Stretchable and Conductive Cellulose/Conductive Polymer Composite Films for On-Skin Strain Sensors

Conductive composite materials have attracted considerable interest of researchers for application in stretchable sensors for wearable health monitoring. In this study, highly stretchable and conductive composite films based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiopehe):poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) (CMC-PEDOT:PSS) were fabricated. The composite films achieved excellent electrical and mechanical properties by optimizing the lab-synthesized PEDOT:PSS, dimethyl sulfoxide, and glycerol content in the CMC matrix. The optimized composite film exhibited a small increase of only 1.25-fold in relative resistance under 100% strain. The CMC-PEDOT:PSS composite film exhibited outstanding mechanical properties under cyclic tape attachment/detachment, bending, and stretching/releasing tests. The small changes in the relative resistance of the films under mechanical deformation indicated excellent electrical contacts between the conductive PEDOT:PSS in the CMC matrix, and strong bonding strength between CMC and PEDOT:PSS. We fabricated highly stretchable and conformable on-skin sensors based on conductive and stretchable CMC-PEDOT:PSS composite films, which can sensitively monitor subtle bio-signals and human motions such as respiratory humidity, drinking water, speaking, skin touching, skin wrinkling, and finger bending. Because of the outstanding electrical properties of the films, the on-skin sensors can operate with a low power consumption of only a few microwatts. Our approach paves the way for the realization of low-power-consumption stretchable electronics using highly stretchable CMC-PEDOT:PSS composite films.     

Efficacy and Safety of Omija (Schisandra chinensis) Extract Mixture on the Improvement of Hyperglycemia: A Randomized,Double-Blind,and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

A previous animal study demonstrated that the administration of Omija extract and soybean mixture (OSM) improved glycemic control in the type 2 diabetes model. In this study, we conducted a 12-week, randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine the effects of OSM in humans with hyperglycemia. Participants with fasting plasma concentrations of 100–140 mg/dL were enrolled (n = 80) and administered either OSM or placebo products for 12 weeks. The outcomes included measurements of efficacy (fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial glucose (PPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), postprandial insulin (PPI), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-peptide, fructosamine, and lipid parameters) and safety at baseline and at 12 weeks. After the intervention, the OSM group showed significantly decreased levels of FPG, PPG (30, 60 min), PPI (60 min), insulin area under the curve (AUC), fructosamine, and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol compared to the placebo group. No clinically significant changes in any safety parameter were observed. Therefore, it is hypothesized that OSM supplementation is an effective and safe functional food supplement for humans with hyperglycemia.     

沉默GOLPH3基因表达逆转人结肠癌细胞顺铂耐药的研究

背景与目的：化疗是结肠癌的重要治疗方法之一,其方案常含有铂类药物,而化疗耐药会影响结肠癌疗效和预后,其发生机制与基因异常表达有关。高尔基磷酸化蛋白3（Golgi phosphoprotein 3,GOLPH3）是一个癌基因,在结肠癌组织中存在过表达,可促进结肠癌细胞的增殖,与预后不良相关。目前,GOLPH3基因的高表达与结肠癌对铂类耐药的相关性尚不明确。探讨沉默GOLPH3基因逆转人结肠癌HT29细胞对顺铂的化疗耐药效应和机制。方法：HT29细胞分为5组。① 对照组：人结肠癌HT29细胞;② 转染组：siRNA-GOLPH3转染HT29细胞;③ 实验组1：经顺铂处理的HT29细胞;④ 实验组2：经顺铂处理的siRNA-GOLPH3转染HT29细胞;⑤ 实验组3：经顺铂和细胞外调节蛋白激酶（extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases,ERK）1/2抑制剂PD98059处理的HT29细胞。四甲基偶氮唑蓝（methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium,MTT）法、平板克隆形成实验检测各组结肠癌HT29细胞增殖及克隆形成能力。蛋白质印迹法（Western blot）检测GOLPH3、P-糖蛋白（P-glycoprotein,P-gp）、ERK1/2和pERK1/2蛋白的表达。结果：经顺铂处理后,实验组1、实验组2的细胞在波长490 nm处的吸光度（D）值均显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,实验组2的D₄₉₀值显著低于实验组1（P<0.001）;实验组1和实验组2的细胞集落数均显著低于对照组（P<0.01）,实验组2的细胞集落数显著低于实验组1（P<0.001）。实验组1的P-gp、GOLPH3、pERK1/2蛋白表达量显著高于实验组2（P<0.01）;实验组3的P-gp蛋白表达量较实验组1显著降低（P<0.01）。结论：沉默GOLPH3基因可通过抑制丝裂原活化蛋白激酶/细胞外信号调节激酶（mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase,MAPK/ERK）信号通路逆转HT29结肠癌细胞对顺铂化疗的耐药性。     

