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Chiral nanographenes with both high fluorescence quantum yields (Φ

The composites of Fe2O3 nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be applied in many fields including energy storage. The synthesis of Fe2O3/CNTs composite is usually carried out under high temperatures with complicated processes. To solve these problems, we report a novel one-step chemical bath deposition method to synthesize it at a very low temperature in this work. With DMF as a complex agent, ferrous cations can be well combined with the external surface of CNTs to form small Fe2O3 nanoparticles just at 70 °C for 2-h reaction. XRD, SEM, and TEM analyses confirm that as-prepared Fe2O3 nanoparticles are ultra-small, well crystallized, and highly dispersed onto the surface of CNTs. When being used as an electrode material for supercapacitor, the composite has a specific capacitance of 942 F g−1 at 2 A g−1 and 645 F g−1 at 15 A g−1, exhibiting a higher specific capacitance than previously reported Fe2O3/CNTs composites due to its smaller size.

In this paper, the approximation property of the linear combinations of Baskakov operators is investigated by using a Jacobi weight function. Moreover, both the positive and inverse theorems for the weighted simultaneous approximation of the linear combinations of Baskakov operators are proved.

Currently, ternary CuCo2S4 sulfides are intensively investigated as electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors due to their low cost, high conductivity, and synergistic effect. The research of CuCo2S4 materials for energy storage has gradually grown from 2016. The supercapacitive performances of CuCo2S4 electrodes for electrochemical capacitors are briefly reviewed in this work. The structure, morphology, and particle size of CuCo2S4 are related to the synthesis conditions and electrochemical performances. The thin films of CuCo2S4 nanostructures deposited on conductive substrates and their composites both show better properties than single CuCo2S4. CuCo2S4 and its composites reveal large potential for asymmetric capacitors, delivering high energy densities. However, there is still much new space remaining for future research. The possible development directions, challenges, and opportunities for CuCo2S4 materials are also discussed.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used successfully to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). QingreHuoxue treatment (QingreHuoxue decoction [QRHXD]/QingreHuoxue external preparation [QRHXEP]) is a Chinese medicine treatment for RA. To date, very few studies have compared the long-term effects of QRHXD with those of conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on RA disease activity and radiological progression. QRHXD delayed the radiological progression and showed long-term clinical efficacy of RA. In clinical experiments, the clinical evidence of delaying the radiological progression of RA patients was obtained. A portion of the patients who participated in the “Traditional Chinese Medicine QingreHuoxue Treatment vs. the Combination of Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine for Active Rheumatoid Arthritis” study were followed up for 52 weeks, and intention-to-treat (ITT) and compliance protocol (PP) analyses were used to collect and compare the clinical indicators and imaging data between baseline and week 52. Two radiologists who were blind to treatment scored the images independently. Of the 468 subjects, 141 completed the 52-week follow-up. There were no significant differences among the three groups: the traditional Chinese medicine comprehensive treatment group, the Western medicine treatment group, and the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment group. There were no differences in the total Sharp score, joint space stenosis score, and joint erosion score at baseline or 52 weeks. In the comparison of the estimated annual radiographic progression (EARP) and the actual annual Sharp total score changes among the three groups, the actual changes were much lower than the EARP at baseline. The radiological progress in all three groups was well controlled. Results of the ITT and PP data sets showed that the disease activity score 28 level of the three groups at 52 weeks was significantly lower than that at baseline. During the 52-week treatment period, the clearance of heat and promotion of blood circulation controlled disease activity and delayed the radiological progress of active RA.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used successfully to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Qingre Huoxue treatment (Qingre Huoxue decoction (QRHXD)/Qingre Huoxue external preparation (QRHXEP)) is a therapeutic scheme of TCM for RA. To date, there have been few studies comparing the efficacy and safety of QRHXD and conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) for the treatment of active RA. This was investigated in a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 468 Chinese patients with active RA [disease activity score (DAS)-28 > 3.2] treated with QRHXD/QRHXEP (TCM group), methotrexate plus hydroxychloroquine [Western medicine (WM) group], or both [integrative medicine (IM) group]. Patients were followed up for 24 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the change in DAS-28 from baseline to 24 weeks. The secondary outcome measures were treatment response rate according to American College of Rheumatology 20, 50, and 70% improvement criteria (ACR-20/50/70) and the rate of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02551575). DAS-28 decreased in all three groups after treatment (p < 0.0001); the score was lowest in the TCM group (p < 0.05), while no difference was observed between the WM and IM groups (p > 0.05). At week 24, ACR-20 response was 73.04% with TCM, 80.17% with WM, and 73.95% with IM (based on the full analysis set [FAS], p > 0.05); ACR-50 responses were 40.87, 47.93, and 51.26%, respectively, (FAS, p > 0.05); and ACR-70 responses were 20.87, 22.31, and 25.21%, respectively, (FAS, p > 0.05). Thus, treatment efficacy was similar across groups based on ACR criteria. On the other hand, the rate of TRAEs was significantly lower in the TCM group compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Thus, QRHXD/QRHXEP was effective in alleviating the symptoms of active RA—albeit to a lesser degree than csDMARDs—with fewer side effects. Importantly, combination with QRHXD enhanced the efficacy of csDMARDs. These results provide evidence that QRHXD can be used as an adjunct to csDMARDs for the management of RA, especially in patients who experience TRAEs with standard drugs.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCTNCT025515.

