Effect of stents coated with a combination of sirolimus and alpha-lipoic acid in a porcine coronary restenosis model

The aim of this study was to evaluate antiproliferative sirolimus- and antioxidative alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)-eluting stents using biodegradable polymer [poly-l-lactic acid (PLA)] in a porcine coronary overstretch restenosis model. Forty coronary arteries of 20 pigs were randomized into four groups in which the coronary arteries had a bare metal stent (BMS, n = 10), ALA-eluting stent with PLA (AES, n = 10), sirolimus-eluting stent with PLA (SES, n = 10), or sirolimus- and ALA-eluting stent with PLA (SAS, n = 10). A histopathological analysis was performed 28 days after the stenting. The ALA and sirolimus released slowly over 30 days. There were no significant differences between groups in the injury or inflammation score; however, there were significant differences in the percent area of stenosis (56.2 ± 11.78 % in BMS vs. 51.5 ± 12.20 % in AES vs. 34.7 ± 7.23 % in SES vs. 28.7 ± 7.30 % in SAS, P < 0.0001) and fibrin score [1.0 (range 1.0–1.0) in BMS vs. 1.0 (range 1.0–1.0) in AES vs. 2.0 (range 2.0–2.0) in SES vs. 2.0 (range 2.0–2.0) in SAS, P < 0.0001] between the four groups. The percent area of stenosis based on micro-computed tomography corresponded with the restenosis rates based on histopathological stenosis in different proportions in the four groups (54.8 ± 7.88 % in BMS vs. 50.4 ± 14.87 % in AES vs. 34.5 ± 7.22 % in SES vs. 28.9 ± 7.22 % in SAS, P < 0.05). SAS showed a better neointimal inhibitory effect than BMS, AES, and SES at 1 month after stenting in a porcine coronary restenosis model. Therefore, SAS with PLA can be a useful drug combination for coronary stent coating to suppress neointimal hyperplasia.     

Dynamic Session Control Over IMS for Cross-Layer Optimization of Multi-Stream Video

Cross-layer optimization is an evolutional approach via optimal source and channel resource combinations. It is generally understood that bitstreams can be constructed according to visual importance using multi-stream video in which the base and enhancement layers simultaneously contain visual information of varying importance. In accordance with their importance, radio resources are allocated to each layer for maximal perceptual visual quality using unequal error protection. Nevertheless, a framework for network signalling, which configures each layer using Quality-of-Service (QoS) parameters, has not been presented. This paper proposes a dynamic session control protocol over the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) for network adaptation of multi-stream video where the coding mode can be dynamically changed during the duration of service according to the wireless channel dynamics.     

A study on the prediction of the mechanical properties of nanoparticulate composites using the homogenization method with the effective interface concept

A sequential multi‐scale homogenization method combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is developed for the mechanical characterization of nanoparticulate composites. In order to characterize the particle‐size effect of nanocomposites, the effective interface, which has been adopted in continuum micromechanics approaches, is considered as the characteristic phase. Owing to the existence of the interface and the size‐dependent elastic modulus that is observed from MD simulations, an analysis of the mechanical properties of nanocomposites with continuum micromechanics requires careful consideration of the particle‐concentration effect. Therefore, this study focuses on hierarchical information transfer from the molecular model to the continuum model through the homogenization method in lieu of an analytical micromechanics bridging method. Using the present multi‐scale homogenization method, the elastic properties of the effective interface are numerically evaluated and compared with the analytically obtained micromechanics solutions. In addition, the overall elastic modulus of nanocomposites is obtained from the present model and compared with the results of MD simulation, the micromechanics bridging model, and finite‐element analysis (FEA). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flexible highly-effective energy harvester via crystallographic and computational control of nanointerfacial morphotropic piezoelectric thin film

