On-chip erythrocyte deformability test under optical pressure

This paper presents a novel method for an on-chip erythrocyte deformability test under optical pressure, especially to enhance the level of sensitivity with respect to the detection of cancerous diseases. To demonstrate the performance and sensitivity of the combined method, we introduce the concept of transit velocity, a modified elongation index, and shape recovery time of individual erythrocytes in a strictly confined region (2 microm deep, 4 microm wide, and 100 microm long). Finally, we investigate a synergy or convergence effect due to the combination of these parameters for in situ detection of cancerous diseases under optical pressure.     

Dianthiamides A–E,Proline-Containing Orbitides from Dianthus chinensis

Orbitides are plant-derived small cyclic peptides with a wide range of biological activities. Phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Dianthus chinensis was performed with the aim to discover new bioactive orbitides. Five undescribed proline-containing orbitides, dianthiamides A–E (1–5), were isolated from a methanolic extract of Dianthus chinensis. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and HRESI–TOF–MS as well as ESI–MS/MS fragmentation data. The absolute configuration of the amino acid residues of compounds 1–5 was determined by Marfey’s method. All compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity, and dianthiamide A (1) exhibited weak activity against A549 cell line with IC₅₀ value of 47.9 μM.     

Supramolecular Network Based on the Self‐Assembly of γ‐Cyclodextrin with Poly(ethylene glycol) and its Shape Memory Effect

A novel supramolecular network has been prepared based on the formation of inclusion complexes between γ‐cyclodextrin and poly(ethylene glycol), in which the PEG chains are interlocked by γ‐CD rings. This PEG/γ‐CD network exhibits good shape memory behavior because of the crosslinked structure. The crosslinked PEG/γ‐CD inclusion complexes and PEG crystallites account for the fixing phase and reversible phase, respectively. The characteristics of the materials have been investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, XRD, DSC, DMA, viscosity tests, and swelling measurements.

     

4,5-二氢-1,2,4-三唑-5-硫酮席夫碱的合成和生物活性

以4-氨基-4,5-二氢-3-苯氧甲基-1氢-1,2,4-三唑-5-硫酮与取代苯甲醛为原料反应制得了9个新的三唑硫酮席夫碱类化合物,经IR、1H NMR和元素分析确定了各化合物结构。初步室内毒力测试结果表明该类化合物其具有较好的杀菌活性。     

Interdiffusion of Al-Ni system enhanced by ultrasonic vibration at ambient temperature

At ambient temperature, Al–1%Si wire of 25 μm diameter was bonded successfully onto the Au/Ni/Cu pad by ultrasonic wedge bonding technology. Physical process of the bond formation and the interface joining essence were investigated. It is found that the wire was softened by ultrasonic vibration, at the same time, pressure was loaded on the wire and plastic flow was generated in the bonding wire, which promoted the diffusion for Ni into Al. Ultrasonic vibration enhanced the interdiffusion that resulted from the inner defects such as dislocations, vacancies, voids and so on, which ascribed to short circuit diffusion.     

Tuning quadratic nonlinear photonic crystal fibers for zero group-velocity mismatch

We consider an index-guiding silica photonic crystal fiber with a triangular hole pattern and a periodically poled quadratic nonlinearity. By tuning the pitch and the relative hole size, second-harmonic generation with zero group-velocity mismatch is found for any fundamental wavelength above 780 nm. The nonlinear strength is optimized when the fundamental has maximum confinement in the core. The conversion bandwidth allows for femtosecond-pulse conversion, and 4%-180%W(-1)cm(-2) relative efficiencies were found.     

A practical and green approach towards synthesis of multisubstituted imidazoles using boric acid as efficient catalyst

An efficient one-pot, cyclocondensation of ammonium acetate, 1,2-diphenyl ethanedione, aromatic aldehyde or arylamine, and catalyzed by boric acid is achieved to form multisubstituted imidazole derivatives. Boric acid as green property is harmless to the environment and has improved the yield of multisubstituted imidazole derivatives. Moreover, we have tested the biological activities of imidazole derivatives by the four fungi. And the investigations showed most of imidazole derivatives have antifungal action on four fungus.     

Correlation between crystallinity and resistive switching behavior of sputtered WO3 thin films

The as-deposited WO₃ thin films were post-annealed at different temperatures (300 °C and 600 °C) in air to investigate a correlation between crystallinity and switching behavior of WO₃ thin films. Associating the results of XRD, FTIR, XPS and FESEM measurements, the annealing-caused crystallinity change contributes to the variation of the switching behaviors of the WO₃ thin films. The as-deposited WO₃ films with low crystalline structure are preferred for random Ag conducting path, resulting in large switching ratio but fluctuating I–V hysteresis, whereas the annealed WO₃ films with crystallized compact structure limits Ag conducting path, favoring the stable I–V hysteresis but small switching ratio. It is therefore concluded that electrochemical redox reaction-controlled resistance switching depends not only on electrode materials (inert and reactive electrodes) but also on crystallinity of host oxide.     

Anthraquinones from Morinda officinalis roots enhance adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells

To search for anti-diabetic and insulin-sensitising natural products, the effect on adipocyte differentiation was investigated by assessing fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes using Oil Red O staining. Fractionation and separation of n-hexane and CHCl? fractions of Morinda officinalis (Rubiaceae) using several chromatographic methods led to the isolation of three anthraquinones, 1,2-dimethoxyanthraquinone (1), alizarin-2-methyl ether (2) and rubiadin-1-methyl ether (3). Among them, alizarin-2-methyl ether (2) showed the strongest enhancing activity, followed by rubiadin-1-methyl ether (3) and 1,2-dimethoxyanthraquinone (1). At a concentration of 100?μM, alizarin-2-methyl ether (2) enhanced adipocyte differentiation by up to 131% (compared to insulin-treated cells). Thus, these compounds could be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes.