Wet spinning of PVA composite fibers with a large fraction of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

PVA composites fibers with a large fraction of multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified by both covalent and non-covalent functionalization were produced by a wet-spinning process. Model XQ-1 tensile tester, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the properties of PVA/MWNT composite fibers. The TGA results suggested that MWNTs content in composite fibers were ranged from 5.3 wt% to 27.6 wt%. The mechanical properties of PVA/MWNT composite fibers were obviously superior to pure PVA fiber. The Young׳s modulus of composite fibers enhanced with increasing the content of MWNTs, and it rised gradually from 6.7 GPa for the pure PVA fiber to 12.8 GPa for the composite fibers with 27.6 wt% MWNTs. Meanwhile, the tensile strength increased gradually from 0.39 GPa for the pure PVA fiber to 0.74 GPa for the composite fibers with 14.4 wt% MWNTs. Nevertheless, the tensile strength of the composite fibers decreased as the MWNTs content up to 27.6 wt%. SEM results indicated that the MWNTs homogeneously dispersed in the composite fibers, however some agglomerates also existed when the content of MWNTs reached 27.6 wt%. DSC results proved strong interfacial interaction between MWNTs and PVA chain, which benefited composite fibers in the efficient stress-transfer. WXAD characterization showed that the orientation of PVA molecules declined from 94.1% to 90.9% with the increasing of MWNTs content. The good dispersibility of MWNTs throughout PVA matrix and efficient stress-transfer between MWNTs and PVA matrix may contributed to significant enhancement in the mechanical properties

Magnesium sulfate reduces vascular endothelial cell apoptosis in rats with preeclampsia via the miR-218-5p/HMGB1 pathway

Objective This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which magnesium sulfate regulates the miR-218-5p/HMGB-pathway-mediated apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) in rats with preeclampsia (PE). Methods Twenty pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal, PE, MgSO4, and high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1)-agomir groups. On the 14th day of each rat’s pregnancy, endotoxin was used to establish a PE model in the PE, MgSO4, and HMGB1-agomir groups. Then, the MgSO4 and HMGB1-agomir groups were treated with magnesium sulfate. Finally, HMGB1 overexpression was performed only in the HMGB1-agomir group. The rats’ urinary protein content and systolic blood pressure at 24 h were detected on the 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, and 19th day of pregnancy. Results Compared with the PE group, 24-h urinary protein content, blood pressure, VEC apoptosis rate, apoptosis marker levels, and HMGB1 expression decreased while miR-218-5p levels increased in the MgSO4 group. The dual-luciferase assay revealed that HMGB1 can be targeted and regulated by miR-218-5p. Compared with the MgSO4 group, 24-h urinary protein content, blood pressure, VEC apoptosis rate, apoptosis marker levels, and HMGB1 expression increased while miR-218-5p levels decreased in the HMGB1-agomir group. Conclusion MgSO4 reduces VEC apoptosis in PE rats via the miR-218-5p/HMGB1 pathway and thus plays a role in treating PE

A study of Epstein-Barr virus infection in the Chinese tree shrew(Tupaia belangeri chinensis)

