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Abstrct Polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) composite coating was fabricated by a combination of hydrothermal and dipping methods to delay the degradation of Mg alloy AZ31 as bioresorbable materials. The PCL/HA coating was composed of nano rod-shape HA crystals and PCL filled in the space of HA crystals. Compared with the single HA coating, the binding strength between the PCL/HA composite coating and Mg alloy was obviously improved and the PCL/HA coating still adhered to the surface of AZ31 substrate even after 38 days of immersion. The electrochemical corrosion rate of HA coated sample was reduced by ten times after being filled by PCL. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and immersion test results showed that the PCL/HA composite coating could provide a more effective barrier for Mg substrate than the HA coating alone. The cytocompatibility and the antibacterial property of HA coating and PCL/HA coating were evaluated by culturing with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for 24 h under direct culture conditions, respectively. The PCL/HA composite coating showed better BMSC cell compatibility, more suitable for BMSC adhesion than HA coating alone and showed a potential application prospect as a biological materials. However, from the perspective of clinical applications, the antibacterial property of PCL/HA composite coating needs to be further improved.

A judicious strategy was utilized to envision the substantial regio-positional effects of substituents on the photophysical properties of the 2H-chromen-2-one-3-benzothiazole scaffold-based push-pull framework, named 6-X-CUMs. Among them, 6-NEt2-CUM reveals prominent excited-state intramolecular charge transfer with a large change of dipole moment (Δμ ∼ 18.23 D), hence displaying remarkable emission solvatochromism from the green (536 nm in cyclohexane) to far-red region (714 nm in dimethyl sulfoxide) and a high-temperature sensitivity (-0.23 nm °C-1). These, together with unique basicity and acido-/vaporchromism upon acidification elucidated by NMR and photospectroscopic studies, show stark contrast to the conventional 7-NEt2-CUM. The new series of these tailored 6-X-CUMs represents a new dimension in tailoring the photophysical properties for the development of a promising class of multistimuli-responsive materials.

This study investigated the performance of VMD and AGMD system for separating water from copper-containing solution. The impacts of various operating parameters and module parameters on VMD performance were studied in terms of permeate flux, rejection rate, total water production, specific thermal (electric) energy consumption, pressure drop and thermal efficiency. A relatively stable VMD performance with high rejection rate was achieved due to the chemical stability and the sponge-like structure of membrane. It was found that enhancing membrane length would increase thermal consumption and pressure drop simultaneously. Moreover, the membrane module with high packing density performed better in utilizing lower thermal energy. The maximum permeate flux and the minimum specific thermal energy consumption of VMD was 21.82 kg/m2-h and 674.5 kWh/m3 respectively. Meanwhile, AGMD was superior for energy saving compared with VMD. In this study, VMD and AGMD process have shown the potential to treat copper-containing solution.

The potential use of air-gap membrane distillation (AGMD) process for the removal of copper sulfate (CuSO4) from aqueous solution was examined. A series of experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of both operation parameters and module parameters, including hot feed temperature(T3), coolant temperature (T1), feed flow rate (F), feed salt concentration (cf), vacuum pressure (P), the rate of hollow fiber membranes and heat-exchange hollow fibers (Nm/Nd) and the length of the modules (L) on permeate water flux (J), gained output ratio (GOR), water productivity (PV), and salt rejection rate (R) in AGMD process. It was found that the performance of AGMD process could be enhanced, but permeate water quality was deteriorated by adding vacuum pressure. Moreover, J declined, but PV and GOR increased as L increased. With the increment of Nm/Nd, J decreased when operation parameters keep constant, PV and GOR showed different variation trends with different T1 values due to the insufficient cold energy. The highest CuSO4 rejection rate exceeded 99.95%, so AGMD process has potential for CuSO4 separation from aqueous solution.

ObjectivesTo determine whether there is serum vitamin D deficiency and the low levels of serum vitamin D are correlated with serological and immunological indexes in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM).MethodsA total of 63 newly diagnosed patients with IIM, and 55 age- and sex- matched healthy controls were enrolled. Serum levels of 25-(OH)-D were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlations of 25-(OH)-D levels with disease indicators and T cell subsets were analyzed.ResultThe levels of serum 25-(OH)-D in IIM were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (9.36 ± 5.56 vs 26.56 ± 5.37 ng/ml, pConclusionsVitamin D deficiency existed in IIM patients, which was significantly correlated with muscle enzyme, presence of anti-Jo-1 and anti-Mi-2 antibody, and the absolute numbers of total T and Treg cells in IIM. It is suggested that vitamin D may play an important role in the immunological pathogenesis of IIM.

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid. Infants with a low birth-weight have been observed in areas with high-level arsenic in drinking water ranging from 463 to 1025 &mu, g/L. A distal muscular atrophy side effect has been observed in acute promyelocytic leukemia patients treated with arsenic trioxide (As2O3) for therapy. The potential of As2O3 on muscle atrophy remains to be clarified. In this study, the myoatrophic effect of arsenic was evaluated in normal mice and sciatic nerve denervated mice exposed with or without As2O3 (0.05 and 0.5 ppm) in drinking water for 4 weeks. We found that both 0.05 and 0.5 ppm As2O3 increased the fasting plasma glucose level, but only 0.5 ppm arsenic exposure significantly decreased muscle mass, muscle endurance, and cross-sectional area of muscle fibers, and increased muscle Atrogin-1 protein expression in the normal mice. Both 0.05 and 0.5 ppm As2O3 also significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects on muscle endurance, muscle mass, and cross-sectional area of muscle fibers, and increased the effect on muscle Atrogin-1 protein expression in the denervated mice. These in vivo results suggest that inorganic arsenic at doses relevant to humans may possess myoatrophic potential.

