Neoagarooligosaccharide Protects against Hepatic Fibrosis via Inhibition of TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway

Hepatic fibrosis occurs when liver tissue becomes scarred from repetitive liver injury and inflammatory responses; it can progress to cirrhosis and eventually to hepatocellular carcinoma. Previously, we reported that neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOs), produced by the hydrolysis of agar by β-agarases, have hepatoprotective effects against acetaminophen overdose-induced acute liver injury. However, the effect of NAOs on chronic liver injury, including hepatic fibrosis, has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we examined whether NAOs protect against fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. NAOs ameliorated PAI-1, α-SMA, CTGF and fibronectin protein expression and decreased mRNA levels of fibrogenic genes in TGF-β-treated LX-2 cells. Furthermore, downstream of TGF-β, the Smad signaling pathway was inhibited by NAOs in LX-2 cells. Treatment with NAOs diminished the severity of hepatic injury, as evidenced by reduction in serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver fibrosis mouse models. Moreover, NAOs markedly blocked histopathological changes and collagen accumulation, as shown by H&E and Sirius red staining, respectively. Finally, NAOs antagonized the CCl₄-induced upregulation of the protein and mRNA levels of fibrogenic genes in the liver. In conclusion, our findings suggest that NAOs may be a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of chronic liver injury via inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.     

Enhanced electron emission from phosphorus-doped diamond-cladsilicon field emitter arrays

Undoped and phosphorus (P)-doped diamond-clad Si field emitter arrays have been successfully fabricated using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) technology. The electron emission from the blunt diamond-clad microtips are much higher than those for the pure Si tips with sharp curvature due to a lower work function. Furthermore, the characteristics of emission current against applied voltage for the P-doped diamond-clad tips show superior emission at lower field to the undoped ones. After the examination of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and electrical characteristics of as-grown diamond, such a significant enhancement of the electron emission from the P-doped diamond-clad tips is attributed to a higher electron conductivity and defect densities     

在柔性变焦系统中的压力变焦镜

从理论上和实验上对水冷镜的镜面曲率半径随压力变化的规律作了研究。对压力变形后镜面相对于球面作了波像差分析，分析表明压力变焦镜用于中红外激光系统是合适的     

Upper limb reflex sympathetic dystrophy associated with occult malignancy

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, characterized by pain, swelling, vasomotor instability, and trophic changes in an extremity, has been infrequently described in patients with occult malignancy. Two cases of reflex sympathetic dystrophy associated with local tumor involvement are reported. Both patients had a history of cancer in clinical remission. Despite aggressive physical therapy measures, the patients' symptoms persisted. Workup of the first patient found an apical paravertebral mass in the lung; biopsy revealed recurrent breast carcinoma. In the second case, workup found an axillary mass contiguous with the lower brachial plexus. Biopsy revealed lymphoma, a second primary malignancy. In both cases, medical treatment of the tumor was instituted, with consequent improvement of hand and shoulder function. Both patients required prolonged hospitalization and multiple procedures that might have been avoided if malignancy had been suspected. Spontaneous development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in patients with a history of cancer should alert the physician to the possibility of occult malignancy.     

Further evidence of responsibility of impurities in MgO for variability in its basicity and catalytic performance in oxidative coupling of methane

Further evidence was delivered that certain impurities, which could be contained in MgO samples, might be responsible for observed variability in MgO basicity and catalytic performance in oxidative coupling of methane. The surface basicity/base strength distribution of a series of MgO samples containing or not containing Ca and Na impurities was determined by a temperature-programmed desorption of CO₂. It was revealed that samples containing Ca and Na impurities have much more medium, strong and very strong basic sites. The surface basicity of MgO samples containing added alkali or alkaline earth compounds or water was characterized by a test reaction of transformation of 2-butanol. It was confirmed that the introduction of these compounds to a pure MgO enhanced both its basicity and activity in oxidative coupling of methane.