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A series of adsorbents containing different amines including diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, pentaethylenehexamine, branched poly(ethylenimine), and spermine were exposed to flowing O₂ at accelerated temperatures of 80 and 100 °C. Herein, we evaluated the structural effects of amines on the stability of CO₂ adsorbents in dry and wet O₂-containing environments. Various techniques were used to characterize the adsorbents. The CO₂ adsorption capacity of the sorbents was drastically reduced after exposure to dry O₂-containing environments. Sorbents modified with amines with a high molecular weight and a long chain of alkyl linkers between amine functional groups exhibited high resistance to O₂. The viscosity of the amines played an important role in the oxidative stability of the amine composites as it affected the mass transfer of O₂ to the amine sites of the composites. Furthermore, we report for the first time that the presence of steam in O₂ medium could suppress or accelerate the oxidative degradation of amine-based CO₂ sorbents depending on the amine structure.

The Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG) promotes defensive effector functions in the immune system by interacting with Fcγ receptors and complement component C1q. These interactions critically depend on N-glycosylation at Asn297 of each CH2 domain, where biantennary complex-type oligosaccharides contain microheterogeneities resulting primarily from the presence or absence of non-reducing terminal galactose residues. Crystal structures of Fc have shown that a pair of N-glycans is located between the two CH2 domains. Here we applied our metabolic isotope labeling technique using mammalian cells for in-solution structural characterization of mouse IgG2b-Fc glycoforms with a molecular mass of 54 kDa. Based on spectral assignments of the N-glycans as well as polypeptide backbones of Fc, we probed conformational perturbations of Fc induced by N-glycan trimming, especially enzymatic degalactosylation. The results indicated that degalactosylation structurally perturbed the Fc region through rearrangement of glycan-protein interactions. The spectral assignments of IgG2b-Fc glycoprotein will provide the basis for NMR investigation of its dynamic conformations and interactions with effector molecules in solution.

Katsunori Yogo,1 Masaki Misawa,2 Morihito Shimizu,2 Hidetoshi Shimizu,3 Tomoki Kitagawa,3 Ryoichi Hirayama,4 Hiromichi Ishiyama,5 Takako Furukawa,1 Hiroshi Yasuda6 1Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; 2Health and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan; 3Department of Radiation Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; 4National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba-shi, Chiba, Japan; 5Graduate School of Medical Science, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan; 6Department of Radiation Biophysics, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, JapanCorrespondence: Katsunori YogoNagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-20 Daiko-Minami, Higashi-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, JapanTel +81 52 719 1103Fax +81 52 719 3172Email yogo@met.nagoya-u.ac.jpPurpose: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are candidate radiosensitizers for medium-energy photon treatment, such as γ-ray radiation in high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy. However, high AuNP concentrations are required for sufficient dose enhancement for clinical applications. Here, we investigated the effect of positively (+) charged AuNP radiosensitization of plasmid DNA damage induced by 192Ir γ-rays, and compared it with that of negatively (−) charged AuNPs.Methods: We observed DNA breaks and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the presence of AuNPs at low concentrations. pBR322 plasmid DNA exposed to 64 ng/mL AuNPs was irradiated with 192Ir γ-rays via HDR brachytherapy. DNA breaks were detected by observing the changes in the form of the plasmid and quantified by agarose gel electrophoresis. The ROS generated by the AuNPs were measured with the fluorescent probe sensitive to ROS. The effects of positively (+) and negatively (−) charged AuNPs were compared to study the effect of surface charge on dose enhancement.Results: +AuNPs at lower concentrations promoted a comparable level of radiosensitization by producing both single-stranded breaks (SSBs) and double-stranded breaks (DSBs) than those used in cell assays and Monte Carlo simulation experiments. The dose enhancement factor (DEF) for +AuNPs was 1.3 ± 0.2 for SSBs and 1.5 ± 0.4 for DSBs. The ability of +AuNPs to augment plasmid DNA damage is due to enhanced ROS generation. While −AuNPs generated similar ROS levels, they did not cause significant DNA damage. Thus, dose enhancement using low concentrations of +AuNPs presumably occurred via DNA binding or increasing local +AuNP concentration around the DNA.Conclusion: +AuNPs at low concentrations displayed stronger radiosensitization compared to −AuNPs. Combining +AuNPs with 192Ir γ-rays in HDR brachytherapy is a candidate method for improving clinical outcomes. Future development of cancer cell-specific +AuNPs would allow their wider application for HDR brachytherapy.Keywords: gold nanoparticles, high-dose-rate brachytherapy, DNA damage, radiosensitization, 192Ir γ-rays, positively charged nanoparticles

