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Self-healing materials have attracted considerable attention because of their sustainable property of prolonging service life and reducing resource consumption. However, as plenty of room-temperature self-healable materials have been studied, it still remains a great challenge to equip these materials with admirable mechanical strength since there is a compromise between intermolecular interactions and chain mobility. Herein, a novel strategy of integrating self-healing ability with robustness in polymeric elastomer at ambient condition was developed. The synthesized polyurethane was equipped with multiple reversible interactions including disulfide bonds, oxime urethane bonds, H-bonds and coordination interactions, and formed triple cross-linking network. What’s important is that Cu2+ could not only act as the coordination center, but also serve as the catalyst to accelerate disulfide exchange and oxime urethane exchange reaction. XPS and stress relaxation tests revealed that the introduction of CuCl2 reduced the relaxation activation energy of both the disulfide metathesis and oxime urethane exchange reaction. Thanks to the multiple interactions design and the effects of Cu2+, the elastomer was endowed with excellent mechanical strength of 19.5 MPa and self-healing efficiency of 83% at room temperature.

Metal oxide anode materials generally possess high theoretical capacities. However, their further development in potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) is limited by self-aggregation and large volume fluctuations during charge/discharge processes. Herein, hierarchical MnCo2 O4 hollow microspheres (ts-MCO HSs) with three porous shells that consist of aggregated primary nanoparticles are fabricated as anode materials of KIBs. The porous shells are in favor of reducing the diffusion path of K-ions and electrons, and thus the rate performance can be enhanced. The unique triple-shelled hollow structure is believed to provide sufficient contact between electrolyte and metal oxides, possess additional active storage sites for K-ions, and buffer the volume change during K-ions insertion/extraction. A high specific capacity of 243 mA h g-1 at 100 mA g-1 in the 2nd cycle and a highly improved rate performance of 153 mA h g-1 at 1 A g-1 are delivered when cycled between 0.01 and 3.0 V. In addition, the transformation of substances during charging/discharging processes are intuitively demonstrated by the in situ X-ray diffraction strategy for the first time, which further proves that the unique structure of ts-MCO HSs with three porous shells can significantly enhance the potassium ions storage performance.

The grid-scale integration of solar or wind energy that fluctuates over time will compromise the stability of the power grid. All-vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is among the most feasible electrochemical energy storage solutions, while the grand challenge is to develop membranes that separate vanadium electrolytes effectively and transport protons rapidly. Here we present highly conductive and vanadium sieving microporous membranes from shape persistent Trӧger's Base polymer. The N-rich and microporous polymer skeleton facilitate H+ transport. In contrast, hydrated vanadium ions are blocked due to size exclusion and coulombic repulsion. This increases the H/V selectivity of the membrane to >6300, lowers the membrane resistance to 0.57 Ω cm2, and raises the battery power density to 710.9 mW cm−2. A round-trip energy efficiency of 80% and a coulombic efficiency of >99% are maintained during long periods of charge/discharge. We believe the results will stimulate new directions for advanced VRFB membranes.

