Reduced graphene oxide-BiPO4 ( RGO-BiPO4 ) nanocomposite was synthesized successfully via a one-pot solvothermal method using graphene oxide and bismuth nitrate as precursors and glycerin as solvent at 200℃ for 1 h. The morphology and structure of as-prepared nanocomposite were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, SERS and UV-Visible spectrum. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite was evaluated by the photodegradation of Rhodamine B ( RhB) dye under UV irradiation and it was found that RGO-BiPO4 nanocomposite possessed higher photocatalytic activity than that of pure BiPO4 . RhB could be decomposed 87. 5% within 2 h. Under the same conditions, only 45. 7% of the RhB dye could be decomposed by BiPO4 . The enhancement of photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the effective charge separation due to the electron-accepting and transporting properties of graphene.

Objective To investigate influence of cisplatin (DDP) on the tumor inhibition rate,transcriptional levels of CyclinB1 and CyclinD1 of CNE-1 xenograft in nude mice.Methods Tumor mode of nude mice CNE-1 xenograft was established.Then mice were divided into control arm,DDP arm,high speed irradiation arm,simulated intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) arm and simulated IMRT + DDP arm,with 12 mice in each arm.Irradiation dose was 20 Gy with a single fraction.DDP was 15 μg/g weight.The maximum diameter of tumor base was measured every other day.The growth curve was drawn and tumor inhibition rate werevcalculated after 40 days.The transcriptional level of CyclinB1 and CyclinD1 of xenograft was measured by RT-PCR.The results of different groups were compared with one-factor analysis of variance.Results Tumor inhibition rates of the control arm,DDP arm,high speed irradiation arm,simulated IMRT arm and simulated IMRT + DDP arm were-129.1％,-71.2％,42.5％,35.3％ and 47.1％,respectively.There was significant difference between the high speed irradiation arm and simulated IMRT arm (P =0.034),but not between the high speed irradiation arm and simulated IMRT + DDP arm (P =0.222).The transcriptional levels of CyclinB1 in the arms were 0.429,0.386,0.322,0.354 and 0.268.There were significant differences between the high speed irradiation arm and the simulated IMRT arm or the simulated IMRT + DDP arm (P =0.007 and 0.000).The transcriptional levels of CyclinD1 in the arms were 0.716,0.583,0.348,0.495 and 0.296,respectively.There was significant difference between the acute irradiation arm and the simulated IMRT arm (P =0.000),but there was no significant difference between the high speed irradiation arm and the simulated IMRT + DDP arm (P =0.072).Conclusions Irradiation of 20 Gy single fraction,or combined with DDP are effective on the CNE-1 xenograft in nude mice,but DDP alone can only lower the tumor growth speed.Irradiation of 20 Gy single fraction,or combined with DDP,or DDP alone can reduce the transcriptional levels of CyclinB1 and CyclinD1.As the single therapeutic time is prolonged in IMRT mode,the tumor inhibition rate is reduce,and the reduce of the transcriptional levels of CyclinB1 and CyclinD1 is depressed,while combined DDP can compensate the decline of the biological effect.

OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic changes of bone density and bone strength after alveolar ridge augmentation with Titanium Nickel shake memory alloy (TiNi-SMA) distractor and acellular dermal matrix (ADM).

METHODSTwelve adult healthy male dogs were selected. After the animal model of alveolar atrophy was set up, on one side of mandible, two S-shaped distractors were placed. The diameter of S-shaped distractor was 1 mm and the rebound temperature was 33 degrees C. The ADM was placed on the distraction gap and fixed by the feet of distractors. The other side was placed only with distractors, serving as control side. Six dogs' mandibles were harvested after 1 and 3 months respectively. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to scan bone density around the distraction gap. Mechanical machine was used to test compression strength and elastic modulus.

RESULTSMonths after distraction, the bone density of upper distraction gap, distraction gap and low distraction gap were respectively (0.714 +/- 0.238) g/cm2, (0.512 +/- 0.435) g/cm2 and (0.615 +/- 0.043) g/cm2 on experimental side. The compression strength and elastic modulus were (36.54 +/- 7.32) MPa and (1674.10 +/- 256.43) MPa. All of above were higher than those of control side.