A series of bis-aminostyrenes bridged by different aliphatic linkers have been designed and synthesized. Because of tuable molecular conformations, the interactions between two aminostyrene moieties were governed to produce various photophysical and electrochemical properties. When the linkers were ethyl and butyl groups, the behavior of bis-aminostyrene was similar with monomeric aminostyrene. After replacing the linker to be a propyl group, the absorption band became broader and the emission profile displayed significant bathochromic shift. The ethyl and butyl linkers might provide an anti-conformation between two aminostyrenes, and the propyl group might tend to set two aminostyrenes in syn-conformation. Therefore, the relative distance between two pendants might be shorter with propyl group as linker, and thus, inter-chromophore interactions such as exciton coupling take place. These results can be further confirmed by temperature-dependent emission spectroscopy. When the temperature was gradually lowered, the emission spectra of bis-aminostyrenes bridged by ethyl and butyl groups showed bathochromic shift, whereas the propyl substituted one revealed slightly hypsochromic shift. Interestingly, the emission spectrum of propyl substituted bis-aminostyrene was same as that of a monomeric aminostyrene at 150 K, and it could be concluded as destruction of inter-chromophore interaction because of a freeze on molecular motion. On the other hand, a cyclic substituent, piperazine, was chosen to bridge two aminostyrenes, and the chair form of six-member ring forbad inter-chromphore interaction between two aminostyrene. Although, the charge transfer process in aminostyrene was perturbed by piperazine, obvious inter-chromophore interaction would not be observed. These four linkers successfully give the understanding of conformation governing intra-molecular interactions.

Arsenic, a widely distributed toxic metalloid, has been found to be associated with the low-birth-weight infants and the impairment of muscle regenerative capacity in areas with high levels of arsenic in drinking water. The distal muscular atrophy is one of side effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) for acute promyelocytic leukemia therapy. We hypothesized that arsenic may be a potential risk factor for skeletal muscle atrophy. Here, we investigated the action and molecular mechanism of low-dose arsenic on the induction of skeletal muscle atrophy in a skeletal muscle cell model. The differentiated C2C12 myotubes were treated with As2O3 (0.25–1 μM) for 48 h without apparent effects on cell viability. The signaling molecules for myotube atrophy were assessed. Submicromolar-concentration As2O3 dose-dependently triggered C2C12 myotube atrophy and increased the protein expressions of atrogenes Atrogin1 and MuRF1 and inhibited the upstream phosphorylated proteins Akt and FoxO1, while As2O3 dose-dependently increased AMPK phosphorylation in myotubes. Akt activator SC79 could significantly reverse the As2O3-induced myotube atrophy. These results suggest that arsenic is capable of inducing myotube atrophy by inhibiting an Akt signaling pathway.

Micropatterned Prussian blue (mPB) films are directly deposited onto indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate (ITO/PET) conducting plastic substrates by electrostatic field-assisted potentiostatic and pulse potentiostatic deposition method in this study. A micropattern deposition selectivity, S, which is defined based on the film thickness ratio, is used to evaluate the quality of the mPB films. Adequate deposition parameters, such as the applying potential and the deposition time, are scrutinized for the preparation of mPB films with high S. Surface morphology and thickness of the mPB films are investigated using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and a surface profiler. PB films with distinct micropattern structures can be successfully obtained by controlling the deposition parameters. Thin mPB films (thickness smaller than 100 nm) can be obtained by potentiostatic deposition with high S. Pulse potentiostatic deposition method is instead more suitable for the preparation of thicker mPB films (thickness up to 2 μm) and at the same time maintains high S. These electrodeposition methods might find its potential applications in preparing micropatterned functional materials on plastic conducting substrates for flexible electronic devices.

Tributyltin (TBT), an endocrine disrupting chemical, can be found in food (particular in fish and seafood) and drinking water by contamination. Here, we elucidated the effects and possible mechanisms of low-dose TBT on the growth and function of pancreatic β-cells and glucose metabolism in mice. Submicromolar-concentration of TBT significantly induced β-cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis, which were accompanied by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and mitogen-activated protein kinases-JNK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. TBT could also suppress the glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in β-cells and isolated mouse islets. TBT increased reactive oxygen species production. TBT-induced β-cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis were significantly prevented by antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and JNK inhibitor SP600125, but not ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 and p38 inhibitor SB203580. Both NAC and SP600125 inhibited JNK phosphorylation and reduced cell viability in TBT-treated β-cells. Four-week exposure of TBT (0.25 mg/kg) to mice revealed the decreased plasma insulin, increased blood glucose and plasma malondialdehyde, suppressed islet insulin secretion, and increased islet caspase-3 activity, which could be reversed by NAC treatment. After removing the TBT exposure for 2 weeks, the TBT-induced glucose metabolism alteration was significantly reversed. These results suggest that low-dose TBT can induce β-cell apoptosis and interfere with glucose homeostasis via an oxidative stress-related pathway.