// Jiahui Zhou 1 , Zunnan Huang 1 , Ziyou Wang 1 , Shumin Liu 1 , Alf Grandien 3 , Ingemar Ernberg 2 , Zhiwei He 1 and Xiangning Zhang 1 1 Department of Pathophysiology and China-America Cancer Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, China 2 Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden 3 Center for Haematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Correspondence to: Zunnan Huang, email: zn_huang@yahoo.com Zhiwei He, email: Zhiweihe688@yahoo.com Xiangning Zhang, email: zhangxn_2006@126.com Keywords: nasopharyngeal carcinoma, tumor suppressor gene, BLU/ZMYND10, TRAIL, NF-κB Received: September 14, 2016 Accepted: November 19, 2016 Published: December 23, 2016 ABSTRACT A putative tumor suppressor BLU mapped on the chromosomal 3p21 region, is frequently lost in human tumors including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). To explore the underlying mechanism of tumor suppression by BLU , its potential to promote apoptosis induced by TRAIL, an effector molecule elaborated by natural killer-T (NKT) cells was investigated. BLU was re-expressed in NPC-derived HNE1 cells by recombinant adenoviral infection and the cells were challenged with recombinant TRAIL. The growth inhibition of BLU was assayed and apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry-based tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) and annexin V staining, cleavage of pro-caspase-8 and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). The modulation of NF-κB pathway by BLU was evaluated by the reporter activity and estimation of the level of the molecules involved such as IKKalpha, p65 NF-κB, as well as NF-κB induced anti-apoptotic factors cFLIP L and cIAP2. The expression of BLU exerted in vitro and in vivo growth inhibitory effect and promoted TRAIL-induced apoptosis. This phenomenon was validated by FACS-based assays of mitochondrial membrane potential (BLU vs. Vector 87.8% ± 7.7% and 72.1%±6.7% at 6h exposure to TRAIL) and phosphatidylserine turnover ( BLU vs. vector: 28.7%±2.9% and 22.6%±2.5%), as well as, enhanced caspapse-8 cleavage. Similar with the findings that BLU promotes chemotherapeutic agent-induced apoptosis, it also augmented death receptor-induced pathway through NF-κB pathway inhibition. In conclusion, BLU suppressed tumor formation by strengthening the antitumor immunity.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a lethal cancer with high recurrence ratio and lacks effective therapeutics. In the past few years, it has been reported that increased intake of vegetables and fruits could reduce the cancer incidence, which suggests dietary agents might possess anticancer effects. Eriocitrin is a flavonoid isolated from lemon, which is known as a strong antioxidant agent. We here for the first time demonstrated that eriocitrin could inhibit the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines by arresting cell cycle in S phase through up-regulation of p53, cyclin A, cyclin D3 and CDK6. Furthermore, we found that eriocitrin could trigger apoptosis by activating mitochondria-involved intrinsic signaling pathway. Thus, eriocitrin might be regarded as a potential chemopreventive natural product to inhibit the early malignant transformation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most frequent cause of hospitalization in infants worldwide. It is recognized by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR 4) and cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) in the innate immune response. Previous case-control studies reported the influence of TLR4 Asp299Gly, TLR4 Thr399Ile, and CD14 C-159T polymorphisms on the risk of severe RSV infection. However, a decisive conclusion has not been achieved. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to examine the association between these three polymorphisms and the development of RSV bronchiolitis. A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, EMbase, Google Scholar Search, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biological Medicine, and Wanfang Databases. The data were extracted and pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated under six genetic models. A total of six studies with 1009 cases and 1348 controls, three studies with 473 cases and 481 controls, or four studies with 325 cases and 650 controls relating to each of the three polymorphisms were included in this meta-analysis. The analyzed data indicated that all of these polymorphisms were not associated with the risk of severe RSV infection. This is the first meta-analysis to investigate the relationship of TLR4 Asp299Gly, TLR4 Thr399Ile, and CD14 C-159T polymorphisms with the risk of severe RSV infection. Although the results of this retrospective analysis indicated a lack of the association, more extensive multicentric studies with large sample sizes are necessary to provide a more reliable estimation of the association between these three polymorphisms and RSV bronchiolitis susceptibility.

Inadequacy of posterior osteophyte resection in anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) surgery has long been a clinical concern as it may influence surgical outcome. There has been no agreement on the prognosis in the presence of remnant posterior osteophytes. This study retrospectively investigated 26 cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients after ACDF in whom a remnant posterior osteophyte was identified by long-term follow-up CT scans (minimum of 2 years). Remnant posterior osteophytes and osseous spinal canal were measured and compared between pre-operation CT and long-term post-operation CT. The post-operative clinical outcomes were also studied. The remnant osteophytes did not obviously decrease in size in any patient and significantly enlarged in 10 patients, with a new posterior osteophyte developing in one patient. In patients whose remnant osteophyte is enlarged, the incidence of pseudoarthrosis, as well as clinical deterioration during follow-up was significantly higher than patients with stable osteophytes. Contrary to previous reports, none of the remnant posterior osteophytes decreased obviously in size during follow up. Despite the persistence of posterior osteophytes, ACDF is still effective in CSM treatment. Posterior osteophyte enlargement at fused segment appears to be associated with symptomatic pseudoarthrosis and clinical deterioration after surgery.

