Search

Topological defects in ferroic materials can exhibit intrinsic properties that differ from the bulk. Here， structural and electronic variations of non‐prominent (W') ferroelastic twin domain walls are investigated in BiVO4, a widely investigated photocatalytic material. Using aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), a kink configuration of the sharp ferroelastic twin wall with an altered electronic structure is revealed. Nanoscale conductivity measurements by conductive atomic force microscopy (c‐AFM) show higher conductivity at twin walls compared to non‐conductive bulk domains. Electronic structure investigation by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) shows a higher density of oxygen vacancies and possible polaron accumulation at the wall. These findings reveal the electronic properties of BiVO4 domain walls, which are interesting for nanoscale‐engineered catalytic concepts of BiVO4 and materials design for photochemistry‐relevant applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topological defects in ferroic materials can exhibit intrinsic properties that differ from the bulk. Here， structural and electronic variations of non‐prominent (W') ferroelastic twin domain walls are investigated in BiVO4, a widely investigated photocatalytic material. Using aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), a kink configuration of the sharp ferroelastic twin wall with an altered electronic structure is revealed. Nanoscale conductivity measurements by conductive atomic force microscopy (c‐AFM) show higher conductivity at twin walls compared to non‐conductive bulk domains. Electronic structure investigation by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) shows a higher density of oxygen vacancies and possible polaron accumulation at the wall. These findings reveal the electronic properties of BiVO4 domain walls, which are interesting for nanoscale‐engineered catalytic concepts of BiVO4 and materials design for photochemistry‐relevant applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of KRAS mutation in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) initiation and progression is well‐established. However, "undruggable" KRAS protein poses the research of small molecule inhibitors a significant challenge. Addressing this, proteolysis‐targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have become a cutting‐edge treatment method, emphasizing protein degradation. A modified ethanol injection method was employed in this study to formulate liposomes encapsulating PROTAC drug LC‐2 (LC‐2 LPs). Precise surface modifications using cell‐penetrating peptide R8 yielded R8‐LC‐2 liposomes (R8‐LC‐2 LPs). Comprehensive cellular uptake and cytotoxicity studies unveiled that R8‐LC‐2 LPs depended on concentration and time, showcasing the superior performance of R8‐LC‐2 LPs compared to normal liposomes. In vivo pharmacokinetic profiles demonstrated the capacity of DSPE‐PEG2000 to prolong the circulation time of LC‐2, leading to higher plasma concentrations compared to free LC‐2. In vivo antitumor efficacy research underscored the remarkable ability of R8‐LC‐2 LPs to effectively suppress tumor growth. This study contributed to the exploration of enhanced therapeutic strategies for NSCLC, specifically focusing on the development of liposomal PROTACs targeting the "undruggable" KRAS protein. The findings provide valuable insights into the potential of this innovative approach, offering prospects for improved drug delivery and heightened antitumor efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis methods for different nanoparticulate morphologies are of increasing importance since the morphological features determine the redox performance in many applications. However, the effects of synthesis variables on the formation of these morphologies are not well understood and previous work has been limited to relatively low [Ce] and [NaOH]. The present work reports an investigation of the morphological development of nanoceria through the examination of the key processing variables for precipitation and hydrothermal synthesis at high [Ce] and [NaOH]. Characterisation included XRD, Raman, TEM, HRTEM, SAED, XPS, and BET. The resultant refined morphological map delineates the effects of [NaOH] and temperature on the morphological evolution of ceria nanoparticles synthesised from Ce(NO3)3 aqueous solutions in terms of morphology and grain size. The data show that temperature dominates the morphology but elevated [NaOH] and temperature both increase the nanoparticle size. Compared to synthesis at low concentrations, high [Ce] also promotes grain growth, although this is secondary to the effect of [NaOH]. Significantly, the increased grain sizes also enhance the concentrations of catalytically active sites (Ce3+ and charge‐compensating oxygen vacancies). The present work provides a platform of fundamental concepts for the control of experimental variables to synthesise predictable nanoparticulate characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, a novel database of drug compounds and a rapid screening method based on ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry were developed and applied in the screening and identification of targeted and nontargeted antihypertensive adulterants in dietary supplements and herbal medicines. The established screening database includes retention time, exact mass, fragments, isotopic pattern, and MS2 spectra library of the target compounds and thus provides automated search and identification of the targets with a single injection. The nontargeted compounds in the samples are identified through the full MS scan and MS2 data by using the Chemspider database and the data analysis in XCalibur, MassFrontier and TraceFinder software. In addition, this method possesses excellent quantitative capacity. The novel approach was applied to 65 batches of samples that are claimed as "all‐natural" products having the antihypertensive function, among which nine batches were found to be positive. Multiple targeted and nontargeted antihypertensive adulterants were detected at levels ranging from 2.8 to 27.9 mg/g. The novel database and screening method demonstrated herein will be promising and powerful tools for rapid screening of antihypertensive adulterants in dietary supplements and herbal medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three metal organic coordination compounds, namely, {[Cd2(L1)4]2 ·9H2O} n ( 1), {[Zn(L1)2 ·2H2O]2 ·H2O} n ( 2), and [Cu(L2)2] n ( 3), [L1 = 3-chloro-2-(5 H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyridine; L2 = 3-chloropicolinic acid], were hydrothermally synthesized, in which L1 and L2 were synthesized by in situ reactions. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that the 2D layer of complex 1 is built from a dinuclear CdII second building blocks, whereas complex 2 shows 0D structure, which is built based on two L1 ligands, one zinc ion, and two water molecules. 3 shows a 1D infinite rod-shaped chain. Additionally, the solid-state fluorescence properties for compound 1 and 2 are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]