Peptide functionalized actively targeted MoS nanospheres for fluorescence imaging-guided controllable pH-responsive drug delivery and collaborative chemo/photodynamic therapy.

The combination of imaging and different therapeutic strategies into one single nanoplatform often demonstrates improved efficacy over monotherapy in cancer treatments. Herein, a multifunctional nanoplatform (labelled as MPRD) based on molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS QDs) is developed to achieve enhanced antitumor efficiency by integrating fluorescence imaging, tumor-targeting and synergistic chemo/photodynamic therapy (PDT) into one system. First, polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated MoS QDs (MP) with desirable stability are synthesized via a hydrothermal process using MoS QDs and carboxyamino-terminated oligomeric PEG as raw materials.

Dye-cored polylysine dendrimer as luminescent nanoplatform for imaging-guided anticancer drug delivery.

Dendrimers have numerous applications in imaging and drug delivery. Designing a dendrimer diagnostic platform with a well-defined structure and controlled drug delivery is a formidable challenge. Here, we design dendritic polymer-platinum conjugates (G5-PEG-Pt) as pH-responsive nanovesicles for imaging-guided platinum drug delivery.

High resolution RNA-seq profiling of genes encoding ribosomal proteins across different organs and developmental stages in .

In , each ribosomal protein (RP) is encoded by a small gene family consisting of two or more highly homologous paralogues, which results in ribosome heterogeneity. It is largely unknown that how genes from multiple member containing RP families are regulated at transcriptional level to accommodate the needs of different plant organs and developmental stages. In this study, we investigated the transcript accumulation profiles of RP genes and found that the expression levels of RP genes are varied dramatically in different organs and developmental stages.

Machine Learning Magnetic Parameters from Spin Configurations.

Hamiltonian parameters estimation is crucial in condensed matter physics, but is time- and cost-consuming. High-resolution images provide detailed information of underlying physics, but extracting Hamiltonian parameters from them is difficult due to the huge Hilbert space. Here, a protocol for Hamiltonian parameters estimation from images based on a machine learning (ML) architecture is provided.

Core-Shell Structured NiFeSn@NiFe (Oxy)Hydroxide Nanospheres from an Electrochemical Strategy for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are highly desirable because of the intrinsically sluggish kinetics of OER. Herein, core-shell structured nanospheres of NiFe Sn@NiFe (oxy)hydroxide (denoted as NiFe Sn-A) are prepared as active OER catalysts by a facile electrochemical strategy, which includes electrodeposition of NiFe Sn alloy nanospheres on carbon cloth (CC) and following anodization. The alloy core of NiFe Sn could promote charge transfer, and the amorphous shell of NiFe (oxy)hydroxide is defect-rich and nanoporous due to the selective electrochemical etching of Sn in alkaline medium.

mTOR/HDAC1 Crosstalk Mediated Suppression of ADH1A and ALDH2 Links Alcohol Metabolism to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Onset and Progression .

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is ranked the third deadliest cancer worldwide whose molecular pathogenesis is not fully understood. Although deregulated metabolic pathways have been implicated in HCC onset and progression, the mechanisms triggering this metabolic imbalance are yet to be explored. Here, we identified a gene signature coding catabolic enzymes (Cat-GS) involved in key metabolic pathways like amino acid, lipid, carbohydrate, drug, and retinol metabolism as suppressed in HCC.

NIR-Triggered Phototherapy and Immunotherapy via an Antigen-Capturing Nanoplatform for Metastatic Cancer Treatment.

Combined phototherapy and immunotherapy demonstrates strong potential in the treatment of metastatic cancers. An upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) based antigen-capturing nanoplatform is designed to synergize phototherapies and immunotherapy. In particular, this nanoplatform is constructed via self-assembly of DSPE-PEG-maleimide and indocyanine green (ICG) onto UCNPs, followed by loading of the photosensitizer rose bengal (RB).

The transcription factor family in soybean: Genome-wide identification, expression profiling and genetic diversity analysis.

The transcription factor family plays a critical role in the ethylene signaling pathway, which regulates a broad spectrum of plant growth and developmental processes, as well as defenses to myriad stresses. Although genome-wide analysis of this family has been carried out for several plant species, no comprehensive analysis of the gene family in soybean has been reported so far. Furthermore, there are few studies on the functions of genes in soybean.

Layered Hybrid Perovskites for Highly Efficient Three-Photon Absorbers: Theory and Experimental Observation.

Multiphoton absorption may find many technological applications, such as enhancing the conversion efficiency of solar cells by the utilization of sub-band-energy photons, below-bandgap photodetection through the simultaneous absorption of several infrared photons for photocurrent generation, or light frequency upconversion for high-resolution, 3D imaging. To enhance multiphoton absorption in semiconducting materials, one of the strategies is to explore low-dimensional excitons. Here, a quantum perturbation theory on a giant enhancement in three-photon absorption (3PA) arising from 2D excitons in multilayered crystals of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites is presented.

Highly Crystalline K-Intercalated Polymeric Carbon Nitride for Visible-Light Photocatalytic Alkenes and Alkynes Deuterations.

