Graphene and graphene-based materials in axonal repair of spinal cord injury.

Graphene and graphene-based materials have the ability to induce stem cells to differentiate into neurons, which is necessary to overcome the current problems faced in the clinical treatment of spinal cord injury. This review summarizes the advantages of graphene and graphene-based materials (in particular, composite materials) in axonal repair after spinal cord injury. These materials have good histocompatibility, and mechanical and adsorption properties that can be targeted to improve the environment of axonal regeneration. They also have good conductivity, which allows them to make full use of electrical nerve signal stimulation in spinal cord tissue to promote axonal regeneration. Furthermore, they can be used as carriers of seed cells, trophic factors, and drugs in nerve tissue engineering scaffolds to provide a basis for constructing a local microenvironment after spinal cord injury. However, to achieve clinical adoption of graphene and graphene-based materials for the repair of spinal cord injury, further research is needed to reduce their toxicity.

Preparation and Evaluation of a Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System Loaded with Heparin Phospholipid Complex.

A self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) was developed to enhance the absorption of heparin after oral administration, in which heparin was compounded with phospholipids to achieve better fat solubility in the form of heparin-phospholipid (HEP-Pc) complex. HEP-Pc complex was prepared using the solvent evaporation method, which increased the solubility of heparin in n-octanol. The successful preparation of HEP-Pc complex was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, NMR, and SEM. A heparin lipid microemulsion (HEP-LM) was prepared by high-pressure homogenization and characterized. HEP-LM can enhance the absorption of heparin after oral administration, significantly prolong activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT) in mice, and reduce fibrinogen (FIB) content. All these outcomes indicate that HEP-LM has great potential as an oral heparin formulation.

Targeting the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Stem Cells for a Better Clinical Outcome of Glioma.

Glioma is one of the most common malignant tumors of the central nervous system with a poor prognosis at present due to lack of effective treatment options. Its initiation, migration, and multipotency are affected by cancer stem cell's transition. Previous studies imply that changes in the cancer stem cells can affect the malignant differentiation of the tumor. We found that the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related regulatory pathway is an important target for tumor therapy. In this review, we discuss the transition factor of EMT and 3 specific pathways that affect the EMT of cancer stem cells during tumor development. We conclude that targeting the EMT process of cancer stem cells can be a feasible approach in the treatment of glioma.

Diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia (coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19), it has rapidly spread to 187 countries, causing serious harm to the health of people and a huge social burden. However, currently, drugs specifically approved for clinical use are not available, except for vaccines against COVID-19 that are being evaluated. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is capable of performing syndrome differentiation and treatment according to the clinical manifestations of patients, and has a better ability of epidemic prevention and control. The authors comprehensively analyzed the etiology and pathogenesis of COVID-19 based on the theory of TCM, and discussed its syndrome differentiation, treatment and prevention measures so as to provide strategies and reference for the prevention and treatment with TCM.

[High Resolution Remote Sensing Monitoring and Assessment of Secondary Geological Disasters Triggered by the Lushan Earthquake].

The secondary geological disasters triggered by the Lushan earthquake on April 20, 2013, such as landslides, collapses, debris flows, etc., had caused great casualties and losses. We monitored the number and spatial distribution of the secondary geological disasters in the earthquake-hit area from airborne remote sensing images, which covered areas about 3 100 km2. The results showed that Lushan County, Baoxing County and Tianquan County were most severely affected; there were 164, 126 and 71 secondary geological disasters in these regions. Moreover, we analyzed the relationship between the distribution of the secondary geological disasters, geological structure and intensity. The results indicate that there were 4 high-hazard zones in the monitored area, one focused within six kilometers from the epicenter, and others are distributed along the two main fault zones of the Longmen Mountain. More than 97% secondary geological disasters occurred in zones with a seismic intensity of VII to IX degrees, a slope between 25 A degrees and 50 A degrees, and an altitude of between 800 and 2 000 m. At last, preliminary suggestions were proposed for the rehabilitation and reconstruction planning of Lushan earthquake. According to the analysis result, airborne and space borne remote sensing can be used accurately and effectively in almost real-time to monitor and assess secondary geological disasters, providing a scientific basis and decision making support for government emergency command and post-disaster reconstruction.

[An analysis of soft tissue profile features of beautiful men and women with polar coordinates].