Hierarchical composite films grown on current collectors are popularly reported to be directly used as electrodes for supercapacitors. Highly dense and conductive NiCo2O4 nanowires are ideal backbones to support guest materials. In this work, low crystalline MnO2 nanoflakes are electrodeposited onto the surface of NiCo2O4 nanowire films pre-coated on nickel foam. Each building block in the composite films is a NiCo2O4&ndash, MnO2 core&ndash, shell nanowire on conductive nickel foam. Due to the co-presence of MnO2 and NiCo2O4, the MnO2@NiCo2O4@Ni electrode exhibits higher specific capacitance and larger working voltage than the NiCo2O4@Ni electrode. It can have a high specific capacitance of 1186 F&middot, g&minus, 1 at 1 A&middot, 1. When the core&ndash, shell NiCo2O4&ndash, MnO2 composite and activated carbon are assembled as a hybrid capacitor, it has the highest energy density of 29.6 Wh&middot, kg&minus, 1 at a power density of 425 W&middot, 1 with an operating voltage of 1.7 V. This work shows readers an easy method to synthesize composite films for energy storage.

Undoped and Al-doped ZnO nanofibers were synthesized via a simple electrospinning method, and then characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman scattering and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The ethanol sensing properties of the sensor based on the nanofibers were also investigated. The results show that the sensor fabricated from Al-doped ZnO nanofibers exhibits better gas sensing performance than that fabricated from the undoped ZnO nanofibers, and the gas sensing mechanism is discussed.

The research on supercapacitors has been attractive due to their large power density, fast charge/discharge speed and long lifespan. The electrode materials for supercapacitors are thus intensively investigated to improve the electrochemical performances. Various transition metal layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with a hydrotalcite-like structure have been developed to be promising electrode materials. Earth-abundant metal hydroxides are very suitable electrode materials due to the low cost and high specific capacity. This is a review paper on NiMn LDHs for supercapacitor application. We focus particularly on the recent published papers using NiMn LDHs as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The preparation methods for NiMn LDHs are introduced first. Then, the structural design and chemical modification of NiMn LDH materials, as well as the composites and films derived from NiMn LDHs are discussed. These approaches are proven to be effective to enhance the performance of supercapacitor. Finally, the reports related to NiMn LDH-based asymmetric supercapacitors are summarized. A brief discussion of the future development of NiMn LDHs is also provided.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a role in male germ cell development, but the precise function is yet to be defined. This study shows that EGF stimulates rat spermatogonial proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and significantly increased the protein levels of phosphated c-Src (p-c-Src) and phosphated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3). Moreover, overexpression of c-Src tagged with enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) in rat spermatogonial stem cells enhances the cell viability. In contrast, knockdown or inhibition of c-Src inhibits rat spermatogonial stem cell proliferation; EGF could not abrogate the inhibitory effect. Evidently, the content of p-STAT3 protein was increased in c-Src-expressing cells and decreased in c-Src-suppressing cells. Furthermore, knockdown or inhibition of STAT3 also suppressed cell viability; neither EGF nor increased c-Src could reverse the inhibitory effect. These results are the first evidence that EGF induces proliferation of rat spermatogonial stem cells through c-Src/STAT3 signal.

