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With the advent of the internet of things and artificial intelligence, flexible and portable pressure sensors have shown great application potential in human-computer interaction, personalized medicine and other fields. By comparison with traditional inorganic materials, flexible polymeric materials conformable to the human body are more suitable for the fabrication of wearable pressure sensors. Given the consumption of a huge amount of flexible wearable electronics in near future, it is necessary to turn their attention to biodegradable polymers for the fabrication of flexible pressure sensors toward the development requirement of green and sustainable electronics. In this paper, the structure and properties of silk fibroin (SF) are introduced, and the source and research progress of the piezoelectric properties of SF are systematically discussed. In addition, this paper summarizes the advance in the studies on SF-based capacitive, resistive, triboelectric, and piezoelectric sensors reported in recent years, and focuses on their fabrication methods and applications. Finally, this paper also puts forward the future development trend of high-efficiency fabrication and corresponding application of SF-based piezoelectric sensors. It offers new insights into the design and fabrication of green and biodegradable bioelectronics for in vitro and in vivo sensing applications.

In this paper, three imidazolium-based ionic liquids, viz., 1-butyl-3-undecyl imidazolium bromide ([BUIm]Br), 1-butyl-3-octyl imidazolium bromide ([BOIm]Br), and 1-butyl-3-hexadecyl imidazolium bromide ([BCIm]Br), were synthesized. Three novel microemulsions systems were constructed and then were used to recover Pd (II) from cyanide media. Key extraction parameters such as the concentration of ionic liquids (ILs), equilibration time, phase ratio (RA/O), and pH were evaluated. The [BUIm]Br/n-heptane/n-pentanol/sodium chloride microemulsion system exhibited a higher extraction percentage of Pd (II) than the [BOIm]Br/n-heptane/n-pentanol/sodium chloride and [BCIm]Br/n-heptane/n-pentanol/sodium chloride microemulsion systems. Under the optimal conditions (equilibrium time of 10 min and pH 10), the extraction percentages of these metals were all higher than 98.5% when using the [BUIm]Br/n-heptane/n-pentanol/sodium chloride microemulsion system. Pd(CN)42− was separated through a two-step stripping procedure, in which Fe (III) and Co (III) were first separated using KCl solution, then Pd(CN)42− was stripped using KSCN solution (separation factors of Pd from Fe and Co exceeded 103). After five extraction–recovery experiments, the recovery of Pd (II) through the microemulsion system remained over 90%. The Pd (II) extraction mechanism of the ionic liquid [BUIm]Br was determined to occur via anion exchange, as shown by spectral analysis (UV, FTIR), Job’s method, and DFT calculations. The proposed process has potential applications for the comprehensive treatment of cyanide metallurgical wastewater.

China announced a ban on its import of most plastic waste in 2017, resulting in an impact on global environmental sustainability. Here the authors quantify the environmental impacts of changes in the flow patterns and treatment methods of 6 types of plastic waste in 18 countries subsequent to the ban.

A novel functional ion-exchange/adsorption metal organic resin (MOR), TEBAC-HKUST-1, was prepared and characterized. Ethanedithiol was used as the grafting agent to introduce thiol groups onto HKUST-1, and 4-vinylbenzyl chloride was then grafted onto SH-HKUST-1 using thiol groups. Finally, the quaternary ammonium functional group was immobilized onto the carrier by performing a quaternization reaction. The structure and property of TEBAC-HKUST-1 MOR were characterized by TGA, N2 adsorption−desorption, FTIR, SEM, and XRD. TEBAC-HKUST-1 MOR was used to remove metal cyanide complexes from wastewater. The adsorption was rapid, and the metal cyanide complexes including Pt(CN)42−, Co(CN)63−, Cu(CN)32−, and Fe(CN)63− were removed in 30 min. TEBAC-HKUST-1 MOR exhibited a high stability in neutral and weak basic aqueous solutions. Furthermore, Pt(II) could be efficiently recovered through two-step elution. The recovery rate of Pt(II) for five cycles were over 92.0% in the mixture solution containing Pt(CN)42−, Co(CN)63−, Cu(CN)32−, and Fe(CN)63−. The kinetic data were best fitted with the pseudo second-order model. Moreover, the isothermal data were best fitted with the Langmuir model. The thermodynamic results show that the adsorption is a spontaneous and exothermic process. TEBAC-HKUST-1 MOR not only exhibited excellent ability for the rapid removal of metal cyanide complexes, but also provided a new idea for the extraction of noble metals from cyanide-contaminated water.

