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Novel core-shell structured CoNi2S4@polydopamine nanocomposites have been successfully developed as advanced electrode materials for supercapacitors. The CoNi2S4 nanoparticles are tightly wrapped by polydopamine, forming a hierarchical core/shell network, which benefits the improvement of the electrochemical properties. The electrochemical performance of the as-prepared materials had been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests. Specific capacitances of CoNi2S4 and CoNi2S4@polydopamine are 425 and 725 F g−1 at 10 A g−1 respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results suggest that the coating of polydopamine can reduce the charge transfer resistance and increase the diffusion rate of the electrolytic ion efficiently. The superior pseudocapacitive performance of CoNi2S4@polydopamine can be ascribed to the unique core-shell heterostructure and the combined contribution of the electrochemical active CoNi2S4 and the conductive polydopamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase(HsDHODH) isa flavin-dependent mitochondrial enzyme that has been certified asa potential therapeutic target for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritisand other autoimmune diseases. On the basis of lead compound 4, which was previously identified as potential HsDHODH inhibitor, a novel series of thiazole derivatives were designedand synthesized. The X-ray complex structures of the promising analogues 12and 33confirmed that these inhibitors bindat the putative ubiquinone binding tunnel and guided us to exploremore potent inhibitors, such as compounds 44, 46, and 47which showed double digit nanomolar activitiesof 26, 18, and 29 nM, respectively. Moreover, 44presentedconsiderable anti-inflammation effect in vivo and significantly alleviatedfoot swelling in a dose-dependent manner, which disclosed that thiazole-scaffoldanalogues can be developed into the drug candidates for the treatmentof rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the bioactivity of HsDHODH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A co-modification strategy to improve the electrode performance of SiO-based materials through the use of a carbon coating layer and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) network has been developed. The as-synthesized SiOx/C@RGO nanocomposites showed excellent specific capacity, cycling performance and rate capability when used as an anode in lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, copious papers have reported the fruitful modifications of LiFePO4-based composites and exhibited excellent electrochemical performance in terms of rate capability and cycling stability. Besides, the optimization of bulk electrodes are essential to keep pace with composites, by enhancement of the electronic and ionic transport to further improve the power performance of an electrode. Therefore, in this work, a facile strategy is adopted to fabricate a composite electrode with NMP as a solvent, containing large-size multilayer graphene, which is prepared by the exfoliation of economical expanded graphite under high power ultrasound in isopropyl alcohol. Active LiFePO4 nanograins, as well as conductive additives, are attached to the superior conductive graphene and thereby fast pathways are established as a “highway” for electronic transport in the bulk electrode. As a result, this composite electrode exhibits a lower polarization at high-rate charge–discharge processes. The operating flat voltage of 20 C rate is maintained at more than 3.0 V in one minute and its discharge capacity is up to 107.8 mA h g−1, representing a better energy density and power density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human skin fibroblast collagenase also known as Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is a key enzyme in remodeling and degradation of extracellular matrix, and the inhibitors of human MMP-1 are effective drug candidates for the treatment of cancer. In this study, we report an improved method for high-level expression of soluble human MMP-1 catalytic domain (cd-MMP-1) in E.coli. The enzymatic activity is found maximum at pH 7.5 and temperature 40°C with a Km value of 13.02 µM. Effects of 17 structure-related flavonoids on MMP-1 activity are evaluated using a fluorescent assay, 6 inhibitors are identified with IC50 < 10 µM. Fisetin is the most active agent with an IC50 value of 1.35 µM and is identified as a mixed type inhibitor. Our improved soluble cd-MMP-1 expression method provides a basis for inhibitors identification and may be beneficial to discover novel anti-cancer agent targeting human MMP-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A simple and low temperature hydrothermal synthesis approach has been developed to prepare sulfur coated SnO2–graphene nanocomposites as an anode material for lithium–ion batteries. The electrochemical performance of the composites was characterized by galvanostatic charge–discharge tests, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. Results show that the composite material exhibits a reversible capacity of 819mAhg−1 after 200 cycles at 500mAg−1 and an excellent rate capability of 580mAhg−1 at a high current density of 4000mAg−1. The extraordinary performance could be ascribed to the positive synergistic effect of the combination of the nanosized particles of SnO2, the excellent conductivity of graphene and the effects of the coating layer of sulfur. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]