Signal integration between activating Fc receptors and inhibitory signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) controls macrophage phagocytosis. Here, using dual-color direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, we report that Fcγ receptor I (FcγRI), FcγRII, and SIRPα are not homogeneously distributed at macrophage surfaces but are organized in discrete nanoclusters, with a mean radius of 71 ± ...

This work was motivated by the unsatisfactory stability of Au(25)(SG)(18) in solution under thermal conditions (e.g. 70-90 °C for DNA melting). Thus, we searched for a better, water-soluble thiol ligand. Herein, we report a one-pot synthesis and investigation of the stability and optical properties of captopril (abbreviated Capt)-protected Au(25)(Capt)(18) nanoclusters. The Au(25)(Capt)(18) (an...

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a reactive metabolite of glucose. Since the plasma concentration of MGO is increased in diabetic patients, MGO is implicated in diabetes-associated vascular endothelial cells (ECs) injury, which might be responsible for atherosclerosis. In the present study, we examined effects of treatment of human umbilical vein ECs with MGO on EC morphology and inflammatory responses. ...

Nanoclusters have gained a huge interest due to their unique properties. They represent an intermediate state between an atom and a solid, which manifests itself in their atomic configurations and electronic structure. The applications of nanoclusters require detailed understanding of their properties and strongly depend on the ability to control their synthesis process. Significant effort has ...

Methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced carbonyl stress and pro-inflammatory responses have been suggested to contribute to endothelial dysfunction. Curcumin (Cur), a polyphenolic compound from Curcuma longa L., may protect endothelial cells against carbonyl stress-induced damage by trapping dicarbonyl compounds such as MGO. However, Cur-MGO adducts have not been studied in depth to date and it remains to ...

Lipid-anchored Ras GTPases form transient, spatially segregated nanoclusters on the plasma membrane that are essential for high-fidelity signal transmission. The lipid composition of Ras nanoclusters, however, has not previously been investigated. High-resolution spatial mapping shows that different Ras nanoclusters have distinct lipid compositions, indicating that Ras proteins engage in isofor...

In this report, we present a simple and generic concept involving metal nanoclusters supported on metal oxide nanowires as stable and high capacity anode materials for Li-ion batteries. Specifically, SnO(2) nanowires covered with Sn nanoclusters exhibited an exceptional capacity of >800 mAhg(-1) over hundred cycles with a low capacity fading of less than 1% per cycle. Post lithiation analyses a...

Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide cationic (CTAB) surfactant was used as template for the synthesis of nanoclusters of ZnS composed of nanowires, by hydrothermal method. The structural and morphological studies were performed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) techniques. The synthesized ZnS nanocluster...

MgO is an important inorganic material, which can be used in many aspects, such as catalyst, toxic-waste remediation agent, adsorbent, and others. In order to make use of MgO, nano-MgO was prepared by ultrasonic method using Mg (CH3COO)2.2H2O as precursor, NaOH aqueous solution as precipitant in this paper. Effect factors on MgO nano-particle size were investigated. Characteristics of samples w...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Low pH, hydrogen peroxide generation, and the hyperosmolarity mechanisms of antimicrobial action are ubiquitous for all honeys. In addition, manuka honey has been shown to contain high concentrations of methylglyoxal (MGO), contributing the relatively superior antimicrobial activity of manuka honey compared to non-MGO honeys. In high concentrations, manuka honey is effecti...