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Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, posing a challenge in treatment. Previous studies have indicated the protective role of mesenchymal stem cells against several disorders. Although they can repair nerve injury, their key limitation is that they reduce viability under stress conditions. We recently observed that overactivation of the carboxyl terminus of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) interacting protein (CHIP) considerably rescued cell viability under hyperglycemic stress and played an essential role in promoting the beneficial effects of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs). Thus, the present study was designed to unveil the protective effects of CHIP-overexpressing WJMSCs against neurodegeneration using in vivo animal model based study. In this study, western blotting observed that CHIP-overexpressing WJMSCs could rescue nerve damage observed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by activating the AMPKα/AKT and PGC1α/SIRT1 signaling pathway. In contrast, these signaling pathways were downregulated upon silencing CHIP. Furthermore, CHIP-overexpressing WJMSCs inhibited inflammation induced in the brains of diabetic rats by suppressing the NF-κB, its downstream iNOS and cytokines signaling nexus and enhancing the antioxidant enzyme system. Moreover, TUNEL assay demonstrated that CHIP carrying WJMSCs suppressed the apoptotic cell death induced in STZ-induced diabetic group. Collectively, our findings suggests that CHIP-overexpressing WJMSCs might exerts beneficial effects, which may be considered as a therapeutic strategy against diabetic neuropathy complications.

Wafer test is carried out after integrated circuits (IC) fabrication to screen out bad dies. In addition, the results can be used to identify problems in the fabrication process and improve manufacturing yield. However, the wafer test itself may induce defects to otherwise good dies. Test-induced defects not only hurt overall manufacturing yield but also create problems for yield learning, so the source problems in testing should be identified quickly. In the wafer acceptance test process, dies are probed in a predetermined order, so test-induced defects, also known as site-dependent faults, exhibit specific patterns that can be effectively captured in test paths. In this paper, we analyze characteristics of test-induced defect patterns and define features that can be used by machine learning algorithms for the automatic detection of test-induced defects. Therefore, defective dies caused by the wafer test can be retested for yield improvement. Test data from six real products are used to validate the proposed method. Several machine learning algorithms have been applied, and experimental results show that our method is effective to distinguish between test-induced and fabrication-induced defects. On average, the prediction accuracy is higher than 97%.

Microporous carbon spheres (MCSs) fabricated using the extended Stober method have unique features, such as a narrow particle size distribution and a variety of applications. Here, we report the sy...

The present work aims to develop a novel and sustainable approach to adsorb and recover low-concentration Hg0 in the off-gas downstream a distillation/condensation system in the recycling processes for waste Hg-containing devices. Hg0 adsorption and regeneration efficiencies of raw and HNO3-treated activated carbon fiber cloth (ACFC) were examined. The adsorption experiments were conducted with an initial Hg0 concentration of 260-300 μg/m3 at room temperature. The regeneration of ACFC was done by an electrothermal swing process with 20, 40, and 60 W direct currents. The experimental results showed that the Hg0 adsorption efficiency of raw ACFC increased to approximately 90% after the 60 W electrothermal regeneration. After HNO3 treatment, the content of oxygen functional groups on HNO3-treated ACFC increased, which enhanced the Hg0 adsorption performance and resulted in over 90% adsorption efficiency for the samples before and after electrothermal regeneration. Importantly, both raw and HNO3-treated ACFCs retained the high adsorption efficiency after nine cycles of adsorption/regeneration, indicating that both raw and HNO3-treated ACFCs were effective and renewable adsorbents for low-concentration Hg0 adsorption and recovery. A Hg adsorption/regeneration mechanism was proposed to explain the increasing adsorption efficiency after electrothermal regeneration and the great adsorption efficiency of HNO3-treated ACFC.

