Solvent-free nanofluid with three structure models based on the composition of a MWCNT/SiO2 core and its adsorption capacity of CO2.

A series of core/shell nanoparticle organic/inorganic hybrid materials (NOHMs) with different weight ratios of two components, consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) as the core were synthesized. The NOHMs display a liquid-like state in the absence of solvent at room temperature. Five NOHMs were categorized into three kinds of structure states based on different weight ratio of two components in the core, named the power strip model, the critical model and the collapse model. The capture capacities of these NOHMs for CO2 were investigated at 298 K and CO2 pressures ranging from 0 to 5 MPa. Compared with NOHMs having a neat MWCNT core, it was revealed that NOHMs with the power strip model show better adsorption capacity toward CO2 due to its lower viscosity and more reactive groups that can react with CO2. In addition, the capture capacities of NOHMs with the critical model were relatively worse than the neat MWCNT-based NOHM. The result is attributed to the aggregation of SiO2 in these samples, which may cause the consumption and hindrance of reactive groups. However, the capture capacity of NOHMs with the collapse model was the worst of all the NOHMs, owing to its lowest content of reactive groups and hollow structure in MWCNTs. In addition, they presented non-interference of MWCNTs and SiO2 without aggregation state.

Geniposide promotes beta-cell regeneration and survival through regulating ß-catenin/TCF7L2 pathway.

T-cell factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) is an important transcription factor of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, which has critical roles in ß-cell survival and regeneration. In preliminary screening assay, we found geniposide, a naturally occurring compound, was able to increase TCF7L2 mRNA level in Min6 cells. Here we aimed to investigate the role of geniposide in ß-cell and underlying mechanism involved. Geniposide was found to promote ß-cell survival by increasing ß-cell proliferation and decreasing ß-cell apoptosis in cultured mouse islets after challenge with diabetic stimuli. Geniposide protected ß-cell through activating Wnt signaling, enhanced expressions of TCF7L2 and GLP-1R, activated AKT, inhibited GSK3ß activity, and promoted ß-catenin nuclear translocation. The protective effect of geniposide was remarkably suppressed by siRNAs against ß-catenin, or by ICG001 (ß-catenin/TCF-mediated transcription inhibitor). Moreover, geniposide promoted ß-cell regeneration in vivo to normalize blood glucose in high-fat diet and db/db mice. Increased ß-cell proliferation was observed in pancreatic sections of geniposide-treated diabetic mice. Most importantly, geniposide triggered small islet-like cell clusters formation as a result of ß-cell neogenesis from ductal epithelium, which was well correlated with the increase in TCF7L2 expression. In exocrine cells isolated from mouse pancreas, geniposide could induce duct cell differentiation through upregulating TCF7L2 expression and activating JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Taken together, we identified a novel role of geniposide in promoting ß-cell survival and regeneration by mechanisms involving the activation of ß-catenin/TCF7L2 signaling. Our finding highlights the potential value of geniposide as a possible treatment for type 2 diabetes.

[Digital noninvasive microwave thermography in the diagnosis of breast disease].

Thermography is a noninvasive technic of examination. Liquid-Crystal Thermography and Infrared Thermography have provided great help in the general survey of breast diseases during the past twenty years but not without some limitations. Recently, by applying the microwave technic clinically, progress has been made to measure minute temperature changes in the deeper tissues. Differential diagnosis of breast disease is possible by statistical calculating the temperature difference of the two breasts. A prospective study was done in 96 women who had both X ray mammography and digital noninvasive microwave thermography. 70/96 were proved by pathology. In this group of patients, the accuracy rate was 70.00% for digital microwave thermography, 81.82% for X ray mammography and 95.50% for the two combined. The false positive rates and false negative rates, advantages, disadvantages and the for general survey of breast disease of the digital microwave thermography discussed.