A novel BiTiO/g-CN hybrid catalyst with a bionic granum configuration for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

A facile synthesis method was used to produce a novel, multi-layer hybrid carbon nitride with a granum microstromatolite structure (g-CNMS). This was combined with BiTiO (BTO) to produce a catalyst that was useful for decomposing hazardous pollutants. The microstructural investigation of the catalyst showed that the stacked-layer stromatolites of the g-CNMS were covered with BTO nanoplates to form the granum-like structures.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer of CaF: Eu, Tb applied to dye-sensitized solar cells.

CaF: Eu, Tb introduced into dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were studied to examine the influence of luminescent materials on photoanodes using a simple method. The emission spectra of CaF: Eu, Tb included the blue light of Eu (4f → 5d) at 430 nm and green emission of Tb (D → F) at 542 nm under the monitoring wavelengths at 398 nm, which matched well the absorption range of the N719 dye in DSSCs. Energy transfer (ET) was verified between Eu and Tb ions and the efficiency of ET found to increase with Tb concentration.

Synergistic anticancer properties of docosahexaenoic acid and 5-fluorouracil through interference with energy metabolism and cell cycle arrest in human gastric cancer cell line AGS cells.

Aim: To explore the synergistic effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the human gastric cancer cell line AGS and examine the underlying mechanism.

Methods: AGS cells were cultured and treated with a series of concentrations of DHA and 5-FU alone or in combination for 24 and 48 h. To investigate the synergistic effect of DHA and 5-FU on AGS cells, the inhibition of cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay and cell morphology.

Yeast NDI1 improves oxidative phosphorylation capacity and increases protection against oxidative stress and cell death in cells carrying a Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy mutation.

G11778A in the subunit ND4 gene of NADH dehydrogenase complex is the most common primary mutation found in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) patients. The NDI1 gene, which encodes the internal NADH-quinone oxidoreductase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was introduced into the nuclear genome of a mitochondrial defective human cell line, Le1.3.

[Therapeutic effect of dietary boron supplement on retinoic acid-induced osteoporosis in rats].

Objective: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of dietary boron supplement on retinoic acid-induced osteoporosis in rats, so as to provide experimental evidence for clinical management of osteoporosis with boron.

Methods: Thirty-two SD rats were randomized into normal control group (8 rats) and osteoporotic group (24 rats), and osteoporosis was induced in rats of the latter group by intragastric retinoic acid administration at the daily dose of 80 mg/kg for 15 consecutive days. The osteoporotic rats were subdivided into control group (8 rats) without treatment, boron treatment group (8 rats) and estradiol treatment group (8 rats).

[The effect of retinoic acid on induction of osteoporotic model rats and the possible mechanism].

Objective: To observe the effect of retinoic acid on induction of osteoporotic model in rats and analyze the mechanism therein involved.

Methods: SD rats were treated with retinoic acid 80 mg/(kg x d) by gastrogavage for 15 days to induce osteoporosis and were killed in batches at 0, 30 and 60 days after drug withdrawal. The levels of Ca, P, BGP, E2, IGF-1, AKP and TRAP in serum were assayed, the collagen and proteoglycan contents of bone and bone mineral density (BMD) were determined, and the morphological changes in cancellous and cortical bone and growth plate cartilage (GPC) of femurs from the experimental rats were observed.