Electron Transfer Efficiency-Regulated Electrochemiluminescence for Rapid Crystallinity Analysis in Layered Materials.

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal is largely determined by the electron transfer efficiency. Therefore, in the nanomaterial-involved ECL system, the structure-related electron distribution could affect the electron transfer efficiency and further alter the ECL intensity. These features make the design of versatile ECL-based analytical techniques for probing the correlated structure possible. And it is generally accepted that the increased crystallinity of nanomaterials usually leads to a uniform electron distribution, which provides higher conductivity. Therefore, the crystallinity-improved conductivity could facilitate electron transfer, promote the electrochemical activity of support materials, and boost the efficiency of the ECL reaction. In this study, we have demonstrated that the ECL signal of the graphitic carbon nitride reporter was proportional to the crystallinity of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), which meets the supposition well. On the basis of this phenomenon, an ECL-based crystallinity analysis approach has been established using CdAl-LDHs as the model materials. The universality of this proposed technique was further validated by the rapid and accurate crystallinity determination of ZnAl-LDH samples with diverse crystallinities. This work not only contributes an alternative to the X-ray diffraction technique for the rapid screening of crystallinity in layered materials but also opens a new avenue for the design of ECL-based structure analysis techniques toward nanomaterials and even organic materials by involving electron transfer regulation correlation.

High throughput screening of pure silica zeolites for CF4 capture from electronics industry gas.

The capture and separation of CF4 from CF4/N2 mixture gas is a crucial issue in the electronics industry, as CF4 is a commonly used etching gas and the ratio of CF4 to N2 directly affects process efficiency. Utilizing high-throughput computational screening techniques and grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations, we comprehensively screened and assessed 247 types of pure silicon zeolite materials to determine their adsorption and separation performance for CF4/N2 mixtures. Based on screening, the relationships between the structural parameters and adsorption and separation properties were meticulously investigated. Four indicators including adsorption selectivity, working capacity, adsorbent performance score (APS), and regenerability (R%) were used to evaluate the performance of adsorbents. Based on the evaluation, we selected the top three best-performing zeolite structures for vacuum swing adsorption (LEV, AWW and ESV) and pressure swing adsorption (AVL, ZON, and ERI) processes respectively. Also, we studied the preferable adsorption sites of CF4 and N2 in the selected zeolite structures through centroid density distributions at the molecule level. We expect the study may provide some valuable guidance for subsequent experimental investigations on adsorption and separation of CF4/N2.

Exposure to artificial wind increases energy intake and reproductive performance of female Swiss mice (Mus musculus) in hot temperatures.

High temperatures and heatwaves are rapidly emerging as an important threat to many aspects of physiology and behavior in females during lactation. The body's capacity to dissipate heat is reduced by high ambient temperatures, increasing the risk of hyperthermia. Exposure to wind, a pervasive environmental factor for most terrestrial animals, is known to increase heat loss, but its effects on the reproductive performance of small mammals remains unclear. In the present study, the effects of wind on the energy budgets, resting metabolic rate and milk energy output (MEO) were measured in lactating Swiss mice at 21 and 32.5°C. Females kept at 32.5°C had a significantly lower resting metabolic rate, food intake and MEO, and lighter offspring, than those kept at 21°C. However, exposure to wind increased the asymptotic food intake of females kept at 32.5°C by 22.5% (P<0.01), their MEO by 20.7% (P<0.05) and their litter mass by 17.6% (P<0.05). The body temperature of females kept at 32.5°C was significantly higher during lactation than that of females kept at 21°C, but this difference was reduced by exposure to wind. These findings suggest that exposure to wind considerably improves reproductive performance, increasing the fitness of small mammals while undergoing hot temperatures during heatwaves.

The energy budget and fat accumulation in striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis) during post-lactation.

