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The practical applications of bifunctional ruthenium-based electrocatalysts with two active sites of Ru nanoparticles covered with RuO2skins are limited. One reason is the presence of multiple equally distributed facets, some of which are inactive. In contrast, ruthenium nanorods with a high aspect ratio have multiple unequally distributed facets containing the dominance of active faces for efficient electrocatalysis. However, the synthesis of ruthenium nanorods has not been achieved due to difficulties in controlling the growth. Additionally, it is known that the adsorption capacity of intermediates can be impacted by the surface of the catalyst. Inspired by these backgrounds, the surface-modified (SM) ruthenium nanorods having a dominant active facet of hcp (100) through chemisorbed oxygen and OH groups (SMRu-NRs@NF) are rationally synthesized through the surfactant coordination method. SMRu-NRs@NF exhibits excellent hydrogen evolution in acid and alkaline solutions with an ultralow overpotential of 215 and 185 mV reaching 1000 mA cm–2, respectively. Moreover, it has also shown brilliant oxygen evolution electrocatalysis in alkaline solution with a low potential of 1.58 V to reach 1000 mA cm–2. It also exhibits high durability over 143 h for the evolution of oxygen and hydrogen at 1000 mA cm–2. Density functional theory studies confirmed that surface modification of a ruthenium nanorod with chemisorbed oxygen and OH groups can optimize the reaction energy barriers of hydrogen and oxygen intermediates. The surface-modified ruthenium nanorod strategy paves a path to develop the practical water splitting electrocatalyst.

Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) is an attractive catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, the OER performance of previously reported Co3O4nanoparticles is insufficient for ampere-level current. The reason is the lack of covalent bonds between Co3O4nanoparticles and the substrate, which leads to a high electron transfer energy barrier. Herein, Co3O4nanoparticles supported on a layered TiO2surface (Co3O4@layered-TiO2) by Co–O–Ti covalent bonds are carefully constructed through the MXene precursor method. As a result, Co3O4@layered-TiO2exhibits brilliant OER performance with ultra-low potential (1.52 V to reach 100 mA cm−2), ampere-level current density (1.66 V to reach 1000 mA cm−2) and long-term durability (110 h at 500 mA cm−2). Density functional theory studies have confirmed that the Co–O–Ti covalent bonds can adjust the d band center to optimize reaction energy barriers. This result illuminates a new strategy for constructing highly active materials on the metal oxide substrate for efficient electrocatalysis.

Conventional on-surface synthesis under ultrahigh vacuum deposition has been used to synthesize various types of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). The dehydrogenation reaction from a prepolymer to GNR requires catalysis with a metal substrate at high temperatures, which suffers from undesired side reactions that decompose introduced functional substituents during conversion to GNRs. To overcome these drawbacks, we have developed a new method, molecular-vapor-assisted low-temperature growth (MVLTG), based on a massive excess of gaseous hydrogen-accepting molecules (2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) or oxygen) relative to the prepolymer on the metal surface. MVLTG reduces the GNR growth temperature of prepolymers with the Z-type precursor, 4′,5″-dibromo-1,1′:2′,1′:2″-quaterphenyl from 500 °C, used in conventional thermal annealing, to 350 °C. To investigate the reaction mechanism of MVLTG, a kinetic study using Raman spectroscopy to obtain GNR yields as a function of the hydrogen acceptor concentration and time was in good agreement with a simulation based on the gas-2D solid-state reaction model. These studies suggest a successful “Scholl reaction” in the gas phase, in which gaseous hydrogen acceptors (DDQ and oxygen) efficiently extract hydrogens from prepolymers at lower temperatures, converting them into GNRs. Additionally, MVLTG successfully promoted dehydrogenation reactions of prepolymers made from functionalized precursors of 4′,5″-dibromo-4-butoxy-1,1′:2′,1″:2″,1″′-quaterphenyl or 4′,5″-dibromo-4-butoxy-1,1′:2′,1″:2″,1‴:4‴,1″-quinquephenyl, suppressing decomposition of substituents. MVLTG not only realizes a new class of GNRs but also enables unprecedented on-surface synthesis.

