Ultraviolet sensing based on an in-fiber ZnO microwire constructed Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

We propose a Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on an in-fiber ZnO microwire structure for ultraviolet sensing. The device undergoes femtosecond laser micromachining and chemical etching on a single-mode optical fiber initially, creating a microgroove that extends to half of the core's depth, into which a single ZnO microwire is transferred. The ZnO microwire and the remaining core are used as the sensing arm and the reference arm, respectively, forming a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

Ghrelin attenuates sepsis-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting the NF-κB, iNOS, and Akt signaling in alveolar macrophages.

Ghrelin has proven to be protective against sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) via anti-inflammatory effects. However, its mechanisms remain poorly understood. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) play a key role in mediating inflammatory responses during sepsis-induced ALI by secretion of cytokines and chemokines.

miR-26a prevents neural stem cells from apoptosis via β-catenin signaling pathway in cardiac arrest-induced brain damage.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) transplantation is one of the most promising strategies for the treatment of CA-induced brain damage. The transplanted NSCs could differentiate into new neuron and replace the damaged one. However, the poor survival of NSCs in severe hypoxic condition is the limiting step to make the best use of this kind of therapy.

[Effect of poly (L-lysine) modified silk fibroin film on the growth and differentiation of neural stem cells].

In order to provide a basic theory for the materials of repairing central nervous system injury, we have studied the growth and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) on poly (L-lysine) modified silk fibroin film. First, we used poly (L-lysine) to modify silk fibroin film and confirmed by UV-vis and 1H NMR spectra. Then NSCs were isolated and seeded on the silk fibroin film (Silk group), poly (L-lysine) (PLL group) and poly (L-lysine) modified Silk fibroin film (Silk-PIL group).

Effects of Ghrelin on iNOS-Derived NO Promoted LPS-Induced Pulmonary Alveolar Epithelial A549 Cells Apoptosis.

Background/aims: In the process of abnormal apoptosis of pulmonary alveolar type II epithelial A549 cells in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity in the lung, nitric oxide (NO) production, and the level of protein S-nitrosylation were increased. However, the role of excessive NO production in sepsis-induced ARDS is controversial. Additionally, ghrelin is a growth hormone that exerts an inhibitory role in cell apoptosis.

Low-Temperature Fusible Silver Micro/Nanodendrites-Based Electrically Conductive Composites for Next-Generation Printed Fuse-Links.

We systematically investigate the long-neglected low-temperature fusing behavior of silver micro/nanodendrites and demonstrate the feasibility of employing this intriguing property for the printed electronics application, i.e., printed fuse-links.

Rare coding variants in MAPK7 predispose to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by three-dimensional spinal curvatures, affecting 2%-3% of school age children, yet the causes underlying AIS are not well understood. Here, we first conducted a whole-exome sequencing and linkage analysis on a three-generation Chinese family with autosomal-dominant (AD) AIS, and then performed targeted sequencing in a discovery cohort comprising 20 AD AIS families and 86 simplex patients, and finally identified three disease-associated missense variants (c.886G> A, c.

Ghrelin ameliorates the human alveolar epithelial A549 cell apoptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide.

Ghrelin is a gastric acyl-peptide that plays an inhibitory role in cell apoptosis. Herein we investigate the protective effects of ghrelin in LPS-induced apoptosis of human alveolar epithelial A549 cells, along with the possible molecular mechanisms. LPS exposure impaired cell viability and increased apoptosis of A549 cells significantly in concentration- and time-dependent manners embodied in increased Bax and cleaved caspase-3 production, coupled with decreased Bcl-2 levels.

Apatinib inhibits VEGF signaling and promotes apoptosis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Tumor cells co-express vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) that interact each other to support a self-sustainable cell growth. So far, this autocrine VEGF loop is not reported in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Apatinib is a highly selective VEGFR2 inhibitor, but its effects on ICC have not been investigated.

Curcumin Ameliorates Reserpine-Induced Gastrointestinal Mucosal Lesions Through Inhibiting IκB-α/NF-κB Pathway and Regulating Expression of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide and Gastrin in Rats.

The objective of our study was to investigate whether curcumin protects against reserpine-induced gastrointestinal mucosal lesions (GMLs) in rats and to explore the mechanism of curcumin's action. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, reserpine-treated group, reserpine treatment group with curcumin at high dose (200 mg/kg), and reserpine treatment group with curcumin at low dose (100 mg/kg). Rats in reserpine-treated group were induced by intraperitoneally administered reserpine (0.

Lingo-1 shRNA and Notch signaling inhibitor DAPT promote differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells into neurons.

Determination of the exogenous factors that regulate differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells into neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes is an important step in the clinical therapy of spinal cord injury (SCI). The Notch pathway inhibits the differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells and Lingo-1 is a strong negative regulator for myelination and axon growth. While Lingo-1 shRNA and N-[N-(3, 5-difluorophenacetyl)-1-alanyl]-S-Phenylglycinet-butylester (DAPT), a Notch pathway inhibitor, have been used separately to help repair SCI, the results have been unsatisfactory.

Prostaglandin E₁ protects bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells against serum deprivation-induced apoptosis.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a recent focus of experimental and clinical research regarding myocardial regeneration. However, the therapeutic potential of these cells is limited by poor survival. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is known to have anti‑inflammatory and anti‑apoptotic effects on the myocardium.

[Advances in cationic polymers used as nonviral vectors for gene delivery].

