CdSe/TiO2NTs Heterojunction-Based Nonenzymatic Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Glucose Detection.

Compared with a single semiconductor, the heterojunction formed by two different semiconductors usually has higher light utilization and better photoelectric performance. By using stable TiO2 nanotubes as the main subject, CdSe/TiO2NTs heterojunctions were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. XRD, TEM, SEM, PL, UV-vis, and EIS were used to characterize the fabricated CdSe/TiO2NTs. Under visible light irradiation, CdSe/TiO2NTs heterojunctions exhibited a higher absorption intensity and lower degree of photogenerated carrier recombination than TiO2. The electrons and holes were proven to be effectively separated in this heterojunction via theoretical calculation. Under CdSe/TiO2NTs' optimal conditions, the glucose concentrations (10-90 µM) had a linear relationship with the photocurrent value, and the detection limit was 3.1 µM. Moreover, the CdSe/TiO2NTs sensor exhibited good selectivity and stability. Based on the experimental data and theoretical calculations, its PEC sensing mechanism was also illuminated.

Establishing Reference Intervals of Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index for Apparently Healthy Elderly.

BACKGROUND: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI) serves as a parameter in evaluating liver fibrosis in current clinical practice. However, reference standard (reference intervals, RIs) or baseline levels of APRI have not been previously reported. The purpose of this paper is to establish the reference intervals of APRI in apparently healthy elderly people from the region of Shuyang, China. METHODS: Blood specimens were collected from local elderly residents (selected 51,263 elderly Han Shuyang Chinese from 65 to 97 years old, 32.97% males and 67.03% females) by standard procedures. Complete blood counts were determined by Sysmex XE-2100 analyzer and the AST values were measured by a TBA2000FR automatic biochemical analyzer (Toshiba Co., Ltd., Japan). The 95% reference intervals were calculated by using the non-parametric method according to the document: Defining, Establishing, and Verifying Reference Intervals in the Clinical Laboratory; Approved Guideline-Third Edition (C28-A3) of CLSI. RESULTS: RIs established for healthy elderly include: 0.1398-0.6266 for males and 0.1282-0.5798 for females (0.1284-0.5086 for 65-74 years old; 0.1209-0.5704 for > or = 75 years old). Ris of APRI for elderly males were higher than those of females, and values of APRI increased with increasing age for females. CONCLUSIONS: We established scientific and reasonable RIs of APRI for the healthy elderly in our region.

Laboratory reference intervals of complete blood count for apparently healthy elderly people in Shuyang, China.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there are no appropriate RIs of blood cells available for the elderly in most clinical laboratories in China. The aim of this study is to establish the RIs of complete blood cell count for apparently healthy elderly people. METHODS: Blood specimens were collected from elderly residents by standard procedures. Complete blood counts were determined by Sysmex XE-2100 analyzer. The RIs and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by the robust method recommended by CLSI C28-A3 guideline. RESULTS: RIs established for healthy elderly include: total WBC 3.63 - 10.3 x 10(9)/L for males and 3.64 - 10.3 x 10(9)/L for females; RBC 3.74 - 5.49 x 10(12)/L for males and 3.74 - 5.53 x 10(12)/L for females; Hb 109 - 167 g/L for males and 109 - 168 g/L for females; HCT 36.0 - 51.8% for males and 35.7 - 51.8% for females; MCV 86.0 - 105 fL for males and 86.2 - 106 fL for females; MCH 26.4 - 33.6 pg for males and 26.4 - 33.8 pg for females; MCHC 293 - 333 g/L for males and 291 - 335 g/L for females; RDW-SD 39.3 - 53.7 fL for males and 39.6 - 54.5 fL for females; RDW-CV 11.7 - 15.1% for males and 11.7 - 15.2% for females; PLT 122 - 355 x 10(9)/L for males and 122 - 350 x 10(9)/L for females; PCT 14.1 - 37.6 x 10(-1) mL/L for males and 13.9 - 37.9 x 10(-1) mL/L for females; MPV 11.3 - 15.5 fL for males and 11.3 - 15.5 fL for females; PDW 9.74 - 17.0% for males and 9.72 - 17.0% for females; platelet-LCR (P-LCR) 21.3 - 51.2% for males and 21.1 - 51.4% for females. CONCLUSIONS: We established scientific and reasonable RIs of blood cell analysis for the healthy elderly in our region.