In this study, quaternary-ammonium-functionalized metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) Et-N-Cu(BDC-NH2)(DMF), were prepared, characterized, and applied for the highly effective removal of metal cyanide complexes, including Pd(CN)42−, Co(CN)63−, and Fe(CN)63−. Batch studies were carried out, and the maximum adsorption capacities of Pd(II), Co(III), and Fe(III) reached 172.9, 101.0, and 102.6, respectively. Adsorption was rapid, and equilibrium was established within 30 min. Et-N-Cu(BDC-NH2)(DMF) exhibited high thermal and chemical stability. Furthermore, absorbed Pd(CN)42− was selectively recovered by two-step elution. First, Co(CN)63− and Fe(CN)63− were eluted with a 1.5 mol L−1 KCl solution. Elution rates of Co(CN)63− and Fe(CN)63− were greater than 98.0%, whereas the elution percentage of Pd(CN)42− was less than 2.0%. Second, >97.0% Pd(CN)42− on the loaded MOFs was eluted using a 2.0 mol L−1 KI solution. The recovery rate of Pd(CN)42− was greater than 91.0% after five testing cycles. Adsorption isotherms, kinetics models, and adsorption thermodynamics of Pd(CN)42− on Et-N-Cu(BDC-NH2) (DMF) were also systematically investigated. The Et-N-Cu(BDC-NH2) (DMF) absorbent exhibited a rapid, excellent ability for the adsorption of metal cyanide complexes.

Conventional separation methods are not suitable for recovering palladium present in low concentrations in ore leaching solutions. In this study, a novel isopentyl sulfide (S201)-impregnated α-MnO2 nanorod adsorbent (BISIN) was prepared, characterized, and applied for the selective adsorption and separation of palladium from the leaching liquor of ores. Batch studies were carried out, and the main adsorption parameters were systematically investigated, in addition to the relevant thermodynamic parameters, isotherms, and kinetic models. The thermodynamic parameters reflected the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption. Moreover, the experimental results indicated that the Langmuir isotherm model fits the palladium adsorption data well and the adsorption was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The main adsorption mechanisms of palladium were elucidated at the molecular level by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Thiourea was found to be an excellent desorption agent, and the palladium-thiourea complex was also confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The results indicated that almost all of the Pd(II) (>99.0%) is adsorbed on BISIN, whereas less than 2% of the adsorbed Pt(IV), Fe3+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ is observed under the optimum conditions. The proposed method can be used for the efficient adsorption and separation of palladium from the leaching liquor of ores.

BACKGROUND: Amplification of 1q21 is the most frequent genetic alteration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which was detected in 58-78% of primary HCC cases by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Using chromosome microdissection/hybrid selection approach we recently isolated a candidate oncogene CHD1L from 1q21 region. Our previous study has demonstrated that CHD1L had strong oncogenic ability, which could be effectively suppressed by siRNA against CHD1L. The molecular mechanism of CHD1L in tumorigenesis has been associated with its role in promoting cell proliferation. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To further investigate the in vivo oncogenic role of CHD1L, CHD1L ubiquitous-expression transgenic mouse model was generated. Spontaneous tumor formations were found in 10/41 (24.4%) transgenic mice, including 4 HCCs, but not in their 39 wild-type littermates. In addition, alcohol intoxication was used to induce hepatocyte pathological lesions and results found that overexpression of CHD1L in hepatocytes could promote tumor susceptibility in CHD1L-transgenic mice. To address the mechanism of CHD1L in promoting cell proliferation, DNA content between CHD1L-transgenic and wildtype mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) was compared by flow cytometry. Flow cytometry results found that CHD1L could facilitate DNA synthesis and G1/S transition through the up-regulation of Cyclin A, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, CDK2, and CDK4, and down-regulation of Rb, p27(Kip1), and p53. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Taken together, our data strongly support that CHD1L is a novel oncogene and plays an important role in HCC pathogenesis.