CONCLUSIONSADM can improve the bone quality, increase bone density and intensity and is an ideal guided bone regeneration(GBR) membrane for alveolar ridge augmentation with TiNi-SMA distractor.

Alveolar Ridge Augmentation ; Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Density ; Bone Regeneration ; Dental Alloys ; Dogs ; Male ; Nickel ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Titanium

This study is to investigate the effect of total flavonoids of Uygur medicine bugloss (BTF) on rats with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and to explore the mechanisms by which it acts. Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in rats was occluded for 30 min followed by 4 h reperfusion. Meanwhile, BTF dissolved in saline was administered intraperitoneally at dosage of 10, 30 and 50 mg x kg(-1). Electrocardiograph, infarction index, serum myocardial enzymes and heart function were determined to evaluate the effect of BTF. Some other observations were carried out to explore whether inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis is involved in the mechanisms underlying BTF. Our results showed that in ischemia/reperfusion injured rats BTF could dose-dependently reduce myocardial infarction index and myocardial enzyme leakage, and enhance heart function, indicating that it possesses significant cardio protection. ELISA analysis showed that BTF could decrease the content of myocardial inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Western-blotting confirmed that BTF could increase the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and reduce the expression of proapoptosis protein Bax. Further more, the phosphorylation level of PI3K and Akt was upregulated by BTF treatment. BTF can protect rat against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Anti-inflammation and inhibition of apoptosis through upregulating PI3K/Akt signal pathway may contribute to the protective effect of BTF.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Heart ; Interleukin-6 ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; Myocardium ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Protective Agents ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein

Objective To explore the effects of Living with Hope Program(LWHP) on family caregivers of patients with advanced lung cancer.Methods Totally 60 family caregivers of patients with advanced lung cancer were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group.The experimental group received LWHP intervention and routine care knowledge education,the control group only received routine care knowledge education.Hope,self-efficacy,anxiety and depression,and quality of life were evaluated at the first week,the second week,the first month,and the third month.Differences between two groups were compared using variance analysis of repeated measurements.Results The self-evaluation of the intervention was 76.6％,and the main effects of hope level,selfefficacy,anxiety and depression,and mental health were statistically significant (P＜0.05);the time effect on hope level and self-efficacy were statistically significant (P＜0.05);there were interaction effects between intervention and time on hope level,self-efficacy,anxiety and depression,and mental health (P＜0.05).Conclusion LWHP can effectively improve hope level,self-efficacy and mental health status,and alleviate anxiety and depression of family caregivers of patients with advanced lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cell-free stem cell therapy has been an issue of concern, but there is no conclusion on how to extract high-quality exosomes. OBJECTIVE: To extract exosomes from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells by using three different methods, and then to screen the optimal method. METHODS: Exosomes were extracted from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells by using the Total Exosome Isolation test kit, Exo Quick test kit and differential ultracentrifugation method, respectively. Then, transmission electron microscopy was used for morphological observations, BCA was utilized to quantify the protein, and western blot assay was applied to detect surface markers CD9, CD81 and CD63. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Extraction of exosomes was completed by all the three methods, and round or oval membranous vesicles were observed under the transmission electron microscope. The protein content and purity of exosomes was highest in the differential ultracentrifugation group, followed by the Exobiology Quick kit group, and lowest in the Total Exosome Isolation kit group, and there were significant differences among the three groups (P < 0.05). Under the same protein concentration, surface specific markers, CD81, CD63 and CD9, were expressed highest in the differential ultracentrifugation group, followed by the Exobiology Quick kit group, and lowest in the Total Exosome Isolation kit group. The operating time was significantly lower in the Exobiology Quick kit group compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05). To conclude, despite a longer operating time, the differential ultracentrifugation method is a rational method to extract enough exosomes with relative high purity.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of CD40 ligand (CD40L) in dendritic cells (DC) of CEA transgenic mice and to evaluate the specific cellular immunity induced by activated DC.

METHODSBone marrow cells of the CEA transgenic mice were used to generate immature dendritic cells under the condition of GM-CSF and IL-4. CD40L was added to activate dendritic cells into mature phenotype. Dendritic cells cancer vaccine was pulsed with CEA526-533 peptide which made the vaccine specific for cancer immunity. The immunophenotype molecules were identified by flow cytometry. The cytokines produced by cells were determined by ELISA. T cells proliferation was measured by (3)H-thymidine essays.