Mesocellular silica foam was impregnated with tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), diethanolamine (DEA), and their mixtures and examined as sorbents for CO2 capture. The sorbents were characterized by N2 physisorption, elemental analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of amine blending on the CO2 uptake, working capacity, and heat of adsorption were investigated and discussed. The experimental results showed that the heat of adsorption decreased with increasing DEA-to-TEPA ratios, but the CO2 uptake improved by the blending of TEPA and DEA. Furthermore, the DEA/TEPA blend considerably improved the regeneration properties of the sorbents. Mesocellular silica foam loaded with a mixture of 40 wt % TEPA and 30 wt % DEA exhibited a CO2 adsorption uptake of 5.91 mmol/g at 50 °C and 100 kPa with a heat of adsorption of 80 kJ/mol. Additionally, these sorbents demonstrated high cyclic stability and high selectivity toward CO2/N2 separation. In situ infrared spectroscopy investigations revealed that CO2 adsorption occurred predominantly through the formation of carbamate species for both TEPA and DEA.

Intravenous administration of magnesium with a short hydration regimen is recommended for patients receiving high-dose cisplatin to protect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. However, the optimal dose of magnesium supplementation has not been clarified. The aim of this trial was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a short hydration regimen with 20 mEq of magnesium supplementation for lung cancer patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The key eligibility criteria included cytologically or histologically diagnosed lung cancer, candidacy for cisplatin-based (≥ 60 mg/m2) chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, no prior chemotherapy, aged 20–75 years, and adequate renal function. Cisplatin was administered with pre-hydration with 20 mEq of magnesium sulfate. Mannitol was administered just before cisplatin infusion to enforce diuresis. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who underwent cisplatin-based chemotherapy with a short hydration regimen with 20 mEq of magnesium supplementation without a grade 2 or higher elevation in creatinine. Forty patients with a median age of 66 years (range 35–74) were prospectively enrolled. Median baseline creatinine was 0.71 mg/dL. Median dose of cisplatin in the first cycle was 80 mg/m2. In the first cycle, no patients developed grade 2 creatinine toxicity. During the treatment period, one patient developed grade 2 creatinine elevation; thus, the proportion of patients without a grade 2 or higher elevation in creatinine was 97.5% (95% confidence interval 86.8–99.9). A short hydration regimen with 20 mEq of magnesium supplementation is safe and feasible for patients with lung cancer receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Xylocarpus granatum is mangrove plant that traditionally used as face powder in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia which related to antioxidant, antiglycation and tyrosinase inhibition activities. This study aimed to evaluate the potency of X. granatum as a tyrosinase inhibitor, antiglycation, and antioxidant. The leaves, stem, stem bark, fruit flesh, fruit peel, and kernel of X. granatum were extracted using ethanol then their tyrosinase inhibition, antiglycation, and antioxidant were evaluated. Tyrosinase inhibition activity was evaluated using in vitro assay with L-tyrosine and L-DOPA as the substrate of monophenolase and diphenolase. Antiglycation activity was studied by measuring the excitation and emission fluorescence from glucose and fructose reaction with Bovine Serum Albumin. Antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The result showed that the ethanolic extract of fruit flesh has higher potency as tyrosinase inhibitor (IC 50 of 393.8 mg/L and IC 50 of 448 mg/L, respectively for monophenolase and diphenolase). Antiglycation assay showed that the ethanolic extract of stem bark provides the strongest antiglycation activity with an IC 50 of 118.1 mg/L. Meanwhile, fruit peel provides the strongest antioxidant activity with an IC 50 of 5.5 mg/L. Fractionation of ethanolic extracts of each part of X. granatum tree yield fractions with lower bioactivity compared to the crude extract. Moreover, stem extract and fractions from two different locations (Tarakan and Kendari) tend to have different bioactivities strengths. The stem part of X granatum could be developed as new raw material of cosmetic product in Indonesia, while ethanol as the solvent for extraction, and the different bioactivity of stem extract from different location can be the consideration for the industry to standardize the extract prior to production of final product.

