In Vitro Study on Apoptosis Induced by Strontium-89 in Human Breast Carcinoma Cell Line

Many radiopharmaceuticals used for medical diagnosis and therapy are beta emitters; however, the mechanism of the cell death caused by beta-irradiation is not well understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the apoptosis of human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cell lines induced by Strontium-89 (89Sr) and its regulation and control mechanism. High-metastatic Breast Carcinoma MCF-7 cells were cultured in vitro using 89Sr with different radioactive concentration. The inhibition rate of cell proliferation was measured by MTT color matching method. The cell cycle retardation, apoptosis conditions, mitochondrion transmembrane potential difference and Fas expression were tested and analyzed. The genes P53 and bcl-2 expressions was also analyzed using immunity histochemical analysis. After being induced by 89Sr with various of radioactive concentration, it was found that the inhibition of cell proliferation of MCF-7 cells was obviously, the retardation of cell cycle occurred mainly in G2-M. It was also found that the obvious apoptosis occurred after being induced by 89Sr, the highest apoptosis rate reached 46.28%. The expressions of Fas acceptor and P53 gene increased, while bcl-2 gene expression decreasesd. These findings demonstrate that in the ranges of a certain radioactive concentration, the inhibition rate of MCF-7 cell proliferation and retardation of cell cycle had positive correlation with the concentration of 89Sr. And the mitochondrion transmembrane potential decrease would induce the apoptosis of MCF-7 cell notably, which were controlled by P53 and bcl-2 genes, involved with the Fas acceptor

Reversible Interlayer Sliding and Conductivity Changes in Adaptive Tetrathiafulvalene-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Ordered interlayer stacking is intrinsic in two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) and has strong implications on COF's optoelectronic properties. Reversible interlayer sliding, corresponding to shearing of 2D layers along their basal plane, is an appealing dynamic control of both structures and properties, yet it remains unexplored in the 2D COF field. Herein, we demonstrate that the reversible interlayer sliding can be realized in an imine-linked tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-based COF TTF-DMTA. The solvent treatment induces crystalline phase changes between the proposed staircase-like sql net structure and a slightly slipped eclipsed sql net structure. The solvation-induced crystallinity changes correlate well with reversible spectroscopic and electrical conductivity changes as demonstrated in oriented COF thin films. In contrast, no reversible switching is observed in a related TTF-TA COF, which differs from TTF-DMTA in terms of the absence of methoxy groups on the phenylene linkers. This work represents the first 2D COF example of which eclipsed and staircase-like aggregated states are interchangeably accessed via interlayer sliding, an uncharted structural feature that may enable applications such as chemiresistive sensors

Using Green Emitting pH-Responsive Nanogels to Report Environmental Changes within Hydrogels: A Nanoprobe for Versatile Sensing

Remotely reporting the local environment within hydrogels using inexpensive laboratory techniques has excellent potential to improve our understanding of the nanometer-scale changes that cause macroscopic swelling or deswelling. Whilst photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy is a popular method for such studies this approach commonly requires bespoke and time-consuming synthesis to attach fluorophores which may leave toxic residues. A promising and more versatile alternative is to use a pre-formed nanogel probe that contains a donor/acceptor pair and then “dope” that into the gel during gel assembly. Here, we introduce green-emitting methacrylic acid-based nanogel probe particles and use them to report the local environment within four different gels as well as stem cells. As the swelling of the nanogel probe changes within the gels the non-radiative energy transfer efficiency is strongly altered. This efficiency change is sensitively reported using the PL ratiometric intensity from the donor and acceptor. We demonstrate that our new nanoprobes can reversibly report gel swelling changes due to five different environmental stimuli. The latter are divalent cations, gel degradation, pH changes, temperature changes and tensile strain. In the latter case, the nanoprobe rendered a nanocomposite gel mechanochromic. The results not only provide new structural insights for hierarchical natural and synthetic gels, but also demonstrate that our new green-fluorescing nanoprobes provide a viable alternative to custom fluorophore labelling for reporting the internal gel environment and its changes

Highly Swelling pH-Responsive Microgels for Dual Mode Near Infra-Red Fluorescence Reporting and Imaging

