose aerogels based on refined fibers.

A novel approach was introduced to prepare very low density, highly porous, economic, reusable, hydrophobic, and magnetic cellulose aerogels from hardwood dissolving pulp via a simple freeze-drying procedure. The aerogels showed outstanding adsorption efficiency for several oils and organic solvents and demonstrated excellent selectivity for absorbing oil from an oil/water mixture. Moreover, they were easily collected by an external magnet, indicating excellent recyclability and reusable for at least 10 cycles while still retaining supreme adsorption capacity (up to 181 g/g for silicone oil).

Three-dimensional liver models: state of the art and their application for hepatotoxicity evaluation.

While alternative methods for toxicity testing using re-constructed human skin and cornea have been written into guidelines and adopted by regulatory authorities, three-dimensional (3D) liver models are currently applied in the industrial settings for hepatotoxicity screening and prediction. These 3D liver models can recapitulate the architecture, functionality and toxicity response of the native liver, demonstrated by a set of related hallmarks. In this comprehensive review, non-scaffold and scaffold-based methods available for 3D liver model formation are introduced, with an emphasis on their advantages and drawbacks.

Bioactive Polysaccharide Nanoparticles Improve Radiation-Induced Abscopal Effect through Manipulation of Dendritic Cells.

Radiotherapy was considered to induce an abscopal effect initiated through antigen release and presented by dendritic cells (DC), while the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TEM) attenuated the effects. Herein, we utilized bioactive polysaccharides extracted from the natural herb and developed polysaccharide nanoparticles (ANPs) that can reverse TEM and, accordingly, enhance the radiation-induced abscopal effect. ANP showed ability to prolong the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice.

Effective Radiotherapy in Tumor Assisted by Polysaccharide-Conjugated Bismuth Sulfide Nanoparticles through Radiosensitization and Dendritic Cell Activation.

Radiotherapy is a traditional method for cancer therapy but may become ineffective likely due to the radiation-induced immunosuppression. Instead of simply increasing the radiation dose, reactivation of immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment is an alternative strategy for successful cancer treatment. In this work, we synthesized bismuth sulfide nanoparticles (BiNP) and conjugated with immunoactive polysaccharide (GLP).

Immunoactive polysaccharide functionalized gold nanocomposites promote dendritic cell stimulation and antitumor effects.

To investigate the immune responses and antitumor efficacy of immunoactive polysaccharide functionalized gold nanocomposites (APS-AuNP). Immunoregulation of APS-AuNP on dendritic cells/T cells was evaluated by flow cytometry and their inhibitions against primary/metastatic tumors were determined on 4T1-bearing mice model. APS-AuNP exhibited remarkable capability to induce dendritic cells maturation through phenotypic markers with functional changes, which further promoted T-cell proliferation and enhanced cytotoxicity against 4T1 tumor cells.

Bone Loss Prevention of Bisphosphonates in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bisphosphonates in improving bone mineral density (BMD) and decreasing the occurrence rate of fractures and adverse events in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which use bisphosphonates in IBD patients were identified in PubMed, MEDLINE database, EMBASE database, Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Databases between 1990 and June 2016. People received bisphosphonate or placebos with a follow-up of at least one year were also considered.