We evaluated the in vivo fate and physiological behavior of quantum dots (QDs) in Caenorhabditis elegans by GFP transfection, fluorescent imaging, synchrotron radiation based elemental imaging, and ...speciation techniques. The in situ metabolism and degradation of QDs in the alimentary system and long-term toxicity on reproduction are fully assessed. This work highlights the utility of the C. elegans model as a multiflexible platform to allow noninvasively imaging and monitoring in vivo consequences of engineered nanomaterials.
A variety of measurement methods and imaging modalities are in use to quantify the morphology of lateral femoral condyle (LFC), but the most reliable method remains elusive in patients with lateral ...patellar dislocation (LPD). The purpose of this study was to determine the intra- and inter-observer reliability of different measurement methods for evaluating the morphology of LFC on different imaging modalities in patients with LPD.
Seventy-three patients with LPD were included. Four parameters for quantifying the morphology of LFC were retrospectively measured by three observers on MRI, sagittal CT image, conventional radiograph (CR), and three-dimensional CT (3D-CT). The intra-class correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the intra- and inter-observer reliability. Bland-Altman analysis was conducted to identify the bias between observers.
The lateral femoral condyle index (LFCI) showed better intra- and inter-observer reliability on MRI and 3D-CT than on CR and sagittal CT images. The mean difference in the LFCI between observers was lowest on 3D-CT (0.047), higher on MRI (0.053), and highest on sagittal CT images (0.062). The LFCI was associated with the lateral femoral condyle ratio (ρ = 0.422, P = 0.022), lateral condyle index (r = 0.413, P = 0.037), and lateral femoral condyle distance (r = 0.459, P = 0.014). The LFCI could be reliably measured by MRI and 3D-CT.
The LFCI could be reliably measured by MRI and 3D-CT. The LFCI was associated with both the height and length of LFC and could serve as a comprehensive parameter for quantifying the morphology of LFC in patients with LPD.
Sizing up QDs: CdTe or CdSe quantum dots (QDs) stabilized by chiral biomolecules show size‐dependent circular dichroism (CD) characteristics in the visible light region. Theoretical calculations ...reveal that the origin of this CD is the combination of the weak optical activity of the biomolecules and the large enhancement effects from the strong absorption of QDs.
Surface modification has been one of most effective methods to improve the electrochemical performance of lithium rich layered oxides. In this paper, the Li1.2Mn0.56Ni0.16Co0.08O2 microspheres are ...prepared by urea assisted combustion route, and then coated with proper amount of CaF2. XRD and SEM results show surface modification has not changed the structure of Li1.2Mn0.56Ni0.16Co0.08O2, and a uniform coating layer can be obtained. As lithium ion battery cathode, the optimal CaF2 (i.e, 2wt%) coated sample presents a high initial discharge capacity of 223 mAh·g-1 with Coulombic efficiency of 80.5% at 0.1C, which is much better than that of pristine sample. Also, a high discharge capacity of 119 mAh·g-1 can be obtained for CaF2 coated sample at 5C. The improved electrochemical performance may be attributed the formation of fast Li ion conductor on the surface supported by EIS study.
A blood glucose sensor has been developed based on the multilayer films of CdTe semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and glucose oxidase (GOD) by using the layer-by-layer assembly technique. When the ...composite films were contacted with glucose solution, the photoluminescence of QDs in the films was quickly quenched because the enzyme-catalyzed reaction product (H2O2) of GOD and glucose gave rise to the formation of surface defects on QDs. The quenching rate was a function of the concentration of glucose. The linear range and sensitivity for glucose determination could be adjusted by controlling the layers of QDs and GOD. The biosensor was used to successfully determine the concentration of blood glucose in real serum samples without sample pretreatment and exhibited satisfactory reproducibility and accuracy.
Based on the investigation on the workability of macro-mono-steel fibers and macro-hybrid fiber-reinforced self-consolidating concrete, a series of simply supported hybrid fiber-reinforced ...self-consolidating concrete rectangular beams with four-point vertical load were analyzed by using experiments. Influences of steel fibers and hybrid fibers with various dosages on the shear strength and failure mode of reinforced concrete beams are analyzed. This work finds that hybrid fibers can evidently enhance the shear strength. The failure mode of the beam can be changed from a brittle shear failure into a ductile flexural mechanism due to enough hybrid fibers added. The mechanical behavior of the hybrid fiber-reinforced self-consolidating concrete beam is much better than that of macro-mono-steel fiber-reinforced self-consolidating concrete. Hybrid fibers combined with stirrups show the synergistic response and that is a good way of reinforcement for self-consolidating concrete members. The ultimate shear load of beams with hybrid fibers and/or shear reinforcement can be predicted by the σ-w design method suitably.
