Detection of B-type natriuretic peptide by establishing a low-cost and replicable fluorescence resonance energy transfer platform.

Aiming at the establishment of a sensitive and specific diagnostic method for early heart failure (HF), we developed a cost-effective fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) platform for the detection of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a characteristic biomarker of HF. Graphene oxide (GO) was selected as the FRET receptor in view of its advantages including commercial availability, low-cost and chemical stability, and dye-modified aptamer was used as the energy donor of FRET as well as in charge of the specific recognition of BNP. Based on the ON (strong emission) and OFF (quenching) states of FRET in the presence and absence of BNP, respectively, specific detection of BNP was achieved in the range 0.

Paeonol alleviates CCl-induced liver fibrosis through suppression of hepatic stellate cells activation via inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling.

Paeonol is a natural phenolic component isolated from the root bark of peony with multiple pharmacological activities. We investigated the anti-fibrotic effect and underlying mechanism of paeonol. Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 4 groups ( = 6 in each group), injected with CCl to induce liver fibrosis and administrated with paeonol according to the regimen.

Differential Immune Responses and Protective Effects in Avirulent Mycobacterial Strains Vaccinated BALB/c Mice.

Screening live mycobacterial vaccine candidates is the important strategy to develop new vaccines against adult tuberculosis (TB). In this study, the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of several avirulent mycobacterial strains including Mycobacterium smegmatis, M. vaccae, M.

[Study on macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra in vitro].

Aim: To study the production of nitric oxide and secretion of cytokines after infection of macrophages with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra.

Methods: 24 hours after infection of RAW264.7 cells with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra, the production of NO and H(2);O(2); as well as the secretion levels of IL-12 and TNF-α in the supernatants of culture were determined by Griess method, chemical method and ELISA assay respectively.