Ginseng Saponin Rb1 Attenuates Cigarette Smoke Exposure-Induced Inflammation, Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress via Activating Nrf2 and Inhibiting NF-κB Signaling Pathways.

Objective: Cigarette smoke exposure is one of the major risk factors for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ginseng saponin Rb1 (Rb1) is a natural extract from ginseng root with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. However, the underlying mechanism of the Rb1 in COPD remains unknown.

True-color light-field display system with large depth-of-field based on joint modulation for size and arrangement of halftone dots.

A true-color light-field display system with a large depth-of-field (DOF) is demonstrated. Reducing crosstalk between viewpoints and increasing viewpoint density are the key points to realize light-field display system with large DOF. The aliasing and crosstalk of light beams in the light control unit (LCU) are reduced by adopting collimated backlight and reversely placing the aspheric cylindrical lens array (ACLA).

Degradome sequencing reveals an integrative miRNA-mediated gene interaction network regulating rice seed vigor.

Background: It is well known that seed vigor is essential for agricultural production and rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important crops in the world. Though we previously reported that miR164c regulates rice seed vigor, but whether and how other miRNAs cooperate with miR164c to regulate seed vigor is still unknown.

Build a Rigid-Flexible Graphene/Silicone Interface by Embedding SiO for Adhesive Application.

An effective strategy was developed to enhance the adaptability of graphene/silicone matrices under external stimuli by embedding nanoscale SiO into the graphene/silicone interfaces as a buffer layer. Chemically reduced graphene (rGE) was first covered by SiO using an in situ preparation, forming sandwichlike rGE/SiO (rGES). Then, rGES was integrated into methyl vinyl polysiloxane, followed by vulcanization, producing the final rGES/silicone rubber (SR) nanocomposite.

Use of functionalized PEG with 4-aminobenzoic acid stabilized platinum nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for the hydrosilylation of alkenes.

A catalyst containing functionalized polyethylene glycol with 4-aminobenzoic acid (PEG-AMB) stabilized platinum nanoparticles has been synthesized and characterized, and its application in the hydrosilylation of alkenes investigated. It is shown that the functionalized PEG-stabilized Pt nanoparticles form a very efficient catalyst for the hydrosilylation of alkenes. The Pt nanoparticles can be fully immobilized in the PEG-AMB and recycled at least nine times without any obvious loss of catalytic activity.

Modulation of protein release from biodegradable core-shell structured fibers prepared by coaxial electrospinning.

Biodegradable core-shell structured fibers with poly(epsilon-caprolactone) as shell and bovine serum albumin (BSA)-containing dextran as core were prepared by coaxial electrospinning for incorporation and controlled release of proteins. BSA loading percent in the fibers and its release rate could be conveniently varied by the feed rate of the inner dope during electrospinning. With the increase in the feed rate of the inner dope, there was an associated increase in the loading percent and accelerated release of BSA.

A facile technique to prepare biodegradable coaxial electrospun nanofibers for controlled release of bioactive agents.

A one-step, mild procedure based on coaxial electrospinning was developed for incorporation and controlled release of two model proteins, BSA and lysozyme, from biodegradable core-shell nanofibers with PCL as shell and protein-containing PEG as core. The thickness of the core and shell could be adjusted by the feed rate of the inner dope, which in turn affected the release profiles of the incorporated proteins. It was revealed that the released lysozyme maintained its structure and bioactivity.

[Tissue engineered bone reconstruction with modified PLGA/Type-I collagen compound scaffold].

Objective: To fabricate bone grafts by bone marrow stromal cell combined with modified PLGA/Type-I collagen compound scaffold using tissue engineering method.

Methods: The modified PLGA/Type-I collagen compound scaffold was fabricated. The rabbit primary cultured osteoblasts were identified and seeded onto the modified compound scaffold for one week in vitro.

Preparation, characterization and properties of poly(2,2-dimethyl trimethylene carbonate-co-epsilon-caprolactone)-block-poly(ethylene glycol).

Degradable terpolymers were synthesized by bulk copolymerization of 2,2-dimethyl trimethyle necarbonate (DTC), epsilon-caprolactone (CL) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) using stannous octoate as catalyst at 140 degrees C for 36 h. The molar ratio in feed of DTC to CL was fixed at 20:80. The molecular weight and the mol% of PEG were varied in order to obtain copolymers with different properties.