运动促进慢性心衰大鼠心肌线粒体生物合成与心肌重构

目的:观察心衰及心衰后进行有氧运动对大鼠心肌线粒体生物力能学、线粒体生物合成以及心功能的影响,探讨心衰的运动康复过程中的心肌线粒体适应机制。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠,心梗组(16只)开胸后结扎左冠状动脉前降支,造成心梗模型,假手术组(16只)开胸但不结扎冠状动脉,其余处理与心梗组相同。术后4周,心梗组和假手术组再随机分为心梗安静组(MI)、心梗运动组(MI+E)和假手术安静组(Sham)、假手术运动组(Sham+E),每组8只。运动组进行跑台训练,运动强度14米/分钟,每天40分钟,每周训练5天,共训练8周。术后12周,超声心动图检查各组大鼠心率(HR),心室收缩末期内径(LVIDs),舒张末期内径(LVIDd)和心功能指标射血分数(EF),缩短分数(FS),每搏输出量(SV),心输出量(CO)。提取心肌线粒体测定态3、态4呼吸和呼吸控制比(RCR),ATP生成活力。Western blot检查心肌线粒体生物合成调控因子PGC-1α,线粒体蛋白COXⅣ、COXⅠ蛋白表达。透射电镜观察各组心肌线粒体形态数量。结果:术后12周,假手术运动组LVIDs、LVIDd、EF、FS、SV、CO与假手术安静组比较无明显变化,态3呼吸、RCR、ATP生成活力高于假手术安静组,PGC-1α、COXⅣ、COXⅠ蛋白表达无明显变化。心梗安静组与假手术安静组比较,LVIDs、LVIDd增加,EF、FS、CO降低,SV无明显差异,态4呼吸增加,RCR、ATP生成活力降低,PGC-1α、COXⅣ、COXⅠ蛋白表达增加。心梗运动组与心梗安静组比较LVIDs、LVIDd增加,EF、FS降低,CO增加,HR增加,SV无明显差异,态3呼吸、RCR、ATP生成活力增加,PGC-1α、COX IV、COX I蛋白表达增加。结论:(1)心衰后心肌线粒体生物合成增加,可能是对心衰后心肌线粒体功能下降的一种代偿性反应。(2)心衰后进行运动训练能促进心肌线粒体生物合成,但线粒体生物合成增加并不能代偿心衰后心功能的下降,并有可能加重心肌重构。

脂肪酸联合氧化的力能学特性

脂肪酸是有机物厌氧消化的重要中间产物。但是，在标准状态下，长链脂肪酸转化为乙酸的反应是吸能反应。只有在氢浓度很低时，这些转化反应才能进行。在厌氧消化系统中，脂肪酸的降解是由脂肪酸降解菌和产甲烷菌协同完成的。脂肪酸降解菌和产甲烷菌之间的能量分配是以２０ｋＪ（１／３ＡＴＰ）为单位进行的。

Mechanical properties and pore structure deformation behaviour of biomedical porous titanium

Porous titanium has been shown to exhibit desirable properties as biomedical materials. In view of the load-bearing situation, the mechanical properties and pore structure deformation behaviour of porous titanium were studied. Porous titanium with porosities varying from 36%-66% and average pore size of 230 μm was fabricated by powder sintering. Microstructural features were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. Uniaxial compression tests were used to probe the mechanical response in terms of elastic modulus and compressive strength. The mechanical properties of porous titanium were found to be close to the those of human bone, with stiffness values ranging from 1.86 to 14.7 GPa and compressive strength values of 85.16-461.94 MPa. The relationships between mechanical properties and relative densities were established, and the increase in relative density showed significant effects on mechanical properties and deformations of porous titanium. In a lower relative density, the microscopic deformation mechanism of porous titanium was yielding, bending and buckling of cell walls, while the deformation of yielding and bending of cell walls was observed in the porous titanium with higher relative density.

PROPERTIES OF BIODEGRADABLE THERMOPLASTIC STARCH

Thermoplastic starch is a kind of modified starch produced by mixing starch with additives and processing the mixture in an extruder. The mechanical properties, including tensile strength and elongation at break, biodegradability and rheological properties were studied. Glycerol and urea, to some extent, can both decrease the tensile strength and increase percentage elongation at break, because the former acts as a plasticizer and the latter can break down interactions among starch macromolecules. Thermoplastic starch shows thermoplasticity and its melt behaves as a pseudoplastic liquid at a low shear rate. Its biodegrading extent is slightly higher than that of native starch. The molecular weight of starch displays a decreasing tendency after thermoplastic modification.