GaN layers are grown on Al-pretreated ScAlMgO4(0001) substrates by metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) without using low-temperature (LT) buffer layers. The Al pretreatment is performed under a H2and N2gas mixture and results in the nucleation of AlN on the ScAlMgO4. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals that the ScAlMgO4(0001) surface is terminated with the rocksalt phase ScO (111). Because of the chemical nature of the ScO layer, the AlN nuclei are N-polar. However, subsequent GaN MOVPE inverts the polarity to metal-polar in the vicinity of the boundary between the interfacial AlN nucleation layer and GaN layer, which is attributed to the GaN surface during MOVPE being more stable when it is metal-polar. The grown GaN layers exhibit better crystalline quality compared with GaN grown on ScAlMgO4or sapphire (0001) substrates using conventional LT-buffer technology, thereby demonstrating the promise of the method to produce high-quality GaN epilayers on ScAlMgO4.

To date, no studies have compared the treatment outcomes of second-line therapies in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). This study retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of cabozantinib and axitinib as second-line treatments in patients with metastatic ccRCC who previously received immune-oncology combination therapy.

The assembly of amyloid ß protein (Aß) on ganglioside-enriched microdomains in presynaptic neuronal membranes is involved in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. We previously found that a highly enriched ganglioside domain generated in a reconstituted lipid bilayer composed of synaptosomal lipids functioned as an Aß-sensitive ganglioside nanocluster (ASIGN) that may induce a spherical Aß assembly. In the present study, the major lipid components of a detergent-resistant membrane microdomain (DRM) fraction of synaptosomes prepared from an aged mouse brain were identified, and we demonstrate that the proportion of Aß-insensitive gangliosides such as GM3 directly affects the Aß assembly in synaptosomal membranes. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analyses indicated that ganglio a-series gangliosides (GM1, GM2, GM3, and GD1a) were abundant in DRM fractions. In addition, the GM3/GM1 ratio and the cholesterol content in the synaptosomal fraction differed from those in the non-synaptosomal fraction, in which GM1 and GM3 are sensitive and insensitive gangliosides, respectively. The highly enriched ganglioside nanocluster was identified by the surface topography of ternary mixed lipid bilayers composed of gangliosides, sphingomyelin, and cholesterol. Our results indicate that the composition of gangliosides is responsible for the characteristics of the nanocluster generated in the presynaptic neuronal membranes. Amyloid ß-protein (Aß) is converted to toxic forms through interactions with the ganglioside in neuronal membranes. The highly ganglioside-enriched microdomain (ganglioside cluster) in neuronal membranes plays a key role in Aß assembly. In the present study, lipid components of synaptosome extracted from mouse aged brain was determined by LC-MS spectroscopy. We demonstrated that ganglioside ratio (GM3 to GM1) and cholesterol content are an important factor for inducing Aß assembly. These results provides important insight into the mechanism of polypeptide assembly on the neuronal membrane in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

The surface-assisted bottom-up fabrication of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), which consists of the radical polymerization of precursors followed by dehydrogenation, has attracted attention because of the method's ability to control the edges and widths of the resulting ribbon. Although these reactions on a metal surface are believed to be catalytic, the mechanism has remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate ‘conformation-controlled surface catalysis’: the two-zone chemical vapour deposition of a ‘Z-bar-linkage’ precursor, which represents two terphenyl units linked in a ‘Z’ shape, results in the efficient formation of acene-type GNRs with a width of 1.45 nm through optimized cascade reactions. These precursors exhibit flexibility that allows them to adopt chiral conformations with height asymmetry on a Au(111) surface, which enables the production of self-assembled homochiral polymers in a chain with a planar conformation, followed by dehydrogenation via a conformation-controlled mechanism. This is conceptually analogous to enzymatic catalysis and will be useful for the fabrication of new nanocarbon materials.

