Jeol JEM 2100

Palladium-based bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied as important electrocatalysts for energy conversion due to their high electrocatalytic performance and the less usage of the noble metal. Herein, well-dispersed PdAg NPs with uniform size were prepared via oil bath accompanied with the hydrothermal method. The variation of the Ag content in PdAg NPs changed the lattice constant of the face-centered cubic alloy nanostructures continuously. The Pd/Ag molar ratio in the PdAg alloy NPs affected their size and catalytic activity toward ethanol electrooxidation. Experimental data showed that PdAg NPs with less Ag content exhibited better electrocatalytic activity and durability than pure Pd NPs owing to both the small size and the synergistic effect. PdAg-acac-4 with the Pd/Ag molar ratio of 4 : 1 in the start system possessed the highest catalytic current density of 2246 mA/mg for the electrooxidation of ethanol. The differences in the morphology and electrocatalytic activity of the as-made PdAg NPs have been discussed and analyzed.

Fahui Gao, Yanru Yin, Zhengshuai Cao, Hongliang Li, Peizhi Guo. Journal of Chemistry, 2020, 1-9, 2020.

In this work, prenanoemulsion of rutin was prepared using PEG and Tween as emulsifiers via homogenization and evaporation techniques. The particle size of rutin was investigated with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM); particle size distribution and its chemical structure were analysed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. It was found that rutin in the prenanoemulsion has excellent solubility in water with the size approximately 15 nm. The chemical structure of nanorutin in prenanoemulsion was identical to that of the pure rutin. It suggested that there is no chemical modification of rutin in the prenanoemulsion. From high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the amount of rutin in the prenanoemulsion was determined to be 9.27%. The cytotoxic effect of rutin in the preemulsion was investigated via in vitro tests to determine rutin’s efficacy in A549 lung cancer cell and colon cancer cell treatment. The results demonstrated that rutin in the prenanoemulsion could inhibit A549 lung cancer cells and colon cancer cells efficiently.

Tran Thanh Hoai, Phan Thi Yen, Tran Thi Bich Dao, Luu Hai Long, Duong Xuan Anh, Luu Hai Minh, Bui Quoc Anh, Nghiem Thi Thuong. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2020, 1-11, 2020.

Objectives. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as the primary components of cancer stroma can affect tumor progression by secreting exosomes, while exosomes are carriers for proteins, nucleic acids, and other agents that responsible for delivery of biological information. Given this, exosomes derived from CAFs are emerging as promising biomarkers in clinical cancer diagnosis. Nevertheless, their role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains poorly understood. Methods. Here, we separated fibroblasts from ccRCC tissue, extracted exosomes, observed their morphology, and detected the expression of exosome marker proteins including Hsp70, CD9, and CD63. In the meantime, we labeled exosomes and performed coculture experiment to verify the delivery of miR-224-5p from CAFs to 769-P cells with exosomes as a carrier, so as to clarify the effect of CAF-derived exosomes on ccRCC cell malignant behaviors, as well as to discuss how miR-224-5p involves in above regulation. Results. Transmission electron microscopy was firstly applied, and it was noted that the exosomes we isolated were in normal range. Besides, Western blot also confirmed the presence of exosome marker proteins Hsp70, CD9, and CD63. Furthermore, coculture experiments were performed and the CAF-derived exosomes were observed to be able to facilitate the malignant behaviors of ccRCC cells, and the exosomal miR-224-5p could be internalized by ccRCC cells to participate in regulation of cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Conclusion. To sum up, miR-224-5p can enter ccRCC cells via CAF-derived exosomes, in turn, promoting the malignant behaviors of ccRCC cells, which indicates that miR-224-5p has the potential severing as a therapeutic target for ccRCC.

Yifei Liu, Wenqiang Fu, Xiaoning Cao, Shuopeng Li, Tianyu Xiong, Xiaolei Zhang, Xiaotang Wu, Ling Cheng, Yanbing Wei, Bin Gao. Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, 2021, 1-9, 2021.

