Large-Scale, Mechanically Robust, Solvent-Resistant, and Antioxidant MXene-Based Composites for Reliable Long-Term Infrared Stealth.

MXene-based thermal camouflage materials have gained increasing attention due to their low emissivity, however, the poor anti-oxidation restricts their potential applications under complex environments. Various modification methods and strategies, e.g., the addition of antioxidant molecules and fillers have been developed to overcome this, but the realization of long-term, reliable thermal camouflage using MXene network (coating) with excellent comprehensive performance remains a great challenge. Here, a MXene-based hybrid network comodified with hyaluronic acid (HA) and hyperbranched polysiloxane (HSi) molecules is designed and fabricated. Notably, the presence of appreciated HA molecules restricts the oxidation of MXene sheets without altering infrared stealth performance, superior to other water-soluble polymers; while the HSi molecules can act as efficient cross-linking agents to generate strong interactions between MXene sheets and HA molecules. The optimized MXene/HA/HSi composites exhibit excellent mechanical flexibility (folded into crane structure), good water/solvent resistance, and long-term stable thermal camouflage capability (with low infrared emissivity of ≈0.29). The long-term thermal camouflage reliability (≈8 months) under various outdoor weathers and the scalable coating capability of the MXene-coated textile enable them to disguise the IR signal of various targets in complex environments, indicating the great promise of achieved material for thermal camouflage, IR stealth, and counter surveillance.

Hydrosilylation Adducts to Produce Wide-Temperature Flexible Polysiloxane Aerogel under Ambient Temperature and Pressure Drying.

Despite incorporation of organic groups into silica-based aerogels to enhance their mechanical flexibility, the wide temperature reliability of the modified silicone aerogel is inevitably degraded. Therefore, facile synthesis of soft silicone aerogels with wide-temperature stability remains challenging. Herein, novel silicone aerogels containing a high content of Si are reported by using polydimethylvinylsiloxane (PDMVS), a hydrosilylation adduct with water-repellent groups, as a "flexible chain segment" embedded within the aerogel network. The poly(2-dimethoxymethylsilyl)ethylmethylvinylsiloxane (PDEMSEMVS) aerogel is fabricated through a cost-effective ambient temperature/pressure drying process. The optimized aerogel exhibits exceptional performance, such as ultra-low density (50 mg cm-3), wide-temperature mechanical flexibility, and super-hydrophobicity, in comparison to the previous polysiloxane aerogels. A significant reduction in the density of these aerogels is achieved while maintaining a high crosslinking density by synthesizing gel networks with well-defined macromolecules through hydrolytic polycondensation crosslinking of PDEMSEMVS. Notably, the pore/nanoparticle size of aerogels can be fine-tuned by optimizing the gel solvent type. The as-prepared silicone aerogels demonstrate selective absorption, efficient oil-water separation, and excellent thermal insulation properties, showing promising applications in oil/water separation and thermal protection.

Spatio-temporal variation of landscape pattern and the response of windbreak and sand fixation service in Hexi corridor of northern sand fixation belt.

Landscape pattern, an important factor affecting the supply and maintenance of ecosystem services, is the basis for the healthy and stable regional ecosystem and the optimal decision of land use. Taking the Hexi Corridor in the northern sand fixation belt as the study area, we quantified and analyzed the temporal and spatial variations and response relationship between landscape pattern and windbreak and sand fixation services during 2000-2020 by using the software Fragstats 4.2, the revised wind erosion equation and the spatial autocorrelation method. The results showed that, the landscape pattern of land use types changed obviously in the study area during 2000-2020, mainly from Gobi to cultivated land and from grassland to cultivated land, and that the landscape pattern tended to be diversified, heterogeneous, and fragmented. The spatial pattern of windbreak and sand fixation services was generally characterized by "high in southeast and low in northwest", with the amount of windbreak and sand fixation increasing at first and then decreasing. The windbreak and sand fixation capacity was higher in cultivated land and grassland and lower in the bare land and construction land. Shannon's diversity index, patch density and landscape shape index were all positively correlated with windbreak and sand fixation services, while mean patch size was negatively correlated with it. Our results indicated that the increases of landscape heterogeneity, the more uniform distribution, the more patches and the more complex landscape shape had a promoting effect on windbreak and sand fixation services in the Hexi corridor of the northern sand fixation belt with Gobi Desert as the dominant landscape.

Investigation of semiconductor properties of Co/Si(111)-7 × 7 by AFM/KPFS.

