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Ibuprofen, a most widely used anti-inflammatory drug, is frequently detectable in surface water, which might negatively affect the ecosystem. The present research investigated acute toxicity of ibuprofen to Chlorella vulgaris, and ibuprofen removal by C. vulgaris was also evaluated via a first order kinetic model. The results showed that ibuprofen in water has certain freshwater ecological risks, and ibuprofen-contaminated water can be effectively treated by C. vulgaris. The growth and the photosynthetic activity of C. vulgaris were decreased with the increase in ibuprofen exposure concentration, while superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were markedly promoted. The dry weight of C. vulgaris exposed to 100 mg/L ibuprofen was determined as 0.238 ± 0.008 g/L, which was 60.82% of the control group (without added ibuprofen in medium). The capacity of C. vulgaris to ibuprofen removal was decreased with the increase in ibuprofen concentration. The removal efficiency reached to 67.25% after 10-day treatment at ibuprofen concentration of 25 mg/L, while that was just 32.77% when the ibuprofen concentration increased to 100 mg/L. The ibuprofen removal by C. vulgaris accorded with the first-order kinetic model, and the removal rate constants of C. vulgaris to different ibuprofen concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/L) were determined as 0.115, 0.097, 0.093 and 0.043 d−1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is still challenging to prepare high strength hydrogels which can self-heal in both alkali and acid solutions. In this work, 6-acrylamidohexanoic acid (AACA) and [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride solution (DMC) monomers were copolymerized in a mixture solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and borax to prepare high strength and pH responsive hydrogel. Compared with borax cross-linked PVA gel, this hydrogel exhibits better mechanical properties owing to multi-physical interactions like electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds. Due to the presence of noncovalent interactions the hydrogel exhibits different degrees of self-healing ability in acid and alkali at the same time. Furthermore, the conductivity of the hydrogel can be significantly change with slight deformation, which can be used to monitor the body movement like swallow and finger bending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MLKL (mixed lineage kinase domain like pseudokinase) is a well-known core component of necrosome that executes necroptotic cell death upon phosphorylation by RIPK3 (receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase 3). Recent studies also implicate a role of MLKL in endosomal trafficking, which is not always dependent on RIPK3. Using mouse Neuro-2a and L929 as well as human HEK293 and HT29 cells, we show here that MLKL is phosphorylated in response to serum and amino acid deprivation from the culture medium, in a manner that depends on CAMK2/CaMKII (calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II) but not RIPK3. The starvation-induced increase in MLKL phosphorylation was accompanied by decreases in levels of lipidated MAP1LC3B/LC3B (microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; LC3-II) and SQSTM1/p62 (sequestosome 1), markers of autophagosomes. These changes were prevented by disrupting either MLKL or CAMK2 by pharmacology and genetic manipulations. Moreover, disrupting MLKL or CAMK2 also inhibited the incorporation of LC3-II into autolysosomes, demonstrating a role of the CAMK2-MLKL pathway in facilitating autophagic flux during short-term starvation, in contrast to necroptosis which suppressed autophagic flux. Furthermore, unlike the necroptotic pathway, the starvation-evoked CAMK2-mediated MLKL phosphorylation protected cells from starvation-induced death. We propose that upon nutrient deprivation, MLKL is activated by CAMK2, which in turn facilitates membrane scission needed for autophagosome maturation, allowing the proper fusion of the autophagosome with lysosome and the subsequent substance degradation. This novel function is independent of RIPK3 and is not involved in necroptosis, implicating new roles for this pseudokinase in cell survival, signaling and metabolism. Abbreviations: CAMK2/CaMKII: calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II; DIABLO/SMAC: direct inhibitor of apoptosis-binding protein with low pI/second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase; ECS: extracellular solution; ESCRT: endosomal sorting complexes required for transport; FBS: fetal bovine serum; GSK3B: glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta; HBSS: Hanks' balanced salt solution; KO: knockout; LC3-II: lipidated microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase; MLKL: mixed lineage kinase domain like pseudokinase; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; MTORC1: MTOR complex 1; N2a: Neuro-2a neuroblastoma; Nec-1: necrostatin-1; NSA: necrosulfonamide; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PI: propidium iodide; PK-hLC3: pHluorin-mKate2-human LC3; RIPK1: receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase 1; RIPK3: receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase 3; ROS: reactive oxygen species; RPS6KB1/S6K: ribosomal protein S6 kinase B1; shRNA: short hairpin RNA; siRNA: small interference RNA; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TBS: Tris-buffered saline; TNF/TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor; TSZ, treatment with TNF + DIABLO mimetics + z-VAD-FMK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the suitability of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaires in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Relevant studies were compiled from a search of five electronic databases. The properties under investigation included the validity of the translated questionnaires, floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Forty-four studies were included, from which fifteen HRQOL questionnaires were identified. The most frequently used instruments were the PBC-40 (n = 22), the SF-36 (n = 19), the PBC-27 (n = 4), the CLDQ (n = 3) and the NIDDK-QA (n = 2). The remaining instruments were used only once. Twenty-six studies used a translated HRQOL questionnaire, but only six reported or referenced validating the translated questionnaire. PBC-specific HRQOL questionnaires generally have good psychometric properties. However, many studies have directly applied HRQOL tools without verifying their validity and reliability in PBC patients. There was no clear indication that one HRQOL tool was superior to another, although the PBC-40 is the most well-studied. Thus, more robust psychometric studies are needed to investigate the measurement properties of HRQOL questionnaires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salvia honania L. H. Bailey is an endemic species, mainly distributed in Henan and Hubei provinces in China. The first complete chloroplast genome of Salvia honania was sequenced and assembled in this study. The genome is 151,559 bp in length and contains 132 encoded genes in total, including 87 protein-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNA genes, and 37 transfer RNA genes. The phylogenomic analysis showed that Salvia honania was closely related to Salvia meiliensis according the current sampling extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unusual metal-organic framework, {H[Ag(I)L][Mo(VI)4O13]}n (1) (L=(4-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)phenyl)methanol)), has been obtained under ionothermal conditions. According to the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, 1 is a new 3-D framework based on β-[Mo8O26]4− type polymolybdate anions with two kinds of channels (A and B) along the b-axes and c-axes in the framework. The neighboring inorganic Mo8-Ag chains are linked by the organic ligands through the Ag centers resulting in 2-D layers. These adjacent 2-D layers extend into a 3-D framework through Ag1 nodes and β-[Mo8O26]4− anions, respectively, resulting in a topological symbol (64 · 82)2(64 · 82). In addition, the gas adsorption, proton conduction and luminescent properties of 1 are also discussed in detail. Moreover, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements show a conductivity (1.9 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 65 °C and 95% relative humidity (RH)), with an activation energy of 0.41 eV for 1. The mechanism of proton conduction for 1 is proved to be the vehicular mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with prolonged isolated thrombocytopenia (PT) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) are known to have a poor prognosis. However, there is no standard treatment for PT. The present study aimed to investigate the potential effect of a novel recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) in a cohort of patients with PT following allo-SCT. A total of 24 patients with PT (including delayed platelet engraftment and secondary failure of platelet recovery) were treated with rhTPO from July 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017. rhTPO injections were administered at 300 IU/kg/d for 28 consecutive days or until platelet counts were ≥ 50 × 109/L, independent of platelet transfusion. Response was defined as platelet recovery to ≥ 20 × 109/L for seven consecutive days without transfusion support during or within 7 days of the end of rhTPO treatment. All patients completed the 28 days of treatment, and none were withdrawn due to adverse effects. The overall response was 45.8%, which was significantly higher than historical data (12.2%, p < 0.001). The median response time was 12 (7–25) days from the initiation of rhTPO treatment. A response to rhTPO was associated with megakaryocytes in the bone marrow (positive vs. negative, 81.8 vs. 22.2%; p = 0.022). Among 11 patients exhibiting a response to rhTPO, the median number of megakaryocytes in bone marrow was increased significantly (10 vs. 2; p = 0.036) after rhTPO treatment. