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This study aims to explore the effect of the Rubus extract on the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in alcoholic liver fibrosis rats. The alcoholic liver rat model was established by continuous ethanol gavage administration. Rats were divided randomly into six groups (i.e., blank control, model, 0.05g/kg Rubus extract, 0.125g/kg Rubus extract, 0.259 g/kg Rubus extract and positive control groups). Liver tissue and blood were collected after treatment for four weeks. The pathological changes in the liver were observed by HE and Masson staining methods. The hyaluronic acid (HA), TNF-a and IL-6 levels were determined by ELISA kits. The TLR4 and p-p65 protein expression levels in liver were detected by Western blot. The liver lesion degree was significantly decreased in the Rubus extract group, and a high concentration of the Rubus extract indicated a significant improvement. The TNF-a, HA and IL-6 levels in the Rubus extract and positive control groups were significantly lower than those of the model group (P<0.05). The TLR4 and pp65 protein expression levels were also significantly decreased in the Rubus extract and positive control groups (P< 0.05) with a concentration dependence of Rubus extract. The Rubus extract could delay the development of alcoholic liver fibrosis through inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reported the first use of "coral-like" nanostructure synthesized from MoS2@Cu2O/Fc composites with good biocompatibility, large surface areas, and high specificity to create a new ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor. We demonstrate its efficacy via quantitative detection of the carcinogenic fetal antigen (CEA) using labeled antibody (Ab2). Owing to the synergistic effect of MoS2, Fc, and Cu2O and the excellent electrocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite, our immunosensor could reduce hydrogen peroxide, expand CEA detection signal, and effectively reduce the loss of Cu2O in acidic environments, dramatically improving the signal. Monitoring the electrocatalytic processes of our immunoprobe (wide dynamic range [0.001 ngml-1-80 ng·ml-1] and detection limit as low as 0.03 pg·ml-1 [S/N = 3]) with square wave voltammetry (SWV) resulted in the development of an efficient signal amplification mechanism. Our nanostructures could load a large amount of redox-mediated ferrocenecarboxylic acid and Ab2, thus providing a higher electrochemical signal response and sensitivity. Specific detection could be implemented during the test, creating the possibility to exhibit acceptable reproducibility, selectivity, and stability. These results suggest that our immunoprobe provides an effective clinical approach for monitoring tumor markers and demonstrate the potential application of composites for immunosensor manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure can induce life-threatening generalized dermatitis accompanied by hepatitis: TCE hypersensitivity syndrome (HS). Since the patients' exposure levels have not been fully clarified, this study estimated end-of-shift urinary concentrations of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and their lower limit below which the disease occurrence was rare. TCA concentration was measured in 78 TCE HS patients whose urine was collected at admission between 2nd and 14th d after their last shift. Then a linear regression model was used to calculate the mean TCA concentration with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and 95% prediction interval (95% PI) in the end-of-shift urine. The estimated mean concentration was 83 (95% CI, 49-140) mg/l with 95% PI 9.6-720 mg/l. TCA concentrations were also measured in the end-of-shift urine of 38 healthy workers involved in the same job as were the patients. The geometric mean and its 95% CI were 127 mg/l and 16-984 mg/l, respectively. The exposure levels in HS patients might have thus overlapped with those in workers without HS. Accordingly, it was suggested that HS occurred in the environment where the workers were exposed to the TCE concentration corresponding to the urinary TCA concentration as low as 10 mg/l. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study on harmonic response analysis of bus body based on its dynamic response properties on the transmission of engine vibration. It mentions that response analysis was used to determine the static reaction of the linear structure. It says that the study presented a design method, wherein various measures of bus body were proposed to enhance design reliability. It adds that through harmonic response and finite element analysis the engine vibration at idle was verified.

The article presents a study on the function of Histone Deacytelase 7 (HDAC7) for the regulation of endothelial cell (EC) growth. It states that the research assessed HDAC7 through the use of an immunoprecipitation assay and spectrum analysis as well as stimulation of EC growth factors. Results reveal that HDAC7 caused downregulation of T-cell factor-1/Id2 and cyclin D1. Moreover, it concludes that HDCA7 affects EC growth by stopping the nuclear translocation of β-caretin.