Search

Although the rapid heating quenching and transformation method has been used as a general way to fabricate high-performance \Nb3\Al superconducting wires, the complicated heat treatment apparatus and techniques obstruct its practical application. In this paper, Nb–Al saturated solid solution (\Nb(\Al)ss) was fabricated by the mechanical alloying method at room temperature, and the superconducting onset transition temperature (Tc\-onset) of the \Nb3\Al bulk transforming from the \Nb(\Al)ss reached 15.3 K. Based on these results, two groups of \Nb3\Al superconducting wires were fabricated in combination with the in situ powder-in-tube method to investigate the effects of ball milling time, wire diameter and the cross-sectional shape on the superconducting properties, and the factors that affected the critical current density (Jc) were also discussed. The best value of Jc in magnetic induction at 6 T was obtained in the round wire with a diameter of $\Phi$1.0 mm fabricated with the powder ball milled for 5 h. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy, safety, and clinical benefit of prolonged-release trazodone (Trittico) in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: In this study, 363 Chinese patients with MDD were randomized 1:1 to receive either prolonged-release trazodone (150-450 mg) or placebo treatment for 6 weeks. The primary efficacy measurement was the change of the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) total score from baseline to the end of the study. The secondary efficacy measurements were the response and remission rates, the Clinical Global Impression - Improvement of Illness (CGI-I) score at the end of the study, and the change of the HAMD-14 total score and quality of sleep [evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale] during the study period. Results: The mean maximum daily dose was 273.11 mg for the trazodone group and 290.92 mg for the placebo group. At the end of the study, there was a significant difference between the two groups in the HAMD-17 change score (trazodone vs. placebo: -11.07 vs. -8.29, p < 0.001). Trazodone showed advantages at 1 week of treatment, and the effect lasted until the end of the study (week 6). The response and remission rates of the trazodone group were significantly higher than those in the placebo group (response rate: 59.6 vs. 37.2%, p < 0.001; remission rate: 35.5 vs. 22.2%, p = 0.005). The majority of the adverse reactions of trazodone were mild to moderate, and the most frequent adverse reactions (≥5%) were dizziness, dry mouth, somnolence, and nausea. Conclusions: Prolonged-release trazodone was more effective than placebo in MDD and was well tolerated. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the effects of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on transdifferentiation of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) and synthesis of extracellular matrix in vitro. Methods HLECs were incubated with different concentrations of CTGF (0, 5, 15, 30 and 60 μg/L) for 24 h in vitro. The morphological changes of HLECs were observed under inverted microscope. The expresiion of α-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) (a landmark protein of epitelial mesenchymal trasition) was measured by immunofluorescence method. Expressions of α-SMA, fibronectin (Fn) and collagen I (COL-I) (major components of extracellular matrix) were evaluated by Real-time PCR and Western blot after stimulated by CTGF. Results The normal HLECs presented polygonal and anchorage-dependent morphology. After incubation whlie different concentrations of CTGF for 24 h, HLECs turned from monolayer and polygonal fibrocytes into spindle cells, and the intercellular space became bigger. α-SMA was expressed in cytoplasma after induction by CTGF. CTGF could promote HLECs to express α-SMA, Fn and COL-I at the mRNA and protein levets in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0. 