ScAlMgO4(SAM) substrates have a trigonal structure with high cleavability in the c-plane. Because this substrate can be easily cleaved, gallium oxide (Ga2O3) can be grown on the SAM substrate, and the difficulty in the heat dissipation of Ga2O3may be solved. Therefore, in this study, we performed Ga2O3growth on a SAM substrate using mist-chemical vapor deposition. When the growth temperature was varied at 500 °C, 600 °C, and 700 °C, ε-Ga2O3(004) grew dominantly, and the crystallinity improved with increasing temperature. Moreover, the grown ε-Ga2O3had orthorhombic structure and formed rotational domains. Furthermore, a phase transition to β-Ga2O3was achieved by annealing the resulting ε-Ga2O3on the SAM substrates. We also succeeded in separating the SAM substrates on which the Ga2O3thin films were grown.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of combination of systematic inflammatory factors in predicting the outcomes of primary androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) plus first-generation antiandrogen treatment in metastatic hormone-naïve prostate cancer (mHNPC) patients.

Recent investigations suggest that serum adiponectin levels are negatively associated with the development of aggressive prostate cancer, however, not all epigenetic studies support the inverse association.

GaN layers are grown on 2 inch ScAlMgO4(0001) nominally on-axis substrates by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. The epilayer structural qualities are comparable to those of conventional GaN on sapphire (0001) substrates. The wafer curvature is investigated using X-ray diffraction, and the results suggest suppressed bowing in the GaN/ScAlMgO4heterostructures compared with the GaN/sapphire heterostructures. This result is attributed to a smaller mismatch of the thermal expansion coefficients in GaN/ScAlMgO4. The suppressed bowing can be beneficial for device processes.

We report covalently interchain-linked graphene nanoribbons fabricated on Au(111) by a stepwise growth process via two-zone chemical vapor deposition. Prepolymer arrays were grown by surface-assisted polymerization of a precursor, 1,9-dibromodibenzo[g,p]chrysene at 250 °C. Further annealing at 450 °C converted the prepolymers into interchain-linked graphene nanoribbons via intramolecular and intermolecular dehydrogenation reactions.We report covalently interchain-linked graphene nanoribbons fabricated on Au(111) by a stepwise growth process via two-zone chemical vapor deposition. Prepolymer arrays were grown by surface-assisted polymerization of a precursor, 1,9-dibromodibenzo[g,p]chrysene at 250 °C. Further annealing of the prepolymer at 450 °C converted the prepolymers into interchain-linked graphene nanoribbons via intramolecular and intermolecular dehydrogenation reactions.

Introduction of pentagonal units into carbon-based materials is of considerable interest to perturb the geometric and electronic properties of the original structures composed of only hexagonal rings. We succeeded in the synthesis of a dibenzopentalene-linking polymer through C–C bonds between the pentagonal carbon atoms from 5,10-dibromodibenzopentalene under the two-zone chemical vapor deposition (2Z-CVD) and wet conditions. The resulting polymer was characterized by Raman spectroscopy. The present finding would spotlight the polymerization of a compound containing pentagonal moieties to introduce pentagonal units into carbon materials.We succeeded in the synthesis of a dibenzopentalene-linking polymer through C–C bonds between the pentagonal carbon atoms from 5,10-dibromodibenzopentalene under the two-zone chemical vapor deposition (2Z-CVD) and wet conditions.

The early blood vessels of the embryo and yolk sac in mammals develop by aggregation of de novo–forming angioblasts into a primitive vascular plexus, which then undergoes a complex remodeling process. Angiogenesis is also important for disease progression in the adult. However, the precise molecular mechanism of vascular development remains unclear. It is therefore of great interest to determine which genes are specifically expressed in developing endothelial cells (ECs). Here, we used Flk1-deficient mouse embryos, which lack ECs, to perform a genome-wide survey for genes related to vascular development. We identified 184 genes that are highly enriched in developing ECs. The human orthologs of most of these genes were also expressed in HUVECs, and small interfering RNA knockdown experiments on 22 human orthologs showed that 6 of these genes play a role in tube formation by HUVECs. In addition, we created Arhgef15 knockout and RhoJ knockout mice by a gene-targeting method and found that Arhgef15 and RhoJ were important for neonatal retinal vascularization. Thus, the genes identified in our survey show high expression in ECs; further analysis of these genes should facilitate our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of vascular development in the mouse.