Studies of the physics underlying carrier transport characteristics and band bending of semiconductors are critical for developing new types of devices. In this work, we investigated the physical properties of Co ring-like cluster (RC) reconstruction with a low Co coverage on a Si(111)-7 × 7 surface at atomic resolution by atomic force microscopy/Kelvin probe force microscopy at 78 K. We compared the applied bias dependence of frequency shift between two types of structure: Si(111)-7 × 7 and Co-RC reconstructions. As a result, the accumulation, depletion, and reversion layers were identified in the Co-RC reconstruction by bias spectroscopy. For the first time, we found that Co-RC reconstruction on the Si(111)-7 × 7 surface shows semiconductor properties by Kelvin probe force spectroscopy. The findings of this study are useful for developing new materials for semiconductor devices.

Exposure to persistent organic pollutants and thyroid cancer risk: a study protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The thyroid cancer incidence has been increasing all over the world. However, the aetiology of thyroid cancer remains unclear. A growing body of evidence suggested exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may play a role in the initiation of thyroid cancer, but the results are generally inconsistent across studies. This review aims to synthesise the evidence for the health effects of POPs on the risk of thyroid cancer. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol was reported in accordance to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA) statements. A comprehensive search, including electronic database search (eg, PubMed, Embase, ProQuest and CNKI), website search and manual search, will be performed to identify all eligible studies. The Population, Exposure, Comparator and Outcome framework was used to clarify the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale will be used to assess the quality of included studies. Maximally adjusted effect estimates from individual studies will be summarised with random-effect models in a conservative manner. I2 statistics and Q-tests will be used to test the heterogeneity across studies. We will perform extensive sensitivity analyses, such as confounding risk ratio (confounding), E-value, fixed-effect models, excluding the most relatively weighted study, including only the high-quality studies and many predesigned subgroup analyses, etc. The findings will be reported in accordance to the PRISMA guidelines. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required in this systematic review of published literatures. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020181343.

Complete plastid genomes of Bupleurum chinense DC. and B. boissieuanum H. Wolff, with comparative and phylogenetic analyses of medicinal Bupleurum species / 药学学报

italic>Bupleurum L. (Apiaceae) is an economically important genus, in which many species are of medicinal value. In this study, the complete plastid genomes (plastomes) of B. chinense DC. and B. boissieuanum H. Wolff were sequenced and their characteristics were investigated. Comparative and phylogenetic analyses were conducted with other published Bupleurum plastomes. The complete plastomes of B. chinense and B. boissieuanum were 155 458 and 155 800 bp in length, and both exhibited the typical quadripartite circular structure consisting of a large single copy region (LSC, 85 343 and 85 804 bp), a small single copy region (SSC, 17 495 and 17 410 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa/b, 26 310 and 26 293 bp), respectively. A total of 129 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes were identified from each of the two plastomes. Repeat sequences detected were similar in types and distribution patterns, but the numbers were slightly different. Comparative analyses revealed that the Bupleurum plastomes were highly conserved in length, structure, the guanine and cytosine (GC) content, and gene content and order, both intraspecifically and interspecifically, and no obvious expansion or contraction of the inverted repeat regions occurred. Sequence variation was lower within the same species than among different species, noncoding sequences (including intergenic regions and introns) showed a higher divergence than the protein-coding sequences, and sequences in the LSC and SSC regions were more divergent than those in the IR regions. In addition, 11 sequences with higher nucleotide diversity among species were detected in the LSC and SSC regions. All studied Bupleurum species were inferred forming a monophyletic group with a 100% bootstrap value. Bupleurum chinense and B. boissieuanum were phylogenetically closest to B. commelynoideum and B. falcatum, separately, with all three B. chinense accessions clustered into a distinct clade. These results provide genetic information for further species identification, phylogenetic resolution, and will assist in exploration and utilization of medicinal Bupleurum species.