Near infra-red (NIR) fluorescence is a desirable property for probe particles because such deeply penetrating light enables remote reporting of the local environment in complex surroundings and imaging. Here, two NIR non-radiative energy transfer (NRET) fluorophores (Cy5 and Cy5.5) are coupled to preformed pH-responsive poly(ethylacrylate-methacrylic acid-divinylbenzene) microgel particles (PEA-MAA-5/5.5 MGs) to obtain new NIR fluorescent probes that are cytocompatible and swell strongly. NIR ratiometric photoluminescence (PL) intensity analysis enables reporting of pH-triggered PEA-MAA-5/5.5 MG particle swelling ratios over a very wide range (from 1–90). The dispersions have greatly improved colloidal stability compared to a reference temperature-responsive NIR MG based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNP-5/5.5). We also show that the wavelength of maximum PL intensity (λmax) is a second PL parameter that enables remote reporting of swelling for both PEA-MAA-5/5.5 and PNP-5/5.5 MGs. After internalization the PEA-MAA-5/5.5 MGs are successfully imaged in stem cells using NIR light. They are also imaged after subcutaneous injection into model tissue using NIR light. The new NIR PEA-MAA-5/5.5 MGs have excellent potential for reporting their swelling states (and any changes) within physiological settings as well as very high ionic strength environments (e.g., waste water)

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous release procedures in the transverse carpal ligament by acupotomy: A cadaveric study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the safety and accuracy of ultrasound-guided acupotomy percutaneous loosening of the transverse carpal ligament.MethodsThe 100 upper limb specimens were equally divided into the ultrasound-guided acupotomy group (U) and the nonultrasound-guided acupotomy group (N). For the U group, we simulated ultrasound-guided acupotomy loosening of the transverse carpal ligament in a human specimen, and for the N group, we performed the loosening of the transverse carpal ligament through the same approach under nonultrasound-guided conditions. The safety and accuracy of the two methods were compared through measurement.ResultsIn the ultrasound-guided group, the injury rate of nerves, blood vessels and tendons caused by needle-knife release was 0%. In the non-ultrasound-guided group, the rate of nerve, blood vessel and tendon damage was 6 percent, 12 percent and 20 percent, respectively. χ2 test (Fisher exact test) was performed for the nerve and blood vessel damage rates in the two groups (PN > 0.05, PA < 0.05), the difference in nerve damage rates was not statistically significant, but the difference in blood vessel damage rates was statistically significant. Pearson's χ2 test was performed on the tendon injury rates of the two groups (PF < 0.05), and the difference was statistically significant. In the ultrasound-guided group, the proportion of acupotomy marks greater than or equal to half of the width of the transverse carpal ligament was 86%, and the non-ultrasound-guided group was 36%. The accuracy of the two surgical methods was tested by Pearson's χ2 test (PL < 0.05), and the difference was statistically significant. According to the measurement, the ultrasound-guided acupotomy technology had high safety and accuracy.ConclusionIn this study, we designed a new method for cutting the transverse carpal ligament under ultrasound guidance, which is different from surgery. These results indicate that this is a safe and accurate method of interventional treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Effects of high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, and guideline-based physical activity on cardiovascular metabolic markers, cognitive and motor function in elderly sedentary patients with type 2 diabetes (HIIT-DM): a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background and objectiveSedentary behavior is of increasing concern in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to its potential adverse effects on cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and motor function. While regular exercise has been shown to improve the health of individuals with T2DM, the most effective exercise program for elderly sedentary patients with T2DM remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and guideline-based physical activity programs on the cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and motor function of this specific population.MethodsThis study will be a randomized, assessor-blind, three-arm controlled trial. A total of 330 (1:1:1) elderly sedentary patients diagnosed with T2DM will be randomly assigned the HIIT group (10 × 1-min at 85–95% peak HR, intersperse with 1-min active recovery at 60–70% peak HR), MICT (35 min at 65–75% peak HR), and guideline-based group (guideline group) for 12 weeks training. Participants in the guideline group will receive 1-time advice and weekly remote supervision through smartphones. The primary outcomes will be the change in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) after 12-weeks. Secondary outcomes will includes physical activity levels, anthropometric parameters (weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and body mass index), physical measurements (fat percentage, muscle percentage, and fitness rate), cardiorespiratory fitness indicators (blood pressure, heart rate, vital capacity, and maximum oxygen), biochemical markers (high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HbA1c), inflammation level (C-reactive protein), cognitive function (reaction time and dual-task gait test performance), and motor function (static balance, dynamic balance, single-task gait test performance, and grip strength) after 12 weeks.DiscussionThe objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of HIIT, MICT, and a guideline-based physical activity program on elderly sedentary patients diagnosed with T2DM. Our hypothesis is that both HIIT and MICT will yield improvements in glucose control, cognitive function, cardiopulmonary function, metabolite levels, motor function, and physical fitness compared to the guideline group. Additionally, we anticipate that HIIT will lead to greater benefits in these areas. The findings from this study will provide valuable insights into the selection of appropriate exercise regimens for elderly sedentary individuals with T2DM.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the Reproductive Hospital Affiliated with China Medical University (approval number: 202203). Informed consent will be obtained from all participants or their guardians. Upon completion, the authors will submit their findings to a peer-reviewed journal or academic conference for publication.Clinical trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, identifier ChiCTR2200061573