Preparation of luminescing nanocrystal and its application to electrospinning

In this study, quantum dots (QDs) having the photophysical properties of brightness, photostability and narrow emission were synthesized. The electrospinning has been introduced to be a simple technique for generating ultrathin fibers. Herein, we have synthesized QDs and electrospun polyvinylacetate (PVAc) nanofibers having these strongly luminescing QDs particles. The size and morphology of QDs were recorded with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structural nanofiber webs have been discussed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). And fluorescence properties of strongly luminescing QDs nanofibers were also discussed.     

Time-course changes in the expression levels of miR-122, -155, and -21 as markers of liver cell damage,inflammation, and regeneration in acetaminophen-induced liver injury in rats

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a significant threat to patient health and a major concern during drug development. Recently, multiple circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be potential biomarkers for DILI. To adapt and validate miRNAs for clinical use, we investigated the time-course changes in miR-122 expression levels in an acetaminophen-induced liver injury model in rats. In addition, miR-155 and miR-21 were evaluated as makers of inflammation and regeneration, respectively, to characterize liver status. Our results revealed that miR-122 is an early and sensitive biomarker of hepatocellular injury at a stage when alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and total bilirubin were not detectable. However, no significant differences in the expression levels of other miRNAs (miR-155 and -21) were observed between treatment and vehicle groups. Collectively, these time-course changes in the expression levels of miRNAs may be useful as markers for clinical decision-making, in the diagnosis and treatment of DILI.     

Changes in endotracheal tube intracuff pressure and air leak pressure over time in anesthetized Beagle dogs

Objective

To evaluate endotracheal tube intracuff pressure (P_cuff) changes over time and the effect of these changes on air leak pressure (P_leak).

Expression of the glutamine metabolism‐related proteins glutaminase 1 and glutamate dehydrogenase in canine mammary tumours

Glutamine metabolism is an important metabolic pathway for cancer cell survival, and there is a critical connection between tumour growth and glutamine metabolism. Because of their similarities, canine mammary carcinomas are useful for studying human breast cancer. Accordingly, we investigated the correlations between the expression of glutamine metabolism‐related proteins and the pathological features of canine mammary tumours. We performed immunohistochemical and western blot analysis of 39 mammary tumour tissues. In immunohistochemical analysis, the expression of glutaminase 1 (GLS1) in the epithelial region increased according to the histological grade (P < .005). In the stromal region, complex‐type tumours displayed significantly higher GLS1 intensity than simple‐type tumours. However, glutamate dehydrogenase expression did not show the same tendencies as GLS1. The western blot results were consistent with the immunohistochemical findings. These results suggest that the expression of GLS1 is correlates with clinicopathological factors in canine mammary tumours and shows a similar pattern to human breast cancer.     

Development of soil conditioner for reclaimed land desalinization based on high-iron fly ash

Paddy and Water Environment - Reclaimed soil is known to have high salinity due to poor water permeability. Soil conditioner can improve the permeability of the ground by changing the composition...     

Effects of diarylheptanoids on the tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced expression of adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is characterized by infiltration of mononuclear lymphocytes into the intima through the expression of adhesion molecules on the arterial wall. In the present study, we report the inhibitory effects of two diarylheptanoids, 5-O-methylhirsutanonol (1) and oregonin (2), isolated from the methanolic extracts of Alnus japonica leaves, on the expression of adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced up-regulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which also prevented adhesion of monocytes to HUVECs, and slightly suppressed the mRNA expression of the inflammation-associated gene interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). A further study demonstrated the inhibitory effect of compound 1 on DNA-binding of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and on the phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory factor kappaBalpha (IkappaBalpha) in TNF-alpha-stimulated HUVECs. These results indicate that compounds 1 and 2 may be useful in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis through attenuation of adhesion molecule expression by inhibition of NF-kappaB activation.     

Transient postoperative glycosuria after isoflurane exposure in two dogs

The present report describes two surgical cases involving the development of sudden glycosuria after isoflurane anaesthesia, despite the dogs having normal blood glucose levels and renal glucose reabsorption. The glycosuria manifested 1 day after surgery and resolved spontaneously within 2 days in both cases. Considering that the surgeries (subcutaneous mandibular mass removal and fracture repair) were unrelated to the kidneys, and there were no remarkable events during anaesthesia, the glycosuria may have been associated with the isoflurane anaesthesia. There have been several previous reports of glycosuria in human patients following transient proximal tubule dysfunction due to volatile anaesthetics. This case report suggests the possibility of transient renal dysfunction following isoflurane anaesthesia in these two clinically healthy dogs. However, considering the observational nature of this report, it can not be excluded that any other procedure performed in these animals was responsible of the observed glycosuria.     

TechnoGIN,a tool for exploring and evaluating resource use efficiency of cropping systems in East and Southeast Asia

Agricultural research in East and Southeast Asia is increasingly challenged by the search for land-use options that best match multiple development objectives of rural societies (e.g., increased income, food security, and reduced environmental pollution). In order to support the identification of sustainable land-use options and to support decision making with respect to land use, a tool was developed for quantifying inputs and outputs of cropping systems at the field level. TechnoGIN, the tool described in this paper, integrates systems analytical and expert knowledge and different types of agronomic data enabling the assessment of inputs and outputs of a broad range of cropping systems and the evaluation of their resource use efficiencies. By using methods of spatial aggregation in combination with linear programming, results can also be used to explore trade-offs in resource-use efficiencies at higher levels such as the farm household, municipality and province. New features in TechnoGIN compared with similar tools include the annual rotation of up to three crops, the distinction between aerobic and anaerobic growing conditions of crops, and the procedure for estimating crop nutrient uptake. TechnoGIN is illustrated with results from the Tam Duong district in North Vietnam. The design of TechnoGIN enables easy access to its data, parameters and assumptions, and rapid generation and evaluation of input–output relationships of cropping systems in order to add new information and to improve data. TechnoGIN raises awareness about the assumptions incorporated and thus supports data collection and setting of the research agenda with respect to agro-ecological processes for which knowledge is incomplete, and is relevant for showing trade-offs between production, economic and environmental impacts of different land-use systems.