Air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) and permeate gap membrane distillation (PGMD) were investigated and compared through self-developed hollow fiber membrane modules with internal energy recovery. The effects of the feed temperature, the coolant temperature, the flow rate, the gap thermal conductivity, and the gap width on the flux and the gained output ratio (GOR) were evaluated experimentally. The gap between the membrane and the condensing surface was a key factor affecting the flux and the GOR in both AGMD and PGMD. It was found that the improvement of gap thermal conductivity using brass net was useless in improving flux and GOR. The permeate water filled in the gap changed the process of mass and heat transfer in the gap which gave rise to the increase in the flux and thermal recovery. The flux and GOR in PGMD increased by 7.9% and 59.82% in the gap of 0.5 mm compared to the AGMD. The salt rejection of all experiments was greater than 99.8%.

This paper is concerned with the corona discharge used to enhance heat transfer. Both theoretical and experimental procedures are employed. To examine the heat transfer resulting from corona discharge, a thin plate is employed as the corona electrode and a heated plate is grounded to form the collecting electrode. Experiments show that the heat transfer coefficient at the center of the heated plate is increased by a factor in the range 2.6–4.8 times comparing with natural convection. Optical images reveal that corona discharge occurs at the two side corners of the plate electrode when the corona voltage is low and a bluish sheet of discharge issuing from the front edge of the electrode is visible at sufficiently high voltages. Comparison between predicted temperatures and measurements indicates that significant differences exist at low corona voltages and good agreement is obtained when the voltage is high enough. This result is mainly attributed to the 2-D assumption employed in the simulation and the heat loss appearing in the experiment. The corona discharge is stronger for small electrode gaps. However, the corona voltage allowed before formation of the electrical spark is higher for large electrode gaps, leading to better heat transfer.

Tributyltin (TBT) is an endocrine disruptor. TBT can be found in food and in human tissues and blood. Several animal studies revealed that organotins induced diabetes with decreased insulin secretion. The detailed effect and mechanism of TBT on pancreatic β-cell function still remain unclear. We investigated the effect and mechanism of TBT exposure at noncytotoxic doses relevant to human exposure on β-cell function in vitro and in vivo. The β-cell-derived RIN-m5F cells and pancreatic islets from mouse and human were treated with TBT (0.05–0.2 μM) for 0.5–4 h. Adult male mice were orally exposed to TBT (25 μg/kg/day) with or without antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for 1–3 weeks. Assays for insulin secretion and glucose metabolism were carried out. Unlike previous studies, TBT at noncytotoxic concentrations significantly increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in β-cells. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC-pan) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 were also increased. These TBT-triggered effects could be reversed by antiestrogen ICI182780 and inhibitors of ROS, [Ca2+]i, and PKC, but not ERK. Similarly, islets treated with TBT significantly increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, which could be reversed by ICI182780, NAC, and PKC inhibitor. Mice exposed to TBT for 3 weeks significantly increased blood glucose and plasma insulin and induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, which could be reversed by NAC. These findings suggest that low/noncytotoxic doses of TBT induce insulin dysregulation and disturb glucose homeostasis, which may be mediated through the estrogen receptor-regulated and/or oxidative stress-related signaling pathways.

We have investigated the performance of a core-valence separated scheme within the coupled cluster (CC) hierarchy of methods CC singles (CCS), CC singles and approximate doubles (CC2), and CC singles and doubles (CCSD) in reproducing the K-edge x-ray absorption spectra of the low-Z elements carbon, oxygen, and fluorine in formaldehyde (CH2O), carbonyl fluoride (CF2O), formyl fluoride (CHFO), and formic acid (CHOOH). The analysis covers the entire frequency region from the first 1s → π* excitation to the core-ionization limit, encompassing the region of Rydberg transitions. Moreover, a simulation of the vibronic progressions in the 1s → π* bands of both carbon and oxygen in formaldehyde has been performed at the core-valence separated CCSD level, and the results are critically compared with highly resolved experimental data for this molecule.

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon found in tobacco smoke and air pollution products. BaP exposure has been recently suggested to be a risk factor for hypertension in coke oven workers. The mechanisms of BaP on vascular smooth muscle function remain unclear. Here, we examined the influence and possible mechanism of BaP on vasoconstriction in rat thoracic aortas ex vivo and in vivo. In vivo exposure of rats to BaP (20 mg/kg) for 8 weeks caused a significant enhancement in the systolic blood pressure and enhanced aortic hyperreactivity to α1-adrenoceptor selective agonist phenylephrine in aortas. BaP (1 and 10 μM) treatment for 18 h induced an enhancement of phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction in the organ cultures of aortas. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist α-naphthoflavone, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) inhibitor PD98059, myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitor ML-9, and Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 significantly suppressed BaP-enhanced vasoconstriction. BaP time-dependently triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in primary vascular smooth muscle cells. Both antioxidant N-acetylcysteine and NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium significantly inhibited BaP-triggered ROS production and vasoconstriction. These results suggest that BaP enhances aortic vasoconstriction via the activation of ROS and muscular signaling molecules PKC, MAPK, MLCK, and Rho-kinase.

Micropatterned polyaniline (mPani) thin films on indium tin oxide (ITO) conducting substrates are prepared by the electrostatic field-assisted potentiostatic deposition (ESaPD) and their electrochromic (EC) properties are investigated in this study. The mPani thin films can be directly electrodeposited onto the ITO substrates under the influence of a patterned electrostatic field induced by a micropatterned electrostatic film through contact electrification. It is found that the mPani thin film has faster coloring/bleaching responses, small enhancement in transmittance modulation ability and higher coloration efficiency than the non-patterned Pani thin film prepared with the same deposition time. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis indicates that the charge-transfer resistance of the mPani thin film is smaller than that of the non-patterned Pani thin film, and which could be the reason for the enhancement of the EC properties of the mPani thin film.

The effect of calcium sulfates varieties on the properties of calcium aluminate cement-based self-leveling mortar have been investigated, and the hydration kinetics, hydrated products and microstructures are characterized by isothermal calorimeter, X-ray diffraction and mercury intrusion porosimetry, respectively. The results show that the technological properties of mortars are significantly affected by calcium sulfate varieties and content. The setting times are shortened drastically with the addition of calcium sulfates. Mortars with hemihydrate show higher early strength and less drying shrinkage. In contrast, using anhydrite in mortars cause lower strength and higher drying shrinkage at early age but larger growth of strength in the late. The increasing calcium sulfates content may result in the delay of main hydration peak in the heat evolution curve. For formulation with hemihydrate, the appearance of main hydration peaks are advanced compared with formulation without addition of calcium sulfates. Moreover, mortar microstructures are optimized by addition of β-hemihydrate, the proportion of large pores are lower than that of mortars with anhydrite.

Tungsten trixoide/titania (WO3-titania) composite thin films with W/Ti molar ratios of 100/0, 98/2, 96/4, 94/6 92/8 and 90/10 were prepared on fluorine-doped tin oxide conducting glass, and their electrochromic (EC) and photoelectrochromic (PEC) performances were investigated in this study. The composite thin films were synthesized by sol–gel process using peroxotungstic acid and titanium (IV) n-butoxide as the precursors. The surface morphology and composition of the composite thin films were characterized using scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometer. Electrochemical experiments with in situ spectroscopic measurement were employed to study the EC properties of the composite thin films. It was found that the presence of titania in the WO3 matrix might slightly decreases its EC performance. PEC cells using the composite thin films as the working electrode and a sputtered semitransparent platinum thin film on ITO as the counter electrode were fabricated and their PEC performances were investigated. The device using composite thin film prepared from sol solution with a W/Ti molar ratio of 96/4 exhibited the best PEC performance.

Aging and diabetes are known to be the major cause to affect the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been observed to accumulate in various organs especially in joint tissue and do damage to the joint tissue during aging and diabetes. Synovial angiogenesis and inflammation are observed across the full range of OA severity. The signaling pathway of AGEs on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production and inflammatory responses in synoviocytes are still unclear. Here, we investigated the role of receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and the signaling pathway involved in AGEs-induced VEGF production and inflammatory responses in human synoviocytes. Human synoviocytes were cultured and treated with AGEs (25-100 µg/ml). AGEs significantly induced the protein expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and VEGF and the productions of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), VEGF, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) in human synoviocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, AGEs markedly activated the phosphorylations of IκB kinase (IKK)α/β, IκBα, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB-p65 proteins in human synoviocytes in a time-dependent manner. Treatment with neutralizing antibody for RAGE statistically significantly decreased the AGEs-induced increase in COX-2, VEGF, PGE2, IL-6, and MMP13 and AGEs-activated NF-κB pathway activation. Taken together, these findings indicate that AGEs are capable of inducing VEGF production and inflammatory responses via RAGE-NF-κB pathway activation in human synoviocytes. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:791-800, 2016.

Background: Propofol has been reported to protect vascular endothelial cells against oxidative stress. In this study we investigated its effect on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and examined the possible signaling pathways. Methods: HUVECs were pretreated with propofol (1, 5, 25, and 50 μM) for 30 min and then co-incubated with 0.4 mM H₂O₂ for 4 h. Cell viability was assessed using a Cell Counting Kit-8. Cell apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry with annexin V/propidium iodide staining, and evaluated by quantifying caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 expression levels. The expression levels of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphorylated (p)-p38 MAPK, cJun-N-terminal kinases (JNK), phosphorylated (p)-JNK, Akt and phosphorylated Akt [(p)-Akt] (Ser473) were measured by western blotting. Results: H₂O₂ treatment induced the activation of caspase-3, downregulated Bcl-2 expression, and up-regulated Bax expression, all of which were dose-dependently attenuated by propofol pretreatment. Furthermore, propofol significantly ameliorated H₂O₂-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, JNK, and Akt in HUVECs. Conclusions: Propofol can protect HUVECs against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis via a mechanism that may involve p38 MAPK, JNK, and Akt signaling pathways.

Poly(hydroxymethyl 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PhmEDOT) and Poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) thin films are prepared by electropolymerization method on indium tin oxide conducting glass in this study. Surface morphology of the thin films is observed using a scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical and electrochromic properties including redox behaviors, UV–Vis absorbance spectra at different applying potentials, coloring/bleaching response times and transmittance modulation ability of the thin films are investigated. Photoelectrochromic devices (PECDs) composed of the PhmEDOT or the PEDOT thin films and dye-sensitized TiO2 photoanodes were assembled, and their photoelectrochromic performances compared. According to the obtained results, the PECD using the PhmEDOT thin film has faster photoelectrochromic coloring/bleaching rates and better transmittance modulation ability than the one using the PEDOT thin film.

