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Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis due to the absence of effective therapeutic targets. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family are expressed in 30–60% of TNBC, therefore providing potential therapeutic targets for TNBC. Aflibercept (Abe), a humanized recombinant fusion protein specifically bound to VEGF-A, B and placental growth factor (PIGF), has proven to be effective in the treatment in some cancers. Therefore, 89Zr/177Lu-labeled Abe was investigated for its theranostic role in TNBC. Methods: Abe was radiolabeled with 89Zr and 177Lu via the conjugation of chelators. Flow cytometry and cell immunofluorescent staining were performed to evaluate the binding affinity of Abe. Sequential PET imaging and fluorescent imaging were conducted in TNBC tumor bearing mice following the injection of 89Zr-labeled Abe and Cy5.5-labeled Abe. Treatment study was performed after the administration of 177Lu-labeled Abe. Tumor volume and survival were monitored and SPECT imaging and biodistribution studies were conducted. Safety evaluation was performed including body weight, blood cell measurement, and hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining of major organs. Expression of VEGF and CD31 was tested by immunohistochemical staining. Dosimetry was estimated using the OLINDA software. Results: FITC-labeled Abe showed a strong binding affinity to VEGF in TNBC 4T1 cells and HUVECs by flow cytometry and cell immunofluorescence. Tumor uptake of 89Zr-labeled Abe peaked at 120 h (SUVmax = 3.2 ± 0.64) and persisted before 168 h (SUVmax = 2.54 ± 0.42). The fluorescence intensity of the Cy5.5-labeled Abe group surpassed that of the Cy5.5-labeled IgG group, implying that Cy5.5-labeled Abe is a viable candidate monitoring in vivo tumor targeting and localization. 177Lu-labeled Abe (11.1 MBq) served well as the therapeutic component to suppress tumor growth with standardized tumor volume at 16 days, significantly smaller than PBS group (about 815.66 ± 3.58% vs 3646.52 ± 11.10%, n = 5, P < 0.01). Moreover, SPECT images confirmed high contrast between tumors and normal organs, indicating selective tumor uptake of 177Lu-labeled Abe. No discernible abnormalities in blood cells, and no evident histopathological abnormality observed in liver, spleen, and kidney. Immunohistochemical staining showed that 177Lu-labeled Abe effectively inhibited the expression of VEGF and CD31 of tumor, suggesting that angiogenesis may be suppressed by 177Lu-labeled Abe. The whole-body effective dose for an adult human was estimated to be 0.16 mSv/MBq. Conclusion: 89Zr/177Lu-labeled Abe could be a TNBC-specific marker with diagnostic value and provide insights into targeted therapy in the treatment of TNBC. Further clinical evaluation and translation may be of high significance for TNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal gasification fine slag (FS) is a typical solid waste generated in coal gasification. Its current disposal methods of stockpiling and landfilling have caused serious soil and ecological hazards. Separation recovery and the high-value utilization of residual carbon (RC) in FS are the keys to realizing the win-win situation of the coal chemical industry in terms of economic and environmental benefits. The structural properties, such as pore, surface functional group, and microcrystalline structures, of RC in FS (FS-RC) not only affect the flotation recovery efficiency of FS-RC but also form the basis for the high-value utilization of FS-RC. In this paper, the characteristics of FS-RC in terms of pore structure, surface functional groups, and microcrystalline structure are sorted out in accordance with gasification type and FS particle size. The reasons for the formation of the special structural properties of FS-RC are analyzed, and their influence on the flotation separation and high-value utilization of FS-RC is summarized. Separation methods based on the pore structural characteristics of FS-RC, such as ultrasonic pretreatment–pore-blocking flotation and pore breaking–flocculation flotation, are proposed to be the key development technologies for improving FS-RC recovery in the future. The design of low-cost, low-dose collectors containing polar bonds based on the surface and microcrystalline structures of FS-RC is proposed to be an important breakthrough point for strengthening the flotation efficiency of FS-RC in the future. The high-value utilization of FS should be based on the physicochemical structural properties of FS-RC and should focus on the environmental impact of hazardous elements and the recyclability