Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TiO2/N-succinyl-chitosan composite (TiO2/ NSCS) photodynamic therapy (PDT), while considering the effects of various light sources on the activation of photosensitizer. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay was used to examine the cell survival rate of the cells. The results showed that glioma cell strain (U251) was the most sensitive cancer cell strain to TiO2/NSCS. When the concentration of TiO2/NSCS was between 0 and 800 μg·mL-1, there was no obvious cytotoxicity to normal liver cells (HL-7702) and U251 cells. During the PDT process, the photokilling effect of TiO2/NSCS on U251 cells under ultraviolet-A (UVA) light irradiation was stronger than that of pure TiO2, and its killing effects were positively correlated with concentration and irradiation time. In addition, both UVA and visible light could excite TiO2/ NSCS, which had significant killing effect on U251 cells. The results of acridine orange/ethidium bromide fluorescent double staining and Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining indicated that TiO2/NSCS under UVA and visible light irradiation could kill U251 cells by inducing apoptosis, and the apoptosis rate of TiO2/NSCS treatment groups was higher than that of TiO2 treatment groups. Therefore, TiO2/NSCS might be used as a potential photosensitizer in PDT.

Resumo Fundamento Existem informações conflitantes sobre se a ultrassonografia pulmonar avaliada por linhas B tem valor prognóstico em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (ICa). Objetivos Avaliar o valor prognóstico da ultrassonografia pulmonar avaliada por linhas B em pacientes com ICa. Métodos Quatro bases de dados (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library e Scopus) foram sistematicamente pesquisadas para identificar artigos relevantes. Reunimos a razão de risco (RR) e o intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC) de estudos elegíveis e realizamos análises de heterogeneidade, avaliação de qualidade e viés de publicação. Os dados foram agrupados usando um modelo de efeitos fixos ou de efeito aleatório. Um valor de p <0,05 foi considerado para indicar significância estatística. Resultados Nove estudos envolvendo 1.212 participantes foram incluídos na revisão sistemática. As linhas B > 15 e > 30 na alta hospitalar foram significativamente associadas ao aumento do risco de desfecho combinado de mortalidade por todas as causas ou hospitalização por ICa (RR, 3,37, IC de 95%, 1,52-7,47; p = 0,003; RR, 4,01, IC de 95%, 2,29-7,01; p <0,001, respectivamente). O ponto de corte da linha B > 30 na alta foi significativamente associado ao aumento do risco de hospitalização por ICa (RR, 9,01, IC de 95%, 2,80-28,93; p <0,001). Além disso, o ponto de corte da linha B > 3 aumentou significativamente o risco de desfecho combinado de mortalidade por todas as causas ou hospitalização por ICa em pacientes ambulatoriais com ICa (RR, 3,21, IC de 95%, 2,09-4,93; I2 = 10%; p <0,00001). Conclusão As linhas B podem predizer mortalidade por todas as causas e hospitalizações por ICa em pacientes com ICa. Outros grandes ensaios clínicos randomizados são necessários para explorar se lidar com as linhas B melhoraria o prognóstico nos ambientes clínicos. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract Background There is conflicting information about whether lung ultrasound assessed by B-lines has prognostic value in patients with heart failure (HF). Objectives To evaluate the prognostic value of lung ultrasound assessed by B-lines in HF patients. Methods Four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) were systematically searched to identify relevant articles. We pooled the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from eligible studies and carried out heterogeneity, quality assessment, and publication bias analyses. Data were pooled using a fixed-effects or random-effect model. A p value < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results Nine studies involving 1,212 participants were included in the systematic review. B-lines > 15 and > 30 at discharge were significantly associated with increased risk of combined outcomes of all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization (HR, 3.37, 95% CI, 1.52-7.47; p = 0.003; HR, 4.01, 95% CI, 2.29-7.01; p < 0.001, respectively). A B-line > 30 cutoff at discharge was significantly associated with increased risk of HF hospitalization (HR, 9.01, 95% CI, 2.80-28.93; p < 0.001). Moreover, a B-line > 3 cutoff significantly increased the risk for combined outcomes of all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization in HF outpatients (HR, 3.21, 95% CI, 2.09-4.93; I2 = 10%; p < 0.00001). Conclusion B-lines could predict all-cause mortality and HF hospitalizations in patients with HF. Further large randomized controlled trials are needed to explore whether dealing with B-lines would improve the prognosis in clinical settings.

