WNT16B from Ovarian Fibroblasts Induces Differentiation of Regulatory T Cells through β-Catenin Signal in Dendritic Cells

Treatment for cancer can induce a series of secreted factors into the tumor microenvironment, which can affect cancer progression. Wingless-type MMTV (mouse mammary tumor virus) integration site 16B (WNT16B) is a new member of the WNT family and has been reported to play growth-related roles in previous studies. In this study, we found WNT16B could be expressed and secreted into the microenvironment by human ovarian fibroblasts after DNA damage-associated treatment, including chemotherapy drugs and radiation. We also demonstrated that fibroblast-derived WNT16B could result in accumulation of β-catenin in dendritic cells and secretion of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), which contributed to the differentiation of regulatory T cells in a co-culture environment. These results shed light on the roles of WNT16B in immune regulation, especially in regard to cancer treatment.     

Astragalus membranaceus Inhibits Peritoneal Fibrosis via Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein (MCP)-1 and the Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGF-β1) Pathway in Rats Submitted to Peritoneal Dialysis

Inflammation and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) contribute to the development of peritoneal fibrosis (PF), which is associated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Astragalus membranaceus (Astragalus) has anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in many diseases. The goal of this study was to determine the anti-fibrotic effects of Astragalus on the PF response to PD. A rat model of PD was induced using standard PD fluid, and PF was verified by HE and Masson’s staining, as well as through the expression of fibroblast surface protein (FSP) and collagen III. The expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, F4/80 (macrophage/monocyte marker in rat), TGF-β1 and the downstream proteins phospho-SMAD 2/3 in dialyzed peritoneal tissue treated with or without Astragalus was evaluated using immunohistochemistry analysis. Overall correlations between MCP-1 and TGF-β1 staining were analyzed using both the Spearman and Pearson methods. The results showed that Astragalus could inhibit the recruitment and activation of monocytes/macrophages, thereby reducing the production of TGF-β1 in the dialyzed peritoneal membrane. PF was also significantly decreased following treatment with Astragalus. MCP-1 expression had a strong positive correlation with TGF-β1 sensitivity, suggesting that the anti-fibrotic function of Astragalus was mediated by MCP-1 and the TGF-β1 pathway. Our results indicate that Astragalus could be a useful agent against PD-induced PF.     

Structure and Antitumor and Immunomodulatory Activities of a Water-Soluble Polysaccharide from Dimocarpus longan Pulp

A new water-soluble polysaccharide (longan polysaccharide 1 (LP1)) was extracted and successfully purified from Dimocarpus longan pulp via diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose anion-exchange and Sephacryl S-300 HR gel chromatography. The chemical structure was determined using Infrared (IR), gas chromatography (GC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. The results indicated that the molecular weight of the sample was 1.1 × 10⁵ Da. Monosaccharide composition analysis revealed that LP1 was composed of Glc, GalA, Ara and Gal in a molar ratio of 5.39:1.04:0.74:0.21. Structural analysis indicated that LP1 consisted of a backbone of →4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→4)-α-d-GalpA-(1→4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→4)-β-d-Glcp-(1→ units with poly saccharide side chains composed of →2)-β-d-Fruf-(1→2)-l-sorbose-(1→ attached to the O-6 position of the α-d-Glcp residues. In vitro experiments indicated that LP1 had significantly high antitumor activity against SKOV3 and HO8910 tumor cells, with inhibition percentages of 40% and 50%, respectively. In addition, LP1 significantly stimulated the production of the cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ), increased the activity of murine macrophages and enhanced B- and T-lymphocyte proliferation. The results of this study demonstrate that LP1 has potential applications as a natural antitumor agent with immunomodulatory activity.     

Protein A Detection Based on Quantum Dots-Antibody Bioprobe Using Fluorescence Coupled Capillary Electrophoresis

In this report, fluorescence detection coupled capillary electrophoresis (CE-FL) was used to detect Protein A. Antibody was first labeled with Cy5 and then mixed with quantum dots (QDs) to form QDs-antibody bioprobe. Further, we observed fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from QDs donor to Cy5 acceptor. The bioprobe was formed and brought QDs and Cy5 close enough to allow FRET to occur. After adding protein A, the FRET system was broken and caused the FRET signal to decrease. Thus, a new method for the determination of protein A was proposed based on the FRET signal changes. This study provides a new trail of thought for the detection of protein.     