Chiral nanostructures exhibit strong coupling to the spin angular momentum of incident photons. The integration of metal nanostructures with semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) to form hybrid ...plasmon–exciton nanoscale assemblies can potentially lead to plasmon-induced optical activity and unusual chiroptical properties of plasmon–exciton states. Here we investigate such effects in supraparticles (SPs) spontaneously formed from gold nanorods (NRs) and chiral CdTe NPs. The geometry of this new type of self-limited nanoscale superstructures depends on the molar ratio between NRs and NPs. NR dimers surrounded by CdTe NPs were obtained for the ratio NR/NP = 1:15, whereas increasing the NP content to a ratio of NR/NP = 1:180 leads to single NRs in a shell of NPs. The SPs based on NR dimers exhibit strong optical rotatory activity associated in large part with their twisted scissor-like geometry. The preference for a specific nanoscale enantiomer is attributed to the chiral interactions between CdTe NP in the shell. The SPs based on single NRs also yield surprising chiroptical activity at the frequency of the longitudinal mode of NRs. Numerical simulations reveal that the origin of this chiroptical band is the cross talk between the longitudinal and the transverse plasmon modes, which makes both of them coupled with the NP excitonic state. The chiral SP NR–NP assemblies combine the optical properties of excitons and plasmons that are essential for chiral sensing, chiroptical memory, and chiral catalysis.
Inhibition of embryonic ectoderm development (EED) is a new cancer therapeutic strategy. Herein, we report our discovery of EEDi-5285 as an exceptionally potent, efficacious, and orally active EED ...inhibitor. EEDi-5285 binds to the EED protein with an IC50 value of 0.2 nM and inhibits cell growth with IC50 values of 20 pM and 0.5 nM in the Pfeiffer and KARPAS422 lymphoma cell lines, respectively, carrying an EZH2 mutation. EEDi-5285 is approximately 100 times more potent than EED226 in binding to EED and >300 times more potent than EED226 in inhibition of cell growth in the KARPAS422 cell line. EEDi-5285 has excellent pharmacokinetics and achieves complete and durable tumor regression in the KARPAS422 xenograft model in mice with oral administration. The cocrystal structure of EEDi-5285 in a complex with EED defines the precise structural basis for their high binding affinity. EEDi-5285 is the most potent and efficacious EED inhibitor reported to date.
Gas-liquid flow in serpentine microchannel with different surface properties exhibits drastically different flow behavior. With water and air as working fluids, the method of numerical simulation was ...adopted in this paper based on CLSVOF（coupled level set and volume of fluid method） multiphase model. After verifying the reasonability of the model through experiment, by changing wall properties and Re number（Re〈1500）, the influences of contact angle and surface roughness on flow regime and Po number were discussed. Moreover, the difference of pressure drop between curve and straight microchannel was also calculated. Beyond that, the combined effect of curve channel and wall properties on flow resistance was analyzed. This paper finds that wall properties have great influence on gas-liquid flow in microchannels not only on flow regime but also flow characteristics. Meanwhile, the pressure drop in curve microchannels is larger than straight. It is more beneficial for fluid flowing when the straight part of microchannel is hydrophilic smooth wall and curve part is hydrophobic with large roughness.
Embryonic ectoderm development (EED) is a promising therapeutic target for human cancers and other diseases. We report herein the discovery of exceptionally potent and efficacious EED inhibitors. By ...conformational restriction of a previously reported EED inhibitor, we obtained a potent lead compound. Further optimization of the lead yielded exceptionally potent EED inhibitors. The best compound EEDi-5273 binds to EED with an IC50 value of 0.2 nM and inhibits the KARPAS422 cell growth with an IC50 value of 1.2 nM. It demonstrates an excellent PK and ADME profile, and its oral administration leads to complete and persistent tumor regression in the KARPAS422 xenograft model with no signs of toxicity. Co-crystal structures of two potent EED inhibitors with EED provide a solid structural basis for their high-affinity binding. EEDi-5273 is a promising EED inhibitor for further advanced preclinical development for the treatment of human cancer and other human diseases.
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