A couple of naphthalenediimide 4and 5and series of perylenediimide derivatives 6–9carrying TEMPO radical were prepared and their redox, FET, and magnetic properties were investigated. The radical compounds 4and 6–9were found to show antiferromagnetic interactions obeying the Curie–Weiss model, while the naphthalenediimide derivative 5exhibited a singlet–triplet magnetic behavior and it could be well understood by the short oxygen-to-oxygen distance between the spin centers observed in its crystal structure. Owing presumably to their appropriate reduction potentials and structural motifs, exhibitions of n-type FET properties were disclosed in these radical compounds with mobilities of the order from 10-5to 10-8cm2V-1s-1and apparent increase of mobilities was observed in the radical compounds 5and 7by the surface treatment with HMDS.

We investigated the effects of prenatal dexamethasone (DEX) administration on antioxidant enzymes (AOEs) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in fetal and neonatal rat lungs. DEX (1 mg/kg, s.c., for 2 days) or vehicle alone was administered to pregnant rats, and the lungs of fetuses on days 19 and 21 of gestation and of 1- and 3-day-old neonates were examined. We measured protein levels of the AOEs manganese superoxide dismutase and copper-zinc super-oxide dismutase (Mn SOD and Cu-Zn SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS and e-NOS). Mn SOD, GSH-Px, and e-NOS expression gradually increased with increasing gestational and postnatal age in the lungs of the control groups. Cu-Zn SOD, CAT, and i-NOS expression did not change with increasing gestational and postnatal age in the lungs of the control groups. DEX administration had significant effects on i-NOS and e-NOS protein and mRNA expression. The increased Mn SOD, GSH-Px, and e-NOS expressions during the perinatal period suggests that antenatal developmental changes in AOEs in the lungs of premature fetuses could be reduced by reactive oxygen species–mediated injury at birth. Furthermore, antenatal glucocorticoid treatment may accelerate the development of lungs via the two types of NOS.

Inorganic anions could be separated on porous graphitic carbon stationary phases in ion chromatography. Ion exchange between eluent anions and sample anions on the stationary phase was confirmed by the retention behavior and the possibility of indirect photometric detection. The elution order of anions was different from that observed for commercially available anion exchangers. Chloride, nitrate, and sulfate contained in tap water could be determined in 7 min.

Abstract: The photocatalytic reduction of aqueous solutions containing Se(VI) and Se(IV) was studied using TiO2 powders and an HCOOH reductant. Without the addition of a suitable reductant and UV irradiation, no significant reduction of Se(VI) and Se(IV) can proceed. The ability of Se ions to be adsorbed onto TiO2 is an important factor in the ease of reduction of these ions. Elemental Se is directly produced from both Se(VI) and Se(IV) solutions. The maximum yield of elemental Se never reaches 100 pct, due to the initiation of H2Se generation.

Radical cystectomy (RC) is recommended for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) or highest-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Trimodal therapy (TMT) is the most favorable strategy among bladder preservation therapies (BPT) for patients who are ineligible for or refuse RC. However, referrals for TMT, especially following chemotherapy, are limited by the patient's condition. Therefore, new BPT approaches are needed. Atezolizumab inhibits programmed death-ligand 1, is well-tolerated in patient populations heavily dominated by renal insufficiency, and is expected to have synergistic anti-tumor effects in combination with radiation therapy (RT). Therefore, we have conducted this open-label phase II multicenter study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RT in combination with atezolizumab for T2-3 MIBC and highest-risk T1 NMIBC patients. This study was initiated in January 2019, and we aimed to enroll a total of 45 patients. The study is registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (Identifier: RCT2031180060).

