Reverse hierarchical DED assembly in the cFLIP-procaspase-8 and cFLIP-procaspase-8-FADD complexes.

cFLIP, a master anti-apoptotic regulator, targets the FADD-induced DED complexes of procaspase-8 in death receptor and ripoptosome signaling pathways. Several tumor cells maintain relatively high levels of cFLIP in achieving their immortality. However, understanding the three-dimensional regulatory mechanism initiated or mediated by elevated levels of cFLIP has been limited by the absence of the atomic coordinates for cFLIP-induced DED complexes.

Thermal-/pH-triggered hollow mesoporous carbon nanocarrier for NIR-responsive drug release.

Intelligent drug-delivery systems are considered one of the most important techniques for improving cancer treatment using existing over-the-counter medicines. However, metallic materials are always accompanied by metabolism problems, whereas chemotherapy produces several side effects in humans. Carbon-based materials exhibit exceptional features such as bio-affinity and bio-degradability.

Lanternflies (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) of Taiwan.

The family Fulgoridae belongs to the order Hemiptera, superfamily Fulgoridea, with approximately 770 described species worldwide. Their extraordinary appearance attracts the attention of both entomologists and the public. In addition to the evolutionary issue of their special appearance, certain species are also considered notorious pests (, ).

The Src-ZNRF1 axis controls TLR3 trafficking and interferon responses to limit lung barrier damage.

Type I interferons are important antiviral cytokines, but prolonged interferon production is detrimental to the host. The TLR3-driven immune response is crucial for mammalian antiviral immunity, and its intracellular localization determines induction of type I interferons; however, the mechanism terminating TLR3 signaling remains obscure. Here, we show that the E3 ubiquitin ligase ZNRF1 controls TLR3 sorting into multivesicular bodies/lysosomes to terminate signaling and type I interferon production.

Magnetic boron nitride nanosheets-based on pH-responsive smart nanocarriers for the delivery of doxorubicin for liver cancer treatment.

A new drug delivery system (DDS) type complexing magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) along with boron nanosheets (BNN) coated with a pH-responsive polymer-polyethylene glycol (PEG) for the manageable loading/release of the anti-cancerous drug, doxorubicin (DOX), was created (MNP-BNN-PEG-DOX). The X-ray diffraction patterns of the nanocomposites displayed wide diffraction peaks for BNN at 25.1° and 42.

Synthesis and characterization of silica nanoparticles from rice ashes coated with chitosan/cancer cell membrane for hepatocellular cancer treatment.

Dual pH-sensitive smart nanocarriers based on silica nanoparticles (SNPs) extracted from rice husk ashes (RHAs) to effectively inhibit liver cancer cell proliferation were investigated. The SNPs were coated with chitosan (CH) and loaded with doxorubicin (DOX), then functionalized with cell membrane (CM) for homologous targeting ability. The FTIR spectra showed an absorption wave number at 1083 cm which confirmed the existence of the SiOSi group, ratifying that the nanocarriers belong to silica species.

Preparation and in-vitro/in-vivo evaluation of doxorubicin-loaded magnetic SBA-15 nanocomposites from rice husk for enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

In recent years, nanoscience has attracted considerable attention in the field of biomedicine. This involves the use of engineered nanomaterials as vital platforms for targeted drug delivery, diagnosis, imaging, and observation of therapeutic efficiency. This study explored the preparation, characterization, and applications of doxorubicin-loaded magnetic rice husk ash-derived SBA-15 (MIO@RHAS15-DOX nanocomposites) for drug delivery and in vitro/in vivo efficiency in the treatment of liver cancer.

De novo synthesis of a MIL-125(Ti) carrier for thermal- and pH-responsive drug release.

Microporous round cake-like (diameter: 900 ± 100 nm) MIL-125(Ti) carrier with a central metal (Ti) exhibiting bio-affinity and possessing a great potential to be used as drug release platform, has been synthesized in the present study. The thermal and pH responsiveness of drug delivery systems (DDS) are the most important parameters for drug release and can be provided through polymer coating techniques. The Pluronic F127 (F127) and chitosan (CH) monomers were inserted into the crystal lattice of MIL-125(Ti) carrier during the de novo synthesis process, which were subsequently loaded with doxorubicin (DOX).

Design of doxorubicin encapsulated pH-/thermo-responsive and cationic shell-crosslinked magnetic drug delivery system.

The upsurge in cancer cases, such as liver cancer, has claimed millions of lives globally and has prompted the development of novel nanodrug delivery systems. These systems allow cancer drugs to be encapsulated in nanocarriers and delivered to tumor sites, and accordingly, help reduce side effects of the current chemotherapeutic treatments. Herein, we prepared nanocarriers comprising magnetic iron oxide (MIO) nanoparticles that were surface modified with crosslinked Pluronic F127 (PF127) and branched polyethylenimine (bPEI) to form MIOpoly nanocarriers.

Software for the frontiers of quantum chemistry: An overview of developments in the Q-Chem 5 package.

This article summarizes technical advances contained in the fifth major release of the Q-Chem quantum chemistry program package, covering developments since 2015. A comprehensive library of exchange-correlation functionals, along with a suite of correlated many-body methods, continues to be a hallmark of the Q-Chem software. The many-body methods include novel variants of both coupled-cluster and configuration-interaction approaches along with methods based on the algebraic diagrammatic construction and variational reduced density-matrix methods.

Origin and Potential Expansion of the Invasive Longan Lanternfly, (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) in Taiwan.

