Photo-controlled release hydrogel provides a new strategy for treating tumours. Under the stimulation of external light sources, the ability to release the entrapped drug on time and space on demand has outstanding advantages in improving drug utilisation, optimising treatment, and reducing toxicity and side effects. In this study, a photocontrolled drug delivery system for disulphide cross-linked polyaspartic acid (PASP-SS) hydrogels encapsulating proteinase K (ProK) adsorbed with platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) was designed. The injectable cysteamine-modified polyaspartic acid (PASP-SH) sol and PtNPs adsorbed by ProK (ProK-PtNPs) as regulatory factors were prepared. Then, ProK-PtNPs and lentinan were dissolved in the sol, and the oxidant was added to the matrix to form the gel in situ quickly after injection. Finally, the degradation of PASP-SS hydrogel by ProK and the controllability of drug release under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation were elucidated. In vitro degradation of hydrogels and drug release experiments showed that the degradation rate of PASP-SS hydrogel significantly increased and the drug release rate increased significantly under near-infrared radiation. The results of cytotoxicity test showed that PASP-SS, ProK-PtNPs, and lentinan all had more than 90% cell survival rate on NIH3T3, and the lentinan released from the carrier obviously inhibited the proliferation of MCF7. PASP hydrogel has the potential to respond to on-demand light control. Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Objective: The present study evaluated the preservation of ram semen at 0°C using soybean lecithin with a Tris-fructose extender.Methods: Semen was collected by artificial vagina ejaculation from six rams with proven fertility. High quality ejaculates were diluted by soybean lecithin (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.25%) using Tris-fructose extender and control (Tris-fructose egg yolk extender), respectively. The ejaculates were diluted to a concentration of 5×10⁸ sperm/mL, followed by cooling to 0°C in 90 min and maintaining the temperature for 12 days. The diluted semen samples were examined and recorded for sperm progressive motility, acrosome integrity at 0, 24, 72, 144, 216, 288 h, respectively. Two hundred and twenty-three ewes were inseminated for 216 h with optimal soybean lecithin concentrated semen or control via trans-cervical insemination.Results: The results showed that there were no differences in sperm progressive motility at 0, 24, 72, and 144 h (p>0.05). After 216 h, the sperm progressive motility in the control group and 0.5% concentration groups was significantly higher when compared to 0.25% concentration (p<0.05). The 0.5% concentration group demonstrated the highest survival rate and had no difference with the control group (p>0.05). At 216 h, the sperm progressive motility of all groups was still above 50%. The acrosome integrity of all groups was decreased with prolongation of storage time, but there was no difference at each time point (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in the lambing rate and pregnancy rate between the 0.5% concentration group and the control group (p>0.05).Conclusion: These results suggest that ram sperm is capable of fertilization after preservation at 0°C with 0.5% of soybean lecithin in Tris-based extender substituted for egg yolk and produce normal offspring after insemination.

A poly­(amino acid)-based approach for scalable synthesis of micro-/mesoporous carbon (PC) with high specific surface area and narrow distribution of micro- and mesopores is presented. Using cross-linked poly aspartic acid as a precursor, PC was obtained by in situ one-step carbonization without the activating agent. The resulting PC had an ultrahigh adsorption capacity for H2 (4.43 wt %) and CH4 (4.49 mmol g–1). This novel method could significantly decrease the wastewater hazards caused by washout of the considerable amount of the activating agent. The PC showed promising application in gas adsorption and storage.