of chemical waste liquid to establish an environmentally friendly utilization method. This review is of great theoretical importance for the comprehensive understanding of the unique structural properties of FS-RC, the breakthrough of the technological bottleneck in the efficient flotation separation of FS, and the expansion of the field of the high value-added utilization of FS-RC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tactile sensors that can detect both normal and tangential forces with high sensitivity, wide detection range and rapid dynamic response are imminently needed for electronic skin (e-skin). Herein, a sandwich-like flexible tactile sensor was fabricated by integrating the bioinspired honeycomb dielectric layer and top/bottom flexible electrodes based on a simple multilayer assembly method. The sandwich-like capacitive three-axis force tactile sensor exhibited high sensitivity (0.693 N− 1 at 0–5 N (0.218 kPa− 1 at 0−15.9 kPa) for normal force, as well as 0.551 N− 1 at 0–2 N and 0.481 N− 1 at 2–6 N for tangential force), a rapid response time (30 ms) and a low hysteresis (6.8%). The working principle and sensing characteristics were elaborated by establishing the theoretical mechanism, and the simulation verification was carried out by finite element modeling (FEM). Our sensor was employed in soft manipulator grasping and gamepad rotation, suggestive of the application potential of the sandwich-like tactile sensor as e-skin in the field of robotic sensing. Our work may pave a way to tactile/pressure perception strategy, which could be widely utilized in e-skin, soft robot, dexterous robotic manipulation, and intelligent prosthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor with a high degree of malignancy, strong heterogeneity, and high lethality. Trop2 is a transmembrane glycoprotein associated with the occurrence, development, and poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer. This study aims to develop 64Cu/177Lu-labeled anti-Trop2 monoclonal antibody (hIMB1636) for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and radioimmunotherapy (RIT) application in pancreatic cancer tumor models. Methods: The binding kinetics of hIMB1636 to Trop2 antigen was measured by Biolayer interferometry (BLI). Western blotting was used to screen the Trop2 expression of pancreatic cancer cell lines. Flow cytometry and cell immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the binding ability of hIMB1636 and Trop2 on the cell surface. hIMB1636 were conjugated with p-SCN-Bn-NOTA (NOTA) and DOTA-NHS-ester (DOTA) for 64Cu and 177Lu radiolabeling respectively. ImmunoPET imaging and RIT studies were performed using 64Cu-NOTA-hIMB1636 and 177Lu-DOTA-hIMB1636 in subcutaneous pancreatic cancer tumor models. Results: hIMB1636 had a strong binding affinity to Trop2 according to the results of BLI. The T3M-4 cell line showed the strongest expression of Trop2 and specific binding ability of hIMB1636 according to the results of Western blotting, flow cytometry, and cell immunofluorescence. The radiochemical purity of 64Cu-NOTA-hIMB1636 and 177Lu-DOTA-hIMB1636 exceeded 95%. PET imaging showed gradually an accumulation of 64Cu-NOTA-hIMB1636 in T3M-4 tumor models. The maximum tumor uptake was 8.95 ± 1.07%ID/g (n = 4) at 48 h post injection (p.i.), which had significant differences with T3M-4-blocked and PaTu8988-negative groups (P < 0.001). The high-177Lu-hIMB1636 group demonstrated the strongest tumor suppression with standardized tumor volume about 94.24 ± 14.62% (n = 5) at 14 days p.i., significantly smaller than other groups (P < 0.05). Ex vivo biodistribution and histological staining verified the in vivo PET imaging and RIT results. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that 64Cu/177Lu-labeled hIMB1636 could noninvasively evaluate the expression level of Trop2 and inhibit the Trop2-overexpressed tumor growth in pancreatic cancer tumor models. Further clinical evaluation and translation of Trop2-targeted drug may be of great help in the stratification and management of pancreatic cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global citizenship education (GCE) has been implemented in schools as an approach to address growing global issues and increase the internationalization of education. From critical discourse, however, the implementation of GCE seems to be thwarted by neoliberal practices that deepen societal inequality and gaps, and only benefit members of elite groups. This study aims to analyze teachers' perceptions and the school-based concrete implementation of context-specific GCE in China, unveiling not only the co-existence of neoliberal and