Trojan Horse nanotheranostics with dual transformability and multifunctionality for highly effective cancer treatment.

Nanotheranostics with integrated diagnostic and therapeutic functions show exciting potentials towards precision nanomedicine. However, targeted delivery of nanotheranostics is hindered by several biological barriers. Here, we report the development of a dual size/charge- transformable, Trojan-Horse nanoparticle (pPhD NP) for delivery of ultra-small, full active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) nanotheranostics with integrated dual-modal imaging and trimodal therapeutic functions. pPhD NPs exhibit ideal size and charge for drug transportation. In tumour microenvironment, pPhD NPs responsively transform to full API nanotheranostics with ultra-small size and higher surface charge, which dramatically facilitate the tumour penetration and cell internalisation. pPhD NPs enable visualisation of biodistribution by near-infrared fluorescence imaging, tumour accumulation and therapeutic effect by magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, the synergistic photothermal-, photodynamic- and chemo-therapies achieve a 100% complete cure rate on both subcutaneous and orthotopic oral cancer models. This nanoplatform with powerful delivery efficiency and versatile theranostic functions shows enormous potentials to improve cancer treatment

(E)-N-Benzyl­ideneadamantan-1-amine

In the title compound, C17H21N, the dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the imine group (—N=) is 5.1 (4)°. In the adamantane group, the C—C—C bond angles range from 107.88 (19) to 111.33 (17)°. Only weak van der Waals inter­actions contribute to the contribute to the packing of the molecules in the crystal.

[μ-1,1′-(Butane-1,4-di­yl)di-1H-benz­imidazole-κ2 N 3:N 3′]bis­{[N,N′-bis(car­boxy­meth­yl)ethyl­enediamine-N,N′-di­acetato-κ5 O,O′,O′′,N,N′]mercury(II)} methanol disolvate

The binuclear title complex, [Hg2(C10H14N2O8)2(C18H18N4)]·2CH3OH, lies on an inversion center with the unique HgII ion coordinated in a disorted octa­hedral environment with one Hg—N bond significantly shorter than the other two. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link complex and solvent mol­ecules into a three-dimensional network

Revealing of the Activation Pathway and Cathode Electrolyte Interphase Evolution of Li-Rich 0.5Li2MnO3·0.5LiNi0.3Co0.3Mn0.4O2 Cathode by in Situ Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance.

The first-cycle behavior of layered Li-rich oxides, including Li2MnO3 activation and cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) formation, significantly influences their electrochemical performance. However, the Li2MnO3 activation pathway and the CEI formation process are still controversial. Here, the first-cycle properties of xLi2MnO3·(1- x) LiNi0.3Co0.3Mn0.4O2 ( x = 0, 0.5, 1) cathode materials were studied with an in situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The results demonstrate that a synergistic effect between the layered Li2MnO3 and LiNi0.3Co0.3Mn0.4O2 structures can significantly affect the activation pathway of Li1.2Ni0.12Co0.12Mn0.56O2, leading to an extra-high capacity. It is demonstrated that Li2MnO3 activation in Li-rich materials is dominated by electrochemical decomposition (oxygen redox), which is different from the activation process of pure Li2MnO3 governed by chemical decomposition (Li2O evolution). CEI evolution is closely related to Li+ extraction/insertion. The valence state variation of the metal ions (Ni, Co, Mn) in Li-rich materials can promote CEI formation. This study is of significance for understanding and designing Li-rich cathode-based batteries

Deficiency of Mkrn2 causes abnormal spermiogenesis and spermiation, and impairs male fertility.

Although recent studies have shed insights on some of the potential causes of male infertility, new underlining molecular mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. Makorin-2 (Mkrn2) is an evolutionarily conserved gene whose biological functions are not fully known. We developed an Mrkn2 knockout mouse model to study the role of this gene, and found that deletion of Mkrn2 in mice led to male infertility. Mkrn2 knockout mice produced abnormal sperms characterized by low number, poor motility, and aberrant morphology. Disruption of Mkrn2 also caused failure of sperm release (spermiation failure) and misarrangement of ectoplasmic specialization (ES) in testes, thus impairing spermiogenesis and spermiation. To understand the molecular mechanism, we found that expression of Odf2, a vital protein in spermatogenesis, was significantly decreased. In addition, we found that expression levels of Odf2 were decreased in Mkrn2 knockout mice. We also found that MKRN2 was prominently expressed in the sperm of normal men, but was significantly reduced in infertile men. This result indicates that our finding is clinically relevant. The results of our study provided insights into a new mechanism of male infertility caused by the MKRN2 downregulation

Preparation of 5-Flurouracil Loaded Microspheres

Polylactide (PLA) is a kind of biodegradable and biocompatible material. In recent years, polylactide (PLA) and its copolymers have received significant attention from researchers. 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) is an antimetabolite of the pyrimidine analog type and is widely used for cancer treatment. As many other kinds of hydrophilic medicines, 5-Fu is difficult to be encapsulated by a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion solvent evaporation technique and the drug content is affected by the volume of the internal phase the increase in which resultes in a decrease in the yield of microspheres. In this study, 5-Fu loaded PLA microspheres which has quite high yield were prepared by a particular oil-in-water evaporation method. During the process of microspheres preparation, nano-silica was used in order to achieve high drug content. The size and morphology of the microspheres were observed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM). According to the results, these microspheres have smooth, spherical surface structure, with no apparent evidence of collapsing which can ensure the even release of the drug. Their size depends on the concentration of dispersed phase and gelatin and the size of nano-silica particles. The nano-silica content was determined by thermogravimetry analyzer (TGA) and by a spectrophotometer, the 5-Fu content in the microspheres could be calculated. It was shown that the PLA microspheres containing lower amount of nano-silica have higher ability to incorporate 5-Fu

DA-CHENG-QI DECOCTION, A TRADITIONAL CHINESE HERBAL FORMULA, FOR INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Background: This study was aimed at determining the effects and safety of Da-Cheng-Qi decoction (DCQD) or DCQD combined with conservative therapy in patients with intestinal obstruction. Materials and Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and several other databases were searched. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of DCQD or DCQD plus conservative therapy in patients with intestinal obstruction were eligible. Therapeutic effect was estimated by the improvement of clinical manifestations and diagnostic imaging; dichotomous/ordinal data assessment of overall response to therapy, adverse effects; or continuous variable were identified, including time to first bowel movement, time to first flatus, length of hospital stay. Results: Sixty eligible RCTs including 6,095 patients were identified. Response rate: (1) DCQD versus conservative therapy (6 RCTs, 361 patients, RR of respond =1.13; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.31). (2) DCQD plus conservative therapy versus conservative therapy (48 RCTs, 4,916 patients, RR of respond =1.25 which favoured DCQD plus conservative therapy; 95% CI 1.20 to 1.30). Treatment effect remained similar when RCTs at high risk of bias were excluded. Time to first flatus postoperatively: (1) DCQD versus conservative therapy (2 RCTs, 240 patients, SMD=-3.65; 95% CI -8.17 to 0.87). (2) DCQD plus conservative therapy versus conservative therapy (11 RCTs, 1,040 patients, SMD=-2.09 which favoured DCQD plus conservative therapy; 95% CI -3.04 to -1.15). Conclusion: DCQD combined with conservative therapy may increase the success rate of conservative therapy for intestinal obstruction significantly and can shorten the duration of postoperative ileus in patients undergoing abdominal surgery compared with conservative therapy alone