Effect of heat treatment on microstructure, mechanical properties and in vitro degradation behavior of as-extruded Mg-2.7Nd-0.2Zn-0.4Zr alloy

Mg-2.7Nd-0.2Zn-0.4Zr （mass fraction, %） alloy was designed for degradable biomedical material. The ingots of the alloy were solution treated and then hot extruded. The extruded rods were heat treated with aging treatment, solution treatment and solution＋aging treatment, respectively. Microstructures of the alloy were observed by optical microscopy （OM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. Mechanical properties at room temperature were tested. In vitro degradation behavior of the alloy immersed in simulated body fluid was measured by hydrogen evolution and mass loss tests. The degradation morphologies of the alloy with and without degradation products were observed by SEM. The results show that the grains grow apparently after solution treatment. Solution treatment improves the elongation of as-extruded alloy significantly and decreases the strength, while aging treatment improves the strength and reduces the elongation of the alloy. The yield ratio is reduced by heat treatment. The in vitro degradation results of the alloy show that solution treatment on the as-extruded alloy results in a little higher degradation rate and aging treatment on the alloy can reduce degradation rate slightly.

Effect of Si on growth kinetics of intermetallic compounds during reaction between solid iron and molten aluminum

The effect of Si on the growth kinetics of intermetallic compounds during the reaction of solid iron and molten aluminum was investigated with a scanning electron microscope coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope, and hot-dip aluminized experiments. The results show that the intermetallic layer is composed of major Fe2Al5 and minor FeAl3. The Al-Fe-Si ternary phase, rl/rg, is formed in the Fe2Al5 layer. The tongue-like morphology of the Fe2Als layer becomes less distinct and disappears finally as the content of Si in aluminum bath increases. Si in the bath improves the prohibiting ability to the growth of Fe2Als and FeAl3. When the contents of Si are 0, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% and 3.0%, the activation energies of Fe2Al5 are evaluated to be 207, 186, 169, 168, 167 and 172 kJ/mol, respectively. The reduction of the activation energy might result from the lattice distortion caused by Si atom penetrating into the Fe2Al5 phase. When Si atom occupies the vacancy site, it blocks easy diffusion path and results in the disappearance of tongue-like morphology.

科技群英谱

郑作新,1906年生于福建省福州市。1926年毕业于福建协和大学生物系,1930年在美国密歇根大学获科学博士学位,同年回国任福建协和大学生物系教授兼系主任。1934年成为筹建"中国动物学会"的发起人之一;发表中国第一部鸟类专著《中国鸟类名录》。现任中国科学院动物研究所研究员、中国科学院院士、中国鸟类协会名誉理事长、国际雉类协会会长,并设立"郑作新鸟类科学青年奖"。

Microstructure and properties of biodegradable β-TCP reinforced Mg-Zn-Zr composites

Magnesium alloys have good biocompatibility, but their mechanical properties and corrosion resistance may not be satisfied for using as degradable materials within bone due to its high corrosion rate in the physiological environment. Nano β-TCP particles were added into Mg-Zn-Zr alloy to improve its microstructure and the properties. As-extruded Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr alloy and Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr/xβ-TCP （x=0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%） composites were respectively fabricated. The grains of Mg-Zn-Zr/β-TCP composites were significantly refined. The results of the tensile tests indicate that the ultimate tensile strength and the elongation of composites were improved with the addition of β-TCP. The electrochemical test result in simulation body fluid shows that the corrosion resistance of the composites was strongly enhanced comparing with that of the alloy. The corrosion potential of Mg-3Zn0.8-Zr/1.0β-TCP composite is 1.547 V and its corrosion current density is 1.20×10 6 A/cm 2 .

Direct extrusion of thin Mg wires for biomedical applications

Biodegradable wires,able to provide load-bearing support for various biomedical applications,are the novel trends in current biomaterial research.A thin 99.92%Mg wire with a diameter of 250μm was prepared via direct extrusion with an extreme reduction ratio of 1:576.The total imposed strain in a single processing step was 6.36.Extrusion was carried out at elevated temperatures in the range from 230 to 310℃and with various ram speeds ranging from^0.2 to^0.5 mm/s.The resulting wires show very good mechanical properties which vary with extrusion parameters.Maximum true tensile stress at room temperature reaches^228 MPa and ductility reaches^13%.The proposed single-step direct extrusion can be an effective method for the production of Mg wires in sufficient quantities for bioapplications.The fractographic analysis revealed that failure of the wires may be closely connected with inclusions(e.g.,Mg O particles).The results are essential for determining the optimal processing conditions of hot extrusion for thin Mg wire.The smaller grain size,as the outcome of the lower extrusion temperature,is identified as the main parameter affecting the tensile properties of the wires.

