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Full-duplex (FD) enabled wireless power transfer (WPT) system via textile for miniaturized IMD is presented. By utilizing the battery-free near-field communication (NFC) method, the system realizes wireless power and data transmission without a bulky battery or energy harvester which can diminish the physical size of implantable medical device (IMD). Moreover, using textile as a medium of power transmission, the system overcomes the drawback and extends the limited effective range of the NFC method. In addition, as realizing simultaneous bidirectional data transmission over a single data channel, IMD has been further miniaturized. The proposed system including an external transmitter and the minimized IMD receiver supports 200 kbps and 50 kbps data rates for FSK downlink and LSK uplink telemetries at the same time with bit error rate (BER) of

As the electronic device market has expanded, image sensors have attracted much attention. In order to develop a high performance image sensor, the unit pixel size of the image sensor is gradually ...

포장 폐기물의 원인이 되는 식품 패키지의 사용량은 지속적으로 증가하고 있어 친환경 패키지의 필요성이 증가하고 있다. 현재 식품산업에서 패키지에 색상과 라벨을 활용한 친환경 식품의 개발과 출시가 활발하게 진행되고 있는 상황에도 불구하고 이와 관련된 연구는 미비한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구는 패키지의 시각적 속성인 색상과 라벨을 활용하여 친환경 정도로 구분한 식품 패키지의 외관적 친환경 단서에 따른 소비가치의 차이를 알아보고 제품유형, 환경관심도에 따른 소비가치의 차이를 알아보고자 한다. 색상과 라벨의 유무를 조작한 실험자극물을 제작하여 소비자의 반응을 연구하였다. 연구의 외적타당성을 높이기 위해 실험에 사용한 제품은 실용재와 쾌락재 두 가지로 선정하여 진행하였다. 온라인 리서치 업체를 통하여 20세 이상의 국내 소비자를 대상으로 설문을 진행하였으며, 최종적으로 240부의 응답을 SPSS 23.0을 사용하여 빈도분석, 신뢰도분석, 요인분석, One-way ANOVA, Two-way ANOVA를 실시하였다. 분석 결과 식품 패키지의 외관적 친환경 단서에 따라 소비자의 기능적 가치, 감정적 가치, 인식적 가치, 사회적 가치는 차이를 보였으며, 제품유형은 소비자 반응에 유의한 영향을 주어 기능적 가치에서 유의한 상호작용효과가 나타났다. 또한, 환경관심도는 기능적, 감정적, 인식적, 사회적 가치에서 유의한 상호작용효과가 나타났다. 따라서 본 연구는 선행연구에서 제한적이었던 패키지의 시각적 속성인 색상과 라벨을 활용하여 식품 패키지의 외관을 세분화하고 연구함으로써 식품산업 연구의 범위를 확장했다는 점에서 가치가 있다. 또한, 색상과 라벨을 활용한 식품 패키지의 외관에 따른 소비자 인식에 대한 이해를 높여 기업의 식품관련 마케팅을 위한 실무적 시사점을 제시하였다.

Purpose We aimed to study green-synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) from Maclura tricuspidata (MT) root (MTR), stem (MTS), leaf (MTL), and fruit (MTF) extracts and evaluate their anti-metastatic properties in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Maclura tricuspidata belongs to the Moraceae family and is widely used as a traditional medicinal plant given its biological activities. Methods We quantified the phenolic and flavonoid contents, reducing capacity, and antioxidant activity of all four extracts. The facile and optimum synthesis of MT-GNPs was visualized using UV-vis spectra and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Surface morphology, selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and fast Fourier transform (FFT) pattern of MT-GNPs were assessed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The crystallized gold pattern of MT-GNPs was evaluated using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The functionalizing ligands of MT-extracts and MT-GNPs were determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The photocatalytic capabilities of MT-GNPs were assessed by measuring the reduction of rhodamine B and methylene blue. Cell viability assay was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 solution. Anti-migratory and anti-invasive effects were assessed using cell migration and invasion assays. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and phospholipase D (PLD) enzymatic activities were measured using gelatin zymography and Amplex Red PLD assay, respectively. Western blotting and luciferase assay were used to detect protein expression. Results All extracts had high phenolic and flavonoid contents and strong antioxidant and reducing capacities. Results from UV-Vis spectra, DLS, HR-TEM, EDS, XRD, and FT-IR showed the successful formation of MT-GNP with surface morphology, crystallinity, reduction capacity, capsulation, and stabilization. MTR-GNPs and MTS-GNPs had better catalytic activities than MTL-GNPs and MTF-GNPs for reduction of methylene blue and rhodamine B. Moreover, MTS-GNPs and MTR-GNPs exhibited the highest anti-migratory and anti-invasive potential and seemed to be more biologically active than the MTS and MTR extracts. Treatment with MT-GNPs decreased the enzymatic activity, translation levels of MMP-9 and PLD1. Our results showed that MTS-GNPs and MTR-GNPs could dramatically reverse transforming growth factor-β-induced vimentin and N-cadherin upregulation and E-cadherin downregulation. Conclusion The application of GNPs as a potential treatment approach for hepatocellular carcinoma can improve therapeutic efficiency.

