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Key Clinical Message: An encephalocele is a congenital malformation characterized by protrusion of the intracranial contents through a cranial defect. We report that a fetus of a pregnant mother who had two consecutive pregnancies with ultrasound‐detected encephalocele carried compound heterozygous variants in B3GALNT2 NM_152490.5:c.[1423C > T (p.Gln475Ter)]; [261‐2A > G] of maternal and paternal origins, respectively, as confirmed by exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing validation. The present case implies that mutations in B3GALNT2, a well‐known dystroglycanopathy causative gene, may result in a phenotype of neural tube defect, providing new insights into the clinical spectrum of B3GALNT2‐related disorders. Our study may contribute to prenatal screening/diagnosis and genetic counseling of congenital brain malformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the key factors determining the degree of erosion in the outlet parts of refractory interfaces is diffusion. By studying the representative diffusion behavior of lanthanum, cerium, and manganese in molten rare‐earth high‐carbon heavy rail steel using different refractory interfaces, the diffusion kinetics mechanism of each alloying element is illustrated. The results show that the concentration of diffused lanthanum, cerium, and manganese in rare‐earth high‐carbon heavy rail steel imparts minor changes on the two aluminum–magnesium refractories used in our experiments, whereas the other four refractories show unstable behavior. Furthermore, it is revealed that the smaller the porosity of a refractory material, the greater the decrease in the diffusion channel of each element in molten steel, which in turn increases the diffusion activation barrier and results in slower diffusion. Overall, the suitability degree of the refractory materials tested in experiments for processing molten rare‐earth high‐carbon heavy rail steel with regard to cost, adhesion strength, and erosion degree is as follows: Al2O3–MgO > Al2O3–MgO–SiO2 coating > Al2O3–SiO2–SiO2 coating > Al2O3–SiO2 > Al2O3 > ZrO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfides with different distribution states may have different effects on steel properties. How to separately count each kind of sulfide remains a question. In the current study, sulfides in 1215 free‐cutting and 416 free‐cutting stainless steel are counted by Image‐Pro Plus image‐processing software. The sulfides can be divided into three categories, that is, cluster‐like sulfides, chain‐like sulfides, and individual sulfides. The features of each kind of sulfide are summarized and an automatic sulfide classification method is proposed. By using this method, sulfides in a metallographic photograph of 1215 steel are successfully classified into three types and counted separately. The quantity percentage of chain‐like, cluster‐like, and individual sulfides is 24.65%, 56.79%, and 18.56%, respectively, while the area percentage of different types of sulfides is 34.33%, 52.80%, and 12.87%. Individual sulfides have the highest‐quantity percentage of sulfides with a diameter smaller than 3 μm and with an area smaller than 10 μm2. Through this method, different types of sulfides can be deeply analyzed. It offers reliable data to evaluate whether the sulfides are well controlled or not, providing a guideline for the improvement of sulfide control methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clogging behavior of submerged entry nozzle (SEN) is the main reason restricting the continuous casting of steel, which seriously affects the application and popularization of rare‐earth (RE) steel. Through literature analysis, herein, the main influencing factors and mechanism of RE steel continuous casting immersion outlet clogging, and sorts out the main ideas and practices of relevant Japanese enterprises in solving SEN clogging in recent years, are summarized, mainly including the following: 1) optimizing SEN materials to reduce nozzle clogging reactions; 2) using Ar‐blowing SEN; 3) applying electromagnetic field to eliminate charge and inhibiting clogging reaction; and 4) and regulating the composition of molten steel to reduce the possibility of clogging, etc. The combination of these advantages and measures is a feasible way to solve the nozzle clogging of RE steel continuous casting nozzle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the therapeutic effect of co‐administration of tacrolimus (TAC) and low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) or LMWH only on pregnancy outcomes in the female with a history of implantation failure and elevated peripheral blood natural killer (pNK) cell proportion in frozen‐thawed embryo transfer cycles. Methods: To evaluate the pregnancy parameters for 249 patients with ≥2 implantation failures and pNK cell proportion ≥12% by analyzing a retrospective observational cohort study. Sixty patients had received the co‐administration TAC and LMWH (TAC & LMWH group), 85 others had only taken LMWH (LWMH group), and the rest did not take any particular drugs (control group). Results: The experimental finding indicated that the TAC & LMWH group and the LMWH group showed higher clinical pregnancy rates than the control group (p < 0.05), and TAC & LMWH group had a much higher live birth rate. According to the binary logistic regression analysis, the combination of TAC and LMWH was conducive to clinical pregnancy and live birth rate and reduced the possibility of miscarriage. It would not affect the result of spontaneous abortion and live birth, although the LMWH was only beneficial to clinical pregnancy. In addition, these findings were similar for these three groups' obstetrical and neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: The combination of TAC and LMWH can improve clinical pregnancy and live birth rates and reduce the risk of spontaneous miscarriage in patients with a history of implantation failure and elevated pNK ratio. LMWH is also beneficial to clinical pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Train communication network (TCN) is an important guarantee for the reliable and safe operation of high‐speed rail train. The higher reliability of the TCN is, the safer operation of high‐speed rail train will be, and the cost of overhaul and maintenance will be greatly reduced. The 250 km/h high‐speed rail TCN being developed in China is the first time that the train communication Ethernet (TCE) is used as train control network. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to analyze the reliability of TCE and improve the reliability of TCN design and vehicle design. Dynamic fault tree (DFT) and fault Petri nets (FPN) are both important methods for system reliability analysis. Among them, DFT is most widely used in the field of engineering analysis. The FPN method also has its unique characteristics and advantages, which can describe fault propagation analysis and dynamic transition process in practical application. In this paper, TCE's structure, working principle, and fault mode are analyzed to sort out the relationship between complex fault events and establish a DFT with TCE failure as the top event. DFT and FPN methods were combined to better express the dynamic propagation of TCE fault and carry out the fault probability evaluation and system reliability based on the known prior failure rate. The analysis results show that improving the reliability of specified network segments of TCE is of great help to improve the reliability of the high‐speed rail train. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toll‐like receptors (TLR) control the activation of dendritic cells that prime CD4+ T cells in draining lymph nodes, where these T cells then undergo massive clonal expansion. The mechanisms controlling this clonal T cell expansion are poorly defined. Using the CD4+ T cell‐mediated disease experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we show here that this process is markedly suppressed when TLR9 signaling is increased, without noticeably affecting the transcriptome of primed T cells, indicating a purely quantitative effect on CD4+ T cell expansion. Addressing the underpinning mechanisms revealed that CD4+ T cell expansion was preceded and depended on the accumulation of neutrophils in lymph nodes a few days after immunization. Underlying the importance of this immune regulation pathway, blocking neutrophil accumulation in lymph nodes by treating mice with a TLR9 agonist inhibited EAE progression in mice with defects in regulatory T cells or regulatory B cells, which otherwise developed a severe chronic disease. Collectively, this study demonstrates the key role of neutrophils in the quantitative regulation of antigen‐specific CD4+ T cell expansion in lymph nodes, and the counter‐regulatory role of TLR signaling in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of appropriate methods for preparing bacterial RNA‐seq library with ultra‐low amount of RNA. To address this issue, we developed miniBac‐seq, a strand‐specific method for high‐quality library construction from sub‐nanogram of total RNA, which is 100‐fold lower than the current benchmark kit and dramatically reduces preparation cost ($28 + $15 × samples). We further demonstrated the high sensitivity of miniBac‐seq via detecting more than 500 genes from amount of total RNA equivalent to that of a single bacterial cell. Finally, we profiled the transcriptome of growth‐arrested bacteria in isogenic culture of Escherichia coli. This subpopulation of bacteria is generally low in abundance but is a potent reservoir of antibiotic persistence, and their gene expression has been largely unknown due to technical limitations. Using miniBac‐seq, we identified potential molecular driver towards arrested growth as well as antibiotic tolerance. Our method thus expands the capacity to quantify bacterial transcriptome in situ, which is useful to the understanding of bacterial physiology and regulation in their native contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A direct current (DC)‐driven transient liquid phase bonding strategy was proposed for joining 3 mol% Y2O3‐stabilized ZrO2 (3YSZ) and GH3128 superalloy with a Ni interlayer. The DC application triggered the rapid formation and diffusion of metallic Zr in 3YSZ and chemical reactions at the 3YSZ/Ni interface. The formed Ni–Zr eutectic liquid well wetted 3YSZ and hence completely filled the bonding gap in seconds. Eutectic structures in the joints were eventually transformed into Ni–Zr intermetallic compounds or a Ni‐based solid solution. The remaining Ni interlayer effectively alleviated residual stress through plastic deformation during cooling stage, and thereby contributed substantially to the high joint strength. Under the joining conditions of a current density of 30 mA/mm2, an energization time of 30 s, and a joining temperature of 1100°C, the obtained joints exhibited a maximum shear strength of 188 ± 8 MPa. This paper proposes an economical and reliable method for the rapid preparation of YSZ/metal joints for high‐temperature applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Te can effectively modify MnS inclusion to improve the anisotropy and machinability of steel. To figure out the mechanism of high‐temperature evolution and formation of inclusions, a high‐temperature confocal laser scanning microscope is used to in situ observe the performance of inclusions. In the steel with 22 ppm Te, Te mainly dissolves in MnS; no MnTe is generated. During the heating process, MnS inclusion remains solid state and no obvious phase change can be observed. In comparison, MnS–MnTe binary inclusion in the steel with 680 ppm Te forms a liquid phase due to the eutectic melting. The further increase of temperature causes the serious evaporation of Te. Based on scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive spectrometry analysis and in situ observation of inclusions at high temperature, the formation mechanism of inclusions during solidification is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two dithienocyclopentafluorene‐based small‐molecule acceptors (SMAs) were developed that feature methylene‐functionalized conjugated side chains, to study the effect of arylmethylene substitution and its number on structure, optoelectronic properties and device performance. Results showed that two SMAs have better absorption properties and planarity, lower bandgaps and higher LUMOs compared with the control SMA without conjugated side chains. The synthesized SMAs were tested in polymer solar cells for examples of their applicability. This work argues that the introduction of methylene‐functionalized conjugated side chains has great potential in tuning molecular structure, optoelectronic properties, device physics and photovoltaic performance of SMAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate ambispectively the effectiveness of a real‐time computer‐aided detection (CADe) system on the number of polyp (PPC) or adenoma per colonoscopy (APC), and polyp (PDR) or adenoma detection rate (ADR). Methods: Eight‐five videos marked using the CADe system, together with the unmarked videos, were reviewed by two senior endoscopists. Polyps detected in the marked and unmarked videos were recounted in parallel. Additionally, 128 consecutive patients were enrolled for a prospective evaluation using a standard colonoscopy or the CADe monitor alternately every 2 weeks. The PC, APC, PDR and ADR were compared between the two groups. Results: The total number of polyps reported in the unmarked and marked videos were 73 and 88, respectively (mean PPC 0.86 vs 1.04, P = 0.001). The proportion of polyps detected per colonoscopy increased