Abstract Background Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is closely associated with many human diseases, including a variety of deadly human malignant tumours. However, due to the lack of ideal animal models,the biological characteristics of EBV, particularly its function in tumourigenesis, have not been determined. Chinese tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis), which are similar to primates, have been used to establish a variety of animal models and have recently received much attention. Here, we established tree shrews as a model for EBV infection by intravenous injection. Methods Ten tree shrews were inoculated with EBV by intravenous injection,and blood was collected at regular intervals thereafter from the femoral artery or vein to detect EBV markers. Results Eight of 10 tree shrews showed evidence of EBV infection. In the 8 EBV-infected tree shrews, EBV copy number increased intermittently or transiently, EBV-related gene expression was detected, and anti-EBV antibodies increased to varying degrees. Macroscopic hepatomegaly was observed in 1 tree shrew, splenomegaly was observed in 4 tree shrews, and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes were observed in 3 tree shrews. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining showed splenic corpuscle hyperplasia in the spleens of 4 tree shrews and inflammatory cell infiltration of the liver of 1 tree shrew and of the mesenteric lymph nodes of 3 tree shrews. EBER in situ hybridization(ISH) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining showed that EBER-, LMP1- and EBNA2- positive cells were present in the spleens and mesenteric lymph nodes of some tree shrews. Western blotting (WB) revealed EBNA1-positive cells in the spleens of 4 tree shrews. EBV markers were not detected by HE, EBER-ISH or IHC in the lung or nasopharynx. Conclusions These findings suggest that EBV can infect tree shrews via intravenous injection. The presented model offers some advantages for exploring the pathophysiology of EBV infection in humans

HLA-DRB1 shared epitope-dependent DR-DQ haplotypes are associated with both anti-CCP-positive and -negative rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese Han.

The association between Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class II and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been extensively studied, but few reported DR-DQ haplotype. Here we investigated the association of HLA-DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, and DR-DQ haplotypes with RA susceptibility and with anti-CCP antibodies in 281 RA patients and 297 control in Han population. High-resolution genotyping were performed. The HLA-DRB1 shared epitope (SE)-encoding allele *0405 displayed the most significant RA association (P = 1.35×10(-6)). The grouped DRB1 SE alleles showed great association with RA (P = 3.88×10(-13)). The DRB1 DRRAA alleles displayed significant protective effects (P = 0.021). The SE-dependent DR-DQ haplotype SE-DQ3/4/5 remained strong association with both anti-CCP -positive (P = 3.71×10(-13)) and -negative RA (P = 3.89×10(-5)). Our study revealed that SE alleles and its haplotypes SE-DQ3/4/5 were highly associated with RA susceptibility in Han population. The SE-DQ3/4/5 haplotypes were associated with both anti-CCP positive RA and -negative RA

Association of HLA-DR-DQ halotypes with RA stratified by <i>DRB1</i> 70–74 motif.

<p>Alleles with frequencies less than 1% in both cases and controls were not listed.</p>*<p><i>P</i><0.05 were listed.</p><p>RA: rheumatoid arthritis; OR (95% CI): odds ratio (95% confidence interval);</p><p>SE: Shared Epitope QR(K)RAA or RRRAA.</p

Association of <i>HLA-DQ</i> alleles with RA by RPE method.

<p>Alleles with frequencies less than 1% in both cases and controls were not listed.</p><p>RPE: relative predispositional effect; * <i>P</i><0.05 were listed.</p>#<p>alleles that could not be identified by SBT of exon 2.</p><p>RA: rheumatoid arthritis; OR (95% CI): odds ratio (95% confidence interval).</p

Association of HLA-DR-DQ halotypes with RA stratified by anti-CCP antibodies and RF status.

*<p><i>P</i><0.05 were listed.</p><p>RA: rheumatoid arthritis; anti-CCP antibodies: anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides antibodies; RF: rheumatoid factor.</p><p>OR (95% CI): odds ratio (95% confidence interval).</p>#<p>0401/04/05/10-(03)-0301/02/03/0401; and 0101/02/1001-0101-0501.</p>§<p>0901-(03)- 0302/03.</p>‡<p>1101/1104/1201/1202/1601/1602-0102/0501/0601-0301/02/03.</p

Association of <i>HLA-DRB1</i> alleles with RA by RPE method in 281 patients and 297 controls.

<p>Alleles with frequencies less than 1% in both cases and controls were not listed.</p><p>RPE: relative predispositional effect; *<i>P</i><0.05 were listed; ^§Fisher's exact test.</p><p>RA: rheumatoid arthritis; OR (95% CI): odds ratio (95% confidence interval).</p><p>SE: Shared Epitope QR(K)RAA or RRRA.</p