Bypassing pro-survival and resistance mechanisms of autophagy in EGFR-positive lung cancer cells by targeted delivery of 5FU using theranostic AgS quantum dots.

Targeted drug delivery systems that combine imaging and therapeutic functions in a single structure have become very popular in nanomedicine. Near-infrared (NIR) emitting AgS quantum dots (QDs) are excellent candidates for this task. Here, we have developed PEGylated AgS QDs functionalized with Cetuximab (Cet) antibody and loaded with an anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5FU).

MIL-53(Al) as a Versatile Platform for Ionic-Liquid/MOF Composites to Enhance CO Selectivity over CH and N.

Five different imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) were incorporated into a metal-organic framework (MOF), MIL-53(Al), to investigate the effect of IL incorporation on the CO separation performance of MIL-53(Al). CO , CH , and N adsorption isotherms of the IL/MIL-53(Al) composites and pristine MIL-53(Al) were measured to evaluate the effect of the ILs on the CO /CH and CO /N selectivities of the MOF. Of the composite materials that were tested, [BMIM][PF ]/MIL-53(Al) exhibited the largest increase in CO /CH selectivity, 2.

Emergence of active nematics in chaining bacterial biofilms.

Growing tissue and bacterial colonies are active matter systems where cell divisions and cellular motion generate active stress. Although they operate in the non-equilibrium regime, these biological systems can form large-scale ordered structures. How mechanical instabilities drive the dynamics of active matter systems and form ordered structures are not well understood.

Controlling catalytic activity and selectivity for partial hydrogenation by tuning the environment around active sites in iridium complexes bonded to supports.

Single-site Ir(CO) complexes bonded to high-surface-area metal oxide supports, SiO, TiO, FeO, CeO, MgO, and LaO, were synthesized by chemisorption of Ir(CO)(acac) (acac = acetylacetonate) followed by coating with each of the following ionic liquids (ILs): 1--butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [BMIM][BF], 1--butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [BMIM][Ac], and 1-(3-cyanopropyl)-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide, [CPMIM][DCA]. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy showed that site-isolated iridium was bonded to oxygen atoms of the support. Electron densities on the iridium enveloped by each IL sheath/support combination were characterized by carbonyl infrared spectroscopy of the iridium -dicarbonyls and by X-ray absorption near-edge structure data.

Analysis of CH Uptake over Metal-Organic Frameworks Using Data-Mining Tools.

A database containing 2224 data points for CH storage or delivery in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) was analyzed using machine-learning tools to extract knowledge for generalization. The database was first reviewed to observe the basic trends and patterns. It was then analyzed using decision trees and artificial neural networks (ANN) to extract hidden information and develop rules and heuristics for future studies.

Effect of methylation of ionic liquids on the gas separation performance of ionic liquid/metal-organic framework composites.

1--Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [BMIM][PF], and its methylated form, 1--butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [BMMIM][PF], were incorporated into CuBTC to examine the effect of methylation of ionic liquids (ILs) on the gas separation performance of the corresponding IL/metal-organic framework (MOF) composites. Spectroscopic analysis revealed that the interactions of the methylated ILs with CuBTC were weaker compared to those of its non-methylated counterpart. Gas uptake measurements illustrated that this difference in the interactions influences the gas separation performance of the composites.

First-Row Transition-Metal Cations (Co , Ni , Mn , Fe ) and Graphene (Oxide) Composites: From Structural Properties to Electrochemical Applications.

Composites of graphene (oxide) (GO) and first-row transition-metal cations (Co , Ni , Mn , Fe ) are prepared by mixing GO and aqueous metal salt solutions. The amount of metal cation bound to GO nanosheets is calculated by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the possible binding sites of the metals are investigated by means of attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. Electrodes loaded with the metal/GO composites are prepared by a simple drop-casting technique without any binders or conductive additives.

Core-Shell Type Ionic Liquid/Metal Organic Framework Composite: An Exceptionally High CO/CH Selectivity.

Here, we present a new concept of a core-shell type ionic liquid/metal organic framework (IL/MOF) composite. A hydrophilic IL, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide, [HEMIM][DCA], was deposited on a hydrophobic zeolitic imidazolate framework, ZIF-8. The composite exhibited approximately 5.

Impact of the Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate Administration on Trace Element and Mineral Levels in Relation of Kidney and Liver Damage in Rats.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used synthetic polymer in the industry. DEHP may induce reproductive and developmental toxicity, obesity, carcinogenesis and cause abnormal endocrine function in both human and wildlife. The aim of this study was to investigate trace element and mineral levels in relation of kidney and liver damage in DEHP-administered rats.

An exploration of plastic deformation dependence of cell viability and adhesion in metallic implant materials.

The relationship between cell viability and adhesion behavior, and micro-deformation mechanisms was investigated on austenitic 316L stainless steel samples, which were subjected to different amounts of plastic strains (5%, 15%, 25%, 35% and 60%) to promote a variety in the slip and twin activities in the microstructure. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed that cells most favored the samples with the largest plastic deformation, such that they spread more and formed significant filopodial extensions. Specifically, brain tumor cells seeded on the 35% deformed samples exhibited the best adhesion performance, where a significant slip activity was prevalent, accompanied by considerable slip-twin interactions.

Evaluation of passive oxide layer formation-biocompatibility relationship in NiTi shape memory alloys: geometry and body location dependency.

A systematic set of ex-situ experiments were carried out on Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy (SMA) in order to identify the dependence of its biocompatibility on sample geometry and body location. NiTi samples with three different geometries were immersed into three different fluids simulating different body parts. The changes observed in alloy surface and chemical content of fluids upon immersion experiments designed for four different time periods were analyzed in terms of ion release, oxide layer formation, and chemical composition of the surface layer.

Sonochemical shape control of copper hydroxysulfates.

Shape control of inorganic nanoparticles generally requires the use of surfactants or ligands to passivate certain crystallographic planes. Additive free shape control methods utilize the differences in the growth rates of crystallographic planes. We combined this approach with the sonochemical method to synthesize copper hydroxysulfate (Brochantite) with morphologies ranging from flowers, to bricks, belts and needles.