Choline acetyltransferase (CHAT) rs3810950 and rs2177369 polymorphisms have been implicated in susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Due to the inconsistent results from previous studies, a meta-analysis was performed to estimate the association between these polymorphisms and AD risk more precisely. Pooled results of our meta-analysis indicated CHAT rs2177369 polymorphism was correlated with decreasing AD risk in one of five genetic models (dominant: OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62–0.96), while rs3810950 mutant was associated with AD development in three models (allelic: OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, homozygous: OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.09–2.42, and recessive: OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.20–2.26). In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the association between CHAT rs3810950 polymorphism and AD risk was just found in the recessive model (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.05–2.07) among Caucasians, while four genetic models (allelic: OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01–1.48; homozygous: OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.48–3.39; dominant: OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06–1.40; and recessive: OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.45–3.29) assumed this association in Asians. In conclusion, our meta-analysis indicated CHAT rs2177369 polymorphism might play a protective role in AD, while rs3810950 variant was a risk factor for AD but its single heterozygous mutations might not influence susceptibility to AD.

To overcome the volume expansion and poor electrical conductivity of metal oxides, graphene aerogel encapsulated Fe3O4 nanoparticles composite material was synthesized by hydrothermal self-assembled method. Fe3O4 was synthesized in situ during the self-assembled process, effectively relieving volume expansion and pulverization of metal oxides by the encapsulation of graphene aerogels (termed Fe3O4@rGA). Besides, the graphene aerogel enhances the conductivity of the composite material. The Fe3O4@rGA used as anode material for sodium ion batteries in this study displayed an excellent initial capacity of 220 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1, and even showed reversible capacity of 82 mA h g−1 at 10 A g−1.

Magnetic carbon@ferroferric oxide nanocatalyst (C@FONC), a composite material comprising powdered activated carbon (PAC) and ferroferric oxide nanocatalyst (FONC), was prepared using chemical co-precipitation. In this study, we evaluated the performance and complete pathway of tetracycline (TC) degradation in a C@FONC/H2O2 system. Moreover, the toxicity of TC and its intermediates was estimated. TC degradation in the C@FONC/H2O2 system followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the TC removal efficiency reached 97% in 120 min (TC0 = 150 ppm). The electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis and free radical quenching experiments indicated the generation of •OH and HO2• during the reaction. The investigation of the reaction mechanisms revealed the complementary performances between C@FONC adsorption and heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction in the TC degradation process. The stability of C@FONC recycling was also measured by multiple cycles of reactions, and the TC removal rate still reached 85.8% after nine cycles. In addition, the superparamagnetism and negligible iron leaching of the C@FONC/H2O2 system represented significant improvements relative to PAC and the conventional homogeneous Fenton process, making it a promising composite for applications in advanced oxidation processes.

The typical chemical co-precipitation method was adopted for the synthesis of ferroferric oxide nanoparticles assisted powdered activated carbon (FONP-PAC). The crystal structure, surface profile, and element composition were systematically investigated to reveal FONP-PAC’s structural characteristics and tetracycline (TC) adsorption mechanism. We found the formation of FONP distributed on the surface/pores/channels of PAC. The adsorption behavior was dramatically fast and could be described by Freundlich isotherm and Elovich kinetic models. The thermodynamics investigation indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous endothermic reaction, which was mainly carried out via chemical sorption mechanism. Our research of the superior adsorption capacity of magnetically separable FONP-PAC for TC from aqueous solution proposed a feasible adsorbent instead of PAC for antibiotic wastewater, and the good regeneration ability of FONP-PAC provided the feasibility of its application in engineering.

Poor cycle performance and low coulombic efficiency are bottleneck problems that hinder the further development of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. In this study, vapor silica-supported S is prepared by using a facile impregnation method and applied as cathode for Li–S batteries. Results indicate that approximately 43.7% of S is loaded into polyporous vapor silica. The prepared material also displays excellent electrochemical performance. After 200 cycles at a current density of 1000 mA·g−1, a capacity of 710 mAh·g−1 with a reversible capacity retention rate of 85% with coulombic efficiency of 100% is obtained. At a large current density of 2000 mA·g−1, the capacity of 605 mAh·g−1 is maintained after 300 cycles. This material contributes impressive surface-controlled pseudocapacity and high Li ion diffusion coefficient, which helps obtain high capacity and good rate performance during cycles. These results suggest that the prepared vapor silica-supported S can meet the needs of next-generation long-life Li–S batteries.