Herein, the single-atom Ni site heterogeneous catalysts supported by the UiO-66 structure (University of Oslo-66 metal organic framework) were successfully synthesized by a postsynthetic metalation method, where Ni ions are covalently attached to the missing-linker defect sites at zirconium oxide clusters (Zr6O4(OH)4) in as-prepared UiO-66 structure, [Zr6O4(OH)4(BDC)(DMF)10(OH)10] (BDC (benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate), DMF (dimethylformamide)). The structure properties of the catalysts were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms (BET), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). It was found that single-atom Ni heterogeneous catalysts supported by the UiO-66 structure, UiO-66/Ni1.0 [Zr6O4(OH)4(C8H4O4)(DMF)10(OH)8Ni2(OH)2(Cl)2], showed a sphere-like morphology with a high specific surface area as well as good thermal stability. Specifically, the as-prepared UiO-66/Ni1.0 exhibited the excellent catalytic activity and stability for 4-nitrophenol reduction in terms of low activation energy (), high turnover frequency (76.19 molecules g-1 min-1), and high apparent rate constant (). In addition, methylene blue (MB) was also chosen as the organic dye model for catalytic reduction reaction. The and TOF for the reduction of MB using UiO-66/Ni1.0 were 0.787 min−1 and molecules g−1 min−1, respectively.

Le Thi Hoa, Le Thi Thanh Nhi, Le Van Thanh Sơn, Nguyen Le My Linh, Ho Van Minh Hai, Dinh Quang Khieu. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2021, 1-16, 2021.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have attracted much attention in recent years. Graphene-based materials (GMs) have been deemed as excellent adsorbents for the removal of EDCs. The objective of the present study was to understand how the cationic surfactants (CTAB; cetyltrimethylammonium nitrate) affect the adsorption of EDCs (17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) and bisphenol A (BPA)) on graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxides (RGOs), and the few-layered commercial graphene (CG). It was observed that the presence of CTAB showed different effects on the adsorption of EDCs to different GMs. The adsorption of EDCs on GO was enhanced because of the enhanced hydrophobicity of GMs after the adsorption of CTAB and the newly formed hemimicelles by the adsorbed CTAB, which could serve as the partition phase for EDCs. Moreover, the electron donor-acceptor interaction and cation bridging effect of the –NH4+ group of the adsorbed CTAB between EDCs and GMs could also enhance the adsorption of EDCs to GMs. With the increase of the extent of GM reduction, the adsorption enhancement by the presence of CTAB weakened. This could be attributed to the competition and pore blockage effect caused by the adsorbed CTAB. It is worth noting that the enhancement of CTAB on the adsorption of BPA to GMs was more profound than that of EE2. This is likely because the pore blockage effect plays a less important role in the adsorption of BPA due to its smaller molecular diameter and deformable structure.

Fang Wang, Wei Sha, Xin Wang, Yuntao Shang, Lei Hou, Yao Li. Adsorption Science & Technology, 2021, 1-12, 2021.

Intrinsically stable materials are desirable for constructing energy storage devices, which aim to demonstrate durability under the harsh electrochemical conditions that are detrimental to their lifespan. However, we demonstrate here that the intrinsic instability of an electrochemical interface can be converted from an obstacle into an advantage. In aqueous zinc-ion batteries, manganese oxide (MnO₂) exhibits considerable dissolution even in electrolyte containing Mn²⁺ salt. Balancing with redeposition alleviates the harmful impact of dissolution on performance and alters the trajectory of the active phase. Inclusion of Mn²⁺ salt in the electrolyte induces MnO₂ deposition on all conductive surfaces, requiring that distracting side reactions be eliminated to isolate the dynamics of the active phase. Under conditions favoring dissolution, capacity decreases dramatically and a highly crystalline tetragonal ZnMn₂O₄ phase forms, while redeposition helps maintain capacity and promotes a disordered cubic Zn-rich phase. Ultimately, this work aims to illuminate a path forward to unlock the potential of batteries made with materials that are fundamentally unstable in their operating environment.

Nigel Becknell, Pietro Lopes, Toru Hatsukade, Xiuquan Zhou, Yuzi Liu, Brandon Fisher, Duck Young Chung, Mercouri Kanatzidis, Nenad Markovic, Sanja Tepavcevic, Vojislav Stamenkovic. 2021.

Air-transmitted pathogens may lead to severe epidemics (e.g., COVID-19) showing huge threats to public health. Inactivation of the pathogenic microbes in the air is an essential process, whereas the feasibility of existing air disinfection technologies has encountered obstacles including only achieving physical separation but no inactivation, obvious pressure drops, and energy intensiveness. Here we report a rapid disinfection method for inactivating air-transmitted bacteria and viruses using the nanowire-enhanced localized electric field to damage the outer structures of microbes. This air disinfection system is driven by a triboelectric nanogenerator that converts mechanical vibration to electricity effectively and achieves self-powered. Assisted by a rational design for the accelerated charging and trapping of microbes, this self-powered air disinfection system promotes the microbial transport and achieves high performance: >99.99% microbial inactivation within 0.025s in a fast airflow (2 m/s) while only causing low pressure drops (<24 Pa). This rapid, self-powered air disinfection method may fill the urgent need for the air-transmitted microbial inactivation to protect public health.