The specific features of the lateral distribution of gangliosides play key roles in cell–cell communications and the onset of various diseases related to the plasma membrane. We herein demonstrated that an artificial peptide identified from a phage-displayed library is available as a molecular probe for specific ganglioside nanoclustering sites in caveolae/membrane rafts on the cell surface. Atomic force microscopy studies indicated that the peptide specifically binds to the highly enriched monosialoganglioside GM1 nanodomains of reconstituted lipid bilayers composed of GM1, sphingomyelin, cholesterol, and unsaturated phospholipids. The ganglioside-containing area recognized by the peptide on the surface of PC12 cells was part of the area recognized by the cholera toxin B subunit, which has high affinity for GM1. Furthermore, the peptide bound to the cell surface after a treatment with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD), which disrupts membrane rafts by removing cholesterol. The present results indicate that there are heterogeneous ganglioside clusters with different ganglioside densities in caveolae/membrane rafts, and the peptidyl probe selectively recognizes the high-density ganglioside nanodomain that resists the MβCD treatment. This peptidyl probe will be useful for obtaining information on the lipid organization of the cell membrane and will help clarify the mechanisms by which the lateral distribution of gangliosides affects biological functions and the onset of diseases.

No Abstract

New co-oligomers containing pyrimidine units were prepared. The planar molecular and π-stacking structures were revealed by X-ray structure analysis. The FET devices based on them showed good n-type performance.

A couple of naphthalenediimide derivatives carrying TEMPO radicals were found to exhibit n-type FET with mobilities up to 2.6×10-5cm2/V·s as the first examples of spin-carrying acceptor systems while no FET property could be discerned in the corresponding naphthaleneimide derivative.

New oligomers containing tricoordinated boron atoms were prepared, and OFET devices based on these compounds were fabricated. These are first examples of OFET devices based on compounds containing tricoordinated boron atoms.

New co-oligomers containing trifluoromethylphenylthiazolyl and phenylene units were prepared. The derivative with thiazolyl and biphenyl units showed high-performance n-type FET behavior.

ZnS1-xTex:N/n-ZnS diodes have been fabricated in an attempt to convert ZnS into p-type by Te incorporation and the resulting upward shift of the valence band maximum. The diodes exhibit clear rectification in the current-voltage characteristic and a peak of the electron-beam-induced current at the ZnS1-xTex:N/n-ZnS interface. Furthermore, a ZnS0.85Te0.15:N/n-ZnS diode exhibits blue-green electroluminescence due to self-activated emission in n-ZnS at 290 K under a forward current. These results suggest p-type conduction in ZnS1-xTex:N, and thus the LED operation of a ZnS-based pn-junction.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

A patent has been issued to Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co. Ltd. for a resist composition and method of forming a resist pattern. The invention relates to the production of semiconductor and liquid crystal display elements and the need for high-resolution resist materials. The patent describes a resist composition that generates an acid upon exposure and changes solubility in a developing solution. The inventors aim to provide a resist composition with improved lithography characteristics, such as roughness and pattern shape, for the formation of fine patterns in semiconductor manufacturing. [Extracted from the article]

A new study on prostate cancer conducted by the Aichi Cancer Center in Nagoya, Japan, explores the clinical efficacy and openness to new challenges of low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy for prostate cancer. LDR brachytherapy has been widely used in Japan and other parts of the world, demonstrating beneficial clinical outcomes for intermediate-to-high-risk prostate cancer. The study highlights the advancements in LDR brachytherapy techniques and the combined use of this treatment with other modalities for better treatment efficacy. The researchers also discuss the applications of LDR brachytherapy in various clinical settings and highlight technologies under development. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the diversity of scripts used among the Palaung and how various groups have coped with this diversity, wherein a reconfiguration of ethnic relations, both among the Palaung groups, and externally with the Shans and Burmese has been suggested. Topics discussed include the creation of the Palaung script, the creation of official language for the official script, and the autonomy in education in 2011.

2023 DEC 2 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- A new study on prostate cancer is now available. According to news [...]

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2020 JUL 25 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Investigators publish new report on RNA Viruses - Influenza A Virus. According [...]