In this paper, matlab programs were written to efficiently process the experiment data for buckling and post-buckling of delaminated composite beams. In the experiments, data collected from 810 Material Test System (MTS) and from dial indicator were sampled at different frequencies, thus were not matched with each other in time. To solve this problem matlab programs were developed. It shows that using the developed program, the experiment data from the two testing systems are corresponding and truly reflect the changes of mechanical parameters in the buckling and post-buckling process of specimens in the experiments.

This study contains 2 arms: (1) the ASIR-V technique combined with low-tube-voltage in lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis was investigated; and (2) CT venography and ultrasound results in DVT diagnosis were compared. For arm 1, 90 patients suspected of DVT were randomly divided into 3 groups (30/group): groups A and B were scanned under 100-kV with pre-set ASIR-V weights of 30% and 50% respectively; group C were scanned under 70-kV with a 50% weight. For arm 2, 75 patients were divided into 3 groups (25/group), each group was CT scanned as in arm 1 and then all subjects were examined by ultrasound. Groups A, B and C had 16, 14 and 17 patients diagnosed with DVTs, respectively. There was no significant difference in subjective ratings of image quality among all groups. The 70-kV protocol remarkably increased venous attenuation value while all groups had similar DVT attenuation value. Higher noise was observed in group C, the CNR however, was actually augmented due to elevated venous attenuations. More importantly, group C had significantly lower CTDIvol and DLP values. In conclusion, the 70-kV protocol is superior to the 100 kV protocols, which was supported by findings from the second arm study.

Considering serious pollution from the traditional chemical synthesis process, the resource-rich, clean, and first-hand electrode materials are greatly desired. Natural ore molybdenite (MoS

A novel strategy is provided to construct alkali-stable poly(phenylene oxide) based anion exchange membranes to alleviate cation-induced degradation. The facile and safe Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction was employed in grafting phenylpropyl bromide followed by quaternization and alkalization. Enhanced hydroxide conductivity and suppressed water swelling were obtained.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) makes a major contribution to disability and deaths worldwide. Reactive astrogliosis, a typical feature after SCI, which undergoes varying molecular and morphological changes, is ubiquitous but poorly understood. Reactive astrogliosis contributes to glial scar formation that impedes axonal regeneration. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a well-established neurotrophic factor, exerts neuroprotective and growth-promoting effects on a variety of neuronal populations after injury. In the present study, by using LPS-induced in vitro injury model of astroglial cultures, we observed a high expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and BDNF in LPS-stimulated normal human astrocytes (NHAs). BDNF significantly promoted NHA proliferation. Further, online tools were employed to screen the candidate miRNAs which might directly target BDNF to inhibit its expression. Amongst the candidate miRNAs, miR-211 expression was down-regulated by LPS stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. Through direct targetting, miR-211 inhibited BDNF expression. Ectopic miR-211 expression significantly suppressed NHA proliferation, as well as LPS-induced activation of PI3K/Akt pathway. In contrast, inhibition of miR-211 expression significantly promoted NHA proliferation and LPS-induced activation of PI3K/Akt pathway. Taken together, miR-211/BDNF axis regulates LPS-induced NHA proliferation through PI3K/AKT pathway; miR-211/BDNF might serve as a promising target in the strategy against reactive astrocyte proliferation after SCI.

Combination therapy using distinct mode-of-action drugs has sparked a rapidly growing interest because this paradigm holds promise for improving the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer therapy. However, the current drug combination therapy refers to administering individual drugs together, which is far from a perfect regimen for cancer patients. The aim of this work was to demonstrate that synergistic delivery of two chemotherapeutic drugs in a single nanoparticle reservoir could be achieved through the rational chemical ligation of the drugs followed by supramolecular nano-assembly via blending of the drugs with a minimal amount of matrix. Choosing 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin and taxanes, which are rich in aromatic structures, as model compounds, we show that the heterodimeric conjugates of the two agents are miscible with lipids to form systemically injectable nanomedicines. The compatibility between the prodrug conjugates and lipid carriers is substantially augmented by the intermolecular π-π stacking and alleviated polarity, thus enabling an exceptionally high drug loading (DL) capacity (~92%) and a gratifyingly long drug retention time within the micellar core. We further observed superior therapeutic outcomes in a mouse tumor model without detecting accompanying systemic toxicity. This structure-based, self-assembled cancer nanomedicine increased the potency and drug tolerability in animals and thus offers a robust strategy for simultaneously formulating two or more drugs in single nanovehicles.