Nitrogen-doped porous carbons were prepared via chemical activation of chitosan using alkali-metal carbonates (Na2CO3, K2CO3, Rb2CO3, and Cs2CO3), and the water adsorption isotherms of prepared carbons were measured to estimate the performance of the carbons in adsorption heat pump/desiccant cooling. Pre-doping of an alkali carbonate activator into the chitosan precursor resulted in a highly developed micropore structure and the introduction of macropores. The macropore structure clearly depended on the alkali carbonate activator. Na2CO3 resulted in two-dimensional macropores because of the hard-template effect, whereas the other alkali carbonate activators resulted in three-dimensional macropores with different cell sizes. A density functional theory calculation study based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses of nitrogen-doped activated carbons indicated that pyridinic (pyridine, pyridone, and pyridine N-oxide), amide, and quaternary N groups might be effective for low-pressure water adsorption. Although the water adsorption capacities of the prepared carbons at P/P0 > 0.5 increased with increasing micropore volume, those at the low-pressure region (P/P0

We successfully demonstrated the effect of a membrane reactor for methanol synthesis to improve one-pass CO2 conversion. An Si-rich LTA membrane for dehydration from a methanol synthesis reaction field was synthesized by the seed-assisted hydrothermal synthesis method. The H2O permselective performance of the membrane showed 1.5 × 10−6 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1 as H2O permeance and around 2000 as selectivity of H2O/MeOH at 473 K. From the results of membrane reactor tests, the CO2 conversion of the membrane reactor was higher than that of the conventional packed-bed reactor under the all of experimental conditions. Especially, at 4 MPa of reaction pressure, the conversion using the membrane reactor was around 60%. In the case of using a packed-bed reactor, the conversion was 20% under the same conditions. In addition, the calculated and experimental conversion were in good agreement in both the case of the membrane reactor and packed-bed reactor.

This study examines the relationship between the isotopic signature of phytoplankton-derived particulate organic matter (POM) (δ 13CPOC ) and estimates of growth rate and community composition along a north-south gradient in the western Indian shelf waters which possess contrasting biogeochemistry and mixed layers depths. The Eastern Arabian Sea/western Indian shelf turns highly productive due to the SW monsoon induced upwelling at its southern region and experiences drastic seasonal reversal. We have characterized the POM pool by quantifying Chl a , particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate nitrogen (PN), C:N ratios, along with δ 13CPOC values during the SW Monsoon. The prevailing physicochemical features contrasted between the southern (8°N to 12°N) and northern (13°N to 21°N) stations. Close couplings between POC, PN, and Chla contents indicated the autochthonous nature of POM. Low temperature, shallow mixed layer depths (MLDs), high concentrations of nutrients, POM, and Chla, marked the upwelling signature in the south. Conversely, relatively higher temperatures, salinity, deeper mixed layers (MLs), lower concentrations of nutrients, POM, and Chla were evident at the northern stations. Five times higher POC concentrations were noticed in the south (65.5 ± 22.0 μmol L−1) than in the north (12.8± 5.4 μmol L−1) within the MLs. Phytoplankton community shift (based on marker pigment analysis) and the δ13CPOC values were closely coupled. The nutrient replete microphytoplankton (diatoms) dominated southern stations were associated with higher values of δ13CPOC (−23.0 ± 2.3‰) which was attributed to faster growth rate; conversely, the oligotrophic nitrogen-limited waters in the north dominated by pico and nanophytoplankton (haptophytes and cyanobacteria), were characterized by distinctly lower δ13CPOC values (−26.6 ± 0.9‰). Phytoplankton growth rates based on a model were consistent with this trend. Our results show that the autochthonous POC is the primary source of organic matter, and the contrasted biogeochemistry induced phytoplankton communities and their growth rates mostly governed the δ13CPOC variability in this region. However, the lower values in the subsurface waters at the south were likely to be influenced by light limitation and heterotrophy .