Gene therapy has been considered as a promising method for treatment of many diseases, such as acquired and genetic diseases. At present, there are two major vehicles for gene delivery including viral vectors and nonviral vectors. Viral vectors appear as high gene transfection efficiency, but some deficiencies such as inflammatory responses, recombination and mutagenesis have limited their use.

A modified murine model for the study of reverse cardiac remodelling.

Background: The authors previously reported a murine model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and regression using a suture technique of transverse aortic arch constriction and subsequent removal. A number of issues have limited the widespread adoption of this method. The present study assessed a modification of this model using a titanium clip.

Local injection of lentivirus encoding LINGO-1-shRNA promotes functional recovery in rats with complete spinal cord transection.

Study Design: We used a complete spinal cord transection model and locomotor function, histological, and immunohistochemical examinations to evaluate the effects of local injection of lentivirus/LINGO-1-short hairpin RNA (VL) on rats with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objective: To demonstrate the neuroregenerative and neuroprotective effects of LINGO-1 RNAi on complete transection SCI rats.

Summary Of Background Data: LINGO-1 has been reported as a negative regulator of axonal sprouting and its antagonist was determined to improve functional outcomes in SCI rats.

Hyperbranched cationic amylopectin derivatives for gene delivery.

A series of hyperbranched cationic amylopectin derivatives conjugated with 1,2-ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine and 3-(dimethylamino)-1-propylamine residues, named as EDA-Amp, DETA-Amp and DMAPA-Amp, were synthesized by the N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole activation method at room temperature. Their structures were characterized by FTIR and (1)H NMR analyses, and their buffering capability was assessed by acid-base titration. The amylopectin derivatives exhibited better blood compatibility and lower cytotoxicity when compared to branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) in the hemolysis and MTT assays.

[Adipose differentiation and adipose tissue engineering of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells using pluronic F-127 hydrogel in vitro].

The aim of this study is to investigate the growth and proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) three-dimensionally cultured in Pluronic F-127 gel, in order to explore the cellular compatibility of gel and to investigate the feasibility of BMSCs differentiating into adipocytes in gel. Rat BMSCs were isolated from adult bone marrow, and then cultured and amplified in vitro. The BMSCs derived from the 4th passage were seeded on the scaffolds and incubated in adipogenic stimuli culture to differentiate into adipocytes.

Plasmid-encapsulated polyethylene glycol-grafted polyethylenimine nanoparticles for gene delivery into rat mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation is a promising method in regenerative medicine. Gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells possess superior characteristics of specific tissue differentiation, resistance to apoptosis, and directional migration. Viral vectors have the disadvantages of potential immunogenicity, carcinogenicity, and complicated synthetic procedures.

[Progress of nanometer vector polyethylenimine applied in gene therapy].

Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a kind of nanometer nonviral vector frequently applied in gene transfection. It is simple and easy to prepare and to modify and relatively safe compared to viral vectors. In recent years, PEI has been utilized in many research areas for gene delivery to stem cells in vitro or targeted gene delivery to cells in the brain.

[Application of orthogonal design in optimization of the transfection efficiency of polyethylenimine mediated gene transfer to hepatoma carcinoma cells].

This study was aimed to develop non-toxic, high transfection efficiency polyethyleneimine(PEI) cationic nanoparticles. The exosyndrome of PEI cationic nanoparticles was measured by zeta sizer, ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy. The condensation ability and the resistance to DNaseI of pEGFP-N1/PEI and pEGFP-N1/PEI modified polyethylene glycol(PEG) were evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Dendronized chitosan derivative as a biocompatible gene delivery carrier.

To improve the transfection efficiency of chitosan as a nonviral gene delivery vector, a dendronized chitosan derivative was prepared by a copper-catalyzed azide alkyne cyclization reaction of propargyl focal point poly(amidoamine) dendron with 6-azido-6-deoxy-chitosan. Its structure was characterized by (1)H NMR and FTIR analyses and its buffering capacity was evaluated by acid-base titration. In particular, its complexation with plasmid DNA was investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis, zeta potential, and particle size analyses as well as transmission electron microscopy observation.

MEK/ERK pathway mediates cytoprotection of salvianolic acid B against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in rat bone marrow stem cells.

To improve the survival and/or differentiation of grafted BMSCs (bone marrow stem cells) represents one of the challenges for the promising cell-based therapy. Considerable reports have implicated Sal B (salvianolic acid B), a potent aqueous extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza, in enhancing the survival of cells under various conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of Sal B on H₂O₂-induced apoptosis in rat BMSCs, focusing on the survival signalling pathways.

Oxidative preconditioning promotes bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells migration and prevents apoptosis.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play essential roles in apoptosis and in the regulation of several transcription factors under both physiological and pathological conditions. However, the effects of ROS on MSCs are not well known, and therefore we have investigated the effects of preconditioning with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on the level of expression of the chemokine receptor, CXCR4, stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha)-dependent migration and apoptosis in MSCs. Preconditioning with 20microM H(2)O(2) significantly increased the level of expression of CXCR4 mRNA and protein, and MSCs migration toward SDF-1alpha; increased expression of CXCR4 and SDF-1alpha-induced MSCs migration was attenuated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98059.

Salvianolic acid B promotes survival of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells in spinal cord-injured rats.

Aim: Stem cells hold great promise for brain and spinal cord injuries (SCI), but cell survival following transplantation to adult central nervous system has been poor. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) has been shown to improve functional recovery in brain-injured rats. The present study was designed to determine whether Sal B could improve transplanted mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) survival in SCI rats.