Conventional separation methods are not suitable for recovering palladium present in low concentrations in ore leaching solutions. In this study, a novel isopentyl sulfide (S201)-impregnated α-MnO2 nanorod adsorbent (BISIN) was prepared, characterized, and applied for the selective adsorption and separation of palladium from the leaching liquor of ores. Batch studies were carried out, and the main adsorption parameters were systematically investigated, in addition to the relevant thermodynamic parameters, isotherms, and kinetic models. The thermodynamic parameters reflected the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption. Moreover, the experimental results indicated that the Langmuir isotherm model fits the palladium adsorption data well and the adsorption was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The main adsorption mechanisms of palladium were elucidated at the molecular level by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Thiourea was found to be an excellent desorption agent, and the palladium-thiourea complex was also confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The results indicated that almost all of the Pd(II) (>99.0%) is adsorbed on BISIN, whereas less than 2% of the adsorbed Pt(IV), Fe3+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ is observed under the optimum conditions. The proposed method can be used for the efficient adsorption and separation of palladium from the leaching liquor of ores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) protein levels are critical for tumor suppression. However, the search for a recurrent cancer-associated gene alteration that causes PTEN degradation has remained futile. In this study, we show that Importin-11 (Ipo11) is a transport receptor for PTEN that is required to physically separate PTEN from elements of the PTEN degradation machinery. Mechanistically, we find that the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and IPO11 cargo, UBE2E1, is a limiting factor for PTEN degradation. Using in vitro and in vivo gene-targeting methods, we show that Ipo11 loss results in degradation of Pten, lung adenocarcinoma, and neoplasia in mouse prostate with aberrantly high levels of Ube2e1 in the cytoplasm. These findings explain the correlation between loss of IPO11 and PTEN protein in human lung tumors. Furthermore, we find that IPO11 status predicts disease recurrence and progression to metastasis in patients choosing radical prostatectomy. Thus, our data introduce the IPO11 gene as a tumor-suppressor locus, which is of special importance in cancers that still retain at least one intact PTEN allele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accidental introduction of nonindigenous aquatic species (NIAS) is usually mediated by shipping through ballast water. Ballast water management plans are being developed and implemented around the world to prevent the spread of NIAS. However, for marine environmental management, incorporating stakeholders’ perceptions into designing and formulating management plans is key to achieving successful implementation. This study used qualitative interviews and grounded theory to induce the influencing factors and conceptual model of stakeholders’ perceptions on ballast water management (BWM) issues. The interplay of the pressure–state–response conceptual model based on grounded theory was established to elaborate on stakeholders’ perceptions. The study results indicated that local ballast water management required comprehensive port state control (PSC) and technical competency development. Second, an international commercial port can be used as a demonstration area to demonstrate the effectiveness and the potential benefits of BWM implementation due to its potential to link with international networks. Moreover, legislation, surveying/monitoring, institutional capacity and outreach/education are the four fundamentals to marine bio-invasion management. Initiating ballast water management measures as part of port environmental management aims to enhance marine pollution management capacity, especially in the field of marine bio-invasion management.