NLRP3 inflammasomes play crucial roles in the initiation of host defense by converting pro-Caspase-1 to mature Caspase-1, which in turn processes immature IL-1β and IL-18 into their biologically active forms. Although NLRP3 expression is restricted to monocytic lineages such as monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, the mechanisms determining the lineage-specific expression of NLRP3 remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the transcription factors involved in cell-type-specific transcription of NLRP3. We found that a distal, rather than a proximal, promoter of human NLRP3 was predominantly used in the human monocytic cell lines and macrophages. Reporter analysis showed that an Ets/IRF composite element (EICE) at -309/-300 and an Ets motif at +5/+8 were critical for transcriptional activity of the distal promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that two transcription factors, PU.1 and IRF8, both of which play essential roles in development and gene expression of the monocytic lineage, were bound to the EICE site, whereas PU.1 alone was bound to the Ets site. Knockdown of PU.1 and/or IRF8 mediated by small interfering RNA downregulated expression of NLRP3 and related molecules and markedly diminished the LPS-induced release of IL-1β in THP-1, suggesting that activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome was suppressed by knockdown of PU.1 and IRF8. Taken together, these results indicate that PU.1 and IRF8 are involved in the monocytic lineage-specific expression of NLRP3 by binding to regulatory elements within its promoter and that PU.1 and IRF8 are potential targets for regulating the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Amine-functionalized materials have been widely investigated as promising candidates for CO2 capture. However, they are prone to degradation in the presence of O2, resulting in loss in the CO2 capt...

Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and its derivatives were used to functionalize mesocellular silica foam (MSU-F) supports by wet impregnation for utilization as solid sorbents for CO2 capture. TEPA de...

The stability of silica impregnated with commercial tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) under accelerated oxidizing conditions was evaluated, and the changes in the composition of sorbents during oxidati...

CHA zeolite (chabazite) crystals and membranes were prepared from organic structural directing agents-free (OSDA-free) gels. Chabazite membranes were grown on the tubular alumina supports. The effect of cesium and fluoride salts on the crystallization of chabazite crystals and membranes were investigated. Highly crystalline chabazite and uniform chabazite membranes were only obtained from the gel containing the cesium and fluoride salts. Single CO2, N2 and CH4 permeances and mixed gas separations in CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 binary mixtures through chabazite membranes were measured. Temperature and pressure affected the permeances and separation selectivities in two mixtures. The best membrane showed CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 separation selectivities as high as 16 and 46 together with CO2 permeances of ~ 1.0 × 10-7 mol/(m2 s Pa) at a high temperature of 473 K in equimolar dry CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 binary mixtures, respectively. The CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 selectivities lost only 11% and 15%, and CO2 permeances lost only 18% and 20% in equimolar wet CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 mixtures (8% in mole of water vapor) at 473 K compared to these values in dry mixtures, respectively. The OSDA-free chabazite membranes were hydrothermally stable in the presence of vapor water for 4 d at 378 K.

Among different RNA modifications, the helix 69 (H69) region of the bacterial ribosomal RNA (rRNA) contains three pseudouridines (Ψs). H69 is functionally important due to its location in the heart of the ribosome. Several structural and functional studies have shown the importance of Ψ modifications in influencing the H69 conformation as well as maintaining key interactions in the ribosome during protein synthesis. Therefore, a need exists to understand the influence of modified nucleosides on conformational dynamics of the ribosome under solution conditions that mimic the cellular environment. In this review on chemical probing, we provide detailed protocols for the use of dimethyl sulfate (DMS) to examine H69 conformational states and the influence of Ψ modifications under varying solution conditions in the context of both ribosomal subunits and full ribosomes. The use of DMS footprinting to study the binding of aminoglycosides to the H69 region of bacterial rRNA as a potential antibiotic target will also be discussed. As highlighted in this work, DMS probing and footprinting are versatile techniques that can be used to gain important insight into RNA local structure and RNA-ligand interactions, respectively.

