The mysterious association between adiponectin and endometriosis.

Adiponectin is a pleiotropic cytokine predominantly derived from adipose tissue. In addition to its role in regulating energy metabolism, adiponectin may also be related to estrogen-dependent diseases, and many studies have confirmed its involvement in mediating diverse biological processes, including apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis, all of which are related to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Although many researchers have reported low levels of adiponectin in patients with endometriosis and suggested that it may serve as a protective factor against the development of the disease.

Isothermal Diffusion Behavior and Surface Performance of Cu/Ni Coating on TC4 Alloy.

The poor surface performance of titanium alloys substantially limits their application in many fields, such as the petrochemical industry. To overcome this weakness, the Cu and Ni double layers were deposited on the surface of TC4 alloy by the electroplating method, and the isothermal diffusion process was performed at 700 °C to enhance the binding ability between Cu and Ni layers. The isothermal diffusion behavior and microstructure of the coating were systematically analyzed, and tribological property and corrosion resistance of the coating were also evaluated to reveal the influence of isothermal diffusion on the surface performance.

Activation of defective nickel molybdate nanowires for enhanced alkaline electrochemical hydrogen evolution.

Designing highly-efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in an alkaline solution is more complex and sluggish than for an acidic one. Herein, we report a controllable N-doping strategy to synthesize a series of N-doped porous metallic NiMoO4 nanowires with concomitant oxygen vacancy defects (N-Vo-NiMoO4 NWs) for promoting the alkaline HER ability and durability. Both experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the doped-N at NiO6 octahedral sites and the abundant oxygen vacancy defects confined in N-Vo-NiMoO4 NWs with modified electronic arrangement could enhance the metallic conductivity, affect the surface areas, and lower the adsorption energy of hydrogen, resulting in an increased HER property.

Metallic CuCoS nanosheets of atomic thickness as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for portable, flexible Zn-air batteries.

Optimized catalysts show great potential for renewable energy storage and conversion. Herein, we report metallic CuCo2S4 nanosheets (NSs) of atomic thickness as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for use in portable, flexible Zn-air batteries. The metallic CuCo2S4 NSs of atomic thickness with 4-atom-thick to 6-atom-thick layers are confirmed by temperature-dependent electrical resistance measurements and atomic force microscopy.

Comparative effects of green and black tea extracts on lowering serum uric acid in hyperuricemic mice.

Context: Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze [Theaceae]) is used to induce urination and inducing nervous excitation. Green and black teas have multifarious physiological functions.

NiO/CoN Porous Nanowires as Efficient Bifunctional Catalysts for Zn-Air Batteries.

The development of highly efficient bifunctional catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is crucial for improving the efficiency of the Zn-air battery. Herein, we report porous NiO/CoN interface nanowire arrays (PINWs) with both oxygen vacancies and a strongly interconnected nanointerface between NiO and CoN domains for promoting the electrocatalytic performance and stability for OER and ORR. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, electron spin resonance, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy investigations demonstrate that the decrease of the coordination number for cobalt, the enhanced oxygen vacancies on the NiO/CoN nanointerface, and strongly coupled nanointerface between NiO and CoN domains are responsible for the good bifunctional electrocatalytic performance of NiO/CoN PINWs.

[Effect of Panax NotoginSeng Saponins on motor evoked potentials of spinal cord injured rats with motion function].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Panax NotoginSeng Saponins(PNS) on functional recovery of rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) after exercise.

Methods: SD normal rats were randomly divided into normal control group (Normal) and control group (Sham), spinal cord injury (SCI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) + panax notoginseng saponins group (PNS) (=8). All rats were given basso beattie bresnahan motor function score (BBB) and motor evoked potentials (MEP) examination to observe rat hind limb motor function recovery before operation and 1,3,7,14,21,28 days after operation.

Comparison of the adipogenesis in intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes from Bamei and Landrace pigs.

Fat deposition is a complex process involving proliferation, differentiation, and lipogenesis of adipocytes. Bamei and Landrace are considered to represent fat- and lean-type pig breeds. Subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) pre-adipocytes were cultured to compare the proliferation and lipogenesis in these breeds.

A metal-decorated nickel foam-inducing regulatable manganese dioxide nanosheet array architecture for high-performance supercapacitor applications.

Three dimensional manganese dioxide/Pt/nickel foam (shortened to MnPtNF) hybrid electrodes were prepared by double-pulse polarization and potentiostatic deposition technologies for supercapacitor applications. The decoration of Pt nanoparticles onto nickel foam varies the nucleation mechanism of the manganese dioxide species, inducing the formation of manganese dioxide nanosheets. Additionally, controlling the size of the Pt nanoparticles leads to modulated nanosheet architecture and electrochemical properties of the manganese dioxide electrode, as revealed by XRD, Raman spectra, SEM, TEM, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

[Related factors on quality of life in 291 outpatient adults with epilepsy].

Objective: To assess and explore the quality of life and related factors among 291 outpatient adults with epilepsy.

Methods: From July, 2005 to July, 2006, eligible outpatient epilepsy in a hospital was evaluated by the scale on quality of life in epilepsy-31 (Chinese version).

Results: The total scores of quality of life was low (56.

[Association of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism with level of uric acid in serum for acute coronary syndrome].

Objective: To evaluate the association of elevation in serum uric acid with the development of coronary artery disease, and to determine the relationship between uric acid and Glu(298) Asp polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the Chinese Han Nationality.

Methods: The Glu(298) Asp variant of the eNOS gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 58 patients with ACS and 43 healthy controls. The severity of ACS was expressed by the number of affected vessels and by the Duke scoring system.

[Experimental study on effect of Suifukang in promoting repairing and regeneration of nerve fibers in spinal cord].

Objective: To study the change in expressions of nerve growth related protein (GAP-43) and neurofilament (NF) after experimental injury of spinal cord, and the regulatory effect of Chinese medicine Suifukang (SFK) on them.

Methods: Forty-eight from the 54 selected adult SD rats were established into spinal cord injury model by making hemitransection at the T12 level, and randomly divided into two groups, the SFK group feed with SKF contained liquor and the model group feeding with equal volume of saline. The another 6 rats were untreated and taken as the normal group.

[Sub-classification of temporal lobe epilepsy and clinical and etiological characteristics thereof].

Objective: To study the sub-classification of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and clinical and etiological characteristics thereof.

Methods: The clinical data of 190 patients with TLE, aged 1.5 approximately 67, were analyzed.

[Change of gene expression pattern and regulation of SFK on the change in early stage after hemitransection of the spinal cord in rat].

Objective: To investigate the changes of gene expression in early stage of hemitransection of spinal cord and the regulatory effects of the traditional Chinese mixture Suifukang (SFK) on these changes.

Methods: Eighty-six adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Suifukang group (Group S, n = 31, administered with SFK 3 days before the hemitransection at the dose of 2.5 g crude drugs/100 kg body weight QD and then 4 h and 8 h after hemitransection), model group (Group M, n = 45, administered with normal saline in the manner as in Group S), and normal control group (Group N, n = 10, without any treatment).

[Study on effect of suifukang in regulating the change of free radical after hemitransected spinal cord injury].

Objective: To explore the regulatory effect of Suifukang (SFK), a compound Chinese patent drug on the change of free radical in tissue of spinal cord and blood caused by experimental spinal injury.

Methods: Seventy male adult SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, the SFK group (n = 20), the hormone group (n = 20), the control group (n = 20) and the normal group (n = 10). Rats in the former three groups were made into the right hemitransected spinal cord (T12) injury.