Background: Amplification of 3q26 is one of the most frequent genetic alterations in many human malignancies. Recently, we isolated a novel oncogene eIF-5A2 within the 3q26 region. Functional study has demonstrated the oncogenic role of eIF-5A2 in the initiation and progression of human cancers. In the present study, we aim to investigate the physiological and pathological effect of eIF-5A2 in an eIF-5A2 transgenic mouse model. Methods: An eIF-5A2 transgenic mouse model was generated using human eIF-5A2 cDNA. The eIF-5A2 transgenic mice were characterized by histological and immunohistochemistry analyses. The aging phenotypes were further characterized by wound healing, bone X-ray imaging and calcification analysis. Mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF) were isolated to further investigate molecular mechanism of eIF-5A2 in aging. Results: Instead of resulting in spontaneous tumor formation, overexpression of eIF-5A2 accelerated the aging process in adult transgenic mice. This included decreased growth rate and body weight, shortened life span, kyphosis, osteoporosis, delay of wound healing and ossification. Investigation of the correlation between cellular senescence and aging showed that cellular senescence is not required for the aging phenotypes in eIF-5A2 mice. Interestingly, we found that activation of eIF-5A2 repressed p19 level and therefore destabilized p53 in transgenic mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cells. This subsequently allowed for the accumulation of chromosomal instability, such as errors in cell dividing during metaphase and anaphase. Additionally, a significantly increase in number of aneuploidy cells (p < 0.05) resulted from an increase in the incidences of misaligned and lagging chromosomal materials, anaphase bridges, and micronuclei in the transgenic mice. Conclusion: These observations suggest that eIF-5A2 mouse models could accelerate organismal aging by increasing chromosome instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To satisfy the pharmaceutical care needs of a growing number of patients seeking healthcare in primary care, it is increasingly important to integrate family doctor teams as providers of such care services, while the way bringing the strength of the teams into full play needs to be further explored. Objective To understand the needs of pharmaceutical care services in the community of Shanghai, providing a reference for improving the way of integrating community pharmacists into a family doctor team for delivering such services. Methods This study was conducted from September to December in 2020. Multistage sampling was used to select 349 elderly patients with chronic diseases in the community and 855 main members of family doctor teams〔general practitioners (n=481) , nurses (n=234) , and public health doctors (n=140) 〕 for questionnaire survey. The questionnaire for the patients mainly includes demographics, chronic condition, use of medications, needs and utilization of community-based pharmaceutical care. And the questionnaire for family doctor team members mainly contains demographics, understanding of community-based pharmaceutical care, and pharmaceutical services preferred to be involved in as a provider. Results According to the survey results, the prevalence of three or more chronic diseases, and needing to take medications two or more times a day was 35.8% (125/349) , and 87.4% (305/349) , respectively. Among medication management services, "medication re-prescribing and follow-up" was the most needed〔14.9% (52/349) 〕, and "medication follow-up" was the most used〔14.0% (49/349) 〕. Among medication education services, "universal education on medication cautions for chronic conditions" was the most needed〔70.8% (247/349) 〕, and "healthy lifestyle promotion" was the most used〔9.4% (33/349) 〕. Among family doctor team members, 440 (91.5%) general practitioners, 202 (86.3%) nurses and 112 (80.0%) public health doctors expressed that they had an understanding of pharmaceutical care. In terms of the level of trust in pharmacists, the self-reported level of 302 (62.8%) general practitioners, 183 (78.2%) nurses, and 103 (73.6%) public health doctors was high. The number of general practitioners, nurses, and public health doctors wanting to be involved in "assisting physicians in providing medication selection and use services" was 359 (74.6%) , 112 (47.9%) , and 81 (57.8%) , respectively. The number of general practitioners, nurses, and public health doctors wanting to be involved in "providing nurses with guidance on medication use and management" was 190 (39.5%) , 153 (65.4%) and 57 (40.7%) , respectively. Conclusion Elderly patients with chronic diseases were in urgent need of medication management services, and more medication education services. However, the strength of pharmaceutical professional workforce in the community was weak, and family doctor team members had limited understanding of community-based pharmaceutical services. To efficiently provide residents with such services, it is suggested to train family doctor team members with relevant trainings by pharmaceutical professionals to improve their understanding level and service capability regarding pharmaceutical services at the individual and team levels.

