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Carbon black microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (APP@CB) was synthesized to enhance the interfacial compatibility, mechanical property and flame retardancy of polyurethane (TPU). The chemical structure of APP@CB hybrids were characterized by Raman spectra and scanning electron microscope. Compared with APP flame retardant TPU composite, the tensile strength of TPU composite containing APP@2CB increased by 23%, and the smoke density approximately decreased by 46%. This is owing to the strong interaction between the CB and TPU in TPU4 (flame retardant by APP@2CB) composite. Furthermore, the TPU4 composite restrained the smoke and toxic volatiles evolved, indicating suppressed toxicity of the TPU composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel zinc stannate (Zn2SnO4, ZS) was successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal route, and graphene(G) was used as the carrier to form graphene‐zinc stannate (G‐ZS) hybrids. The resulted G‐Zn2SnO4 (G‐ZS) was incorporated to epoxy resin for the purpose of reducing the toxicity hazards during combustion. Toxic gas analyzer results showed that the ZS hybrids possess high efficiency on reducing the generation of NOx, HCN, and CO. Cone calorimeter results of the G‐ZS/EP composites showed about 40% decrease on peak heat release rate compared with pristine EP which meant better fire performance. Also, TG‐IR technology was used to further investigate the gases release during the EP decomposition process. Particularly, the CO release had decreased about 80% than pure EP. This work constructs a new strategy to make a binary metal oxides system which would be efficient in reducing the toxic gases during polymer combustion. Besides, a proper bridge‐effect is proposed to illustrate the proper mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing evidence suggesting that establishment of sister chromatid cohesion N-acetyltransferase 1 (ESCO1) was involved in tumorigenesis. However, its role in bladder cancer remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to study the clinical correlation and biological significance of ESCO1 in bladder cancer. Our results showed that ESCO1 was significantly over-expressed in bladder cancer tissues compared with that in adjacent normal tissues. And, increased ESCO1 expression was significantly associated with higher grade ( P < 0.001), higher tumor stage ( P = 0.014), and multifocality ( P = 0.042). Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were performed to determine the prognostic significance of ESCO1, and the results showed that ESCO1 is a useful prognostic marker for bladder cancer patients. Moreover, we found that ESCO1 knockdown inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer cells. In conclusion, our findings indicated that ESCO1 may play an important role in human bladder cancer, and ESCO1 might serve as a novel target and prognosis factor for human bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium hydroxystannate [MgSn(OH)6, MgHS] was successfully prepared by a facile coprecipitation method. Then, MgHS was used to intumescent flame-retardant polypropylene systems. Thermogravimetry analysis results indicated that the introduction of MgHS can improve the thermal stability of the intumescent flame-retardant polypropylene system. Limiting oxygen index and UL-94 vertical burning test data show that the addition of MgHS can significantly improve the flame retardancy of intumescent flame-retardant polypropylene system. From the cone calorimetry results, it can be observed that the peak heat release rate is decreased in comparison with intumescent flame-retardant polypropylene. Moreover, the addition of MgHS significantly reduced the gaseous products, especially carbon monoxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a novel hyperbranched poly (urethane-phosphine oxide) (HPUPO) was facilely synthesized from 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and trihydroxymethylphosphine oxide at room temperature. When HPUPO was incorporated, flame retardancy and toughness of epoxy resin are improved with maintained T g and increased modulus and strength. The gas and condensed phase flame retardant mechanisms and toughening mechanisms are provided. The poor compatibility of epoxy resin/HPUPO hybrids determines the unchanged T g of epoxy matrix phase. The tensile modulus and strength and storage modulus of modified epoxy thermosets are raised due to more rigid skeleton of HPUPO and hydrogen bond interaction. Moreover, the reactivity of epoxy resin curing systems containing HPUPO is elevated for the catalytic effect of its hydroxyl. The surface hydrophilicity of epoxy resin composites is decreased resulting from their increased surface roughness and the hydrophobicity of HPUPO. And the thermal decomposition temperature of epoxy resin hybrids is depressed. The epoxy resins modified by HPUPO with simple synthesis and preparation can be used for various high-performance applications in industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysis is an efficient approach to degrade hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is commonly used as a