Zheng-Yang Huo, Young Jun Kim, In-Yong Suh, Dong-Min Lee, Jeong Hwan Lee, Ye Du, Si Wang, Hong-Joon Yoon, Sang-Woo Kim. 2020.

miRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. We used small RNA sequencing to identify tissue-specific miRNAs in the adult brain, thorax, gut, and fat body of Drosophila melanogaster. One of the most brain-specific miRNAs that we identified was miR-210, an evolutionarily highly conserved miRNA implicated in the regulation of hypoxia in mammals. In Drosophila, we show that miR-210 is specifically expressed in sensory organs, including photoreceptors. miR-210 knockout mutants are not sensitive toward hypoxia but show progressive degradation of photoreceptor cells, accompanied by decreased photoreceptor potential, demonstrating an important function of miR-210 in photoreceptor maintenance and survival.

Carina M Weigelt, Oliver Hahn, Katharina Arlt, Matthias Gruhn, Annika J Jahn, Jacqueline Eßer, Jennifer A Werner, Corinna Klein, Ansgar Büschges, Sebastian Grönke, Linda Partridge. Life Science Alliance, 2 (1), e201800149, 2019.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are metabolic organelles that store neutral lipids and dynamically respond to changes in energy availability by accumulating or mobilizing triacylglycerols (TAGs). How the plastic behavior of LDs is regulated is poorly understood. Hereditary spastic paraplegia is a central motor axonopathy predominantly caused by mutations in SPAST, encoding the microtubule-severing protein spastin. The spastin-M1 isoform localizes to nascent LDs in mammalian cells; however, the mechanistic significance of this targeting is not fully explained. Here, we show that tightly controlled levels of spastin-M1 are required to inhibit LD biogenesis and TAG accumulation. Spastin-M1 maintains the morphogenesis of the ER when TAG synthesis is prevented, independent from microtubule binding. Moreover, spastin plays a microtubule-dependent role in mediating the dispersion of LDs from the ER upon glucose starvation. Our results reveal a dual role of spastin to shape ER tubules and to regulate LD movement along microtubules, opening new perspectives for the pathogenesis of hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Nimesha Tadepalle, Lennart Robers, Matteo Veronese, Peter Zentis, Felix Babatz, Susanne Brodesser, Anja V Gruszczyk, Astrid Schauss, Stefan Höning, Elena I Rugarli. Life Science Alliance, 3 (6), e202000715, 2020.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an acute inflammatory lung condition. It is characterized by disruption of gas exchange inside the alveoli, accumulation of protein edema, and an increase in lung stiffness. One major cause of ARDS is a lung infection, such as SARS-COV-2 infection. Lungs of ARDS patients need to be mechanically ventilated for airway reopening. Consequently, ventilation might damage delicate lung tissue leading to excess edema, known as ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Mortality of COVID-19 patients under VILI seems to be higher than non-COVID patients, necessitating effective preventative therapies. VILI occurs when small air bubbles form in the alveoli, injuring epithelial cells (EPC) due to shear stress. Nitric oxide (NO) inhalation was suggested as a therapy for ARDS, however, it was shown that it is not effective because of the extremely short half-life of NO. In this study, NO-releasing nanoparticles were produced and tested in an in vitro model, representing airways in the deep lung. Cellular injuries were quantified via fluorescent live/dead assay. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to assess cell morphology. qRT-PCR was performed to assess the expression of inflammatory markers, specifically IL6 and CCL2. ELISA was performed to assess IL6 and confirm qRT-PCR results at the protein level. Finally, ROS levels were assessed in all groups. Here, we show that NO delivery via nanoparticles enhanced EPC survival and recovery, AFM measurements revealed that NO exposure affect cell morphology, while qRT-PCR demonstrated a significant downregulation in IL6 and CCL2 expression when treating the cells to NO both before and after shear exposure. ELISA results for IL6 confirmed qRT-PCR data. ROS experiment results support our findings from previous experiments. These findings demonstrate that NO-releasing nanoparticles can be used as an effective delivery approach of NO to deep lung to prevent/reduce ARDS associated inflammation and cell injuries. This information is particularly useful to treat severe ARDS due to COVID-19 infection. These nanoparticles will be useful when clinically administrated to COVID-19 patients to reduce the symptoms originating from lung distress.

