Growth of millimeter-sized high-quality CuFeSe2_2 single crystals by the molten salt method and study of their semiconducting behavior

An eutectic AlCl$_3$/KCl molten salt method in a horizontal configuration was employed to grow millimeter-sized and composition homogeneous CuFeSe$_2$ single crystals due to the continuous growth process in a temperature gradient induced solution convection. The typical as-grown CuFeSe$_2$ single crystals in cubic forms are nearly 1.6$\times$1.2$\times$1.0 mm3 in size. The chemical composition and homogeneity of the crystals was examined by both inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer with Cu:Fe:Se = 0.96:1.00:1.99 consistent with the stoichiometric composition of CuFeSe$_2$. The magnetic measurements suggest a ferrimagnetic or weak ferromagnetic transition below T$_C$ = 146 K and the resistivity reveals a semiconducting behavior and an abrupt increase below T$_C$

Supramolecular Aggregate as a High-Efficiency Gene Carrier Mediated with Optimized Assembly Structure

For cancer gene therapy, a safe and high-efficient gene carrier is a must. To resolve the contradiction between gene transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity, many polymers with complex topological structures have been synthesized, although their synthesis processes and structure control are difficult as well as the high molecular weight also bring high cytotoxicity. We proposed an alternative strategy that uses supramolecular inclusion to construct the aggregate from the small molecules for gene delivery, and to further explore the relationship between the topological assembly structure and their ability to deliver gene. Herein, PEI-1.8k-conjugating β-CD through 6-hydroxyl (PEI-6-CD) and 2-hydroxyl (PEI-2-CD) have been synthesized respectively and then assembled with diferrocene (Fc)-ended polyethylene glycol (PEG-Fc). The obtained aggregates were then used to deliver MMP-9 shRNA plasmid for MCF-7 cancer therapy. It was found that the higher gene transfection efficiency can be obtained by selecting PEI-2-CD as the host and tuning the host/guest molar ratios. With the rational modulation of supramolecular architectures, the aggregate played the functions similar to macromolecules which exhibit higher transfection efficiency than PEI-25k, but show much lower cytotoxicity because of the nature of small/low molecules. In vitro and in vivo assays confirmed that the aggregate could deliver MMP-9 shRNA plasmid effectively into MCF-7 cells and then downregulate MMP-9 expression, which induced the significant MCF-7 cell apoptosis, as well inhibit MCF-7 tumor growth with low toxicity. The supramolecular aggregates maybe become a promising carrier for cancer gene therapy and also provided an alternative strategy for designing new gene carriers

On the Accuracy of Glacial Isostatic Adjustment Models for Geodetic Observations to Estimate Arctic Ocean Sea-Level Change

Arctic Ocean sea-level change is an important indicator of climate change. Contemporary geodetic observations, including data from tide gages, satellite altimetry and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), are sensitive to the effect of the ongoing glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) process. To fully exploit these geodetic observations to study climate related sea-level change, this GIA effect has to be removed. However, significant uncertainty exists with regard to the GIA model, and using different GIA models could lead to different results. In this study we use an ensemble of 14 contemporary GIA models to investigate their differences when they are applied to the above-mentioned geodetic observations to estimate sea-level change in the Arctic Ocean. We find that over the Arctic Ocean a large range of differences exists in GIA models when they are used to remove GIA effect from tide gage and GRACE observations, but with a relatively smaller range for satellite altimetry observations. In addition, we compare the derived sea-level trend from observations after applying different GIA models in the study regions, sea-level trend estimated from long-term tide gage data shows good agreement with altimetry result over the same data span. However the mass component of sea-level change obtained from GRACE data does not agree well with the result derived from steric-corrected altimeter observation due primarily to the large uncertainty of GIA models, errors in the Arctic Ocean altimetry or steric measurements, inadequate data span, or all of the above. We conclude that GIA correction is critical for studying sea-level change over the Arctic Ocean and further improvement in GIA modelling is needed to reduce the current discrepancies among models

Icariin attenuates the calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells through ERα – p38MAPK pathway

Abstract Objective To investigate the relationship between icariin and the osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the signal pathway involved. Methods We applied a universally accepted calcification model of VSMCs induced by β glycerophosphate. Then the VSMCs calcification was observed by treatment with icariin and/or inhibitors of estrogen receptors (ERs) and p38‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Results Icariin inhibited osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of VSMCs due to decreased ALP activity and Runx2 expression. Further study demonstrated that icariin exerted this suppression effect through activating p38‐MAPK but not extracellular‐regulated kinase, JNK or Akt. An inhibitor of p38‐MAPK partially reversed the inhibitory effects of icariin on osteoblastic differentiation. Interestingly, treatment of VSMCs with an ER antagonist ICI182780 and a selective ERα receptor antagonist PPT attenuated icariin‐mediated inhibition effect of VSMCs calcification, associated with suppression of p38‐MAPK phosphorylation. Conclusions Icariin inhibited the osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs, and that the inhibitory effects were mediated by p38‐MAPK pathways through ERα

Reply to Mahat, R.K.; Rathore, V. Comment on “Xiang et al. Association between the Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Vitamin D Status in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. <i>Nutrients</i> 2023, <i>15</i>, 639”

We are pleased to see that Mahat and Rathore [...

