Ag-Cu bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared by reducing mixtures of AgNO 3 and Cu(OAc) 2 •H 2 O in ethylene glycol (EG) in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) at 175 o C for 5-60 min. At high [Ag]/[Cu] molar ratios of 1 and 2 or at a short reaction time below 5 min, Ag rich Ag/Cu alloy particles were formed. On the other hand, at low [Ag]/[Cu] molar ratios of 0.25 and 0.5 or a long reaction time above 15 min, Cu shells were overgrown on Au/Cu cores and new Ag/Cu alloy core Cu shell nanoparticles, denoted as Ag/Cu@Cu, were produced. The formation of Ag/Cu and Ag/Cu@Cu particles was examined using energy dispersed X-ray spectroscopic (EDS) measurements. The growth mechanisms of Ag/Cu and Ag/Cu@Cu particles are discussed on the basis of TEM-EDS and ultraviolet (UV)-visible (Vis)-near infrared (NIR) extinction spectral data. The time dependence of UV-Vis spectra indicated that the Cu component of Ag/Cu@Cu particles has higher antioxidized property for than that of Cu and Cu@Ag particles. Syntheses of Ag/Cu alloy and Ag/Cu alloy core Cu shell nanoparticles using a polyol method and 22310060) and Kyushu University G-COE program "Novel Carbon Resource Sciences". Notes and references

SYNOPSISThe spinnable dope containing 20 wt % of silk fibroin dissolved in the MU solvent (e.g., LiBr * H 2 0 = 40 wt %, and EtOH : H20 = 100 : 0 in volume) was spun into a coagulant and subsequently drawn, to give the following results.1. Methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol were a predominant coagulant for the dope, and the coagulant containing 10% LiBr -H20 is best.2. Spinnability depended upon the ratio of nozzle hole length to diameter (LID) and was improved by increasing LID from 4 to 10. Coagulativity was not sufficient at the SF concentration of 16%, but improved by raising it up to 20%. Drawability of the spun filaments in water was improved at a temperature above 60°C. 3. The drawn fiber showed excellent mechanical properties, especially tensile toughness when as-spun fiber was drawn in water at 61OC. An X-ray diffraction diagram of the drawn fibers indicated their crystalline axes were partially oriented along the fiber axis. 0 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Background It has recently been suggested that concomitant medication may affect the clinical outcome of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, only a few studies on the impact of concomitant medication on immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) have previously been reported. Here, we aimed to determine the impact of concomitant medication on the efficacy and safety of ICIs. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 300 patients treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab for advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between January 2016 and July 2018. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of concomitant medication on treatment response or irAEs. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate concomitant medication‐related factors associated with time‐to‐treatment failure or overall survival (OS). Results A total of 70 patients responded to treatment and 137 experienced irAEs. The response rate and incidence of irAEs in patients treated with ICIs were not significantly associated with concomitant medication. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of opioids was an independent factor (time‐to‐treatment failure: hazard ratio 1.39, p = 0.021, OS: hazard ratio 1.54, p = 0.007). Conclusions The efficacy and safety of nivolumab or pembrolizumab in the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC were not significantly influenced by concomitant medication. However, opioid usage might be associated with shorter OS in patients treated with these ICIs. Further mechanistic investigations should explore whether these associations are purely prognostic or contribute to ICI resistance.

Cu core–Ag shell nanoparticles, denoted as Cu@Ag, were prepared using a two-step polyol reduction process under bubbling N2 gas. Formation of Cu@Ag particles with an average size of ca. 80 nm was confirmed using energy-dispersed X-ray spectroscopic (EDS) measurements. The Cu particle oxidation was suppressed greatly by Ag shell covering.

Plants respond to herbivory by perceiving herbivore danger signal(s) (HDS(s)), including “elicitors”, that are present in herbivores’ oral secretions (OS) and act to induce defense responses. However, little is known about HDS-specific molecules and intracellular signaling. Here we explored soybean receptor-like kinases (RLKs) as candidates that might mediate HDS-associated RLKs’ (HAKs’) actions in leaves in response to OS extracted from larvae of a generalist herbivore, Spodoptera litura. Fractionation of OS yielded Frα, which consisted of polysaccharides. The GmHAKs composed of their respective homomultimers scarcely interacted with Frα. Moreover, Arabidopsis HAK1 homomultimers interacted with cytoplasmic signaling molecule PBL27, resulting in herbivory resistance, in an ethylene-dependent manner. Altogether, our findings suggest that HAKs are herbivore-specific RLKs mediating HDS-transmitting, intracellular signaling through interaction with PBL27 and the subsequent ethylene signaling for plant defense responses in host plants.

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Bicompartmental (BC) Ag/Cu nanoparticles were synthesized using a two-step polyol reduction process. Initially, Ag nanoparticles with an average diameter of 21±3 nm were prepared from AgNO3 using a microwave (MW)–polyol method. Then, Cu(OAc)2·H2O was added dropwise under MW or oil-bath heating. The formation of BC Ag/Cu nanoparticles with an average size of 29±6 nm in high yield (98%) was confirmed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (EDS) measurements.

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