BACKGROUND: The non‐modified titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanotube (TNT) and silver (Ag)‐modified TNT samples were fabricated via an alkaline hydrothermal process. The synthesized samples had a high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area since the resulted TNT was free of calcination, which is different from the traditional synthesized method. The specific surface area of non‐modified TNT and Ag‐modified TNT samples were 392 and 330 m² g⁻¹, respectively. RESULTS: The results indicated that anatase phase, cubic silver chloride (AgCl) and Ag co‐existed in the Ag‐modified TNT sample. In contrast, non‐modified TNT sample has only anatase phase. The OH groups, pre‐adsorbed water, and oxygen vacancies can be found on the surface of all samples. The Ag‐modified TNT sample showed to have higher removal efficiencies than that of non‐modified TNT sample for gas‐phase elemental mercury, carcinogenic malachite green, crystal violet and mixtures of dyes. CONCLUSION: Although specific surface area of non‐modified TNT was larger than that of Ag‐modified TNT, the Ag‐modified TNT possessed a high‐performance photocatalyst due to the electron‐hole pairs separation efficiency increase. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSSC) is a major life-threatening disease with high incidence in the Southeast Asian countries. Chronic exposure to arecoline causes genetic changes in the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa, induces proliferation through activation of the EGF receptor and promotes downstream COX-2 expression. Taiwanin C, a podophyllotoxin derived from Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata is known to inhibit COX activity and to hinder PGE2 production in macrophages. In this study a tumor cell line T28 and a non-tumor cell line N28 derived from mice OSCC models were used to study the effect of Taiwanin C on PGE2 associated COX-2 expression and cell cycle regulators. Taiwanin C activated p21 protein expression, down-regulated cell cycle regulatory proteins, elevated apoptosis and down-regulated p-PI3K/p-Akt survival mechanism in T28 oral cancer cells. Our results therefore emphasize the therapeutic potential of Taiwanin C against arecoline-induced oral cancer.

we propose an automatic wafer defect maps detection method based on unsupervised learning. There is no need for human labeling, and similar defect clusters are identified automatically without human intervention. As a result, the process is less error-prone. Whenever the wafer test result of a WUT is available, it can be compared immediately with existing clusters. If the wafer map matches one of the known defect patterns, then RCA can be done efficiently.

We propose a machine learning based method targeted for accurate wafer defect map classification. The proposed method is referred to as TestDNA-E, as it applies ensemble learning based on improved TestDNA features. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves high hit rate for each defect type and overall accuracy.

This paper presents the fabrication, characterization, and testing of the photocatalytic potential of a non-modified titania nanotube (TNT) and Sn-modified TNT synthesized through a facile one-step hydrothermal method. Two tin compounds (SnCl2 and SnO2) and aqueous solutions (HCl and SnCl2) were utilized as precursors and acid washing solutions, respectively. Because the Sn-modified TNT was free of calcination, the resulting sample possessed a high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area. In addition, the Sn-modified TNT exhibited higher electron-hole separation efficiency. The photocatalytic reaction rate for the sample with methylene blue and malachite green dye decomposition was governed on the basis of their pre-adsorption abilities. The Sn-modified TNT had more Cl species than the non-modified TNT, resulting in higher pre-adsorption abilities for the methylene blue dye. Even though the Cl species on SnO2-TNT sample surface were removed, a higher electron-hole separation efficiency and anatase-rutile mixed phase can promote the photocatalyst activity of SnO2-TNT. On the other hand, the Cl species on the surface of SnO2-TNT-HCl washing sample appeared to act as one of the adsorption sites and enhance gaseous elemental mercury removal.

Carbon dots have emerged as popular materials in various research fields, including biological and photovoltaic areas, while significant reports are lacking related to their applications in laser devices, which play a significant role in our daily life. In this work, we demonstrate the first controllable random laser assisted by the surface plasmon effect of carbon dots. Briefly, carbon dots derived from candle soot are randomly deposited on the surface of gallium nitride (GaN) nanorods to enhance the ultraviolet fluorescence of GaN and generate plasmonically enhanced random laser action with coherent feedback. Furthermore, potentially useful functionalities of tunable lasing threshold and controllable optical modes are achieved by adjusting the numbers of carbon dots, enabling applications in optical communication and identification technologies. In addition to providing an efficient alternative for plasmonically enhanced random laser devices with simple fabrication and low cost, our work also paves a us...

