The Zn1-xCdxO thin films were prepared on quartz by the direct current (DC) and radio frequency (RF) reactive magnetron co-sputtering technique with Zn and Cd metal targets. The influence of RF power ...on Cd target (PCd) on the structure and optical properties of Zn1-xCdxO films was investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), optical absorbance and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The concentration and chemical states of Cd in films have been confirmed by energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The results indicated that as the PCd varied from 0 to 120 W, all the Zn1-xCdxO thin films had a hexagonal wurtzite structure of pure ZnO and highly (002) preferred orientation, the Cd relative content in film is increased and the Zn relative content is decreased. Correspondingly, the optical band-gap of Zn1-xCdxO thin films with hexagonal wurtzite structure are tuned from 3.24 (PCd = 0) to 2.82 eV (PCd = 120 W). The location of the near-band-edge (NBE) emission peaks shift toward lower energy side from 388 to 440 nm, which is attributed to the decrease of band gap caused by Cd substitution.
•Zn1-xCdxO films are obtained by DC and RF magnetron co-sputtering method.•All films had a wurtzite structure of pure ZnO and highly preferred orientation.•The convenient adjustment of Cd concent in films could be realized by changing PCd.•The chemical states of Zn, Cd and O is identified by XPS analysis.•The band-gap of Zn1-xCdxO films are tuned from 3.24 (PCd = 0) to 2.82 eV (PCd = 120 W).
This study was performed to examine the effect of chronic renal impairment and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation induced by unilateral nephrectomy (UNX) on the development of pancreatic islet ...β-cell deficit and glucose intolerance. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: untreated UNX (n = 10), UNX treated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril (n = 8) and sham operation (n = 10). Blood glucose, serum insulin, renal function and histological changes of kidney and pancreas were examined 8 months postoperation. Compared with the sham rats, UNX rats developed renal impairment, insulin deficiency and glucose intolerance. Histological staining revealed an islet β-cell deficit associated with increased immunoreactivity for angiotensin and angiotensin type 1 receptor in UNX rats. Treatment with lisinopril significantly improved renal dysfunction, hyperglycemia, insulin secretion and islet RAS expression. These data suggest that chronic renal impairment and RAS activation may contribute to islet β-cell loss and glucose intolerance. RAS blockade may therefore prevent these disorders.
We studied four Chinese families with pure hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) to investigate the clinical features and associated genetic mutations. Linkage analysis was performed for all families ...to map the disease locus onto autosomal chromosomes, and related loci involved in HSP on the X chromosome were also examined. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing was used to detect gene mutations. To confirm the influence of a splice-site mutation on mRNA, we used reverse transcription-PCR and direct sequencing. Linkage analysis and ATL1 gene sequencing of amniocytes were performed for prenatal genetic diagnosis. One missense variant (c.1517T>A) and a splice-site mutation (c.1245+1G>A) in SPAST, and two missense variants (c.715C>T, c.1204T>G) in ATL1 were identified. The c.1245+1G>A mutation caused a deletion of exon 9 in the SPAST gene. Prenatal genetic diagnosis showed that fetus did not carry the ALT1 c.1204T>G mutation. Follow-up was maintained for 5 years, and the negative result was confirmed by evidence of a healthy growing boy. We identified two novel mutations and two previously reported mutations in SPAST and ATL1, respectively. The family with the ATL1 c.1204T>G mutation exhibited male-lethality, female infancy-onset, and pseudo- X-linked dominant transmission, which had never been previously reported for HSP. Characteristic facial features were also noticed. The boy on whom prenatal gene diagnosis was performed is healthy and without unusual facies, suggesting that the c.1204T>G mutation might be related to these features. The results extend the genetic spectrum of HSP and suggest that linkage analysis remains a powerful tool in gene discovery studies.