Effect of safflower seeds supplementation on stimulation of the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Anti-bone resorption properties of the Korean herbal formulation, Gami-Honghwain (HJ), which comprises Carthamus tinctorius L. seed and hominis placenta, were investigated. We demonstrate that the production of PGE2 is inhibited by 20-100 microg/ml HJ in nontransformed osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1 cells), indicating that HJ inhibits PGE2 production. The effect of HJ on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 was also studied. HJ dose-dependently increased DNA synthesis (significant at 20-100 microg/ml), and increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and prolyl hydroxylase activities of MC3T3-E1 cells (20-100 microg/ml), while anti-estrogen tamoxifen eliminated the stimulation of proliferation and ALP activity of MC3T3-E1 which was induced by HJ. These results indicate that HJ directly stimulates cell proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Also, when we assessed the effects of HJ on osteoblastic differentiation in MC3T3-E1, HJ enhanced ALP activity and mineralization in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. This stimulatory effect of the HJ was observed at relatively low doses (significant at 20-100 microg/ml and maximal at 100 microg/ml). Northern blot analysis showed that the HJ (60 microg/ml) increased in bone morphogenetic protein-2 as well as ALP mRNA concentrations in MC3T3-E1 cells. HJ (100 microg/ml) slightly increased in type I collagen mRNA abundance throughout the culture period, whereas it markedly inhibited the gene expression of collagenase-1 between days 15 and 20 of culture. These results indicate that HJ has anabolic effect on bone through the promotion of osteoblastic differentiation, suggesting that it could be used for the treatment of common metabolic bone diseases.     

Gleditsia sinensis thorns inhibit the production of NO through NF-kappaB suppression in LPS-stimulated macrophages

The thorns of Gleditsia sinensis LAM. (Leguminosae) have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including swelling, suppuration, carbuncle and skin diseases in China and Korea. In this study, we investigated the mechanism responsible for anti-inflammatory effects of Gleditsia sinensis thorns in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The aqueous extract of Gleditsia sinensis thorns (AEGS) inhibited LPS-induced NO secretion as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, without affecting cell viability. Furthermore, AEGS suppressed LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation, phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaB-alpha, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). These results suggest that AEGS has the inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression in macrophages through blockade in the phosphorylation of MAPKs, following IkappaB-alpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation.     

宁夏智障儿童社会支持现状调查分析

目的:探讨宁夏地区智障儿童社会支持现状和相关影响因素.方法:随机抽取宁夏银川市60多名特殊儿童为研究对象,采用韦氏儿童智力量表、社会支持评定量表、儿童适应行为评定量表进行测试.结果:特殊儿童社会支持偏低,均分仅29.60分,不同家庭类型的主观支持和社会利用存在显著差异,大家庭的主观支持高于核心家庭的主观支持,核心家庭高于单亲家庭,而社会支持利用刚好相反,核心家庭的社会利用度高于大家庭(P＜0.05);父母文化程度为高中的家庭主观支持最高(P＜0.05),而社会支持利用度中本科学历利用度最高(P＜0.05);经济状况一般的家庭获得社会支持高于家庭贫困者;大家庭中智障儿童的社会适应高于核心家庭,也高于单亲家庭(P＜0.05),父母文化程度为中专的孩子社会自制力强(P＜0.05);家庭经济相对贫困的家庭的智障儿童社会适应高于家庭经济相对一般的家庭(P＜0.05).结论:特殊儿童的家庭类型、家庭经济环境、家长文化程度对智障儿童的社会适应以及社会支持具有重要的影响.     

Effect of Classroom Illuminance on the Development and Progression of Myopia in School Children

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of classroom illuminance on the development and progression of myopia in elementary school children.MethodsThe daylight factor, a ratio of inside and outside illuminance, was obtained in 50 elementary schools. The first-grade students in the school with the lowest daylight (LD) factor (LD school, 145 subjects; 0.51%) and with the highest daylight (HD) factor (HD school, 147 subjects; 13.35%) were selected. A survey was conducted to evaluate parental myopia, the amount of near-work and outdoor activities. The refractive error and axial length (AL) were measured at initial and after 6 months. The spherical equivalent, AL, and the survey results were compared between the two schools. The mean AL of the emmetropic children was obtained, and all subjects were divided into two groups, more and less than mean AL. Changes in refractive errors and AL were also compared according to AL.ResultsThe amount of change in spherical equivalent and AL after 6 months were not different between the two schools. Initial prevalence of myopia was high in the HD school. However, it became similar between the two schools after 6 months. The mean AL of 155 emmetropic children was 22.7 ± 0.63 mm. In the 185 children with AL ≥22.7 mm, there was no difference in the AL change between the two schools. However, the change in AL in 107 children with AL <22.7 mm was significantly larger in the LD school (0.19 mm) than that in the HD school (0.15 mm, p = 0.049). Parental myopia, near-work and outdoor activities were not different between the two schools.ConclusionsHigh classroom illuminance during the day reduced axial elongation in eyes of children with a shorter AL. Increase in classroom light level by permitting more sunlight can be a protective measure against the development of myopia.