moral perspective in teachers' conceptual framework, but the key role that teachers and schools play in the implementation. It argues that sampled teachers follow inclusive understandings of global citizenship, their definitional frameworks were profoundly shaped by the multiple interplays between global forces, official discourses, and moral tradition. Given that a central characteristic of GCE is working as an "axis" to group the cross-cutting themes or initiatives of global dimensions within a range of courses and across school ethos, extra-curricular activity and international program in particular. The discrepancies and disparities in GCE development seen between rural and urban schools extend education inequality from local to the global sphere, in which underprivileged students have heightened risks of being marginalized in the global world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Abnormal CD38 expression in some hematologic malignancies, including lymphoma, has made it a biomarker for targeted therapies. Daratumumab (Dara) is the first FDA-approved CD38-specific monoclonal antibody, enabling successfully immunoPET imaging over the past years. Radiolabeled Dara however has a long blood circulation and delayed tumor uptake which can limit its applications. The focus of this study is to develop 64Cu-labeled Dara-F(ab′)2 for the visualization of CD38 in lymphoma models. Methods: F(ab′)2 fragment was prepared from Dara using an IdeS enzyme and purified with Protein A beads. Western blotting, flow cytometry, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) were performed for in vitro assay. Probes were labeled with 64Cu after the chelation of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (NOTA). Small animal PET imaging and quantitative analysis were performed after injection of 64Cu-labeled Dara-F(ab′)2, IgG-F(ab′)2, and Dara for evaluation in lymphoma models. Results: Flow cytometry and SPR assay proved the specific binding ability of Dara-F(ab′)2 and NOTA-Dara-F(ab′)2 in vitro. Radiolabeling yield of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-Dara-F(ab′)2 was over 90% and with a specific activity of 4.0 ± 0.6 × 103 MBq/μmol (n = 5). PET imaging showed [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-Dara-F(ab′)2 had a rapid and high tumor uptake as early as 2 h (6.9 ± 1.2%ID/g) and peaked (9.5 ± 0.7%ID/g) at 12 h, whereas [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-Dara reached its tumor uptake peaked at 48 h (8.3 ± 1.4%ID/g, n = 4). In comparison, IgG-F(ab′)2 and HBL-1 control groups found no noticeable tumor uptake. [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-Dara-F(ab′)2 had significantly lower uptake in blood pool, bone, and muscle than [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-Dara and its tumor-to-blood and tumor-to-muscle ratios were significantly higher than controls. Conclusions: [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-Dara-F(ab′)2 showed a rapid and high tumor uptake in CD38-positive lymphoma models with favorable imaging contrast, showing its promise as a potential PET imaging agent for future clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of total ammonium nitrogen (TAN) on hatching, metamorphosis and survival of the geoduck clam Panopea japonica in early life stages (larvae and juvenile) were studied. Ammonia had a significant impact on the hatching ratio at different concentrations. The survival ratio of larvae and juveniles was reduced significantly along with increasing TAN concentration. The maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) of TAN for larval relative growth ratio was 0.49 mg/L (equivalent to 0.013 mg/L of un-ionized ammonia), and EC50 for survival after 192 h was 1.04 mg/L (equivalent to 0.028 mg/L of un-ionized ammonia). The MATC of TAN on the metamorphosis ratio of P. japonica was 0.93 mg/L (equivalent to 0.030 mg/L of un-ionized ammonia). In juveniles, there was no significant difference in survival ratios with TAN concentrations ranging from 4.07 to 7.01 mg/L. MATC for survival was 7.01 mg/L (equivalent to 0.22 mg/L of un-ionized ammonia), and the LC50 after 96 h was 13.96 mg/L (equivalent to 0.44 mg/L of un-ionized ammonia). Our findings provided information of the larval and juvenile P. japonica in response to the TAN stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloning quantitative trait locus (QTL) is time consuming and laborious, which hinders the understanding of natural variation and genetic diversity. Here, we introduce RapMap, a method for rapid multi-QTL mapping by employing F2 gradient populations (F2GPs) constructed by minor-phenotypic-difference accessions. The co-segregation standard of the single-locus genetic models ensures simultaneous integration of a three-in-one framework in RapMap i.e. detecting a real QTL, confirming its effect, and obtaining its near-isogenic line-like line (NIL-LL). We demonstrate the feasibility of RapMap by cloning eight rice grain-size genes using 15 F2GPs in three years. These genes explain a total of 75% of grain shape variation. Allele frequency analysis of these genes using a large germplasm collection reveals directional selection of the slender and long grains in indica rice domestication. In addition, major grain-size genes have been strongly selected during rice domestication. We think application of RapMap in crops will accelerate gene discovery and genomic breeding. Cloning quantitative trait loci (QTL) in crops is often slow and laborious. Here, the authors describe RapMap, a method to rapidly clone multiple QTL based on F2 gradient populations coupled with a co-segregation standard, and show how it can be used to identify genes controlling grain size in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the high coexistence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (ASD + ADHD), the underlying neurobiological basis of this disorder remains unclear. Altered brain structural asymmetries have been verified in ASD and ADHD, respectively, making brain asymmetry a candidate for characterizing this coexisting disorder. Here, we measured the gray matter (GM) volume asymmetry in ASD + ADHD versus ASD without ADHD (ASD-only), ADHD without ASD (ADHD-only), and typically developing controls (TDc). High-resolution T1-weighted data from 48 ASD + ADHD, 63 ASD-only, 32 ADHD-only, and 211 matched TDc were included in our study. We also assessed brain-behavior relationships and the effects of age on GM asymmetry. We found that there were both shared and disorder-specific GM volume asymmetry alterations in ASD + ADHD, ASD-only, and ADHD-only compared with TDc. This finding demonstrates that ASD + ADHD is neither an endophenocopy nor an additive pathology of ASD and ADHD, but an entirely different neuroanatomical pathology. In addition, ASD + ADHD displayed altered GM volume asymmetries in the prefrontal regions responsible for executive function and theory of mind compared with ASD-only. We also found significant effects of age on GM asymmetry. The present study may provide structural insights into the neural basis of ASD + ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) and its chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5) both play significant roles in the tumor microenvironment (TME). CXCL13 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has recently been found to have significant diagnostic and prognostic value in primary and secondary central nervous system (CNS) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and the CXCL13-CXCR5 axis has been shown to play an important chemotactic role in the TME of CNS-DLBCL. In this review, we first describe the clinical value of CXCL13 in CSF as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker for CNS-DLBCL. In addition, this review also discusses the specific mechanisms associated with the CXCL13-CXCR5 axis in tumor immunity of primary diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the central nervous system (PCNS-DLBCL) by reviewing the specific mechanisms of this axis in the immune microenvironment of DLBCL and CNS inflammation, as well as the prospects for the use of CXCL13-CXCR5 axis in immunotherapy in PCNS-DLBCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proactive interference occurs when consolidated memory traces inhibit new learning. This kind of interference decreases the efficiency of new learning and also causes memory errors. Exercise has been shown to facilitate some types of cognitive function; however, whether exercise reduces proactive interference to enhance learning efficiency is not well understood. Thus, this review discusses the effects of exercise on proactive memory interference and explores potential mechanisms, such as neurogenesis and neurochemical changes, mediating any effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification and quantification of phosphorus (P) compounds derived from algal biomass are crucial for a better understanding of algal P dynamics in lake ecosystems. Quantity and species of P in algae collected from Chao Lake (a typical ultra-eutrophic lake) in China were analyzed by chemical analysis and 31P NMR. Total P (TP) in algae biomass ranged from 2671 to 5385 mg kg−1 of dry matter. Proportion of organic P (Po) accounted for 78.3 ± 2.6% in algae biomass