Measurement of remanent magnetic moment using a torsion pendulum with single frequency modulation method

In Tian Qin spaceborne gravitational-wave detectors, the stringent requirements on the magnetic cleanliness of the test masses demand the high resolution ground-based characterization measurement of their magnetic properties. Here we present a single frequency modulation method based on a torsion pendulum to measure the remanent magnetic moment mr of 1.1 kg dummy copper test mass, and the measurement result is(6.45 ± 0.04(stat) ± 0.07(syst)) × 10^(-8)A · m^(2). The measurement precision of the mr is about 0.9 n A · m^(2), well below the present measurement requirement of Tian Qin. The method is particularly useful for measuring extremely low magnetic properties of the materials for use in the construction of space-borne gravitational wave detection and other precision scientific apparatus.

New measuring method of fiber alignment in precision torsion pendulum experiments

Testing the extreme weak gravitational forces between torsion pendulum and surrounding objects will indicate new physics which attracts many interests.In these measurements,the fiber alignment plays a crucial role in fulfilling high precision placement measurement,especially in measuring the deviation between the fiber and source mass or other objects.The traditional way of the fiber alignment requires to measure the component of the pendulum body and then transfer to the torsion fiber by some complicated calculations.A new method is reported here by using a CCD camera to get the projection image of the torsion fiber,which is a direct and no-contact measurement.Furthermore,the relative position change of the torsion fiber can also be monitored during the experiment.In our experiment,the alignment between the fiber and the center of the turntable has been operated as an example.Our result reaches the accuracy of several micrometers which is higher than the previous method.

Fuzheng Huayu recipe, a traditional Chinese compound herbal medicine, attenuates renal interstitial fibrosis via targeting the miR-21/PTEN/AKT axis

Objective: MicroRNAs(miRNAs) may be viable targets for treating renal interstitial fibrosis(RIF). Fuzheng Huayu recipe(FZHY), a traditional Chinese compound herbal medicine, is often used in China to treat fibrosis. This study sought to assess the mechanisms through which FZHY influences miRNAs to treat RIF.Methods: RIF was induced in rats by mercury chloride and treated with FZHY. Hydroxyproline content,Masson’s staining and type I collagen expression were used to evaluate renal collagen deposition.Renal miRNA profiles were evaluated using a miRNA microarray. Those miRNAs that were differentially expressed following FZHY treatment were identified and subjected to bioinformatic analyses. The miR-21 target gene phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN) expression and AKT phosphorylation in kidney tissues were assessed via Western blotting. In addition, HK-2 human proximal tubule epithelial cells were treated using angiotensin II(Ang-II) to induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT), followed by FZHY exposure. miR-21 and PTEN expressions were evaluated via quantitative reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR), while E-cadherin and a-smooth muscle actin(a-SMA) expressions were assessed by immunofluorescent staining and qRT-PCR. Western blotting was used to assess PTEN and AKT phosphorylation.Results: FZHY significantly decreased kidney collagen deposition, hydroxyproline content and type I collagen level. The miRNA microarray identified 20 miRNAs that were differentially expressed in response to FZHY treatment. Subsequent bioinformatic analyses found that miR-21 was the key fibrosis-related miRNA regulated by FZHY. FZHY also decreased PTEN expression and AKT phosphorylation in fibrotic kidneys. Results from in vitro tests also suggested that FZHY promoted E-cadherin upregulation and inhibited a-SMA expression in Ang-II-treated HK-2 cells, effectively reversing Ang-II-mediated EMT. We also determined that FZHY reduced miR-21 expression, increased PTEN expression and decreased AKT phosphorylation in these cells.Conclusion: miR-21 is the key fibrosis-related miRNA regulated by FZHY. The ability of FZHY to modulate miR-21/PTEN/AKT signaling may be a viable approach for treating RIF.

Progress of Research on Organic Fibrosis with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Fibrosis is the remodeling and repair processes of chronic injuries. There are few effective therapies. Chinese medicine formula, the main pattern of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in clinic, applies a multi-component, multi-target and complicated approach in the treatment of diseases, and certainly shows good comprehensive therapeutic effects on fibrosis. In this review, the clinical study, effects and mechanism of action of Fuzheng Huayu recipe in the treatment of liver, pulmonary, and renal fibrosis was analyzed and evaluated. Meanwhile, based on the understanding of TCM pathogenesis for liver cirrhosis, this review will also briefly introduce the research of different classical Chinese medicine formulae with various functions in the treatment of experimental liver fibrosis induced by different methods, including comparing the efficacy, analyzing the action characteristics and mechanism of effective formulae, exploring pathological and biological basis of TCM diagnostic and therapeutic pattern, which will contribute to the research of TCM in the treatment of organ fibrosis.