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In present study, a novel glutathione functionalized MoS 2 quantum dots (GSH-MoS 2 QDs) was synthesized from sodium molybdate dehydrate and glutathione by using a one-pot hydrothermal method. After they were characterized, the influence of GSH-MoS 2 QDs on amyloid aggregation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by various analytical methods including thioflavin T fluorescence assay, circular dichroism and transmission electron microscope. Moreover, the effect of GSH-MoS 2 QDs on cytotoxicity induced by BSA amyloid fibrils and cell penetration were evaluated by MTT assay and confocal fluorescence imaging, respectively. The results indicated that the GSH-MoS 2 QDs not only had good water solubility, excellent biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity, but also could obviously inhibit the aggregation of BSA and depolymerize the formed BSA aggregates. The data obtained from this work demonstrated that the GSH-MoS 2 QDs is expected to become a candidate drug for the treatment of amyloid-related diseases. • A novel GSH-MoS 2 QDs was synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal approach. • The as-prepared QDs can inhibit BSA aggregation and depolymerize BSA fibrils. • The QDs exhibits good biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity and cell permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-mixed hot recycling technology is widely used. Due to concerns about the road performance of recycled asphalt mixtures with high RAP content, the content of RAP is strictly limited, which has negative impact on ecological and economic benefits. Low preheating temperature of RAP material is an important reason for reduced performance of recycled asphalt mixtures containing high RAP content. At the same time, excessive preheating temperature of RAP materials can cause secondary aging of asphalt in RAP. This study regarded the preheating temperature as a variable. Rheological and spectroscopic tests such as DSR and BBR, and FTIR tests were conducted to investigate the effect of RAP preheating temperature on the secondary aging of RAP. Afterwards, the influence of raising preheating temperature of RAP on the performance of recycled asphalt mixtures was explored synthetically. When the preheating temperature is below 160 ºC, there is no significant secondary aging of aged asphalt in RAP. However, when the preheating temperature increases to 180 ºC, the rheological properties of aged asphalt undergo certain changes. Increasing the preheating temperature of RAP can significantly improve the low-temperature crack resistance and fatigue performance of recycled asphalt mixtures by reason of maximally activating the aged asphalt. Increasing the preheating temperature of RAP does not weaken the high-temperature anti-rutting performance of recycled asphalt mixture. It is recommended to control the preheating temperature of RAP at 160 ºC in the design and production process of hot recycled asphalt mixtures. • The effect of preheating temperature of RAP is investigated. • The preheating temperature below 160 ℃ has no significant effect on the secondary aging of aged asphalt in RAP. • Increasing the preheating temperature of RAP improves the low-temperature and fatigue performance of recycled mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, cysteamine-functionalized molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS 2 QDs) were synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal method. A range of techniques including of Thioflavin T and 8-Anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid fluorescence assays, circular dichroism, and transmission electron microscope have been employed to determination the efficacy of MoS 2 QDs on the inhibition/reversion of fibrillation and hindering cytotoxicity induced by protofibrils and amyloid fibrils of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Results demonstrated that MoS 2 QDs could effectively inhibit the fibrillogenesis and destabilize preformed fibrils of BSA in a concentration-dependent manner. Cytotoxicity protection and imagine on Hela cells was investigated using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. It was found that MoS 2 QDs not only has good biocompatibility, low toxicity and good cell penetration, but also could effectively decrease the cytotoxicity caused by the formed fibrils of BSA. The results obtained in this work suggested the potential biological application of MoS 2 QDs in therapeutics and provided new insight into the design of multifunctional nanomaterials for amyloid-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Electrochemical detection for visual analysis of IAA and SA in plants based on paper-based analytical devices. • A multichannel electrochemical station was used to improve the detection throughput. • Contents of IAA and SA in pea seedlings could be obtained and presented with the form of heat maps. • Levels of IAA and SA in Pea seedlings under normal conditions and salinity could be differentiated. Abstract Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and salicylic acid (SA) are two essential phytohormones for plants. Their regulating functions depend on their levels in different locations of plants. However, currently there is no satisfactory method for visual analysis of such small molecules in a whole plant. Herein the levels of IAA and SA in continuous parts of whole pea seedlings were analysed with paper-based electroanalytical devices coupled with a multichannel electrochemical station. The parts of pea seedlings were cut and put on the working electrodes for quantification. The contents of IAA and SA in continuous parts could be presented in the form of heatmaps, illustrating polar distribution of IAA levels and gradual changes of SA levels in whole pea