Effects of TaN nanoparticles on microstructure,mechanical properties and tribological performance of PEEK coating prepared by electrophoretic deposition

In order to solve the friction,wear and lubrication problems of titanium,a series of TaN/ployether−ether−ketone(PEEK)coatings were developed by electrophoretic deposition,and the effects of TaN nanoparticles on the microstructure,mechanical properties and tribological performance of coatings were explored.Results manifest that the introduction of TaN nanoparticles into PEEK coatings could improve the deposition efficiency,enhance the resistant deform capacity,increase the hardness,elastic modulus and adhesive bonding strength.Compared with the pure PEEK coating,the friction coefficient of P-TN-3 was greatly reduced by 31.25%.The wear resistance of P-TN-3 was also improved in huge boost,and its specific wear rate was decreased from 9.42×10^(−5) to 1.62×10^(−5) mm^(3)·N^(−1)·m^(−1).The homogeneous composite TaN/PEEK coatings prepared by electrophoretic deposition were well-adhered to the titanium alloy substrate,TaN nanoparticles could improve the strength of PEEK coating,and provide wear-resistance protection for titanium alloys.

Effects of cold deformation on microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-35Nb-2Zr-0.3O alloy for biomedical applications

The Ti-35Nb-2Zr-0.3O(mass fraction,%)alloy was melted under a high-purity argon atmosphere in a high vacuumnon-consumable arc melting furnace,followed by cold deformation.The effects of cold deformation process on microstructure andmechanical properties were investigated using the OM,XRD,TEM,Vicker hardness tester and universal material testing machine.Results indicated that the alloy showed multiple plastic deformation mechanisms,including stress-inducedα'martensite(SIMα')transformation,dislocation slipping and deformation twins.With the increase of cold deformation reduction,the tensile strength andhardness increased owing to the increase of dislocation density and grain refinement,and the elastic modulus slightly increasedowing to the increase of SIMα'phase.The90%cold deformed alloy exhibited a great potential to become a new candidate forbiomedical applications since it possessed low elastic modulus(56.2GPa),high tensile strength(1260MPa)and highstrength-to-modulus ratio(22.4×10-3),which are superior than those of Ti-6Al-4V alloy.

BIOMECHANICAL STUDY ON UNILATERAL SINGLE-PLANE EXTERNAL FIXER

Six tibias removed from 30-40 years old males, who died in an accident for in less than 12 hours, were osteotomized at one-third supra-medium segment. They were fixed by an unilateral adjustable external fixer (UAEF), to be used as a model of external fixation of tibial fracture (MEFTF). The compression. tension, torsion, antero-posterior and lateral bending strength, and the strength for vertically extracting the pins from the tibia were determined in the MEFTF. Within a certain range of load, the correlation of strain to stress was basically a linear relationship. These data provide a theoretical basis of biomechanics for the improvement of UAEF and for early exercises of fracture patients, such as extend-bending of the joint.raising the limb and walking with a walking stick.

The use of environmentally sustainable bio-derived solvents in solvent extraction applications——A review

Replacement of volatile organic compounds （VOCs） by greener or more environmentally sustainable solvents is becoming increasingly important due to the increasing health and environmental concerns as well as economic pressures associated with VOCs. Solvents that are derived from biomass, namely bio-derived solvents, are a type of green solvent that have attracted intensive investigations in recent years because of their advantages over con- ventional VOCs, such as low toxicity, biodegradability and renewability. This review aims to summarize the use of bio-derived solvents in solvent extraction applications, with special emphasis given to utilization of biodiesels and terpenes. Compared with the conventional VOCs, the overall performance of these bio-derived solvents is comparable in terms of extraction yields and selectivity for natural product extraction and no difference was found for metal extraction. To date most researchers have focused on laboratory scale thermodynamics studies. Future work is required to develop and test new bio-derived solvents and understand the kinetic performance as well as solvent extraction nilnt nlant studies.

Effects of cooling rate on bio-corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of Mg-1Zn-0.5Ca casting alloy

Mg?1Zn?0.5Ca alloys were prepared by traditional steel mould casting and water-cooled copper mould injection casting at higher cooling rate. Microstructure, mechanical properties and bio-corrosion resistance of two alloys were contrastively investigated. Grain size reduces remarkably and microstructure becomes homogenous when raising cooling rate. The bio-corrosion behaviour in 3.5% sodium chloride solution (3.5% NaCl) and Hank’s solution at 37°C was investigated using electrochemical polarization measurement and the results indicate that the alloy prepared at higher cooling rates has better corrosion resistance in both types of solution. Further mass loss immersion test in Hank’s solution reveals the same result. The reason of corrosion resistance improvement is that raising cooling rate brings about homogeneous microstructure, which leads to micro-galvanic corrosion alleviation. The tensile test results show that yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation are improved by raising cooling rate and the improvement is mainly due to grain refinement.