Previous studies have investigated the association between MTHFR A1298C (rs1801131) polymorphism and susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nevertheless, an ultimate conclusion remains obscure. We then executed this meta-analysis to estimate this association more precisely.Related studies were systematically searched on PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Google scholar, and AlzGene databases. The association was evaluated by reviewing the odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Publication bias, sensitivity analysis, and cumulative meta-analysis were performed to help draw a more definite conclusion.Ten eligible studies were finally enrolled in this meta-analysis. Lack of association between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and AD risk was observed in five genetic models (allelic: OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.88-1.56; homozygous: OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.87-1.53; heterozygous: OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.76-1.86; dominant: OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.81-1.87; recessive: OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.89-1.52). The result of cumulative meta-analysis sorted by publication year was also detected a dynamic tendency of no correlation between MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and AD.This meta-analysis reveals that MTHFR A1298C polymorphism may not be associated with AD risk.

This study investigated the role of miR-143 in the chemoresistance of osteosarcoma tumor cells and the associated mechanisms. Real-time PCR was used to measure miR-143 levels. Western blot was used to detect protein expression. Cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay and Matrigel colony formation assay. Forced miR-143 expression was established by adenoviral vector infection. Cell death was detected by Hoechst33342 staining. Loss of miR-143 expression was observed in osteosarcomas, which correlated with shorter survival of patients with osteosarcomas underlying chemotherapy. In chemoresistant SAOS-2 and U2OS osteosarcomas cells, miR-143 levels were significantly downregulated and accompanied by increases in ATG2B, Bcl-2, and/or LC3-II protein levels, high rate of ALDH1+CD133+ cells, and an increase in Matrigel colony formation ability. H2O2 upregulated p53 and miR-143, but downregulated ATG2B, Bcl-2, and LC3-I expression in U2OS cells (wild-type p53) but not in SAOS-2 (p53-null) cells. Forced miR-143 expression significantly reversed chemoresistance as well as downregulation of ATG2B, LC3-I, and Bcl-2 expression in SAOS-2- and U2OS-resistant cells. Forced miR-143 expression significantly inhibited tumor growth in xenograft SAOS-2-Dox and U2OS-Dox animal models. Loss of miR-143 expression is associated with poor prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma underlying chemotherapy. The chemoresistance of osteosarcoma tumor cells to doxorubicin is associated with the downregulation of miR-143 expression, activation of ALDH1+CD133+ cells, activation of autophagy, and inhibition of cell death. miR-143 may play a crucial role in the chemoresistance of osterosarcoma tumors.

A 45 nm high In component metamorphic In0.7Ga0.3As/In0.6Ga0.4As composite-channel high electron-mobility transistor (mHEMT) on GaAs substrate with good DC and RF performance has been developed. The structure was grown by molecular beam epitaxy and exhibits a superior electron mobility of 10200 cm2/(V.s) and a sheet density of 3.5 × 1012 cm−2 at a room temperature. A combined optical and e-beam lithography technology was used to achieve the nanometre mHEMT device. The mHEMT device shows an extrinsic transconductance of up to 990 mS/mm and a maximum current density of 910 mA/mm. The unity current gain cutoff frequency fT and the maximum oscillation frequency f max are 187.94 and 258.62 GHz, respectively. These performances make the device well suited for millimetre-wave applications.

Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors with atomic layer deposited (ALD) various Al 2 O 3 thicknesses are investigated for radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) applications. For 20 nm Al 2 O 3 , the fabricated capacitor exhibits a high capacitance density of 3850 pF/mm2 and acceptable voltage coefficients of capacitance (VCCs) of 681 ppm/V2 and 134 ppm/V at 1 MHz. An outstanding VCCs of 74 ppm/V2 and 55 ppm/V is obtained by 100 nm thickness Al 2 O 3 MIM capacitors. The impact of various dielectric thicknesses on RF characteristics such as Q factors and resonance frequency is also investigated. Moreover, a simplified small signal model of the MIM capacitors is described. Excellent agreement between measured and simulated data demonstrates the validity of this model.

In this paper, MOS capacitors and Mg-implanted source and drain p-channel GaSb MOSFETs are fabricated. The effects of post-metallization annealing (PMA) on the performance of these devices have been studied. The 30sec 300 °C PMA in N 2 ambient is found to improve the quality of the Al 2 O 3 /n-GaSb interface. After PMA, for a device with a gate length of 2µm, a maximum drive current of 10.8 mA/mm, and an I on /I off ratio of 2×103 are achieved.

