CuCo2S4 deposited on TiO2: Controlling the pH Value Boosts Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Metallic spinel‐type CuCo2S4 nanoparticles were deposited on nanocrystalline TiO2 (P25®), forming heterostructure nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were characterized in detail by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), nitrogen sorption (BET) and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Variation of the CuCo2S4:TiO2 ratio to an optimum value generated a catalyst which shows a very high photocatalytic H2 production rate at neutral pH of 32.3 µmol/h (0.72 mL h–1), which is much larger than for pure TiO2 (traces of H2). The catalyst exhibits an extraordinary long‐term stability and after 70 h irradiation time about 2 mmol H2 were generated. An increased light absorption and an efficient charge separation for the sample with the optimal CuCo2S4:TiO2 ratio is most probably responsible for the high catalytic activity

Suppression of tumor growth by intra-muscular transfer of naked DNA encoding adrenomedullin antagonist

We have recently reported that the intra-tumoral injection of adrenomedullin (AM) antagonist (AMA; AM (22-52)) peptides significantly reduced the in vivo growth of a pancreatic cancer cell line in severely combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. In the present study, we examined the effects of intra-tumoral and intra-muscular transfers of naked DNA encoding AMA on the in vivo growth of cancer cell lines. We demonstrate that these treatments induce the regression of a pancreatic cancer cell line and a breast cancer cell line inoculated in SCID mice. Furthermore, CD31-positive cells disappear completely from tumor tissues, following treatment, indicating that neo-vascularization is entirely inhibited. These results suggest that the intra-tumoral or intra-muscular transfer of naked DNA encoding AMA might be a promising alternative modality for treating human cancers