In addition to the significance of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, the utilization of the in situ generated H/D (deuterium) active species from water splitting for artificial photosynthesis of high value-added chemicals is very attractive and promising. Herein, photocatalytic water splitting technology is utilized to generate D-active species (i.e.

Circulating Plasma miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Obtained by High-Throughput Real-Time PCR Profiling.

Background: Because of limited stability and sensitivity, circulating miRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers have not so far been used for early diagnosis and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in clinic. Therefore, it is imperative to find more reliable biomarker(s).

Methods: We performed one of most sensitive qRT-PCR assays, S-Poly(T) Plus, to select differently expressed miRNAs from genome-wide miRNA profiling.

Phototunable Biomemory Based on Light-Mediated Charge Trap.

Phototunable biomaterial-based resistive memory devices and understanding of their underlying switching mechanisms may pave a way toward new paradigm of smart and green electronics. Here, resistive switching behavior of photonic biomemory based on a novel structure of metal anode/carbon dots (CDs)-silk protein/indium tin oxide is systematically investigated, with Al, Au, and Ag anodes as case studies. The charge trapping/detrapping and metal filaments formation/rupture are observed by in situ Kelvin probe force microscopy investigations and scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy microanalysis, which demonstrates that the resistive switching behavior of Al, Au anode-based device are related to the space-charge-limited-conduction, while electrochemical metallization is the main mechanism for resistive transitions of Ag anode-based devices.

Fluorination-Enhanced Ambient Stability and Electronic Tolerance of Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots.

The environmental instability and uneliminable electronic trap states in black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) limit the optoelectronics and related applications of BPQDs. Here, fluorinated BPQDs (F-BPQDs) are successfully synthesized by using a facile electrochemical exfoliation and synchronous fluorination method. The F-BPQDs exhibit robust ambient stability and limited fluorination capability, showing a nonstoichiometric fluorination degree () maximum of ≈0.

B, N Codoped and Defect-Rich Nanocarbon Material as a Metal-Free Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reactions.

The development of highly active, inexpensive, and stable bifunctional oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts to replace noble metal Pt and RuO catalysts remains a considerable challenge for highly demanded reversible fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Here, a simple approach for the facile construction of a defective nanocarbon material is reported with B and N dopants (B,N-carbon) as a superior bifunctional metal-free catalyst for both ORR and OER. The catalyst is prepared by pyrolyzing the composites of ethyl cellulose and high-boiling point 4-(1-naphthyl)benzeneboronic acid in NH atmosphere with an inexpensive Zn-based template.

Nano-sized TiO (nTiO) induces metabolic perturbations in Physarum polycephalum macroplasmodium to counter oxidative stress under dark conditions.

Nano-sized TiO (nTiO) exerts an oxidative effect on cells upon exposure to solar or UV irradiation and ecotoxicity of the nTiO is an urgent concern. Little information is available regarding the effect of TiO on cells under dark conditions. Metabolomics is a unique approach to the discovery of biomarkers of nTiO cytotoxicity, and leads to the identification of perturbed metabolic pathways and the mechanism underlying nTiO toxicity.

Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots with Tunable Memory Properties and Multilevel Resistive Switching Characteristics.

is demonstrated with tunable characteristics, multilevel data storage, and ultrahigh ON/OFF ratio. Effects of the black phosphorous quantum dots layer thickness and the compliance current setting on resistive switching behavior are systematically studied. Our devices can yield a series of SET voltages and current levels, hence having the potential for practical applications in the flexible electronics industry.

Identification of reference genes for circulating microRNA analysis in colorectal cancer.

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is the most frequently used method for measuring expression levels of microRNAs (miRNAs), which is based on normalization to endogenous references. Although circulating miRNAs have been regarded as potential non-invasive biomarker of disease, no study has been performed so far on reference miRNAs for normalization in colorectal cancer. In this study we tried to identify optimal reference miRNAs for qPCR analysis across colorectal cancer patients and healthy individuals.

Multi-omics analysis reveals regulators of the response to PDGF-BB treatment in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a lethal disease with pronounced narrowing of pulmonary vessels due to abnormal cell proliferation. The platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) is well known as a potent mitogen for smooth muscle cell proliferation. To better understand how this growth factor regulates pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation, we sought to characterize the response to PDGF-BB stimulation at system-wide levels, including the transcriptome and proteome.

MicroRNA-223 Attenuates Hypoxia-induced Vascular Remodeling by Targeting RhoB/MLC2 in Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells.

There is growing evidence that microRNAs are implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we identified that miR-223 was significantly downregulated in chronically hypoxic mouse and rat lungs, as well as in pulmonary artery and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) exposed to hypoxia. Knockdown of miR-223 increased PASMC proliferation.

An improved method for detecting circulating microRNAs with S-Poly(T) Plus real-time PCR.

We herein describe a simple, sensitive and specific method for analysis of circulating microRNAs (miRNA), termed S-Poly(T) Plus real-time PCR assay. This new method is based on our previously developed S-Poly(T) method, in which a unique S-Poly(T) primer is used during reverse-transcription to increase sensitivity and specificity. Further increased sensitivity and simplicity of S-Poly(T) Plus, in comparison with the S-Poly(T) method, were achieved by a single-step, multiple-stage reaction, where RNAs were polyadenylated and reverse-transcribed at the same time.