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The aim of the present study was to determine whether it was possible to repair urethral defects with a material of adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs)-porous silk fibroin (SF). A total of 39 male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a control group, an SF group and a bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled ADMSCs-SF group (SSF group; n=13/group). Defects were made by resecting the posterior urethral wall. The defects in the SF and SSF groups were repaired using SF and BrdU-labeled ADMSCs-SF materials respectively. Then the anterior wall was sutured, and the urethral catheter was retained for 3 weeks following surgery. The catheter was rinsed with nitrofurazone once a day. The cells with positive expressions of factor VIII related antigen (FVIII-RAg), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and pan-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) were detected by immunohistochemical assay, and the distributions of BrdU positive cells and macrophages were observed. Urethrography was performed prior to and following surgery. All rabbits had normal urethral morphologies prior to surgery. The incidence rates of postoperative complications in the control, SF and SSF groups were 76.92 (7/13), 23.07 (3/13) and 15.38% (2/13), respectively (P<0.05). The number of positive macrophages in the SSF group was significantly lower than that of the SF group 4 weeks following surgery (P<0.05). In the SSF group, BrdU positive cells were scattered within the SF material following surgery, primarily at the intersection between the SF material and the urethra. The number of FVIII-RAg positive cells in the SSF and SF groups were significantly different (P<0.05), which were also significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.01). The number of α-SMA positive cells in the SSF and SF groups were significantly different (P<0.05), and these values also significantly exceeded those exhibited by the control group (P<0.01). In addition, the SSF and SF groups had positive staining of AE1/AE3. Similar to normal urethral mucosa, the cytoplasm was stained brownish yellow (P<0.05). It is thus feasible to repair urethral defects using ADMSCs-SF material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously reported that curcumin inhibits urothelial tumor development in a rat bladder carcinogenesis model. In this study, we report that curcumin inhibits urothelial tumor development by suppressing IGF2 and IGF2-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Curcumin inhibits IGF2 expression at the transcriptional level and decreases the phosphorylation levels of IGF1R and IRS-1 in bladder cancer cells andN-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced urothelial tumor tissue. Ectopic expression of IGF2 and IGF1R, but not IGF1, in bladder cancer cells restored this process, suggesting that IGF2 is a target of curcumin. Moreover, introduction of constitutively active AKT1 abolished the inhibitory effect of curcumin on cell proliferation, migration, and restored the phosphorylation levels of 4E-BP1 and S6K1, suggesting that curcumin functions via suppressing IGF2-mediated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In summary, our results reveal that suppressing IGF2 and IGF2-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is one of the mechanisms of action of curcumin. Our findings suggest a new therapeutic strategy against human bladder cancer caused by aberrant activation of IGF2, which are useful for translational application of curcumin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The physicochemical properties of native and germinated oat seeds cultivated in China and their correlations were investigated. The growth curve during germination of oat seeds was described. The malt yield was 84% at the end of malting. The losses by removing of shoots and rootlets were the major cause of the total dry matter losses in the last 24h of germination. With total starch enzymes activities increasing continuously, the starch content decreased considerably from 60% to 20%, and the reducing and soluble sugars contents increased. Oat seed kernel protein increased slightly, but the lysine content increased almost 30% at the end of germination. The phytic acid content declined from 0.35% to 0.11% during germination. There is a significant correlation among compositions including starch, protein, free and reducing sugars, free amino acid, and phytic acid. A close correlation also was found between the colour of malt flour dried at 50°C and the length of shoots and rootlets. The results suggest that oats grown in China are a good food material and that germination can improve their nutritional properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Curcumin, a well-known dietary pigment derived from Curcuma longa, inhibited growth of several types of malignant cells both in vivo and in vitro. Its effects on cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis in human bladder cancer cell lines and intravesical activity in a rat bladder tumor model were studied. Exposure of human bladder cancer cells to curcumin resulted in the induction of apoptotic cell death and caused cells to arrest in the G2/M phase. The anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Survivin protein was downregulated by the curcumin treatment together with enhancement of the Bax and p53 expression. The inhibitory activities of curcumin were stronger than those of cisplatin and could not be prevented by catalase pretreatment in T24 cells. Clonal assay indicated large-dose and short-term curcumin was lethal to bladder cancer cells. Moreover, the in vivo study revealed curcumin did induce apoptosis in situ, inhibit and slow the development of bladder cancer. These observations suggest that curcumin could prove an effective chemopreventive and chemotherapy agent for bladder cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Wide-bandgap polymers in organic photovoltaics provide a valuable toolbox for developing hole transport materials (HTMs). • Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using dopant-free PBQx-TCl HTM demonstrated an efficiency of 24.12 % with a high V OC of 1.20 V and good operational stability (T 90 > 600 hours). Dopant-free polymer hole transport materials (HTMs) exhibit high thermal stability, hydrophobicity and film-processing capabilities, demonstrating excellent device efficiency and stability in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Continued innovation of wide-bandgap polymers in organic photovoltaics (OPV) provides a valuable toolbox for developing polymeric HTMs. Here, we propose an effective molecule design for selecting structurally relevant polymers (D18, D18-Cl, PBQx-TCl) available for commercialization. We discover that the highly planar conjugated backbones play a crucial role in regulating the packing