TiO2 nanotube (TNT) photocatalysts were synthesized through a facile one-step hydrothermal method using Degussa P-25 as precursor. The resulting TNTs were subsequently washed with deionized water and 0.1–1.0 M HCl to possess a variety of physicochemical properties. Anatase was the major crystalline phase for the resulting TNTs. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of TNTs was 307–392 m2 g−1. Hydroxyl groups and oxygen vacancies were shown to be generated on the surface of all TNTs. Photocatalytic activity of TNTs for Congo red and crystal violet dye decomposition was strongly determined by their pre-adsorption abilities, which are greatly affected by solution pH. Hg0 removal by the TNTs was enhanced with increased HCl concentration and the presence of O2 in the test environment; however, the presence of water vapor reduced the Hg0 capture due to competitive adsorption of H2O. The Cl functionality formed on the surface of TNTs due to HCl treatment appeared to act as one of the adsorption sites and enhance Hg0 removal, as well as helping in against the competition from water molecules. Nevertheless, the unwashed HCl residues also obstructed other active sites on TNT surface, such as oxygenated groups that also play important role in Hg0 oxidation and adsorption.

Hyperglycemia leads to excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which causes many diabetic complications, such as cardiomyopathy. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a redox-sensing transcription factor, can up-regulate its downstream antioxidant gene expressions in response to oxidative stress. However, the regulatory signal pathway in which high glucose (HG) induces Nrf2 activation is still unclear. Our results demonstrated that HG (33 mM) can indeed stimulate Nrf2 protein expression and translocation into the nucleus in cardiomyocytes, enhancing the downstream antioxidant protein levels. Using siRNAs, p38, JNK, PKCα, and PKCδ, as well as ROS scavengers, it was observed that the dependence of PKCα/PKCδ on ROS production to enhance JNK and p38 phosphorylation mediated HG-induced cardiac Nrf2 expression and activation. Knockdown of Nrf2 by siRNA transfection increased cleaved-caspase3, reduced Bcl2 in the cellular protein level and further exacerbated HG-induced apoptosis. In addition, all of these proteins induced by HG in vitro were also increased in STZ-induced diabetic rat ventricles in vivo. Our study demonstrated that HG-induced cardiac Nrf2 activation occurs through PKCα/PKCδ-ROS-JNK/p38 signaling. These findings may provide a therapeutic target to counteract the oxidative stress associated with diabetic cardiomyopathy. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1659-1669, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In this study, high-performance SnO2/TiO2 nanotube (TNT) nanocomposites were prepared through a facile one-step hydrothermal method. The samples retained a high BET surface area because they were calcination-free. The BET surface area of all of the samples was over 300 m2/g, and the length was within 100–200 nm. During the hydrothermal reaction, a heterojunction between the SnO2 and TNTs through oriented attachment was achieved. Additionally, we demonstrate that the introduction of cassiterite SnO2 as a precursor in the hydrothermal process can induce the growth of anatase TiO2. A SnO2/TNT nanocomposite photocatalyst not only facilitated dye adsorption at a high concentration around the surface of the nanocomposites but also exhibited efficient charge separation properties and achieved outstanding photocatalytic performance. This study proposes a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly synthetic strategy for fabrication of TNT-based heterostructures as high-performance photocatalysts through ...

Wafer defect maps exhibit spatial failure pattern recognition for root cause analysis to improve defect diagnosis resolution and yield learning conventionally. We apply further product-driven test items to propose a wafer-level test methodology to generate a DNA-like wafer defect signature to identify wafer defects. Experience results show that our TestDNA are both effective and efficient, including the tight relation with traditional wafer defect patterns, high prediction accuracy over 90%, and improved lower non-pattern ratio from over 95% to around 11%.

In this study, the Hg0 adsorption equilibrium and kinetics of a coconut-shell-based activated carbon impregnated with CuCl2 were examined with respect to their resulting physical and chemical properties. Integrating the results from N2 adsorption isotherm at 77 K, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Hg0 adsorption experiments under N2 and simulated coal-combustion flue gases conditions, it was found that HCl pretreatment could enhance Hg0 adsorption of crude activated carbon; the Hg0 adsorption capacities of crude and HCl-pretreated activated carbon under N2 condition were 95.8 and 225.4 µg g–1, respectively. Additionally, CuCl2 impregnation further increased the adsorption capacity of crude. The Hg0 adsorption capacity of crude activated carbon with 8% CuCl2 impregnation was 631.1 µg g–1. However, the equilibrium Hg0 adsorption capacity decreased when Cu loading exceeded 8 wt%, suggesting that adequate forms of surface Cu, O and Cl interacting with flue gas components and Hg0, as well as the presence of pores with specific size ranges allowing rapid transport of the Hg molecules into the interior of the activated carbon and as energy sinker govern the overall chemisorption process. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model could best describe the adsorption behaviors of tested samples under both test conditions, indicating that Hg0 adsorbed on the activated carbon surface could be explained by bimolecular reaction mechanisms.