RESULTSImmunophenotype molecules expressions of CD40L-activated dendritic cells were significantly higher than those in control group. IL-12 secretion by CD40L-activated dendritic cells was (937.81+/-51.99) pg/10(6) DC, significantly higher than that in control group [(83.06+/-8.58) pg/10(6) DC, P<0.01]. CD8(+) T cells proliferation induced by CD40 L-activated dendritic cells was stronger as compared to control group (P<0.05), and the secretion of IFN-gamma was(33.900+/-4.550) ng/L, significantly higher than that in control group [(5.226+/-0.460) ng/L, P<0.01]. Splenocytes proliferation induced by CD40 L-activated dendritic cells was stronger as compared to control group (P<0.01), and the secretion of IFN-gamma was (69.802+/-11.407) ng/L, significantly higher than that in control group [(2.912+/-0.562) ng/L, P<0.01].

CONCLUSIONThe method of using CD40L to stimulate bone marrow-delivered dendritic cells promotes the maturation and activation of dendritic cells, which enhances the cellular immunity in CEA transgenic mice.

Animals ; CD40 Ligand ; immunology ; physiology ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the morphological changes after chemically extracted acellular nerve allografts transplant.

METHODSSeventy-two rabbits were divided into four groups. Acellular allografts of facial nerve were used in experimental group, and facial nerve autografts, acellular peroneal nerve allografts and peroneal nerve autografts respectively used in three control groups. The morphological changes after transplant were evaluated by modified trichrome staining, immunohistological staining and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSThe two facial nerve grafts showed numerous regenerated nerve fibers, vessels and as well as a spindle schwann cells arranged longitudinally. No significant difference was observed in the fiber number and myelin thickness between the two groups,while the two peroneal nerve groups showed poor regeneration 6 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONSThe facial nerve allografts showed more neurite regeneration six months after transplant, and the regenerated axons passed through the distal stoma and there were well revascularized and proliferated schwann cells in the grafts.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Facial Nerve ; pathology ; transplantation ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; pathology ; surgery ; Nerve Regeneration ; Rabbits ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical performance of a probe melting analysis (PMA)-based real-time PCR detection kit in rapid detection of rifampin-resistant mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).

METHODSThe specificity of the assay was evaluated by detecting 37 non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), and the detection limit of the method was evaluated by genomic DNA of a standard strain H37Rv. Finally, 962 clinical isolates were analyzed with the PMA assay by detecting mutations in rifampin resistance-determining region (RRDR) of rpoB gene, and results were verified with DNA sequencing.

RESULTSAmong 37 NTM strains, three strains showed drug resistant mutation signals. The PMA method could detect down to 30 bacteria per reaction. Sample analysis showed that 186 of 962 isolates were mutants, 751 isolates were wild type and 25 isolates failed to give amplification signals. Among the mutant samples detected, 112 samples from November 2009 to April 2010 were further analyzed by sequencing, as well as 200 wild-type samples. The results showed a complete agreement with the PMA assay except for 5 samples failed in sequence analysis.

CONCLUSIONThe PMA assay is rapid, accurate and easy-to-use, and thus can be used for detection of rifampin-resistant in clinical isolate samples.

Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases ; Genotype ; Limit of Detection ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of MMP-8 in human and rat tooth development.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization of MMP-8 protein while in situ hybridization was used to examine the expression of MMP-8 mRNA.

RESULTSThe expression of MMP-8 protein was localized in odontoblast and dentin matrix at the later bell stage in human tooth germ. The dentin was denser close to the pulp cavity. The expression of MMP-8 mRNA was found in very few polarized odontoblast at the early bell stage and all polarized odontoblast at the later bell stage in rat tooth germ.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested that MMP-8 involved in dentin matrix rebuilding in the process of dentin formation in human and rat dental development.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Dentin ; enzymology ; Embryo, Mammalian ; In Situ Hybridization ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Maxilla ; enzymology ; Odontogenesis ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tooth Germ ; embryology ; enzymology