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Hepatic fibrosis is a response to various types of hepatic injury, which can lead to cirrhosis and its complications. In recent years, in patients with viral hepatitis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, autoimmune liver disease and others the fibrosis or even early cirrhosis can be regressed if the etiology are controlled. Liver biopsy is still the gold standard for assessing fibrosis reversal, but non-invasive methods such as transient elastography hold great promise due to the ease to use for dynamic monitoring. Mechanisms of hepatic fibrosis reversal include extracellular matrix degradation, hepatocyte regeneration, and vascular remodeling. Presently, novel agents targeting the steps of fibrosis are urgently need for achieving regression of liver fibrosis.肝纤维化是肝脏对损伤的一种修复反应，如持续进展就会导致肝硬化及其并发症。近年来发现病毒性肝炎、非酒精性脂肪性肝炎、酒精性肝病、自身免疫性肝病等，在控制病因后肝纤维化甚至肝硬化均可以逆转。逆转的评价金标准仍是肝活检，瞬时弹性成像等无创指标用于动态监测，有很好的前景。逆转的机制包括细胞外基质的降解、肝细胞再生及血管重构等。目前需针对肝纤维化关键靶点的治疗药物。.

Low-level viremia after antiviral therapy has gradually attracted attention due to its relation to liver fibrosis progression, hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence and long-term survival rate reduction in patients with chronic hepatitis B. In addition, it should be used as a risk factor for intervention during antiviral therapy in order to achieve complete virological response and improve the long-term prognosis of patients.慢性乙型肝炎患者抗病毒治疗后低病毒血症逐渐引起重视，其与肝纤维化进展、肝细胞癌发生和长期生存率降低相关。作为疾病进展的危险因素，在抗病毒治疗中，应对低病毒血症进行干预，以实现完全病毒学应答，改善患者长期预后。.

新型冠状病毒肺炎由于具有较强的传染性，在疫情期间如何安全有效的开展电子鼻咽喉镜检查，避免交叉感染，成为我们面临和要解决的问题。陆军第七十三集团军医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科通过对电子鼻咽喉镜检查的工作流程进行调整，同时运用安全防控策略，在有效完成患者电子鼻咽喉镜检查的同时，以期避免疫情期间医患双方交叉感染的发生。.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of β-casomorphin-7 (β-CM-7) on myocardial hypertrophy (MH) in hyperthyroidism-induced cardiomyopathy in vivo and in vitro.Thirty C56BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group, hyperthyroidism group, and β-CM-7 treatment group. An animal model of cardiac hypertrophy of hyperthyroid heart disease (HHD) was constructed by continuous intraperitoneal injection of 100 μg of L-thyroxine (L-Thy) for 28 days, and the serum TT3 and TT4 concentrations were measured. After that, myocardial specimens were collected to measure left and right ventricular MH index, and the myocardial cell structure was observed under hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Thereafter, Masson staining was adopted to determine collagen volume fraction, and hydroxylamine method was used to measure superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, Meanwhile, DTNB direct method was applied to measure GSH-Px activity, thio-malonylurea method was utilized to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by flow cytometry. Finally, the expressions of oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation-related factors in vivo and the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway in vitro were detected by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).Compared with those in control group, TT3 and TT4 were remarkably increased, the structure of myocardial cells was disordered, the interstitial fibrosis and the ventricular MH index were significantly increased, the OS and inflammatory responses were increased, and the NF-κB pathway was activated in the Hyperthyroidism group. In the β-CM-7 group, the content of TT3 and TT4 was decreased, the myocardial cell structure was slightly disturbed, the fibrosis and the ventricular MH index were reduced, OS and inflammatory response were reduced, and the NF-κB pathway was inhibited.β-CM-7 can prevent and treat MH in mice with L-Thy-induced HHD probably through regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Inhomogeneity may lead to premature failure and operationally determines the lifetime estimation of thick weld joints. Considerable novelty of this paper was the achievement of the microstructural and mechanical inhomogeneity, especially along the thickness direction, in the narrow-gap weld seam of thick gas metal arc (GMA) welded Al–Zn–Mg alloy plates. The microstructure of the weld seam was investigated by means of optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), after which the phase composition was ascertained according to the x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and selected area diffraction analysis by TEM (TEM-SAD). The generation of intergranular short rod-shaped MgZn2 particles changed the distribution of precipitates on the grain boundary with intragranular ellipsoidal MgZn2 particles simultaneously formed as the strengthening phase, which rendered preferable mechanical performances to the bottom layer of the weld seam. The above conclusion was farther affirmed by micro fractography and EDS test results on the fractured surface of the tensile samples. In addition, the effect of following weld passes on the microstructure and micro hardness profile of the finished weld pass was investigated.