In this study, TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) and AgCl-modified TNTs nanocomposites with multiple crystal phases were synthesized through a hydrothermal method without calcination. The resultant samples had a large Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area. Additionally, the Ag modification process reduced the recombination rate of electron-hole pairs in the synthesized sample and possessed more oxygen vacancy sites. The surface area of the AgCl-modified TNTs was smaller than that of non-modified TNTs sample; however, the nanocomposites exhibited outstanding photocatalytic performance and adsorption properties. AgCl compounds present on the TNTs surface effectively interacted with Hg0, improving the dye photodegradation efficiency. The Hg0 removal efficiencies of the TNTs and AgCl-modified TNTs samples were about 63% and 86%, respectively. The crystal violet (CV) and malachite green (MG) removal efficiencies of the AgCl-modified TNTs sample were around 57% and 72%, respectively. Both dyes photodecomposition efficiencies for AgCl-modified TNTs sample are higher than those of TNTs sample. The oxygen vacancy on the AgCl-modified TNTs surface was determined to be advantageous for OH− and arsenate adsorption through ligand exchange. The maximum adsorption quantity of As5+ calculated by Langmuir equation was 15.38 mg g−1 (TNTs) and 21.10 mg g−1 (AgCl-modified TNTs).

Background Cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE)-derived hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a potent cardioprotective agent. We investigated the effects of diallyl trisulfide (DATS) on CSE expression and H2S generation in myocardium and examined whether DATS-mediated H2S generation effectively protects rat heart from diabetes-induced cardiac damage. Methods The correlations between the effects of hyperglycemia and diabetes on CSE expression and the effects of DATS and H2S on hyperglycemia and diabetes were examined in vitro in the cardiomyocyte cell line H9c2 and in vivo in hearts from rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM). Results Expression of CSE, a catalyst of H2S production, was suppressed in H9c2 cells treated with high glucose (33mM) and in DM rat hearts. CSE suppression also correlated with a decrease in the activation of the pro-survival protein kinase Akt. Treatment of H9c2 cells with DATS resulted in increased CSE expression and a reduction in apoptosis via a mechanism involving IGF1R/pAkt signaling and by modulating the expression of reactive oxygen species-related enzymes. The role CSE plays in the cardioprotective effects of DATS was further confirmed by CSE inhibition assays including inhibitors and siRNA. Conclusion DATS produces H2S as efficiently as NaSH and DATS-derived H2S provides effective cardioprotection. Further, our data indicate that H2S plays a major role in the protective effect of DATS against apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.

Diabetic patients exhibit serum AGE accumulation, which is associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and diabetic cardiomyopathy. ROS-induced PKCδ activation is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction in human cells. However, the role of PKCδ in cardiac and mitochondrial dysfunction caused by AGE in diabetes is still unclear. AGE-BSA-treated cardiac cells showed dose- and time-dependent cell apoptosis, ROS generation, and selective PKCδ activation, which were reversed by NAC and rotenone. Similar tendency was also observed in diabetic and obese animal hearts. Furthermore, enhanced apoptosis and reduced survival signaling by AGE-BSA or PKCδ-WT transfection were reversed by kinase-deficient (KD) of PKCδ transfection or PKCδ inhibitor, respectively, indicating that AGE-BSA-induced cardiomyocyte death is PKCδ-dependent. Increased levels of mitochondrial mass as well as mitochondrial fission by AGE-BSA or PKCδ activator were reduced by rottlerin, siPKCδ or KD transfection, indicating that the AGE-BSA-induced mitochondrial damage is PKCδ-dependent. Using super-resolution microscopy, we confirmed that PKCδ colocalized with mitochondria. Interestingly, the mitochondrial functional analysis by Seahorse XF-24 flux analyzer showed similar results. Our findings indicated that cardiac PKCδ activation mediates AGE-BSA-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via ROS production and may play a key role in the development of cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction in rats with diabetes and obesity.