As one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory skin diseases, atopic dermatitis (AD) increasingly affects the aging population. Amid the ongoing global aging trend, it's essential to recognize the ...intricate relationship between AD and aging. This paper reviews existing knowledge, summarizing clinical observations of associations between AD and aging-related diseases in various systems, including endocrine, cardiovascular, and neurological. Additionally, it discusses major theories explaining the correlation, encompassing skin-mucosal barriers, systemic inflammation and stress, genes, signal transduction, and environmental and behavioral factors. The association between AD and aging holds significant importance, both in population and basic perspectives. While further research is warranted, this paper aims to inspire deeper exploration of inflammation/allergy-aging dynamics and the timely management of elderly patients with AD.
The aim of the present work was to assess the merits of an actively targetable nanoparticles (ATN), PEG-coated biodegradable polycyanoacrylate nanoparticles (PEG-nanoparticles) conjugated to ...transferrin, for paclitaxel delivery. PEG-nanoparticles loading paclitaxel were prepared by solvent evaporation technique in advance. ATN were prepared by coupling of transferrin to PEG-nanoparticles. The results showed that the average encapsulation efficiency of ATN was 93.4
±
3.6% with particle size (101.4
±
7.2
nm) and zeta-potential (−13.6
±
1.1
mV). The paclitaxel loaded ATN exhibited a low burst effect with about only 16.2% drug release within the first phase. Subsequently, paclitaxel release profiles displayed a sustained release phase. The amount of cumulated paclitaxel release over 30 days was 81.6%. ATN exhibited a markedly delayed blood clearance in mice, and the paclitaxel level from ATN remained much higher at 24
h compared with that of free drug from paclitaxel injection. The distribution profiles of ATN in S-180 solid tumor-bearing mice after intravenous administration showed the tumor accumulation of paclitaxel increase with time, and the paclitaxel concentration in tumor was about 4.8 and 2.1 times higher than those from paclitaxel injection and PEG-nanoparticles at 6
h after intravenous injection. For mice treated with 20
mg/kg
×
5 of ATN, the decrease in body weight was limited within 4% of the initial weight at 5 days after the final administration, and tumor regression was significantly observed with complete tumor regression for five out of nine mice. The tumor burden with ATN-treated mice was much smaller compared with free paclitaxel or NTN-treated mice. In addition, the life span of tumor-bearing mice was significantly increased when they were treated with ATN, in particular, three mice survived over 60 days. Thus, PEG-coated biodegradable polycyanoacrylate nanoparticles conjugated to transferrin could be an effective carrier for paclitaxel delivery.
Zinc cadmium oxide (Zn1−xCdxO) films were deposited on quartz substrates by direct current (DC) and radio frequency (RF) reactive magnetron co-sputtering and the influence of post-annealing ...atmosphere on their microstructure, optical and electrical properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical absorbance, photoluminescence (PL) and Hall measurements. Results indicate that the band gap (Eg) of all Zn1−xCdxO films annealed in different atmospheres are smaller than that of the undoped ZnO, the observed shifts in Eg being 0.43, 0.37 and 0.32eV for the Zn1−xCdxO films annealed in argon, oxygen and vacuum, respectively. Hall measurement results indicate that all Zn1−xCdxO films annealed in different atmospheres show the n-type conduction, but the Zn1−xCdxO film annealed in vacuum has low resistivity and high concentration, which has room-temperature resistivity of 1.59Ωcm and carrier concentration of 2.07×1017cm−3. Compared with Zn1−xCdxO films annealed in oxygen and argon, Zn1−xCdxO film annealed in vacuum has the best crystal quality, luminescence and electrical properties. The influencing mechanism of the post-annealing atmosphere on the electrical and optical properties of the Zn1−xCdxO film is discussed.
Background: Cross-breeding is the main strategy for improving the economic traits of livestock and poultry within a short time. But there are only a few studies on the comparative assessment of ...different cross-breeding methods to poultry reproductive performance.
Methods: Here, intersect, back, upgrading and three-way cross-breeding strategies are employed for quantitative comparison of male reproductive performance using Carlos goose, Jilin White goose and Siji goose. The fertility rates and testis weight were analyzed and compared among the five cross-breeding groups. Also, the seminiferous tubule diameter and sperm concentration were measured. The mRNA levels of two reproduction-related genes, GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) and PRL (prolactin) were quantitatively measured and compared using the qPCR technique.
