We developed a colorimetric and fluorescence dual-signal sensor for detecting lipase activity based on methyl thioglycolate (MT) functionalized gold nanoparticles (MT-AuNPs) and CdS quantum dots (CdS QDs). It is the first time that was developed a dual-signal sensing strategy for lipase activity based on the inner-filter effect (IFE) between MT-AuNPs and CdS QDs. This probe system (MT AuNPs + CdS QDs) is sensitive and has selective response to the concentration of the lipase, and MT-AuNPs and CdS QDs played as transducer and fluorescer, respectively. The addition of lipase triggered the accumulation and change of color in CdS QDs and MT-AuNPs solution, it also makes the fluorescence intesity of CdS QDs significantly recover. The limit of detection (LOD) was as low as 0.039 μg mL-1 for colorimetric detection as well as 0.012 μg mL-1 for the fluorescence method. This method has been successfully used in the detection of commercial lipases. We believe it would open up a new path for the sensitive and high throughput lipase assay using nanobiosensor.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the mechanism of polysaccharides from aloe vera (PAV), a main active ingredient of Aloe vera, treatment in pulpitis rats. Methods: Pulpitis were modeled by drilling the occlusal central fossa with Sprague Dawley rats. Next, the rats were treated with 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg PAV for three weeks, respectively. Computed tomography scanning assay, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining were used to detect the pathology change. Then, levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, prostaglandin E2, and ciclooxigenase 2 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2 human (BMP-2), osteocalcin, osterix, and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting (WB). Finally, Wnt3a expression, p-GSK3β/GSK3β and p-β-catenin/β-catenin ratio were analyzed by WB. Results: PAV up regulated the bone mineral density, and reduced the breakage of the crown and cervical structures, and the necrosis of the crown and root pulp of pulpitis rats. In addition, results indicated that PAV could inhibit osteoblast formation. While osteoblasts’ number was decreased, proteins of BMP-2, osteocalcin, osterix, and Runx2 were up-regulated by PAV. Furthermore, PAV increased the Wnt3a expression and the p-β-catenin/β-catenin ratio, and decreased p-GSK3β/GSK3β ratio. Interestingly, these effects were all in dose dependence. Conclusions: PAV could inhibit pulp inflammation and promote osteoblasts differentiation via suppressing the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, enhancing the dental bone density.

RESUMEN Las propiedades dinámicas de los materiales de base son factores cruciales que afectan la estabilidad en la ingeniería de tráfico. La arcilla roja reestructurada se utiliza frecuentemente como material de relleno de bases, sin embargo, hasta la fecha, existe una escasez de información sobre las propiedades dinámicas de este material. De acuerdo con esto, se realizó un gran número de pruebas triaxiales dinámicas bajo cargas cíclicas para cuantificar la pertinencia de la arcilla roja reestructurada como material de relleno en bases. Se consideraron varios factores dinámicos que podrían ser determinantes, como la fuerza dinámica, la frecuencia de vibración, la presión de confinamiento, el índice de consolidación y la compactibilidad. Se desarrollaron las curvas de fuerza plástica y dinámica de arcilla roja reestructurada con varias cargas dinámicas e historia de cargas, además de la inclusión de los factores determinantes. El resultado de las pruebas muestra que dentro del rango de la fuerza inherente a las muestras de estudio, el incremento de la compactibilidad del suelo, la presión de confinamiento y la frecuencia de vibración sirven para mejorar, en general, el poder dinámico al tiempo que retrasa el desarrollo de la fuerza plástica. Al contrario, el mejoramiento de la amplitud de la fuerza dinámica y el índice de consolidación muestra una reducción en la fuerza dinámica y una aceleración en el desarrollo de la fuerza plástica acumulada. Finalmente, se desarrolló una ecuación empírica que relaciona la fuerza dinámica crítica y las cargas históricas de arcilla roja reestructurada con el fin de proveer información de referencia para estudios futuros.

ABSTRACT The dynamic properties of subgrade materials are critical factors affecting stability within the traffic engineering discipline. Remolded red clays are frequently used as subgrade filling materials, however, to date, a paucity of data exist on to the dynamic properties of this material. Accordingly, a large number of dynamic triaxial tests under cyclic loads were carried out to quantify the suitability of remolded red clay as subgrade filling. Several potentially influencing dynamic factors were considered, including dynamic stress, vibration frequency, consolidation confining pressure, consolidation ratio and compactness. Plastic strain and dynamic strength curves of remolded red clays under varying dynamic loads and load histories have been developed, in addition to the inclusion of those influencing factors. Test results show that within the range not exceeding the inherent strength of the test samples, increases soil compactness, confining pressure, and vibration frequency serve to enhance overall dynamic power in concurrence with retarding the development of accumulated plastic strain. Conversely, an improvement in the amplitude of the dynamic stress and consolidation ratio was shown to cause a decrease in dynamic strength and acceleration in the development of accumulated plastic strain. An empirical equation relating critical dynamic strength and load histories of remolded red clay has been developed for the provision of fundamental reference data for future studies.