by 20.5%. Of the 128 prospectively enrolled patients, 186 polyps were detected. The mean PPC was higher in the CADe colonoscopy than in the standard colonoscopy (1.66 vs 1.13, P = 0.039). The PDR using the CADe colonoscopy was significantly higher than that of the standard colonoscopy (78.1% vs 56.3%, P = 0.008). Conclusion: Real‐time CADe system significantly increases the PDR and PPC under the situation of a high rate of polyp detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical clinical syndrome characterised by a rapid decrease in renal filtration, with the accumulation of products of metabolism such as creatinine and urea. In recent years, the incidence of AKI has increased not only in critically ill hospitalised patients but also in community patients. Also, the prognosis of AKI is poor and treatment is limited in these populations. The increasing incidence and poor prognosis may be the reasons why more investigators are involved in epidemiological and risk factor analysis of AKI. Aims: To investigate the effects of these risk factors on outcomes in both community–acquired and hospitalised AKI populations to provide certain guidance for clinics and to explore the prognostic value of prealbumin on all–cause mortality in patients with community–acquired and post–operative AKI. Methods: From 2000 to 2010, 477 patients diagnosed with AKI and treated in the Department of Nephrology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, were enrolled in the community‐acquired AKI (CA‐AKI) group and 138 patients diagnosed with AKI after an operation were enrolled in the post‐operative AKI (PO‐AKI) group. Data were collected at AKI onset and 1 year after discharge and analysed retrospectively. Results: Compared with PO‐AKI patients, more patients in CA‐AKI group had chronic kidney disease, obesity and hyperlipidaemia, and fewer patients had cerebrovascular disease (CVD), anaemia, shock or arrhythmia. Risks for CA‐AKI were atherosclerosis, CVD, arrhythmia, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and usage of vasoactive agents, and risks for PO‐AKI were elderly, arrhythmia and requirement of renal replacement therapy. A higher level of serum PA was associated with a better outcome in the CA‐AKI group (hazard ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.85–0.996) and PO‐AKI group (hazard ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.84–0.99). In the CA‐AKI group, the cumulative survival rate of patients with a normal PA level (PA >20 mg/dL) was higher than that among patients with a lower PA (PA ≤20 mg/dL; 95.4% vs 88.3%, P = 0.031). Similarly, in the PO‐AKI group, a normal PA level was associated with a higher survival rate (74.1% vs 47.6%, P = 0.019). Conclusion: Serum PA may serve as a prognostic marker for CA‐AKI and PO‐AKI, and further research is warranted to confirm this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tuwu deposit is one of the largest porphyry copper deposits in the Eastern Tianshan, Northwest China. Ore bodies of the deposit are associated with the tonalite porphyry, which intruded the Early Carboniferous Qi´eshan Group. The hydrothermal ore‐forming processes include the porphyry mineralization episode with potassic, chlorite‐sericite/albite, phyllic, and propylitic alteration and the overprinting mineralization episode. These hydrothermal alteration episodes were studied on the basis of mass transfer and element mobility. The mass balance data and isocon diagrams reveal that Cu is highly associated with the chlorite‐sericite (albite) stage and followed by phyllic and potassic stages. On the basis of electron probe analysis, the SO3 contents of the igneous apatite from the tonalite porphyries range from 0.016 to 0.288 wt.%, which are higher than those from the diorite porphyries (SO3 = 0.088–0.179 wt.%). Similarly, the apatite saturation temperature (861–926°C) and magmatic S content (mean = 52.16 ppm) from the tonalite porphyries are also higher that from the diorite porphyries (T = 813–877°C; S = 28.25 ppm). These results suggest that the S content of the apatite is related to the temperature and S content of the melt. In the hydrothermal alteration zones, the F favours partitioning into apatite under lower temperature, the F contents of hydrothermal apatite increase from the potassic zones to the propylitic zones accompanying with the decrease of temperature. Cl element is much more sensitive to the pH, pressure, and fluid composition than F element. The Cl contents of the apatite increase from the potassic zones (0.18–0.46 wt.%) to the chorite‐sericite (albite) zones (0.28–0.58 wt.%), resulting from the decrease of fluid pH and pressure. The lower Cl contents of apatite (0.07–0.48 wt.%) in the phyllic zones were due to the lower Cl content of hydrothermal fluids. The highest Cl contents (0.09–0.69 wt.%) of apatite in the propylitic zones were caused by the decrease of pressure. The δ18Owater values of quartz in chlorite‐sericite (albite) zones and phyllic zones range from −0.8‰ to −0.4‰ and from −5.3‰ to 4.8‰, and the δD values vary from −57‰ to −47‰ and from −52‰ to −44‰, respectively. Gaseous compositions of the fluid inclusions in quartz are dominated by H2O with minor CO2, and the liquid compositions mainly consist of Na+ and Cl−. These data imply that the ore‐forming fluids belong to the H2O‐NaCl system and evolved from magmatic water to meteoric water in origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) is used to manage ongoing refractory frontal sinusitis after failed previous endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), but this approach has a significant restenosis rate. We evaluated the potential benefits of mucosal grafts and pedicled flaps on the opening of the newly formed frontal ostium. Methods: Fifty patients with refractory frontal sinusitis or mucoceles after ESS were randomized to undergo EMLP, either with (n = 27) or without (n = 23) mucosal grafts and pedicled flap reconstruction of the neo‐ostium. The frontal neo‐ostium was measured with Lindholm distending forceps, and anteroposterior (A‐P) and lateral dimensions were measured intraoperatively, and then again at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Olfaction outcomes were assessed using the Taiwan Smell Identification Test (TWSIT) and a smell visual analog scale (VAS) score preoperatively and at 6 months postsurgery. Results: The initial intraoperative mean lateral and A‐P dimensions were 23.2 ± 2.7 mm and 14.8 ± 2.3 mm and were significantly decreased at all time‐points postoperatively. The mucosal grafts and pedicled flaps had greater lateral and A‐P dimensions, and a greater percentage of intraoperative frontal neo‐ostium area at all time‐points postoperatively (all p < 0.05). At 6 months postoperatively, TWSIT (p = 0.027), but not the smell VAS score (p = 0.063), was significantly improved compared with baseline. TWSIT