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Li-Jun Chen,1,2 Wang Xu,1 Ya-Ping Li,3 Li-Ting Ma,1 Hui-Fang Zhang,1 Xiao-Bo Huang,1 Geng-Geng Yu,1 Xiu-Qin Ma,1 Chao Chen,1 Yan-Hong Liu,1 Jie Wu,4 Li-Jun Wang,4 Yuan Xu4 1Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yinchuan City, Yinchuan, Ningxia, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Respiratory Medicine, Weihai Municipal Hospital of Shandong Province, Weihai, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Clinical Institute, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Li-Jun ChenDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, No. 2, Liqun West Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750001, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-13895016600Fax +86-951-6192235Email ycchenlj@163.comBackground: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction. Pathogenic mechanisms underlying COPD remain largely unknown.Objective: The current study was designed to explore serum concentration of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in stable COPD patients and the potential effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on HIF-1α protein expression.Methods: Serum HIF-1α was quantified by ELISA in 102 stable COPD patients before and after 2-week orally taken LBP (100 mL/time, twice daily, 5– 15 mg/mL). Correlation of serum LBP and lung function (FEV1%) or blood gas (PO2 and PCO2) was also analyzed. As a control, 105 healthy subjects were also enrolled into this study.Results: Serum concentration of HIF-1α was significantly higher in the stable COPD patients (37.34 ± 7.20 pg/mL) than that in the healthy subjects (29.55 ± 9.66 pg/mL, P< 0.001). Oral administration of LBP (5 mg/mL, 100 mL, twice daily for 2 weeks) not only relieved COPD symptoms but also significantly reduced serum HIF-1α concentration (36.94 ± 9.23 vs 30.49 ± 6.42 pg/mL, P< 0.05). In addition, level of serum HIF-1α concentration was significantly correlated with PCO2 (r = 0.283, P< 0.001), but negatively and significantly correlated with PO2 (r = − 0.490, P=0.005) or FEV1%(r = − 0.420, P=0.018).Conclusion: These findings suggested that activation of HIF-1 signaling pathway may be involved in the pathophysiology of COPD and that stabilization of serum HIF-1α concentration by LBP might benefit the stable COPD patients.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, hypoxia-induced factor 1, HIF-1, Lycium barbarum polysaccharides, LBP

Yu Mao,1,2,* Youmei Zuo,2,* Bin Mei,2 Lijian Chen,2 Xuesheng Liu,2 Zhi Zhang,1 Erwei Gu2 1Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease of Chinese Academy of Science, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei City, Anhui 230027, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Anaesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui 230031, People’s Republic of China *These authors equally contributed to this work Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of perineural dexamethasone with ropivacaine in multimodal analgesia for thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) in patients undergoing elective thoracotomy. Patients and methods: Ninety-six patients undergoing thoracotomy were enrolled in this trial and randomized to adjuvant therapy for TPVB: group S (saline), group R (0.5% ropivacaine), or group RD (5 mg dexamethasone and 0.5% ropivacaine). Postoperative analgesia, recovery duration, and chronic pain were recorded. Results: Groups R and RD spent less time in the postanaesthesia care unit, had earlier out-of-bed activity, and had shorter postoperative hospital stays compared with group S. The RD group regained consciousness faster and had lower acute pain scores and used less patient-controlled analgesia during the first 72 h after surgery compared with group S. Postthoracotomy pain was decreased in group RD (19.0%) compared with group S (47.6%) 3 months postoperatively, p = 0.050. Conclusion: Perineural dexamethasone with ropivacaine for TPVB improves postoperative analgesia quality, reduces recovery time, and may decrease the incidence of chronic pain after thoracotomy with an opioid-based anesthetic regimen. Keywords: chronic pain, dexamethasone, nerve block, thoracotomy

