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The intensive investigation of chemodynamic therapy (CDT) for tumor eradication revealed that the therapeutic effects of this ROS-mediated therapy are limited by endogenous reductants and inefficient Fenton-like reactions. In this study, we developed a new Fe/Cu–AuNP–PEG nanocomposite to enhance CDT and provide a synergistic treatment for tumors. The Fe/Cu–AuNP–PEG nanocomposite demonstrated effective ˙OH production and high photothermal conversion efficiency under 808 nm illumination, which promoted the ˙OH production, thereby enhancing the CDT efficacy and exhibiting a synergistic treatment for cancer. More importantly, the Fe/Cu–AuNP–PEG nanocomposite showed the ability to deplete GSH and catalyze glucose to generate H2O2, which facilitated the Fenton-like reaction and reduced the antioxidant properties of tumors, further improving the efficacy of CDT. Therefore, the Fe/Cu–AuNP–PEG nanocomposite, with horseradish peroxidase-like, glutathione peroxidase-like, and glucose oxidase-like activities, is a promising anti-tumor agent for integrating enhanced CDT and photothermal therapy (PTT) with the enhancement of synergistic therapeutic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manufacturing and testing methods of an acoustic manipulated microfluidic chip are introduced in this study. The basic structure of the rigid microfluidic chip is designed based on the working principle and functional requirements of the acoustic microfluidic chip. The open boundary microchannel made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is fabricated by laser cutting. The machining of microchannel with closed boundary is realized by computerized numerical control (CNC) fine carving method. The rigid microchannel and substrate are bonded at room temperature by photocuring ultra violet (UV) adhesive. Pumpless injection of fluid is enabled by using surface modification technology and capillary action. The influence of different manufacturing technology and parameters on the micro-channel morphology is investigated. According to the requirements of the acoustically controlled microparticles, the working frequency of the acoustic platform is selected by comprehensive simulation analysis, impedance test, and doppler laser vibration measurement. This kind of microfluidic chip has the advantages of low cost, high processing efficiency, and ease-to-use to meet the needs in diverse applications of micro/ nano assembly, micro/nano-manufacturing, and biochemical detection, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of cigarette smoke exposure on Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 mRNA expression in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), and further to clarify the possible mechanism of cigarette smoking induced pulmonary arterial hypertension., Methods: Primary cell culture and animal experiments were used in this study. Rat distal PASMCs were isolated and cultured by collagenase digestion. PASMCs were treated by nicotine 100 nmol/L. After 48 h, Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 mRNA expression were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and compared with the control group. Rat model of chronic exposure to cigarette smoke was established. Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided equally into 6 groups: (1) 1 month control group; (2) 1 month cigarette exposure group; (3) 3 month control group; (4) 3 month cigarette exposure group; (5) 6 month control group; (6) 6 month cigarette exposure group. Direct right heart manometry, HE staining and real-time quantitative PCR were used to detect the effect of smoke exposure on rat right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), mean pressure (mPAP), right ventricular hypertrophy index [RV/(LV + S)] as well as Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 mRNA expression on pulmonary artery smooth muscle at different time points (1 month, 3 months and 6 months)., Results: The mPAP and RVSP in cigarette smoke exposure 6 month group were (13.08 ± 0.64) mm Hg and (29.73 ± 0.83) mm Hg, slightly higher than those in the control 6 month group [(10.16 ± 0.44) mm Hg and (22.56 ± 0.64) mm Hg] (P < 0.01). The ratio of Kv1.5 mRNA expression in distal pulmonary arteries in 1 month, 3 month, 6 month cigarette exposure group to that in control groups was (52 ± 11)%, (64 ± 19)% and (75 ± 11)% (P < 0.05). The ratio of Kv2.1 mRNA expression in distal pulmonary arteries in 1 month, 3 month, 6 month cigarette exposure groups to that in control groups was (51.0 ± 18.6)%, (78.7 ± 10.1)% and (71.4 ± 2.3)% (P < 0.01); Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke significantly decreased Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 mRNA expression in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle at each time point. The ratio of Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 mRNA expression in rat distal PASMCs treated with nicotine (100 nmol/L, 48 h) to control group were (62 ± 14)% (P < 0.05) and (72 ± 15)% (P < 0.01), respectively. Nicotine inhibited Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 mRNA expression in rat distal PASMCs., Conclusion: Cigarette smoke exposure may be involved in pulmonary hypertension by downregulating potassium channels Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 mRNA expression in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscles.

Objective: To establish HPLC fingerprint of flavonoids and phenols of Dendrobium nobile., Methods: Phenomenex prodigy ODS(3) C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) was used with a mixture of acetonitrile-0.1% acetic acid as the mobile phase in a gradient mode, the column temperature was 25 degrees C, the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and the detection wavelength was 254 nm., Results: The flavonoids and phenols of Dendrobium nobile were well separated, and 10 fingerprint peaks in common were confirmed., Conclusion: This method is simple, accurate with good reproducibility, and can be used specifically for the quality control of Dendrobium nobile.