Samar Shurbaji, Ibrahim M. El-Sherbiny, Maha Alser, Isra H. Ali, Haya Kordi, Ameena Al-Sadi, Anton Popelka, Fatiha Benslimane, Magdi Yacoub, Huseyin C. Yalcin. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 8, 2021.

In this paper, we fabricated rutin-loaded silver nanoparticles (Rutin@AgNPs) as the nano-anticoagulant with antithrombotic function. The serum stability, anticoagulation activity, and bleeding risk of Rutin@AgNPs were evaluated. The results showed Rutin@AgNPs had good serum stability, hemocompatibility, and cytocompatibility. The anticoagulation activity of rutin was maintained, and its stability and aqueous solubility were improved. The Rutin@AgNPs could provide a sustained release to prolong the half-life of rutin. The results of the coagulation parameter assay and thrombus formation test in mice model showed that the activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time were prolonged, and Rutin@AgNPs inhibited the thrombosis in the 48 h period. Moreover, the limited bleeding time indicated that the Rutin@AgNPs significantly minimized the hemorrhage risk of rutin. This Rutin@AgNPs is a potential anticoagulant for antithrombotic therapy.

Haitao Wu, Manlin Su, Hui Jin, Xinyu Li, Puyu Wang, Jingxiao Chen, Jinghua Chen. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 8, 2020.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) confer therapeutic benefits in various pathologies and cancers by releasing extracellular vesicles (EVs) loaded with bioactive compounds. Herein, we identified bone marrow MSC (BMSC)-derived EVs harboring microRNA (miR)-29b-3p to regulate osteogenic differentiation through effects on the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway via targeting of lysine demethylase 5A (KDM5A) in osteoporosis.

We quantified the miR-29b-3p in BMSC-derived EVs from bone marrow specimens of osteoporotic patients and non-osteoporotic patients during total hip arthroplasty (THA). miR-29b-3p targeting KDM5A was confirmed by promoter luciferase assay, and enrichment of KDM5A in the promoter region of SOCS1 was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). The expression and translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus were detected by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. An ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporosis mouse model was established to further confirm the in vitro findings.

BMSC-derived EVs of osteoporotic patients exhibited downregulated miR-29b-3p. EV-encapsulated miR-29b-3p from BMSCs potentiated osteogenic differentiation by specifically inhibiting KDM5A. KDM5A inhibited osteogenic differentiation by the regulation of H3K4me3 and H3K27ac of SOCS1. SOCS1 potentiated osteogenic differentiation by inhibiting NF-κB pathway.

EV-encapsulated miR-29b-3p derived from BMSCs potentiated osteogenic differentiation through blockade of the SOCS1/NF-κB pathway by inhibition of KDM5A.

Xueliang Zhang, Wenji Wang, Yongping Wang, Haiyan Zhao, Xingwen Han, Tong Zhao, Peng Qu. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 8, 2021.

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have attracted considerable attention in detection of biological analytes and bioimaging owing to their superior optical properties, including high photochemical stability, sharp emission bandwidth, large anti-Stokes shifts, and low toxicity. In this work, we fabricated UCNP-linked immunosorbent assay (ULISA) for the sensitive detection of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). The design is based on amino-functionalized SiO₂-coated Gd-doped NaYF₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs@SiO₂-NH₂) as a direct background-free luminescent reporter; a secondary anti-IgG antibody (Ab₂) was conjugated to the surface of UCNPs@SiO₂-NH₂ (UCNP-Ab₂), and UCNP-Ab₂ was used for specific targeting of CA19-9. The UCNPs were well characterized by TEM, SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and UV-vis. The detection process was similar to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). UCNPs were used as signal transducer to replace the color compounds for an enzyme-mediated signal amplification step. An anti-CA19-9 primary antibody (Ab₁) was fixed for capturing the CA19-9, and the fluorescence signal was obtained from the specific immunoreaction between UCNP-Ab₂ and CA19-9. Under optimum conditions, this ULISA shows sensitive detection of CA19-9 with a dynamic range of 5–2,000 U/ml. The ULISA system shows higher detection sensitivity and wider detection range compared with the traditional ELISA for CA19-9 detection. This strategy using UCNPs as signal transducer may pave a new avenue for the exploration of rare doped UCNPs in ELISA assay for clinical applications in the future.

Chaohui Zhou, Zhongyun Chu, Wenyue Hou, Xiuying Wang. Frontiers in Chemistry, 8, 2021.