Extraction, Isolation and Purification of Catechins and their Applications.

Catechins, the main active components of tea polyphenols, boast remarkable antioxidant activities because of their unique structures. This translates to a range of potential health benefits, including fighting antibacterial, inflammation, and even cancers. However, extracting these beneficial compounds can be tricky as they're prone to degradation.

Coassembly of hypoxia-sensitive macrocyclic amphiphiles and extracellular vesicles for targeted kidney injury imaging and therapy.

Background: Hypoxia is a major contributor to global kidney diseases. Targeting hypoxia is a promising therapeutic option against both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease; however, an effective strategy that can achieve simultaneous targeted kidney hypoxia imaging and therapy has yet to be established. Herein, we fabricated a unique nano-sized hypoxia-sensitive coassembly (Pc/C5A@EVs) via molecular recognition and self-assembly, which is composed of the macrocyclic amphiphile C5A, the commercial dye sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine (Pc) and mesenchymal stem cell-excreted extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs).

Bioaccumulation of Cadmium Affects Development, Mating Behavior, and Fecundity in the Asian Corn Borer, .

Heavy metal pollution is becoming an increasingly serious problem in agricultural ecosystems. Heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) accumulate in the food chain and may lead to detrimental effects on the physiological functions of living organisms, including herbivorous insects. One such example is the Asian Corn Borer, (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

[Pollution Characteristics and Occupational Exposure Risk of Heavy Metals in Indoor and Outdoor Ambient Particles at a Scaled Electronic Waste Dismantling Plant, Northwest China].

Atmospheric particle samples (PM、PM、PM) were collected from three sampling sites (indoor and outdoor workplaces of a formal e-waste dismantling plant, and upwind area) in an arid area of Northwest China. The contents of six heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were analyzed using ICP-OES. Based on this data, the concentration levels, size distribution characteristics, and occupational exposure risks of heavy metals at the indoor and outdoor dismantling workplaces were studied.

Association between body mass index and health-related quality of life among Chinese elderly-evidence from a community-based study.

Background: This study aimed to explore the effects of (body mass index) BMI on health related quality of life (HRQoL) among the elderly in Jiangsu, China.

Methods: A total of 10,257 community dwelling elderly (≥60 years old) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. HRQoL was measured via the Eq-5d-3 L.

Electroacupuncture improves neurovascular unit reconstruction by promoting collateral circulation and angiogenesis.

Acupuncture at Shuigou (GV26) shows good clinical efficacy for treating stroke, but its mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, a cerebral infarction model of ischemia/reperfusion injury received electroacupuncture at GV26 (15 Hz and 1 mA, continuous wave [biphasic pulses], for 5 minutes). Electroacupuncture effectively promoted regional cerebral blood flow on the infarct and non-infarct sides, increased infarct lesions, lectin, and number of blood vessels, upregulated von Willebrand factor and cell proliferation marker Ki67 expression, and diminished neurological severity score.

[Retracted] Efficacy of dual-functional liposomes containing paclitaxel for treatment of lung cancer.

Following the publication of this article, the authors find that they are not able to reproduce the results presented in this paper. Consequently, the authors have decided to retract this paper from publication. All of the authors agree to this retraction.

ZnO-Based Nanoplatforms for Labeling and Treatment of Mouse Tumors without Detectable Toxic Side Effects.

ZnO quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized with polymer shells, coordinated with Gd(3+) ions and adsorbed doxorubicin (DOX) together to form a new kind of multifunctional ZnO-Gd-DOX nanoplatform. Such pH sensitive nanoplatforms were shown to release DOX to cancer cells in vitro and to mouse tumors in vivo, and reveal better specificity and lower toxicity than free DOX, and even better therapeutic efficacy than an FDA approved commercial DOX-loading drug DOX-Liposome Injection (DOXIL, NDA#050718). The ZnO-Gd-DOX nanoplatforms exhibited strong red fluorescence, which benefited the fluorescent imaging on live mice.

Efficacy of dual-functional liposomes containing paclitaxel for treatment of lung cancer.

This study was mainly focused on the development of a dual-ligand liposomal delivery system for targeting the delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) to lung cancer. The specific ligand peptide HAIYPRH (T7) and the cationic cell-penetrating peptide TAT were connected with phospholipid via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacer to prepare the dual-ligand liposomes (T7/TAT-LP-PTX). Physicochemical characterizations of T7/TAT-LP-PTX, such as particle size, ζ potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro PTX release, were also evaluated.

[Study on the status of cognition among Parkinson's disease patients in Xi'an.].

Objective: To study the characteristics and influencing factors of cognition on patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) in Xi'an in order to provide evidence for early recognition and treatment of cognitive impairment on PD patients.

Methods: Clinically defined PD patients from 7 hospitals in Xi'an from Jan. to Apr.

[The use of antiparkinsonism drugs in 92 cases in Xi'an city].

Objective: To investigate the treatment status of antiparkinsonism in Xi'an.

Methods: Six general hospitals were randomly chosen in Xi'an and all Parkinson's disease (PD) patients were interviewed by questionnaire from Jan. 2007 to Apr.

[The incidence of dementia among elderly people in Xi' an, China].

Objective: To explore the incidence of dementia among elderly people in Xi'an and its related risk factors.

Methods: Subjects that had been studied on the prevalence of dementia were follow-up, and the incidence of dementia, Alzheimer disease (AD) , and vascular dementia (VD) were counted by person-years. The clinical diagnosis on dementia,AD and VD were based upon the 3rd Edition of Diagnostic and Statistical of Manual of Mental Disorder, Revised version (DSM-III-R) and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria.