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Cholic acid and galactose or lactose dual conjugated chitosan derivatives were designed and synthesized as potential anti liver cancer drug carriers, their structures were characterized through proton NMR spectra, elemental analysis, size distribution, zeta potential, and scanning electron microscope image studies. The ability of the dual conjugates to enhance the aqueous solubility of the cancer drug sorafenib was evaluated. The entrapment efficiency (EE%) and drug content (DC%) of sorafenib in the inclusion complexes were measured. The chitosan dual conjugate with cholic acid and galactose was found to be best in enhancing the aqueous solubility of sorafenib. The solubility of sorafenib in water has increased from 1.7 µg/mL to 1900 µg/mL which is equal to 1117-fold increase in its solubility due to the inclusion complex with chitosan conjugate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitation microphysics over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) remain insufficiently understood, due to the lack of observations and studies. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of the raindrop size distribution (DSD) for rainfall that happened on the eastern slope of TP in summer. DSD differences between different rain types and under different rain rates are investigated. Confidential empirical relationships between the gamma shape and slope parameters, and between reflectivity and rain rate are proposed. DSD properties in this area are also compared with those in other areas. The results indicate that the stratiform and convective rains contribute to different rain duration and amount, with diverse rainfall macro- and microphysical properties. The rain spectra of two rain types can become broader with higher concentrations as the rain rate increases. DSDs in this area are different to those in other areas. The stratiform DSD is narrower than that in the non-plateau area. The two rain types of this area both have higher number concentrations for 0.437–1.625 mm raindrops than those of the mid-TP. The relationships of shape–slope parameters and reflectivity–rain rate in this area are also different from those in other areas. The rain spectra in this area can produce a larger slope parameter under the same shape parameter than in the mid-TP. The convective rain can produce a smaller rain rate under the same reflectivity. The accuracy proposed reflectivity–rain rate relationship in application to quantitative rainfall estimation is also discussed. The results show that the relationship has an excellent performance when the rain rate exceeds 1 mm h−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulosa cells (GCs) are the key components of ovarian follicles for regulating oocyte maturation. Previous established GC lines have allowed prolonged proliferation, but lost some physiological features owing to long-term immortalization. This study was to establish an induced immortal porcine GC line with reversible proliferation status by the tetracycline inducible (Tet-on) 3G system. Our conditional immortal porcine GCs (CIPGCs) line steadily propagated for at least six months and displayed primary GC morphology when cultured in the presence of 50 ng/mL doxycycline [Dox (+)]. Upon Dox withdrawal [Dox (-)], Large T-antigen expression, reflected by mCherry fluorescence, gradually became undetectable within 48 h, accompanied by less proliferation and size increase. The levels of estradiol and progesterone, and the expression of genes associated with steroid production, such as CYP11A1 ( cytochrome P450 family 11 ) , 3β-HSD (3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase), StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein), and CYP19A1 (cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily a member 1), were all significantly higher in the Dox (-) group than Dox (+) group. The CIPGCs could switch into a proliferative state upon Dox induction. Interestingly, the expression of StAR and CYP19A1 in the CIPGCs (-Dox) was significantly increased by adding porcine follicular fluid (PFF) to mimic an ovary follicle environment. Moreover, PFF priming the CIPGCs in Dox (-) group resulted in similar estradiol production as that of primary GC, and enabled this cell line to respond to gonadotrophins in estradiol production. Collectively, we have established an inducible immortal porcine GC line, which offers a unique and valuable model for future research on the regulation of ovarian functions., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest to each other. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.