Reference intervals for total bilirubin, ALT, AST and creatinine in healthy Chinese elderly.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish the reference intervals (RIs) of total bilirubin (TBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and creatinine (CREA) for apparently healthy elderly (Han ethnicity) in Shuyang, China. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 54 912 blood specimens from elderly residents age 65-104 years were collected by standard procedures in Shuyang county of Jiangsu province. TBIL, ALT, AST, and CREA for each participant were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer. Distribution and differences of TBIL, ALT, AST, and CREA were analyzed and compared between the elderly of the same age of different sexes and different ages of the same sex. RIs of TBIL, ALT, AST, and CREA were compared with the current RIs. The RIs and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using nonparametric method (2.5th-97.5th percentiles) according to the guideline of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. RESULTS: RIs established for the healthy elderly include: TBIL 7.8~30.6 µmol/L for males and 7.3~26.1 µmol/L for females; ALT 8.7~47.3 U/L for males and 8.4~45.2 U/L for females; AST 15.7~46.9 U/L for males and 15.1~46.2 U/L for females; and CREA 45.1~100.9 µmol/L for males and 38.7~85.0 µmol/L for females. Reference intervals of TBIL, ALT, AST, and CREA for male elderly were higher than those of females, and values of CREA increased with increasing age. CONCLUSIONS: We have established a panel of locally relevant RIs. It is necessary to establish scientific and reasonable RIs of TBIL, ALT, AST, and CREA for the healthy elderly in our region, which will provide a reference for clinicians and inspection officers.

Research on Mechanism of Nanometric Bone Pulp Activated with Double Gene as Bone Morphogenetic Protein 1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor for Improving the Strength of Centrum in Osteoporosis.

The aim of this study was assessing the mechanism of nanometric bone pulp activated with double gene as bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in improving the strength of centrum in osteoporosis (OP). The model of nanometric bone pulp activated with BMP-1 and VEGF double gene was established and validated. Under maximum condition of load and collapsed fragments, the model was analyzed through biomechanical test. The conditions for ALP, BGP, MLL and BMD in the model were also analyzed, and three-dimensional structural transformation was analyzed. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the effect of adding or not adding dual gene activated nano-bone stickers on OC-specific protein and mRNA; ELISA kits were used to detect the changes of RANKL pathway RANKL, OPG and TRACP5b. The maximum conformed quality and condensed intensity were strengthened with the nanometric bone pulp activated with BMP-1 and VEGF double gene. The maximum load in centrum was extremely elevated in the model, and the condition of ALP and its effect on bone was partly improved in the model. The precision and efficiency in the quality of BMD were continuously decreased. The BMD and MLF were strengthened notably in the model, and their effect on the bone was extremely improved. There was tight displayed model of trabecular in centrum and porosity was also continuously reduced. After adding the double-gene activated nano-bone stickers, the results from qRTPCR and Western blot showed that the changes of osteoclast-related genes and protein expressions were significantly down-regulated. The nanometric bone pulp activated with BMP-1 and VEGF double gene was one of ideal filled criterion. The BMD and bone strength were also elevated.

CdS-Modified TiO2 Nanotubes with Heterojunction Structure: A Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Glutathione.

The formation of heterojunction structures can effectively prevent the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs in semiconductors and result in the enhancement of photoelectric properties. Using TiO2 nanotubes (prepared using the hydrothermal-impregnation method) as carriers, CdS-TiO2NTs were fabricated as a photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor, which can be used under visible light and can exhibit good PEC performance due to the existence of the heterojunction structure. The experimental results show that the prepared CdS-TiO2NTs electrode had a linear response to 2-16 mM glutathione (GSH). The sensor's sensitivity and detection limit (LOD) were 102.9 µA·mM-1 cm-2 and 27.7 µM, respectively. Moreover, the biosensor had good stability, indicating the potential application of this kind of heterojunction PEC biosensor.

[Treatment of fracture involved articular surface with absorbable screws and rods].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment results of fracture involved articular surface with absorbable screws and rods. METHODS: From October 1995 to May 2002, 32 patients with fracture involved articular surface were treated with absorbable screws and rods with the materials of SR-PGA and SR-PLLA. Bone traction or plaster external fixation were carried out postoperatively. RESULTS: The followed-up period varied from 3 months to 78 months, with an average of 18.5 months. According to the articular function evaluation criteria, the results were excellent in 24 patients, good in 6 patients and fair in 2 patients. The excellent and good rate was 93.7%. The fractures healed, without dislocation, infection and local effusion. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation of absorbable screws and rods is a perfect procedure for treating fracture involved articular surface, which avoided the pain of taking out internal fixation materials of the second operation.