Challenges of incorporating gene expression data to predict HCC prognosis in the age of systems biology

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide.The recurrence of HCC after curative treatments is currently a major hurdle.Identification of subsets of patients with distinct prognosis provides an opportunity to tailor therapeutic approaches as well as to select the patients with specific sub-phenotypes for targeted therapy.Thus,the development of gene expression profiles to improve the prediction of HCC prognosis is important for HCC management.Although several gene signatures have been evaluated for the prediction of HCC prognosis,there is no consensus on the predictive power of these signatures.Using systematic approaches to evaluate these signatures and combine them with clinicopathologic information may provide more accurate prediction of HCC prognosis.Recently,Villanueva et al developed a composite prognostic model incorporating gene expression patterns in both tumor and adjacent tissues to predict HCC recurrence.In this commentary,we summarize the current progress in using gene signatures to predict HCC prognosis,and discuss the importance,existing issues and future research directions in this field.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) as a potential mechanism of the effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance

The literature shows that improvements in cognitive performance may be observed following an acute bout of exercise. However, evidence in support of the biological mechanisms of this effect is still limited. Findings from both rodent and human studies suggest brain-derived neu- rotrophic factor （BDNF） as a potential mechanism of the effect of acute exercise on memory. The molecular properties of BDNF allow this protein to be assessed in the periphery （pBDNF） （i.e., blood serum, blood plasma）, making measurements of acute exercise-induced changes in BDNF concentration relatively accessible. Studies exploring the acute exercise--pBDNF--cognitive performance relationship have had mixed findings, but this may be more reflective of methodological differences between studies than it is a statement about the role of BDNE For example, significant associations have been observed between acute exercise-induced changes in pBDNF concentration and cognitive performance in studies assessing memory, and non-significant associations have been found in studies assessing non-memory cognitive domains. Three suggestions are made for future research aimed at understanding the role of BDNF as a biological mechanism of this relationship： 1） Assessments of cognitive performance may benefit from a focus on various types of memory （e.g., relational, spatial, long-term）; 2） More finegrained measurements of pBDNF will allow for the assessment of concentrations of specific isoforms of the BDNF protein （i.e., immature, mature）; 3） Statistical techniques designed to test the mediating role of pBDNF in the acute exercise-cognitive performance relationship should be utilized in order to make causal inferences.

The relationship between steeplechase hurdle economy, mechanics, and performance

Background： Research surrounding the steeplechase is scarce, with most research focusing primarily on how biomechanical factors relate to maintaining running speed while crossing barriers. One area that has not been well explored is the relationship between biomechanical factors and hurdling economy. The purpose of this study was to investigate how pel：formance times and biomechanical variables relate to hurdling economy during the steeplechase. Methods： This was accomplished by measuring running economy of collegiate and professional steeplechasers while rmming with and without hurdles. Biomechanical measures of approach velocity, takeoff distance, clearance height, and lead knee extension while hurdling, as well as steeplechase performance times were correlated to a ratio of running economy with and without hurdles. Results： While oxygen uptake was 2.6% greater for the laps requiring five barriers, there was no correlation between steeplechase performance time and the ratio of running economy during the hurdle and non-hurdle laps. Results also indicated no correlation between the aforementioned biomechanical variables and ratio of running economy during the hurdle and non-hurdle laps. Conclusion： Increasing approach velocity did not negatively affect running economy. Increased approach velocity is a benefit for maintenance of race pace, but does not hurt economy of movement.

Does Aristotelian Magnanimity Exclude Women？

This article studies whether Aristotle＇s understanding of magnanimity excludes women. I examine Aristotle＇s concept of the biological, moral, and intellectual capacities of women in theory and practice. Although Aristotle＇s biology describes key differences between the sexes, it does not exclude women from magnanimity. While the ethical and political writings also note key differences between men and women, they leave the theoretical possibility of attaining magnanimity open. Practically, the lack of leadership opportunities available to actual women may hinder the development of prudence, leading to an inability to achieve complete virtue and hence magnanimity. Thus, if women are unable to be magnanimous, this is due to practical political and familial arrangements, not to innate feminine defects. This finding provides a unique argument for feminine leadership and political participation. Truly exceptional women may need to actively seek out leadership opportunities and political involvement in order to complete their virtue