Study on the Luminescence Performance and Anti-Counterfeiting Application of Eu2+, Nd3+ Co-Doped SrAl2O4 Phosphor.

This manuscript describes the synthesis of green long afterglow nanophosphors SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ using the combustion process. The study encompassed the photoluminescence behavior, elemental composition, chemical valence, morphology, and phase purity of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ nanoparticles. The results demonstrate that after introducing Eu2+ into the matrix lattice, it exhibits an emission band centered at 508 nm when excited by 365 nm ultraviolet light, which is induced by the 4f65d1→4f7 transition of Eu2+ ions. The optimal doping concentrations of Eu2+ and Nd3+ were determined to be 2% and 1%, respectively. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, we have found that the physical phase was not altered by the doping of Eu2+ and Nd3+. Then, we analyzed and compared the quantum yield, fluorescence lifetime, and afterglow decay time of the samples; the co-doped ion Nd3+ itself does not emit light, but it can serve as an electron trap center to collect a portion of the electrons produced by the excitation of Eu2+, which gradually returns to the ground state after the excitation stops, generating an afterglow luminescence of about 15 s. The quantum yields of SrAl2O4:Eu2+ and SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ phosphors were 41.59% and 10.10% and the fluorescence lifetimes were 404 ns and 76 ns, respectively. In addition, the Eg value of 4.98 eV was determined based on the diffuse reflectance spectra of the material, which closely matches the calculated bandgap value of SrAl2O4. The material can be combined with polyacrylic acid to create optical anti-counterfeiting ink, and the butterfly and ladybug patterns were effectively printed through screen printing; this demonstrates the potential use of phosphor in the realm of anti-counterfeiting printing.

Long noncoding RNA SLC9A3­AS1 increases E2F6 expression by sponging microRNA­486­5p and thus facilitates the oncogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Long noncoding RNA SLC9A3 antisense RNA 1 (SLC9A3­AS1) plays a central role in lung cancer; yet, its functions in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have not been elucidated. The present study revealed the roles of SLC9A3­AS1 in NPC and dissected the mechanisms downstream of SLC9A3­AS1. SLC9A3­AS1 levels in NPC were assessed by applying RT­qPCR. The modulatory role of SLC9A3­AS1 interference on NPC cells was examined using numerous functional experiments. High expression of SLC9A3­AS1 was observed in NPC samples. Patients with NPC with a high level of SLC9A3­AS1 experienced a shorter overall survival than those with a low SLC9A3­AS1 level. Loss of SLC9A3­AS1 reduced NPC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion but induced cell apoptosis in vitro. Animal experiments further revealed that the depletion of SLC9A3­AS1 hindered NPC tumour growth in vivo. As a competitive endogenous RNA, SLC9A3­AS1 sponged microRNA­486­5p (miR­486­5p), consequently upregulating E2F transcription factor 6 (E2F6). Finally, the effects of SLC9A3­AS1 silencing on NPC cells were reversed by inhibiting miR­486­5p or overexpressing E2F6. In summary, SLC9A3­AS1 exerted carcinogenic effects on NPC cells by adjusting the miR­486­5p/E2F6 axis. Accordingly, the newly identified SLC9A3­AS1/miR­486­5p/E2F6 pathway may offer attractive therapeutic targets for future development.

[Serum of SD rats lavaged by modified Zuojin decoction promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation of human gastric cancer cells by activating mitochondrialpathways].

Objective To observe the effect of serum of SD rats lavaged by modified Zuojin decoction on the apoptosis and proliferation of human gastric cancer cells and its mechanism. Methods SD rats were gavaged with modified Zuojin decoction to prepare their sera. Human SGC-7901 and MKN-45 cells were cultured and treated with the sera (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400) mL/L. MTT assay was used to observe the effect of drug-containing serum on the proliferation of human gastric cancer cells. Immunofluorescence method was used to detect the expression of ki67 after treatment with the drug-containing serum. The effect of drug-containing serum on the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells was detected by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein levels of apoptosis-associated cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8, cleaved caspase-9, BAX and Bcl2 in SGC-7901 and MKN-45 cells. Results The drug-containing serum significantly inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of SGC-7901 and MKN-45 cells, and the positive rate of ki67 expression was significantly reduced. The levels of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and BAX proteins in SGC-7901 and MKN-45 cells increased and the levels of Bcl2 protein decreased. Conclusion The drug-containing serum can significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 and MKN-45 cells, and the mechanism may be related to the activation of mitochondrial pathways.

The M235T polymorphism in the angiotensinogen gene and atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The M235T polymorphism in the angiotensinogen gene has been reported to be associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF).However, results from observational studies are conflicting. METHODS: PubMed, google scholar and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database(2000.1-2013.4) were searched for eligible articles; four separate studies with 2580 subjects on the relationship between M235T polymorphism and AF were analyzed by meta-analysis. The associations between M235T polymorphism and AF risk were estimated by pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using a fixed or random-effects model. RESULTS: There was a significant association between M235T polymorphism and AF. The pooled OR for the recessive model in the total population was 2.17 (95% CI: 1.39-3.38, I(2)=0%). In a subgroup analysis by nationality, the pooled OR for TT vs. MM genotype was 0.55 (95% CI: 0.32-0.95, I(2)=0%) and the pooled OR for the recessive model was 1.86 (95% CI: 1.08-3.20, I(2)=0%) in Asians. CONCLUSIONS: The current meta-analysis suggested that the M235T polymorphism in the angiotensinogen gene might be related to the increased risk of AF in Asians. Conclusive evidence on the effects of the variants in AF should be addressed in further studies.

[Discussion on XU Shu-wei's clinical application of moxibustion].