Investigation on concurrent chemoradiotherapy for postoperative inguinal recurrence in penile cancer patients / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To investigate treatment option of inguinal lymph node metastasis after inguinal lymph node dissection in patients with penile cancer.Methods To retrospectively analyze the efficacy and prognostic factors of cisplatin combined with fluorouracil in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy of inguinal lymph node metastasis after penile cancer surgery.Twenty-three patients with inguinal lymph node metastasis after inguinal lymph node dissection for penile squamous cell carcinoma from February 2009 to December 2015 were included.Inguinal lymph node metastasis with squamous cell carcinoma were confirmed by pathology or cytology.Metastatic lymph nodes of each patient were fixed,not less than 2,and greater than 4 cm in diameter.All patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil.The response rate was evaluated after radiotherapy.The local control rate,survival time and the prognostic factors were also analyzed.Results The median time of postoperative inguinal lymph node metastasis was 6.1 months,and the recurrence rate of the patients within 16 months after the operation was 95％.The response rate was 65.2％ (15/23).After treatment,the local pain was significantly relieved and 7 cases of local hemorrhage was relieved.The 1-,2-year survival rates were 21.3％ and 5.5％,respectively,with a median survival of 6.3 months (95％ CI:3.4-8.1).And local tumor response rate correlated with radiation dose.Cox multivariate analysis showed that N staging and histological grade were independent prognostic factors for survival after treatment.Conclusions Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is effective for postoperative inguinal lymph node metastasis,especially for the local recurrence with symptoms and for patients who are not suitable for surgical salvage regarding the local tumor control,pain relief and tumor hemorrhage.However,the overall survival rate of the patients who received treatment was still low.Lower extremity edema is the main complication of concurrent chemoradiotherapy.N staging and poor differentiation of the tissue are unfavorable prognostic factors.

Investigation on concurrent chemoradiotherapy for postoperative inguinal recurrence in penile cancer patients / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective@#To investigate treatment option of inguinal lymph node metastasis after inguinal lymph node dissection in patients with penile cancer.@*Methods@#To retrospectively analyze the efficacy and prognostic factors of cisplatin combined with fluorouracil in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy of inguinal lymph node metastasis after penile cancer surgery. Twenty-three patients with inguinal lymph node metastasis after inguinal lymph node dissection for penile squamous cell carcinoma from February 2009 to December 2015 were included.Inguinal lymph node metastasis with squamous cell carcinoma were confirmed by pathology or cytology. Metastatic lymph nodes of each patient were fixed, not less than 2, and greater than 4 cm in diameter. All patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil.The response rate was evaluated after radiotherapy. The local control rate, survival time and the prognostic factors were also analyzed.@*Results@#The median time of postoperative inguinal lymph node metastasis was 6.1 months, and the recurrence rate of the patients within 16 months after the operation was 95%.The response rate was 65.2% (15/23). After treatment, the local pain was significantly relieved and 7 cases of local hemorrhage was relieved. The 1-, 2-year survival rates were 21.3% and 5.5%, respectively, with a median survival of 6.3 months(95% CI: 3.4-8.1). And local tumor response rate correlated with radiation dose. Cox multivariate analysis showed that N staging and histological grade were independent prognostic factors for survival after treatment.@*Conclusions@#Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is effective for postoperative inguinal lymph node metastasis, especially for the local recurrence with symptoms and for patients who are not suitable for surgical salvage regarding the local tumor control, pain relief and tumor hemorrhage. However, the overall survival rate of the patients who received treatment was still low. Lower extremity edema is the main complication of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. N staging and poor differentiation of the tissue are unfavorable prognostic factors.

Radiosensitizion effect of stattic on the xenograft of ECA109 esophageal cancer cells in nude mice / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To investigate the radiosensitization effect of stattic on the xenograft of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( ESCC ) ECA109 cells in nude mouse and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods Male nude mice inoculated subcutaneously with ECA109 cells were used to examine the radiosensitization effect of stattic in vivo. When average volume of tumors was about 150 mm3 , mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group, 25 mg/kg stattic alone group, ionizing radiation (IR) (6 Gy) alone group, and 25 mg/kg stattic plus IR group. During the term of treatment, the volume of tumors was measured every 2 days. On 25 days after treatment, the mice were killed and the expressions of pSTAT3, STAT3, HIF-1α and VEGF in ECA109 xenografts were assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. Results The volume of tumor in nude mice was (705. 1 ± 75. 5) mm3 in stattic plus IR group, which was significantly smaller than that in IR group (113. 5 ± 101. 4) mm3 and stattic alone group(1696.5 ±100.6)mm3(t=4.35, 14.14,P<0.0). The inhibition rate was (66.1 ± 3. 2)％ in stattic plus IR group. The expression levels of pSTAT3, HIF-1α and VEGF were obviously decreased in the stattic plus IR group compared with other groups (t=17. 07, 5. 05, 3. 54, P<0. 05). Conclusions Stattic play a radiosensitization role in the xenograft of esophageal carcinoma in nude mice probably by inhibiting the signaling pathways of pSTAT3, HIF-1α and VEGF.