The longan lanternfly is a new invasive species on the main island of Taiwan. The introduction of an invasive species may negatively influence the native fauna, flora and environment. Thus, this study aimed to infer the invasion history, predict habitat suitability and potential expansion and assess the risk to crop cultivation areas in Taiwan.

ZNRF1 Mediates Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Ubiquitination to Control Receptor Lysosomal Trafficking and Degradation.

Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is crucial for development, tissue homeostasis, and immunity. Dysregulation of EGFR signaling is associated with numerous diseases. EGFR ubiquitination and endosomal trafficking are key events that regulate the termination of EGFR signaling, but their underlying mechanisms remain obscure.

In vivo imaging of neuroblastomas using GD2-targeting graphene quantum dots.

Background: Patients with neuroblastoma, a common childhood malignancy, often have poor prognosis. It is mandatory to develop an accurate and efficient diagnostic tool for neuroblastomas, so that the treatment can be started early. Graphene quantum dot (GQD), a nanomaterial, can be used to carry proteins, genetic materials, or drugs.

Speciation and fate of toxic cadmium in contaminated paddy soils and rice using XANES/EXAFS spectroscopy.

The present study was conducted to determine the Cd distribution and speciation in contaminated paddy soils and rice kernels using XANES/EXAFS spectroscopy. The morphology and crystallization of rice and soils were investigated using FE-SEM and XRD techniques. The EXAFS spectra of Cd in soil and rice kernels showed that cadmium oxides (CdO) in soil and rice kernels formed Cd clusters with Cd-O bond distances of 2.

Aichi virus 3C protease modulates LC3- and SQSTM1/p62-involved antiviral response.

Autophagy is an essential, homeostatic process by which cells break down their own components, it also contributes to restricting bacterial infection in host defense systems; yet, how autophagy regulates viral infection remains inconclusive. Aichi virus (AiV), belonging to the genus Kobuvirus in the family, causes acute gastroenteritis in human. The role of autophagy-mediated anti-viral activity on AiV infection was investigated in this study.

Chemical structure analysis and fast micro-pyrolysis study of hydrochar derived from hydrothermal treatment of municipal solid waste.

Hydrothermal treatment (HTT) experiments were conducted at 210C and 230C with 30, 60 and 90 min residence times. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were employed to elucidate the effect of HTT on the chemical structure of municipal solid waste. FT-IR results clearly demonstrate that decarboxylation and aromatization reactions occurred during HTT.

Thermal behavior and general distributed activation energy model kinetics of Lignite-Chinese herb residues blends during co-pyrolysis.

In this work, the pyrolysis behavior of lignite, Chinese herb residues (CHR) and their blends were explored by thermogravimetric analysis. The co-pyrolysis improved the pyrolysis characteristic of lignite, leading to an increment of index D. Analysis results showed that 30%-50% of CHR add ratio was the appropriate choice for co-pyrolysis with lignite.

Speciation and fate of toxic cadmium in contaminated paddy soils and rice using XANES/EXAFS spectroscopy.

The present study was conducted to determine the Cd distribution and speciation in contaminated paddy soils and rice kernels using XANES/EXAFS spectroscopy. The morphology and crystallization of rice and soils were investigated using FE-SEM and XRD techniques. The EXAFS spectra of Cd in soil and rice kernels showed that cadmium oxides (CdO) in soil and rice kernels formed Cd clusters with Cd-O bond distances of 2.

Electrophysiological properties of thermosensitive neurons in slices of rat lateral parabrachial nucleus.

Both warm- and cold-sensitive neurons are found in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB), a crucial relay for skin temperature information from the spinal cord to the preoptic area. The aims of this study were to investigate the electrophysiological properties of temperature-sensitive and -insensitive neurons in brain slices, and elucidate the basic mechanisms underlying the thermosensitivity of rat LPB neurons. In warm-sensitive neurons, temperature exerted no significant effects on resting membrane potential (RMP), threshold potential, and amplitude of the afterhyperpolarizing potential.

Limb remote ischemic postconditioning protects integrity of the blood-brain barrier after stroke.

Integrity of the blood-brain barrier structure is essential for maintaining the internal environment of the brain. Development of cerebral infarction and brain edema is strongly associated with blood-brain barrier leakage. Therefore, studies have suggested that protecting the blood-brain barrier may be an effective method for treating acute stroke.

Effects of aqueous phase recirculation in hydrothermal carbonization of sweet potato waste.

Aqueous phase recirculation was investigated in hydrothermal carbonization of sweet potato waste at 220 °C for 60 min. The result showed that the aqueous phase reuse significantly increased the hydrochar yield. The lower H/C and O/C ratios indicated that decarboxylation reaction was promoted.

Conversion of sweet potato waste to solid fuel via hydrothermal carbonization.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of sweet potato waste was performed to investigate the effect of process parameters including reaction temperature (180-300 °C) and residence time (0-120 min) on the characteristics of hydrochars. The results showed that the increase of reaction temperature and residence time both decreased the yield of hydrochars. With the increase of reaction temperature and residence time, the carbon content of hydrochars increased, while the hydrogen and oxygen contents decreased.

Hydrothermal carbonization of typical components of municipal solid waste for deriving hydrochars and their combustion behavior.

In this work, five typical components were employed as representative pseudo-components to indirectly complete previous established simulation system during hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of municipal solid waste. The fuel characteristics and combustion behavior of HTC-derived hydrochars were evaluated. Results clearly illustrated that the energy ranks of hydrochars were upgraded after HTC.