Reversible phase transition in laser-shocked 3Y-TZP ceramics observed via nanosecond time-resolved X-ray diffraction

The high-pressure phase stability of the metastable tetragonal zirconia is still under debate. The transition dynamics of shocked Y2O3 (3 mol%) stabilized tetragonal zirconia ceramics under laser-shock compression has been directly studied using nanosecond time-resolved X-ray diffraction. The martensitic phase transformation to the monoclinic phase, which is the stable phase for pure zirconia at ambient pressure and room temperature, has been observed during compression at 5 GPa within 20 ns without any intermediates. This monoclinic phase reverts back to the tetragonal phase during pressure release. The results imply that the stabilization effect due to addition of Y2O3 is negated by the shear stress under compression.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, draf

Transformative Si8R8 Siliconoids

Molecular silicon clusters with unsubstituted silicon vertices (siliconoids) have received attention as unsaturated silicon clusters and potential intermediates in the gas-phase deposition of elemental silicon. Investigation of behaviors of the siliconoids could contribute to the greater understanding of the transformation of silicon clusters as found in the chemical vapor deposition of elemental silicon. Herein we reported drastic transformation of a Si8R8 siliconoid to three novel silicon clusters under mild thermal conditions. Molecular structures of the obtained new clusters were determined by XRD analyses. Two clusters are siliconoids that have unsaturated silicon vertices adopting unusual geometries, and another one is a bis(disilene) which has two silicon–silicon double bonds interacted to each other through the central polyhedral silicon skeleton. The observed drastic transformation of silicon frameworks suggests that unsaturated molecular silicon clusters have a great potential to provide various molecular silicon clusters bearing unprecedented structures and properties

Synthesis and Functionalization of a 1,2-Bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,2-disilacyclohexene That Can Serve as a Unit of cis-1,2-Dialkyldisilene

π-Electron compounds that include multiple bonds between silicon atoms have received much attention as novel functional silicon compounds. In the present paper, 1,2-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,2-disilacyclohexene 1 was successfully synthesized as thermally stable yellow crystals. Disilene 1 was easily converted to the corresponding potassium disilenide 4, which furnished novel functionalized disilenes after the subsequent addition of an electrophile. Interestingly, two trimethylsilyl groups in 1 can be stepwise converted to anthryl groups. The novel disilenes derived from 1 were characterized by a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), elemental analyses, and X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. The present study demonstrates that disilene 1 can serve as a unit of cis-1,2-dialkyldisilene

A Dialkylsilylene-Pt(0) Complex with a DVTMS Ligand for the Catalytic Hydrosilylation of Functional Olefins

A platinum(0) complex, bearing a 1,3-divinyl-1,1,3,3-tetra­methyl­disiloxane (DVTMS) and an isolable dialkylsilylene ligand, was successfully synthesized by the reaction between the dialkylsilylene and Karstedt’s catalyst. The downfield-shifted ²⁹Si NMR resonance, the smaller ¹<i>J</i>_Si,Pt value, and the longer Si–Pt distance in this complex relative to the corresponding parameters in related bis­(phosphine)-coordinated silylene-platinum complexes suggest weaker π-back-donation from the Pt center to the silylene, which is, however, still significant when compared to related DVTMS-ligated Pt complexes bearing <i>N</i>-heterocyclic carbenes, <i>N</i>-heterocyclic two-coordinate silylenes, or base-stabilized three-coordinate silylenes. The title complex displays excellent catalytic activity in the hydrosilylation of terminal olefins that contain functional groups such as epoxide and amine moieties

Dialkylboryl-Substituted Cyclic Disilenes Synthesized by Desilylation-Borylation of Trimethylsilyl-Substituted Disilenes

π-Electron systems of silicon have attracted attention because of their narrow HOMO-LUMO gap and high reactivity, but the structural diversity remains limited. Herein, new dialkylboryl-substituted disilenes were synthesized by the selective desilylation-borylation of the corresponding trimethylsilyl-substituted disilenes. The dialkylboryl-substituted disilenes were fully characterized by a combination of NMR spectroscopy, MS spectrometry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and theoretical calculations. The longest-wavelength absorption bands of boryldisilenes were bathochromically shifted compared to the corresponding silyl-substituted disilenes, indicating a substantial conjugation between π(Si=Si) and vacant 2p(B) orbitals. In the presence of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), the dialkylboryl groups in the boryl-substituted disilenes were easily converted to trimethylsilyl groups, suggesting the dialkylboryl-substituted disilenes in the presence of a base serve as the surrogates of disilenyl anions (disilenides)

Anthryl-Substituted 3‑Silylene-2-silaaziridine Obtained by Isomerization of Disilacyclopropanimine: An Exocyclic Silene Showing a Distinct Intramolecular Charge Transfer Transition