Precise Nanoscale Measurements with Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM): A Review.

For many of measurements, it is important to know the interaction of the measuring device with the artefact being measured in order to determine the accurate magnitude of the quantity. Mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical and chemical properties of materials are also important parameters that need to be quantified at the micro and nanometre level. In this review, we introduce principles of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and related technique; and also give the advance in nano-/micro-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS/MEMS) measurements using SPM. Firstly, we described state of the SPMs, their essential components and recent developments in this field. Then, conventional as well as advanced instruments have been addressed, measurement requirements discussed for measurement and fabrication. Finally, many different applications of SPMs in micro/nano electronics fields such as high resolution imaging, micro/nano-electronics, Metrology and manipulation and spectroscopy have been described in the article. Nevertheless, SPMs are advancing, supported by user-friendly and application-oriented features, improved software and combination with other instruments high precision measurement fields.

Antioxidative effect of luteolin pretreatment on simulated ischemia/reperfusion injury in cardiomyocyte and perfused rat heart / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antioxidative effect and mechanism of luteolin on rat cardiomyocytes and isolated hearts followed by simulated ischemia/reperfusion (SI/R) injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The left ventricular cardiomyocytes and the isolated hearts from adult rats were subjected to SI/R injury. The experiment groups included control, SI/R, luteolin + SI/R (Lut + SI/R), vitamin E (Vit E) + SI/R, and LY294002 + luteolin + SI/R (LY + Lut + SI/R) groups. Cell viability, shortening amplitude, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), expression levels of Akt, phosphorylated Akt, NOX2 (gp91phox), NOX2 mRNA, mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and phosphorylated p38MAPK were all measured after 3-h simulated ischemia and 2-h simulated reperfusion procedure in cardiomyocytes. Vit E was used as a standard control. The contractile function of isolated hearts was further observed after they were subjected to 30-min global ischemia and 120-min reperfusion.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pretreatment with 8-μmol/L luteolin substantially increased cell viability and shortening amplitude, while reducing evidence of oxidative stress-induced damage in the cells. In addition, the expression of NOX2, NOX2 mRNA and phosphorylation of p38MAPK were all downregulated. Furthermore, pretreatment with 40-μmol/L luteolin improved the recovery of myocardial contractile function following SI/R-induced injury, and luteolin markedly increased phosphorylation of Akt. However, all of the above effects were partially inhibited by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, LY294002.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Luteolin prevents SI/R-induced myocardial damage by reducing oxidative stress-induced injury in isolated rat hearts and cardiomyocytes, and the cardioprotection induced by luteolin was partially mediated by the PI3K/Akt pathway.</p>

Mechanism of radiosensitization effect of Stattic on human esophageal squamous cellcarcinoma in hypoxia / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To investigate the radiosensitivity of ESCC by signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor Stattic,since the radioresistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) remains an obstacle for the effective radiotherapy of ESCC.Methods ECA109 cell line was exposed to hypoxia and treated with Stattic or radiation,alone or in combination.Cell proliferation,colony formation,apoptosis,and double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) were examined.The levels of STAT3,pSTAT3,hypoxiainduciblefactor1α (HIF-1α),and vascular endothelial growthfactor (VEGF) in ESCC cells were detected by Western blot.Results Stattic efficiently inhibited the proliferation of ECA109 cells in time-dependent and dose-dependent fashions with an IC50 of 5.499 μmol/ L.Clonogenic survival assay showed that stattic (1.0 μmol/L) sensitized ECA109 cells to ionizing radiation and its SERDo was 1.20 (in normoxia) or 1.28 (in hypoxia).Under hypoxic condition,stattic combined with IR disrupted the repair of DSBs and increased the apoptosis(t =7.33,P ＜ 0.05) in ESCC cells compared to that of radiation treatment alone.Moreover,Western blot assay showed that stattic inhibited STAT3 activation and downregulated the expression level of pSTAT3 and HIF-1α and VEGF.Conclusions Stattic confers radiosensitivity in ESCC cells in vitro and is a potential adjuvant for the radiotherapy of ESCC in the clinical setting.

