Mesopore expansion of surfactant-directed nanomorphic zeolites with trimethylbenzene

The synthesis of zeolite using multiammonium surfactants as the hierarchical structure-directing agent has been investigated with a particular focus on mesopore expansion by trimethylbenzene (TMB) addition during the synthesis of nanosponge beta, MTW and MRE zeolites. The results showed that mesopore diameters of these zeolites could be increased according to the amount of TMB added to the zeolite synthesis reaction mixture but only when the Na + content was sufficiently high. The expansion was reversed when the synthesis mixture was reheated following TMB removal by solvent extraction. The thickness of the mesopore walls did not change during the consecutive pore expansion and shrinking processes. A transmission electron microscopic investigation revealed that the process is likely occurring through recrystallization of the zeolite frameworks, as promoted by Na+. The mesopore diameter of the nanosponge beta zeolite could be increased to 15 nm using this method. This zeolite exhibited four times the adsorption capacity for lysozyme (molecular dimension: 2.0 × 2.5 × 4.3 nm3) at 298 K, compared to the TMB-untreated zeolite, which possessed 3.8 nm mesopores. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.1661sciescopu

Phytocannabinoids, the Endocannabinoid System and Male Reproduction

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is comprised of a set of lipid-derived messengers (the endocannabinoids, ECBs), proteins that control their production and degradation, and cell-surface cannabinoid (CB) receptors that transduce their actions. ECB molecules such as 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (arachidonoyl ethanolamide) are produced on demand and deactivated through enzymatic actions tightly regulated both temporally and spatially, serving homeostatic roles in order to respond to various challenges to the body. Key components of the ECS are present in the hypothalamus-pituitarygonadal (HPG) axis, which plays critical roles in the development and regulation of the reproductive system in both males and females. ECB signaling controls the action at each stage of the HPG axis through CB receptors expressed in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and reproductive organs such as the testis and ovary. It regulates the secretion of hypothalamic gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH), pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, testosterone, and affects spermatogenesis in males. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other phytocannabinoids from Cannabis sativa affect a variety of physiological processes by altering, or under certain conditions hijacking, the ECB system. Therefore, phytocannabinoids, in particular THC, may modify the homeostasis of the HPG axis by altering CB receptor signaling and cause deficits in reproductive function. While the ability of phytocannabinoids, THC and/or cannabidiol (CBD), to reduce pain and inflammation provides promising opportunities for therapeutic intervention for genitourinary and degenerative disorders, important questions remain regarding their unwanted long-term effects. It is nevertheless clear that the therapeutic potential of modulating the ECS calls for further scientific and clinical investigation

DNA-Au Nanomachine Equipped with i-Motif and G-Quadruplex for Triple Combinatorial Anti-Tumor Therapy

In the present study, the design, construction, and operation of a functional DNA-decorated dynamic gold (Au) nanomachine as a therapeutic agent for triple combinatorial anti-cancer therapy are revealed. Taking advantage of the intrinsic optical properties of Au nanoparticles, which depend on their size, a cytosine rich i-motif sequence is employed for intracellular pH-sensitive duplex dissociation and subsequent aggregation of the DNA-Au nanomachine, enabling anticancer drug release and photothermal ablation upon irradiation with infrared light. Moreover, another functional DNA sequence, a G-quadruplex, is exploited for the stable loading and intracellular delivery of a photosensitizer to achieve effective photodynamic therapy under red light illumination. The G-quadruplex-assisted enhanced reactive oxygen species generation, pH-responsive dynamic aggregation behavior, consequent drug release, and the photothermal effect are investigated. Furthermore, the combinatorial chemo, photodynamic, and photothermal therapeutic effects of the functional DNA-decorated Au nanomachines are evaluated in vitro and in vivo using a triple negative breast cancer model.115Nsciescopu

Functional DNA Modified Gold Nanomachine for Triple Combinational Anti-tumor Therapy

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Experience with a Retargetable Compiler for a Commercial Network Processor

The Paion PPII network processor is designed to meet the growing need for new high bandwidth network equipment. In order to rapidly reconfigure the processor for frequently varying internet services and technologies, a high performance compiler is urgently needed. Albeit various code generation techniques have been proposed for DSPs or ASIPs, we experienced these techniques are not easily tailored towards the target Paion PPII processor due to striking architectural differences. First, we will show the architectural challenges posed by the target processor. Second, novel compiler techniques will be described that effectively exploit unorthogonal architectural features. The techniques include virtual data path, compiler intrinsics, and interprocedural register allocation. Third, intermediate benchmark results will be presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our techniques

Acid catalytic function of mesopore walls generated by MFI zeolite desilication in comparison with external surfaces of MFI zeolite nanosheet

Mesopores with zeolite walls were generated through desilication of bulk crystals of MFI zeolite in a NaOH solution in the presence or absence of cetyltrimethylammonium surfactant, as reported in the literature. Catalytic functions of the Brønsted acid sites existing on the mesopore walls were evaluated in comparison with external surfaces of 2.5-nm thick MFI zeolite nanosheets, which were hydrothermally synthesized using a meso-micro dual structure-directing surfactant. Acid sites were characterized with respect to the strength and concentration by 31P NMR signals of adsorbed tributylphosphine oxide. Catalytic functions were evaluated for decalin cracking, and acetal formation of benzaldehyde with pentaerythritol. The result from desilication was quite sensitive to the particle diameters of the initial zeolite samples. In our best case of desilication, the mesopore walls exhibited similar catalytic activity for the acetal formation to the external surfaces of MFI nanosheets. In contrast to the condensation reaction occurring at mild or moderate acid sites, the result for decalin cracking requiring strong acid sites indicated that the desilicated zeolite corresponded to about 60% of the MFI nanosheets

Functional gold nanomachine equipped with drug loaded dna for combinatorial anti-tumor therapy

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Acid catalytic function of mesopore walls generated by MFI zeolite desilication in comparison with external surfaces of MFI zeolite nanosheet

Mesopores with zeolite walls were generated through desilication of bulk crystals of MFI zeolite in a NaOHsolution in the presence or absence of cetyltrimethylammonium surfactant, as reported in the literature.Catalytic functions of the Brønsted acid sites existing on the mesopore walls were evaluated in comparisonwith external surfaces of 2.5-nm thick MFI zeolite nanosheets, which were hydrothermally synthesizedusing a meso-micro dual structure-directing surfactant. Acid sites were characterized with respect to thestrength and concentration by31P NMR signals of adsorbed tributylphosphine oxide. Catalytic functionswere evaluated for decalin cracking, and acetal formation of benzaldehyde with pentaerythritol. Theresult from desilication was quite sensitive to the particle diameters of the initial zeolite samples. In ourbest case of desilication, the mesopore walls exhibited similar catalytic activity for the acetal formationto the external surfaces of MFI nanosheets. In contrast to the condensation reaction occurring at mild ormoderate acid sites, the result for decalin cracking requiring strong acid sites indicated that the desilicatedzeolite corresponded to about 60% of the MFI nanosheets.111121sciescopu