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary study suggest that rhTPO may represent a therapeutic option, with a response of 45.8% for patients with PT after allo-SCT, and especially for those with megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. However, this should be further confirmed in randomized prospective clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal expansion microcapsules were prepared by using acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate as polymerization monomer and isooctane as the blowing agent. The structure, composition, appearance, and thermal expansion properties of microcapsules were analyzed by SEM, FTIR, TG, DSC, and TEM. The cell structure and surface quality of PP foaming composites were characterized by SEM, optical microscopy, and gloss meter. Results show that sodium chloride in the aqueous solution can significantly improve the appearance of microcapsules. At 15.1 and 19.1 wt.% sodium chloride, the appearance of microcapsules was regular. At 19.1 wt.% sodium chloride, the thermal expansion microcapsules were coated with 25.0 wt.% of the blowing agent. The microcapsules exhibit an expansion temperature of 201 °C and can remain stable after expansion. Moreover, the microcapsule shell of the data (thickest part − thinnest part)/(core diameter) decreased to approximately 0.05. The glossiness of PP/(T-5) increased to 65.6. The surface of PP/microcapsule foaming composite is smoother than that of the PP/AC foaming composites, and the pores of thermal expansion microcapsules are difficult to deform during processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are few methods available for injectable liposome production under good manufacturing practices (GMP). Injectable liposome production processes under GMP generally consist of liposome formation, size homogenization, organic solvent removal, liposome concentration control and sterilization. However, these complicated and separate processes make it difficult to maintain scalability, reproducibility and sterility. To overcome these limitations, we developed a novel one-step in-line closed liposome production system that integrated all production processes by combining the in-line thermal mixing device with modified counterflow dialysis. To validate the system, we produced liposomal cyclosporine A (Lipo-CsA) and lyophilized the liposomes. The three independent pilot batches were highly reproducible and passed the quality specifications for injectable drugs, demonstrating that this system could be used under GMP. The accelerated stability test suggested that the liposomes would be stable in long-term storage. This one-step system facilitates a fully automated and unattended production of injectable liposomes under GMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foaming EVA was prepared with molding method in this paper, the effect of the cell size, cell wall thickness and filling gas type on thermal insulation performance of foaming EVA were analysed by the mechanism of insulation. The results show that the cell size, cell wall thickness and filling gas type have a significant influences on the insulation performance. When the cell size is 71.3 μm, the thermal conductivity is the smallest at low frequency 1000 Hz, which is 0.042 W/ (m.k). When the cell wall thickness is 8.2 μm, thermal conductivity of foaming EVA is minimal, which is 0.045 W / (m.K), the insulation effect is ideal. When the filling gas is hydrogen, the thermal insulation performance of foaming EVA is poor, but when the filling gas is nitrogen, the result is opposite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role ofHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection on thrombocytopenia in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) related compensatory cirrhotic patients is unknown. We conducted an observational study to determine whetherH. pyloriplays a role in these patients. A total of 255 patients from three centers in China were enrolled in the study. All patients received nucleoside analogs (NA) therapy and were screened forH. pyloriinfection. Patients were divided into three groups based on theirH. pyloriinfection status and the therapy administered: patients withoutH. pyloriinfection who received NA therapy alone (N = 146); patients withH. pyloriinfection who received NA therapy alone (n = 48); and patients withH. pyloriinfection who receivedH. pylorieradication combined with NA therapy (N = 61). We observed that in CHB compensatory cirrhotic patients withH. pyloriinfection, the platelets count was significantly lower relative to uninfected patients (31 versus 60 × 109/L,p < 0.01). During a 2-year follow-up, the elevation in platelet count was significantly higher in HBV/H. pylorico-infected patients who received the NA andH. pylorieradication treatment compared to the other two groups (p < 0.01). It suggested thatH. pyloriinfection and eradication treatment combined with NA were independent risk factors associated with platelets response during treatment of thrombocytopenia in CHB compensatory cirrhosis (p < 0.01). In conclusion,H. pyloriinfection may associate with thrombocytopenia in CHB compensatory cirrhosis.H. pylorieradication combined with NA treatment may prove to be beneficial to CHB compensatory cirrhotic patients with thrombocytopenia who are infected withH. pylori. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