In this paper, a novel InGaAs metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) radio frequency (RF) switch device is demonstrated. The MOSFET RF switch device with 0.3 µm gate length and 10 nm Al 2 O 3 as gate dielectric shows insertion loss of 0.3 dB and isolation of more than 50 dB. A maximum drain current of 250 mA/mm, a peak transconductance of 370 mS/mm, a turn-on resistance of 2.4 O·mm and a drain current on-off (I on /I off ) ratio of over 1×106 are obtained. The small signal models of this MOSFET switch device are also described. Excellent agreement between measured and simulated demonstrates the validity of this model.

A method of surface roughening is introduced to the InGaN/GaN LED chip fabrication process by self-assembled Ag nano-particles. 10nm silver film is deposited by E-beam evaporation (EBV) on SiN x passivation layer and the silver nano-scale particles self-assemble after 400°C Rapid Thermal Annealing (RTA), which are used as the mask for SiN x Reactive Ion Etching (RIE), and the surface roughness varies with different duration of etching. Test results show that it's easy and effective to achieve the light output promotion; after RTA for 3min and RIE for 3min, the light output (LOP) is increased by 77.6% under 20mA injection current.

Betaine is found to be an efficient promoter for the copper-catalyzed N-arylation of indoles (I) in aqueous solution.

To study the effects of different doses of tetramethylpyrazine on injury and calcium overload in myocardial cells of diastole heart failure rat model.Diastole heart failure model was established by the coarctation of abdominal aorta. 4 weeks after operation, forty rats with DHF were divided into four groups randomly as follows, model (physiological saline 2 mL), tetramethylpyrazine (40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), tetramethylpyrazine (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), tetramethylpyrazine (10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), with 10 rats for each group (n = 10), and 10 sham operation rats was taken as control (physiological saline, 2 mL). After 4 weeks administration, cardiac function was determined by catheter. The changes of myocardial ultrastructure were investigated by means of transmission electron microscope. [Ca2+ ]i was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope [LSCM]. Ca(2+) -ATPase activity of mitochondrion was measured by the method of enzymatic reaction chromatometry.Compared with the control group, the rats of operation group have no significant changes on left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and maximal rising rate of ventricular pressure (+dp/dt(max)), but left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) increased markedly, maximal delining rate of ventricular pressure (-dp/dt(max)) decreased significantly, left ventricular relax time constant quantity (T) markedly extended, myocardial pathology injured markedly, [Ca2+]i in cardiocyte increased markedly and the Ca(2+) -ATPase activity of myocardial mitochondria decreased significantly in the model group. After 4 weeks administration, compared with the model group, LVEDP decreased significantly, -dp/dt(max) increased markedly, T markedly shortened, myocardial ultrastructure damage were significantly reduced, fluorescent value decreased and Ca(2+) -ATPase activity of mitochondrion increased significantly in TMP low-dose group and mid-dose group.Low dosage of TMP can reduced myocardial pathology injury, increased Ca(2+)-ATPase activity of myocardial mitochondria, improve cardiac function and [Ca2+]i in cardiocyte and antagonise calcium overload of rats with DHF.

To explore the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation (LIPUS) on the maturation of regenerate bone in a rabbit limb lengthening model.Sixty skeletal mature female New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into an LIPUS treatment group and a control group. All rabbits were underwent mid-diaphyseal tibial osteotomy and immobilized in an Orthofix M103 Mini lengther. Gradual distraction at 0.5 mm every 12 h for 10 d was performed at day 7 postoperatively. A 4-week course of LIPUS treatment group was applied over the distraction site for 20 min daily starting immediately after the completion of the distraction only for the treatment group. Rabbits were euthanized and the mid-diaphyseal tibia was harvested for evaluation at 4, 8, and 12 wk after the completion of the bone lengthening protocol. Radiographic analysis was performed to study the formation of bone callus using the ImageJ software at 12 wk after the completion of the bone lengthening protocol. Bone mineral density (BMD) of regenerate bone was measured by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Torsional testing to failure was performed on the tibia specimens at 8 and 12 wk after the completion of the bone lengthening protocol.Radiographic measurement showed higher relative gray scale of bone callus in the LIPUS group than that in the control group at 12 wk (P0.05). BMD in the LIPUS group was significantly higher than that in control group at 8 and 12 wk (P0.05). Biomechanical testing showed that the ultimate torque, ultimate torsional stiffness, and energy absorption at failure of regenerated bone at 8 and 12 wk in the LIPUS treatment group were better than those in the control group (P0.05).LIPUS as a biophysical stimulation may accelerate the formation and maturation of regenerate bone in rabbit tibia lengthening model.