An anthryl-substituted exocyclic silene, 3-silylene-2-silaaziridine, was synthesized by isomerization of the corresponding disilacyclopropanimine. The UV–vis spectrum of the silene shows a distinct intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) transition from the π orbital of the SiC double bond to the π* orbital of the anthryl moiety. The relatively high-lying π­(SiC) orbital of the 3-silylene-2-silaaziridine moiety and the low-lying π* orbital of the anthryl group would be responsible for the distinct ICT band

Anthryl-Substituted 3‑Silylene-2-silaaziridine Obtained by Isomerization of Disilacyclopropanimine: An Exocyclic Silene Showing a Distinct Intramolecular Charge Transfer Transition

An anthryl-substituted exocyclic silene, 3-silylene-2-silaaziridine, was synthesized by isomerization of the corresponding disilacyclopropanimine. The UV–vis spectrum of the silene shows a distinct intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) transition from the π orbital of the SiC double bond to the π* orbital of the anthryl moiety. The relatively high-lying π­(SiC) orbital of the 3-silylene-2-silaaziridine moiety and the low-lying π* orbital of the anthryl group would be responsible for the distinct ICT band

Exosome-mediated radiosensitizing effect on neighboring cancer cells via increase in intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species

The precise mechanism of intercellular communication between cancer cells following radiation exposure is unclear. Exosomes are membrane-enclosed small vesicles comprising lipid bilayers and are mediators of intercellular communication that transport a variety of intracellular components, including microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). The present study aimed to identify novel roles of exosomes released from irradiated cells to neighboring cancer cells. In order to confirm the presence of exosomes in the human pancreatic cancer cell line MIAPaCa-2, ultracentrifugation was performed followed by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NanoSight) using the exosome-specific surface markers CD9 and CD63. Subsequent endocytosis of exosomes was confirmed by fluorescent microscopy. Cell survival following irradiation and the addition of exosomes was evaluated by colony forming assay. Expression levels of miRNAs in exosomes were then quantified by microarray analysis, while protein expression levels of Cu/Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1 and 2, respectively) enzymes in MIAPaCa-2 cells were evaluated by western blotting. Results showed that the uptake of irradiated exosomes was significantly higher than that of non-irradiated exosomes. Notably, irradiated exosomes induced higher intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a higher frequency of DNA damage in MIAPaCa-2 cells, as determined by fluorescent microscopy and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Moreover, six up- and five downregulated miRNAs were identified in 5 and 8 Gy-irradiated cells using miRNA microarray analyses. Further analysis using miRNA mimics and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR identified miR-6823-5p as a potential candidate to inhibit SOD1, leading to increased intracellular ROS levels and DNA damage. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to demonstrate that irradiated exosomes enhance the radiation effect via increasing intracellular ROS levels in cancer cells. This contributes to improved understanding of the bystander effect of neighboring cancer cells

Synthesis and Functionalization of a 1,4-Bis(trimethylsilyl)tetrasila-1,3-diene through the Selective Cleavage of Si(sp²)–Si(sp³) Bonds under Mild Reaction Conditions

Although the oxidative coupling of disilenides, i.e., the disilicon analogues of vinyl anions, represents a promising route to extend the conjugation between SiSi double bonds, previously reported synthetic routes to disilenides involve strongly reducing conditions. Herein, we report a novel synthetic route to disilenides from stable disilenes via the selective cleavage of Si­(sp²)–Si­(sp³) bonds under milder reaction conditions. Using this method, a 1,4-bis­(trimethylsilyl)­tetrasila-1,3-diene (<b>5</b>) was synthesized from the corresponding silyl-substituted disilene. Moreover, Et₃Si-substituted tetrasila-1,3-diene <b>7</b> was synthesized via tetrasila-1,3-dien-1-ide <b>6</b>, which is the first example of a functionalized tetrasila-1,3-diene

Efficacy of Spacers in Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Planning Study

Background/aim: We aimed to investigate the dosimetric effects of a spacer placed between the pancreas and surrounding gastrointestinal structures in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning to provide more effective radiation therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Patients and methods: Treatment planning was performed for six patients with LAPC based on computed tomography images without spacers and with 5-mm or 10-mm spacers virtually inserted under the supervision of a hepatobiliary pancreatic surgeon. The prescription dose was 63 Gy in 28 fractions. Results: With the exception of one case of pancreatic head cancer, planning target volume receiving ≥95% of the prescribed dose (PTV V95) was achieved by 90% or more by inserting a spacer, and by 95% or more in all 3 cases of pancreatic body and tail cancer by inserting a 10-mm spacer. Conclusion: IMRT with appropriate spacer placement may help provide high-dose treatment for LAPC and improve associated patient outcomes