orientation of the film relative to the perovskite. The moderate aggregation with face-on packing orientation is conducive to the high-quality film, which is responsible for better contact with perovskite and superior charge extraction and transport. Simultaneously, these polymers with robust passivation enhanced the open circuit voltage (V OC) without additional passivation layers, streamlining the device process. Consequently, a PSC using dopant-free PBQx-TCl HTL demonstrated an efficiency of 24.12 % with a high V OC of 1.20 V and good operational stability (T 90 > 600 h). This work reveals transparent structure–function-performance relationships between molecules and devices, paving the way for the subsequent development of high-performance HTMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant bio constituents have the ability to prepare nanoparticles, and usually, plant polyphenols are tested to reduce sodium selenite to selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). In this work, we showed the biosynthesis of SeNPs using Ocimum tenuiflorum leaf extract. The as obtained SeNPs were in the size range of 15–20 nm and spherical in shape. Also, TEM microscopic images represented the aggregation of crystal structures as extracellular deposits. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was performed to examine the chemical transition of calcium oxalate (CaC2O4) crystal's shape and structure due to the influence of SeNPs. SeNPs inhibited the aggregation and growth of CaC2O4 monohydrate crystals and hence the prepared SeNPs could have important prospects in medical and pharmaceutical applications as a potential inhibitor of CaC2O4 urinary stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CoS@ZnIn 2 S 4 -Ce was successfully fabricated by a sample solvothermal sulfidation and in-situ synthesis. • The hybrid of CoS can reduce the band gap energy of ZnIn 2 S 4. • The doping of Ce can induce the significant separation of the photo-generated electrons and holes in CoS@ZnIn 2 S 4 -Ce. • The degradation of phenol, nicotine, benzopyrene and nitrosamine by CoS@ZnIn 2 S 4 -Ce is attributed to O 2 − and OH. Nowadays, researchers make great effects to eliminate some harmful chemicals produced by tobacco. Photocatalysis is one of the most advanced techniques and can degrade organic contaminants effectively. In this paper, a novel CoS@ZnIn 2 S 4 -Ce heterostructured cage was successfully prepared for degradation. After various characterizations, CoS@ZnIn 2 S 4 -Ce exhibited a significant separation of the photo-generated electrons and holes and could degrade phenol effectively no matter under UV light (98.46 %) or visible light (96.72 %). Furthermore, CoS@ZnIn 2 S 4 -Ce could degrade nicotine (91.62 %), benzopyrene (84.65 %) and nitrosamine (99.18 %) effectively under visible light. The effects of the initial conditions on degradation of phenol was also well investigated. The optimal conditions were 0.5 g/L of catalyst dosage, 4.35–7.00 of pH value and 10 mg/L of phenol initial concentration. OH and O 2 − were the main active radicals during the photo-degradation process. On this basis, a possible photocatalytic degradation pathway for degradation of contaminants produced by tobacco are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, the functional properties of Ginkgo seed protein isolate (GPI), Ginkgo seed globulin protein (GGP) and Ginkgo seed albumin protein (GAP) extracted from Ginkgo biloba seeds were investigated. The protein contents of GPI, GGP and GAP were 91.0%, 93.4% and 87.8%, respectively in the samples in which the sugar, polyphenol and crude fibre were removed by the preparation procedure. For functional properties of Ginkgo seed proteins in the natural state, GAP showed the highest oil-absorption capacity (9.3ml/g), foaming capacity (67.8%), emulsifying capacity (65.4%) and emulsion stability (90.6%); while GPI showed the highest water absorption capacity (1.93ml/g), and GGP showed the highest foam stability (55.5%). The differences of the chemical components, surface hydrophobicity, disulphide bond (SS) and sulfhydryl group (SH) contents of GPI, GGP and GAP, which were correlated significantly with functional properties of Ginkgo seed proteins, were also investigated. The improved functional properties, such as water absorption capacity, solubility, foaming properties and emulsifying properties of Ginkgo seed proteins were observed in a pH range of 8.0–10.0 or sodium chloride concentration of 0.5–0.75M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Starches from 10 different non-waxy rice cultivars in China were isolated and investigated for their physicochemical properties including the swelling power, solubility, syneresis, thermal, rheological and textural properties, and structure. The range of amylose content in 10 rice starches was between 18.1 and 31.6%. The branch chain length distribution of amylopectin revealed that the proportions of short (DP6–11), medium (DP12–17), and longer chains (DP18–23) were 4.6–11.1%, 47.0–51.6% and 25.3–31.8%, respectively. The relationships between different properties of rice starches were determined using Pearson correlation analysis. Amylose content was negatively correlated to swelling power (r = −0.632, p ≤ 0.05) and positively correlated to gel hardness (r = 0.776, p ≤ 0.01). The percentage of short chains (DP6–11) was negatively related to the transition temperatures (T o, T p and T c), T oG′ and TG ′max, while the percentage of medium chains (DP12–23) was positively related. Various branch chain length amylopectins played different roles in rheological behavior of starch dispersions. The percentage of short chains (DP6–11) was positively correlated to G′ and G″(r = 0.832 and r = 0.775, respectively, p ≤ 0.01), and negatively correlated to tanδ peak (r = −0.717, p ≤ 0.05). However, the percentage of longer chains (DP18–23) showed a negative relation with G′ and G″ (r = −0.794, p ≤ 0.01; r = −0.741, p ≤ 0.05), and a positive relation with tanδ peak (r = 0.668, p ≤ 0.05). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new antioxidation protein named G4b was purified from Ginkgo biloba seed albumin. The results of chemical colorimetry and chemiluminescence methods showed that the hemi-inhibitory concentration (IC50) of G4b on the hydroxyl radical were 78.1μg/mL and 115.1μg/mL, and the IC50 on DPPH was 100.7μg/mL, while the IC50 on the superoxide anion and DNA injury were 23μg/mL and 27μg/mL, respectively, and the abundance of sulfur amino acids and aromatic amino acids contained in G4b might contribute to its strong antioxidation properties. G4b is a kind of homogeneous and novel protein with a molecular mass of 29,247Da, consisting of two peptides with similar molecular weights linked by a disulfide bond. Result of β-elimination reaction showed that G4b is connected with a small quantity of polysaccharide by an oxygen-glucosidic bond. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]