05). Conclusion CTGF can promote transdifferentiation of HLECs and syntheits of extracellular matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The MA method could fabricate Nb3Al superconductor with T c ∼15.8K at the temperature below the Cu melting point. [•] Increasing ball milling time would decrease the diffusion distance of Nb–Al lamellae and boost the solution level. [•] When the annealing temperature increased to 950°C, Nb3Al superconductor separated to Al-poor Nb3Al and Nb2Al phases. [•] Increase the ratio of Al to near the Nb3Al stoichiometry will improve the T c of Nb3Al fabricated by MA method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor, is used in anticoagulation therapies as a substitute for heparin, especially during cardiovascular procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention., Aim: To explore the effect of bivalirudin on myocardial microcirculation following an intervention and its influence on adverse cardiac events in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)., Methods: In total, 165 patients diagnosed with acute myocardial at our hospital between June 2020 and June 2022 were enrolled in this study. From June 2020 to June 2022, elderly patients with ACS with complete data were selected and treated with interventional therapy. The study cohort was randomly divided into a study group ( n = 80, administered bivalirudin) and a control group ( n = 85, administered unfractionated heparin). Over a 6-mo follow-up period, differences in emergency processing times, including coronary intervention, cardiac function indicators, occurrence of cardiovascular events, and recurrence rates, were analyzed., Results: Significant differences were observed between the study cohorts, with the observation group showing shorter emergency process times across all stages: Emergency classification; diagnostic testing; implementation of coronary intervention; and conclusion of emergency treatment ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, the left ventricular ejection fraction in the observation group was significantly higher ( P < 0.05), and the creatine kinase-MB and New York Heart Association scores were notably lower than those in the control group ( P < 0.05)., Conclusion: In elderly patients receiving interventional therapy for ACS, bivalirudin administration led to increased activated clotting time achievement rates, enhanced myocardial reperfusion, and reduced incidence of bleeding complications and adverse cardiac events., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare they have nothing to disclose., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) control of an artificial trabeculum drainage system (ATDS), a newly designed glaucoma drainage device, and postoperative complications in normal rabbit eyes., Methods: Pressure drops in air and fluid of 30 ATDS were measured after being connected to a closed manometric system. Twenty of them were then chosen and implanted randomly into the eyes of 20 rabbits. Postoperative slit-lamp, gonioscopic examination and IOP measurements were recorded periodically. Ultrasound biomicroscopy and B-scan ultrasonography were also used to observe the complications. Eyes were enucleated on day 60., Results: Pressure drops of 4.6-9.4 mm Hg were obtained at physiological aqueous flow rates in the tests in vitro. The average postoperative IOP of the experimental eyes (11.6-12.8 mm Hg) was lower than the controls significantly ( P <0.05) at each time point. Complications of hemorrhage ( n =1), cellulosic exudation (two cases) and local iris congestion (two cases) were observed. The lumina of the devices were devoid of obstructions in all specimens examined and a thin fibrous capsule was found around the endplate., Conclusion: ATDS reduce IOP effectively. However, further studies on the structure are needed to reduce complications.

Aim: To investigate the effects of transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on transdifferentiation of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) cultured in vitro and synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM)., Methods: HLECs were treated with TGF-β2 (0, 0.5, 1.0, 5, 10µg/L) and CTGF (0, 15, 30, 60, 100µg/L) for different times (0, 24, 48, 72h) in vitro and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), the main component of the extracellular matrix type I collagen (Col-1) and fibronectin (Fn) were measured by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western-blot., Results: TGF-β2 and CTGF significantly increased expression of α-SMA mRNA and protein (P<0.05, P<0.001), Fn mRNA and protein (P<0.001), Col-1 mRNA and protein (P<0.001). TGF-β2 could induce HLECs expression of CTGF mRNA and protein in dose-dependent manner (P<0.05, P<0.001). TGF-β2 and CTGF could induce HLECs to express α-SMA, Fn and Col-1 in time-dependent manner. Each time of TGF-β2 and CTGF induced HELCs expression of α-SMA, Fn, Col-1 mRNA and protein was significant increase compared with control (P<0.05, P<0.001)., Conclusion: TGF-β2 and CTGF could induce HLECs epithelial mesenchymal transition and ECM synthesis.

Objective: To explore the effects of transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) on the transdifferentiation, extracellular matrix synthesis and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression in human lens epithelium cells (HLEC) in vitro., Methods: HLEC were incubated with different concentrations of TGF-β2 (0.0, 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 µg/L) for 24 h in vitro. The morphological changes of HLEC were observed under inverted phase-contrast microscope. The expression of CTGF and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, as a landmark protein of epithelial mesenchymal transition) in HLEC was measured by immunofluorescence method. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to evaluate the expression of CTGF, α-SMA, fibronectin (Fn) and COL-I (as the major components of extracellular matrix) after stimulating by TGF-β2., Results: Normal HLEC presented polygonal shape and were anchorage-dependent. After incubated with different concentrations of TGF-β2 for 24 h, the morphology of polygonal HLEC was changed into fibroblast-like shape and changed from monolayer and to multilayer cells, and the intercellular space became bigger. CTGF and α-SMA were expressed in the cytoplasm after induction of TGF-β2. Expression of CTGF in HLEC was increased with increasing concentrations of TGF-β2 (CTGF protein expression: 0.53 ± 0.03, 0.73 ± 0.01, 0.65 ± 0.03 in cells cultured with 0.1, 1.0 and 10 µg/L TGF-β2, respectively; CTGF gene induction: 1.00 ± 0.00, 7.18 ± 0.41, 12.88 ± 0.45, 32.84 ± 1.61 in cells cultured with 0.0, 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 µg/L TGF-β2, respectively) (F = 77.55, P < 0.05; F = 379.0, P < 0.05). TGF-β2 could induce HLEC transdifferentiation and accelerate. α-SMA expression was increased by TGF-β2 dose-dependently (protein expression: 0.48 ± 0.01,0.78 ± 0.04, 0.69 ± 0.04; gene induction: 1.00 ± 0.00, 2.30 ± 0.22, 3.1 ± 0.21, 3.86 ± 0.10) (F = 62.73, P < 0.05; F = 80.22, P < 0.05). TGF-β2 also promoted expression of Fn and COL-I in a dose-dependent manner (COL-I gene induction: 1.00 ± 0.00, 5.52 ± 0.96, 18.31 ± 1.2, 82.51 ± 1.45;COL-I protein expression: 0.78 ± 0.05, 1.15 ± 0.11, 2.16 ± 0.14; Fn gene induction: 1.00 ± 0.00, 2.36 ± 0.25, 3.27 ± 0.24, 4.25 ± 0.24; Fn protein expression: 0.64 ± 0.01,0.95 ± 0.02, 1.23 ± 0.14) (F = 1881.52, 105.30, P < 0.05; F = 64.44, 51.81, P < 0.05)., Conclusion: TGF-β2 induces the expression of CTGF by HLEC, promotes transdifferentiation of and extracellular matrix synthesis by HLEC.

Aim: To explore the inhibitory effect of a sustained cyclosporin A (CsA) delivery microsphere (CsA-MS) on posterior capsular opacification (PCO) in rabbit eyes after cataract extraction., Methods: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits accepted cataract extraction plus intraocular lens implantation and their left eyes were intraoperatively injected CsA-MS prepared using polymer polylactioglycolic acid (PLGA) as a carrier and their right eyes were injected with empty MS. The changes in cornea, anterior chamber reaction, intraocular pressure, PCO and CsA concentration in aqueous humor were examined postoperatively and all the eyes were enucleated 3 months after surgery for histopathological and morphological examination with light microscopy and electron microscopy., Results: Conjunctival hyperemia, corneal edema, intraocular pressure and anterior chamber response of experimental and control eyes were similar, while PCO in CsA-MS injected eyes was greatly improved compared with that in control eyes. Posterior capsules in CsA-MS injected eyes were smooth and lens epithelial cells (LEC) did not proliferate significantly (P>0.05), while LEC in posterior capsule of control eyes had different degrees of proliferation and cortical regeneration. LEC in CsA-MS injected eyes were not functionally active and underwent apoptosis, whereas LEC in control eyes were functionally active (F-test, P=0.025). In addition, the corneal ultrastructure showed no differences between CsA-MS and MS injected eyes., Conclusion: CsA-MS has high bioavailability in rabbit eyes and could inhibit postoperative PCO occurrence and development during the study period, suggesting that CsA-MS may be a promising, effective and safe administration route to prevent PCO in clinic.

