Modeling nanosized single molecule objects: dendronized polymers adsorbed onto mica

We attempt to provide direct evidence for the suggested behavior of dendronized polymers as molecular objects (i.e., single shape persistent macromolecules). For this purpose, the microscopic structure of dendronized polymers adsorbed onto mica has been investigated using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the shape of the second to fourth generation dendronized polymers is basically kept upon adsorption due to substantial backfolding within their interior. The fluctuation strength of the polymer backbones, which is seen to decrease with increasing generation, also indicates that these individual macromolecules exhibit molecular object behavior in the nanosize rangePostprint (published version

HPV Infection in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Relationship to the Prognosis of Patients in Northern China

Purpose. Human papillomavirus (HPV) as a risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has previously been studied, but importance of HPV status in ESCC for prognosis is less clear. Methods. A total of 105 specimens with ESCC were tested by in situ hybridization for HPV 16/18 and immunohistochemistry for p16 expression. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival were calculated in relation to these markers and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the hazard ratio (HR) of variables in univariate and multivariate analysis. Results. HPV was detected in 27.6% (29) of the 105 patients with ESCC, and all positive cases were HPV-16. Twenty-five (86.2%) of the 29 HPV-positive tumors were stained positive for p16. HPV infected patients had better 5-year rates of OS (65.9% versus 43.4% among patients with HPV-negative tumors; P = 0.002 by the log-rank test) and had a 63% reduction in the risk of death (adjusted HR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.82, and P = 0.01). Conclusions. HPV infection may be one of many factors contributing to the development of ESCC and tumor HPV status is an independent prognostic factor for survival among patients with ESCC

Surface passivation of carbon nanoparticles with branched macromolecules influences near infrared bioimaging

A superior and commercially exploitable 'green synthesis' of optically active carbon nanoparticle (OCN) is revealed in this work. The naked carbon particles (<20 nm) were derived from commercial food grade honey. The fluorescence properties of these particles were significantly enhanced by utilizing hyberbranched polymer for surface passivation. A dramatic increase in near infrared emission was achieved compared to a linear polymer (PEG) coated carbon nanoparticles. Interestingly, as passivating agent becomes more extensively branched (pseudo generation 2 to 4), the average radiant efficiency amplifies considerably as a direct result of the increasing surface area available for light passivation. The particles showed negligible loss of cell viability in presence of endothelial cells in vitro. Preliminary in vivo experiment showed high contrast enhancement in auxiliary lymphnode in a mouse model. The exceptionally rapid lymphatic transport of these particles suggests that such an approach may offer greater convenience and reduced procedural expense, as well as improved surgical advantage as the patient is positioned on the table for easier resection

Carbon nanoparticles as a multimodal thermoacoustic and photoacoustic contrast agent

We demonstrated the potential of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) as exogenous contrast agents for both thermoacoustic (TA) tomography (TAT) and photoacoustic (PA) tomography (PAT). In comparison to deionized water, the CNPs provided a four times stronger signal in TAT at 3 GHz. In comparison to blood, The CNPs provided a much stronger signal in PAT over a broad wavelength range of 450-850 nm. Specifically, the maximum signal enhancement in PAT was 9.4 times stronger in the near-infrared window of 635-670 nm. In vivo blood-vessel PA imaging was performed non-invasively on a mouse femoral area. The images, captured after the tail vein injection of CNPs, show a gradual enhancement of the optical absorption in the vessels by up to 230%. The results indicate that CNPs can be potentially used as contrast agents for TAT and PAT to monitor the intravascular or extravascular pathways in clinical applications

High level soluble expression, one-step purification and characterization of HIV-1 p24 protein

