AAV2-mediated ABD-FGF21 gene delivery produces a sustained anti-hyperglycemic effect in type 2 diabetic mouse.

Background: Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) is a naturally occurring peptide hormone involved in the regulation of glycolipid metabolism, and it shows promise as a potential treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the short half-life and poor pharmacokinetics of native FGF21 limit its efficacy in reducing hyperglycemia in vivo. Therefore, maintaining stable and sustained blood concentrations of FGF21 is crucial for its role as an effective regulator of glycolipid metabolism in vivo.

[Species of Iron in Size-resolved Particle Emitted from Xuanwei Coal Combustion and Their Oxidative Potential].

Many reports have claimed that high lung cancer mortality rate in Xuanwei is associated with the residential coal combustion. Considering iron is the main chemical element in the particles emitted from Xuanwei coal combustion, and especially, reactive oxygen species (ROS) could be generated by redox-active transition metals (TM) such as iron (Fe) in particles, therefore, raw coal samples from 4 coal mines in Xuanwei were sampled, and size-resolved particles emitted from the raw coal samples were collected by using of Andersen Five-stage High Volume Sampler. Species of iron in the raw coal sample, size-resolved particles and bottom ashes were analyzed by BCR sequential extraction method (community bureau of reference, BCR).

[Distribution Characteristics of Heavy Metals in the Street Dusts in Xuanwei and Their Health Risk Assessment].

Relationship between high lung cancer incidence in Xuanwei residents and environmental pollution has been a hot topic in the field of environmental sciences. Street dusts in Xuanwei power plant area as well as its upwind area (Banqiao town) and downwind area (Laibin town, Tangtang town) were collected. Chemical elements in the street dust samples were investigated using ICP-MS.

Comparison between Doppler echocardiography and hot-film anemometry in measuring the turbulent shear stress downstream of artificial mitral valves: a methodological study.

Background: Turbulent shear stress (TSS) plays an important role in the research of fluid dynamics of heart valves. This study aimed to perform a quantitative study of TSS downstream of porcine artificial mitral valves in order to verify the correlation of hot-film anemometry (HFA) and Doppler echocardiography combined with computer-aided image analysis for the detection of TSS.

Methods: A porcine model of mitral valve replacement was established.

Surface derivatization state of polystyrene latex nanoparticles determines both their potency and their mechanism of causing human platelet aggregation in vitro.

There is evidence that nanoparticles (NP) can enter the bloodstream following deposition in the lungs, where they may interact with platelets. Polystyrene latex nanoparticles (PLNP) of the same size but with different surface charge-unmodified (umPLNP), aminated (aPLNP), and carboxylated (cPLNP)-were used as model NP to study interactions with human blood and platelets. Both the cPLNP and the aPLNP caused platelet aggregation, whereas the umPLNP did not.

[Perspectives on synergic biological effects induced by ambient allergenic pollen and urban fine/ultrafine particulate matters in atmosphere].

Ambient particulate matters (PM) and allergenic pollens in urban atmosphere have taken negative effects on human health and air quality. Studies on synergistic effects between the two pollutants are being focused in disciplines, such as atmospheric sciences, environmental toxicology, and immunology. In this study, physicochemical characterization of airborne fine/ultrafine particles in Shanghai, China and ambient allergenic pollens (cedar) in Kanto, Japan were investigated.

[Physicochemistry and bioreactivity characterization of fine particles (PM(2.5)) in Shanghai air].

PM(2.5) was collected at Shanghai urban and suburban sites during spring and autumn. PIXE (Proton Induced X-ray Emission) was used to investigate mass concentration of 15 elements (S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Sr, Pb) in Shanghai PM(2.

Mineralogical characterization of airborne individual particulates in Beijing PM10.

This work mainly focuses on the mineralogical study of particulate matter (PM10) in Beijing. Samples were collected on polycarbonate filter from April, 2002 to March, 2003 in Beijing urban area. Scanning electronic microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) was used to investigate individual mineral particles in Beijing PM10.