The Influence of Cycle Sputtering Deposition on the Properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Films Y.M. Sun, B. Yaoa,b,∗, D. Long, X.C. Meng, L.H. Liu and Z. Hua State Key Lab of Superhard Material and College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, P.R. China Key Laboratory of Physics and Technology for Advanced Batteries of Ministry of Education, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Physics and Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, P.R. China

China originally planned to use fuel ethanol gasoline nationwide in 2020, and taking corn as an important raw material of ethanol gasoline, this paper analyzed the life cycle cost model of corn fuel ethanol gasoline and traditional gasoline from production to consumption, including internal and external cost calculations. The internal cost is the actual cost of the industry chain, while the external cost is converted into the cost value by examining the environmental impact of pollutant emission levels in each stage of the life cycle of ethanol gasoline production. Based on this model, by selecting the project data of specific regions and manufacturers in China, it can be calculated as follows: The main links affecting the internal cost of ethanol gasoline production are crude oil procurement cost, refinery and ethanol plant construction cost; The main influencing link of external cost is the emission of ethanol gasoline combustion, including the fuel, power and other energy consumption factors in the production of ethanol and gasoline; The cost can be optimized from the perspective of production technology, technological process, energy material consumption and various labor costs. Assuming E10 is used in the whole Chinese market, the empirical results are as follows: among the pollutants produced by the use of ethanol-added gasoline in the whole region, CO2 emission reduction is the largest, exceeding 53 million tons, followed by CO and wastewater emission reduction of 1.78 million tons and 1.58 million tons respectively. In terms of the conventional gasoline, the CO emission reduction of about 20% is the largest, followed by about 17% reduction of HC, about 15% reduction of SO2 and about 9% reduction of CO2 respectively. These results show that the promotion of ethanol gasoline (E10) usage in China has a considerable reduction effect of emission if the availability of raw materials are sufficient. The life cycle external cost of ethanol gasoline is 11.45%, lower than that of conventional gasoline. In 2019, China’s fuel ethanol production capacity was 4.15 million tons, and the actual production was about 3 million tons. Assuming that all of it were used to produce E10 ethanol gasoline, compared with traditional gasoline consumption, the emission reduction benefit of E10 gasoline would be nearly $84.7 million.

The tensile shear samples of potting epoxy resin materials were accelerated under 90°C, 100°C and 110°C temperature conditions. The tensile shear strength was used as the aging characteristic index during the aging test. After normalizing the data in the descending section, the storage life evaluation and analysis is performed based on the Arrhenius model. The retention rate of tensile shear strength is 50% as the critical failure condition. The storage life at 25°C is predicted to be 21.7 years. During the thermal oxygen aging process, the epoxy bonding material’s adhesive interface first undergoes post-curing reaction under the action of heat, and then undergoes oxidative degradation under the action of thermal oxygen. The sample interface is more susceptible to oxidative degradation than the interior. In the oxidative degradation stage, the part of the epoxy resin connected to the hydroxyl group is oxidized to the aldehyde group, and the methylene group connected to the N in the curing agent is oxidized to C=O, forming C=O in the amide, and the molecular backbone is broken And produce low molecular weight polymers.

Various chronic liver diseases may progress to liver fibrosis or liver cirrhosis. Assessment of the degree of liver fibrosis helps with clinical decision-making, prognosis prediction, and evaluation of therapeutic effect, and therefore, accurate diagnosis and evaluation of the degree of liver fibrosis is a research hotspot at present. The advances in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in recent years include the publication of international consensuses and guidelines, evaluation of the outcome of liver fibrosis after antiviral therapy, development of the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with non-viral hepatitis, and constant update of noninvasive diagnostic techniques.多种慢性肝脏疾病可发展为肝纤维化及肝硬化。明确肝纤维化严重程度有助于指导临床决策、判断预后、评估疗效，因此如何准确地诊断及评价肝纤维化程度成为目前肝脏病学的研究热点。近年来，肝纤维化诊断的进展包括多个国际共识指南颁布、抗病毒治疗后肝纤维化转归评价、非病毒性肝炎肝纤维化诊断的发展、无创诊断新技术的日益更新等。.