Result: Finally we found that the three-way cross strategy had the biggest advantage for improving male reproductive performance according to the analysis of fertility rate and testis structure. Also all these data we measured suggested that the three-way cross strategy was beneficial to male reproductive performance and thus we provided a theoretical basis for making appropriate cross-breeding plans.
Zn1−xCdxO films with different Cd contents (0≤x≤1) were successfully deposited on quartz substrates by the direct current reactive magnetron sputtering and post-annealing techniques. It was found ...that structures, band gaps and electrical properties of the films can be tuned by changing Cd contents x. The Zn1−xCdxO film consists of wurtzite phase with highly (002)-preferred orientation at x from 0 to 0.2, mixture of wurtzite and cubic phases at x=0.5, and cubic phase with highly (200)-preferred orientation at x≥0.8. The band gap decreases from 3.25eV at x=0 to 2.75eV at x=0.2 for the wurtzite Zn1−xCdxO, and decreases from 2.52eV at x=0.8 to 2.42eV at x=1, which has a little change for cubic Zn1−xCdxO. In addition, Hall measurement results indicate that the influence of Cd content on the conduction behavior of Zn1−xCdxO films is significant. The chemical compositions and the bonding states of Zn1−xCdxO films were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis.
Pb
0.4Sr
0.6Mg
x
Ti
1−
x
O
3−
x
(PSMT) thin films were prepared on ITO/glass substrate by a sol–gel technique. It exhibited a typical polycrystalline cubic perovskite structure without any evidence ...of secondary phase formation. The crystallinity and the dielectric constant of the thin film increased with increasing Mg below
x
=
0.03 and then decreased with increasing Mg above
x
=
0.03. The effect of Mg doping content on the dielectric properties of the Pb
0.4Sr
0.6Mg
x
Ti
1−
x
O
3−
x
thin films also depended on the heat-treatment temperature. When Mg doping was light, the highest dielectric constant of the thin film appeared at high heat-treatment temperature. Whereas, when Mg doping was heavy, it appeared at low temperature. The maximum tunabilities of about 30%, 30% and 40% were obtained when Mg doping contents are 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05, respectively. This demonstrates that Mg can improve the microstructure of PST thin film and reduce its lattice distortion. In some conditions, doping Mg could increase the tunable behavior of the thin films. So Mg-doped PST thin films are good candidate for developing tunable devices.
The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) with proteasome inhibitor (PI) bortezomib has significantly improved the survival of patients with MM. The 26S proteasome inhibitor targets the unfolded protein ...response (UPR) by inhibiting proteasome degradation of ubiquitinated paraprotein, subsequently leading to the lethal accumulation of paraprotein within the endoplasmic reticulum. According to secretory status of monoclonal immunoglobulin, newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) is divided into measurable and unmeasurable disease, which includes oligosecretory, nonsecretory, and nonproducer myeloma. The present study analyzed the clinical characteristics of 822 patients with NDMM who had either measurable or unmeasurable diseases and received bortezomib- or thalidomide-based therapies. Our results showed that the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with MM was significantly longer in patients with measurable disease than those in oligosecretory, nonsecretory, and nonproducer MM (PFS: 27, 18, 19, and 2.0 months, respectively P < .001; OS: 51, 30, 22, and 2.0 months, respectively P < .001). Within the unmeasurable group, patients with nonproducer myeloma showed the shortest PFS and OS. Importantly, compared with thalidomide treatment, bortezomib significantly improved the PFS and OS of patients with MM with measurable disease (PFS: 25 and 33 months P = .022, respectively; OS: 41 and 58 months P < .001, respectively), but not those with unmeasurable disease (PFS: 18 and 16 months P = .617, respectively; OS: 22 and 27 months P = .743, respectively). Our results indicate that bortezomib-based therapy performed no better than thalidomide-based treatment in patients with unmeasurable MM. The results need to be confirmed in other patient cohorts, preferably in the context of a prospective trial.
Display omitted
PDF