Adaptive adjustments of energy intake and body fat play an important role in allowing animals' to meet the energy demands of thermoregulation during cold conditions and reproduction. Body fat is usually metabolized during lactation, which is one of the most energetically demanding activities of female mammals, however the effect of this on the energy budget and body fat regulation after lactation remains unclear. We compared the energy intake and body fat of female striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis) fed either a high-fat or low-fat diet for 21 days after the end of lactation (post-lactation, PL) to those of virgin controls. Serum leptin levels and the expression of hypothalamic orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptide genes were also measured and compared. Although lactating females consumed significantly more food, they had significantly lower body fat than virgin controls. The energy intake and body fat levels of the PL females were, however, significantly higher than those of virgin females. This was particularly true for the PL females that were fed high-fat diet. These females had significantly higher serum leptin concentrations, but lower hypothalamic leptin receptor gene expression, than virgin females. Neither orexigenic nor anorexigenic neuropeptide levels in the hypothalamus differed significantly between the PL and virgin females. This suggests that a negative energy balance during lactation drives fat accumulation after lactation. Furthermore, leptin resistance may occur after the end of lactation, causing females to consume more food, and accumulate more fat, than virgin females.

Data-Driven Calibration of Soil Moisture Sensor Considering Impacts of Temperature: A Case Study on FDR Sensors.

Commercial soil moisture sensors have been widely applied into the measurement of soil moisture content. However, the accuracy of such sensors varies due to the employed techniques and working conditions. In this study, the temperature impact on the soil moisture sensor reading was firstly analyzed. Next, a pioneer study on the data-driven calibration of soil moisture sensor was investigated considering the impacts of temperature. Different data-driven models including the multivariate adaptive regression splines and the Gaussian process regression were applied into the development of the calibration method. To verify the efficacy of the proposed methods, tests on four commercial soil moisture sensors were conducted; these sensors belong to the frequency domain reflection (FDR) type. The numerical results demonstrate that the proposed methods can greatly improve the measurement accuracy for the investigated sensors.

[Comparison of essential oil from Mentha haplocalyx and menthol used as penetration enhancers].

The aim of this paper was to investigate and compare the penetration-enhancing characteristics of menthol and essential oil from Mentha haplocalyx(M.haplocalyx oil) on the transdermal absorption of the complex traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) components. A series of TCM components were selected as model drugs based on their lipophilicity (logP value), namely osthole(OT, logP=3.85), tetramethylpyrazine(TMP, logP=2.34), ferulic acid(FA, logP=1.26), puerarin(PR, logP=-0.35) and geniposide(GP, logP=-1.01), in order to simply and characterize the TCM complex components system. Transdermal experiment in vitro was employed to investigate and compare the penetration-enhancing characteristics of menthol and M.haplocalyx oil on the transdermal absorption of these model drugs. Meanwhile, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) was used to further compare the effect of menthol and M. haplocalyx oil on the molecular structure of stratum corneum(SC). The results showed that both of menthol and M.haplocalyx oil at proper concentration could promote the transdermal absorption of the selected model drugs. After application of menthol, the drug logP values gradually tended to have negative linear relationship with the logarithm of penetration enhancement ratio(ER); while after application of M.haplocalyx oil, the logP values tended to have parabolic relationship with the logarithm of ER. However, both menthol and M.haplocalyx oil exhibited higher efficiency for the drugs with relative low lgP value(ie hydrophilic drugs), with similar penetration-enhancing characteristics between these two. Infrared spectroscopy results showed that menthol and M.haplocalyx oil could affect the skin barrier functions mainly via stratum corneum lipids, with similar effect intensity, and this was consistent with the results of transdermal experiment in vitro. Thus, Menthol had similar penetration-enhancing characteristics with M.haplocalyx oil, and had same effect on the SC molecular structure. Therefore, as transdermal penetration enhancer, the menthol with single composition could be considered to replace M.haplocalyx oil with complex compositions.

[Matrix formulation of chaizhi cataplasma optimized by D-optimal mixture design combined with multiple mechanical indicators and its in vitro evaluation].

