Preparation and Characterization of Superhydrophobic Modification of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane by Dip-Coating

The superhydrophobicity polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were modified via reducing surface energy by dip-coating perfluoroalkyl methacrylic copolymer (Zonyl 8740) onto the membranes prepared on mat glass. The chemical component of the unmodified and modified PVDF membranes surface was investigated by ATR-FTIR. Morphology and hydrophobicity of the unmodified and modified PVDF membranes were examined by scanning electronic microscopy and water contact angle, respectively. The effects of concentration of Zonyl 8740, coating time, conditions of heat treatment on hydrophobic capability of PVDF membranes were investigated. The results showed that the water contact angle increased from 141˚ to 151˚ by the dip-coating modification, therefore getting superhydrophobic PVDF membrane. Moreover, the porosity and the morphology of modified PVDF membrane were unchanged by the dip-coating modification. This results suggested that the hydrophobicty stability of the modified PVDF membrane was also good

Thymopentin (TP5), an immunomodulatory peptide, suppresses proliferation and induces differentiation in HL-60 cells

AbstractThymopentin (Arg–Lys–Asp–Val–Tyr, TP5) has shown immuno-regulatory activities in humans. In the present study, we investigated the effects of TP5 on the proliferation and differentiation of a human promyelocyte leukemia cell line, HL-60. It is noteworthy that TP5 displayed concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on the proliferation and colony formation of HL-60 cells. Furthermore, the decrease or even disappearance of AgNORs from nucleoli was observed in HL-60 cells after the treatment with TP5. The suppression induced by TP5 was accompanied by an accumulation of cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, TP5 significantly increased the NBT-reduction activity of HL-60 cells. Cytofluorometric and morphologic analysis indicated that TP5 had induced differentiation along the granulocytes lineage in HL-60 cells. d-tubocurarine (TUB) significantly antagonized the inhibitory effects induced by TP5, whereas atropine did not exhibit such effect. All the results indicated that TP5 was able to significantly inhibit proliferation and induce differentiation in HL-60 cells. Our observations also implied that TP5 not only acted as an immunomodulatory factor in cancer chemotherapy, but is also a potential chemotherapeutic agent in the human leukemia therapy

Effects of summer pruning on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

The objective of the study is to investigate the mechanism by which summer pruning enhances the growth of pepper plants, as indicated by growth and fruit appearance indicators, photosynthetic rate and gas exchange parameters, rapid light response and induction kinetics curves and the related chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The results indicated that the leaf growth rate, the individual pepper fruit weight, and the fruit longitudinal and cross diameters of the pruned group were significantly higher than those of the control. The stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) and transpiration rate (Tr) of the pruned group were significantly higher than those of the control. The initial slope of the rapid light response curve, which represents light energy utilisation efficiency (α), the maximum electron transfer rate (Jmax) and saturated light intensity (PARsat) were all higher in the summer pruning group than in the control group. The F0 of the pruned group decreased by 16.83%, Fv/F0 increased by 23.69%, PIabs increased by 58.33%, and DIo/RC decreased by 22.09% compared to the control group. In summary, summer pruning significantly improves the leaf growth rate and fruit appearance quality of pepper, effectively promotes the photosynthesis of functional leaves, and reduces the degree of stress under adverse environmental conditions

Comparison of preprocessing methods and storage times for touch DNA samples

Aim To select appropriate preprocessing methods for different substrates by comparing the effects of four different preprocessing methods on touch DNA samples and to determine the effect of various storage times on the results of touch DNA sample analysis. Method Hand touch DNA samples were used to investigate the detection and inspection results of DNA on different substrates. Four preprocessing methods, including the direct cutting method, stubbing procedure, double swab technique, and vacuum cleaner method, were used in this study. DNA was extracted from mock samples with four different preprocessing methods. The best preprocess protocol determined from the study was further used to compare performance after various storage times. DNA extracted from all samples was quantified and amplified using standard procedures. Results The amounts of DNA and the number of alleles detected on the porous substrates were greater than those on the non-porous substrates. The performances of the four preprocessing methods varied with different substrates. The direct cutting method displayed advantages for porous substrates, and the vacuum cleaner method was advantageous for non-porous substrates. No significant degradation trend was observed as the storage times increased. Conclusion Different substrates require the use of different preprocessing method in order to obtain the highest DNA amount and allele number from touch DNA samples. This study provides a theoretical basis for explorations of touch DNA samples and may be used as a reference when dealing with touch DNA samples in case work

Phloretin Prevents Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Dissociating Keap1/Nrf2 Complex and Inhibiting Oxidative Stress

Hyperglycemia induces chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in cardiomyocyte, which are the main pathological changes of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Treatment aimed at these processes may be beneficial in DCM. Phloretin (PHL), a promising natural product, has many pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-oxidative function. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PHL could ameliorate the high glucose-mediated oxidation, hypertrophy, and fibrosis in H9c2 cells and attenuate the inflammation- and oxidation-mediated cardiac injury. In this study, PHL induced significantly inhibitory effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory, hypertrophy, pro-oxidant, and fibrosis cytokines in high glucose-stimulated cardiac H9c2 cells. Furthermore, PHL decreased the levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatine kinase-MB, and attenuated the progress in the fibrosis, oxidative stress, and pathological parameters via Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway in diabetic mice. In additional, molecular modeling and immunoblotting results confirmed that PHL might obstruct the interaction between Nrf2 and Keap1 through direct binding Keap1, and promoting Nrf2 expression. These results provided evidence that PHL could suppress high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte oxidation and fibrosis injury, and that targeting Keap1/Nrf2 may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for human DCM in the future

Effect of low-degree astigmatism on the objective visual quality

AIM: To evaluate the effect of low-degree astigmatism on objective visual quality through the Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS). METHODS: This study enrolled 46 participants (aged 23 to 30y, 90 eyes) with normal or corrected-to-normal vision. The cylindrical lenses (0, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 D) were placed at the axial direction (180°, 45°, 90°, and 135°) in front of the eyes with the best correction to form 16 types of regular low-degree astigmatism. OQAS was used to detect the objective visual quality, recorded as the objective scattering index (OSI), OQAS values at contrasts of 100%, 20%, and 9% predictive visual acuity (OV100%, OV20%, and OV9%), modulation transfer function cut-off (MTFcut-off) and Strehl ratio (SR). The mixed effect linear model was used to compare objective visual quality differences between groups and examine associations between astigmatic magnitude and objective visual quality parameters. RESULTS: Apparent negative relationships between the magnitude of low astigmatism and objective visual quality were observed. The increase of OSI per degree of astigmatism at 180°, 45°, 90°, and 135° axis were 0.38 (95%CI: 0.35, 0.42), 0.50 (95%CI: 0.46, 0.53), 0.49 (95%CI: 0.45, 0.54) and 0.37 (95%CI: 0.34, 0.41), respectively. The decrease of MTFcut-off per degree of astigmatism at 180°, 45°, 90°, and 135° axis were -10.30 (95%CI: -11.43, -9.16), -12.73 (95%CI: -13.62, -11.86), -12.75 (95%CI: -13.79, -11.70), and -9.97 (95%CI: -10.92, -9.03), respectively. At the same astigmatism degree, OSI at 45° and 90° axis were higher than that at 0° and 135° axis, while MTFcut-off were lower. CONCLUSION: Low astigmatism of only 0.50 D can significantly reduce the objective visual quality