Lulu Cai,1,* Neng Qiu,2,* Mingli Xiang,3,* Rongsheng Tong,1 Junfeng Yan,1 Lin He,1 Jianyou Shi,1 Tao Chen,4 Jiaolin Wen,3 Wenwen Wang,3 Lijuan Chen31Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, 2College of Materials and Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, 3State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China; 4Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada *These authors contributed equally to this paperAbstract: The clinical application of gambogic acid, a natural component with promising antitumor activity, is limited due to its extremely poor aqueous solubility, short half-life in blood, and severe systemic toxicity. To solve these problems, an amphiphilic polymer-drug conjugate was prepared by attachment of low molecular weight (ie, 2 kDa) methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (mPEG) to gambogic acid (GA-mPEG2000) through an ester linkage and characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. The GA-mPEG2000 conjugates self-assembled to form nanosized micelles, with mean diameters of less than 50 nm, and a very narrow particle size distribution. The properties of the GA-mPEG2000 micelles, including morphology, stability, molecular modeling, and drug release profile, were evaluated. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) tests demonstrated that the GA-mPEG2000 micelle formulation had obvious cytotoxicity to tumor cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Further, GA-mPEG2000 micelles were effective in inhibiting tumor growth and prolonged survival in subcutaneous B16-F10 and C26 tumor models. Our findings suggest that GA-mPEG2000 micelles may have promising applications in tumor therapy.Keywords: gambogic acid, poly(ethylene glycol)-drug conjugate, micelle, antitumor, toxicity

Hua-shan Shi1,* Xiang Gao,1,3,* Dan Li,1,* Qiong-wen Zhang,1 Yong-sheng Wang,2 Yu Zheng,1 Lu-Lu Cai,1 Ren-ming Zhong,2 Ao Rui,1 Zhi-yong Li,1 Hao Zheng,1 Xian-cheng Chen,1 Li-juan Chen,11State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medicine School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China; 2State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Department of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China; 3Deparment of Pathophysiology, College of Preclinical and Forensic Medical Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workAbstract: Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is an important dose-limiting toxicity during thoracic radiotherapy. Previous investigations have shown that curcumin is used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions and cancer, suggesting that curcumin may prevent RP and sensitize cancer cells to irradiation. However, the clinical advancement of curcumin is limited by its poor water solubility and low bioavailability after oral administration. Here, a water-soluble liposomal curcumin system was developed to investigate its prevention and sensitizing effects by an intravenous administration manner in mice models. The results showed that liposomal curcumin inhibited nuclear factor-κB pathway and downregulated inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and transforming growth factor-β induced by thoracic irradiation. Furthermore, the combined treatment with liposomal curcumin and radiotherapy increased intratumoral apoptosis and microvessel responses to irradiation in vivo. The significantly enhanced inhibition of tumor growth also was observed in a murine lung carcinoma (LL/2) model. There were no obvious toxicities observed in mice. The current results indicate that liposomal curcumin can effectively mitigate RP, reduce the fibrosis of lung, and sensitize LL/2 cells to irradiation. This study also suggests that the systemic administration of liposomal curcumin is safe and deserves to be investigated for further clinical application.Keywords: liposomes, curcumin, lung cancer

Transparent, flexible and highly efficient portable power sources are essential components of the next generation electronics and optoelectronic devices. However, complicated technology, expensive cost, environmental pollution and low-efficient output have limited its development. Herein, based on periodic contact/separation between human skin and the microstructured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film, we demonstrate a transparent flexible triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) through a relatively simple, low-cost, environmental-friendly and high-efficient method. For the first time, the natural leaves with rich surface textures were introduced to make microstructures on PDMS films as effective friction surface in the TENG. Furthermore, long silver nanowires (200 µm in length at least) through novel synthesis were assembled as high-performance electrode, resulting in the entirely flexible and transparent TENG. Owing to the unique design, the transparent flexible TENG was eventually obtained with an enhanced output (Voc=56 V; Isc=3.1 μA) and remarkable transparency (88%). Owing to compelling features of the TENG, a self-powered user-interactive wearable system was successfully established by integrating a flexible electrochromic device (ECD). The remarkable color-tunable ability via mechanical control of our system, highly inspired by chameleons, is potentially useful in military camouflage, monitoring human activity visually, as well as replacing performance of face change in Sichuan Opera. Therefore, this research is a substantial advancement toward the construction of transparent nanogenerator and its multifunctional applications in energy conversation, wearable electronics, healthcare, culture experience, and even environmental protection.

A simple but effective rare earth metal (RE) confinement structure is demonstrated to suppress surface accumulation of Yb generally encountered in the RE metal incorporated Ni silicide system. The confinement structure is realized by inserting a Ti diffusion barrier layer between Yb and Ni layers. Yb atoms can be constrained in a specified reaction region during silicidation as evidenced by Auger electron spectroscopy and cross-section transmission electron microscopy analysis. The RE metal confinement structure provides a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor compatible approach for further Schottky barrier height engineering and is a promising method for future technology nodes.

Localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) in near-infrared (NIR) region have been extensively studied for copper chalcogenide nanostructures, not only for the absorption enhancement but also tunable LSPR characteristics with their free carrier concentrations or defects. In the present work, one-step cation exchange method has been used to synthesize Cu2−xS nanowires with x varied between 0 and 1, including Cu2S, Cu7S4 and CuS and so forth. The plasmonic band of Cu2−xS nanowires shifts to a shorter wavelength with the increase in x, as observed in vis-NIR spectra, which is attributed to the increase in density of copper vacancies. The Cu2−xS nanowires have been used as catalysts towards the photocatalytic generation of H2 from ammonia borane (AB). Among samples with different Cu-S compositions, Cu7S4 samples exhibited the highest activity in terms of H2 evolution rate (25.54 mmol/g h). Moreover, a marked enhancement of the H2 evolution rate (157.04 mmol/g h) could be achieved after decorating the Cu2−xS nanowires with Pd nanoparticles to form the hybrid structures. The results of the present investigation may lead to an effective strategy for the design and development of LSPR materials for photocatalytic applications.

Copper has been in use for at least 10,000 years. Copper alloys, such as bronze and brass, have played important roles in advancing civilization in human history. Bronze artifacts date at least 6500 years. On the other hand, discovery of intriguing properties and new applications in contemporary technology for copper and its compounds, particularly on nanoscale, have continued. In this paper, examples for the applications of Cu and Cu alloys for advanced device applications will be given on Cu metallization in microelectronics devices, Cu nanobats as field emitters, Cu2S nanowire array as high-rate capability and high-capacity cathodes for lithium-ion batteries, Cu-Te nanostructures for field-effect transistor, Cu3Si nanowires as high-performance field emitters and efficient anti-reflective layers, single-crystal Cu(In,Ga)Se2 nanotip arrays for high-efficiency solar cell, multilevel Cu2S resistive memory, superlattice Cu2S-Ag2S heterojunction diodes, and facet-dependent Cu2O diode.

MoS2 atomic layers have recently attracted much interest because of their two-dimensional structure as well as tunable optical, electrical, and mechanical properties for next-generation electronic and electro-optical devices. Here we have achieved facile fabrication of MoS2 thin films on CdS nanowires by cation exchange in solution at room temperature and importantly observed their extraordinary magnetic properties. We establish the atomic structure of the MoS2/CdS heterostructure by taking atomic images of the MoS2/CdS interface as well as performing first-principles density functional geometry optimizations and scanning transmission electron microscopy annular dark field image simulations. Furthermore, our first-principles density functional calculations for the MoS2/CdS heterostructure reveal that the magnetism in the MoS2/CdS heterostructure stems from the ferromagnetic MoS2 monolayer next to the MoS2/CdS interface. The ferromagnetism is attributed to the partial occupation of the Mo dx2-y2 /dxy conduction band in the interfacial MoS2 monolayer caused by the mixed covalent-ionic bonding among the MoS2 and CdS monolayers near the MoS2/CdS interface. These findings of the ferromagnetic MoS2 monolayer with large spin polarization at the MoS2/semiconductor interface suggest a new route for fabrication of the transition metal dichalcogenide-based magnetic semiconductor multilayers for applications in spintronic devices.

In recent years, hybrid nanostructure consisted of plasmonic metals and different dielectrics have attracted much attention for their intriguing plasmonic properties. Recent studies have also shown that by introducing plasmonic metals, the photocatalytic efficiency of semiconductor can improve via plasmon-enhanced light absorption. In this work, we have demonstrated excellent photocatalytic properties for hydrogen production using hexagonal close-packed core-shell Au/TiO2 hybrid nanocrystal arrays. Under both ultra-violet and visible light, significant increase in the hydrogen production from methanol (20%) solution splitting was achieved with the hybrid Au/TiO2 nanocrystal arrays in comparison with bare TiO2 thin film as well as randomly distributed Au/TiO2 nanocrystals. From the finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation, the significant increase (up to 60%) in hydrogen production can be correlated to strong and optimum coupling of the enhanced electric field from localized surface plasmon resonance in Au/TiO2 nanocrystal arrays. In addition to allowing more accurate measurement of plasmonic enhancement, the ordered nanostructures have been shown to be especially amenable to the systematic analysis of lateral coupling of plasmonically enhanced electric field. As a result, optimal structures with appropriate spacing of core-shell metal-dielectric nanocrystals, metal core size and dielectric shell thickness for maximum enhancement can be designed.

New Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) observations of small-scale (~7 ion inertial length radius) flux transfer events (FTEs) at the dayside magnetopause are reported. The 10 km MMS tetrahedron size enables their structure and properties to be calculated using a variety of multispacecraft techniques, allowing them to be identified as flux ropes, whose flux content is small (~22 kWb). The current density, calculated using plasma and magnetic field measurements independently, is found to be filamentary. Intercomparison of the plasma moments with electric and magnetic field measurements reveals structured non-frozen-in ion behavior. The data are further compared with a particle-in-cell simulation. It is concluded that these small-scale flux ropes, which are not seen to be growing, represent a distinct class of FTE which is generated on the magnetopause by secondary reconnection.

Large PbS protruded cubes, edge- A nd corner-truncated cubes and octahedra, and perfect octahedra with sizes over 200 nm have been synthesized in aqueous solution. By using two surface oxide-free tungsten probes to contact a clean particle, these PbS nanocrystals displayed facet-dependent electrical conductivity behaviors. Both {110} and {100} faces are highly conductive at applied voltages beyond 4 V, but the {111} faces can remain nonconductive even at 5 V. An asymmetric I-V curve was recorded when electrical contacts were made simultaneously on the {110} and {111} facets of a truncated cube. A modified band diagram of PbS is constructed to account for the observed facet-dependent effect. Density of states plots for varying numbers of PbS surface planes show larger areas of conduction band electron occupancy for the (110) and (100) planes than that for the (111) planes at a layer thickness of 3.0-3.4 nm. The work represents that, for the first time, the facet-dependent electrical properties of an n-type semiconductor nanocrystal are directly probed. Facet-dependent electrical conductivity should be a general semiconductor property and can be exploited to fabricate single-nanocrystal operating electronic components.

Plasmonic hot spots located among closely dispersed plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) are intensively studied for efficient conversion of solar to chemical or electrical energy applications. Here, a successful method to synthesize high-density unaggregated plasmonic Ag or Au NPs (AgNPs or AuNPs) onto nanostructured semiconductors with 3D densely organized NPs is demonstrated. The densely dispersed plasmonic AgNPs or AuNPs are assembled chemically on the entire surface of the ZnO nanorods through bifunctional thioctic acid bridging linkers. The fabricated NPs possessing small interparticle gaps generate numerous plasmonic hot spots which boost catalytic activities of the photocatalysts. As depicted by exact 3D finite-difference time domain simulations, the electromagnetic fields are magnified exponentially among interparticle gaps, hot spots, due to the plasmonic coupling effects of the neighboring AgNPs. The electromagnetic fields are strengthened by decreasing the interparticle spacing of coupled AgNPs. It is consistent with the result that the photocatalytic reaction rate increases non-linearly with the Ag content under full-spectrum light irradiation. Using the spectral characterizations and electromagnetic field simulations, we unambiguously confirm the enhancement of photoactivity due to coupling of plasmonic hot spot effect to nanostructured semiconductors. Moreover, diverse heterostructures based on the plasmonic NPs on various ZnO nanostructures (films, nanorod arrays, branched nanowires, and mesoporous structures) or functional materials (CuInGaSe2 absorber films, multiferroic BiFeO3 films, visible-light photoactive Cu2S and CdS nanorods) are successfully fabricated using the present synthesis methodology.