Composition and Bandgap of Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Films Y.M. Sun, B. Yao, X.C. Meng, D. Wang, D. Long, Z. Hua State Key Lab of Superhard Material and College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, P.R. China Key Laboratory of Physics and Technology for Advanced Batteries of Ministry of Education, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Physics and Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, P.R. China

We have determined the mechanical properties of a long single carbon nanocoil (ALS-CNC) interacting with a focused laser beam. The mechanical oscillation properties of ALS-CNC in liquid based on the interaction of a CNC with light have been demonstrated. Considering the viscous force of a liquid, ALS-CNC oscillation does not occur by laser irradiation when ALS-CNC is in air. A CNC switch controlled by laser irradiation was realized. The first section in your paper.

Background and purpose Huntington's disease is due to a CAG triplet repeat elongation in the huntingtin gene. Boundaries in CAG numbers have been found between healthy people with and without risk to pass the disorder to the next generation, and between people without, with a mild, or with a fully penetrant phenotype. These data have been generated in western populations and it is not clear whether they are also valid amongst Chinese. Methods In order to establish normative data in the huntingtin gene for Chinese people, 966 chromosomes from normal controls were tested. Further, the range of CAG repeats was examined in a cohort from six centres and a total of 368 patients with the disease were included. Results The CAG triplet repeat range in normal controls was between 9 and 35 (mean 18.9, SD 2.57). Triplets in the range between 26 and 35 were found in 2.5%. In the patient cohort, triplet repeats in the shorter allele were between 8 and 37 (mean 17.7, SD 1.6). In the longer allele, a range between 36 and 120 was found. There was a negative correlation (−0.65, r = 0.42) between age at onset and the number of triplet repeats in the larger allele. The mean age at onset was 38 years, with a range between 2 and 70 years. In 23 patients (6%) a childhood or juvenile onset was noted. Conclusion These data show comparable ranges of huntingtin gene CAG triplet repeats in normal people and in patients with Huntington's disease as in western populations.

Sex hormone receptors play critical roles in development and reproduction. However, it is not known whether they exist in Raillietina tapeworms, and if they do, whether they have a similar function to that in vertebrates. We examined the immunohistochemical distributions of androgen receptors (ARs), estrogen receptors (ERs), and progesterone receptors (PRs) in the tissues of two tapeworm species: Raillietina echinobothrida and Raillietina tetragona. Immunopositive ARs were found in the entire reproductive system of R. echinobothrida, including the testes, ovaries, and oocysts, and weakly immunopositive ERs and PRs were found in the testes, ovaries, and oocysts. Immunopositive ARs were also found throughout the entire reproductive system of R. tetragona, including the testes, ovaries, and oocysts, and weakly immunopositive ERs were in the testes and oocysts; the PRs were distributed in an immunonegative manner. The results show that androgens and their receptors play critical roles in reproductive system development in the two tapeworms. The immunoreactivity and tissue localizations of the sex hormone receptors suggest that, in both species, they have similar functions as in vertebrates, and modulate reproduction.

In 2006, an unusual nosocomial outbreak of anaplasmosis occurred in Anhui Province, China. To follow these emerging tickborne-rickettsioses, a larger survey of Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum seroprevalence among farm worker populations, and the divergence of the partial 16S rRNA gene sequences of A. phagocytophilum among domestic animals, were conducted in Yanqing, Miyun, and Tongzhou Counties in Beijing from March to April, 2009. Blood samples from 562 farmers, 90 goats, 73 cattle, and 2 dogs were collected. IgG antibodies against E. chaffeensis and A. phagocytophilum were assayed by micro-indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Partial fragments of 16S rRNA genes of A. phagocytophilum were amplified from blood DNA from domestic animals and their sequences analyzed. The total E. chaffeensis and A. phagocytophilum seroprevalence among the farm worker population was 16.4% and 14.1%, respectively. For domestic animals, the seropositive rates of A. phagocytophilum for goats, cattle, and dogs, were 2.3%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. The PCR-positive rates for A. phagocytophilum in goats and cattle were 48.9% and 23.9%, respectively. Three dominant genetic groups of Chinese A. phagocytophilum isolates were determined for goats and cattle, and these isolate varieties were broadly identified in China, Japan, and Korea. The prevalence of E. chaffeensis and A. phagocytophilum among farmers and domestic animals in Beijing rural areas was also demonstrated. The diagnoses and differential diagnoses of these emerging infectious diseases should be emphasized in clinics, and further ecological investigation of E. chaffeensis and A. phagocytophilum vectors and hosts is needed.

