Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are a potential cell source for liver cell transplantation but do not function like mature liver cells. We sought an effective and reliable method to induce HPC maturation. An immortalized HP14.5 albumin promoter-driven Gaussian luciferase (ALB-GLuc) cell line was established from HPCs isolated from fetal mouse liver of post coitus day 14.5 mice to investigate the effect of induction factors on ALB promoter. HP14.5 parental cells were cultured in DMEM with different combinations of 2% horse serum (HS), 0.1 µM dexamethasone (DEX), 10 ng/mL hepatic growth factor (HGF), and/or 20 ng/mL fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4). Trypan blue and crystal violet staining were used to assess cell proliferation with different induction conditions. Expression of hepatic markers was measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Glycogen storage and metabolism were detected by periodic acid-Schiff and indocyanine green (ICG) staining. GLuc activity indicated ALB expression. The combination of 2% HS+0.1 µM Dex+10 ng/mL HGF+20 ng/mL FGF4 induced the highest ALB-GLuc activity. Cell proliferation decreased in 2% HS but increased by adding FGF4. Upon induction, and consistent with hepatocyte development, DLK, AFP, and CK19 expression decreased, while ALB, CK18, and UGT1A expression increased. The maturity markers tyrosine aminotransferase and apolipoprotein B were detected at days 3 and 6 post-induction, respectively. ICG uptake and glycogen synthesis were detectable at day 6 and increased over time. Therefore, we demonstrated that HPCs were induced to differentiate into functional mature hepatocytes in vitro, suggesting that factor-treated HPCs may be further explored as a means of liver cell transplantation.

The separation performance of a raw coal sample from South Africa based on the dense gas-solid fluidized bed beneficiation technique was investigated. Analysis showed that the raw coal sample distributes mainly in the -50+6 mm size range with the -1.6 g/cm³ density fraction accounting for 78.20% of the cumulative mass distribution. A flow sheet of the sequential coal beneficiation technique was introduced. The experimental and simulation results of the hydromechanical and density distribution stability indicate that the dense gas-solid fluidized bed could provide a stable separation environment with uniform density fluctuations under suitable operating conditions. With the application of this technique on the raw coal sample, the separation results show that three products, consisting of 73.25% clean coal with an ash content of 9.59%, 11.31% middlings, and 15.44% gangue were effectively separated at two different densities of 1.82 g/cm³ and 1.57 g/cm³. This study provides an effective flow sheet for achieving the high-efficiency separation performance on raw coal from arid areas.

Obstructive jaundice is a common surgical problem, and surgery in jaundiced patients is associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications than surgery in non-jaundiced patients. However, the efficacy of pre-operative biliary drainage (PBD) for patients with obstructive jaundice remains controversial. Many studies have been unable to confirm the benefit of PBD and have suggested that it should not be performed routinely. While we agree that routine PBD is not recommended for all jaundiced patients, we believe that it is useful for certain subgroups; however, there are no clear guidelines regarding its application in these subgroups. We suggest that further large and detailed randomised control studies should focus on formulating codes and standards of PBD for patients with operable conditions causing severe obstructive jaundice.

Foram moídas duas séries de vidros silicatos para a obtenção de partículas com dimensões nas faixas micrométrica, submicrométrica e nanométrica, utilizando três tipos distintos de processos de moagem: moagem em moinho de esferas, em atritor, e de alta energia. Foram investigados os efeitos do tempo e do tipo do meio de moagem no tamanho de partícula, em suspensões aquosas e em isopropanol. Foram utilizados um granulômetro com o princípio de difração de laser e um microscópio eletrônico de varredura para a determinação do tamanho de partícula. A distribuição de tamanho de partículas com o menor tamanho médio de partícula igual a 0,3 µm foi obtida para vidros submetidos ao processo de cominuição em duas etapas, utilizando um moinho de alta energia.

Two series of silicate glasses were processed to micron-size, sub-micron size, and nanoparticles using three different milling systems: ball milling, attrition, and high-energy milling. The effect of milling time and media size on particle size and contamination were investigated in aqueous and isopropanol suspensions. The particle size was determined using a laser-diffraction particle size analyzer and scanning electron microscopy. The smallest glass particles with a median particle size of 0.3 µm were achieved by a two-step comminution process in a high energy mill.