We studied the formation mechanism of dendritic fibrous nanosilica (DFNS) that involves several intriguing dynamical steps. Through electron microscopy and real-time small-angle X-ray scattering studies, it has been demonstrated that the structural evolution of bicontinuous microemulsion droplets (BMDs) and their subsequent coalescence, yielding nanoreactor template, is responsible for to the formation of complex DFNS morphology. The role of cosurfactant has been found to be quite crucial, which allowed the understanding of this intricate mechanism involving the complex interplay of self-assembly, dynamics of BMDs formation, and coalescence. The role of BMDs in formation of DFNS has not been reported so far and the present work allows a deeper molecular-level understanding of DFNS formation.

This study investigated the role of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α)/CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) axis in brain and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and explored the efficacy of CXCR4 primed EPCs in treating ischemic stroke in diabetes. The db/db diabetic and db/+ mice were used in this study. Levels of plasma SDF-1α and circulating CD34+CXCR4+ cells were measured. Brain SDF-1α and CXCR4 expression were quantified at basal and after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In in vitro study, EPCs were transfected with adenovirus carrying null (Ad-null) or CXCR4 (Ad-CXCR4) followed with high glucose (HG) treatment for 4 days. For pathway block experiments, cells were pre-incubated with PI3K inhibitor or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor for two hours. The CXCR4 expression, function and apoptosis of EPCs were determined. The p-Akt/Akt and p-eNOS/eNOS expression in EPCs were also measured. In in vivo study, EPCs transfected with Ad-null or Ad-CXCR4 were infused into mice via tail vein. On day 2 and 7, the cerebral blood flow, neurologic deficit score, infarct volume, cerebral microvascular density, angiogenesis and neurogenesis were determined. We found: 1) The levels of plasma SDF-1α and circulating CD34+CXCR4+ cells were decreased in db/db mice; 2) The basal level of SDF-1α and MCAO-induced up-regulation of SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis were reduced in the brain of db/db mice; 3) Ad-CXCR4 transfection increased CXCR4 expression in EPCs and enhanced EPC colonic forming capacity; 4) Ad-CXCR4 transfection prevented EPCs from HG-induced dysfunction (migration and tube formation) and apoptosis via activation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signal pathway; 4) Ad-CXCR4 transfection enhanced the efficacy of EPC infusion in attenuating infarct volume and promoting angiogenesis and neurogenesis. Our data suggest that Ad-CXCR4 primed EPCs have better therapeutic effects for ischemia stroke in diabetes than unmodified EPCs do.

Here we demonstrate the selective bulk scale synthesis of delaminated graphene sheets by a proper choice of magnetic field modulating an electric-arc. An ultra-high purity glassy graphite anode was sublimated in an argon atmosphere. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), as well as graphene sheets were found inside the deposit formed on the cathode. Both the high purity CNTs as well as graphene sheets, with minimal structural defects, were synthesized separately by varying the strength and orientation of the external magnetic field generated by arrays of permanent magnets. The as-synthesized carbonaceous samples were characterized with the help of transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction (SAED), Raman spectroscopy (RS) and thermogravimetry for optimizing the highest selective production of delaminated graphenes. This optimization was done by varying the strength and orientation of the external magnetic field.The as-synthesized graphene sheets exhibited relatively high degree of graphitization and low structural defect density as confirmed by RS. They were found to exhibit higher oxidation temperature (767°C) than that of the carbon nanocrystalline (690°C) particles as inferred from the thermogravimatric analysis. Moreover, they were found to form 'scroll-like CNTs' at their edges on account of their surface energy minimization. This was confirmed by the SAED analysis. With this new technique, we could successfully synthesize delaminated graphenes at a rate of few g/h.

The results of this study strongly indicate the protective effect of SXE against acute liver injury which may be attributed to its hepatoprotective activity, and there by scientifically support its traditional use.