Spray Pyrolysis of Fe3O4–BaTiO3 Composite Particles

Fe₃O₄–BaTiO₃ composite particles were successfully prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. A mixture of iron(III) nitrate, barium acetate and titanium tetrachloride aqueous solution were atomized into the mist, and the mist was dried and pyrolyzed in N₂ (90%) and H₂ (10%) atmosphere. Fe₃O₄–BaTiO₃ composite particle was obtained between 900° and 950°C while the coexistence of FeO was detected at 1000°C. Transmission electron microscope observation revealed that the composite particle is consisted of nanocrystalline having primary particle size of 35 nm. Lattice parameter of the Fe₃O₄–BaTiO₃ nanocomposite particle was 0.8404 nm that is larger than that of pure Fe₃O₄. Coercivity of the nanocomposite particle (390 Oe) was much larger than that of pure Fe₃O₄ (140 Oe). These results suggest that slight diffusion of Ba into Fe₃O₄ occurred.     

Residual stress versus microstructural effects on the strength and toughness of phase-separated PbO–B2O3–Al2O3 glasses

A few authors have reasonably proposed that liquid–liquid phase-separated (LLPS) glasses could show improved fracture strength, S_f, and toughness, K_Ic, as the second phase could provide a barrier to crack propagation via deflection, bowing, trapping, or bridging. Due to the associated tensile or compressive residual stresses, the second phase could also act as a toughening or a weakening mechanism. In this work, we investigated five glasses of the PbO–B₂O₃–Al₂O₃ system spanning across the miscibility gap: Four of them undergo LLPS—three are binodal (two B₂O₃-rich and one PbO-rich) and one is spinodal—and one does not show LLPS (composition outside the miscibility gap). Their compositions were designed in such a way that the amorphous particles are under compressive residual stresses in some and under tensile residual stresses in others. The following mechanical properties were determined: the Vickers hardness, ball on three balls (B3B) strength, and toughness, K_Ic-SEVNB (single-edge V-notch beam [SEVNB]). The microstructures and compositions were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The spinodal glass showed, by far, the best mechanical properties. Its K_Ic-SEVNB = 1.6 ± 0.1 MPa m^1/2, which embodies an increase of almost 50% over the B₂O₃-rich binodal composition, and 90% considering the PbO-rich binodal composition. Moreover, its fracture strength, S_f = 166 ± 7 MPa, is one of the highest ones ever reported for an LLPS glass. Fracture analyses evidenced that the spinodal composition exhibited the lowest net stress at the fracture point. Moreover, calculations indicate that the internal residual stress level is the lowest in the spinodal glass. The overall results indicate that the microstructural effect of the spinodal glass is the most significant factor for its superior mechanical properties. This work corroborates the idea that LLPS provides a feasible and stimulating solution to improve the mechanical properties of glasses.     

Synthesis and characterization of CeO2 nano-rods

We report a synthesis of two types of CeO₂ nano-rods via the facile and efficient hydrothermal process free from any surfactant and template. The synthesized nano-rods are chemically identified as CeO₂ with the standard fluorite structure but their morphologies are different. The nano-rods prepared with cerium nitrate hexahydrate and sodium phosphate are thicker and shorter with diameter of ∼30 nm and length of ∼100 nm, and those prepared with cerium acetate hydrate and dibasic sodium phosphate are thinner and longer with ∼10 nm in diameter and ∼400 nm in length. Microstructural analyses reveal that the two species of nano-rods have low-energy {111} surfaces and grow along the 〈112〉 direction. As a consequence of their morphologies, the two types of synthesized nano-rods exhibit excellent UV-absorption ability in comparison to the irregular CeO₂ nanoparticles.     

Inorganic Design of Protein Assemblies as Supramolecular Platforms

In the last decade, there has been great deal of progress in the study of self-assembly processes of protein assemblies as biotemplates to create and construct one-dimensional arrays of nanocrystalline metals and semiconductors. Successful attempts in fabricating the protein-based bioelectronics could serve as a promising alternative to synthetic template based nanomaterials. Another perspective of protein assemblies is its use in the field of tissue engineering either as scaffold for cell adhesion and proliferation or as a foreign (bio)nanofunctionality to communicate with the macromolecules present in the extracellular or intracellular milieu and participate in the precise control of vital cell functions. Three-dimensionally arranged protein monomers to form bionanotubes are promising in terms of innate biocompatibility, easy bio-conjugation to incorporate multiple functionalities and well-defined nano-scale lengths. Such unique chemical properties of protein assemblies are described in this review.     

First-principles investigation on the segregation of Pd at LaFe1-xPdxO3-y surfaces

First-principles calculations were performed to investigate the effect of Pd concentration and oxygen vacancies on the stability of Pd at LaFeO₃ surfaces. We found a much stronger tendency of Pd to segregate by taking the aggregation of Pd at LaFe_1-xPd_xO_3-y surfaces into consideration, resulting in a pair of Pd-Pd around a vacancy. Moreover, we predicted that one oxygen-vacancy-containing FeO₂-terminated surfaces would be stable at high temperatures by comparing the stability of LaFe_1-xPd_xO_3-y surfaces, which further supports our previous conclusion that a Pd-containing perovskite catalyst should be calcined at 1,073 K or higher temperatures in air to enhance the segregation of Pd in the vicinity of surfaces to rapidly transform the Pd catalyst from oxidized to reduced states on the perovskite support.     

