Shanghai University

About: Shanghai University is a education organization based out in Shanghai, Shanghai, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Microstructure & Catalysis. The organization has 59583 authors who have published 56840 publications receiving 753549 citations. The organization is also known as: Shànghǎi Dàxué.

Xiaozhang Tie Improves Intestinal Motility in Rats With Cirrhotic Ascites by Regulating the Stem Cell Factor/c-kit Pathway in Interstitial Cells of Cajal.

Abstract: We previously discovered that Xiaozhang Tie (XZT) was helpful for cirrhotic ascites, with obvious abdominal distention relief, suggesting that it may improve gastrointestinal (GI) motility. However, the underlying mechanisms of GI motility in cirrhotic ascites are unclear. Here, we aimed to discover explored the effect of XZT on GI motility in animal cirrhotic ascites and probed the action mechanism affecting GI motility by regulating the SCF/c-kit pathway in ICCs and GI hormones. First, rat models of cirrhotic ascites were developed and then divided randomly into the following three subgroups: model control, XZT group, and mosapride group. The efficacy of XZT on treating cirrhotic ascites was evaluated on the basis of ascites weight and volume, 24 h urine volume, and feces water content. GI motility, intestine propulsion and gartric residue were detected using the migration distance of ink in vivo, and the frequency of contraction and tension of isolated gastric and jejunal muscle strips were measured after incubation with XZT extracts. Serum GI hormone content, including motilin (MTL), substance P (SP), somatostain (SS), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide were assayed. Subsequently, ICCs were isolated from jejunum, and primarily cultured ICCs were incubated with and without XZT and SCF. The cell vitality of the ICCs was measured. A whole-cell patch recording technique was used to record the current of K+ and Na+ channels in the ICC membrane. Expressions of c-kit/p-c-kit, p-Akt, p-Stat3, and p-Erk1/2 were detected in vivo and in vitro. The results revealed that XZT significantly reduced ascites weight and increased urine volume and fecal water content in model rats. XZT promoted intestinal motility and increased MTL level but reduced SP and SS levels. It enhanced the current of Na+ and K+ in ICCs and improved c-kit expression and signaling mediator phosphorylation in SCF/c-kit, which was inhibited by imatinib in vitro and downregulated in model rats in vivo. Our study concluded that XZT reduced the amount of ascites and improved intestinal motility in cirrhotic rats, which may be associated with its effect on ascites and was involved in the mechanisms regulating the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway in ICCs and improving gastrointestinal hormone secretion.

pH-Switchable Antimicrobial Nanofiber Networks of Hydrogel Eradicate Biofilm and Rescue Stalled Healing in Chronic Wounds.

Abstract: Biofilm infections can induce chronic inflammation and stall the normal orchestrated course of wound-healing cascades. Herein, pH-switchable antimicrobial hydrogel with nanofiber networks for biofilm eradication and rescuing stalled healing in chronic wounds is reported on the basis of the self-assembly of a designed octapeptide (IKFQFHFD) at neutral pH. This hydrogel is biocompatible and exhibits an acidic pH (pathological environment of infected chronic wounds)-switchable broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect via a mechanism involving cell wall and membrane disruption. The antimicrobial activity of hydrogel is derived from its acidic pH-dependent nanofiber network destabilization and activated release of IKFQFHFD, which is antimicrobial only at acidic pH due to the antimicrobial peptide-like molecular structure. In addition, supramolecular nanofiber networks loaded with drugs of cypate (photothermal agent) and proline (procollagen component) are further developed. In vitro experiments show that loaded drugs exhibit acidic pH (pH ∼ 5.5)-responsive release profiles, and synergistic biofilm eradication and subsequent healing cascade activation of cells proliferation are achieved on the basis of the supramolecular nanofiber networks. Remarkably, the nanofiber networks of hydrogel enable in vivo complete healing of MRSA biofilm infected wound in diabetic mice within 20 days, showing great potential as promising chronic wound dressings. The proposed synergistic strategy for eradicating biofilm and activating subsequent healing cascades may offer a powerful modality for the management of clinical chronic wounds.

Modified projective synchronization of chaotic system

Abstract: A modified projective synchronization is proposed to acquire a general kind of proportional relationships between the drive and response systems. From rigorously control theory, a sufficient condition is attained for the stability of the error dynamics, and is applied to guiding the design of the controllers. Finally, we take Lorenz system as an example for illustration and verification.

Template-Free Synthesis, Controlled Conversion, and CO Oxidation Properties of CeO2 Nanorods, Nanotubes, Nanowires, and Nanocubes

Abstract: A general large-scale synthesis of single-crystalline and uniform CeO2 nanorods was first realized without templates by a precipitation method at room temperature and pressure. Such nanorods have an aspect ratio of ca. 3 nm with a diameter of ca. 8 nm and a large BET specific area of 128.2 m2/g. On the basis of this, the controlled conversion of the as-prepared nanorods into nanotubes, nanowires, and nanocubes through hydrothermal reactions has been realized. Further experimental results show that the growth of nanorods is a function of the base concentration, temperature, and time. In addition, particle size measurements demonstrate that the primary nanorods grow by Ostwald ripening. It is found that CeO2 growth is faster at higher base concentration and temperature due to the accelerated ripening. During the synthesis, the formation of Ce(OH)3 intermediate species and their transformation into CeO2 have been dynamically demonstrated and are regarded as the key factors responsible for the evolution of shape. The CO oxidation properties of CeO2 nanorods, nanowires, nanotubes, and nanocubes were investigated, and CeO2 nanotubes have the best performance due to the large BET surface area and the novel inner surface. In addition, CeO2 nanorods aged for 9 d also have an excellent catalytic performance for CO oxidation due to the exposed crystal surface (110) of CeO2. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)

On Riemann-Liouville and Caputo Derivatives

Abstract: Recently, many models are formulated in terms of fractional derivatives, such as in control processing, viscoelasticity, signal processing, and anomalous diffusion. In the present paper, we further study the important properties of the Riemann-Liouville (RL) derivative, one of mostly used fractional derivatives. Some important properties of the Caputo derivative which have not been discussed elsewhere are simultaneously mentioned. The partial fractional derivatives are also introduced. These discussions are beneficial in understanding fractional calculus and modeling fractional equations in science and engineering.