A two-degree-of-freedom piezoelectric motor using only one piezoelectric ceramic was proposed based on two vibration modes (B32 and B23) of a rectangular plate piezoelectric vibrator. The working principle was elaborated. Analytical and numerical models were established in order to design the piezoelectric vibrator. Calculations with finite element method were carried out using ANSYS software to validate the analytical models and demonstrate the elliptical trajectory of the four contact points between the stator and the sphere. Experimental result on the prototype shows that the numerical result including resonance frequency and elliptical motion of the motor indicate good agreement with the experimental one. The rotation speed around an axial along the direction of length of the rectangular piezoelectric vibrator of the motor is 37.7 r/min under the drive voltage 90 V and excitation frequency 44 kHz.

By simultaneously using both V 3+ :YAG and Co:LMA saturable absorbers in the cavity, a diode-pumped doubly passively Q-switched c-cut Nd:GdVO 4 laser at 1.34 μm is demonstrated for the first time. The average output power, the pulse width and the pulse repetition rate have been measured. The experimental results show that the doubly passively Q-switched laser can generate shorter pulse width with higher peak power in comparison to the singly passively Q-switched laser only with V 3+ :YAG or Co:LMA saturable absorber. At the pump power 13 W, the pulse width has been compressed 83% and the peak power has been improved 15 times, respectively.

Aims: To develop a microbial strain producing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)], in the absence of antibiotic supplementation (normally required to stabilize a recombinant plasmid), by constructing a recombinant Escherichia coli strain with phaCAB and vgb integrated into the chromosome. Methods and Results: The polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthesis operon (phaCAB) and the bacterial haemoglobin gene (vgb) were integrated downstream of nlpB (novel lipoprotein B) in E. coli K12, via homologous recombination, to form a recombinant strain, termed YH100. VHb encoded by the vgb gene was successfully expressed in YH100, as confirmed by Western blotting. P(3HB) synthesis by the YH100 strain grown in the absence of antibiotic was analysed by transmission electron microscopy. The yield of P(3HB) is 208 mg g−1. The thermal stability of P(3HB) produced from YH100 was similar to that of commercial P(3HB). Further, the polydispersity index (PDI) of the P(3HB) polymer derived from YH100 was 1·37, indicating that polymer uniformity was greater than that of commercial P(3HB), which had a PDI of 1·47. Conclusions: We successfully constructed a recombinant E. coli strain expressing exogenous genes, specifically phaCAB from Cupriavidus necator and vgb from Vitreoscilla stercoraria, integrated into the downstream of chromosomal dapA-nlpB locus. P(3HB) was stably produced by this strain, without any need for antibiotic supplementation to stabilize a recombinant plasmid at least for 48h. Significance and Impact of the Study: We report a genetic locus, the downstream of the nlpB locus in E. coli, in which the transcription of the exogenous genes is driven by the dapA-nlpB promoter without the need for the addition of inducer and antibiotic.

This research evaluates the nutrient management system of Nutrient Expert (NE) in winter wheat grain yield production and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in the Hebei Plain. Field experiments were conducted to check the yield effects, nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and GHG under NE (nutrient management based on Nutrient Expert recommendation) and FP (nutrient management based on farmers' practices). The results showed that NE significantly reduced N fertilizer input while maintain higher yield and nutrient use efficiency than FP. The total N2O emission and GHG emissions for NE were about 0.69 kg N ha−1 and 1686 kg CO2 eq ha−1 respectively, significantly lower than for FP (p < 0.05), which was about 1.85 kg N ha−1 and 3329 kg CO2 eq ha−1, respectively. The NE system showed great potential to be easily used in smallholder farmers in the Hebei Plain.

By using both V3+:YAG and Co:LMA saturable absorbers, an xenon-lamp-pumped doubly passively Q-switched and mode-locked (QML) Nd:YAG laser at 1.3 μm in a straight cavity is realized for the first time. The modulation depth of QML pulse has nearly reached 100%. The experimental results shows that the doubly passively Q-switched and mode-locked (QML) laser can generate shorter Q-switch envelope pulse with higher average peak power in comparison to the singly passively QML laser with V3+:YAG or Co:LMA saturable absorber.

By using both V3+:YAG and Co:LMA saturable absorbers, a doubly passively Q-switched laser is realized for the first time. The shorter pulse with the higher peak power is generated in comparison to the singly passively Q-switched laser with V3+:YAG or Co:LMA saturable absorber. The experimental results shows that it is possible to obtain a shorter pulse with the higher peak power in a doubly passively Q-switched laser.