collected from the western part of Chao Lake, which was higher than that (64.7 ± 1.4%) in the eastern part of the lake. Eight P species including inorganic P species (orthophosphate and pyrophosphate) and Po species (five monoesters P and diesters P) were identified in NaOH–EDTA extracts of algal samples. Monoesters P accounted for 48.4% in extracted TP, which was the main component of Po. β-glycerophosphates were the largest component of monoesters P, which accounted for 22.6% in extracted TP. This study improved knowledge on the mechanism of the cycling of endogenous P in the aquatic system and would be helpful in developing a strategy for control of repeated algae blooms in eutrophic Chao Lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, fresh mangos were packed using a custom-made antimicrobial film coated with sustained-release chlorine dioxide microcapsules. We then compared physical and chemical indexes, such as weight loss rate, firmness, chromatic aberrations, soluble solids, vitamin C, titratable acid, and other nutritional indicators, to examine changes in the mango and film during storage. Our findings revealed that control mango showed loss of edible value and commercial value after 21 days of storage, and the chlorine dioxide microcapsule antibacterial film group still retains food value and commercial value. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy images of the used film showed that the polylactic acid film was smooth and flat, whereas cross-sections of the antimicrobial film showed that the film was covered with voids due to deliberate release of chlorine dioxide gas during the packaging process. Thus, the antibacterial film exhibited erosion and degradation. These findings provided important insights into the use of antimicrobial films for the packaging of fruits during storage, which is essential for promoting the application of solid chlorine dioxide antimicrobial film in packaging preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current direct methanol fuel cells are still largely limited to the neat methanol operation due to the high methanol permeation of the currently used Nafion membranes. To achieve high methanol concentration DMFC application of the sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK)-based proton exchange membrane, the neat SPEEK membrane is here modified by blending with the designed cross-linked fully aromatic sulfonated polyamide (Cr- fa-SPA). As the similar fully aromatic features of the SPEEK and the Cr- fa-SPA and the formed hydrogen bonding interactions between the SPEEK and the Cr- fa-SPA, the SPEEK/Cr- fa-SPA membranes show good compatibility, which is beneficial for the construction of the uniform and contact morphology of the membrane. In addition, the cross-linking network and the hydrogen bonding interactions in the SPEEK/Cr- fa-SPA membranes are favorable for enhancing the dimensional stability and reducing the methanol permeation. In particular, the lowest methanol permeability of 0.46 × 10 cm/s is successfully obtained by blending 40 wt% Cr- fa-SPA in the SPEEK/Cr- fa-SPA membrane, which is almost two magnitudes lower than that of the Nafion 117 membrane. Finally, the SPEEK/Cr- fa-SPA DMFC devices were successfully demonstrated with the highly concentrated 20 M methanol fuels with remarkable performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies of flexible flaps attached to the aft part of a cylinder have demonstrated a favourable effect on the drag and lift force fluctuation. This observation is thought to be linked to the excitation of travelling waves along the flaps and as a consequence of that, periodic shedding of the von Kármán vortices is altered in phase. A more general case of such interaction is studied herein for a limited row of flaps in an oscillating flow; representative of the cylinder case since the transversal flow in the wake-region shows oscillating character. This reference case is chosen to qualify recently developed numerical methods for the simulation of fluid-structure interaction in the context of the EU funded 'PELskin' project. The simulation of the two-way coupled dynamics of the flexible elements is achieved via a structure model for the flap motion, which was implemented and coupled to two different fluid solvers via the immersed boundary method. The results show the waving behaviour observed at the tips of the flexible elements in interaction with the fluid flow and the formation of vortices in the gaps between the flaps. In addition, formation of vortices upstream of the leading and downstream of the trailing flap is seen, which interact with the formation of the