Nano-graphene oxide (Nano-GO) is an extensively studied multifunctional carbon nanomaterial with attractive applications in biomedicine and biotechnology. However, few studies have been conducted to assess the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). We aimed to determine whether Nano-GO induces EMT by regulating phospholipase D (PLD) signaling in human RPE (ARPE-19) cells. The physicochemical characterization of Nano-GO was performed using a Zetasizer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. RPE cell viability assays were performed, and the migratory effects of RPE cells were evaluated. RPE cell collagen gel contraction was also determined. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis were used to detect EMT-related protein expression. Phospholipase D (PLD) enzymatic activities were also measured. Nano-GO significantly enhanced the scratch-healing ability of RPE cells, indicating that the RPE cell migration ability was increased. Following Nano-GO treatment, the RPE cell penetration of the chamber was significantly promoted, suggesting that the migratory ability was strengthened. We also observed collagen gel contraction and the generation of intracellular ROS in RPE cells. The results showed that Nano-GO induced collagen gel contraction and intracellular ROS production in RPE cells. Moreover, immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis revealed that Nano-GO significantly regulated key molecules of EMT, including epithelial-cadherin, neural-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). Interestingly, Nano-GO-induced RPE cell migration and intracellular ROS production were abrogated in PLD-knockdown RPE cells, indicating that PLD activation played a crucial role in the Nano-GO-induced RPE EMT process. We demonstrate for the first time that Nano-GO promotes RPE cell migration through PLD-mediated ROS production. We provide preliminary evidence to support the hypothesis that Nano-GO has adverse health effects related to RPE damage.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a compartmental model which describes vitamin B-6 metabolism in the blood and tissues of the mouse under a variety of circumstances and to develop a computer application which can utilize the data to display the movement of tracer through the various compartments. METHODS: A circulation model was developed. Literature data from vitamin B-6 feeding studies and tracer experiments were used to develop an appropriate compartmental model using the SAAM II program (The Epsilon Group, Charlottesville, VA). A web-based application transforms the mass and flux data into intuitive and interactive graphical illustrations. RESULTS: Describing the interconversions between pyridoxine, pyridoxine 5’-phosphate, pyridoxal, pyridoxal 5’-phosphate, pyridoxamine, pyridoxamine 5’-phosphate and 4-pyridoxic acid in multiple tissues required 231 compartments. The largest amount of data deals with liver and brain. The model includes less detailed information on plasma, erythrocytes, gut, bone, muscle, heart, kidney, skin, adipose tissue and lung. The model includes adjustments to food intake, water intake, cardiac output, binding sites and Vmax values for enzymes based on the specified body weight of experimental animals. We did not include growth curves at this time. The model uses two parallel systems to monitor the steady state of endogenous metabolites as well as following tracer administration. Binding mechanisms are included to provide conservation of vitamin B-6 when intake is reduced. The model provides reasonable agreement with literature data on various vitamin B-6 intakes as well as oral and intravenous administration of tracer. It also reveals some areas which need clarification. For example, we have not found any detailed analysis of vitamin B-6 metabolites in mouse urine. There is little pyridoxic acid in plasma or urine suggesting that pyridoxic acid may not be the primary end product for vitamin B-6 in the mouse. The visualization application shows changes in the content of all 231 compartments over time illustrating the value of such computer applications in the interpretation of large, complex models. CONCLUSIONS: This model facilitates the simulation of various dietary and physiological conditions on vitamin B-6 metabolism in mice. We hope to adapt it to rats, pigs and humans. FUNDING SOURCES: Purdue University Fort Wayne.