The present study was performed to evaluate the potential protective effects of Shikonin extracted from Zicao on lupus nephritis (LN) using NZB/W F1 mice. Oral administration of Shikonin (24, 40 mg/kg body weight/d) or vehicle was applied to sixty female NZB/W F1 mice of 28-week-old with LN. Treatment with Shikonin for 14 weeks suppressed proteinuria dose-dependently with the mean proteinuria of 274.0 mg/dl and 160.3 mg/dl for low-dose and high-dose Shikonin groups, respectively, compared to 499.2 mg/dl for the vehicle. Also, Shikonin was observed to reduce circulating adhesion molecules significantly and down-regulate intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mRNA expression in kidney. However, anti-double stranded (ds)DNA antibody in mice with low or high Shikonin dose administration both exhibited no significant elevation, differing from vehicle group. Kidney histological examination showed that renal glomerular lesions were alleviated after Shikonin application. These results suggest that Shikonin has therapeutic effects on LN in NZB/W F1 mice, to which inhibition of anti-dsDNA may be potential contribution, and its part mechanism is related to suppression of mRNA expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in the kidney.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of proto-oncogene c-src on the viability of rat spermatogonial stem cells from 9 day-old rat in vitro. MTT method was used to observe the viability of the spermatogonial stem cells treated with antisense c-src oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) in vitro; RT-PCR was utilized to observe the expression of c-src mRNA and Western blot was used to observe the protein expressions of pp60c-src and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3). Compared with that in control group, the viability of spermatogonial stem cells decreased by 8.1% (P0.05) and the expression of c-src mRNA decreased significantly after treatment with 10 μmol/L antisense c-src ODNs for 12 h. Compared with that in the control group, the protein expressions of pp60c-src and p-STAT3 decreased by 33.8% and 45.3% (both P0.01), respectively, in the spermatogonial stem cells after being transfected with antisense c-src ODNs. The results suggest that proto-oncogene c-src regulates the viability of rat spermatogonial stem cells through p-STAT3.

To observe the effect of TCM therapy for detoxification, removing stasis, and nourishing yin on corticosteroid-induced hyperlipemia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to investigate its mechanism. One hundred and seventy patients with SLE were randomly assigned to the integrative medicine group (IM group) and the Western medicine group (WM group), 85 in each group. Also, 30 healthy subjects selected from blood donors were enrolled in the normal control (NC) group. All patients were treated mainly with prednisone, while those in the IM group were given TCM therapy additionally, and the therapeutic course for both groups was 6 successive months. The changes of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and apolipoprotein A (ApoA) were determined and observed. A 2-year follow-up study was carried out in 16 patients of the WM group and 25 of the IM group. Before treatment, no significant difference had been found among the three groups in the serum levels of lipids and lipoproteins. After the 6-month treatment, as compared with the WM group, the IM group showed lower levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C (P

A 17 kD heparin-binding protein (HBp17) has a biphasic dose-dependent effect on DNA synthesis in 3T3 cells. Maximal stimulation of DNA synthesis occurs at 8 ng/ml HBp17, but a half-maximal inhibition occurs at approximately 500 ng/ml. This inhibition can easily be reversed by addition of 400 pg/ml aFGF or 100 pg/ml bFGF, whereas EGF had no effect. This biphasic action of HBp17 was also seen in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), whereas it was not found in the malignant cell line, A431-AJC. The functional relationship between HBp17 and FGF is discussed.

Five antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) were obtained. These antibodies, Ab-2, Ab-20, Ab-153, Ab-309, Ab-342, were able to recognize not only native VEGF165, but also reducing VEGF165. Three of the antibodies, Ab-153, Ab-309, Ab-342, were identified as VEGF165 neutralizing antibody on the basis of its ability to inhibit the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) induced by VEGF165 and the binding of [125I]-VEGF165 to receptors on HUVEC. The fragments of E1 (VEGF120-135) and E2 (VEGF46-60) recognized by neutralizing antibodies may be related the receptor binding domain of VEGF.

HBp17 was purified by Heparin-Copper biaffinity chromatography and HPLC from conditioned medium of A431 cell. The purified HBp17 was digested by staphylococcus urcus V8 protease or chymotrypsin and the heparin-binding fragments were isolated by Heparin-Sepharose. One binding site of peptide mapping is HBp17 residues 110-145 produced by V8. Another one is HBp17 residues 82-143 which were produced by chymotrypsin digestion. Two binding sites of peptide mapping are overlap. Therefore the residues 110-143 of HBp17 are the principle heparin binding site. The basic amino acid cluster in this region may be contribute to the binding of HBp17 to heparin or heparan sulfate proteoglycan on the cell surface and extracellular matrix.