Objective: To explore effect of erythropoietin on the caspase-3 subfamily in preventing apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)., Methods: Third-sixth passages of HUVECs were used. Two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, there was a blank control group, ox-LDL control group (100 mg/L, incubated for 48 hours), and low, medium, and high recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) groups (6.25, 25.00, 100.00 kU/L rhEPO incubated for 24 hours+100 mg/L ox-LDL incubated for 48 hours). Another experimental protocol consisted of groups of the cells pretreated with either caspase-3 inhibitor DEVD-CHO, or caspase-8 inhibitor z-IETD-fmk, or caspase-9 inhibitor z-LEHD-fmk of 25 micromol/L for 24 hours, then HUVECs were exposed ox-LDL (100 mg/L) incubated for 48 hours. The activity of caspase-3, caspase-8, or caspase 9 was determined by caspase colorimetric assay. The cell survival rate was assessed with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method. The positive expression rate of caspase-3 and apoptotic rate were measured by flow cytometer., Results: The activity of caspase-3 was significantly decreased and cell survival rate was increased in the caspase-3 inhibitor group (both P<0.05). The activity of caspase-8 was decreased in the caspase-8 inhibitor group (P<0.05), but the cell survival rate was not significantly different from that of ox-LDL group (P>0.05). The activity of caspase-3 or caspase-9 was lower and cell survival rate was higher in the caspase-9 inhibitor group than that of ox-LDL group (all P<0.05). The pretreatment with rhEPO led to decreased activity of caspase-3, caspase-9, positive expression rate of caspase-3 and apoptotic rate in a dose-dependent manner compared with ox-LDL group (all P<0.05), but the activity of caspase-8 showed no significant difference from rhEPO pretreatment groups (all P>0.05)., Conclusion: These results demonstrate that rhEPO can significantly inhibit the activity of caspase-3 or caspase-9 in endothelial cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Activation of caspase-3 or caspase-9 is involved in ox-LDL-induced HUVECs apoptotic signaling pathway, but caspase-8 is not involved.

Objective: To explore the protective effect of erythropoietin (EPO) against oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in an ox-LDL induced apoptosis model., Methods: Third-sixth passage of cultured HUVECs were used, and they were divided into two groups. The cells were pretreated with different concentrations (6.25, 50, 100 kU/L) of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) for 24 hours, then they were exposed to ox-LDL (100 mg/L) for 48 hours; another group of cells were pretreated with antisense to 0.5 micromol/L LOX-1 mRNA or 0.5 micromol/L sense for 24 hours, and then HUVECs were exposed to ox-LDL (100 mg/L) for 12 hours. Apoptosis was assessed by the apoptosis ratio, cell viability, and Bcl-2/Bax ratio., Results: As compared to untreated controls, pretreatment with rhEPO led to increased cell survival of HUVECs and decreased cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner (all P<0.05). Consistently, the Bcl-2/Bax ratios were also increased in a similar fashion. The ratio of apoptosis protein Bcl-2/Bax was increased in the antisense LOX-1 mRNA group than that of ox-LDL group (P<0.05), but the one in the sense LOX-1 mRNA group was not significantly different from that of ox-LDL group., Conclusion: The ox-LDL can induce apoptosis in HUVECs by regulating LOX-1 mRNA, and rhEPO can increase Bcl-2/Bax ratio and inhibit ox-LDL-induced apoptosis of HUVECs.

Flow-injection chemiluminescence was applied to determine the trace polyhydroxy phenol in environment (soil and water). Based on the comparison of several different chemiluminescence systems and optimization, an alkaline luminol-NaIO4 system for determinating polyhydroxy phenol was chosen. During the process of polyhydroxy phenol determination, the effect of dissolved humic acid (HA) on the determination of phenol by this chemiluminescence system was also considered, which generally coexists in soil and water widely. Thus the present work provided the reference for the determination of the real samples coming from soil or water. An obvious restraining effect of humic acid on the chemiluminescence signal obtained by the luminol-NaIO4-polyhydroxy phenol system was found, which shows a linear relationship with the concentration of HA in a certain range, the linear equation is y = 70.36x + 540.1, the correlation coefficient is 0. 9954, the linear range is between 3-15 mg x L(-1), the limitation of detection is 0.749 mg x L(-1), and the relative standard deviation (RSD) is 1.08% when the concentration of HA is 6 mg x L(-1). The possible working mechanism of humic acid here is discussed and deduced.

The catalytic organic residue contained Rh was digested with HNO3 at 130 degrees C for 12 h. Trace noble metal Rh in catalytic organic residue was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Rh was atomized by air-acetylene flame at lamp Current of 7 mA. The methods of sample pretreatment for Rh in residue were compared in this paper. The recovery rates of this method were 95.3%-105.5% and the relative standard derivation was 0.9%. The method was applied to the analysis of some practical samples and the results obtained were satisfactory.