New phenyl-triazine-containing thermal radical initiators (TRIs), namely 3,3-dimethyl-1-phenyltriazene (BTAM), 3,3-diethyl-1-phenyltriazene (BTAE), 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(phenyldiazenyl)piperidine (BTACM), 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(phenyldiazenyl)piperidin-4-ol (BTACH−OH), and 2,2,6,-tetramethyl-1-(phenyldiazenyl)piperidin-4-ol (BTACM−OH), were designed and synthesized for use in radical polymerization. The method used to synthesize the initiators was simple, and the synthesized initiators did not change the color of the polymer. For these five new initiators as well as four related previously designed ones, the polymerization conversion rate was in each case over 92%. BTACM, which also included a six-membered aliphatic ring substituted with two dimethyl groups, showed a polymerization time 81.9% less than that without initiator and showed according to DSC experiments the lowest peak polymerization temperature of 137 °C. These results represent a new promising thermal initiator system expected to be effective for various applications, especially those involving polymer coating.

In this study, we designed and synthesized novel thermal radical initiators of BTAP (1-phenyl-3,3-dipropyltriazene), BTACP (1-(phenyldiazenyl)pyrrolidine), BTACH (1-(phenyldiazenyl)piperidine), and BTACH7 (1-(phenyldiazenyl)azepane) based on a triazene moiety to provide a thermal initiator for radical polymerization. The synthetic method is valuable due to the simplicity. In addition, the synthesized thermal initiator did not affect the color of the polymer. Among the four initiators, the polymerization time for the BTACH of the 6-membered ring decreased by 67%, as opposed to the polymerization time without initiator. Conversion after polymerization was over 92%. DSC experiments also showed that the initiator with hexagonal rings had the lowest peak polymerization temperature of 160 °C. Our study suggests a promising new initiator system that is effective for radical polymerization.

The green synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) using bio-materials has attained enormous attention in recent years due to its simple, eco-friendly, low-cost and non-toxic nature. In this work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized by the marine algae extract, Sargassum serratifolium (SS). The characteristic studies of bio-synthesized SS-AgNPs and SS-AuNPs were carried out by using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Phytochemicals in the algae extract, such as meroterpenoids, acted as a capping agent for the NPs’ growth. The synthesized Ag and Au NPs were found to have important catalytic activity for the degradation of organic dyes, including methylene blue, rhodamine B and methyl orange. The reduction of dyes by SS-AgNPs and -AuNPs followed the pseudo-first order kinetics.

Green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (SNPs) have great potential for biomedical applications, due to their distinctive optical, chemical, and catalytic properties. In this study, we aimed to develop green-synthesized SNPs from extracts of Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) roots (CTR), stems (CTS), leaves (CTL), and fruit (CTF) and to evaluate their physicochemical, photocatalytic, and biological properties. CTR, CTS, CTL, and CTF extracts were evaluated and compared for their total phenol and flavonoid content, reducing capacity, and antioxidant activity. The results revealed that CTR, CTS, CTL, and CTF extracts have high phenol and flavonoid content, as well as a powerful antioxidant and reducing capacity. CTR and CTS extracts showed the strongest effects. The results from UV-Vis spectra analysis, dynamic light scattering, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed the successful formation of CT-SNPs with surface morphology, crystallinity, reduction capacity, capsulation, and stabilization. Synthesized CT-SNPs successfully photocatalyzed methylene blue, methyl orange, rhodamine B, and Reactive Black 5 within 20 min. The CTR- and CTS-SNPs showed better antibacterial properties against different pathogenic microbes (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enteritidis) than the CTL- and CTF-SNPs. CTS- and CTR-SNPs showed the most effective cytotoxicity and antiapoptosis properties in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2 and SK-Hep-1). CT-SNPs also seemed to be more biologically active than the CT extracts. The results of this study provide evidence of the establishment of CT extract SNPs and their physicochemical, photocatalytic, and biological properties.

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the anti-invasive effects of Cudrania tricuspidata root-gold nanoparticles (CTR-GNPs) using glioblastoma cells. We demonstrated the rapid synthesis of CTR-GNPs using UV-vis spectra. The surface morphology, crystallinity, reduction, capsulation, and stabilization of CTR-GNPs were analyzed using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Furthermore, CTR-GNPs displayed excellent photocatalytic activity as shown by the photo-degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B. Cell migration and invasion assays with human glioblastoma cells were performed to investigate the anti-invasive effect of CTR-GNPs on U87 cells that were treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The results show that CTR-GNPs can significantly inhibit both basal and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced migration and invasion ability. Importantly, treatment with CTR-GNPs significantly decreased the levels of metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/-9 and phospholipase D1 (PLD1) and protein but not PLD2, which is involved in the modulation of migration and the invasion of glioblastoma cells. These results present a novel mechanism showing that CTR-GNPs can attenuate the migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells induced by PMA through transcriptional and translational regulation of MMP-2/-9 and PLD1. Taken together, our results suggest that CTR-GNPs might be an excellent therapeutic alternative for wide range of glioblastomas.