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>P24 protein is the major core protein of HIV virus particle and has been suggested as a specific target for antiviral strategies. Recombinant p24 protein with natural antigenic activity would be useful for various studies, such as diagnostic reagents and multi-component HIV vaccine development. The aim of this study was to express and purify the p24 protein in soluble form in <it>E.coli</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>According to the sequence of the p24 gene, a pair of primers was designed, and the target sequence of 700 bp was amplified using PCR. The PCR product was cloned into pQE30 vector, generating the recombinant plasmid pQE30-p24. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the His-tagged recombinant p24 protein was highly expressed in soluble form after induction in <it>E. coli </it>strain BL21. The recombinant protein was purified by nickel affinity chromatography and used to react with HIV infected sera. The results showed that the recombinant p24 protein could specifically react with the HIV infected sera. To study the immunogenicity of this soluble recombinant p24 protein, it was used to immunize mice for the preparation of polyclonal antibody. Subsequent ELISA and Western-Blot analysis demonstrated that the p24 protein had proper immunogenicity in inducing mice to produce HIV p24 specific antibodies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this work, we report the high level soluble expression of HIV-1 p24 protein in <it>E. coli</it>. This soluble recombinant p24 protein specifically react with HIV infected sera and elicit HIV p24 specific antibodies in mice, indicating this soluble recombinant p24 protein could be a promising reagent for HIV diagnosis.</p

Synthesis of nanoflower-shaped MXene derivative with unexpected catalytic activity for dehydrogenation of sodium alanates.

Surface group modification and functionalization of two-dimensional materials in many cases are deemed as effective approaches to achieve some distinctive properties. Herein, we present a new nanoflower-shaped TiO2/C composite which was synthesized by in situ alcoholysis of two-dimensional layered MXene (Ti3C2(OHxF1-x)2) in a dilute HF solution (0.5 wt %) for the first time. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that it bestows a strong catalytic activity for the dehydrogenation of NaAlH4. The results show that the NaAlH4 containing 10 wt % A0.9R0.1-TiO2/C (containing 90% anatase TiO2 and 10% rutile TiO2) composite merely took ∼85 min to reach a stable and maximum dehydrogenation capacity of ∼3.08 wt % at 100 °C, and it maintains stable after ten cycles, which is the best Ti-based catalyst for the dehydrogenation of NaAlH4 reported so far. Theoretical calculation confirms that this C-doping TiO2 crystals remarkably decreases desorption energy barrier of Al-H bonding in NaAlH4, accelerating the breakdown of Al-H bonding. This finding raises the potential for development and application of new fuel cells

Vascularization of Nanohydroxyapatite/Collagen/Poly(L-lactic acid) Composites by Implanting Intramuscularly In Vivo

It still remains a major challenge to repair large bone defects in the orthopaedic surgery. In previous studies, a nanohydroxyapatite/collagen/poly(L-lactic acid) (nHAC/PLA) composite, similar to natural bone in both composition and structure, has been prepared. It could repair small sized bone defects, but they were restricted to repair a large defect due to the lack of oxygen and nutrition supply for cell survival without vascularization. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether nHAC/PLA composites could be vascularized in vivo. Composites were implanted intramuscularly in the groins of rabbits for 2, 6, or 10 weeks (n=5×3). After removing, the macroscopic results showed that there were lots of rich blood supply tissues embracing the composites, and the volumes of tissue were increasing as time goes on. In microscopic views, blood vessels and vascular sprouts could be observed, and microvessel density (MVD) of the composites trended to increase over time. It suggested that nHAC/PLA composites could be well vascularized by implanting in vivo. In the future, it would be possible to generate vascular pedicle bone substitutes with nHAC/PLA composites for grafting

Research Progress in the Formation of Quality of Dry-Aged Beef and Approaches for Its Added Value

Dry aging is an effective method to improve the quality and value of meat. Meat quality characteristics such as tenderness and flavor can be significantly improved through a series of biochemical reactions. In recent years, dry-aged beef has gained huge popularity among consumers and research attention due to its unique flavor. However, there are some problems with the dry-aged beef industry, such as large quality differences, high losses during maturation, and high production costs. This article systematically summarizes quality characteristics of dry-aged beef, including flavor, tenderness, safety, color and water-holding capacity (WHC). The mechanism of formation of its characteristic flavor is briefly described. The effects of different dry-aging conditions on beef quality are summarized. New dry aging technologies and value-added ways to reuse the crust are introduced. This article will hopefully provide theoretical guidance for the standardized, efficient and high-value development of the dry-aged beef industry