Neuroprotective Effects of Liraglutide for Stroke Model of Rats

The number of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients is increasing, and stroke is deeply associated with DM. Recently, neuroprotective effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are reported. In this study, we explored whether liraglutide, a GLP-1 analogue exerts therapeutic effects on a rat stroke model. Wistar rats received occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 90 min. At one hour after reperfusion, liraglutide or saline was administered intraperitoneally. Modified Bederson’s test was performed at 1 and 24 h and, subsequently, rats were euthanized for histological investigation. Peripheral blood was obtained for measurement of blood glucose level and evaluation of oxidative stress. Brain tissues were collected to evaluate the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The behavioral scores of liraglutide-treated rats were significantly better than those of control rats. Infarct volumes of liraglutide-treated rats at were reduced, compared with those of control rats. The level of derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolite was lower in liraglutide-treated rats. VEGF level of liraglutide-treated rats in the cortex, but not in the striatum significantly increased, compared to that of control rats. In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate neuroprotective effects of liraglutide on cerebral ischemia through anti-oxidative effects and VEGF upregulation.     

Candidate Biomarkers for Genetic and Clinicopathological Diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer

The recent increase in the frequency of endometrial cancer has emphasized the need for accurate diagnosis and improved treatment. The current diagnosis is still based on conventional pathological indicators, such as clinical stage, tumor differentiation, invasion depth and vascular invasion. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying endometrial cancer have gradually been determined, due to developments in molecular biology, leading to the possibility of new methods of diagnosis and treatment planning. New candidate biomarkers for endometrial cancer include those for molecular epigenetic mutations, such as microRNAs. These biomarkers may permit earlier detection of endometrial cancer and prediction of outcomes and are likely to contribute to future personalized therapy for endometrial cancer.     

水性氯化物介质中对甲基苯烷基硫醚萃取钯的研究

p-Methylphenylalkylsulfide of various alkyl chain length as extractant were synthesized and the extraction of palladium was examined in terms of equilibrium and kinetics. Distribution ratio of Pd was independent of alkyl chain length. For aqueous chloride media, there was a significant difference in distribution ratios for the solution of NaC1 and HC1. The results of loading test and the slope analysis suggest that the extractant and Pd (Ⅱ) form 2:1 complex. Furthermore, the extraction rate based on the volume of aqueous phase was obtained in a stirred vessel, and the rate equation was presented. Unfortunately, it was difficult to construct surfactant liquid membrane system by use of the present extractant.     

The effectiveness of thermal treatment for development of conductive metalized aramid fiber using supercritical fluid carbon dioxide—Fiber-metal adhesive strength improvement

The effect of thermal treatment to improve the metal adhesion into poly-(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA), e.g. aramid fiber, has been investigated. After palladium(II)-hexafluoroacetylacetonate metal complex, Pd(hfac)₂, seeding into the fiber using supercritical fluid carbon dioxide, scCO₂, a post-thermal treatment was conducted. As a result, after carrying out electroless copper plating, the adhesive strength between polymer substrate and copper layer greatly increased. Also, in order to have a better comprehension on decomposition reactions of Pd(hfac)₂ under supercritical conditions, remains of metal complex were analyzed using electron ionization mass spectrometry technique (EI-MS). EI-MS mass spectra derived from Pd(hfac)₂ gave us useful information about its dissociation reactions and reaction temperature under supercritical conditions. Additionally, to verify the Pd particles seeding in the fiber surface, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) analyses were performed. The results confirmed that post-thermal treatment induced Pd particles diffusion and deeper penetration of Pd complex and its fragments into the fiber.     

Identification of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase, Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 (DDR1), as a Potential Biomarker for Serous Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer, one of the most common gynecological malignancies, has an aggressive phenotype. It is necessary to develop novel and more effective treatment strategies against advanced disease. Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) play an important role in the signal transduction pathways involved in tumorigenesis, and represent potential targets for anticancer therapies. In this study, we performed cDNA subtraction following polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using degenerate oligonucleotide primers to identify specifically overexpressed PTKs in ovarian cancer. Three PTKs, janus kinase 1, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, and discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1), were identified and only DDR1 was overexpressed in all ovarian cancer tissues examined for the validation by quantitative real-time PCR. The DDR1 protein was expressed in 63% (42/67) of serous ovarian cancer tissue, whereas it was undetectable in normal ovarian surface epithelium. DDR1 was expressed significantly more frequently in high-grade (79%) and advanced stage (77%) tumors compared to low-grade (50%) and early stage (43%) tumors. The expression of the DDR1 protein significantly correlated with poor disease-free survival. Although its functional role and clinical utility remain to be examined in future studies, our results suggest that the expression of DDR1 may serve as both a potential biomarker and a molecular target for advanced ovarian cancer.