To optimize the matrix formulation of Chaizhi cataplasma (CC) and investigate its release and transdermal absorption properties in vitro. The optimized matrix formulation of cataplasma containing liquid herbal extract is determined by using D-optimal mixture design, with initial bonding strength, endurance bonding strength and gel strength as the evaluating indicators. Modified Franz diffusion cells were used to study the in vitro release and transdermal absorption of geniposide in CC. The optimized matrix formulation of CC contained NP700, aluminum glycinate, tartaric acid, glycerin, PVPK90 and water (9∶0.7∶0.8∶30∶5∶30.5). Cumulative release rate of geniposide in CC was (77.02±3.73)% in 24 h. The percutaneous penetration rate of geniposide was 7.25 µg•cm⁻²â€¢h⁻¹ and the 24 h permeated amount was (156.22±4.90) µg•cm⁻². The optimized CC prepared by the D-optimal mixture design showed a good adhesion and formability. The in vitro release of the geniposide in CC was in accordance with the first order equation, while its in vitro transdermal absorption was close to the zero order equation.

[Effect of terpene penetration enhancer and its mechanisms on membrane fluidity and potential of HaCaT keratinocytes].

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of terpene penetration enhancers on membrane fluidity and membrane potential using HaCaT keratinocytes, and study the potential mechanisms of these terpene compounds using as natural transdermal penetration enhancer. Six terpene compounds, namely menthol, limonene, 1,8-cineole, menthone, terpinen-4-ol and pulegone, were chosen in this study on account of their good penetration-enhancement activities. The cytotoxicity of these terpene compounds was measured using an MTT assay. The fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) technique was employed to measure the change of membrane fluidity of HaCaT cells. The flow cytometer was used to study the alteration of membrane fluidity of HaCaT cells, and investigate the effect of terpene compounds on intracellular Ca2+. It was found that 6 terpene compounds possessed low cytotoxicity in comparison to the well-established and standard penetration enhancer azone. Those terpene compounds could significantly enhance HaCaT cells membrane fluidity and decrease HaCaT cells membrane potentials. Meanwhile, after treated with various terpene compounds, the Ca2(+)-ATPase activity and intracellular Ca2+ of HaCaT cells was decreased significantly. Terpene penetration enhancers perhaps changed the membrane fluidity and potentials of HaCaT cells by altering the Ca2+ balance of the cell inside and outside, resulting in the low skin permeability to increase the drug transdermal absorption.

[Researches of soil normalized difference water index (NDWI) of Yongding River based on multispectral remote sensing technology combined with genetic algorithm].

Basin soil type, moisture content and vegetation cover index are important factors affecting the basin water of Yongding River, using traditional sampling method to investigate soil moisture and the watershed soil type not only consuming a lot of manpower and material resources but also causing experimental error because of the instrument and other objective factors. This article selecting the Yongding River Basin-Beijing section as the study area, using total station instruments to survey field sampling and determination 34 plots, combined with 6 TM image data from 1978 to 2009 to extract soil information and the relationship between region's soil type, soil moisture and remote sensing factors. Using genetic algorithms normalization to select key factors which influenced NDWI, which is based on the green band and near-infrared bands normalized ratio index, usually used to extract water information in the image. In order to accurate screening and factors related to soil moisture, using genetic algorithms preferred characteristics, accelerate the convergence by controlling the number of iterations to filter key factor. Using multiple regression method to establish NDWI inversion model, which analysis the accuracy of model is 0.987, also use the species outside edges tree to meet accuracy test, which arrived that soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content and longitude correlation is not obvious, but a positive correlation with latitude and soil, inner precision researched 87.6% when the number of iterations to achieve optimal model calculation Maxgen. Models between NDWI and vegetation cover, topography, climate ect, through remote sensing and field survey methods could calculate the NDWI values compared with the traditional values, arrived the average relative error E is -0.021%, suits accord P reached 87.54%. The establishment of this model will be provide better practical and theoretical basis to the research and analysis of the watershed soil moisture and organic of Yongding River.