and smell VAS score changes did not differ between groups (p = 0.92 and p = 0.85, respectively). Conclusion: The use of mucosal grafts and pedicled flaps reduces stenosis of the frontal neo‐ostium postsurgery and should be considered after EMLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new medium‐bandgap (MBG) donor–acceptor (D–A) conjugated polymers (PSTF and PDTS) with fluorobenzotriazole as an A unit and spiro[cyclopenta[1,2‐b:5,4‐b′]dithiophene‐4,9′‐fluorene] (STF) or dithienosilole (DTS) as the D unit are designed and synthesized as donor materials for polymer solar cell (PSC) applications. PSTF shows a broader absorption spectrum relative to PDTS reflecting an additional high‐energy absorption band due to the conjugated thiophene side chains on STF moiety. Compared with PDTS, PSTF exhibits weaker π–π aggregation and lower lying HOMO level. Photovoltaic properties of the PSCs reveal that either PSTF or PDTS using PC61BM as acceptor exhibits better performances than that of ITIC as acceptor, which results from the simultaneously increased Voc, Jsc, and FF of PC61BM‐based PSCs. Moreover, when combined with PC61BM and ITIC, the PSTF‐based PSCs exhibit an efficiency of 3.66% and 2.42%, respectively, which is 45% and almost 1.5 times higher than that of the PDTS‐based PSCs, respectively. This can be ascribed to the obviously improved Voc and FF of PSTF‐based PSCs benefitted from the deeper HOMO level and better active layer morphology. Our work demonstrates that using spiro‐annulated building block as donor unit to construct MBG D‐A copolymers is an alternative and effective approach for achieving efficient donor materials in PSCs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2330–2343 Two new medium‐bandgap D–A copolymers (PSTF and PDTS) with fluorobenzotriazole as an A unit and spiro[cyclopenta[1,2‐b:5,4‐b′]dithiophene‐4,9′‐fluorene] (STF) or dithienosilole (DTS) as the D unit are synthesized and characterized as donor materials for both fullerene‐based and nonfullerene polymer solar cell applications. Photovoltaic properties reveal that PSTF can better work with both a fullerene‐based acceptor (PC61BM) and a nonfullerene acceptor (ITIC) than those of PDTS, due to the improved Voc and FF and proper phase‐separated morphology of the PSTF device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The red‐emitting indolium derivative compound (E)‐2‐(4‐(diphenylamino)styryl)‐1,3,3‐trimethyl‐3H‐indol‐1‐ium iodide (H3) was demonstrated as a sensitive membrane fluorescence probe. The probe located at the interface of liposomes when mixed showed much fluorescence enhancement by inhibiting the twisted intramolecular charge transfer state. After ultrasonic treatment, it penetrated into lipid bilayers with the emissions leveling off and a rather large encapsulation efficiency (71.4%) in liposomes. The ζ‐potential and particle size measurement confirmed that the charged indolium group was embedded deeply into lipid bilayers. The probe was then used to monitor the affinities of antioxidant flavonoids for membranes. It was verified that quercetin easily interacted with liposomes and dissociated the probe from the internal lipid within 60 s under the condition of simply mixing. The assessment of binding affinities of six flavonoids and the coincident results with their antioxidation activities indicated that it was a promising membrane probe for the study of drug bio‐affinities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Successful isolation of human endometrial stem cells from menstrual blood, namely menstrual blood‐derived endometrial stem cells (MenSCs), has provided enticing alternative seed cells for stem cell‐based therapy. MenSCs are enriched in the self‐regenerative tissue, endometrium, which shed along the periodic menstrual blood and thus their acquisition involves no physical invasiveness. However, the impact of the storage duration of menstrual blood prior to stem cell isolation, the age of the donor, the number of passages on the self‐renewing of MenSCs, the paracrine production of biological factors in MenSCs and expression of adhesion molecules on MenSCs remain elusive. In this study, we confirmed that MenSCs reside in shedding endometrium, and documented that up to 3 days of storage at 4°C has little impact on MenSCs, while the age of the donor and the number of passages are negatively associated with proliferation capacity of MenSCs. Moreover, we found that MenSCs were actually immune‐privileged and projected no risk of tumour formation. Also, we documented a lung‐ and liver‐dominated, spleen‐ and kidney‐involved organic distribution profile of MenSC 3 days after intravenous transfer into mice. At last, we suggested that MenSCs may have potentially therapeutic effects on diseases through paracrine effect and immunomodulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, formation mechanism of complex oxide inclusions in spring steels is studied. The complex oxides are extracted from steel samples with different methods, including two‐dimensional observation on a polished cross section of steel samples, acid etching, and non‐aqueous solution electrolytic extraction to reveal the three‐dimensional morphology of inclusions. Most of the oxide inclusions are characterized as MgO or MgO · Al2O3 in a core covered with liquid components. Thermodynamic calculation is performed using Factsage 7.0 software. Both MgO, MgO · Al2O3 solid inclusions, and liquid inclusions are observed in the molten steel. Based on the wettability between the molten steel, solid MgO inclusions, and liquid inclusions, a mechanism for the formation of complex oxides is suggested, that is, the solid core is wrapped by liquid inclusions in the molten steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with abnormal B cell‐functions implicating antibody‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms. B cells have emerged as important cytokine‐producing cells, and cytokines are well‐known drivers of RA pathogenesis. To identify novel cytokine‐mediated B‐cell functions in RA, we comprehensively analysed the capacity of B cells from RA patients with an inadequate response to disease modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs to produce cytokines in comparison with healthy donors (HD). RA B cells displayed a constitutively higher production of the pathogenic factors interleukin (IL)‐8 and Gro‐α, while their production of several cytokines upon activation via the B cell receptor for antigen (BCR) was broadly suppressed, including a loss of the expression of the protective factor TRAIL, compared to HD B cells. These defects were partly erased after treatment with the IL‐6‐signalling inhibitor tocilizumab, indicating that abnormal IL‐6 signalling contributed to these abnormalities. Noteworthy, the clinical response of individual patients to tocilizumab therapy could be predicted