Synthesis and photoluminescent properties of NaYF4:Eu3+ core and NaYF4:Eu3+/NaYF4 core/shell nanocrystals.

NaYF4:Eu3+ core and NaYF4:Eu3+/NaYF4 core/shell nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized via a wet chemical method. The transmission electron microscope photographs show that the core and core/shell nanoparticles are monodisperse and uniform NCs with average diameters of 22 and 26 nm respectively. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of the samples, including the PL excitation and emission spectra, and luminescent decay curves, are investigated in detail. The results show that the intensity of 5D2 emission relative to that of 5D0 is stronger in NaYF4:Eu3+/NaYF4 core/shell NCs than that in NaYF4:Eu3+ core NCs, and a longer decay lifetime of 5D2 is observed in core/shell samples. In addition, from the corrected emission spectra of 5D0, the 5D0 radiative lifetimes were calculated. These together with the measured decay lifetime of 5D0 emission give the intrinsic quantum yields of 5D0. The results were well interpreted by considering the surface effects.

[Investigation on the infection of Blastocystis hominis in populations in Bama Yao Autonomous County of Guangxi].

497 fecal specimens were collected from 5 randomly selected villages of Bama County in December 2011, and tested for Blastocystis hominis infection using improved centrifugal sedimentation with hydrochloric acid-ether. Data were analyzed by villages, gender, occupation, age groups and ethnic populations. The results showed that 215 people of 497 were positive, with a prevalence of 43.3% (215/497). Pandang village had the highest infection rate of 55.7% (68/122), significantly higher than the other villages (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in genders, occupations, age groups and ethnic populations (P>0.05).

[Expressions and significance of IL-17 and IL-23 in intestinal mucosa of mice infected with Blastocystis hominis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expressions of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interleukin-23 (IL-23) in the intestinal mucosa of BABL/C mice infected with Blastocystis hominis. METHODS: A total of 30 BABL/C mice were randomly divided into different groups: an experimental group, an immunosuppressant group and a normal group. Each mouse of the experimental group and immunosuppressant group was administered intraperieneally with dexamethasone (2 mg, gd, for 5 days) and one of the control group was given physiological saline (0.2 ml). In the experimental group, each mouse was infected with Blastocystis hominis (107 parasites per 0.5 ml) by the intragastric infusion method; in the immunosuppressant group and normal group, the mice were fed with equal physiological saline. On the fifth day post-infection, the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon of the mice of the 3 groups were taken out for the tissue section. The pathological changes of bowel mucosa were determined by HE staining, and the expressions of IL-17 and IL-23 in different parts of bowel mucosa were determined by immunohistochemistry assay. RESULTS: The pathological examinations showed intestinal mucosa had various degrees of inflammatory changes. The expressions of IL-17 and IL-23 in the intestinal mucosa of the mice in the experimental group was significantly higher than those in the immunosuppressant group or normal group (both P < 0.05). The expressions of IL-17 and IL-23 in the intestinal mucosa of the mice in the immunosuppressant group were similar to those in the normal group (P > 0.05). The expression of IL-17 in the duodenum or jejunum or colon of the mice was significantly higher than that in the ileum in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The expression of IL-23 in the duodenum or jejunum of the mice was significantly higher that that in the ileum or colon in the experimental group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IL-17 and IL-23 are highly expressed in the intestinal mucosa of the mice infected with Blastocystis hominis. IL-23 may also be involved in the immunomodulatory effects of Blastocystis hominis infection, which plays a mutual regulatory role with IL-17.

Synthesis and luminescent properties of LuAG : Ce3+ transparent ceramics by solvo-thermal method.

The precursor powders of LuAG : Ce3+ transparent ceramics were synthesized by solvo-thermal method. The crystal structure and morphology of powders were analyzed by means of Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The precursor powders were sintered into transparent ceramics in vacuum and then in nitrogen without any additive. The surface morphology of the transparent unpolished ceramics was characterized using scanning electron microscopy. Some factors that affect the transparency of ceramics were discussed. The UV-Vis fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of LuAG : Ce3+ transparent ceramics were measured. The vacuum ultraviolet spectra of transparent ceramics were investigated using the synchrotron radiation as the excitation source. The excitation mechanism of Ce3+ was discussed at different excitation wavelength.