shear-layer on top of the row. This leads to a phase shift in the wave-type motion along the row that resembles the observation in the cylinder case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fluid-structure interaction mechanisms of a coating composed of flexible flaps immersed in a periodically oscillating channel flow is here studied by means of numerical simulation, employing the Euler-Bernoulli equations to account for the flexibility of the structures. A set of passively actuated flaps have previously been demonstrated to deliver favourable aerodynamic impact when attached to a bluff body undergoing periodic vortex shedding. As such, the present configuration is identified to provide a useful test-bed to better understand this mechanism, thought to be linked to experimentally observed travelling waves. Having previously validated and elucidated the flow mechanism in Paper 1 of this series, we hereby undertake a more detailed analysis of spectra obtained for different natural frequency of structures and different configurations, in order to better characterize the mechanisms involved in the organized motion of the structures. Herein, this wave-like behaviour, observed at the tips of flexible structures via interaction with the fluid flow, is characterized by examining the time history of the filaments motion and the corresponding effects on the fluid flow, in terms of dynamics and frequency of the fluid velocity. Results indicate that the wave motion behaviour is associated with the formation of vortices in the gaps between the flaps, which itself are a function of the structural resistance to the cross flow. In addition, formation of vortices upstream of the leading and downstream of the trailing flap is seen, which interact with the formation of the shear-layer on top of the row. This leads to a phase shift in the wave-type motion along the row that resembles the observation in the cylinder case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel pendant-type cross-linked anion exchange membrane ( pc-AEM) was successfully synthesized using a pre-synthesis approach to precisely control the IEC value and the degree of cross-linking. The physical properties of the pc-AEMs and the non-cross-linked pc-AEMs as well as Nafion 117 were determined, and the results were systematically compared. It was found that the synthesized pc-AEMs show much better dimensional retention capacity than the non-cross-linked pc-AEM and Nafion 117. In addition, the mechanical strength of the pc-AEMs was also remarkably enhanced. By increasing the IEC value of the pc-AEMs to the same level of Nafion 117, the highest ionic conductivity of 0.036 S/cm at 80 °C was reached. The remarkable enhancement of conductivity is chiefly attributed to the construction of highly efficient ionic transport channels resulting from the combined pendant-type and cross-linked architectures of the pc-AEMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have been commonly used as an effective adjuvant therapy in treatment of breast cancer, especially for menopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Due to the nature of aromatase, the key enzyme for endogenous estrogen synthesis, inhibitory of aromatase-induced side effects, such as cognitive impairment has been reported in both human and animal studies. While extensive evidence suggested that physical exercises can improve learning and memory activity and even prevent age-related cognitive decline, basic research revealed some common pathways between exercise and estrogen signaling that affected cognitive function. This review draws on clinical and basic studies to assess the potential impact of exercise in cognitive function from women treated with AIs for breast cancer and explore the potential mechanism and effects of exercise on estrogen-related cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)/α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) dioxygenase (TfdA) is an Fe(II)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the first step in degradation of the herbicide 2,4-D. Previous studies focused on the tfdA gene in Ralstonia eutropha JMP134 isolated in Australia. In this study, a new tfdA gene was cloned from Cupriavidus campinensis BJ71, an effective degrading bacteria from China, based on the iCOnsensus-DEgenerate Hybrid Oligonucleotide Primers (iCODEHOPs) protocol, combined with high-efficiency Thermal Asymmetric Interlaced PCR (hiTAIL-PCR). The open reading frame of 861 bp encoded a putative 287 amino acid protein with a theoretical molecular mass of 32.32 kDa. The gene was overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and the purified