Adenovirus type 3 induces platelet activation in vitro.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate platelet activation induced by adenovirus type 3 (HAdV3) in vitro. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or whole blood was incubated with or without HAdV at various concentrations. Platelet aggregation, platelet counting, fibrinogen and expression of platelet membrane antigens (CD41a and CD62P) were determined following incubation with HAdV for different periods of time. The results demonstrated that HAdV at the concentrations of 109-1011 vp/ml enhanced adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation, however did not alter the platelet count. Infection with HAdVs also reduced fibrinogen level. P-selectin and CD41a appeared rapidly on the surface after platelets were incubated with HAdVs in vitro for 30 min. In conclusion, HAdVs may induce activation of platelets and lead to a pre-thrombotic state of peripheral blood. This finding may aid in the development of measures to prevent severe HAdV infection.

Mechanism of radiosensitization effect of berberine on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma in hypoxia / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To investigate the radiosensitiation effect of berberine on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC) in hypoxia condition and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods MTT assay, clonogenic assay and flow cytometry were performed to analyze cell proliferation, colony formation and apoptosis, respectively. Male nude mice inoculated subcutaneously with CNE-2 cells were used to examine the radiosensitization effect of berberine in vivo. The expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF were assessed by Western blot. Results Berberine efficiently inhibited the proliferation of CNE-2 cells in time-dependent and dose-dependent fashions with an IC50 of ( 14?9 ± 2?2 ) μmol/L. Clonogenic survival assay showed that berberine ( 5 μmol/L ) sensitized CNE-2 cells to ionizing radiation in hypoxia and its SERD0 was 1?27. Under hypoxic condition, berberine alone (5, 15 μmol/L) could induce apoptosis (t=5?01, 9?02,P<0?05) and it further promoted 8 Gy radiation-induced apoptosis (t =5?31, 9?91,P <0?05). Moreover, berberine significantly delayed the tumor growth in the combination group (berberine +irradiation) compared with the mice received irradiation alone or PBS (t =2?96, 14?52, P <0?05). Immunobloting assay showed that berberine inhibited the upregulation of HIF-1α and VEGF induced by hypoxia in CNE-2 cells. Conclusion Berberine confers radiosensitivity on hypoxic NPC in vitro and in vivo, which is probably associated with the downregulation of HIF-1α and VEGF expressions.

[Effects of arsenic on nerve growth factor and nerve growth related mRNA expression in F1 hippocampal].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the mRNA expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and nerve growth related proteins-43 (GAP-43) on hippocampus of F1 generation female rats after the pregnancy and lactation rats exposure to arsenic sodium. METHODS: 12 of pregnancy rats were exposed to arsenic (0, 10, 50, 100 mg/L, respectively in drinking water) from the 6 gestation day till F1 pups being 21 days old. Select females for expriments. Observe the change of form and numbers in CA1, CA3, DG area neurons in hippocampus by HE and Nissl's stain. By means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), NGF and GAP-43 mRNA in hippocampus tissues in rats was measured. RESULTS: HE stain showed that, in CA1 and CA3 area, the structure of hippocampus neurons was normal in control group. In experiment groups, the apoptosis phenomena were found in hippocampus neurons including edge unclear, cell shrinkage and nuclear condensation, especially in high dose group. The hippocampus neuronal cytoplasm was rich in Nissl bodies in control group with Nissl's stain. With the experiment dose increasing, Nissl bodies were decreased especially in CA1 area. RT-PCR results demonstrated that the expression of NGF and GAP-43 mRNA were reduced significantly in experiment groups when compared with that of control (both P < 0.01). The expression of NGF and GAP-43 mRNA were decreased as the dose of arsenic increasing (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Rats exposure to arsenic during pregnancy and lactation, can damage hippocampus neuronal cell, and restrain the NGF and GAP-43 mRNA expression of F1 generation female rat, damaged the learning and memory ability at last.

Analysis of ictal semiology: contralateral tonic activity associated with ipsilateral automotor seizure in temporal lobe epilepsy

Ictal semiology is essential for the pre-operative evaluation of candidates for epilepsy surgery. We propose an ictal sign of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) termed tonic-automotor (TA), defi ned as contralateral tonic spasm of upper limb associated with ipsilateral hand automotor seizure and often accompanied ipsilateral head turning. We assessed the occurrence and lateralizing/localizing value of TA in TLE, we analyzed 129 seizures in 41 patients with TLE: 90 seizures in 30 patients with TLE of hippocampal sclerosis (TLE/HS) and 39 seizures in 11 patients with TLE of other lesions (TLE/ non-HS). When compared with unilateral automotor seizure and unilateral tonic spasm, TA occurred more frequently in TLE/HS patients (40% vs 10% and 16.7%). In addition, 24 seizures in 12 patients with TA were observed only in TLE/HS patients and contralateral to the seizure focus based on the side of tonic spasm. However, there was no signifi cant difference in the TLE/HS between dominant side and nondominant side. In addition, TA sign occurred relatively early in the ictal phase. Thus, TA may be a more reliable lateralizing sign of epileptogenic zone and a semiologic marker of TLE/ HS patients.

