Formation of Anisotropic Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles via Polymerization-Induced Hierarchical Self-Assembly

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) containing liquid crystalline (LC) mesogens with tunable anisotropic morphologies have applications in various fields, but their preparation typically suffers from tedious and low-throughput approaches. Here we present an efficient route to the preparation of anisotropic morphologies of azobenzene-containing block copolymers (BCPs) at high solids content via a polymerization-induced hierarchical self-assembly in ethanol. Various anisotropic NPs, including cuboids, short belts, lamellae, and ellipsoidal vesicles, have been obtained in a remarkably broad range of BCP compositions. The NPs exhibit a smectic phase with ordered stripes when observed under TEM. This internal LC ordering plays a significant role on the formation of these intriguing anisotropic morphologies. Morphological transitions from anisotropic to isotropic spheres can be obtained upon UV illumination due to the photoresponsive properties of the azobenzene mesogens. This work significantly expands the scope of accessible morphologies in PISA and suggests that the under explored LC BCPs may have an impactful role in the PISA field

Circulating Cell Free DNA as the Diagnostic Marker for Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Quantitative analyses of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are potential methods for the detection of ovarian cancer. Many studies have evaluated these approaches, but the results were too inconsistent to be conclusive. This study is the first to systematically evaluate the accuracy of circulating cfDNA for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer by conducting meta-analysis.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases systematically for relevant literatures up to December 10, 2015. All analyses were conducted using Meta-DiSc1.4 and Stata 12.0 software. Sensitivity, specificity and other measures of accuracy of circulating cfDNA for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer were pooled. Meta-regression was performed to identify the sources of heterogeneity.</p><p>Results</p><p>This meta-analysis included a total of 9 studies, including 462 ovarian cancer patients and 407 controls. The summary estimates for quantitative analysis of circulating cfDNA in ovarian cancer screen were as follows: sensitivity, 0.70 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.65–0.74); specificity, 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87–0.93); positive likelihood ratio, 6.60 (95% CI, 3.90–11.17); negative likelihood ratio, 0.34 (95% CI, 0.25–0.47); diagnostic odds ratio, 26.05 (95% CI, 14.67–46.26); and area under the curve, 0.89 (95% CI, 0.83–0.95), respectively. There was no statistical significance for the evaluation of publication bias.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Current evidence suggests that quantitative analysis of cfDNA has unsatisfactory sensitivity but acceptable specificity for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Further large-scale prospective studies are required to validate the potential applicability of using circulating cfDNA alone or in combination with conventional markers as diagnostic biomarker for ovarian cancer and explore potential factors that may influence the accuracy of ovarian cancer diagnosis.</p></div

Forest plot of estimated NLR for quantitative analysis of circulating cell free DNA in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

<p>Forest plot of estimated NLR for quantitative analysis of circulating cell free DNA in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.</p

Quality assessment of the studies selected for the meta-analysis (QUADAS-2).

<p>Quality assessment of the studies selected for the meta-analysis (QUADAS-2).</p

Effects of GW4064 (3 µM) and the FXR blocker Z-guggulsterone (20 µM) on RRDA recorded from hypoglossal nerves (A, B, C).

<p>The last figure specifically shows effects on TI(s) of RRDA (D). (n = 6 independent assays. *P<0.05, **P<0.01 vs. control. RC, respiratory cycle; TI, inspiratory time; TE, expiratory time; IA, integral amplitude.)</p

The Deeks’ funnel plot for the assessment of potential publication bias of the included studies.

<p>The Deeks’ funnel plot for the assessment of potential publication bias of the included studies.</p

Descriptive characteristics of the red strain of <i>Meretrix meretrix</i> (N = 50).

Descriptive characteristics of the red strain of Meretrix meretrix (N = 50).</p

Effects of bile acids and GW4064 on FXR-SHP pathway.

<p>(n = 3 independent assays. *P<0.05, **P<0.01 vs. control.)</p

Effects of FXR blocker Z-guggulsterone, as well as Z-guggulsterone and four bile acids on RRDA recorded from hypoglossal nerves in neonatal rat brainstem medulla oblongata slice.

<p>Effects of FXR blocker Z-guggulsterone, as well as Z-guggulsterone and four bile acids on RRDA recorded from hypoglossal nerves in neonatal rat brainstem medulla oblongata slice.</p

The SROC curve for quantitative analysis of circulating cell free DNA in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

<p>The SROC curve for quantitative analysis of circulating cell free DNA in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.</p