Template Synthesis of Single-Crystal-Like Porous SrTiO₃ Nanocube Assemblies and Their Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Porous nanostructures of semiconductors are well-known for their ability to enhance the photocatalytic activity thanks to the large specific surface area and abundant active sites for the reactions, interfacial transport, and high utilization of light arising from multireflections in the pores. In this paper, we have successfully fabricated a special porous SrTiO₃ three-dimensional (3D) architecture through a facile hydrothermal reaction at 150 °C, using layered protonated titanate hierarchical spheres (LTHSs) of submicrometer size as a precursor template. The SrTiO₃ architecture is characterized by the 3D assembly of hundreds of highly oriented nanocubes of 60–80 nm by the partial sharing of (100) faces, thereby displaying porous but single-crystal-like features reminiscent of mesocrystals. Our experimental results have shown the key roles played by the template effect akin to that in topotactic transformation in crystallography and Ostwald-ripening-assisted oriented attachment in the formation of such nanocube assemblies. Compared to the solid SrTiO₃ photocatalysts previously synthesized by high-temperature solid-state methods, the as-synthesized porous SrTiO₃ nanocube assemblies have relatively large specific surface areas (up to 20.83 m²·g^–1), and thus they have exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity in hydrogen evolution from water splitting. Expectantly, our synthetic strategy using LTHSs as the precursor template may be extended to the fabrication of other titanate photocatalysts with similar porous hierarchical structures by taking advantage of the diversity of the perovskite-type titanate

Synthesis of Titania Nanosheets with a High Percentage of Exposed (001) Facets and Related Photocatalytic Properties

Synthesis of Titania Nanosheets with a High Percentage of Exposed (001) Facets and Related Photocatalytic Propertie

High-Sensitivity Humidity Sensor Based on a Single SnO₂ Nanowire

A humidity sensor based on a single SnO2 nanowire was fabricated. This sensor has fast and sensitive response to relative humidity (RH) in air from a wide range of atmospheres at 30 °C. The response sensitivity of the sensor to RH is linear to 90%

Forest plots of two comparisons, outcome: overall survival.

<p>4A: *28/*28 versus *1/*1; 4B: *1/*28 versus *1/*1.</p

Flow diagram for study selection in meta-analysis.

<p>Flow diagram for study selection in meta-analysis.</p

Supersaturation-Controlled Shape Evolution of α‑Fe₂O₃ Nanocrystals and Their Facet-Dependent Catalytic and Sensing Properties

Surface engineering of crystals at nanoscale level by precisely and rationally exposing specific facets proved to be highly effective in enhancing the performance of inorganic functional nanocrystals. To do so, a comprehensive understanding of the growth mechanism was of great importance. By using hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) as an example, in this paper we demonstrated high effectiveness of controlling supersaturation of growth monomers in engineering the exposed facets of nanocrystals. Under surfactant-free hydrothermal conditions, a series of morphology evolution of α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals from {012} faceted pseudocubes to {113} faceted hexagonal bipyramids and {001} faceted nanoplates were successfully activated through concentration-, reaction time-, and solvent-dependent hydrolysis of ferric acetylacetonate. High supersaturation was eventually proven to be conducive to the formation of facets with high surface energy. Furthermore, the α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals enclosed with facets of high surface energy exhibited excellent catalytic activity and gas-sensing ability. The present work will deepen our understanding of thermodynamics and kinetic control over the morphology of nanocrystals as well as our understanding of surface-related performance of inorganic functional nanocrystals

Association between UGT1A1*28 Polymorphisms and Clinical Outcomes of Irinotecan-Based Chemotherapies in Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis in Caucasians

<div><p>Background</p><p>Whether UGT1A1*28 genotype is associated with clinical outcomes of irinotecan (IRI)-based chemotherapy in Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an important gap in existing knowledge to inform clinical utility. Published data on the association between UGT1A1*28 gene polymorphisms and clinical outcomes of IRI-based chemotherapy in CRC were inconsistent.</p> <p>Methodology/Principal Findings</p><p>Literature retrieval, trials selection and assessment, data collection, and statistical analysis were performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Primary outcomes included therapeutic response (TR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). We calculated odds ratios (OR) and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Twelve clinical trials were included. No statistical heterogeneity was detected in analyses of all studies and for each subgroup. Differences in TR, PFS and OS for any genotype comparison, UGT1A1*28/*28 versus (vs) UGT1A1*1/*1 (homozygous model), UGT1A1*1/*28 vs UGT1A1*1/*1 (heterozygous model), and UGT1A1*28/*28 vs all others (recessive model, only for TR) were not statistically significant. IRI dose also did not impact upon TR and PFS differences between UGT1A1 genotype groups. A statistically significant increase in the hazard of death was found in Low IRI subgroup of the homozygous model (HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.06–2.07; P = 0.02). The UGT1A1*28 allele was associated with a trend of increase in the hazard of death in two models (homozygous model: HR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.99–1.51; heterozygous model: HR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.96–1.32). These latter findings were driven primarily by one single large study (Shulman et al. 2011).</p> <p>Conclusions/Significance</p><p>UGT1A1*28 polymorphism cannot be considered as a reliable predictor of TR and PFS in CRC patients treated with IRI-based chemotherapy. The OS relationship with UGT1A1*28 in the patients with lower-dose IRI chemotherapy requires further validation.</p> </div

Characteristics and methodological quality of studies included in meta analysis.

a<p>C, Caucasian; U, Unknown.</p>b<p>median or mean age.</p>c<p>S, Single centre; M, Multicentre.</p>d<p>SPR, Sizing of PCR products; PYRS, Pyrosequencing; Sequencing, other DNA sequencing methods.</p>e<p>IR(I), irinotecan; 5FU, 5-fluorouracil; CAPe, capecitabine; OX(A), oxaliplatin; LV, leucovorin; XEL, xeloda; TEGAF, uracil/tegafur/LV.</p>f<p>RECIST, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.</p>g<p>R, analysis was planned retrospectively; P, analysis was planned prospectively.</p>h<p>TR, therapeutic response; PFS, progression-free survival; OS, overall survival.</p>i<p>These data were not available.</p

Forest plots of two comparisons, outcome: progression-free survival.

<p>3A: *28/*28 versus *1/*1; 3B: *1/*28 versus *1/*1.</p

The association between UGT1A1*/28 polymorphisms and therapeutic response, progression-free survival and overall survival.

<p>P_het^a : P values for the between-study heterogeneity.</p