using the amounts of MIP‐1β and β‐NGF produced by these patients’ B cells before treatment. Taken together, our study highlights hitherto unknown abnormal B‐cell functions in RA patients, which are related to the unbalanced cytokine network, and are potentially relevant for RA pathogenesis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron 2-(2′-pyridyl) imidazole complex (BOPIM) derivatives, BOPIM-1 and BOPIM-2, involving twisted intra-molecular charge transfer (TICT) characteristic, were investigated to probe bovine serum albumin (BSA). BOPIM-1 was demonstrated to be an efficient fluorescence probe to discriminate BSA from other proteins including human serum albumin (HSA). The encapsulation of BOPIM-1 in the hydrophobic subdomain IIA of BSA inhibited the TICT state and resulted in 70-fold emission enhancement of BOPIM-1. Besides, it was found that BOPIM-1 could distinguish denatured BSA from the native, due to the difference of 15 nm emission wavelength at least. The denaturation of BSA leads to the exposure of binding sites and resulted in an increase in the accessibility of the fluorophore to the BSA cavity, which made a great contribution to the further restraint of TICT state of BOPIM-1. The tracking of BSA denaturizing process was easily achieved, through the change of BOPIM-1 emission wavelength from 485 to 465 nm. Thus, a promising pharmacological dual-functional probe was provided for both the selective recognization of BSA and the identification of denatured BSA from the native. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise and accurate determination of ferrous iron mass fraction in silicate rocks and geological reference materials is still a significant challenge due to the labile nature of the analyte. Here, we report a modified and improved procedure for the determination of ferrous iron mass fraction, capable of yielding moderately accurate and highly precise results in a relatively shorter time than before. This modified technique requires a more convenient operational procedure than the classical method. A sample digestion apparatus was designed that included a Schlenk line to expel air in order to prevent oxidation. The advantages of this procedure over the classical procedure are shorter process flow, higher efficiency and absence of an additional redox indicator. The composition of the acid matrix used to dissolve the samples as well as the incubation temperature and time was investigated. Comparative data for twenty-one reference materials are reported, with five of them reported for the first time by the Schlenk line procedure. A series of experiments were carried out to identify and minimise the main source of error. In addition, the possibility of eliminating the reducing substances before digestion, by pretreatment of the sample by cold 10% methanolic bromine, was also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal motility disorders ( GMDs) are attributed to loss of interstitial cells of Cajal ( ICC), whose survival and function are deeply dependent on the activation of KIT/ SCF signalling. Based on the facts that gastrointestinal distention is common in GMD patients and SCF produced by smooth muscle cells ( SMCs) is usually decreased before ICC loss, we considered a possible contribution of persistent gastrointestinal distention/stretch to SCF deficiency. In this study, chronic colonic distention mouse model, diabetic gastrointestinal paresis mouse model, cultured mouse colonic SMCs and colon specimens from Hirschsprung's disease patients were used. The results showed that SCF was clearly decreased in distent colon of mice and patients, and micro RNA array and real-time PCR indicated a concomitant increase of miR-34c in distent colon. A negative regulation of miR-34c on SCF expression was confirmed by luciferase reporter assays together with knock-down and overexpression of miR-34c in cultured colonic SMCs. Using EMSA and Ch IP assays, we further consolidated that in response to persistent stretch, the transcription factor AP-1/c-Jun was highly activated in colonic SMCs and significantly promoted miR-34c transcription by binding to miR-34c promoter. Knock-down or overexpression of AP-1/c-Jun in cultured colonic SMCs leads to down- or up-regulation of miR-34c, respectively. In addition, the activation of AP-1/c-Jun was through ERK1/2 signalling provoked by Ca2+ overload in colonic SMCs that were subject to persistent stretch. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that persistent distention/stretch on colonic SMCs could suppress SCF production probably through Ca2+- ERK- AP-1- miR-34c deregulation, resulting in ICC loss or impairment and GMD progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to regulate the electronic ability of benzo[1,2- b:4,5- b′]dithiophene (BDT), the new electron-donating unit (BDTOT) is designed and synthesized which consists of a BDT backbone with conjugated 2-(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4-dimethoxythiophene side chains. By alternating copolymerization of BDTOT with electron-accepting units of fluorinated benzothiadiazole (FBT), benzothiadiazole (BT), and pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione (DPP), three donor-acceptor (D-A) copolymers (PBDTOT-FBT, PBDTOT-BT, and PBDTOT-DPP) have been developed for PSC applications. The impact of dimethoxythiophene substituent and the electron-accepting strength of the acceptor units on the absorption, HOMO/LUMO energy levels, and photovoltaic properties of the resultant polymers is investigated in detail. PBDTOT-BT and PBDTOT-DPP exhibit relatively narrower bandgaps and PBDTOT-FBT possesses a down-shifted HOMO energy level as compared to their corresponding analogs without methoxy groups onto the conjugated thiophene side chains. The screening of the different blend ratio, the processing additive, and polar solvent post-treatment is conducted to optimize the polymer solar cell (PSC) devices. PSCs with PBDTOT-FBT as donor deliver a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.55%. By treatment of the active layer with methanol to tailor the morphology, the solar cell based on PBDTOT-FBT exhibits the remarkably improved PCE of 4.84% with a Voc of 0.92 V, a Jsc of 8.71 mA cm−2, and an FF of 60.