Abstract 4582 Objectives Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have multilineage differentiation potential and highly proliferative potential in vitro. Cell therapy with BMSCs has great promise in regenerating the damaged tissues, restoring their function and treating ischemic related failures, but the chief limitation may be the poor viability of BMSCs transplanted into the pre-existing ischemic environment, where massive death of transplanted cells has been detected. The serum deprivation (SD) is a component of ischemia. Lidocaine can be used for relief of pain and has been one of the most widely used local anesthetics. Intravenously, it has been used successfully for emergency treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. It reportedly also showed anti- proliferative, anti-inflammatory and protective effects when administered before or after the ischemic insult. Which effects has it on BMSCs during the BMSCs transplanted in the patient with lidocaine treatment? The experimental objective is to investigate the effects of lidocaine on the proliferation of BMSCs cultured in high glucose plus serum deprivation DMEM. Methods BMSCs were separated from adult male SD rat bone marrow. The BMSCs were cultured in the high glucose (4.5g/L) DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). All experiments were performed using BMSCs from the 3rd passage adherent cell fraction. The BMSCs were divided into 10 groups according to the concentrations of lidocaine and FBS: 0μg/ml, 2μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml, 2000μg/ml lidocaine, containing 10% FBS; 0μg/ml, 2μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml, 2000μg/ml lidocaine, containing 0% FBS. Cell proliferation of the BMSCs was assessed by MTT assay at the time points of 24h, 48h and 72h respectively. Results As the MTT colorimetric assay revealed, lidocaine with 2μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml, 2000μg/ml all inhibited the proliferation of the BMSCs at under the condition of 10% FBS and under the condition of 0% FBS. The cells cultured in 0μg/ml lidocaine, 10% FBS displayed a significant proliferation compared to those cultured in 0μg/ml lidocaine,0% FBS (serum deprivation) (P BMSCs cultured under serum deprivation with 0μg/ml, 2μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml lidocaine gave rise to cell cluster formation, but all groups of BMSCs cultured in the presence of serum did not form the cell clusters. The phenomenon that the number and the size of the cell clusters were more could be observed in the BMSCs cultured under serum deprivation with 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml lidocaine. Conclusions The proliferation capacity of the BMSCs cultured in the high glucose DMEM without serum was significantly decreased compared to those cultured in 10% FBS. Lidocaine inhibited the proliferation capacity both of the BMSCs cultured in the high glucose DMEM without serum and with 10% FBS. The results suggest that lidocaine does not exert protective effects on BMSCs in serum deprivation under the high glucose DMEM. Cytotoxicity to lidocaine was maximum at 2000μg/ml. BMSCs cultured under serum deprivation can induce and lidocaine can promote the formation of cell clusters. It is a fascinating point to investigate the relationship between the protective effects and toxicity of lidocaine on BMSCs in high and low glucose microenvironment. It is interested to explore the function and cell characteristics of the cell clusters in a further step of the research work. This research was supported by the grant from Jiangxi Provincial Department of Education, P. R. China (No. GJJ09103). Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The action of brain peptidases on NH 2 -terminal sequences of adrenocorticotropin was studied by incubation of ACTH-(1-16)-NH 2 under different pH conditions. Profiles of metabolites and time course of product formation were obtained by HPLC analysis of the digests. Fragments of ACTH-(1-16)-NH 2 were isolated and characterized by their amino acid composition and NH 2 -terminal groups. Both at pH 7.4 and pH 8.5 the following fragments were found: ACTH-(3–16)-NH 2 , ACTH-(4-16)-NH 2 , ACTH-(5–16)-NH 2 , and ACTH-(7–16)-NH 2 . At pH 7.4 the major products were ACTH-(4–16)-NH 2 and ACTH-(7–16)-NH 2 , while the peptide ACTH-(3-16)-NH 2 was the main metabolite at pH 8.5. The nature of identified peptides and the time course of their formation demonstrates that aminopeptidase activities predominate in the conversion of the NH 2 -terminus of adrenocorticotropin and related peptides by brain synaptic membranes.

The biotransformation of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH-(1-39)) by brain synaptic membranes has been studied. Peptide fragments of ACTH-(1-39) which were formed during in vitro incubation of the peptide with membrane preparations were isolated by high pressure liquid chromatography and characterized by determination of amino acid composition and NH2- terminal residue. At pH 7.4, ACTH-(1-38) was found as the main metabolite, together with ACTH-(7-21) and ACTH-(7-20). In addition, a series of secondary products was identified. At pH 6.2, ACTH-(1-38), ACTH-(1-37), and ACTH-(1-36) were exclusively formed, while at pH 8.5, ACTH-(1-39) was converted into ACTH-(1-16), ACTH-(17-39), ACTH-(22-39), and ACTH-(3-15). Time course experiments demonstrated the action of a carboxypeptidase activity and a trypsin-like endopeptidase on ACTH-(1-39) as predominant proteolytic events. The carboxypeptidase was optimally active at pH values of 5.7 or below. These enzymes play an essential role in the stepwise conversion of ACTH-(1-39) in brain. It is suggested that they are involved in the modulation of the central activities of ACTH fragments in the brain.