Synthesis and Characterization of SnO2/polypyrrole Nanocomposites by Hydrothermal Reverse Microemulsion

Nanostructured tin dioxide (SnO₂) was prepared by hydrothermal reverse microemulsion. The typical quaternary microemulsion was formed with surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, cosurfactant n-pentanol, n-hexane, and water. Tin chloride and urea was used as the starting material to synthesize SnO₂ nanoparticles under hydrothermal conditions. After that, pyrrole monomer was added into the reverse microemulsion system and polymerized at 0 °C using ferric chloride (FeCl₃) as the oxidant to synthesize SnO₂/polypyrrole nanocomposites. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The XRD patterns suggested that polypyrrole (PPy) did not modify the crystal structure of SnO₂. The particle size of SnO₂ and SnO₂/PPy was calculated by XRD as 3.9 and 3.6 nm, respectively. FT-IR and UV–Vis spectra proved that SnO₂ was successfully enwrapped by PPy with an interaction between them. TEM and SEM analysis showed that SnO₂ was enwrapped in micro-porous PPy. However, the diameter of the composites observed by TEM and SEM images was increased compared with the results calculated by XRD due to the agglomeration of nanoparticles.     

微波消解-分光光度法测定茶叶中铜的含量

采用微波消解法预处理茶叶样品,利用二乙基二硫代氨基甲酸钠(DDTC)分光光度法测定其中铜的含量,确定了最大吸收波长、显色剂用量、显色时间、pH值、消解工艺和掩蔽剂等条件,和干法灰化法测定的结果进行对比,本方法具有灵敏度高、精密度好、耗时少、操作简单等优点,相对标准偏差(n=6)在2.2%~5.1%,加标回收率在98.6%~101.3%,结果满意。     

Growth of Gallium Nitride Films on Multilayer Graphene Template Using Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition

In this work,the GaN thin films were directly deposited on multilayer graphene(MLG) by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition.The deposition was carried out at a low temperature using triethylgallium(TEGa) precursor and Ar/N_2/H_2 plasma.Chemical properties of the bulk GaN and GaN-graphene interface were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.The sharp interface between GaN and graphene was verified via X-ray reflectivity and transmission electron microscope.The microstructures and the nucleation behaviors of the GaN grown on graphene have been also studied.The results of grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and Raman spectrum indicate that the as-deposited sample is polycrystalline with wurtzite structure and has a weakly tensile stress.Optical properties of the sample were investigated by photoluminescence(PL) at room temperature.The successful growth of GaN on MLG at a low temperature opens up the possibility of ameliorating the performance of electronic and optical devices based on GaN/graphene heterojunction.     

Oxidation Performance and Interdiffusion Behavior of a Pt-Modified Aluminide Coating with Pre-deposition of Ni

To refrain the interdiffusion of elements while holding good oxidation resistance,a(Ni,Pt)Al/Ni composite coating was prepared by sequential treatments of electroplating Ni and Pt and successive gaseous aluminization.In comparison with normal(Ni,Pt)Al coating,high-temperature performance of the composite coating was evaluated in isothermal oxidation test at 1100℃.Both the two coatings exhibited good resistance against high-temperature oxidation,but the interdiffusion of elements between composite coating and single-crystal(SC) superalloy substrate was greatly relieved,in which the thickness of secondary reaction zone(SRZ) and the amount of precipitated topologically close-packed phase in the SC alloy matrix were significantly decreased.Mechanisms responsible for delaying rate of coating degradation and SRZ growth/propagation are discussed.     

基于人工神经网络的核素识别方法

针对传统核素识别方法不具有强适应性导致识别率降低的问题,建立基于反向传播(back propagation,BP) 神经网络的核素识别预测模型。以镅、镉、钚、氡、钯、钴、铯7 种核素的实测信号为例进行仿真模拟,建立核素 识别模型。结果表明：该模型能快速准确地识别上述核素,应用前景广泛。     

基于MSP430 单片机的智能手枪枪-弹识别系统

为解决丢失枪、弹后给社会带来的危害及加强警方对枪、弹的管控等问题,基于MSP430 单片机与无线 射频技术(radio frequency identification,RFID)设计一套智能枪-弹识别系统。该系统包括接触式电子击发手枪弹、 枪内处理单元2 部分,可以实现枪-弹识别：正常击发编写过特殊识别码的子弹,对码失败或没有编写识别码的普通 子弹无法完成击发,并在击发失败后触发失败提醒。结果表明：该系统可以有效减少因枪支违法外流带来的生命财 产损失,加强枪、弹管控。