Modular high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) coupled with helium turbine is considered as one of the leading candidates for future nuclear power plants. This paper analyzes the thermodynamic process of the precooled, intercooled and regenerated HTGR gas turbine cycle, presents the effects of various parameters on the efficiency, and derives an optimum pressure ratio. In addition, the turbine cascades performances of different working fluids, say helium and air, are numerically simulated with CFD software. Comparisons between the two cascades are made in this paper.Copyright © 2006 by ASME

The apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) in rat Thy-1 nephritis (Thy-1N), a model of human mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN), is accompanied by sublytic C5b-9 deposition. However, the mechanism by which sublytic C5b-9 induces GMC apoptosis is unclear. In the present studies, the effect of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis-associated factor 1 (XAF1) expression on GMC apoptosis and the role of p300 and interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) in mediating XAF1 gene activation were determined, both in the GMCs induced by sublytic C5b-9 (in vitro) and in the renal tissues of rats with Thy-1N (in vivo). The in vitro studies demonstrated that IRF-1-enhanced XAF1 gene activation and its regulation by p300-mediated IRF-1 acetylation were involved in GMC apoptosis induced by sublytic C5b-9. The element of IRF-1 binding to XAF1 promoter and two acetylated sites of IRF-1 protein were also revealed. In vivo, silence of p300, IRF-1 or XAF1 genes in the renal tissues diminished GMC apoptosis and secondary GMC proliferation as well as urinary protein secretion in Thy-1N rats. Together, these data implicate that sublytic C5b-9 induces the expression of both p300 and IRF-1, as well as p300-dependent IRF-1 acetylation that may contribute to XAF1 gene activation and subsequent GMC apoptosis in Thy-1N rats.

Cisplatin is a cytotoxic platinum compound that triggers DNA crosslinking induced cell death, and is one of the reference drugs used in the treatment of several types of human cancers including gastric cancer. However, intrinsic or acquired drug resistance to cisplatin is very common, and leading to treatment failure. We have recently shown that reduced expression of base excision repair protein XRCC1 (X-ray repair cross complementing group1) in gastric cancerous tissues correlates with a significant survival benefit from adjuvant first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. In this study, we demonstrated the role of XRCC1 in repair of cisplatin-induced DNA lesions and acquired cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer by using cisplatin-sensitive gastric cancer cell lines BGC823 and the cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer cell lines BGC823/cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum(II) (DDP). Our results indicated that the protein expression of XRCC1 was significantly increased in cisplatin-resistant cells and independently contributed to cisplatin resistance. Irinotecan, another chemotherapeutic agent to induce DNA damaging used to treat patients with advanced gastric cancer that progressed on cisplatin, was found to inhibit the expression of XRCC1 effectively, and leading to an increase in the sensitivity of resistant cells to cisplatin. Our proteomic studies further identified a cofactor of 26S proteasome, the thioredoxin-like protein 1 (TXNL1) that downregulated XRCC1 in BGC823/DDP cells via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In conclusion, the TXNL1-XRCC1 is a novel regulatory pathway that has an independent role in cisplatin resistance, indicating a putative drug target for reversing cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

Surfactants have long been underestimated in synthetic organic chemistry despite their great potential in promoting solubility, reactivity and selectivity in metal-mediated cross-couplings. In this study the strategy of surfactant promotion was exemplified in copper-catalyzed N-arylation of indoles in water. The different effects of surfactants during the coupling reaction were first explored. The superior promoting effect of the natural zwitterionic surfactant, betaine, was found and attributed to the capability of the formed complex to stabilize the copper intermediate in the catalytic transformation and facilitate transportation of the reactants. The concept of surfactant promotion through complexation is valuable in metal-mediated cross-couplings. This method also exhibited good recycling ability. This study will greatly facilitate exploration of surfactant promotion in metal-mediated cross-couplings.