Anti-adenovirus activities of shikonin, a component of Chinese herbal medicine in vitro.

Radix Lithosperm eyrthrorhizon is a common prescription compound in traditional Chinese medicine. Shikonin is a major component of Radix Lithospermi and has various biological activities. We have investigated the inhibitory effect of shikonin on the growth of adenovirus type 3 (AdV3) in vitro. The antiviral function of shikonin against AdV3 and its virus inhibition ratio were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method (MTT). The expression of hexon protein in AdV3 was determined by immunofluorescence assay using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and Western blot analysis. In addition, the rate of apoptosis in cells infected by AdV3 was determined by flow cytometry. Shikonin (0.0156-1 µM) inhibited growth of AdV3 in a concentration-dependent manner with a virus inhibition rate of 23.8-69.1%. Expression of hexon protein in AdV3 was higher in the virus control group than in the shikonin-treated groups as determined by immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting (p<0.05). The rate of shikonin-treated HeLa cell apoptosis had a statistically significant decrease with increasing concentration of drug (p<0.05). Our data demonstrate that shikonin possesses anti-AdV3 capabilities and that the potential antiviral mechanism might involve inhibiting the degree of apoptosis and hexon protein expression of AdV.

Pathologic observation on animal model of silicosis / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the pathological changes of pulmonary fibrosis induced by SiO2 in rats and pigs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The silicosis models in rats and pigs were established by non-exposure method. The pathologic changes in lung tissues of rats and pigs were observed with HE staining under a light microscopy and under a transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the expression of cytokines was detected by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The main pathologic changes of silicosis models in rats and pigs included: in 7 ∼ 15 days after treatment, silica dusts, dust cells, a lot of macrophages, lung epithelial cells, a few neutrophils, macrophage alveolar inflammation and nodules of stage I were found in alveolar space; in 30 ∼ 90 days after treatment, many nodules of stage I-III or IV with lymphocytes infiltration were observed in respiratory bronchioles, alveoli, interlobular septa, the subpleural and around blood vessels and bronchi. (2) The expression levels of CK protein, SP-A protein, CD68, b-FGF, TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β1, NFKappa/P50, Kappa/P65 and VEGF reduced with exposure time, but still were higher than those of the control. (3) The shed alveolar type I cells, proliferation of alveolar type II cells or macrophages and activated cellular function induced by silica were observed under TEM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The development of pulmonary fibrosis in silicosis models corresponded with the process from macrophages alveolar inflammation to pulmonary fibrosis.</p>

Evaluation on the clinical effects of the soft-shell technique with domestic materials during the cataract phacoemulsification / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of the soft-shell technique with domestic materials during the cataract phacoemulsification. Methods Eighty-two eyes of 76 patients with the mature cataract phacoemulsification were divided into 3 groups randomly, including 28 eyes using the soft-shell technique with sodium tvlose and sodium hyaluronate (the domestic group),and 28 eyes using DuoVisc (Viscoat+ProVisc) (the import group), and 26 eyes using sodium hyaluronate (the common group). Results The average naked vision was 0.50 ± 0.22,0.51 ± 0.27,0.27 ± 0.21 respectively on the first day after operation.There was no signiticant difference between the domestic group and the import group (P＞0.05 ), while the first two groups and the common group had significant difference (P ＜ 0.05). The average naked vision was 0.61 ± 0.17,0.63 ± 0.18,0.58 ± 0.18 respectively 7 days after operation. There was no statistical difference among the three groups (P ＞ 0.05 ). The rate of corneal endothelial cells 1 month after operation was 7.1% in the domestic group,7.0% in the import group and 15.9% in the common group. It was clear that the rate in the domestic group and the import group was much lower than that in the common group. Meanwhile, the difference existed statistically between the two groups and the common group (P ＜ 0.01 ). However, the difference between the domestic group and the import group had no statistical significance. Conclusion The soft-shell technique with domestic materials is as safe and effective as that with the import materials in protecting the corneal endothelial cells during the cataract surgery in patients with the mature cataract.