TfdA showed optimal activity at pH 6.75 and 30 °C. This enzyme was more thermostable and it could use 3-hydrocinnamic acid as substrate, with a similar enzyme activity compared with 2,4-D. TfdA and its variants were created as maltose-binding protein (MBP) tagged fusion proteins to examine the roles of putative substrate-binding residues. The MBP-N110A, MBP-V198A and MBP-R207K proteins showed decreased k and increased Km, and MBP-R278A was inactive, suggesting these residues may affect 2,4-D binding or catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional cerium phosphate (CePO) nanorods were successfully synthesized by a facile and simple solvothermal method at 150 °C for 12 h, using Ce(NO)·6HO and NaHPO·2HO as the starting materials. Phase and morphologie of the as-synthesized CePO products, characterized by XRD, FESEM, and TEM, were proved to be perfect and uniform hexagonal CePO nanorods with aspect ratio of more than 100. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrometer was used to investigate the optical properties of the as-synthesized hexagonal CePO nanorods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms of action of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) on lipid metabolism in the rat kidney were investigated in adult female rats and their offspring. The rats were randomized into three groups: (1) control, in which the mother and offspring received a normal diet (4000 retinol IU/kg diet) for 8 weeks; (2) VAD group, in which the mothers and offspring received a VAD diet (400 retinol IU/kg diet) for 8 weeks; (3) vitamin A-refed group, in which a group of pups on a VAD diet for 8 weeks received a complete diet (6500 retinol IU/kg diet) for 15 days. The lipid metabolism of the offsprings’ kidneys and its relation to the expression of apolipoprotein B100 (Apo-B100), liver X receptor α (LXRα), and retinoid X receptor-α/β (RXRα/β) mRNA was analyzed. VAD was found to alter renal lipid metabolism and its immune environment due to the expression of Apo-B100. Compared with the control, VAD rats had significantly higher levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and lower levels of ABCA1, a key gene involved in cholesterol efflux and tissue lipid homeostasis. The expression of LXRα and RXRα/β mRNA also decreased in the VAD rat kidney. Vitamin A refeeding reversed all of the changes. Lipid metabolism involved in renal reverse cholesterol transport may be mediated by decreasing the signaling through the ABCA1 cholesterol efflux pathway, which is significantly modified in kidneys of vitamin A-deficient rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common tumour in children younger than 5 years old and notable for highly heterogeneous. Our aim was to quantify the intra-tumoural metabolic heterogeneity of primary tumour lesions by using 18 F-FDG PET/CT and evaluate the prognostic value of intra-tumoural metabolic heterogeneity in NB patients., Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 38 pretreatment NB patients in our study. 18 F-FDG PET/CT images were reviewed and analyzed using 3D slicer software. The semi-quantitative metabolic parameters of primary tumour were measured, including the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumour volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). The areas under the curve of cumulative SUV-volume histogram index (AUC-CSH index) was used to quantify intra-tumoural metabolic heterogeneity. The median follow-up was 21.3 months (range 3.6 - 33.4 months). The outcome endpoint was event-free survival (EFS), including progression-free survival and overall survival. Survival analysis was performed using Cox regression models and Kaplan Meier survival plots., Results: In all 38 newly diagnosed NB patients, 2 patients died, and 17 patients experienced a relapse. The AUC-CSH total (r=0.630, P<0.001) showed moderate correlation with the AUC-CSH 40% . In univariate analysis, chromosome 11q deletion (P=0.033), Children's Oncology Group (COG) risk grouping (P=0.009), bone marrow involvement (BMI, P=0.015), and AUC-CSH total (P=0.007) were associated with EFS. The AUC-CSH total (P=0.036) and BMI (P=0.045) remained significant in multivariate analysis. The Kaplan Meier survival analyses demonstrated that patients with higher intra-tumoural metabolic heterogeneity and BMI had worse outcomes (log-rank P=0.002)., Conclusion: The intra-tumoural metabolic heterogeneity of primary lesions in NB was an independent prognostic factor for EFS. The combined predictive effect of intra-tumoural metabolic heterogeneity and BMI provided prognostic survival information in NB patients., (© 2022. The Author(s).)