Antioxidant cuttlefish collagen hydrolysate against ethyl carbamate-induced oxidative damage.

Ethyl carbamate (EC) has been associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depletion of glutathione (GSH), leading to a decline in cell viability. In this study, we found that the cuttlefish collagen hydrolysate (CCH) exhibited high antioxidant activity in scavenging hydroxyl radicals (IC = 0.697 mg mL), which was also effective in combating EC-induced oxidative damage in liver hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.

Modeling the Steady-State Effects of Mean Arterial Pressure on the Kidneys.

We describe the relationship between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) since therapies affecting MAP can have large effects on kidney function. We developed a closed-loop, steady-state mechanistic model of the human kidney with a reduced parameter set estimated from measurements. The model was first validated against literature models.

DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR DESPERATE MEASURES: GOVERNMENT SPENDING MULTIPLIERS IN HARD TIMES.

We investigate state-dependent effects of fiscal multipliers and allow for endogenous sample splitting to determine whether the U.S. economy is in a slack state.

Singlet fission in a hexacene dimer: energetics dictate dynamics.

Singlet fission (SF) is an exciton multiplication process with the potential to raise the efficiency limit of single junction solar cells from 33% to up to 45%. Most chromophores generally undergo SF as solid-state crystals. However, when such molecules are covalently coupled, the dimers can be used as model systems to study fundamental photophysical dynamics where a singlet exciton splits into two triplet excitons within individual molecules.

Porous g-CN covered MOF-derived nanocarbon materials for high-performance supercapacitors.

Supercapacitors with high power density and long cycle life have shown great potential in energy storage supply for modern electronic devices. Among the component parts of supercapacitors, electrode materials with high electrical conductivity, large surface area and porosity are critical to the energy storage performances of devices. Here, we report a porous g-CN covered MOF-derived nanocarbon material with large specific surface area and high nitrogen doping level as an electrode material for supercapacitors.

Janus Nanobullets Combine Photodynamic Therapy and Magnetic Hyperthermia to Potentiate Synergetic Anti-Metastatic Immunotherapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is clinically promising in destructing primary tumors but ineffective against distant metastases. This study reports the use of immunogenic nanoparticles mediated combination of PDT and magnetic hyperthermia to synergistically augment the anti-metastatic efficacy of immunotherapy. Janus nanobullets integrating chlorine e6 (Ce6) loaded, disulfide-bridged mesoporous organosilica bodies with magnetic heads (M-MONs@Ce6) are tailored for redox/pH-triggered photosensitizer release accompanying their matrix degradation.

Engineering Cell Membrane-Based Nanotherapeutics to Target Inflammation.

Inflammation is ubiquitous in the body, triggering desirable immune response to defend against dangerous signals or instigating undesirable damage to cells and tissues to cause disease. Nanomedicine holds exciting potential in modulating inflammation. In particular, cell membranes derived from cells involved in the inflammatory process may be used to coat nanotherapeutics for effective targeted delivery to inflammatory tissues.

Oral Nonviral Gene Delivery for Chronic Protein Replacement Therapy.

Efficient nonviral oral gene delivery offers an attractive modality for chronic protein replacement therapy. Herein, the oral delivery of insulin gene is reported by a nonviral vector comprising a copolymer with a high degree of substitution of branched polyethylenimine on chitosan (CS-g-bPEI). Protecting the plasmid from gastric acidic degradation and facilitating transport across the gut epithelium, the CS-g-bPEI/insulin plasmid DNA nanoparticles (NPs) can achieve systemic transgene expression for days.

HPV Oncogene Manipulation Using Nonvirally Delivered CRISPR/Cas9 or Argonaute.

CRISPR/Cas9 technology enables targeted gene editing; yet, the efficiency and specificity remain unsatisfactory, particularly for the nonvirally delivered, plasmid-based CRISPR/Cas9 system. To tackle this, a self-assembled micelle is developed and evaluated for human papillomavirus (HPV) E7 oncogene disruption. The optimized micelle enables effective delivery of Cas9 plasmid with a transient transgene expression profile, benefiting the specificity of Cas9 recognition.

Functional Recovery of Contused Spinal Cord in Rat with the Injection of Optimal-Dosed Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) produces excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can exacerbate secondary injury and lead to permanent functional impairment. Hypothesizing that cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) as an effective ROS scavenger may offset this damaging effect, it is first demonstrated in vitro that CONPs suppressed inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) generation and enhanced cell viability of hydrogen peroxide (HO)-insulted cortical neurons. Next, CONPs are administered at various does (50-4000 µg mL) to a contused spinal cord rat model and monitored the disease progression for up to eight weeks.