Abstract Ni-Co-Al2O3-MoS2 composite coatings were prepared on the surface of LY12 aluminum alloys by electrophoresis-electrodeposition with different MoS2 concentrations. The microstructure, morphologies and composition of Ni-Co-Al2O3-MoS2 composites were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS). The micro-indentation hardness as well as friction and tribological properties of the coatings were tested by micro-hardness tester and friction and wear tester separately. Results revealed that the composite coating fabricated at 1.0 g⋅L-1 MoS2 achieved dense structure, and the average thickness of the coating was 39.820 µm. The micro-indentation hardness of the composite coating was decreased from 578 HV to 465 HV with the increase of MoS2 concentration. Also, the composite coating synthesized at 1.0 g·L-1 MoS2 had the lowest friction coefficient and wear rate.

A kind of novel anti-wear Ni-TiC composite coatings was deposited successfully on 42CrMo steel by pulsed electrodeposition method with various TiC particles concentration. The effect of TiC concentration on morphologies and properties of Ni-TiC composite coatings were investigated and the optimum concentration of TiC particle was obtained. Results demonstrate that TiC particles were distributed uniformly in the Ni-based coatings and Ni-TiC composite coatings consisted of refined nickel nanocrystalline size. When the TiC particles concentration was 32 g/L, the highest volume percentage of TiC particles with 23.9 Vol.% and maximum micro-indentation hardness of the Ni-TiC composite coatings with 475 HV were achieved. Ni-TiC composite coatings show significant improvement in wear resistance in comparison with TiC free Ni-P coating.

OBJECTIVES: Cystathionine β-synthase is a major enzyme in the metabolism of plasma homocysteine. Hyperhomocysteinemia is positively associated with hypertension and stroke. The present study was performed to examine the possible effects of Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation on the development of hypertension and stroke. METHODS: Using quantitative methylation-specific PCR, we determined the Cystathionine β-synthase methylation levels in 218 healthy individuals and 132 and 243 age- and gender-matched stroke and hypertensive patients, respectively. The relative changes in Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation were analyzed using the 2–ΔΔCt method. The percent of the methylated reference of Cystathionine β-synthase was used to represent the Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation levels. RESULTS: In this study, the Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation levels of hypertensive and stroke participants were both higher than that of the healthy individuals (median percentages of the methylated reference were 50.61%, 38.05% and 30.53%, respectively, all p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that Cystathionine β-synthase promoter hypermethylation increased the risk of hypertension [odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI)=1.035 (1.025–1.045)] and stroke [OR (95% CI)=1.015 (1.003–1.028)]. The area under the curve of Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation was 0.844 (95% CI: 0.796–0.892) in male patients with hypertension and 0.722 (95% CI: 0.653–0.799) in male patients with stroke. CONCLUSION: Cystathionine β-synthase promoter hypermethylation increases the risk of hypertension and stroke, especially in male patients.

ABSTRACT Adulterant herbal materials are threats to import and export trade and consumer safety. In this study, we established a simple and rapid examination system for the detection of Phellodendron chinense Schneid. Two detection methods, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (real-time PCR) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), were developed for traditional Chinese medicine detection, and their specificity and sensitivity were compared. The DNA of P. chinense was extracted and its special periods amplified with designed primers. Real-time PCR and LAMP experiments were conducted to test the specificity of primers in contrast to other similar species. The template concentration was diluted from 101 ng/µL to 10-5 ng/µL in order to contrast sensitivity between real-time PCR and LAMP. Real-time PCR and Lamp method has shown specificity because P. chinense was positive as opposed to other negative similar species. The Lamp method could detect a limited DNA concentration of 10-4ng/µL in 60 minutes with same sensitivity to real-time PCR. The results indicate that real-time PCR and LAMP are sensitive, accurate and specific in detection of P. chinense. However, LAMP is more convenient and cast less time. What’s more, expensive equipments are not necessary for LAMP detector. For a better detection, we suggest an establishment of a real-time PCR and LAMP method for TCM market supervision which depends on DNA barcode sequences and LAMP.