Clinical Efficacy and Meta-Analysis of Stem Cell Therapies for Patients with Brain Ischemia

Objective. Systematic review and meta-analysis to observe the efficacy and safety of stem cell transplantation therapy in patients with brain ischemia. Methods. We searched Cochrane Library, PubMed, Ovid, CBM, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP Data from its inception to December 2015, to collect randomized controlled trials (RCT) of stem cell transplantation for the ischemic stroke. Two authors independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. Thereafter, meta-analysis was performed. Results. Sixteen studies and eighteen independent treatments were included in the current meta-analysis. The results based upon the pooled mean difference from baseline to follow-up points showed that the stem cell transplantation group was superior to the control group with statistical significance in the neurologic deficits score (NIHSS, MD = 1.57; 95% CI, 0.64-2.51; I2 = 57 %; p = 0.001), motor function (FMA, MD = 4.23; 95% CI, 3.08-5.38; I2 = 0 %; p <0.00001), daily life ability (Barthel, MD = 8.37; 95% CI, 4.83-11.91; I2 = 63 %; p <0.00001), and functional independence (FIM, MD = 8.89; 95% CI, 4.70-13.08; I2 = 79 %; p <0.0001). Conclusions. It is suggested that the stem cell transplantation therapy for patients with brain ischemic stroke can significantly improve the neurological deficits and daily life quality, with no serious adverse events. However, higher quality and larger data studies are required for further investigation to support clinical application of stem cell transplantation

Evolution of phase morphologies, compositions, structures of Mg-Y-Nd system with Sm addition

In this study, the evolution of phase morphologies, compositions, structures of Mg-Y-Nd system with Sm addition were investigated. The microstructure of the as-cast alloy consists of a Mg-matrix, Mg24Y5 (bcc structure, a = 1.1250 nm), and Mg5(Y0.7Nd0.1Sm0.2) (fcc structure, a = 2.2472 nm) phases. After a solution treatment, the eutectic phases are substantially dissolved into the Mg-matrix. A large amount of β′ precipitates are dispersed and precipitated in the grain after a T6 heat treatment, and the orientation relationships between β′ precipitates and Mg-matrix are (0 0 1)β′ || (0 0 0 1)Mg, (0 2 0)β′ || (101¯0)Mg, [1 0 0]β′ || [011¯0]Mg. Furthermore, the quadrate phases indexed as Mg6Y3(Nd0.8Sm0.2)1, Mg6Y3(Nd0.2Sm0.8)1, and Mg10Y5(Nd0.2Sm0.8)1 are observed in various heat treatment states, which are fcc structures and their lattice parameters are a = 0.5318 nm, a = 0.5319 nm, a = 0.9894 nm, respectively. Keywords: Mg-Y-Nd-Sm-Zr, Phase evolution, TE

K-Modulated Co Nanoparticles Trapped in La-Ga-O as Superior Catalysts for Higher Alcohols Synthesis from Syngas

Owing to the outstanding catalytic performance for higher alcohol synthesis, Ga-Co catalysts have attracted much attention. In view of their unsatisfactory stability and alcohol selectivity, herein, K-modulated Co nanoparticles trapped in La-Ga-O catalysts were prepared by the reduction of La1&#8722;xKxCo0.65Ga0.35O3 perovskite precursor. Benefiting from the atomic dispersion of all the elements in the precursor, during the reduction of La1&#8722;xKxCo0.65Ga0.35O3, Co nanoparticles could be confined into the K-modified La-Ga-O composite oxides, and the confinement of La-Ga-O could improve the anti-sintering performance of Co nanoparticles. In addition, the addition of K modulated parts of La-Ga-O into La2O3, which ameliorated the anti-carbon deposition performance. Finally, the addition of K increased the dispersion of cobalt and provided more electron donors to metallic Co, resulting in a high activity and superior selectivity to higher alcohols. Benefiting from the above characteristics, the catalyst possesses excellent activity, good selectivity, and superior stability

V3S4 Nanosheets Anchored on N, S Co-Doped Graphene with Pseudocapacitive Effect for Fast and Durable Lithium Storage

Construction of a suitable hybrid structure has been considered an important approach to address the defects of metal sulfide anode materials. V3S4 nanosheets anchored on an N, S co-coped graphene (VS/NSG) aerogel were successfully fabricated by an efficient self-assembled strategy. During the heat treatment process, decomposition, sulfuration and N, S co-doping occurred. This hybrid structure was not only endowed with an enhanced capability to buffer the volume expansion, but also improved electron conductivity as a result of the conductive network that had been constructed. The dominating pseudocapacitive contribution (57.78% at 1 mV s&minus;1) enhanced the electrochemical performance effectively. When serving as anode material for lithium ion batteries, VS/NSG exhibits excellent lithium storage properties, including high rate capacity (480 and 330 mAh g&minus;1 at 5 and 10 A g&minus;1, respectively) and stable cyclic performance (692 mAh g&minus;1 after 400 cycles at 2 A g&minus;1)

Enhanced Extracellular Production and Characterization of Sucrose Isomerase in <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> with Optimized Signal Peptides

Sucrose isomerase (SIase) catalyzes the hydrolysis and isomerization of sucrose into isomaltulose, which is an important functional sugar widely used in the food industry. However, the lack of safe and efficient expression systems for recombinant SIase has impeded its production and application. In this study, enhanced expression of a SIase from Klebsiella sp. LX3 (referred to as KsLX3-SIase) was achieved in Bacillus subtilis WB800N, by optimizing the signal peptides. First, 13 candidate signal peptides were selected using a semi-rational approach, and their effects on KsLX3-SIase secretion were compared. The signal peptide WapA was most efficient in directing the secretion of KsLX3-SIase into the culture medium, producing a specific activity of 23.0 U/mL, as demonstrated by shake flask culture. Using a fed-batch strategy, the activity of KsLX3-SIase in the culture medium was increased to 125.0 U/mL in a 5-L fermentor. Finally, the expressed KsLX3-SIase was purified and was found to have maximum activity at 45 °C and pH 5.5. Its Km for sucrose was 267.6 ± 18.6 mmol/L, and its kcat/Km was 10.1 ± 0.2 s−1mM−1. These findings demonstrated an efficient expression of SIase in B. subtilis, and this is thought to be the highest level of SIase produced in a food-grade bacteria to date