Cardiovascular incidences are markedly higher in men than in pre-menstrual women. However, this advantage in women declines with aging and therefore can be correlated with the sex hormone 17β-Estradiol (E2) which is reported to protect heart cells by acting though estrogen receptors (ERs). In this study we have determined the effect of E2/ERβ against ISO induced cellular hypertrophy in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. The results confirm that ISO induced cardiac-hypertrophy by elevating the levels of hypertrophy associated proteins, ANP and BNP and further by upregulating p-CaMKII, calcineurin, p-GATA4 and NFATc3 which was correlated with a significant enlargement of the H9c2 cardiomyoblast. However, overexpression of ERβ and/or administration of E2 inhibited ISO-induced hypertrophy in H9c2 cells. In addition, E2/ERβ also inhibited ISO-induced NFATc3 translocation, and reduced the protein level of downstream marker, BNP. Furthermore, by testing with the calcineurin inhibitor (CsA), it was confirmed that calcineurin acted as a key mediator for the anti-hypertrophic effect of E2/ERβ. In cells treated with calcium blocker (BATPA), the inhibitory effect of E2/ERβ on ISO-induced Ca2+ influx and hypertrophic effects were totally blocked suggesting that E2/ERβ inhibited calcineurin activity to activate I-1 protein and suppress PP1, then induce PLB protein phosphorylation and activation, resulting in Ca2+ reuptake into sarcoplasmic reticulum through SR Ca2+ cycling modification. In conclusion, E2/ERβ suppresses the Ca2+ influx and calcineurin activity induced by ISO to enhance the PLB protein activity and SR Ca2+ cycling.

Background Doxorubicin (Dox) is an effective anticancer agent. However, its effectiveness is limited by its cardiotoxic effects. It has also been reported that the mitogen-activated protein kinase family and NF-κB can be activated by Dox treatment. DATS has been shown to be a potent antioxidant with cardioprotective effects. We investigate whether Dox induces cardiac apoptosis through JNK- and ERK-dependent NF-κB upregulation that can be reduced by DATS treatment. Methods and Material H9c2 cells were treated with 0.5–1.5 μM Dox for 24 hours. Dox promoted apoptosis and ROS generation and inhibited viability in a dose-dependent manner. Then, the phosphorylation levels of JNK, ERK, and NF-κB evaluated by western blot were elevated. We used inhibitors of JNK, ERK, and NF-κB to determine which of these proteins were involved in Dox-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, Dox-exposed cells were treated with DATS at doses of 1, 5, and 10 μM, and the data demonstrated that ROS generation and apoptotic proteins were decreased and that ERK and NF-κB were downregulated in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, six-week-old rats were divided into three groups (n = 6 per group) designed as an eight-week study. Normal, Dox (at dose 3.75 mg/kg by ip) administered with or without DATS (at dose 40 mg/kg by gavage) treatment groups. The results indicate that cardiac dysfunction, apoptosis, and JNK, ERK, and NF-κB activation by Dox were reversed by treatment with DATS. Conclusion DATS appears to suppress Dox-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibiting NADPH oxidase-related ROS production and the downstream JNK/ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway; DATS may possess clinical therapeutic potential by blocking Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), specifically MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9, have been discovered to be linked to many forms of vascular diseases such as stroke, and their detection is crucial to facilitate clinical diagnosis. In this work, we prepared a class of optical interference-free SERS nanotags (CO-nanotags) that can be used for the purpose of multiplex sensing of different MMPs. Multiplex detection with the absence of cross-talk was achieved by using CO-nanotags with individual tunable intrinsic Raman shifts of CO in the 1800–2200 cm–1 region determined by the metal core and ligands of the metal carbonyl complex. Boolean logic was used as well to simultaneously probe for two proteolytic inputs. Such nanotags offer the advantages of convenient detection of target nanotags and high sensitivity as validated in the ischemia rat model.

Coconut-shell activated carbon and activated carbon fiber (ACF) were impregnated with sulfur at 400 and 650 °C, and then the resulting physical properties of these adsorbents, the functional groups formed, and the adsorption and oxidation of Hg0 occurring on the adsorbents were evaluated. The change in the properties of the adsorbents after sulfur impregnation was strongly affected by the inherent physical and chemical properties of the starting samples and treatment temperature. The sulfur content of the samples increased when the sulfur impregnation temperature was decreased. At 650 °C, sulfur acted as both a dopant and a chemical activator and thereby broadened the porous structures that cause a reduction in the micropore surface and increase the total surface area of ACF. Furthermore, Hg0 adsorption and oxidation were enhanced after sulfur impregnation, strongly affected by flue gas components and various surface active sites, and greatly increased by the sulfur introduced at 400 °C. The original oxyg...