No effective treatment has been identified for patients of liver cirrhosis (LC) associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and severe thrombocytopenia. We aimed to explore the effectiveness and safety of low-dose prednisone or cyclosporine A (CsA) combined with nucleoside analog (NA) in patients with severe thrombocytopenia associated with HBV-related LC. We included 145 consecutive compensated HBV-associated LC patients with severe thrombocytopenia between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2013. We divided the patients into three groups by treatment strategy, including NA only (n = 57), NA plus prednisone (n = 46), and NA plus CsA (n = 42). We analyzed the platelet counts, bleeding events, liver function, replication of HBV, and outcomes in each group. At all time points during this observation, the platelet counts in prednisone or CsA group were higher than those in the NA only group. There are significant differences in the cumulative rates of bleeding events among the three groups. The platelet counts and treatment were factors associated with bleeding events in multivariate analysis. The differences in HBV-DNA negative rates, HBV-DNA elevated rates, normal serum alanine transaminase rates, serum alanine transaminase elevated more than two times the baseline rates, and HBeAg seropositive conversion ratio among the groups did not reach statistical significance. The adverse events in our study were, in general, mild and balanced among the three treatment groups. Treatment with low-dose prednisone or CsA plus NA could elevate the platelet counts and reduce the risk of bleeding events in HBV LC with severe thrombocytopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To investigated the relationship between CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) and prognosis in adults with acute leukemia. Methods: Bone marrow samples from 53 acute myeloid leukemia and 50 acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients were collected. The methylation status of 18 tumor suppressor genes was determined using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Results: Greater than 30% of acute leukemia patients had methylated p15, p16, CDH1, CDH13, RUNX3, sFRP1, ID4, and DLC-1 genes; methylation of ≥4 were defined as CIMP positive. Age, type of leukemia, white blood cell count, and CIMP status were significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) (P < 0.05). CIMP status was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio: 2.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–4.15, P = 0.040). CIMP-negative patients had significantly improved RFS and OS (P < 0.05). p16 and DLC1 methylation was significantly associated with RFS and OS (P < 0.05). Conclusions: CIMP may serve as an independent risk factor for evaluating the prognosis of patients with acute leukemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new polyoxometalate-based inorganic–organic hybrid material, H5Ag(Bbi)1.5(Bbi)2[P2W18O62] (1) (Bbi = 1,1-(1,4-butanediyl)-bis(imidazole)), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. In 1, adjacent [P2W18O62]6− (short for P2W18) anions are connected through Ag by equatorially positioned terminal oxygen atoms to generate a 1-D chain. Adjacent chains were further connected through Ag and two-coordinated Bbi ligands into a (6, 3)-layer, which are extended to 3-D supermolecule nets through H bonds. The photo- and electro-catalytic properties of 1 have been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents a novel method for simultaneous determination of dextromethorphan and quinidine contents in biological fluid samples using excitation-emission matrix fluorescence (EEM) coupled with second-order calibration methods. The adopted calibration methods, i.e., parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC), self-weighted alternating tri-linear decomposition (SWATLD), and alternating penalty trilinear decomposition (APTLD), could adequately exploit the second-order advantage. The accuracy of the three methods was evaluated through figures of merit and elliptical joint confidence region (EJCR) tests. It has been found that all the methods could give good results. But, with correct number of factors, the PARAFAC model performed slightly better than the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two organic-inorganic hybrid materials built from copper-glycin complexes and paradodecatungstates, Na6[{Cu(gly)(H2O)}]2[{Cu(H2O)}(H2W12O42)] ⋅ 21H2O (1) and Na{Na(H2O)6}{Na(H2O)4}3[{Cu(gly)2}]2{H5(H2W12O42)} ⋅ 8.5H2O (gly = glycin) (2), have been synthesized in aqueous solution and characterized by IR, UV, TG, elemental analysis, electrochemistry, and single-crystal X-ray analyses. In 