Controlling the properties of piezoelectric thin films is a key aspect for designing highly effident flexible electromechanical devices.In this stud~ the crystallographic phenomena of PbZr1-xTixO3 (PZT) thin films caused by distinguished interfacial effects are deeply investigated by overlooking views,including not only an experimental demonstration but also ab initio modeling.The polymorphic phase balance and crystallinity,as well as the crystal orientation of PZT thin films at the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB),can be stably modulated using interfacial crystal structures.Here,interactions with MgO stabilize the PZT crystallographic system well and induce the texturing influences,while the PZT film remains quasi-stable on a conventional Al2O3 wafer.On the basis of this fundamental understanding,a high-output flexible energy harvester is developed using the controlled-PZT system,which shows significantly higher performance than the unmodified PZT generator.The voltage,current,and power densities are improved by 556％,503％,and 822％,respectively,in comparison with the previous flexional single-crystalline piezoelectric device.Finally,the improved flexible generator is applied to harvest tiny vibrational energy from a real traffic system,and it is used to operate a commercial electronic unit.These results clearly indicate that atomic-scale designs can produce significant impacts on macroscopic applications.     

Ethanol Extract of Maclura tricuspidata Fruit Protects SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage via Inhibiting MAPK and NF-κB Signaling

Free radical generation and oxidative stress push forward an immense influence on the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Maclura tricuspidata fruit (MT) contains many biologically active substances, including compounds with antioxidant properties. The current study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of MT fruit on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with MT, and cell damage was induced by H₂O₂. First, the chemical composition and free radical scavenging properties of MT were analyzed. MT attenuated oxidative stress-induced damage in cells based on the assessment of cell viability. The H₂O₂-induced toxicity caused by ROS production and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was ameliorated by MT pretreatment. MT also promoted an increase in the expression of genes encoding the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). MT pretreatment was associated with an increase in the expression of neuronal genes downregulated by H₂O₂. Mechanistically, MT dramatically suppressed H₂O₂-induced Bcl-2 downregulation, Bax upregulation, apoptotic factor caspase-3 activation, Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (JNK, ERK, and p38), and Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, thereby preventing H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity. These results indicate that MT has protective effects against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in SH-SY5Y cells and can be used to prevent and protect against neurodegeneration.     

不同季节绿茶香气成分的判别与聚类分析

采用顶空固相微萃取法结合气相色谱-质谱联用技术对春、夏及秋季绿茶的香气成分进行定性定量分析,进一步结合多元统计分析手段对不同季节绿茶香气成分进行判别和聚类分析,得到不同季节绿茶的关键差异性香气成分。结果表明：共鉴定出不同季节绿茶中的32 种挥发性物质,可分为醇类、醛类、酮类、酯类、烷类、杂环类及其他化合物;基于不同季节绿茶香气成分的含量建立的偏最小二乘判别分析模型（拟合参数为R2Y=0.903,Q2=0.570）可有效区分春、夏及秋季的绿茶样品,其中12 种香气物质为不同季节绿茶间的关键差异性化合物,分别是顺-茉莉酮、苯甲醇、反-2-辛烯醛、β-环柠檬醛、1-己醇、5,6-环氧-β-紫罗兰酮、（反,反）-2,4-庚二烯醛、壬醛、脱氢芳樟醇、2,2,6-三甲基环己酮、3-甲基呋喃及1-庚醇。对关键差异性化合物的聚类分析结果表明,顺-茉莉酮、脂肪醇及苯甲醇在春茶中含量显著高于夏季和秋季,它们的香气特征普遍为草本的清香及花果香;夏茶中甜香及脂肪香的醛酮化合物含量较高,其中（反,反）-2,4-庚二烯醛含量最高;秋茶中的关键香气成分种类最为单一,仅清香、花香及木香型的脱氢芳樟醇含量在大部分秋茶中相对较高。     