Background Hyperglycemia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation contributes to development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a redox-sensing transcription factor, induces the antioxidant enzyme expressions. Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) is the most powerful antioxidant among the sulfur-containing compounds in garlic oil. We investigated whether DATS inhibits hyperglycemia-induced ROS production via Nrf2-mediated activation of antioxidant enzymes in cardiac cells exposed to high glucose (HG). Methods and results Treatment of H9c2 cells with HG resulted in an increase in intracellular ROS level and caspase-3 activity, which were markedly reduced by the administration of DATS (10μM). DATS treatment significantly increased Nrf2 protein stability and nuclear translocation, upregulated downstream gene HO-1, and suppressed its repressor Keap1. However, apoptosis was not inhibited by DATS in cells transfected with Nrf2-specific siRNA. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling by LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) or PI3K-specific siRNA not only decreased the level of DATS-induced Nrf2-mediated HO-1 expression, but also diminished the protective effects of DATS. Similar results were also observed in high glucose-exposed neonatal primary cardiomyocytes and streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats fed DATS at a dose of 40mg/kg BW. Conclusions Our findings indicate that DATS protects against hyperglycemia-induced ROS-mediated apoptosis by upregulating the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway, which further activates Nrf2-regulated antioxidant enzymes in cardiomyocytes exposed to HG.

We report the systematic studies on the fabrication of aligned, uniform, and highly dense diamond nanostructures from diamond films of various granular structures. Self-assembled Au nanodots are used as a mask in the self-biased reactive-ion etching (RIE) process, using an O2/CF4 process plasma. The morphology of diamond nanostructures is a close function of the initial phase composition of diamond. Cone-shaped and tip-shaped diamond nanostructures result for microcrystalline diamond (MCD) and nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films, whereas pillarlike and grasslike diamond nanostructures are obtained for Ar-plasma-based and N2-plasma-based ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) films, respectively. While the nitrogen-incorporated UNCD (N-UNCD) nanograss shows the most-superior electron-field-emission properties, the NCD nanotips exhibit the best photoluminescence properties, viz, different applications need different morphology of diamond nanostructures to optimize the respective characteristics. The optimum diamond nanostructure can be achieved by proper choice of granular structure of the initial diamond film. The etching mechanism is explained by in situ observation of optical emission spectrum of RIE plasma. The preferential etching of sp(2)-bonded carbon contained in the diamond films is the prime factor, which forms the unique diamond nanostructures from each type of diamond films. However, the excited oxygen atoms (O*) are the main etching species of diamond film.

A high-quality, Cu-doped TiO2 photocatalyst was prepared via a single-step process using an atmospheric-pressure plasma torch system. Degussa P-25 was thermally doped with Cu at Cu/(Cu + TiO2) ratios of 0–5 wt.%. The raw and resulting nanoparticles were characterized using TEM, XRD, UV-Vis, and XPS. TEM showed that the particle size of plasma-treated TiO2 was generally < 50 nm. 67–75% of the resulting particles, by number were between 10 and 20 nm. The remaining particles were < 10 nm (~10%) and between 20 and 30 nm (~10%). The XRD results showed that Cu doping decreased the anatase/rutile crystalline ratio compared to untreated P-25. Nevertheless, the greater the amount of Cu added, the greater the anatase/rutile ratio was for the Cu-doped TiO2. The UV-Vis results showed that the absorption wavelength for plasma-treated TiO2 extended to the visible light range, especially for TiO2 doped with 5 wt.% Cu. The XPS results revealed that the form of Ti was Ti

