Use of human amniotic epithelial cells in mouse models of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis - Fig 4

<p>Egger’s Plots of Ashcroft Scores (A) and Lung Collagen Contents (B).</p

Summary of inflammation and fibrosis.

<p>Summary of inflammation and fibrosis.</p

Included and excluded studies.

<p>Included and excluded studies.</p

Characteristics of included studies.

<p>Characteristics of included studies.</p

Preparation of Bimetallic Nanoparticles Using a Facile Green Synthesis Method and Their Application

A straightforward, economically viable, and green approach for the synthesis of well-stabilized Au/Ag bimetallic nanoparticles is described; this method uses nontoxic and renewable degraded pueraria starch (DPS) as a matrix and mild reaction conditions. The DPS acted as both a reducing agent and a capping agent for the bimetallic nanoparticles. Au/Ag bimetallic nanoparticles were successfully grown within the DPS matrixes, and the bimetallic structures were characterized using various methods, including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, and X-ray diffraction. Moreover, it was shown that these DPS-capped Au/Ag bimetallic nanoparticles could function as catalysts for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH₄ and were more effective than Au or Ag monometallic nanoparticles

Use of human amniotic epithelial cells in mouse models of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis - Fig 3

<p><b>Funnel Plots of Ashcroft Scores (A) and Lung Collagen Contents (B).</b> SE: standard error; and SMD: standard mean difference.</p

Preparation of Hybrid Hydrogel Containing Ag Nanoparticles by a Green in Situ Reduction Method

In this Article, large and uniform Ag nanoparticle-containing hybrid hydrogels were prepared by in situ reduction of Ag ions in cross-linked tapioca dialdehyde starch (DAS)–chitosan hydrogels. In the hybrid hydrogels, chitosan was chosen as a macromolecular cross-linker because of its abundant source and good biocompatibility. The hybrid hydrogel showed good water-swelling properties, which could be controlled by varying the ratio of chitosan to tapioca DAS in the hydrogel. The reductive aldehyde groups in the cross-linked hydrogels could be used to reduce Ag ions to Ag nanoparticles without any additional chemical reductants. Interestingly, by controlling the reduction conditions such as the tapioca DAS concentration, aqueous AgNO₃ concentration, reaction time, and aqueous ammonium concentration, Ag nanoparticles with different sizes and morphologies were obtained. Because of their biocompatibility, degradable constituents, mild reaction conditions, and controlled preparation of Ag nanoparticles, these tapioca DAS–chitosan/Ag nanoparticle hybrid hydrogels show promise as functional hydrogels

Wg levels increased in <i>vamp7</i> mutant cells.

<p>(A-E) Wg is expressed along the D/V boundary in the wing discs of drosophila late third instar larvae. (A) RNAi against <i>vamp7</i> is expressed by <i>ci</i>^<i>Gal4</i> driver in the anterior compartment marked by Cubitus interruptus (Ci) staining. To compare the Wg intensities, we choose two parallel rectangular areas in the anterior and posterior compartments, respectively, with their centers localizing on the intersection of the D/V axes. The Wg fluorescence intensities are shown in (B). The rectangles are divided into 21 parallel units along the direction of the arrows, and the average fluorescence intensity in each unit is measured. So do all subsequent figures. (C) The <i>vamp7</i> mutant clone is indicated by the absence of GFP and outlined by dashed lines. The Wg intensities of WT and mutant clone are shown in (D). (E) The Wg distribution in <i>vamp7</i>^-/- receiving cells is examined in a mutant clone close to WT producing cells, and its intensity is compared with WT receiving cells localized on the contralateral side of the D/V axis (F). Scale bars: 20 μm.</p

Dlp levels increase in <i>vamp7</i> mutant cells along the D/V boundary.

<p>(A, C) Staining of Wg and Dlp are carried out in WT and a<i>p</i>^<i>Gal4</i>-driven <i>vamp7</i> RNAi wing discs. All wing discs are oriented dorsal top. (B, D) The fluorescence intensities of Wg and Dlp are measured and the intensity plots are shown in (B) and (D), respectively. (E and G) Clones of <i>vamp7</i>^<i>-/-</i> mutant cells are designated by the absence of GFP. Dlp and Sens are stained in discs bearing <i>vamp7</i>^<i>-/-</i> mutant clones, and the D/V boundary is marked with Sens. Section of (E) is taken at the apical region, and section of (G) is taken a little further down. Rectangles from the mutant clone and WT compartment are taken, and Dlp intensities are measured in the rectangular regions (F and H). Dlp levels are slightly increased in the <i>vamp7</i>^<i>-/-</i> mutant cells compared with the wild-type cells along the D/V boundary. Scale bars: 20 μm.</p

Alkali Metal-Promoted La_<i>x</i>Sr_2–<i>x</i>FeO_4−δ Redox Catalysts for Chemical Looping Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane

Chemical looping oxidative dehydrogenation (CL-ODH) represents a redox approach to convert ethane into ethylene under an autothermal scheme. Instead of using gaseous oxygen, CL-ODH utilizes lattice oxygen in transition metal oxides, which acts as an oxygen carrier or redox catalyst, to facilitate the ODH reaction. The oxygen-deprived redox catalyst is subsequently regenerated with air and releases heat. The current study investigated alkali metal (Li, Na, and/or K)-promoted La_<i>x</i>Sr_2–<i>x</i>FeO_4−δ (LaSrFe) as redox catalysts for CL-ODH of ethane. While unpromoted LaSrFe exhibited poor ethylene selectivity, addition of Na or K promoter achieved up to 61% ethane conversion and 68% ethylene selectivity at 700 °C. The promotional effect of K on LaSrFe was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEIS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), O₂-temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), H₂-temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), and ¹⁸O₂ surface exchange. XPS and XRD showed that K incorporates into the mixed-oxide structure at low loading levels (e.g., 0.1K-LaSrFe), whereas the surface of LaSrFe was enriched with K cation at high loading levels. LEIS indicates that the outermost surface layer was covered by potassium oxide. This surface layer was characterized to be amorphous under TEM. It was further determined that the surface layer increased the resistance for O^2– diffusion from the bulk and its subsequent evolution into electrophilic oxygen species on the surface. As such, nonselective oxidation of ethane is inhibited. The synergistic effect of copromoting LaSrFe with Li and K was also investigated. Li and K copromotion improved the redox catalyst performance to 86% ethylene selectivity and 60% ethane conversion while maintaining an oxygen capacity of ca. 0.65 wt %, making it a promising candidate for CL-ODH