Rationale: In atherosclerotic lesions, synthetic smooth muscle cells (sSMCs) induce aberrant microRNA (miR) profiles in endothelial cells (ECs) under flow stagnation. Increase in shear stress induces favorable miR modulation to mitigate sSMC-induced inflammation. Objective: To address the role of miRs in sSMC-induced EC inflammation and its inhibition by shear stress. Methods and Results: Coculturing ECs with sSMCs under static condition causes initial increases of 4 anti-inflammatory miRs (146a/708/451/98) in ECs followed by decreases below basal levels at 7 days; the increases for miR-146a/708 peaked at 24 hours and those for miR-451/98 lasted for only 6 to 12 hours. Shear stress (12 dynes/cm2) to cocultured ECs for 24 hours augments these 4 miR expressions. In vivo, these 4 miRs are highly expressed in neointimal ECs in injured arteries under physiological levels of flow, but not expressed under flow stagnation. MiR-146a, miR-708, miR-451, and miR-98 target interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase, inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB kinase subunit-γ, interleukin-6 receptor, and conserved helix-loop-helix ubiquitous kinase, respectively, to inhibit nuclear factor-κB signaling, which exerts negative feedback control on the biogenesis of these miRs. Nuclear factor-E2-related factor (Nrf)-2 is critical for shear-induction of miR-146a in cocultured ECs. Silencing either Nrf-2 or miR-146a led to increased neointima formation of injured rat carotid artery under physiological levels of flow. Overexpressing miR-146a inhibits neointima formation of rat or mouse carotid artery induced by injury or flow cessation. Conclusions: Nrf-2-mediated miR-146a expression is augmented by atheroprotective shear stress in ECs adjacent to sSMCs to inhibit neointima formation of injured arteries.

Background. The relationship between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and breast cancer (BC) is controversial. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-[gamma] (IFN-[gamma]) are believed to play a critical role in the host's responses to EBV infection, and their genetic variations may modify the association of EBV with BC risk. Methods. We examined serum levels of EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) immunoglobulin A (IgA) and nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) IgA along with the polymorphisms of IL-10 rs1800871 and IFN-[gamma] rs2069705 in 354 incident BC cases and 504 age-matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression. Results. VCA IgA and EBNA-1 IgA levels were positively associated with BC risk. IL-10 rs1800871 (TC/CC) was associated with a reduced BC risk (OR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.55-1.00]) but had no interaction with EBV infection on BC risk. IFN-[gamma] rs2069705 was not directly associated with BC risk but interacted with EBNA-1 IgA on BC risk. Among women with the CC genotype, EBNA-1 IgA seropositivity significantly increased the risk of BC compared to EBNA-1 IgA seronegativity (OR, 5.14 [95% CI, 1.76-14.98]). Conclusions. These results suggest that EBV may contribute to the risk of BC and that this contribution may be modified by genetic variations in IFN-[gamma]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was designed to explore factors associated with body dissatisfaction among Taiwanese adolescents. Methods: Participants were randomly selected from five high schools in Taipei County, Taiwan. A total sample of 883 adolescents aged 12-16 was included. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported weight and height. The Contour Drawing Rating Scale was used to assess body dissatisfaction. Other measurements included the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Evaluation (MBSRQ-AE), the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, the Eating Disorder Inventory-Perfectionism, the Socio-cultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-Internalization and SATAQ-Awareness), and physical activity. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed separately by gender to examine predictors of body dissatisfaction. Results: girls reported significantly higher body dissatisfaction, awareness of the socio-cultural ideals (SATAQ-Awareness), as well as the internalization of those ideals (SATAQ-Internalization) and lower satisfaction with their physical appearance (MBSRQ-AE). This indicated that girls felt less positive with their overall appearance and had a higher level of recognition and endorsement of the social standards of appearance than boys. Satisfaction with physical appearance (MBSRQ-AE), BMI and internalization of socio-cultural ideals (SATAQ-Internalization) were unique predictors of body dissatisfaction for both genders. Conclusions: this study enhanced the understanding about body dissatisfaction in Eastern populations. Perceived physical appearance, BMI and internalization of the socio-cultural ideals predicted body dissatisfaction, which are evident in Taiwan, as well as in Western based research. However, these factors only explained a small variance in body dissatisfaction for boys, suggesting a need in identifying more factors related to body dissatisfaction among boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the level of body shape dissatisfaction among a large sample of adolescent boys and girls within different weight categories. Methods: A total sample of 883 adolescents aged 12 to 16 was included from junior high schools in Taipei County, Taiwan. The Contour Drawing Rating Scale was used to assess body shape dissatisfaction. Results: Body shape dissatisfaction is prevalent in Taiwanese adolescents, particularly for girls. This is linked to degree of overweight in both boys and girls but is also prevalent in girls who are not overweight or obese. Girls and boys clearly aspire to thinness but some boys would also prefer to be larger. Conclusions: This study extends our understanding of body shape dissatisfaction and its relationship with weight status in eastern cultures such as Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]