Hyperglycemia leads to excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which causes many diabetic complications, such as cardiomyopathy. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a redox-sensing transcription factor, can up-regulate its downstream antioxidant gene expressions in response to oxidative stress. However, the regulatory signal pathway in which high glucose (HG) induces Nrf2 activation is still unclear. Our results demonstrated that HG (33 mM) can indeed stimulate Nrf2 protein expression and translocation into the nucleus in cardiomyocytes, enhancing the downstream antioxidant protein levels. Using siRNAs, p38, JNK, PKCα, and PKCδ, as well as ROS scavengers, it was observed that the dependence of PKCα/PKCδ on ROS production to enhance JNK and p38 phosphorylation mediated HG-induced cardiac Nrf2 expression and activation. Knockdown of Nrf2 by siRNA transfection increased cleaved-caspase3, reduced Bcl2 in the cellular protein level and further exacerbated HG-induced apoptosis. In addition, all of these proteins induced by HG in vitro were also increased in STZ-induced diabetic rat ventricles in vivo. Our study demonstrated that HG-induced cardiac Nrf2 activation occurs through PKCα/PKCδ-ROS-JNK/p38 signaling. These findings may provide a therapeutic target to counteract the oxidative stress associated with diabetic cardiomyopathy. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1659-1669, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This is the first study to assess global methylation, oxidative DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation in workers with occupational exposure to metal oxide nanomaterials (NMs). Urinary and white blood cell (WBC) 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) 8-isoprostane were measured as oxidative stress biomarkers. WBC global methylation was measured as an epigenetic alteration. Exposure to TiO2, SiO2, and indium tin oxide (ITO) resulted in significantly higher oxidative biomarkers such as urinary 8-OHdG and EBC 8-isoprostane. However, significantly higher WBC 8-OHdG and lower global methylation were only observed in ITO handling workers. Significant positive correlations were noted between WBC and urinary 8-OHdG (Spearman correlation r=0.256, p=0.003). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was found between WBC 8-OHdG and global methylation (r=-0.272, p=0.002). These results suggest that exposure to metal oxide NMs may lead to global methylation, DNA oxidative damage, and lipid peroxidation.

Oxygen-vacant TiO 2 (TiO 2− x ) nanoparticles and TiO 2− x /activated carbon fiber (ACF) composites were developed via a N 2 /Ar/He thermal plasma system. The TiO 2− x nanoparticles and TiO 2− x /ACF composites were characterized with TEM, XRD, UV–Vis, ESEM and N 2 adsorption isotherms. The removal effectiveness of TiO 2− x /ACF for gaseous Hg 0 at ppb concentration level and various conditions was subsequently evaluated. The experimental results indicated that the formed TiO 2− x nanoparticles had a size within 10–40 nm and a mixture of anatase and rutile phases. The TiO 2− x formed at 7% N 2 concentration had an evident red-shift in wavelength absorption. The ESEM and N 2 adsorption results suggested that the synthesized TiO 2− x nanoparticles unevenly deposited on the ACF surface causing a decrease in total and micropore surface areas/volumes. Hg breakthrough tests revealed that TiO 2− x /ACF composites had a greater Hg removal under UV or visible-light irradiation than those obtained in the dark condition. The presence of O 2 up to 12% greatly enhanced the Hg removal, implying the positive effects of catalytic oxidation. However, moisture reduced Hg removal performance, especially when visible-light irradiation was applied. These results revealed the competitive adsorption between Hg species and H 2 O and the physisorption nature of Hg species on the light-induced hydrophilic TiO 2− x /ACF surface.

Oxygen-vacant titanium dioxide (TiO 2− x ) nanoparticles possessing a narrower band gap were synthesized with a single-step process using N 2 /Ar/He thermal plasma as a heating source. Sample characterization showed that the formed TiO 2− x nanoparticles had a size within 5–40 nm and were in a mixing form of anatase and rutile. An evident absorption red shift to 470 nm wavelength was observed. The deconvolution results of XPS spectra supported the formation of TiO 2− x due to the presence of Ti 3+ 2p peaks. The Hg removal efficiency of TiO 2− x nanoparticles increased with increasing O 2 concentration and in the presence of light irradiation, suggesting an enhancement in Hg 0 oxidation. H 2 O molecules, however, greatly reduced the Hg removal of TiO 2− x under visible-light (VL) irradiation. The photoinduced hydrophilicity of TiO 2− x under VL irradiation was suspected to amplify the competitive adsorption of H 2 O that decreased Hg capture. Hg removal performances at 50 °C were better than those at 25 and 100 °C, suggesting that both adsorption and catalytic oxidation limit the Hg removal. These observations also implicate that the bonding between TiO 2− x and adsorbed Hg was weak and adsorption reaction may be reversible.