Two Methods for Evaluating the Effect of pre-Analytical Handling Procedures on Interleukin 6, Interleukin 8, and Tumor Necrosis Factor α.

Background: Except host and environmental factors influencing individual human cytokine responses, pre-analytical handling procedures and detection methods also affect cytokine levels.

Methods: In this study, we used cytometric bead array (CBA) and chemiluminescence (ECL). These two methods were used to test serum and plasma samples from 50 healthy adult volunteers and 50 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients' cytokine levels.

Remediation for trace metals in polluted soils by turfgrass assisted with chemical reagents.

Trace metal pollution in soils is one of the universal environmental problems in the world. Phytoremediation is a green, safe, ecological, and economic method to achieve continuous reduction of soil pollutants. Turfgrass is a plant with great landscape value and has considerable biomass when used for remediation of trace metal contaminated soil.

A tree shrew model for steroid-associated osteonecrosis.

Osteonecrosis is a common human disease in orthopedics. It is difficult to treat, and half of patients may need artificial joint replacement, resulting in a considerable economic burden and a reduction in quality of life. Hormones are one of the major causes of osteonecrosis and high doses of corticosteroids are considered the most dangerous factor.

Establishment of an osteoporosis model in tree shrews by bilateral ovariectomy and comprehensive evaluation.

Osteoporosis (OP) treatment has always been challenging for elderly menopausal females. An animal model with a closer genetic association to human OP is essential for treatment research. Given its close genetic association to primates, the tree shrew is a suitable candidate for meeting the requirements for such an animal model.

Effect of Osteoking on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

Background: Bone damage is a condition that affects the quality of life of patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are important for bone repair. Osteoking is a natural compound in traditional Chinese Medicine used to treat bone diseases; however, the effect of Osteoking on the differentiation of MSCs has not been reported.

Alteration of bioaccumulation mechanisms of Cu by microalgae in the presence of natural fulvic acids.

The impact of natural fulvic acids (FAs) on the toxicity and bioaccumulation of Cu by Chlorella pyrenoidosa was studied. FAs extracted from Taihu Lake were separated into three fractions using dialysis bags: F1 (<500 Da), F2 (500-1000 Da) and F3 (>1000 Da). The results showed that the F3 fraction with a larger molecular weight contained less acidic groups and unsaturated aliphatic structures than F1 and F2, and it showed stronger alleviation of the toxicity of Cu to algae.