PURPOSE: To analyze the profile features of soft tissues of beautiful young men and women with Han nationality by polar coordinates. METHODS: Sixty-two beautiful college students (aged 18-23 years, average 20.1 years, 31 men, 31 women) were chosen according to inclusion criteria as study samples. The lateral cephalograms of the samples were taken in natural head position. The polar system was established with the Bolton (Bo) point as the pole, and the Bo-N line as the polar axis. The polar coordinates were measured of the mark points on the soft tissues of the samples' maxillofacial regions respectively. The measured data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 17.0 software package. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the polar angles of the marking points on the soft tissues (P>0.05), the results were not statistically significant; there were significant differences among the measured data of line distances (P<0.01); the ratios of the polar radius of each mark point and Bo-N were not significantly different (P>0.05); there were significant differences among the values of Bo-Pos/ Bo-Sn, Bo-LL/Bo-Pos between men and women, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Polar coordinates can be applied to cephalometry to accurately and integrally describe maxillofacial profile features. There are minor differences between the profile features of beautiful men and women, and the differences are mainly shown in mandible and the fullness of lips.

Potential anti-HPV and related cancer agents from marine resources: an overview.

Recently, the studies on the prevention and treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV) which is closely related to the cervical cancer and other genital diseases are attracting more and more attention all over the world. Marine-derived polysaccharides and other bioactive compounds have been shown to possess a variety of anti-HPV and related cancer activities. This paper will review the recent progress in research on the potential anti-HPV and related cancer agents from marine resources. In particular, it will provide an update on the anti-HPV actions of heparinoid polysaccharides and bioactive compounds present in marine organisms, as well as the therapeutic vaccines relating to marine organisms. In addition, the possible mechanisms of anti-HPV actions of marine bioactive compounds and their potential for therapeutic application will also be summarized in detail.

Analysis of ecological quality of the environment and influencing factors in China during 2005-2010.

Since the twentieth century, China has been facing various kinds of environmental problems. It is necessary to evaluate and analyze the ecological status of the environment over China, which is of great importance for environmental protection measures. In this article, an Eco-environmental Quality Index (EQI) model is established using national remote sensing land-use data, NDVI data from MODIS and other statistical data. The model is used to evaluate the ecological status over China during 2005, 2008 and 2010, and spatial and temporal variations in EQI are analyzed during the period 2005-2010. We also discuss important factors affecting ecological quality, with special emphasis on meteorological conditions (including rainfall and sunshine duration) and anthropogenic factors (including normalized population and gross domestic product densities). The results show that, EQIs in northwestern China are generally lower than those in the southeast of the country, presenting a ladder-like distribution. There is significant correlation between EQI, rainfall and sunshine duration. Population density and GDP also have some relation to EQI. On the whole, the environmental quality results showed little variation during 2005-2010, with national average EQIs of 54.86, 55.07 and 54.43 in 2005, 2008 and 2010, respectively. During 2005-2010, differences in EQI were observed at the local level, but those at the provincial level were small.

[The effect of suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides on interferon-γ and phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 4 expression of silica-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (pSTAT4) expression of Silica-induced pulmonary inflammation in Mice. METHODS: Sixty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, normal control group, silicious group, suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) group, control oligodeoxynucleotides (Con ODN) group. Except the normal control group injected normal saline, the rest groups were induced by the intratracheal instillation of 0.1 ml (5 g/L) of sterilized silica suspension. Sup ODN group and Con ODN group were treated by i.p. injection of 0.3 ml (1mg/mL) of suppressive or control ODN 3 h before silica administration. After 7 days, the animals were killed and levels of IFN-γ were detected by ELISA. The pathologic changes in lung tissues of mice were observed with HE staining. Expressions of IFN-γ and pSTAT4 in lung tissue were detected with immunohistochemistry and quantified by Image-Pro Plus 7.0. RESULTS: HE staining showed that the lung tissue of silicious group were damaged seriously than Sup ODN group. Compared with the normal control group (serum: (280.1±41.3) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.249±0.373), IFN-γ increased in silicious group (serum: (886.3±81.7) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.270±0.300) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group and Con ODN group [(894.5±91.6) pg/ml], IFN-γ in the serum of Sup ODN group decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group , IFN-γ in lung tissue decreased in Sup ODN group (0.241±0.250) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group (0.279±0.353), pSTAT4 in lung tissue increased significantly in silicious group (0.313±0.231) (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group, pSTAT4 in lung tissue decreased significantly in Sup ODN group (0.269±0.523) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Sup ODN attained protective effect on Silica treated mice by suppressing expression of IFN-γ and pSTAT4.

