Curtin University

About: Curtin University is a education organization based out in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Zircon. The organization has 14257 authors who have published 48997 publications receiving 1336531 citations. The organization is also known as: WAIT & Western Australian Institute of Technology.

An insight into metal organic framework derived N-doped graphene for the oxidative degradation of persistent contaminants: formation mechanism and generation of singlet oxygen from peroxymonosulfate

Abstract: The synthesis of carbonaceous materials from a metal organic framework (MIL-100), organic linker and N-precursor was comprehensively investigated, and the structures of the products were characterized. It was found that simple pyrolysis of mixed MIL-100 (Fe)/dicyandiamide (DCDA) could produce nitrogen-doped graphene (N-graphene). The N-graphene showed excellent performances in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, which were superior to those of counterparts of graphene, iron(II, III) oxide, manganese(IV) oxide and cobalt(II, III) oxide. With PMS activation, N-graphene exhibited efficient catalytic degradation of various organic pollutants such as phenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), sulfachloropyridazine (SCP) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA). Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and radical quenching tests were employed to investigate the PMS activation and organic degradation processes. It was found that singlet oxygen (1O2) was mainly produced during the activation of PMS by N-graphene, and contributed to the catalytic oxidation instead of sulfate and/or hydroxyl radicals. These findings provide new insights into PMS activation by metal-free carbon catalysis.

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Current and Evolving Therapies.

Abstract: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which constitutes 90% of pancreatic cancers, is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Due to the broad heterogeneity of genetic mutations and dense stromal environment, PDAC belongs to one of the most chemoresistant cancers. Most of the available treatments are palliative, with the objective of relieving disease-related symptoms and prolonging survival. Currently, available therapeutic options are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and use of targeted drugs. However, thus far, therapies targeting cancer-associated molecular pathways have not given satisfactory results; this is due in part to the rapid upregulation of compensatory alternative pathways as well as dense desmoplastic reaction. In this review, we summarize currently available therapies and clinical trials, directed towards a plethora of pathways and components dysregulated during PDAC carcinogenesis. Emerging trends towards targeted therapies as the most promising approach will also be discussed.