The roots of Achyranthes bidentata Blume (AB) is commonly used in the treatment of osteoporosis and dementia in traditional Chinese medicine. Pharmacological reports evidenced that AB possessed anti-osteoarthritis effects. However, there is little literature about the anti-dementia activities of AB. The present study was designed to prepare steroid-enriched fraction of AB (ABS) and investigate whether ABS can protect from cognitive dysfunction and neuroinflammation against Aβ 1–40-induced Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model in rats. ABS only contained 135.11 ± 4.28 mg of ecdysterone per gram. ABS (50 mg/kg) reversed the dysfunction of exploratory activity and memory function on plus-maze and Morris water maze caused by Aβ 1–40 in rats. ABS (50 mg/kg) also decreased amyloid deposition, neurofibrillary tangle, neural damage, activated astrocyte, and microglial caused by Aβ 1–40. Furthermore, ABS reversed the phenomenon of neural oxidative damage and neuroinflammation, including the higher levels of MDA and cytokines, and the lower activities of antioxidant enzymes and GSH levels caused by Aβ 1–40 in rat cortex and hippocampus. Finally, ABS restored the activation of ERK pathway and decreased NF-κB phosphorylation and translocation altered by Aβ 1–40. ABS alone (50 mg/kg) promoted cognitive function, activated brain antioxidant defense system, and decreased brain TNF-α levels in sham group. Therefore, ABS has the cognition-promoting and antidementia potential. Steroids especial ecdysterone are major active components of AB. The action mechanism is due to decreasing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation through modulating ERK pathway, NF-κB phosphorylation, and translocation in Aβ 1–40-induced AD rat model.

s Background This study investigated the role of HSP70 in modulating intestinal γδ T cells’ Th17 response in Trichinella spiralis-induced PI-IBS mice model. Methods The intestinal HSP70’s expression and mRNA level were measured by Western blot and RT-PCR. The intestinal γδ T cell’s morphological changes were analyzed using immunofluorescence staining and confocal laser scanning microscope. The pro-inflammatory cytokines’ level was detected by ELISA. The isolated and purified γδ T cells were pre-incubated with HSP70 and their functions including proliferation, apoptosis, activation and production of IL-17 were also detected. Results Heat treatment augmented intestinal HSP70 expression and alleviated the clinical presentations in PI-IBS mice. Meanwhile, intestinal γδ T cells and local IL-17 level were increased by pre-induction of HSP70. HSP70 promoted the proliferation of PI-IBS mice’s intestinal γδ T cells, inhibited the apoptosis and stimulated these cells to secret IL-17 rather than IFN-γ. Conclusion Our results suggest that HSP70 plays a protective role via up-regulating intestinal γδ T cell’s Th17 response in PI-IBS mice.

Binary palladium–bismuth nanocatalysts supported on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Pd–Bi/C) are synthesized using a one-pot polyol method. The prepared Pd–Bi/C catalysts have a metal particle range from 5.25 to 12.98 nm and are investigated for alkaline electrocatalytic glucose oxidation reaction (GOR). The physical properties of the catalysts are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical activities are determined by cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), Tafel analysis and chronoamperomtry (CA) for comparing the electrochemical active surface area (ECSA), GOR onset potential, GOR peak current density, Tafel slope, poisoning rate and cycling stability of the Pd–Bi/C catalysts. It is found that Pd–Bi/C (1:0.14) can significantly enhance the electrocatalytic activity on GOR about 40% times higher than Pd/C and as well as has a 3.7-fold lower poisoning rate. The in-use stability of Pd–Bi/C (1:0.14) is also remarkably improved, according to the results of the 200 cycling CV test. The effects of the operating temperature and the concentration of glucose and NaOH electrolyte on Pd–Bi/C (1:0.14) are further studied in this work. The highest Pd–Bi/C catalyzed GOR current density of 29.5 mA cm −2 is attained in alkaline medium.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of preinduction of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) on Trichinella spiralis infection-induced post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) in mice. Trichinella spiralis infection significantly reduced HSP70 abundance, ileal villus height and crypt depth, expression of tight junctions, serum lysine and arginine concentrations, and ileal SCL7A6 and SCL7A7 mRNA levels, induced inflammatory response, and activated NF-κB signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the heat treatment upregulated HSP70 expression, and then reversed intestinal dysfunction and inflammatory response. Preinduction of HSP70 enhanced serum arginine and intestinal SCL7A7 expression and inhibited NF-κB activation compared with PI-IBS model. Treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, an NF-κB inhibitor) and N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NOS) further demonstrated that preinduction of HSP70 might inhibit NF-κB and activated NOS/nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathways. In conclusion, preinduction of HSP70 by heat treatment may confer beneficial effects on Trichinella spiralis infection-induced PI-IBS in mice, and the protective effect of HSP70 may be associated with inhibition of NF-κB and stimulation of NOS/NO signaling pathways.

