The electrical properties of surface-passivated GaAs nanowires (NWs) were investigated and compared with those of unpassivated NWs.Surface passivation was carried out by chemically etching the native oxide of the GaAs NWs with ammonium polysulfide, (NH 4 ) 2 S x , while the native oxide of the unpassivated NWs was etched in hydrochloric acid solution.The GaAs NWs were grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition via a Au-catalyzed vapor-liquidsolid growth method.Sulfur-passivated single-GaAs NWs showed 3-fold increase in mobility, indicating that sulfur passivation reduces the presence of surface states, contact resistance, and the Schottky barrier at NW-metal contacts.
Abstract Syndecans, a family of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans, regulate cell differentiation via binding of their heparan sulfate chains to growth factors and cytokines and play a role in tumor growth and progression, wound repair, and intestinal mucosal damage. However, the functional and mechanistic roles of syndecans in osteoclast differentiation and bone metabolism are yet unclear. Here, we demonstrated that post-translationally glycosylated ectodomains of syndecan-1 to 4 obtained from mammalian cells efficiently suppressed osteoclast differentiation compared to those obtained from Escherichia coli with no systems for glycosylation. A concomitant decrease in the expression of osteoclast markers such as nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, and ATP6V0D2 was observed. In addition, heparan sulfate and selectively N -desulfated heparin derivatives with 2-O- and 6-O-sulfate groups and no anticoagulant activity in blood inhibited osteoclast differentiation. The inhibitory effects of syndecan ectodomains, heparan sulfate, and N -desulfated heparin derivatives on osteoclast differentiation were attributed to their direct binding to the macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), resulting in the blocking of M-CSF-mediated downstream signals such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, and Akt. Furthermore, mice injected with syndecan ectodomains, heparan sulfate, and N -desulfated heparin derivatives into periosteal regions of calvaria showed reduction in the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive mature osteoclasts on the calvarial bone surface, thereby exhibiting decreased bone resorption. Together, these results revealed a novel role of heparan sulfate chains of syndecan ectodomains in the regulation of osteoclast differentiation.
A new series of carbazole based 2,4-disubstituted thiazole derivatives were synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against three different cancer cell lines A549, MCF-7, and HT29. Some of these compounds showed good cytotoxicity. These compounds were also evaluated for antioxidant activity. Compounds 3a, 3b, 3d-f and 3i showed higher antioxidant activity than standard BHT.
The ASES (aerosol solvent extraction system) process, which is one of the SAS (supercritical antisolvent) processes, was selected to recrystallize PLLA into submicrometer particles. In the ASES process, there are two key factors. One is atomization for fine droplets, and the other is mass transfer of droplets during precipitation in the vessel, which causes nucleation and growth of particles. They are affected by several elements such as temperature, pressure, density, concentration, injection rate of solution, and feed rate of CO2. In this work, we studied the effect of CO2 density, solution injection rate, and CO2 feed rate on atomization and mass transfer. In addition, to investigate the influence of the solvent on particle production, DCM (dichloromethane), THF (tetrahydrofuran), and 1,4-dioxane were used as solvents for PLLA. In the variation of CO2 densities, there was not a consistent tendency. From variation of solution injection rate and feed rate of CO2 we found out that the relative velocity difference between CO2 and the PLLA/DCM solution was an important factor for fine PLLA particles. The particles increased in size with relatively high temperature and pressure for fixed CO2 density. Particles in which DCM was used as the solvent for PLLA were finer than the others.
Abstract Aim Healthcare professionals' perspectives on advance care planning (ACP) remain unclear, particularly among those who care for cardiac patients. Therefore, this study aimed to explore perspectives on ACP among healthcare professionals who provide care to patients with cardiovascular diseases. Method Using Q methodology, 40‐Q sample statements were derived from an extensive literature review and an in‐depth qualitative interview. The P‐sample (Q sorters) comprised 10 physicians and 14 nurses. The P‐sample filled each grid with a statement on the Q‐sorting table. The data were analyzed using the PQMethod. Results Four factors with 18 Q sorters emerged and explained 71% of the variance, each contributing 5%–53%. Four factors were labeled: healthcare professional‐led, communication‐focused ACP ( n = 5); early application‐weighted, burden‐reducing ACP ( n = 5); prognostic uncertainty‐based, negotiation‐focused ACP ( n = 5); and patient‐value‐based, comprehensiveness‐focused ACP ( n = 3); six Q sorters fell into either confounded or nonsignificant categories. Common perspectives on ACP across all factors emerged, including the conceptual definition of ACP, early employment of ACP as the right time, and needs for educational support and training. Conclusions Unique perspectives and common perspectives on ACP across factors emerged among Korean healthcare professionals of cardiac patients. The findings of this study provide initial information on perceptions of and attitudes toward ACP among Korean healthcare providers. Healthcare providers can use these findings to provide educational support and training.
Abstract Metabolic activities are closely correlated with bone remodeling and long-term anti-resorptive bisphosphonate treatment frequently causes atypical femoral fractures through unclear mechanisms. To explore whether metabolic alterations affect bone remodeling in femurs and lumbar vertebrae and whether anti-osteoporotic bisphosphonates perturb their reconstruction, we studied three mouse strains with different fat and lean body masses (BALB/c, C57BL6, and C3H mice). These mice displayed variable physical activity, food and drink intake, energy expenditure, and respiratory quotients. Following intraperitoneal calcein injection, double calcein labeling of the femoral diaphysis, as well as serum levels of the bone-formation marker procollagen type-I N-terminal propeptide and the bone-resorption marker C-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen, revealed increased bone turnover in mice in the following order: C3H > BALB/c ≥ C57BL6 mice. In addition, bone reconstitution in femurs was distinct from that in lumbar vertebrae in both healthy control and estrogen-deficient osteoporotic mice with metabolic perturbation, particularly in terms of femoral trabecular and cortical bone remodeling in CH3 mice. Interestingly, subcutaneous administration of bisphosphonate risedronate to C3H mice with normal femoral bone density led to enlarged femoral cortical bones with a low bone mineral density, resulting in bone fragility; however, this phenomenon was not observed in mice with ovariectomy-induced femoral cortical bone loss. Together, these results suggest that diverse metabolic activities support various forms of bone remodeling and that femur remodeling differs from lumbar vertebra remodeling. Moreover, our findings imply that the adverse effect of bisphosphonate agents on femoral cortical bone remodeling should be considered when prescribing them to osteoporotic patients.
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