Betulin efficiently suppresses the process of an experimental Listeria monocytogenes infection as an antagonist against listeriolysin O.

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a widespread foodborne intracellular pathogen that invades a variety of cells, causing abortions and severe human diseases. After internalization into host cells, pore-forming cytolysin listeriolysin O (LLO) disrupts the phagosome, which allows the bacterium to survive and colonize the cytoplasm, providing the bacterium the chance to infect neighboring cells. Betulin is an extracted natural compound from birch bark with diverse pharmacological activities. Here, we showed that LLO-induced rabbit red blood cell lysis in vitro was inhibited by preincubation with betulin, which suppressed the oligomerization process. Infectious assays performed with human monocyte macrophages indicated that betulin significantly protected cells against Lm-induced cell injury. In addition, Balb/c mice were used to perform a general infection, and betulin administration obviously inhibited organ damage and bacterial burden in livers and spleens of infected mice. In conclusion, betulin obviously inhibited Lm-induced cell injury in vitro and protected against infection in vivo through an antivirulence effect. Our results showed betulin as a new candidate against listeriosis by targeting LLO and highlight the potential of natural product-based medicine to be applied in the treatment of pathogenic infections.

Detoxification of aflatoxins on prospective approach: effect on structural, mechanical, and optical properties under pressures.

Aflatoxins are sequential of derivatives of coumarin and dihydrofuran with similar chemical structures and well-known carcinogenic agent. Many studies performed to detoxify aflatoxins, but the result is not ideal. Therefore, we studied structural, infrared spectrum, mechanical, and optical properties of these compounds in the aim of perspective physics. Mulliken charge distributions and infrared spectral analysis performed to understand the structural difference between the basic types of aflatoxins. In addition, the effect of pressure, different polarized, and incident directions on their structural changes was determined. It is found that AFB1 is most stable structure among four basic types aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2), and IR spectra are analyzed to exhibit the difference on structures of them. The mechanical properties of AFB1 indicate that the structure of this toxin can be easily changed by pressure. The real [Formula: see text] and imaginary [Formula: see text] parts of the dielectric function, and the absorption coefficient [Formula: see text] and energy loss spectrum [Formula: see text] were also obtained under different polarized and incident directions. Furthermore, biological experiments needed to support the toxic level of AFB1 using optical technologies.

[Capecitabine (xeloda) in the treatment of relapsed and metastatic breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the response rate and adverse reactions of xeloda, an analogue of 5-fluorouracil, in the treatment of relapsed and metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: Twenty-two breast cancer patients who had recurrent and metastatic measurable foci were treated from Dec. 1999 to Feb. 2000. Xeloda was given, as a single drug, at a dose of or 2,510 mg/m2/d, bid, for two weeks followed by one week rest as one cycle, at least for one cycle in each patient. RESULTS: Among these 22 patients, there was no complete response. Rates of partial response 8(36.4%), stable disease 10(45.5%), progressive disease 4(18.2%), and clinical benefit response (CR + PR + SD) 18(81.8%). The response rate in patients who had failed in previous chemotherapy of taxanes and/or anthracycline was 30.0%-33.3%. The common adverse reactions were hand-foot syndrome, skin pigmentation, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and fatigue. Mild-moderate anemia and leukopenia were observed in 36.4% of patients. Stomatitis, dizziness, diarrhea and chest distress were present in some. One patient developed degree IV myelosuppression. Total bilirubin and alanine transaminase (ALAT) mild elevation occurred in a few patients. CONCLUSION: Xeloda is an effective drug in the treatment of patients with relapsed and metastatic breast cancer, especially for those who have failed in chemotherapy with taxanes and/or anthracycline. Xeloda is well tolerated but has mild adverse reactions.