The dynamics of the excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) reaction of quinoline-pyrazole (QP) isomers, designated as QP-I and QP-II, has been investigated by means of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). A lower barrier has been found in the potential energy curve for the lowest singlet excited state (S1) along the proton-transfer coordinate of QP-II compared with that of QP-I; however, this is at variance with a recent experimental report [J. Phys. Chem. A 2010, 114, 7886-7891], in which the authors proposed that the ESIPT reaction would only proceed in QP-I due to the absence of a PT emission for QP-II. Therefore, several deactivating pathways have been investigated to determine whether fluorescence quenching occurs in the PT form of QP-II (PT-II). The S1 state of PT-II has nπ* character, which is a well-known dark state. Moreover, the energy gap between the S1 and T2 states is only 0.29 eV, implying that an intersystem crossing (ISC) process would occur rapidly following the ESIPT reaction. Therefore, it is demonstrated that the ESIPT could successfully proceed in QP-II and that the PT emission would be quenched by the ISC process.

Palladium nanoparticles (nPd) are grown on six carbon nanomaterials with different functionalities by one-pot, high-pH polyol reduction of PdCl2. The nanomaterials include pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (pMWCNT), carboxylated MWCNT (cMWCNT), amine-modified MWCNT (nMWCNT), hydroxyl-modified MWCNT (oMWCNT), XC72 carbon black (XC72), and carboxylated graphene (cGraphene). The effects of the carbon functionality on Pd-catalyzed glucose oxidation reaction (GOR) in an alkaline medium are studied. From the experimental data of X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it reveals that nPds with a particle size ranging from 4.5 nm to 7.4 nm are grown on carbon nanomaterials with a weight loading percentage from 11.1% to 18.6%. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), Tafel analysis, and chronoamperomtry (CA) are used to compare the electrochemical active surface area (ECSA), GOR onset potential, GOR peak current density, Tafel slope, poisoning rate, and cycling stability between the six nPd/C electrocatalysts for GOR. It is found that nPd grown on a functionalized carbon nano-support had better GOR performance than that grown on pMWCNT. Compared to nPd/pMWCNT, nPd/cMWCNT shows a 6.2-fold higher peak current density (5.6 mA cm−2) and a 100 mV lower over-potential (-0.55 V vs. Hg/HgO) for GOR. Besides, the data are among the best for nPd-catalyzed GOR reported to date.

Micropatterned prussian blue thin films on indium tin oxide conducting glass were prepared by electrostatic field-assisted potentiostatic deposition and their electrochromic properties were investigated in this study. Scanning electron microscope and optical microscope images confirmed the formation of micropatterned prussian blue thin films. Cyclic voltammetry, double-potential-step experiments and UV–Vis absorbance spectra were performed to evaluate the electrochromic performance of the thin films. It is found that the coloration efficiency and the coloring/bleaching response times of the mPB thin films were faster than that of the PB thin films without micropatterns.

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition. Salidroside, a substance isolated from Rhodiola rosea, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The effect and mechanism of salidroside on sepsis-induced acute lung injury still remains to be well clarified. Here, we investigated the effect and mechanism of salidroside on septic mouse models and explored the role of salidroside-upregulated SIRT1. Salidroside inhibited the inflammatory responses and HMGB1 productions in bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages and mice. Salidroside could also reverse the decreased SIRT1 protein expression in LPS-treated macrophages and mice. Salidroside also alleviated the sepsis-induced lung edema, lipid peroxidation, and histopathological changes and the mortality, and improved the lung PaO2/FiO2 ratio in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic mice. Salidroside significantly decreased the serum TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and HMGB1 productions, pulmonary inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and phosphorylated NF-κB-p65 protein expressions, and pulmonary HMGB1 nuclear translocation in CLP septic mice. Moreover, sepsis decreased the SIRT1 protein expression in the lungs of CLP septic mice. Salidroside significantly upregulated the SIRT1 expression and inhibited the inflammatory responses in CLP septic mouse lungs. These results suggest that salidroside protects against sepsis-induced acute lung injury and mortality, which might be through the SIRT1-mediated repression of NF-κB activation and HMGB1 nucleocytoplasmic translocation.

Benzo[a]pyrene, a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, has been suggested to be capable of initiating and/or accelerating atherosclerosis. Accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vessel intima is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Nitric oxide (NO) can suppress VSMCs proliferation and induce VSMCs apoptosis. NO plays a compensatory role in the vascular lesions to reduce proliferation and/or accelerate apoptosis of VSMCs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether benzo[a]pyrene can affect VSMCs growth and apoptosis induced by NO. Benzo[a]pyrene (1-30 μmol/L) did not affect the cell number and cell cycle distribution in VSMCs under serum deprivation condition. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis in VSMCs. Benzo[a]pyrene significantly suppressed SNP-induced cell viability reduction and apoptosis. VSMCs cultured in conditioned medium from cells treated with benzo[a]pyrene could also prevent SNP-induced apoptosis. Benzo[a]pyrene was capable of inducing the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in VSMCs. Both NF-κB inhibitor and p38 MAPK inhibitor significantly reversed the anti-apoptotic effect of benzo[a]pyrene on SNP-treated VSMCs. Incubation of VSMCs with benzo[a]pyrene significantly and dose-dependently increased interleukin (IL)-6 production. A neutralizing antibody to IL-6 effectively reversed the anti-apoptotic effect of benzo[a]pyrene on SNP-treated VSMCs. Taken together, these results demonstrate for the first time that benzo[a]pyrene activates IL-6 induction and protects VSMCs from NO-induced apoptosis. These findings propose a new mechanism for the atherogenic effect of benzo[a]pyrene.

