One-step synthesized silver micro-dendrites used as novel separation mediums and their applications in multi-DNA analysis

A new kind of silver micro-dendrites have been synthesized for the separation and multiplex detection of DNA merely by earth gravity. Through this approach, the DNA strands of the sickle cell disease, human T-lymphotropic virus type I, the anthrax lethal factor can be detected down to 100 pM with the detection range from 100 pM to 100 nM at the same time.     

Flame synthesis of few-layered graphene/graphite films

We report a fast (in 10-40 s) flame synthesis of high quality few-layered graphene/graphite films, offering the advantages of simplicity, high efficiency, energy saving, low cost and the ability to extend to continuous and mass production of graphene.     

A highly selective and sensitive on-off sensor for silver ions and cysteine by light scattering technique of DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles

DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles are shown to act as a light-scattering switch. Ag(+) ion turns on the switch through the DNA-Au NPs conjugates based on the formation of cytosine-Ag(+)-cytosine base pairs, whereas cysteine turns off the light-scattering signal because it competitively binds to Ag(+).     

Ion-exchange synthesis of a micro/mesoporous Zn2GeO4 photocatalyst at room temperature for photoreduction of CO2

Micro/mesoporous Zn(2)GeO(4) with crystalline pore-walls was successfully synthesized via a simple ion exchange method at room temperature. This structure showed enhanced activity in photoreduction of CO(2) in comparison with Zn(2)GeO(4) prepared by a solid state reaction.     

Stimuli-responsive polymer hydrogels as a new class of draw agent for forward osmosis desalination

Ionic polymer hydrogels with thermal responsive units are found to induce higher water permeation rates in the osmosis process, and higher water release rates under a combination of pressure and thermal stimuli. These hydrogels have the potential for use as draw agent in forward osmosis desalination.     

DC Potentials Applied to an End-cap Electrode of a 3-D Ion Trap for Enhanced MS Functionality

The effects of the application of various DC magnitudes and polarities to an end-cap of a 3-D quadrupole ion trap throughout a mass spectrometry experiment were investigated. Application of a monopolar DC field was achieved by applying a DC potential to the exit end-cap electrode, while maintaining the entrance end-cap electrode at ground potential. Control over the monopolar DC magnitude and polarity during time periods associated with ion accumulation, mass analysis, ion isolation, ion/ion reaction, and ion activation can have various desirable effects. Included amongst these are increased ion capture efficiency, increased ion ejection efficiency during mass analysis, effective isolation of ions using lower AC resonance ejection amplitudes, improved temporal control of the overlap of oppositely charged ion populations, and the performance of "broad-band" collision induced dissociation (CID). These results suggest general means to improve the performance of the 3-D ion trap in a variety of mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry experiments.     

Berberine and itraconazole are not synergistic in vitro against Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from clinical patients

The incidence of Aspergillus fumigatus infections has become more frequent as a consequence of widespread immunosuppression. At present, the number of available antifungal agents in the clinic is limited, and most of them, such as itraconazole (ICZ), are toxic and show resistance. Berberine (BER) is a plant alkaloid used in the clinic mainly for alimentary infections. We have used BER and ICZ to measure in vitro resistance in A. fumigatus isolated from clinical patients. The minimum inhibitory concentration ranges of BER and ICZ were 4-256 and 0.031-0.250 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, against A. fumigatus IFM 40808 strain, the MIC?? values of BER and ICZ were 8 and 0.125 μg/mL. Using this strain, we compared the giant colonies with or without BER, and concluded that BER could restrain A. fumigatus mycelial growth and conidial pigment production. Combinations of the two drugs were also tested by the checkerboard assay to identify any functional interactions between them. Thirty-two out of 42 isolates had FICI values > 4.0, indicating that two drugs were mutually antagonistic. In conclusion, it is not advised that BER and ICZ be used in the clinic at the same time. Our results indicated that BER may inhibit A. fumigatus through the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway, like ICZ.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel acenaphthene derivatives as potential antitumor agents

Twelve novel acenaphthene derivatives have been synthesized. The structures of all compounds were confirmed by 1H-NMR, MS and elemental analysis. Their antitumor activities were evaluated in six human solid tumor cell lines, namely non-small cell lung cancer (H460), human colon adenocarcinoma (SW480), human breast cancer cell (MDA-MB-468 and SKRB-3), human melanoma cell (A375) and human pancreatic cancer (BxPC-3). Among them, compound 3c shows the best antitumor activity against SKRB-3 cell line, as high as the positive control adriamycin.     

Facile fabrication of metallic nanostructures by tunable cracking and transfer printing

You crack me up: A topographically patterned PDMS stamp was coated with thin metal film and swelled under organic vapor to induce the tunable cracking of the brittle film into metallic nanostructures (see SEM images, scale bars 1?μm). UV/Vis spectra, OLED efficiency, and SERS spectra demonstrate the fine controllability of the metallic nanostructures, the well-ordered and highly regulable surface plasmons, and the facile fabrication process.