[Single-agent Xeloda in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions of Xeloda in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: This clinical study was designed to treat 69 patients with recurrent and metastatic breast cancer with Xeloda, 2500 mg/m(2)/d, twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period, repeated every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients received Xeloda for more than 1 cycle. The overall response rate (CR + PR) was 16.0%, clinical benefit rate (CR + PR + SD > or = 24 months) was 27.5%, disease control rate (CR + PR + SD) was 75.4%. The median time to failure (TTF) was 3 months (range: 0.7 - 11 months). The median time to progression (TTP) was 2 months (range: 0.7 - 11 months). The median duration of response (CR + PR) was 6 months (range: 4 - 11 months). The most common treatment-related adverse events were hand-foot syndrome (HFS) that occurred in 60.8% (42/69) patients mostly as grade I-II. Fifty-five percent (22/40) of patients who had received high dose preventive Vit B6 developed HFS without grade III; while 69% (20/29) of patients who had not received such treatment did develop HFS including 2 patients with grade III. However, there was not significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Xeloda is an effective and well tolerated treatment in patients with recurrent and metastatic breast cancer. The symptoms of HFS may be relieved by high dose Vit B6 as prevention.

[Clinical trial of lentaron for postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of lentaron for postmenopausal patients with recurrent and metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with recurrent and metastatic breast cancer received 250 mg lentaron by intramuscular injection every 2 weeks for at least one month. RESULTS: In 34 patients who were evaluable for efficacy and toxicity, the complete response rate (CR), partial response rate (PR), disease stabilization rate (SD) and progressive disease rate (PD) were 0%, 14.7%, 58.8% and 26.5%. The clinical benefit rate (CR + PR + SD >/= 6 months) was 50.0%. (17/34) with 12 patients (35.3%) having SD for at least 6 months. The response rates for bone, soft tissue and visceral metastasis were 28.6% (3/14), 13.6% (3/22) and 5.3% (1/19), respectively. There were no severe adverse effects in the treatment bylentaron. CONCLUSION: Lentaron is a well tolerated agent with reasonable efficacy but low toxicity for postmenopausal patients with recurrent and metastatic breast cancer.

[Herceptin as a single agent in patients with HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions of Herceptin as a single agent in patients with HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: There were two kinds of therapy protocol. One was loading-dose of 4 mg/kg intravenously, followed by a 2 mg/kg maintenance dose of weekly intervals. The other was loading-dose of 8 mg/kg, followed by 6 mg/kg of every three weeks intervals. RESULTS: Among 20 patients with evaluated efficacy, there was no complete response, 5 patients (25.0%) showed partial response (PR), 5 (25.0%) stable disease (SD) and 10 (50.0%) progressive disease (PD). Of 22 patients, the overall response rate was 22.7%. The median time of disease progression and treatment failure was 6 weeks and 6.5 weeks, respectively. The most common adverse reactions were fever and chill. Cardiac symptoms could be seen in some patients. CONCLUSION: Herceptin is an active agent for the patients with HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer and the adverse events are well tolerated.

[Mobilization of Peripheral Blood Stem Cells with High Dose Cyclophosphamide Combination Chemotherapy and G-CSF in Breast Cancer Patients]

To evaluate the effect of mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) with high dose cyclophosphamide combination chemotherapy and G-CSF in breast cancer patients, a new mobilization protocol was designed on the basis of standard combination chemotherapy regimen, in which the dose of cyclophosphamide was raised to 2 to 4 times, and G-CSF began to be used at the dose of 150 micro g twice everyday when white blood cell (WBC) decreased below 1.0 x 10(9)/L. PBSC collection was performed while WBC increased over 5.0 x 10(9)/L during bone marrow recovering. The PBSC mobilization protocol was completed in 10 patients, the median nadir of WBC was 0.8 (0.4 - 1.0) x 10(9)/L, the median time of PBSC collection was 2 (2 - 4), the median number of collected CD34(+) cells was 6.43 (1.99 - 8.75) x 10(6)/kg. The results showed that the protocol, high dose cyclophosphamide combination chemotherapy, was an optimal PBSC mobilization regimen in breast cancer patients.