The role and mechanism of hydrogen sulfide in liver fibrosis.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is the third new gas signaling molecule in the human body after the discovery of NO and CO. Similar to NO, it has the functions of vasodilation, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and regulation of cell formation. Enzymes that can produce endogenous HS, such as CSE, CSB, and 3-MST, are common in liver tissues and are important regulatory molecules in the liver.

Room-temperature weak ferromagnetism induced by point defects in alpha-Fe2O3.

Unusual room-temperature weak ferromagnetism alpha-Fe(2)O(3) was prepared by heating the mixture of commercial alpha-Fe(2)O(3) (as raw material) and tartaric acid at a mild temperature of 250 degrees C. This reaction involves a fast heating and cooling process resulting from the self-catalyzed oxidation of tartaric acid. Careful chemical analyses confirmed that no any ferromagnetic impurities, such as Fe, Fe(3)O(4), amorphous iron oxide and gamma-Fe(2)O(3,) were present in the treated sample.