The effect of obstructive jaundice on the distribution and elimination of propofol was studied in 15 patients with obstructive jaundice (total serum bilirubin, TBL/= 17.1micromol.l(-1)) and in 15 control patients (TBL17.1micromol.l(-1)). Following an i.v. bolus dose of propofol (2-2.5 mg.kg(-1)) multiple arterial samples were obtained at timed intervals for 4 h and blood concentrations of propofol were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography. Compartmental analysis of propofol concentrations revealed a three-compartment model with elimination from a central compartment in all patients. Pharmacokinelic parameters: volumes of distribution at steady state (V(SS)), volumes of distribution at equilibrium (V(r)), volumes of the central compartment (V) and total body clearance (Cl) were similar in patients with obstructive jaundice (mean 12.3 (SD 6.0) litre.kg(-1), 32.99(21.42) litre.kg(-1), 0.241(0.131) litre.kg(-1), and 28.8(8.2) ml.min(-1).kg(-1) respectively) compared with contro1 group (11.9 (5.4) litre.kg(-1), 28.30(13.70) litre.kg(-1), 0.297(0.112) litre.kg(-1), and 33.9(7.6) ml.min(-1).kg(-1) respectively) (P0.05). Half-times of the three phases (T(1/2)(alpha),T(1/2)(beta),T(1/2)(gamma)) were also similar between both groups.We conclude that in patients with obstructive jaundice the pharmacokinetics of propofol are similar to those of patients without obstructive jaundice.

By considering both the transversal and longitudinal Gaussian spatial distribution of the intracavity photon density, a couple of rate equations describing a laser-diode end-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:GdVO4 laser with V3+:YAG saturable absorber have been proposed. Solving these space-dependent rate equations numerically, we obtain the dependences of pulse width, pulse repetition rate, single-pulse energy and peak power on pump power. In the experiment, a laser-diode end-pumped Nd:GdVO4 laser passively Q-switched by a V3+:YAG saturable absorber has been realized, and the experimental results are consistent with the theoretical calculations.

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of yuanhuacine (YHC), a daphne diterpene ortho-ester anticancer agent, and identification of its metabolites. Pharmacokinetic behaviour, tissue distribution, and metabolism were investigated in rabbit. YHC plasma data best fitted to a two-compartment model and were characterized by an elimination half-life t(1/2)(beta) of 11.1 h following intravenous administration. Tissue distribution studies did not identify any tissues having a high affinity for YHC. The main metabolites are proposed to be M392I, M392II, and M390, resulting from the ortho-ester group and aromatic ester bond being cleaved off simultaneously during Phase I metabolism. This investigation contributes to an understanding of the metabolism of daphne diterpene ortho-esters.

Nanoscale bimetallic Pd-Ti catalysts on carbon supports were prepared in liquid using ammonium tetrachloropalladate and titanium isopropoxide. The size of the metal particles ranged from subnanometer to greater than 10 nm, and the X-ray diffraction pattern of metal particles was dominated by a cubic crystalline structure. Depending upon the preparation conditions, the catalysts were comprised of Pd and TiO2 or Pd3Ti-like alloy. The surface Ti/Pd ratio was much greater than the original metal loading. We propose that the bimetallic particles were comprised of short-range Pd and TiO2 or Pd-Ti alloy nanocrystal covered by a thin TiO2 layer.

By using a new saturable absorber V3+:YAG, a flash-lamp-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:GdVO4 laser at 1.34 μm has been realized. Both a-cut and c-cut Nd:GdVO4 crystals are used. The output single-pulse energy and the pulse width versus the pump energy for different initial transmissions of V3+:YAG saturable absorbers are measured. The experimental results show that, c-cut Nd:GdVO4 laser can generate the shorter pulse width and higher energy in comparison to a-cut one.

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) comprises a large group of heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. It is characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia with oculomotor dysfunction, dysarthria, pyramidal signs, extrapyramidal signs, pigmentary retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, cognitive impairment and other symptoms. It is classified according to the clinical manifestations or genetic nosology. To date, 40 SCAs have been characterized, and include SCA1-40. The pathogenic genes of 28 SCAs were identified. In recent years, with the widespread clinical use of next-generation sequencing, the genes underlying SCAs, and the mutants as well as the affected phenotypes were identified. These advances elucidated the phenotype-genotype relationship in SCAs. We reviewed the recent clinical advances, genetic features and phenotype-genotype correlations involving each SCA and its differentiation. The heterogeneity of the disease and the genetic diagnosis might be attributed to the regional distribution and clinical characteristics. Therefore, recognition of the phenotype-genotype relationship facilitates genetic testing, prognosis and monitoring of symptoms.