[Cyt6]AVP-(3–9), an intermediate in the metabolism of AVP-(1–9) in vitro, was used to investigate the mechanism of formation of centrally active AVP metabolites. Exposure of [Cyt6]AVP-(3–9) to rat brain membranes resulted in formation of [Cyt6]AVP-(4–9),-(5–9), [pGlu6,Cyt6]AVP-(4–9) and AVP-(3–5), which were isolated and chemically identified. Products derived from cleavage of the C-terminus of the substrate were absent. Time-course experiments further indicated that the conversion process is predominantly mediby an aminopeptidase-like mechanism. The conversion of [Cyt6]AVP-(3–9) by membranes from hippocampus, amygdala and septum was quantitatively and qualitatively similar. The results point to a major role of aminopeptidase activity in the metabolic conversion of AVP and the formation of centrally active AVP metabolites.

This paper reports studies on the biotransformation of the nonapeptide arginine-vasotocin (AVT) by both rat and chicken brain synaptic membranes. The fragments which were formed during digestion of AVT1–9, were isolated by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and chemically characterized by amino acid composition, NH2-terminal amino acid residues and the presence of14C-radioactivity of the residue glycinamide-9. The major peptide fragments of AVT were: Download : Download full-size image Time course experiments showed the precursor-product interrelationships between these peptides. The results demonstrate that the conversion of AVT by synaptic membranes involves primarily the action of aminopeptidase activity. Comparison between membrane fractions from rat and chicken brain showed that AVT is converted by a similar proteolytic mechanism in chicken brain, but that differences in activity of the aminopeptidase exist. The results are discussed in view of the concept that AVT serves as precursor for neuropeptides with differential activities in non-mammalian vertebrates.

Arginine-vasopressin and oxytocin, peptides which serve as putative precursors for neurotrophic fragments, were digested in the presence of the respective 14C-Tyr2- and 14C-GlyNH29-labeled nonapeptides with a purified synaptic membrane preparation of rat brain. In this preparation aminopeptidase activity predominates in the conversion of these peptides. The disappearance of intact peptide and the release of free 14C-Tyr and 14C-GlyNH2 was followed simultaneously with time by HPLC. Oxytocin was about four times more resistant to proteolysis than arginine-vasopressin as measured by slower disappearance of intact oxytocin, and reflected by the slower release of 14C-Tyr, but not of 14C-GlyNH2 from oxytocin. Comparison of degradation rates of structure analogues showed that peptides having Ile in position 3, as oxytocin, were more resistant than analogues having Phe in position 3, as arginine-vasopressin. The data demonstrate that arginine-vasopressin and oxytocin differ markedly in susceptibility to the aminopeptidase activity in brain synaptic membranes, and indicate that this difference resides primarily in the amino acid residue in position 3. It is suggested that the difference in susceptibility may affect the pattern of neurotrophic metabolites in brain.

In order to investigate the endogenous occurrence of vasopressin fragments that have previously been found to be generated in vitro by brain peptidases and to have highly potent central activity, extracts of hypothalamus, hippocampus and the pituitary gland were fractionated by high pressure liquid chromatography and analyzed by radioimmunoassay systems with different specificities. Substances that were immunologically and chromatographically similar to synthetic C-terminal vasopressin fragments were detected in brain tissue in different amounts, but were virtually absent in the pituitary gland. It is suggested that these components may represent endogenous vasopressin metabolites. The preferential presence in brain supports a selectively central function of these peptides.

Since adrenocorticotropic hormone is found in the brain, and several of its fragments affect adaptive behavior, the formation of fragments of ACTH,1–39 by a rat brain synaptic membrane fraction was investigated. Following the incubations at physiological pH conditions, the digests were fractionated by HPLC to quantitate the amounts of ACTH,1–39 remaining and products formed. Time- and enzyme-dependent disappearance of ACTH,1–39 was accompanied by the accumulation of a major peptide metabolite (product B). Amino acid analysis and NH2--terminal end-group determination revealed that product B was identical to ACTH,1–38. These results indicate the predominance of carboxypeptidase activity in the degradation of ACTH 1–39 by brain synaptic membranes.