catalyst for H 2 S degradation. However, the low separation rate of photoinduced carriers and low gas adsorption ability of TiO 2 limit its H 2 S photocatalytic decomposition rate. In this paper, single-crystalline TiO 2 nanowires are assembled on one-dimensional carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and a tunable metal-organic framework (MOF) coating is fabricated on the surface of the TiO 2 nanowires using a versatile step-by-step self-assembly strategy. The excellent photocatalytic properties of the resulting membrane originate from the ability of the CNFs to rapidly transport charge carriers and the high and regenerable H 2 S adsorption ability of the MOF. The photocatalytic mechanism of the as-prepared material was also discussed. Therefore, this work provides a promising method to improve the photocatalytic performance of H 2 S degradation., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

There is increasing evidence suggesting that establishment of sister chromatid cohesion N-acetyltransferase 1 (ESCO1) was involved in tumorigenesis. However, its role in bladder cancer remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to study the clinical correlation and biological significance of ESCO1 in bladder cancer. Our results showed that ESCO1 was significantly over-expressed in bladder cancer tissues compared with that in adjacent normal tissues. And, increased ESCO1 expression was significantly associated with higher grade (P < 0.001), higher tumor stage (P = 0.014), and multifocality (P = 0.042). Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were performed to determine the prognostic significance of ESCO1, and the results showed that ESCO1 is a useful prognostic marker for bladder cancer patients. Moreover, we found that ESCO1 knockdown inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer cells. In conclusion, our findings indicated that ESCO1 may play an important role in human bladder cancer, and ESCO1 might serve as a novel target and prognosis factor for human bladder cancer.

Background: PACE4 is a proprotein convertase capable of processing numerous substrates involved in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. However, the precise role of PACE4 during prostate cancer cell apoptosis has not been reported., Methods: In the present study, human prostate cancer cell lines DU145, LNCaP, and PC3 were transfected with PACE4 small interfering (si)RNA to investigate the underlying mechanisms of apoptosis., Results: We revealed that PACE4 siRNA exhibited antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis, as determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltet-razolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell cycle analysis, Hoechst staining, caspase-3/7 activity, and western blot analysis. In addition, PACE4 siRNA significantly increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, which led to the release of cytochrome c. Moreover, PACE4 siRNA also induced endoplasmic reticulum stress by increasing the expression of GRP78, GRP94, p-PERK, and p-eIF2α. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and GRP78 were also increased in PACE4 gene knockdown prostate cancer cells compared with the control cells., Conclusion: These data demonstrate that PACE4 siRNA may exert its antitumor activity through mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathways, indicating it may be a novel therapeutic target for prostate cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of two micron laser vaporesection combined with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)., Methods: In total, 340 BPH patients aged 62-86 years, were treated with two micron laser vaporesection plus TURP. Mean prostatic volume was measured as 38-182 ml. Operative time, intraoperative hemorrhage volume, time of postoperative bladder irrigation, time of indwelling urinary catheter and surgical complications were examined. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life score (QOL), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax) and post void residual urine volume (PVR) were analyzed., Results: All cases underwent the surgery successfully. No transurethral resection syndrome was noted. Mean operative time was (72±15) min. Mean intra operative hemorrhage volume was (48.4±13.0) ml. Four patients were transfused with 2 U of suspended red blood cells. Time of postoperative bladder irrigation ranged from 0.5-2.5 d. Time of indwelling urinary catheter was 3-6 d. After removing urinary catheter, mild urinary irritation symptoms were noted in 19 cases. Ten patients developing urinary infection were recovered following anti-infection therapy. One with secondary urethral stenosis was healed after urethral dilatation for three times. Postoperative IPSS, QOL, Qmax and PVR were (6.0±2.0), (2.0±0.2), (18.5±1.6) ml/s and (11.0±4.0) ml, significantly improved compared with preoperative levels (all P<0.05). Fifty eight cases with normal sexual function retained sexual function postoperatively and had no retrograde ejaculation., Conclusions: Two micron laser vaporesection plus TURP is efficacious and safe in treating BPH with mild lower urinary tract symptoms and perioperative complications.