seedlings. The contents distribution of IAA and SA further revealed variation of IAA and SA in different locations of pea seedlings. More importantly, the contents of IAA and SA in pea seedlings under normal conditions and salinity could also be differentiated with heatmaps and the contents distribution. Such results implied that our approach might be able to be extended for the study of mechanisms of plant hormones under various stresses. This study provided a possible route for visualization of small biochemical molecules in vivo with paper-based electrochemical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to determine the bacterial strains and factors that most efficiently degrade T-2 toxin in foods or animal feed. To determine the most efficient strain and optimal incubation times for degradation of T-2, the rate of T-2 removal by three lactic acid bacteria strains was quantified by liquid chromatography plus tandem mass spectrometry after incubation in de Man Rogosa Sharpe broth with 50 ng mL−1 T-2 at 37°C for 96 h. Various components of the most efficient degradation strain fermentation systems were extracted, and the ability to remove T-2 was assayed. Lactococcus lactis CAMT22361 was the most efficient degradation strain for removing T-2. Yeast extract powder interfered with L. lactis CAMT22361 in the degradation process. T-2 toxin was removed by various components of the L. lactis CAMT22361 cells in the following order: nonprotein material of the extracellular fraction > protein in the extracellular fraction > whole cell ≈ cell wall > cell intracellular matrix fluid. T-2 removal rates were 54.08% ± 0.79%, 43.65% ± 0.84%, 43.09% ± 0.87%, 41.98% ± 0.8%, and 23.45% ± 0.66%, respectively. The nonprotein fraction in the extracellular fluid was most likely the key component in L. lactis CAMT22361 and hence would be the most desirable cellular component to be used to remove T-2 from food or feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Au@Fe3O4 modified electrodes were applied for detection of salicylic acid. [•] Buffer solution with pH 7.0 was used for determination. [•] Linear range for salicylic acid is 1.0μM to 1.2mM and detection limit is 0.1μM. [•] Time-dependent variation of salicylic acid extracted from tomato leaves could be differentiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The contention-collision elimination access mode is a new kind of access mode in star LAN. It can be divided into six different models according to the working principle. The mathematical analysis and performance evaluations for the Ist, IInd, IIIrd and Vth models have been presented in our previous papers. The performance evaluation for the IVth model is discussed in this paper by calculating several important parameters in steady-state i.e. the customer’s transfer probability P ij , the mean number of customers , and the mean waiting time . Performance comparisons between the IVth model and the IInd model are also presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Increasing the temperature of hot stoves renders previously reliable silica bricks unstable. In this study, investigations on postmortem silica bricks used in hot stoves for more than 10 years were conducted, and the corrosion mechanism of the bricks during service was analysed. The results show that silica bricks prepared using CaO-FeO x mineralizers have excellent corrosion resistance to alkaline gases such as K 2 O(g) and Na 2 O(g) in hot stove gas, but are severely affected by Al 2 O 3 microparticles or CO(g) owing to their high amorphous content. The high amorphous content is due to the use of CaO-FeO x mineralizers to eliminate quartz from silica bricks. Under the working conditions of the hot stove, the amorphous SiO 2 –CaO-FeO x in the brick transitions towards SiO 2 –CaO–Al 2 O 3 -FeO x liquids with a high Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio owing to the attachment of Al 2 O 3 microparticles and the reduction of CO(g) on Fe3+. This transformation reduces the viscosity of the liquid and enhances its solvent effect on SiO 2 , thereby accelerating the dissolution-crystallisation of SiO 2 in the liquid and the migration of the liquid in the brick, ultimately leads to the structural rearrangement of the brick. After more than 10 years of service, the postmortem brick displays perforations of varying sizes, reaching a maximum diameter of 5 mm. Its structure is characterised by two distinct sections with obvious interfaces: the upper part exhibits a high-porosity structure with a porosity greater than 20 %, while the bottom is dense with a porosity of less than 10 %. The delamination of the postmortem brick is caused by the long-term migration of liquids under the action of gravity, whereas the accumulation of the liquid also forms obvious transverse microcracks in the brick owing to its hysteresis response to temperature changes. A corrosion model was constructed to demonstrate the corrosion mechanism of silica bricks in a hot stove. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have excellent abilities to regenerate from detached tissues, in which various phytohormones play critical roles. It has been reported that jasmonate and auxin appeared sequentially during direct de novo root regeneration (DNRR) after leave detachment. However, the role of salicylic acid (SA) is still unknown in this procedure although it is another important plant hormone. We have demonstrated the potential of electrochemical sensors for real time screening of SA but the stability still needed to be improved. Herein a digital plotter was used to modify the carbon tape modified electrodes with pencil traces in order to improve the reproducibility. The modified electrodes in paper-based analytical devices were applied to monitor SA during direct DNRR. The drawing routines and the distances between two close traces were optimized. Our results showed that the carbon tape modified electrodes achieved more reproducible responses of SA. Combined with in vivo sampling, the results using our approach demonstrated that amounts of SA in the wild Arabidopsis thaliana leaves during direct DNRR reached highest at around 72 h after detachment and then decreased, implying that the wave of SA contents might follow that of auxin during direct DNRR. The application of the digital plotter offered a cost-effective and more reproducible method for preparation of disposable working electrodes, which might be extended for other biochemical assays. A digital plotter was used to fabricate pencil trace modified carbon tape electrodes, which were coupled in paper-based analytical devices for real time sensing of salicylic acid in Arabidopsis leaves during direct de novo root regeneration. Image 1 • A digital plotter was used to modify the carbon tape electrodes based on pencil traces. • Salicylic acid could be detected with the modified electrode more reproducibly. • Real time amounts of salicylic acid in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves could be obtained. • The wave of salicylic acid might follow that of auxin during plant regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The conductive carbon tape electrode was modified with pencil trace by hand. • The nanostructure of carbon tape could keep the handed pencil trace. • The modified electrodes could be used to screen SA in tomato leaves. • SA in infected and normal tomato leaves could be differentiated in real time. Abstract Plants encounter phytopathogens frequently and phytohormones (such as salicylic acid, SA) are critical for their corresponding defensive functions. Monitoring SA in real time could help us understand its regulation mechanisms more clearly. Previously we have demonstrated that carbon tape working electrodes modified with carbon nanotubes could be utilized for quantification of SA in tomato leaf samples with the weights at the level of micrograms. Herein inexpensive pencils were used to modify the carbon tape with the pencil trace as the working electrodes by hand drawing. The pencil types and the trace layers were optimized for screening SA, implying that the carbon tape could maintain the handed pencil trace with its nanostructure. The carbon tape electrodes modified with handed pencil trace were integrated in the paper-based devices for real time monitoring SA in tomato leaves infected by Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tomato DC3000 (pst DC3000). Our results showed that the contents of SA in the surrounding area of the infection center increased significantly after inoculation of pst DC3000 within 24 h. The modification of working electrodes with handed pencil trace provided a low cost and effective method for sensitive detection of SA. The similar approach and platform might be extended for more biochemical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal human malignancies in China, and the genetic link of hepatocarcinogenesis remains to be defined. Thus, we explored the role of SET and myeloid translocation protein 8, Nervy, and DEAF1 (MYND) domain containing protein 3 ( SMYD3 ) gene polymorphism on risk and prognosis of HCC. Methods A total of 236 patients with HCC who received treatment in Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University for the first time and 230 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. After DNA extraction for all the subjects, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify and sequence variable numbers of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci of SMYD3 gene. SMYD3 gene was genotyped and its frequency distribution was calculated. Age, education level, income, smoking and drinking history, HCC family history, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, maximum tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis (LNM) etc. were investigated. Correlation of SMYD3 gene polymorphism and other risk factors with the occurrence and prognosis of HCC was analyzed. Results The family history of HCC, drinking history, cirrhosis, and HBV or/and HCV infection, SMYD3 VNTR 3/3 were more frequently observed in subjects with HCC. Patients with SMYD3 VNTR 3/3 genotype, drinking-history, family history of HCC, cirrhosis and hepatitis B virus (HBV), TNM staging, maximum tumor diameter, LNM were more vulnerable to HCC. Besides, patients with SMYD3 VNTR 3/3 genotype had lower 2- and 3-year survival rate. The COX regression analysis revealed that drinking history, family history of HCC, SMYD3 VNTR 3/3 genotype, TNM staging, and LNM were all related to the prognosis of HCC. Conclusion This study indicates that drinking history, family history of HCC and SMYD3 VNTR 3/3, TNM staging, maximum tumor diameter, LNM might be risk factors for HCC, and SMYD3 VNTR 3/3 might contribute to a lower 2- and 3-year survival rate of patients with HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is a five transmembrane domain protein that plays a crucial role in neurosteroid (e.g., allopregnanolone) synthesis by promoting the transport of cholesterol to the inner mitochondrial membrane. This protein is predominantly expressed in steroid-synthesizing tissues, including the central and peripheral nervous system, affecting stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression. Recent studies have focused on the hippocampal dentate gyrus, which is very important for involvement of anxiety and depression. However, the exact role that TSPO plays in the pathophysiology of anxiety and depression and the involvement of the hippocampal dentate gyrus in regulating these behavioural effects remain elusive. This study used the lentiviral vectors mediating TPSO overexpression to assess the effects of TPSO overexpression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus on anxiolytic and antidepressant-like behavioural effects in mice. The expression of TSPO and the concentration of allopregnanolone in hippocampus tissues (3 mm in diameter around the injection site on both sides) were measured by Western blot and ELISA, respectively. The results indicated that microinjection of the LV-TSPO resulted in a significant increase in TSPO expression and allopregnanolone concentration in the hippocampus. Moreover, TSPO overexpression of the mouse hippocampal dentate gyrus generated significant anxiolytic and antidepressant-like behavioural effects in a series of behavioural models. These effects were completely blocked by the TSPO antagonist PK11195 (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride (5 mg/kg,intraperitoneally). Meanwhile, the increased allopregnanolone was also reversed by PK11195 and finasteride. In addition, neither PK11195 nor finasteride had an effect on the expression of TSPO. Overall, our results are the first to suggest that the overexpression of TSPO in the hippocampal dentate gyrus produced anxiolytic and antidepressant-like behavioural effects that are partially mediated by downstream allopregnanolone biosynthesis. Our results suggest that TSPO would be a potential anxiolytic and antidepressant therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrophosphorylation of aldehydes with a P -stereogenic H -phosphinate was realized by heating two compounds in a neat state or catalyzed by a base, to afford P -retention α-hydroxyl phosphinates. The ( S P , S C ) and other diastereomers were isolated, and their structures were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and crystallography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: LED-fiber system has been used to monitor BLM and BESIII EMC. A radiation hard silica optical fiber is essential for its stability and reliability. Three types of silica optical fibers, silicone-clad silica optical fiber with high OH− content (SeCS), silica-clad silica optical fiber with low OH− content (SCSL) and silica-clad silica opical fiber with high OH− content (SCSH) were studied. In the experiment, 12 groups of fiber samples were irradiated by 60Co and 3 groups of fiber samples were irradiated by BEPCII background radiation. Radiation hardness: the radiation hardness of SCSH is best and meets the radiation hardness requirement for LED-fiber monitor of BLM and BESIII EMC. The transmission of SeCS and SCSH decreased to around 80% under the 60Co-irradiation of 5Gy and 10Gy, respectively. The radiation hardness of SeCS is worst because of its silicone cladding. Recovery characteristics: 60Co-irradiated by the same doses, there were both more annealable and more permanent color centers formed in SeCS than SCSL, and for the same kind of fibers, as long as the irradiated doses are under a certain amount (for example, less than 5Gy for SeCS), the higher the doses, both the more annealable and the more permanent color centers are formed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• We report the first use of COF for selective capture of Th(IV) from U(VI) and rare earth elements. • This adsorbent affords remarkable performance for capture of Th(IV) from U(VI) and rare earth elements. • This adsorbent affords the record Th(IV) adsorption capacity. Thorium, as a nuclear-power replacement for the uranium-based nuclear reactors and an effective avenue to produce uranium source, has become a key element for the increasing energy demand. However, we now are seriously restricted to gain thorium from mineral, due to co-existence of thorium, uranium, and rare earth elements. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to develop solid extraction technique with both large thorium adsorption capacity and high adsorption selectivity. In this work, a COF (covalent organic framework) adsorbent, namely [NH 4 ]+[COF-SO 3 −] was prepared for selective extraction of thorium from uranium, and rare earth elements. The selective adsorption towards Th(IV) is reflected on the large distribution coefficient (K d) of 1.34 × 105 mL/g, the big difference up to two orders of magnitude in the adsorption capacity, and the high selectivity (more than nine). This ultrahigh Th(IV) capture up to 395 mg/g presents the largest value for Th(IV) adsorption by porous absorbents. Furthermore, the practical separation of Th(IV) from U(VI) and rare earth elements (Eu3+ and Ce3+) was for the first time executed by both the breakthrough experiment and membrane-based separation experiment. Most importantly, upon this breakthrough separation a Th(VI) solution with high purity up to 93.5% was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a serious need for fast-acting drugs to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our previous studies revealed that YL-IPA08, a novel small-molecule TSPO agonist, exerted significant anti-PTSD effects in various animal models. However, the onset time of YL-IPA08 and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we first investigated the time course of YL-IPA08 compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the well-known time-dependent sensitization model of PTSD. YL-IPA08 required only 2–4 days of treatment to take effect in behavioural models of PTSD, whereas sertraline required 7–8 days. Furthermore, the mechanism study revealed that YL-IPA08 elicited anti-PTSD-like effects associated with increased GABA levels and allopregnanolone efflux in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex and increased corticosterone levels in the serum after only 5 days of treatment, whereas sertraline required 9 days. Our results demonstrate that YL-IPA08 can exert fast-onset anti-PTSD-like effects, and its mechanisms may be related to the increased GABA levels, allopregnanolone efflux and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]