[Application of urinary proteomics in early diagnosis of bladder urothelial carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference in urinary proteome between patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) and healthy volunteers and to provide a basis for the early diagnosis of BUC. METHODS: The urine samples from BUC patients and healthy volunteers (controls) were treated by 25% ethanol precipitation and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), and the obtained urinary proteins were subjected to Coomassie brilliant blue staining and analysis by PDQuest 8.0 (2-DE image analysis software); the differentially expressed proteins were sequenced by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry and identified using the Swiss-Prot database; the differential expression of these proteins was verified by western blot. RESULTS: High-resolution and high-reproducibility 2-DE images were obtained from the urine samples of BUC patients and controls, with 789 ± 18 and 762 ± 14 protein spots, respectively. Compared with the control group, the BUC grouP had significantly decreased expression of 6 protein spots and significantly increased expression of 11 protein spots. The mass spectrometry revealed five proteins with increased expression in the BUC group, including fibrinogen, lactate dehydrogenase B, apolipoprotein A1, clusterin, and haptoglobin, and the results were confirmed by western blot. CONCLUSION: There is significant difference in urinary proteome between BUC patients and healthy volunteers; the identification of differentially expressed proteins in urine lays the foundation for identifying potential molecular markers in early diagnosis of BUC.

The antiviral activities and mechanisms of marine polysaccharides: an overview.

Recently, the studies on the antiviral activities of marine natural products, especially marine polysaccharides, are attracting more and more attention all over the world. Marine-derived polysaccharides and their lower molecular weight oligosaccharide derivatives have been shown to possess a variety of antiviral activities. This paper will review the recent progress in research on the antiviral activities and the mechanisms of these polysaccharides obtained from marine organisms. In particular, it will provide an update on the antiviral actions of the sulfated polysaccharides derived from marine algae including carrageenans, alginates, and fucans, relating to their structure features and the structure-activity relationships. In addition, the recent findings on the different mechanisms of antiviral actions of marine polysaccharides and their potential for therapeutic application will also be summarized in detail.

[Effects of Gymnadenia conopse alcohol extract on early protein profiles in lung tissue of rats exposed to silica].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the early expression differences of lung tissue proteins in rats exposed to silica using comparative proteomics method, to explore the effects of Chinese traditional medicine (Gymnadenia conopse alcohol extract, GcAE) on silicosis (50 mg/ml). METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into silica-treated group and GcAE-treated group, four rats a group. The rats were exposed to silica by intratracheal (IT) instillation of 1 ml silica suspension for 24 h. After exposure, the rats in GcAE-treated group were intragastric administration with 0.8 ml GcAE (0.8 ml/100 g a day) and the rats in silica-treated group were intragastric administration with 2 ml sterilized saline a day for 14 days. Then all rats were sacrificed and lung tissues were collected. The total proteins were separated by means of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and the differentially expressed proteins were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Western blotting was used to validate the expression of certain candidate proteins in lung tissues. RESULTS: Obvious pathological changes of lung could be observed in silica-treated group, such as the thicken of interalveolar septum, which was infiltrated with lymphocytes, macrophages and a few neutrophils with the proliferation of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. The accumulation of collagen, the destruction of alveolus structure and the more dotted fibrosis or granuloma could also be found. However, the pathological changes of lung in GcAE-treated group were lighter than those of silica-treated group. Thirty three differentially expressed proteins were identified, including cathepsin D precursor, peroxiredoxin-1 (Prx-1) and SEC14-like protein 3. Compared with silica-treated group, cathepsin D precursor and Prx-1 were significantly downregulated in GcAE-treated group, and SEC14-like protein 3 was significantly upregulated (P < 0.01). The results of western blot indicated that the expression level of Prx-1 in GcAE-treated group was 0.26 ± 0.02, which was significantly lower than that (0.35 ± 0.04) in silica-treated group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: GcAE may inhibit the progress of silicosis in the early period and cathepsin D precursor, SEC14-like protein 3 and Prx-1 may participate in this process.