Passively Q-switched output of a flashlamp-pumped 1.319 μm Nd:YAG laser is realized by using Co2+:LaMgAl11O19 (Co:LMA) as saturable absorber. When initial transmission of the saturable absorber T0 is 78%, a Q-switched output pulse with pulse width (FWHM) 44.8 ns and pulse energy 17.4 mJ is obtained, corresponding to ∼19.3% of the free-running energy under the equal pumping energy of 45.4 J. The experimental results show that the higher T0 will result in a lower pumping threshold of the laser, but lower T0 can make the laser generate pulses with higher single-pulse energy, narrower pulse width, and accordingly higher peak power.

A 1.57 μm eye-safe laser is realized by placing a KTP crystal into a diode-end-pumped, acousto-optically (AO) Q-switched Nd:YVO4 laser. For the first time, the 1.06 μm pumping laser with a concave–concave cavity is used to lower the threshold of the intracavity-pumped optical parametric oscillator (IPOPO). The pumping threshold and output characteristics of the OPO are analyzed by changing repetition rate of the AO Q-switch and output mirrors with different transmissivity at 1.57 μm. The results show that the pumping threshold will decrease with the lower output transmissivity and the lower repetition rate, but the narrower output pulse width can be obtained with the higher output transmissivity.

We investigated a high power diode-laser pumped passively Q-switched c-cut Nd:GdVO4 solid-state laser, lasing at 1.34 μm, with a Co2+:LaMgAl11O19 saturable absorber. With the optimum output coupler transmission T=5.5% and pump power of 11.5 W, the static output power of 3.01 W was obtained. The passively Q-switching operation with Co:LMA (initial transmission T 0=90%) as saturable absorber, shows that the shortest output pulse width, the highest output power, the highest pulse repetition and the highest pulse peak power were 32 ns, 266 mW, 277 kHz, and 187 W, respectively.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the anti-tumour effects of triptolide (TPL) and of the combination of TPL and cisplatin (DDP) in DDPresistant HNE1/DDP nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) cells and to reveal the possible mechanisms. HNE1/ DDP cells were treated with TPL and/or DDP. Cell proliferation was examined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and colony-forming assay; the combination index of the synergism between TPL and DDP was calculated. Cell morphological changes were observed under a microscope. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis rate were determined by flow cytometry. 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetrethyl benzimidalyl carbocyanine iodide (JC-1) staining was used to determine mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Protein expression was analysed by Western blot, including Bax, caspase-9, Bcl-2, Mcl-1. TPL had an obvious anti-tumour effect and exhibited synergistic cytotoxicity with DDP on DDP-resistant HNE1/DDP cells. TPL induced HNE1/DDP cell apoptosis via inducing ROS generation. This effect was abolished by the inhibitor of ROS, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). TPL alone or combined with DDP could lower MMP significantly. Western blot showed that TPL alone or in combination with DDP increased expression of Bax and caspase-9, but reduced expression of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1. We conclude that TPL could induce cell apoptosis and synergize with DDP by regulating ROS generation and mitochondrial pathways in HNE1/DDP cells. This indicates that TPL may be effective in DDP-resistant NPC, either alone or combined with DDP.

Optical emission spectra of the plasma produced by the 1.06 μm Nd:YAG laser ablation of KTiOAsO4 (KTA) crystal in vacuum and in air is studied spectroscopically in time-integrated manner. Electron density and temperature in the plasma in vacuum are determined by using Stark-broadened line width of K atoms (KI 766.5 nm) and Boltzmann plot method with the relative intensities of 5 emission lines of singly ionized Ti ions, respectively. The dependences of electron density, electron temperature on distance from the target surface and laser irradiance are investigated. By comparing the optical emission spectra in vacuum with those in air, the effects of background gas are discussed. We also tested the validity of the assumptions for measuring electron temperature.

A strategy for finding new electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic solutions is outlined and illustrated with results for Pd-Co catalysts. This is based on establishing guidelines for selecting test systems, rapid preparation of arrays, and rapid screening by scanning electrochemical microscopy. Promising candidates are further tested as supported electrocatalysts by larger scale electrochemical methods and in fuel cells, with optimization of the composition and structure. Those that emerge are characterized by a variety of methods, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Finally, density functional theory is used for detailed calculations of oxygen adsorption and dissociation on the material and provides better guidelines for further testing.