Tungsten oxide–titania composite thin films with different W/Ti atomic ratios were prepared and characterized in this study. Surface morphology, composition and structure of the composite thin films were investigated by scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscope analyses. Electrochromic properties including transmittance modulation ability, coloration efficiency and coloring/bleaching response time of these thin films were examined using cyclic voltammetry and double-potential-step experiment with in-situ ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy measurement. The presence of titania in the composite thin film could inhibit the crystal growth of tungsten oxide, which enhances the transmittance modulation ability and coloration efficiency but prolongs the coloring/bleaching response time of the composite thin film. The tungsten oxide–titania composite thin film (WTi-30) with a W/Ti atomic ratio of 78/22 exhibited better transmittance modulation ability (57.5%) and coloration efficiency (49.2 cm2/C) than a pristine tungsten trioxide thin film (53.6%, 36.2 cm2/C).

We successfully fabricated a predefined patterned copper (Cu) substrate for thin GaN light-emitting diodes without barriers by the selective electroplating technique. The contours of Cu bumps fabricated using different electroplating modes and parameters were measured. We observed that the average thickness diminished with increasing current density. The current density conditions to obtain the best upright structure in the process were 40 and 80 mA/cm2.

Platinum (Pt) nanoparticles supported on zirconia–carbon black nanocomposites (Zr–C), which annealed at different temperatures, used as Pt/Zr–C electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) are prepared and characterized in this study. Transmission electron microscope images and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the diameters of Pt nanoparticles are around 3–4 nm. Electrocatalytic MOR performances of these Pt/Zr–C electrocatalysts are investigated by cyclic voltammetry, CO-stripping voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. All the Pt/Zr–C electrocatalysts synthesized in this study exhibited higher MOR efficiency than that of the commercial E-TEK Pt/C electrocatalyst, and the electrocatalyst using Zr–C support annealed at 300 °C, achieving the highest MOR efficiency among all the electrocatalysts.

In this study, we demonstrate the antioxidant and protective properties of the aqueous extract of two commercial Polydiaceae plants - Drynaria fortunei (DF) and Pseudodrynaria coronans (PC) against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced oxidative damage in B35 neuroblastoma cells. The contents of their phytochemical profiles were determined by spectrophotometric methods and high performance liquid chromatography using a photodiode array detector. DF extract showed better effects than PC extract in scavenging ROS and inhibiting 6-OHDA autoxidation. Following exposure to 6-OHDA, B35 cells showed a marked decrease in cell survival and the activation of intracellular antioxidant enzymes and the PI3K/AKT pathway, and then an increased level of lipid peroxidation. Pretreatment with DF extract blocked these 6-OHDA-induced cellular events. Naringin and epicatechin are major components of DF extract. These results show that DF extract exerts protective effects against 6-OHDA toxicity via radical scavenging activity and an increase in the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway to elevate the levels of intracellular antioxidant enzymes including HO-1, NQO-1 and glutathione-related enzymes.

In this study, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or phenyltriethoxysilane (PTEOS) is used as the co-adsorbent with N719 dye to prepare the photoanode for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), and its effects on the photovoltaic performances of the DSSC are investigated. It is found that both the short-circuit current and the open-circuit voltage of the DSSC are increased with the co-adsorption of TEOS or PTEOS on the mesoporous TiO 2 photoanode. Electrochemical impedance spectra indicate that the electron lifetime is improved. The energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC is promoted from 4.55% to 4.97% or 5.10%, respectively, when TEOS or PTEOS is co-adsorbed with dye on the TiO 2 photoanode.

High bleaching/coloring electrochemical reversibility is crucial for practical applications of an electrochromic material. In this study, ferrocyanide-containing poly(butyl viologen) (PBV:fc) thin films were prepared by electropolymerization, and subsequently investigated and compared their redox properties by using the electrolyte with and without the addition of potassium ferrocyanide (K4Fe(CN)6). Electrochemical and electrochromic properties of the PBV:fc thin films were studied by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV–Vis spectroscopy techniques. The mass changes of the PBV:fc thin films during their redox reactions were studied by using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) technique. In addition, the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) studies confirmed the stable anion insertion/extraction of Fe(CN)64− within a PBV:fc thin film. The obtained results indicate that the redox reversibility of the PBV:fc thin film can be effectively improved by the addition of K4Fe(CN)6 in the electrolyte. It is deduced that the enhancement of bleaching/coloring stability of the PBV:fc thin film is affected by Fe(CN)64− charge balance during the reactions. Complementary electrochromic devices (ECDs) using the PBV:fc and Prussian blue (PB) thin films were fabricated. Finally, the ECD with the electrolyte containing K4Fe(CN)6 shows the superior transmittance modulation stability than the one without K4Fe(CN)6.

Proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) stimulates several mediators of cartilage degradation and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Honokiol, a low molecular weight natural product isolated from the Magnolia officinalis, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effect. Here, we used an in vitro model of cartilage inflammation to investigate the therapeutic potential of honokiol in OA. Human OA chondrocytes were cultured and pretreated with honokiol (2.5–10 µM) with or without IL-1β (10 ng/ml). Nitric oxide (NO) production was quantified by Griess reagent. Prostaglandin (PG)E2, metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) productions were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of collagen II, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-related signaling molecules were determined by Western blotting. Our data showed that IL-1β markedly stimulated the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 and the productions of NO, PGE2, and IL-6, which could be significantly reversed by honokiol. Honokiol could also suppress the IL-1β-triggered activation of IKK/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, honokiol significantly inhibited the IL-1β-induced MMP-13 production and collagen II reduction. Taken together, the present study suggests that honokiol may have a chondroprotective effect and may be a potential therapeutic choice in the treatment of OA patients. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:573–580, 2014.