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A series of donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) conjugated copolymers ( PBDT-AT, PDTS-AT, PBDT-TT, and PDTS-TT), based on benzo[1,2- b:4,5- c']dithiophene-4,8-dione (BDD) acceptor unit with benzodithiophene (BDT) or dithienosilole (DTS) as donor unit, alkylthiophene (AT) or thieno[3,2- b]thiophene (TT) as conjugated π-bridge, were designed and synthesized for application as donor materials in polymer solar cells (PSCs). Effects of the donor unit and π-bridge on the optical and electrochemical properties, hole mobilities, and photovoltaic performance of the D-π-A copolymers were investigated. PSCs with the polymers as donor and PC70BM as acceptor exhibit an initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.46% for PBDT-AT, 2.62% for PDTS-AT, 0.82% for PBDT-TT, and 2.38% for PDTS-TT. After methanol treatment, the PCE was increased up to 5.91%, 3.06%, 1.45%, and 2.45% for PBDT-AT, PDTS-AT, PBDT-TT, and PDTS-TT, respectively, with significantly increased FF. The effects of methanol treatment on the photovoltaic performance of the PSCs can be ascribed to the increased and balanced carrier transport and the formation of better nanoscaled interpenetrating network in the active layer. The results indicate that both donor unit and π-bridge are crucial in designing a D-π-A copolymer for high-performance photovoltaic materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1929-1940 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the Indium (In) doped Cd1 -xMn x Te ( xMn=0.1, CdMnTe) crystals with excess Te in the amount of 0 and 1.2 at% were grown by the Bridgman method. The segregation coefficient of In dopants distributions in the CdMnTe crystals with and without excess Te were determined to be 0.08 and 0.11, respectively. The IR transmission microscopy shown that the size of Te inclusions in CdMnTe crystal with excess Te increased to 5-13 μm with the concentrations of (2-3)×105 cm-3. The PL spectra indicated the formation of Te antisite donor and the compensation of Cd vacancies by Te antisites. The Current-Voltage measurements were performed and the resistivity of the CdMnTe crystal with excess Te was in the range of 108-109 Ω·cm, increased by one order as compared to the crystal without excess Te. Under the radiation of 59.5 keV 241Am, The CdMnTe planar detectors fabricated from the crystal with excess Te revealed the energy resolution of 8.4%, however, no energy response is resolved in the CdMnTe detectors without excess Te. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a novel anionic framework with primitive centered cubic (pcu) topology, [(CH3)2NH2]4[(Zn4dttz6)Zn3]⋅15 DMF⋅4.5 H2O, ( IFMC-2; H3dttz=4,5-di(1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2 H-1,2,3-triazole) was solvothermally isolated. A new example of a tetranuclear zinc cluster {Zn4dttz6} served as a secondary building unit in IFMC-2. Furthermore, the metal cluster was connected by ZnII ions to give rise to a 3D open microporous structure. The lanthanide(III)-loaded metal-organic framework (MOF) materials Ln3+@IFMC-2, were successfully prepared by using ion-exchange experiments owing to the anionic framework of IFMC-2. Moreover, the emission spectra of the as-prepared Ln3+@IFMC-2 were investigated, and the results suggested that IFMC-2 could be utilized as a potential luminescent probe toward different Ln3+ ions. Additionally, the absorption ability of IFMC-2 toward ionic dyes was also performed. Cationic dyes can be absorbed, but not neutral and anionic dyes, thus indicating that IFMC-2 exhibits selective absorption toward cationic dyes. Furthermore, the cationic dyes can be gradually released in the presence of NaCl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B-cell depletion can improve disease in some patients with rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis, indicating the pathogenic contribution of B cells to autoimmunity. However, studies in mice have demonstrated that B cells have immunosuppressive functions as well, with IL-10 being a critical mediator of B-cell-mediated suppression. IL-10-secreting B cells have been shown to promote disease remission in some mouse models of autoimmune disorders. Human B cells also produce IL-10, and evidence is accumulating that human IL-10-producing B cells might inhibit immunity. There is considerable interest in identifying the phenotype of B cells providing IL-10 in a suppressive manner, which would facilitate the analysis of the molecular mechanisms controlling this B-cell property. Here, we review current knowledge on the B-cell subpopulations found to provide suppressive functions in mice, considering both the pathological context in which they were identified and the signals that control their induction. We discuss the phenotype of B cells that have IL-10-dependent regulatory activities in mice, which leads us to propose that antibody-secreting cells are, in some cases at least, the major source of B-cell-derived regulatory IL-10 in vivo. Anti-inflammatory cytokine production by antibody-secreting cells offers a novel mechanism for the coordination of innate and humoral immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2D, extremely stable, metal-organic framework (MOF), NENU-503, was successfully constructed. It displays highly selective and recyclable properties in detection of nitroaromatic explosives as a fluorescent sensor. This is the first MOF that can distinguish between nitroaromatic molecules with different numbers of NO2 groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY This paper is focused on the problem of stability for linear systems with a time-varying delay. A novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional that decomposed the delay in all integral terms is proposed. As a result, some less conservative stability criteria are derived by considering the relationship between time-varying delay and its intervals, which have wider application than the existing ones because independent upper bounds of the delay derivative in the various delay intervals are taken into account. Some numerical examples are finally given to show the effectiveness and the benefits of the proposed method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pH fluorescent molecular switch, BOPIM-dma, a boron 2-(2′-pyridyl) imidazole complex derivatives, was investigated in aqueous system. BOPIM-dma shows weak or no fluorescence in conventional solvents due to twisted (TICT). Upon protonation of the dimethylamino groups in BOPIM-dma, its fluorescence was turned on ascribed to the inhibition of TICT. Its emission can be switched 'on' or 'off' between pH 2.4 and 4.0, and it undergoes a reversible protonation-deprotonation reaction with a p Ka of 3.12. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new family of heterometal-organic frameworks has been prepared by two synthesis strategies, in which IFMC-26 and IFMC-27 are constructed by self-assembly and IFMC-28 is obtained by stepwise synthesis based on the metalloligand (IFMC=Institute of Functional Material Chemistry). IFMC-26 is a (3,6)-connected net and IFMC-27 is a (4,8)-connected 3D framework. The metalloligands {Ni(H4L)}(NO3)2 are connected by binuclear lanthanide clusters giving rise to a 2D sheet structure in IFMC-28. Notably, IFMC-26-Eu x Tb y and IFMC-28-Eu x Tb y have been obtained by changing the molar ratios of raw materials. Owing to the porosity of IFMC-26, Tb3+@IFMC-26-Eu and Eu3+@IFMC-26-Tb are obtained by postencapsulating TbIII and EuIII ions into the pores, respectively. Tunable luminescence in metal-organic frameworks is achieved by the two kinds of doping methods. In particular, the quantum yields of heterometal-organic frameworks are apparently enhanced by postencapsulation of LnIII ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six conjugated polymers based on the indenopyrazine ( IPY) unit are designed and synthesized by copolymerization with different electron-deficient and electron-rich building blocks. All of the polymers show good solubility, excellent film-forming ability, and low-lying highest occupied molecular orbit (HOMO) energy levels. The effects of the different copolymerized units on the optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties are investigated. Results indicate that their bandgaps and molecular energy levels are readily tuned by copolymerizing with electron-deficient and electron-rich units. Polymer solar-cell devices are fabricated utilizing the polymers as electron donors and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as an electron acceptor. The best power conversion efficiency of the cell based on PIPY-DTBTA, one of the IPY- based polymers, reaches 0.77%, with a relatively high Voc up to 0.78 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wetting behavior and interfacial microstructures of molten Sn on the amorphous and annealing-induced nanocrystalline Ni75B15Si10 ribbons were investigated using a modified sessile-drop method. The results show that the amorphous structure favors the wettability, while the structural relaxation and primary crystallization remarkably deteriorate it. The wetting is essentially attributed to the strong chemical affinity between liquid Sn and Ni in the substrate. Precipitation of the nanocrystallites like Ni3B and Ni3Si weakens the wettability by decreasing the atomic activity of Ni. However, the reduced oxidation of the substrate surface after higher temperature annealing and the alleviated diffusion of Sn towards the bulk of the substrate as well as possible capillarity assistance of the liquid movement along the grain or phase boundaries ahead of the triple line may help to facilitate the wetting to some extent. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B cells and regulatory T ( Treg) cells can both facilitate remission from experimental auto immune encephalomyelitis ( EAE), a disease of the central nervous system ( CNS) used as a model for multiple sclerosis ( MS). Considering that B-cell-depletion therapy ( BCDT) is used to treat MS patients, we asked whether Treg-cell activation depended on B cells during EAE. Treg-cell proliferation, accumulation in CNS, and augmentation of suppressive activity in the CNS were normal in B-cell-deficient mice, indicating that B cells are not essential for activation of the protective Treg-cell response and thus provide an independent layer of regulation. This function of B cells involved early suppression of the encephalitogenic CD4+ T-cell response, which was enhanced in B-cell-deficient mice. CD4+ T-cell depletion was sufficient to intercept the transition from acute-to-chronic EAE when applied to B-cell-deficient animals that just reached the peak of disease severity. Intriguingly, this treatment did not improve disease when applied later, implying that chronic disability was ultimately maintained independently of pathogenic CD4+ T cells. Collectively, our data indicate that BCDT is unlikely to impair Treg-cell function, yet it might produce undesirable effects on T-cell-mediated autoimmune pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six alternating conjugated copolymers ( PL1- PL6) of benzo[1,2- b:4,5- b′]dithiophene (BDT) and thiophene, containing electron-withdrawing oxadiazole (OXD), ester, or alkyl as side chains, were synthesized by Stille coupling reaction. The structures of the polymers were confirmed, and their thermal, optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties were investigated. The introduction of conjugated electron-withdrawing OXD or formate ester side chain benefits to decrease the bandgaps of the polymers and improve the photovoltaic performance due to the low steric hindrance of BDT. Bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs) were fabricated based on the blend of the as-synthesized polymers and the fullerene derivative [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) in a 1:2 weight ratio. The maximum power conversion efficiency of 2.06% was obtained for PL5-based PSC under the illumination of AM 1.5, 100 mW/cm2. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel low band gap conjugated copolymers containing porphyrins, thiophenes, and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole ( BTZ) moieties were synthesized and applied in bulk heterojunction solar cells. The thermal, optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of the two copolymers were examined to investigate the effect of the introduction of BTZ moiety in the backbone of the porphyrin polymers. The copolymers exhibited good thermal stability and film-forming ability. The absorption spectra indicated that the BTZ moiety has significant influence on the UV-visible region spectra of the copolymers: with increasing the molar amount of BTZ moieties in conjugated main chain, the absorption in the range of 450-700 nm is largely broadened and red-shifted compared to the similar polymers without BTZ moiety, and the optical band gaps of copolymers were narrowed to ∼1.50 eV. The photoluminescence spectra showed that there is effective charge transfer in the whole conjugated main chain. Cyclic voltammetry displayed that the band gaps were reduced effectively by the introduction of the BTZ moieties. The bulk heterojunction solar cells were fabricated based on the blend of the copolymers and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) in a 1:2 weight ratio. The maximum power conversion efficiency of 0.91% was obtained by using P2 as the electron donor under the illumination of AM 1.5, 100 mW/cm2. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated B cells can regulate immunity and have been envisaged as a potential cell-based therapy for treating autoimmune diseases. However, activated human B cells can also propagate immune responses, and the effects resulting from their infusion into patients cannot be predicted. This led us to consider resting B cells, which in contrast are poorly immunogenic, as an alternative cellular platform for the suppression of unwanted immunity. Here, we report that resting B cells can be directly engineered with lentiviral vectors to express antigens in a remarkably simple, rapid, and effective way. Notably, this neither required nor induced activation of the B cells. With this approach we were able to produce reprogrammed resting B cells that inhibited antigen-specific CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, and B cells upon adoptive transfer in mice. Furthermore, resting B cells engineered to ectopically express myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antigen protected recipient mice from severe disability and demyelination in EAE, and even induced complete remission from disease in mice lacking functional natural Tregs, which otherwise developed chronic paralysis. In conclusion, our study introduces reprogrammed quiescent B cells as a novel tool for suppressing undesirable immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B lymphocytes contribute to immunity through production of antibodies, antigen presentation to T cells, and secretion of cytokines. B cells are generally considered in autoimmune diseases as drivers of pathogenesis. This view is certainly justified, given the successful utilization of the B cell-depleting reagent rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune pathologies. In a number of cases, however, the depletion of B cells led to an exacerbation of symptoms in patients with autoimmune disorders. In a similar manner, mice lacking B cells can develop an aggravated course of disease in several autoimmune models. These paradoxical observations are now explained by the concept that activated B cells can suppress immune responses through the production of cytokines, especially interleukin-10. Here, we review the stimulatory signals that induce interleukin-10 secretion and suppressive functions in B cells and the phenotype of the B cells with such characteristics. Finally, we formulate a model explaining how this process of immune regulation by activated B cells can confer advantageous properties to the immune system in its combat with pathogens. Altogether, this review proposes that B-cell-mediated regulation is a fundamental property of the immune system, with features of great interest for the development of new cell-based therapies for autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Thermophilic WF146 protease matures efficiently at 60°C, but quite slowly at low temperatures. In this report, seven amino acid residues involved in interactions between the mature domain and the propeptide of the enzyme were substituted by corresponding residues of psychrophilic subtilisin S41 to generate mutant Mut7 (S105G/G107D/Y117E/S136N/V143G/K144E/D145S). Mut3 (S105G/G107D/Y117E) and Mut4 (S136N/V143G/K144E/D145S) were also constructed. Transferring structural features from S41 endowed Mut7 with a remarkably increased maturation rate, as well as an improved caseinolytic activity at 25°C. Moreover, Mut3 and Mut4 each obtained one of the above endowments. Further studies suggest that low-temperature activity and maturation rate are not necessarily linked, and uncoupling structural elements modulating the two properties may be advantageous to cold adaptation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Sawuershan region, one of the important gold metallogenic belts of Xinjiang, is located in the western part of the Kalatongke island arc zone of north Xinjiang, NW China. There are two gold deposits in mining, namely the Kuoerzhenkuola and the Buerkesidai deposits. Gold ores at the Kuoerzhenkuola deposit occur within Carboniferous andesite and volcanic breccias in the form of gold-bearing quartz–pyrite veins and veinlet groups containing native gold, electrum, pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. Gold ores at the Buerkesidai deposit occur within Carboniferous tuffaceous siltstones in the form of gold-bearing quartz veinlet groups and altered rocks, with electrum, pyrite and arsenopyrite as major metallic minerals. Both gold deposits are hosted by structurally controlled faults associated with intense hydrothermal alteration. The typical alteration assemblage is sericite + chlorite + calcite + quartz, with an inner pyrite–sericite zone and an outer chlorite–calcite–epidote zone between orebodies and wall rocks. δ34S values (0.3–1.3‰) of pyrite of ores from Kuoerzhenkuola deposit are similar to those (0.4–2.9‰) of pyrite of ores from Buerkesidai deposit. δ34S values (1.1–2.8‰) of pyrite from altered rocks are similar to δ34S values of magmatic or igneous sulfide sulfur, but higher than those from ores. 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb data of sulfide from ores range within 17.72–18.56, 15.34–15.61, and 37.21–38.28, respectively. These sulfur and lead isotope compositions imply that ore-forming materials might originate from multiple, mainly deep sources. He and Ar isotope study on fluid inclusions of pyrites from ores of Kuoerzhenkuola and Buerkesidai gold deposits produces 40Ar/36Ar and 3He/4He ratios in the range of 282–525 and 0.6–9.4 R/Ra, respectively, indicating a mixed source of deep-seated magmatic water (mantle fluid) and shallower meteoric water. In terms of tectonic setting, the gold deposits in the Sawuershan region can be interpreted as epithermal. These formations resulted from a combination of protracted volcanic activity, hydrothermal fluid mixing, and a structural setting favoring gold deposition. Fluid mixing was possibly the key factor resulting in Au deposition in the gold deposits in Sawuershan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Thermophilic WF146 protease possesses four surface loop insertions and a disulfide bond, resembling its psychrophilic (subtilisins S41 and S39) and mesophilic (subtilisins SSII and sphericase) homologs. Deletion of the insertion 3 (positions 193–197) or insertion 4 (positions 210–221) of WF146 protease resulted in a significant decrease of the enzyme stability. In addition, substitution of the residues Pro211 and Ala212 or residue Glu221 which localized in the vicinity of a Ca2+ binding site of the enzyme by the corresponding residues in subtilisin S41 remarkably reduced the half-life of the enzyme at 70°C, suggesting that the three residues contributed to the thermostability of the enzyme, probably by enhancing the affinity of enzyme to Ca2+. In the presence of dithiothreitol, the WF146 protease suffered excessive autolysis, indicating that the Cys52-Cys65 disulfide bond played a critical role in stabilizing the WF146 protease against autolysis. The autolytic cleavage sites of the WF146 protease were identified to locate between residues Asn63-Gly64 and Cys65-Ala66 by N-terminal amino acid analysis of the autolytic product. It was noticed that the effect of the autolytic cleavage at Asn63-Gly64 could be compensated by the disulfide bond Cys52-Cys65 under non-reducing condition, and the disulfide bond cross-linked autolytic product remained active. The apparent stabilization effect of the disulfide bond Cys52-Cys65 in the WF146 protease might provide a rational basis for improving the stability of subtilase against autolysis by protein engineering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]