Association between the Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Vitamin D Status in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) increases the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which might be related to insulin resistance (IR). We aimed to explore the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a reliable indicator of IR, and VDD in patients with T2DM. Methods: There were 1034 participants with T2DM enrolled in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. The TyG index was calculated as ln (fasting triglyceride (TG, mg/dL) &times; fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)/2). VDD was defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level &lt;50 nmol/L. Results: Correlation analysis showed a negative association between the TyG index and 25(OH)D level. After adjustments for clinical and laboratory parameters, it was revealed that when taking the Q1 quartile of TyG index as a reference, an increasing trend of VDD prevalence was presented in the other three groups divided by TyG index quartiles, where the OR (95% CI) was 1.708 (1.132&ndash;2.576) for Q2, 2.041 (1.315&ndash;3.169) for Q3, and 2.543 (1.520&ndash;4.253) for Q4 (all p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with higher TyG index were more likely to have an increased risk of VDD in T2DM population, which may be related to IR

Phenolic Ligand–Metal Charge Transfer Induced Copper Nanozyme with Reactive Oxygen Species-Scavenging Ability for Chronic Wound Healing

Chronic wounds frequently arise as a complication in diabetic patients, and their management remains a significant clinical hurdle due to their nonhealing nature featured by heightened oxidative stress and impaired healing cells at the wound site. Herein, we present a 2D copper antioxidant nanozyme induced by phenolic ligand–metal charge transfer (LMCT) to eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and facilitate the healing of chronic diabetic wounds. We found that polyphenol ligands coordinated on the Cu3(PO4)2 nanosheets led to a strong charge transfer at the interface and regulated the valence states of Cu. The obtained Cu nanozyme exhibited efficient scavenging ability toward different oxidative species and protected human cells from oxidative damage. The nanozyme enhanced the healing of diabetic wounds by promoting re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and immunoregulation. This work demonstrates the LMCT-induced ROS scavenging ability on a nanointerface, providing an alternative strategy of constructing metal-based nanozymes for the treatment of diabetic wounds as well as other diseases

Microenvironment-Driven Cascaded Responsive Hybrid Carbon Dots as a Multifunctional Theranostic Nanoplatform for Imaging-Traceable Gene Precise Delivery

Imaging-guided stimuli-responsive delivery systems based on nanomaterials for cancer theranostics have been recognized as promising alternatives to traditional therapies in clinic. How to integrate multiple response-mediated nanoproperty (i.e., charge, size, or stability) transitions into a cascaded manner to overcome multistage biological barriers which usually demand different and even opposing nanoproperties in each stage is still a challenge. Herein, a multistage and cascaded responsive theranostic nanoplatform for imaging-traceable TRAIL gene precise delivery was prepared by a cleavable PEGylated shell and a fluorescent carbon dot (CD)-based core. The CDs as the core were prefunctionalized with polyethylenimine end-capped disulfide-bond-bearing hyperbranched poly­(amido amine) (HPAP), endowing the CDs with enhanced fluorescent quantum yield (27%), intracellular degradability, and efficient gene delivery capability. The shell was fabricated by dimethylmaleic acid modification of mPEG-PEI₆₀₀ copolymer and exhibited tumor microenvironment-triggered charge reversal, leading to the shell detachment from the core at the tumor site. The nanoplatform with cascaded responsive property displays prolonged blood circulation time benefiting from PEGylated shielding once being injected into blood, subsequently effective accumulation at tumor tissues from blood induced by the elevated EPR effect resulting from the microenvironment-driven synchronous charge conversion and size shrinkage, and finally controlled gene release in tumor cell cytosol facilitated by glutathione-triggered HPAP degradability. <i>In vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> assays demonstrated that such a blood–tissue–cell cascaded responsive nanoplatform not only possessed imaging-trackable tumor-specific delivery ability but also exhibited enhanced and selective antitumor activity through TRAIL-mediated apoptosis as well as excellent biocompatibility. This study provides a multifunctional integration strategy, paving the way for designing novel theranostic nanomedicines on the basis of precision medicine

Microencapsulation of Ionic Liquid by Interfacial Self-Assembly of Metal-Phenolic Network for Efficient Gastric Absorption of Oral Drug Delivery

Improving bioavailability of orally delivered drugs is still challenging, as conventional drug delivery systems suffer from non-specific drug delivery in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and limited drug absorption efficiency. Gastric drug delivery is even more difficult due to the harsh microenvironment, short retention time, and physiologic barriers in the stomach. Here, an oral drug delivery microcapsule system was developed for gastric drug delivery, which consists of ionic liquid (IL) as the inner carrier and metal-phenolic network (MPN) as the microcapsule shell. The IL@MPN microcapsules are prepared by interfacial self-assembly of FeIII and quercetin at the interface of hydrophobic IL ([EMIM][NTf2]) and water. The formation of MPN shell could improve the stability of IL droplets in water and endow the system with pH-response drug release properties, while the encapsulated IL core could efficiently load the drug and enhance the drug tissue permeability. The IL@MPN microcapsules showed enhanced drug absorption in the stomach after oral administration in a rat model, where the microcapsules are disassembled in gastric acid, and the released IL could reduce the viscosity of mucus gel and increase the drug transport rate across endothelial cells. This work presents a simple yet efficient strategy for oral drug delivery to the stomach. Given the diversity and versatility of both MPN and IL, the proposed self-assembled microcapsules could expand the toolbox of drug delivery systems with enhanced oral drug bioavailability