The medicinal ferns of Polydiaceae and Davalliaceae species are called “Gusuibu” by Chinese physicians and used as antiaging dietary medicines. Our previous report revealed that Drynaria fortunei (Polydiaceae) protected against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced oxidative damage via the PI3K/AKT pathway in B35 neuroblastoma cells. The present study compares the antioxidant phytoconstituent contents and radical scavenging capacities of five Davalliaceae species. The further aim was to clarify the protective mechanism of Davallia mariesii (DM) against 6-OHDA-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in B35 cells. The results show that Araiostegia perdurans (AP) and DM extracts have better radical scavenging capacities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) than other Davalliaceae species. However, only DM extract inhibited 6-OHDA autoxidation under cell-free systems and increased cell viability, compared to B35 cells solely exposed to 6-OHDA. DM extract decreased apoptosis and restored mitochondrial expression in 6-OHDA-treated B35 cells. Additional data indicated that DM extract decreased intracellular ROS and nitric oxide levels generated by 6-OHDA exposure. DM extract also restored glutathione (GSH) levels and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and reductase, and then decreased the elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Finally, DM extract regulated the protein expression of the caspase cascade and PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathways. These results suggest that the protective mechanism of DM extract against 6-OHDA-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis might be related to its radical scavenging capacity, maintaining the mitochondrial function to inhibit the Bcl-2/caspase cascade pathway and activating intracellular antioxidant defenses (GSH recycling, HO-1 and NQO-1) by modulating the activation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway.

In this work, the dynamics of hydrogen bonds (as well as the hydrogen-bonded wire) in excited-state tautomerization of 7-hydroxyquinoline·(NH3)3 (7HQ⋅(NH3)3) cluster has been investigated by using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). It shows that upon an excitation, the hydrogen bond between –OH group in 7-hydroxyquinoline (7HQ) and NH3 moiety would extremely strengthened in S1 state, which could effectively facilitate the releasing of the proton from the phenolic group of 7HQ moiety to the hydrogen-bonded wire and the forming an Eigen-like cationic wire ( NH 3 ⋯ NH 4 + ⋯ NH 3 ) in the cluster. To fulfill the different optimal angles of NH 4 + in the wire, a wagging motion of hydrogen-bonded wire would occur in excited state. Moreover, the wagging motion of the hydrogen-bonded wire would effectively promote excited-state proton transfer reaction. As the results, an excited-state multiple proton transfer (ESMPT) mechanism containing two concerted and asymmetrical processes has been proposed for the proton transfer dynamics of 7HQ⋅(NH3)3 cluster.

// Cheng-Lan Jiang 1, 2 , Shui-Wang He 1 , Yun-Dong Zhang 1, 3 , He-Xian Duan 1 , Tao Huang 4 , Yun-Chao Huang 5 , Gao-Feng Li 6 , Ping Wang 7 , Li-Ju Ma 8 , Guang-Biao Zhou 9 , Yi Cao 1 1 Laboratory of Molecular and Experimental Pathology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China 2 Kunming College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China 3 School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China 4 Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China 5 Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, (Yunnan Tumor Hospital), Kunming 650106, China 6 Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, (Yunnan Tumor Hospital), Kunming 650106, China 7 Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, China 8 Clinical Medicine Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650332, China 9 State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China Correspondence to: Yi Cao, email: caoy@mail.kiz.ac.cn , yicao1212@yahoo.de Guang-Biao Zhou, email: gbzhou@ioz.ac.cn Keywords: air pollution-related lung cancer, DNA methylation, benzo(a)pyrene, carcinogenesis, vitamin Received: August 20, 2016 Accepted: November 09, 2016 Published: November 25, 2016 ABSTRACT The lung cancer incidence in the Xuanwei and neighboring region, Yunnan, China, is among the highest in China and is attributed to severe air pollution with high benzo(a)pyrene levels. We systematically and comparatively analyzed DNA methylation alterations at genome and gene levels in Xuanwei lung cancer tissues and cell lines, as well as benzo(a)pyrene-treated cells and mouse samples. We obtained a comprehensive dataset of genome-wide cytosine-phosphate-guanine island methylation in air pollution-related lung cancer samples. Benzo(a)pyrene exposure induced multiple alterations in DNA methylation and in mRNA expressions of DNA methyltransferases and ten-11 translocation proteins; these alterations partially occurred in Xuanwei lung cancer. Furthermore, benzo(a)pyrene-induced DKK2 and EN1 promoter hypermethylation and LPAR2 promoter hypomethylation led to down-regulation and up-regulation of the genes, respectively; the down-regulation of DKK2 and EN1 promoted the cellular proliferation. Thus, DNA methylation alterations induced by benzo(a)pyrene contribute partially to abnormal DNA methylation in air pollution-related lung cancer, and these DNA methylation alterations may affect the development and progression of lung cancer. Additionally, vitamin C and B6 can reduce benzo(a)pyrene-induced DNA methylation alterations and may be used as chemopreventive agents for air pollution-related lung cancer.