Background Most of the elderly are prone to more than two chronic diseases and polypharmacy. Community health institutions are the key to ensuring rational drug use for in this population. Given many problems existing in the delivery of community pharmaceutical services, how to make better use of existing resources to improve the level of community pharmaceutical services remains to be further explored. Objective To understand the status of community pharmaceutical services implemented in Shanghai, providing a reference for improving community pharmaceutical services. Methods We conducted a survey in Shanghai with 235 pharmaceutical professionals selected by use of phased sampling from September to December 2020 with a questionnaire named as "Community Pharmacists Questionnaire" developed by us based on the results of previous literature review and on-site visits. In November 2020, we conducted a focus group interview with 82 stakeholders (including one pharmaceutical professional, one general practitioner and one community administrator selected from each community, two or three administrators selected from the health commission of each district) in Shanghai guided by an outline named as "Rational Drug Use for the Elderly" developed by us based on the results of previous literature review and on-site visits. The allocation of community pharmaceutical care resources, implementation and management of community pharmaceutical care involved in the interview were extracted as supplements to the survey results. Results Among the 235 community pharmacists surveyed, the prevalence of providing prescription dispensing, prescription review, pharmaceutical drive-thru window services or outpatient consultation and guidance, and prescription comment services was 94.0% (221/235) , 82.6% (194/235) , 64.3% (151/235) , and 51.9% (122/235) , respectively. Among these services, prescription dispensing and prescription review were ranked as the top two in terms of average comprehensive score, indicating that implementing these two services required longer working hours of community pharmacists. In terms of the delivery methods of community pharmaceutical services, community pharmacists mainly used consultation windows〔226 cases (96.2%) 〕, pharmaceutical clinics〔119 cases (50.6%) 〕 and publicity lectures〔109 cases (46.4%) 〕. Only 53 (22.6%) participated in the family doctor team, among whom 22 (41.5%) had the qualification of clinical pharmacist; 47 (88.7%) mainly provided public education on rational drug use, and 45 (84.9%) mainly provided medication guidance and consultation services for patients. In terms of training, 180 cases (76.6%) participated in a training in the past one year, while other 55 (23.4%) cases did not. The number of trainings for most of cases was one or two times〔105 (58.3%) 〕. The way of trainings for most of cases was continuing education〔155 (86.1%) 〕. Both the questionnaire survey and interview results revealed that the main problems existing in the provision of community pharmaceutical services were heavy workload of dispensing/prescription review, lack of clinical knowledge patients' insufficient trust in pharmacists, and lack of performance incentives. Conclusion To meet the pharmaceutical needs of elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions, actions need to be taken to reduce the heavy workload of delivering traditional services in pharmacists, strengthen the clinical training of in-service pharmacists, and encourage pharmacists to join the family doctor team. Through providing pharmaceutical consultations and trainings for other family doctor team members by pharmacists, the scope of influence of pharmaceutical services will be expanded, which contributes to the ensuring of rational drug use.

Metastatic prostate cancer commonly presents with targeted, bi-allelic mutations of the PTEN and TP53 tumor suppressor genes. In contrast, however, most candidate tumor suppressors are part of large recurrent hemizygous deletions, such as the common chromosome 16q deletion, which involves the AKT-suppressing phosphatase PHLPP2. Using RapidCaP, a genetically engineered mouse model of Pten/Trp53 mutant metastatic prostate cancer, we found that complete loss of Phlpp2 paradoxically blocks prostate tumor growth and disease progression. Surprisingly, we find that Phlpp2 is essential for supporting Myc, a key driver of lethal prostate cancer. Phlpp2 dephosphorylates threonine-58 of Myc, which renders it a limiting positive regulator of Myc stability. Furthermore, we show that small-molecule inhibitors of PHLPP2 can suppress MYC and kill PTEN mutant cells. Our findings reveal that the frequent hemizygous deletions on chromosome 16q present a druggable vulnerability for targeting MYC protein through PHLPP2 phosphatase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]