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Abstract: Transparent nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films were deposited on soda lime glass (SLG) at a low temperature by a simple sol–gel dip-coating method. TiO2 sols were prepared from titanium alkoxide in acidic aqueous solutions and were subsequently refluxed at 80 °C for 8 h, leading to the formation of anatase crystallites. The as-deposited TiO2 films were heated at 115 °C for 15 min. The resulting films consisted of uniform spherical particles of about 20 nm in size and had excellent photoactivity for the degradation of ethanol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hypersegmentation of nuclei is considered a distinct characteristic of the antitumoral phenotype of neutrophils. Retinoic acid, a metabolite of retinol, reorganizes and induces segmentation of the nucleus during the differentiation of neutrophils. However, the role of retinoic acid in the phenotype polarization of neutrophils has not been fully established. Here, we investigated the effect of retinoic acid on phenotype polarization of neutrophils. Retinoic acid-induced the hypersegmentation of human neutrophils via retinoic acid receptors and mTOR pathways. Retinoic acid-induced hypersegmented neutrophils enhanced neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation in response to phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and fMLP (N-Formylmethionine-leucyl-phenylalanine) stimulation, and increased cytotoxicity against various tumor cells. Moreover, retinoic acid treatment attenuated tumor growth in a murine model of tumor. Taken together, these results suggests that retinoic acid induces the phenotype polarization of neutrophils to exert antitumor effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to determine ecological stream health (ESH) and analyze trophic relations of nutrients (N, P) – chlorophyll and macroinvertebrate – fish, which is associated with stream morphology, land-use patterns, and water chemistry. We conducted physical, chemical, and biological surveys at 70 national streams and rivers, and at 40 reference streams. Water chemistry data indicated that ambient nutrient (N, P) levels were influenced by monsoon seasonality and were closely associated with land-use patterns and stream elevation. These factors, in turn, influenced trophic/tolerance guilds, community structures of fish, and the stream health. In the watershed, total phosphorus (TP) was a key determinant of sestonic CHL- a , and the mass ratio TN:TP was determined by phosphorus ( R 2 = 0.63, p < 0.01) rather than nitrogen ( R 2 = 0.01, p > 0.05). Proportions of tolerant and omnivorous fish increased with nutrient enrichment and organic matter pollution, while proportions of sensitive and insectivorous fish decreased. The neural network modeling of a self-organizing map (SOM) suggested that clustering of trained SOM units reflected stream morphology, land-use patterns, and water chemistry, which influenced community structures and tolerances of top trophic level fish species in the ecosystem. Lotic ecosystem health, based on a multi-metric approach (M F -IBI model), was clearly demonstrated by a multivariate analysis (PCA); important factors were watershed characteristics (land-use patterns), nutrient levels (N, P), organic matter (BOD, COD) regimes, and biological components (trophic and tolerance guilds). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance In Korean medicine, the steamed root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, known as Korean red ginseng (KRG), is used to invigorate the body, enhance qi , and improve blood flow. It is a potential treatment for cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF), a common complaint among Asians, especially women. However, few studies of its efficacy and safety for CHHF have been conducted. Materials and methods This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 80 female patients with CHHF at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea. The participants took six capsules of 500-mg KRG powder or placebo twice daily for 8 weeks and were followed up for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was change in skin temperature of the hands. The secondary outcome measures included change in skin temperature of the feet, visual analog scale (VAS) scores of CHHF severity, recovered temperature (RT) of the hands after cold stress test, distal–dorsal difference (DDD) in temperature of the hands, power variables of heart rate variability (HRV), and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores. Results The KRG group had significantly higher skin temperature of the hands and feet, lower VAS scores, higher RT of the right 5th finger, and less parasympathetic activity than the placebo group at 8 weeks. No significant differences were noted in DDD of the hands and SF-36 scores. No serious adverse events were reported during the study. Conclusions Peripheral vasodilation by KRG may alleviate CHHF. Further controlled studies are required to elucidate the effects of KRG on the autonomic nervous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor microenvironments polarize neutrophils to protumoral phenotypes. Here, we demonstrate that the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) antagonist attenuate tumor growth via polarization of neutrophils toward an antitumoral phenotype. The ACEis or AGTR1 antagonist enhanced hypersegmentation of human neutrophils and increased neutrophil cytotoxicity against tumor cells. This neutrophil hypersegmentation was dependent on the mTOR pathway. In a murine tumor model, ACEis and AGTR1 antagonist attenuated tumor growth and enhanced neutrophil hypersegmentation. ACEis inhibited tumor-induced polarization of neutrophils to a protumoral phenotype. Neutrophil depletion reduced the antitumor effect of ACEi. Together, these data suggest that the modulation of Ang II pathway attenuates tumor growth via polarization of neutrophils to an antitumoral phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]