[Correlation analysis between the exposure levels and the serum protein fingerprints in population exposure to silica].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between the exposure levels and serum protein fingerprints in population exposed to silica. METHODS: Liquid chip time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology was used to investigate the serum profiles in control group (30 cases), group exposed to silica (30 cases), silicosis group (I stage, 25 cases) and suspected silicosis group (30 cases), and screen the differential expression proteins. The correlation between the levels of the differential expression proteins and the exposure levels was performed. RESULTS: Five differential expression proteins were found among 4 groups, the expression of 5081 and 5066 proteins was upregulated, and the expression of 3954, 2021 and 1777 proteins was downregulated. There was no the correlation between the exposure levels and the peak with M/Z among those proteins. CONCLUSION: the results of present investigation indicated there was no correlation between the exposure levels and protein/peptide peak.

[The effects of complement C3f segment on expression and secretion of collagen I, III and transforming growth factor-beta1 in human embryonic lung fibroblast].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of complement fragment C3f on expression and secretion of collagen I, III and transforming growth factor( TGF)-beta1 in human embryonic lung fibroblast (MRC-5) cells. METHODS: MRC-5 cells were cultured with C3f (the synthetic 17 peptides fragments of complement C3). The extracellular and intracellular expression levels of type I, III collagens and TGF-beta1 in MRC-5 cultures were detected by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: The expression levels of type I, III collagen and TGF-beta1 in the supernatant of MRC-5 cultures decreased significantly with the concentrations of C3f as compared with controls (P < 0.05). Also the expression level of TGF-beta1 in MRC-5 cytoplasm reduced significantly as compared with controls (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of present in vitro study showed that the complement fragment C3f could reduce the formation of TGF-beta1 and type I, III collagens in MRC-5 cells, and inhibit the lung tissue fibrosis.

Snow cover monitoring method by using HJ-1 satellite data.

Environment and Disasters Monitoring Microsatellite Constellation with high spatial resolution, high temporal resolution and high spectral resolution characteristics was put forward by China. HJ-1B satellite, one of the first two small optical satellites, had a CCD camera and an infrared camera, which would provide an important new data source for snow monitoring. In the present paper, through analyzing the sensor and data characteristics of HJ-1B, we proposed a new infrared normalized difference snow index (INDSI) referring to the traditional normalized difference snow index (NDSI). The accuracy of these two automatic snow recognition methods was estimated based on a supervised classification method. The accuracy of the traditional NDSI method was 97.761 9% while that of the new INDSI method was 98.617 1%.

[Primary study on changes of serum proteomics in rabbit superior mesenteric artery occlusion shock].

OBJECTIVE: To explor the changes of serum proteomics in rabbits superior mesenteric artery occlusion (SMAO) shock as well as its possible effect in SMAO shock. METHODS: SMAO shock model in rabbits were induced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery, serum samples were obtained from rabbits before and after SMAO shock, proteins in samples were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis(2-DE), spots in the 2-DE map were detected and evaluated by PDQuest software 8.0. The spots with different expression level were subjected to matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS) for identification, the protein database was searched to further characterized the differential proteins. RESULTS: 19 differential protein spots were screened out in the 2-DE maps, 11 proteins were up-regulated and 8 proteins were down-regulated in SMAO shock rabbits' s serum. 4 of the 19 differential protein spots were selected for MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS study, and 2 of the 4 differential protein spots were identified satisfactoryly as paraoxonase and haptoglobin, which content were increased in rabbits' s serum after SMAO shock. CONCLUSION: Serum proteomics of rabbit change remarkablely before and after SMAO shock, paraoxonase and haptoglobin may be associated with the compensation after SMAO shock.

[Study on the method of recognizing abandoned farmlands based on multispectral remote sensing].

Being abandoned for farmland seriously affected China's grain output for farmlands. It has become an important phenomenon over the past 20 years in China. Multispectral remote sensing has the advantage of wide range and high speed in requiring data. It has great potential in the research on land use. Therefore, to extract abandoned farmland in China, the authors' used the NDVI data of Modis/Terra from 2000 to 2009 which is one of multispectral remote sensing data and the Remote Sensing Image of ALOS satellite in Japan. The authors' used the parameter of NDVI of time series to describe the character of the main land use types. After drawing the time-series curves of the main land use type samples, the authors' analyzed them with consulting the life character of these types. Then, the authors' compared these curves; finally we recognized abandoned farmland from the others. At last the authors' went to experimental plot to survey the land use. The results demonstrated that the method of using multispectral remote sensing data can abstract abandoned farmland and classify the main kind of land use, and the accuracy is as high as 90%. So the method is feasible in recognizing abandoned farmland.