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Cu-Ag nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by one-pot solvothermal treatment of a mixture of AgNO and Cu(OAc)·HO in ethylene glycol solution at 180 °C for 10 h. The samples were characterized by UV-visible absorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that Cu-Ag nanoparticles and a small amount of phase-separated Cu-Ag alloy nanoparticles with an average diameter of 100 ± 30 nm were synthesized by the solvothermal treatment procedure. The mechanism of formation is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: CdTe and ZnS quantum dots sensitized TiO2 nanotube array photoelectrodes were prepared by depositing CdTe and ZnS QDs on the tube walls of the self-organized TiO2 NTs using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. The deposition of CdTe and ZnS on the upper and inner surface of the TiO2 NTs was confirmed by field emission scanning electron (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM). The obtained results indicated that TiO2 NTs photoelectrodes sensitized by CdTe quantum dots for 5 cycles exhibited excellent photoelectrochemical properties, with an open-circuit voltage of 0.95V and a short circuit current density of 11.15mAcm−2, and ZnS coating protected the photoelectrodes against photocorrosion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Ag and CdS nanoparticles co-sensitization of TiO2 nanotubes (CdS–Ag/TiO2 NTs) were prepared by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. The phase composition, morphology and optical property were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–vis diffusion reflection spectroscopy (DRS). The co-modification of Ag and CdS nanoparticles expanded the photoresponse range of TiO2 NTs from ultraviolet region to 668.7nm, and the CdS–Ag/TiO2 NTs prepared by SILAR deposition of 5 cycles exhibited higher visible photocurrent and stability against photocorrosion. The detailed electrons transfer mechanism of CdS–Ag/TiO2 NTs was proposed, and photocatalytic activity toward degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible-light irradiation was also investigated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although considerable research highlights the interactions between obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and cardiovascular diseases, the effect of mandibular advancement device (MAD) treatment on cardiovascular complications in OSAHS patients remains unclear. We evaluated the effect of OSAHS treatment with MADs on the myocardium. All methods in this study were in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations of the medical ethics committee in Hospital of Stomatology, Hebei Medical University approved the work. Thirty New Zealand rabbits were randomized into three groups: the control group, Group OSAHS, and Group MAD. Hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel was injected into the soft palate of the rabbits to induce OSAHS. In Group MAD, a MAD was positioned after OSAHS induction. All animals were induced to sleep in a supine position for 4–6 h/day for 8 weeks. Echocardiography was used to determine the structure and function of the heart. The histological changes were detected by optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The levels of ET-1(endothelin-1) and Ang II (Angiotensin II) in the plasma were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of ET-1 mRNA in heart tissue was detected by RT-PCR. Histological abnormalities, left ventricular hypertrophy, and left ventricular dysfunctions were demonstrated in Group OSAHS, and the abnormities were rescued with MAD treatment. Higher levels of plasma ET-1 and Ang II and elevated expression of ET-1 mRNA in cardiac tissue were detected in Group OSAHS compared with Group MAD and the control group. The blood oxygen saturation was negatively correlated with the levels of ET-1 and Ang II. OSAHS-induced elevated levels of ET-1 and Ang II may be attributed to myocardial structural abnormalities and dysfunction. Early treatment of MADs may play an important role in preventing myocardial damage in OSAHS rabbit model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Size- and surface-tunable carbon spheres loaded with iron-oxide (α-Fe2O3 or Fe3O4) nanoparticles have been obtained from 4-ferrocenyl-butyric acid via an easy one-step method in a solvothermal system. The composites obtained have been fully characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, Raman spectrometry and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results show that the diameters and morphologies of the spheres can be tuned by adjusting the experimental parameters including the reaction temperature, time, medium, and precursor concentration. Most of the iron-oxide nanoparticles are evenly distributed on the surface of the carbon spheres and also the surface of the iron-oxide-loaded carbon spheres has large numbers of functional groups. The α-Fe2O3-loaded carbon spheres show special magnetic properties with a coercivity of 101.5Oe and a remanent magnetization of 0.203 emu/g at room temperature, while the coercivity and remanent magnetization for the Fe3O4-loaded carbon spheres are 58.4Oe and 0.174 emu/g, respectively. A possible formation mechanism is proposed and discussed based on the features of the reaction system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]