The experiences and features of XU Shu-wei's clinical application of moxibustion is studied in this article with method of review research. XU Shu-wei attached great importance on yangqi and the functions of spleen and kidney. At the same time, warming-reinforcing method was recommended in treatment as well. Not only treatment with medicine was emphasized, but also moxibustion was encouraged to be applied in clinic. A warming-reinforcing method with moxibustion was recommended for diseases such as yinzheng (yin syndrome), yin-du (extreme yin syndrome), yang deficiency syndrome, stroke, prolapse of anus and furuncles on back. Flexible moxibustion methods were applied based on differentiation of syndromes. Various acupoints and moxibustion manipulations were selected according to different conditions. With the proved therapeutic effect, XU Shu-wei was held as the forerunner of warming-reinforcing method in the acupuncture history of China. Meanwhile, he also made certain contribution on the establishment of the Wenbu Xuepai (the warming-reinforcing school) in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

QTL mapping and correlation analysis for 1000-grain weight and percentage of grains with chalkiness in rice.

The study of 1000-grain weight (TGW) and percentage of grains with chalkiness (PGWC) is very important in rice. In this study, a set of introgression lines (ILs), derived from Sasanishiki/Habataki with Sasanishiki as the recurrent parent, were used to detect correlations and quantitative trait loci (QTL) on TGW and PGWC in two different environments. Phenotypic correlation analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between TGW and PGWC in both environments, which indicated that the linkage of TGW and PGWC traits could be broken via suitable population. A total of 20 QTL were detected in both environments, nine QTL for 1000-paddy-grain weight (PTGW), five QTL for 1000-brown-grain weight (BTGW) and six QTL for percentage of grains with chalkiness (PGWC). Moreover, five QTL, qPTGW3, qPTGW8.2, qPTGW11.1 for PTGW and qPGWC1.1, qPGWC1.2 for PGWC, were stably expressed in both environments. Phenotypic values were significantly different (P < 0.01) between the introgression lines carrying these five QTL alleles and the genetic background parent, Sasanishiki. The introgression lines carrying these QTL also represent a useful genetic resource in the context of rice yield and quality improvement via a design-breeding approach.

A red fluorescent turn-on probe for hydrogen sulfide and its application in living cells.

A novel selective fluorescent chemosensor has been synthesized with a phenanthrene-fused dipyrromethene structure. Selective binding of Cu(2+) by results in a complex that displays high selectivity and sensitivity for H2S. The signal transduction occurs via reversible formation-separation of the complex and CuS. Its potential utility for biological applications was confirmed by fluorescence imaging of H2S in live cells.

Partial purification and characterisation of cysteine protease in wheat germ.

BACKGROUND: Proteases have become an essential part of the modern food and feed industry, being incorporated in a large and diversified range of products for human and animal consumption. The objective of this study was to purify and characterise a protease from wheat germ. RESULTS: After purification a single protease of molecular weight 61-63 kDa (determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) was obtained. The purified protease had optimal activity at 50 °C and maintained its activity completely after incubation at 30 °C for 30 min, while over 47% of the activity was lost after incubation at 80 °C for 30 min. The purified protease had optimal activity and maintained maximum stability at pH 5.5, while the activity decreased after incubation for 30 min at other pH values. The protease was inhibited by Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Ba(2+) and iodoacetic acid and stimulated by Li(+), Ca(2+), Cu(2+), ß-mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol, while Zn(2+), L-cysteine and glutathione had no significant effect on its activity. At pH 5.5 the enzyme had a K(m) of 0.562 mg mL(-1) with casein as substrate and showed higher affinity to casein than to bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin and gelatin. CONCLUSION: The purified enzyme from wheat germ was identified as a cysteine protease.

A preliminary study of the protease activities in germinating brown rice (Oryza sativa L.).

BACKGROUND: Proteases hydrolyse storage proteins to provide precursors for perpetuating species. The aim of this study was to investigate and characterise different proteases in germinating brown rice. RESULTS: The protease activity of brown rice increased sevenfold during 7 days of germination. It was highest on day 6 when determined at pH 3.5. With casein as substrate the proteases showed two catalytic groups: acidic proteases with an optimal pH of 3.5 and alkaline proteases with an optimal pH of 8.0. The acidic protease activity was inhibited by Ba(2+) and Pb(2+) but stimulated by Zn(2+) , while the alkaline protease activity was inhibited by Ca(2+) and Pb(2+) but stimulated by Mg(2+) and Zn(2+) . SDS-gelatin-PAGE assay showed two protease activity bands at pH 3.5, while two different bands with higher molecular weights were observed at pH 8.0. Inhibition assay revealed that pepstatin A and E-64 inhibited 67.63 and 38.26% respectively of the protease activity at pH 3.5, indicating the presence of aspartic and cysteine proteases. Metalloproteases played a major role under alkaline conditions (88.37% inhibition with EDTA). CONCLUSION: Germinated brown rice proteases fall into different classes with different properties. This study is helpful for their further purification.

Application of high-speed countercurrent chromatography for the isolation of sulforaphane from broccoli seed meal.

In order to produce large amounts of pure sulforaphane for research purposes, a novel method using high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) was developed. Without any initial cleanup steps, sulforaphane was successfully purified from the ethyl acetate extract of the broccoli seed meal by HSCCC. The separation was performed with two-phase solvent systems: n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:5:1:5, v/v/v/v). From 850 mg of the ethyl acetate extract, 186 mg of sulforaphane was isolated with the solvent system. The purified compound was over 97% purity as determined by HPLC analysis, and the chemical structure was confirmed by MS and (1)H and (13)C NMR.