不同花色福鼎白茶中挥发性萜类化合物的对映异构体分布

采用顶空固相微萃取法结合手性气相色谱-质谱联用技术对不同花色福鼎白茶的香气成分进行分析,得出白毫银针、白牡丹及寿眉样品中14 种挥发性萜类化合物的对映异构体分布情况。相对定量分析结果表明,S-芳樟醇、S-Z-橙花叔醇及(2S,5R)-芳樟醇氧化物B在大部分白茶样品中具有较高的相对含量,而茶螺烷的4 个对映异构体的相对含量普遍较低。对映异构体比例（enantiomeric ratio,ER）分析结果表明,S-柠檬烯、(2S,5S)-芳樟醇氧化物A、(2S,5R)-芳樟醇氧化物B、S-芳樟醇、(2R,5R)-茶螺烷A、(2R,5S)-茶螺烷B、R-4-萜品醇、S-α-松油醇、S-香茅醇、S-α-紫罗兰酮、S-Z-橙花叔醇、S-E-橙花叔醇、(1R,2R)-茉莉酸甲酯及(1R,2S)-茉莉酸甲酯是大部分福鼎白茶中相应萜类化合物的主导立体构型,其中芳樟醇、茶螺烷B、4-萜品醇、香茅醇、α-紫罗兰酮、芳樟醇氧化物A及Z-橙花叔醇的ER值与福鼎白茶的采摘嫩度呈现一定的相关性。多元统计分析结果表明,12 个萜类化合物对映异构体的含量在不同花色福鼎白茶中存在显著差异,其中R-芳樟醇、(2R,5S)-茶螺烷B、S-α-松油醇、R-E-橙花叔醇、R-Z-橙花叔醇、S-柠檬烯及S-E-橙花叔醇在白毫银针样本中含量最高,(2R,5R)-芳樟醇氧化物A及(2S,5R)-茶螺烷B含量与白毫银针样本呈负相关;S-Z-橙花叔醇及(1S,2S)-茉莉酸甲酯在白牡丹样本中含量普遍较高;而R-α-紫罗兰酮在寿眉样本中有较高的含量分布。本研究为后续白茶香气品质形成机理研究、白茶花色等级判别及指纹图谱构建等提供理论依据。     

Optimization of resuscitation-promoting broths for the revival of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from a viable but nonculturable state

Food Science and Biotechnology - This study was conducted to examine the effect of formulated resuscitation-promoting broths on the revival of viable but nonculturable Vibrio parahaemolyticus...     

Multi-scale modeling of cross-linked epoxy nanocomposites

The effect of different sized alumina (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of thermoset epoxy-based nanocomposites is investigated using molecular dynamic (MD) simulations combined with sequential scale bridging methods. In molecular structures, the cross-linked networking effect of the pure EPON862^®-TETA^® polymer has been independently considered and validated by MD simulations. Based on the validation of pure epoxy structures, nanocomposites' unit cells, consisting of spherical Al₂O₃ particles and epoxy, have been constructed. In order to investigate the particle size effects, various unit cells having different particle radii but the same volume fraction have been considered and simulated. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites are calculated using the Parrinello-Rahman fluctuation method to give an enhanced reinforcing effect in smaller particle reinforced cases. Based on the MD simulation results, the sequential bridging method is adopted for efficient estimation of the particle size and epoxy networking effects. An effective interface concept is incorporated as a characteristic phase which can describe the particle size effects. The values calculated from the micromechanics model are in good agreement with those of the molecular dynamics simulations.     

Growth of nitrogen-doped p-type ZnO thin films prepared by atomic layer epitaxy

Nitrogen-doped, p-type ZnO thin films were grown successfully on sapphire (0001) substrates by using atomic layer epitaxy (ALE). Zn(C2H5)2[Diethylzinc,DEZn], H2O and NH3 were used as a zinc precursor, an oxidant and a doping source gas, respectively. The lowest electrical resistivity of the p-type ZnO films grown by ALE and annealed at 1000 ℃ in an oxygen atmosphere for 1 h was 18.3 Ω·m with a hole concentration of 3.71×1017cm-3 . Low temperature-photoluminescence analysis and time-dependent Hall measurement results support that the nitrogen-doped ZnO after annealing is ap-type semiconductor.