1, [H2W12O42]10- building block connects two neighboring clusters with [Cu(H2O)]2+ groups to produce an infinite 1-D chain; then these chains are linked through [Cu(gly)(H2O)]+ groups to form a 2-D layer structure, which is further joined by Na+ to form a 3-D network. In 2, [H2W12O42]10- decorated by two [Cu(gly)2] moieties connects four adjacent clusters with six Na+ into a 2-D layer. In addition, luminescence and photocatalysis properties of these compounds have been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new ligand ITAP and its complex [Ru(dmb)2(ITAP)](ClO4)2 (ITAP = isatino [1,2-b]-1,4,8, 9-tetraazatriphenylene, dmb = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, Fast atom bombardment mass spectra, Electrospray mass spectra, and 1H NMR. Thermal denaturation and absorption titration experiments show the complex binds to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) with moderate affinities. Viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation indicate that the DNA-binding mode could be intercalative interaction. The Ru(II) complex in the presence of plasmid pBR322 DNA has been found to promote the cleavage of plasmid pBR322 DNA from the supercoiled Form I to the open circular Form II upon irradiation. Mechanisms for DNA cleavage by the complex were also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Ru(II) complexes [Ru(dmb)2(dtmi)](ClO4)2 (1) (dmb = 4, 4'-dimethyl-2, 2'-bipyridine, dtmi = 3-(pyrazin-2-yl)-as-triazino[5, 6-f]-5-methoxylisatin) and [Ru(dmb)2(dtni)](ClO4)2 (2) (dtni = 3-(pyrazin-2-yl)-as-triazino[5, 6-f]-5-nitroisatin) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS, and 1H NMR. DNA-binding behaviors of these complexes have been investigated by spectroscopic titration, viscosity measurements, and thermal denaturation. The results indicate that the two complexes interact with calf thymus DNA by intercalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two polypyridine ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(dmp)2(MCMIP)]2+ (1) (MCMIP = 2-(6-methyl-3-chromonyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline, dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) and [Ru(dmb)2(MCMIP)]2+ (2) (dmb = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS and 1H NMR. The DNA-binding behaviors of these complexes were investigated by electronic absorption titration, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation. The results show that 1 and 2 effectively bind to CT-DNA; the DNA-binding affinities are closely related to the ancillary ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perchlorate salts of two new ruthenium(II) complexes incorporating 2-(2'-pyridyl)naphthoimidazole are synthesized in good yield. Complexes [Ru(phen)2(PYNI)]2+ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) 1 and [Ru(dmp)2(PYNI)]2+ (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, PYNI = 2-(2'-pyridyl)naphthoimidazole) 2 are fully characterized by elemental analysis, FAB-MS, ES-MS, 1H NMR and cyclic voltammetric methods. The DNA-binding behavior of the complexes have been studied by spectroscopic titration, viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation. Absorption titration and thermal denaturation studies reveal that these complexes are moderately strong binders of calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA), with their binding constants spanning the range (2.73-5.35) × 104 M-1. The experimental results show that 1 interacts with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) by intercalative mode, while 2 binds to CT-DNA by partial intercalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel benzoaza‐crown Schiff base cobalt (II) and manganese (III) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The hydrolysis of bis(4‐nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) catalyzed by the two complexes was studied in buffer solution containing dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DHAB) at 25°±0.1°C and different pH values. The kinetic mathematical model of BNPP hydrolysis was proposed, and the effects of different reaction conditions on BNPP hydrolysis were discussed. The results indicate that the two complexes (MnLCl and CoL) can efficiently accelerate the catalytic cleavage of BNPP in DHAB micellar solution. The pseudo‐first‐order rate constants ( k obsd ) of BNPP hydrolysis catalyzed by the metallomicelles of MnLCl/DHAB and CoL/DHAB are 2.32×10 7 times and 1.45×10 7 times higher than that of the BNPP spontaneous hydrolysis, respectively. Possible reasons for the huge rate accelerations include the lower critical micelle concentration (cmc) of DHAB and formation of metallomicelles made of complexes and DHAB. Furthermore, the BNPP cleavage catalyzed only by the two complexes was investigated in buffer solution. It was found that the hydrolytic rates of BNPP catalyzed only by the two complexes were about 1% of those catalyzed by MnLCl/DHAB and CoL/DHAB systems at 25°C, pH=7.00, and [BNPP]=2.0×10 -4 mol · dm -3 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]