Background Visceral obesity is one of the risk factors for clinically relevant pancreatic fistula after pancreatic resection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of intraperitoneal lipolysis on postoperative pancreatic fistula. Methods The degree of intraperitoneal lipolysis was investigated by measuring the free fatty acid concentration in drain discharge in patients after pancreatic resection. An experimental pancreatic fistula model was prepared by pancreatic transection, and the impact of intraperitoneal lipolysis was evaluated by intraperitoneal administration of triolein (triglyceride) with, or without orlistat (lipase inhibitor). Results Thirty-three patients were included in the analysis. The free fatty acid concentration in drain discharge on postoperative day 1 was significantly associated with the development of a clinically relevant pancreatic fistula (P = 0·004). A higher free fatty acid concentration in drain discharge was associated with more visceral adipose tissue (P = 0·009). In the experimental model that included 98 rats, intraperitoneal lipolysis caused an increased amount of pancreatic juice leakage and multiple organ dysfunction. Intraperitoneal administration of a lipase inhibitor reduced lipolysis and prevented deterioration of the fistula. Conclusion Intraperitoneal lipolysis significantly exacerbates pancreatic fistula after pancreatic resection. Inhibition of lipolysis by intraperitoneal administration of a lipase inhibitor could be a promising therapy to reduce clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula. Surgical relevance Clinically, there are two types of pancreatic fistula after pancreatic resections: harmless biochemical leak and harmful clinically relevant pancreatic fistula. Visceral obesity is one of the known risk factors for clinically relevant pancreatic fistula; however, the underlying mechanisms remained to be elucidated. Patients with clinically relevant pancreatic fistula had a higher free fatty acid concentration in the drain discharge, suggesting a relationship between intraperitoneal lipolysis and pancreatic fistula. The experimental model of pancreatic fistula demonstrated that intraperitoneal lipolysis caused deterioration in pancreatic fistula, suggesting that intraperitoneal lipolysis is one of the mechanisms that drives biochemical leakage to clinically relevant pancreatic fistula. Intraperitoneal administration of a lipase inhibitor prevented lipolysis as well as pancreatic fistula deterioration in the experimental model, suggesting a future clinical application for lipase inhibitors in prevention of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula.

Inorganic-organic hybrid membranes consisting of an aliphatic backbone and amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized from tetraallyloxytitanium and phosphonic acid methacrylate via a simple copolymerization-hydrolysis method. Tetraallyoxytitanium (TAT) was copolymerized with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate acid phosphate (HEMAP), and then hydrolyzed, yielding inorganic-organic hybrid composites. IR and 13C NMR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the inorganic-organic hybrid structure. TEM and SAXS showed that amorphous TiO2 NPs were dispersed in the polymer matrix. The membranes exhibited good thermal stability up to 180 °C. The aliphatic chains of the methacrylate derivative dispersed with TiO2 NPs improved the mechanical properties of the membranes. The tensile modulus of the HEMAP/TAT membrane with a composition of 95:5 was 505 MPa. The conductivity of the 95:5 membranes was 4.1 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 130 °C and 100% relative humidity (RH), while it was 4.7 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 130 °C and 19.3% RH. The peak power of the 95:5 membrane was 4.8 mW/cm2 at 140 °C and 30% RH. The cell utilizing the hybrid membrane was operated at 140 °C and 30% RH for 72 h without any drop in cell voltage.

Solute carrier 22a member 14 (SLC22A14) plays a critical role in male infertility in mice. We previously revealed that one of the causes of infertility is impaired capacitation. However, the molecular mechanism remained unclear. Here, we show that the influx of HCO3−, a trigger of capacitation, is impaired and intracellular pH (pHi) is decreased in the sperm of Slc22a14 knockout (KO) mice. While intracellular cAMP concentration did not increase during capacitation in Slc22a14 KO spermatozoa, HCO3−-dependent soluble adenylate cyclase activity was normal, and the addition of 8-bromo cAMP rescued the decreased protein tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, the pHi of Slc22a14 KO sperm was lower than that of WT sperm and did not increase after the addition of HCO3−. Although its relationship to the regulation of pHi is unknown, transmembrane protein 225, a possible protein phosphatase inhibitor, was found to be decreased in Slc22a14 KO sperm. The decreased in vitro fertilization rate of Slc22a14 KO sperm was partially rescued by an increase in the pHi and the addition of 8-bromo cAMP. These results suggest that SLC22A14 is involved in capacitation through the regulation of HCO3− transport and pHi.

A 25-day-old term infant presented with fever, diarrhoea and 10% wt loss since birth (figure 1A) and 80% oxygen saturation in ambient air. His heart rate was 178 beats/min and blood pressure was 64/45 mmHg. Blood tests revealed a pH of 7.0, and bicarbonate, lactate and methaemoglobin levels of 6.2 mmol/L, 5.2 mmol/L, and 21%, respectively. After rehydration with fluid for shock, administration of sodium bicarbonate and stopping formula milk, …

Hadi MS, Abadi AL, Himawan T, MAsruri, Lestari SR, Rahardjo BT, Aini LQ, Setiawan Y, Tarno H. 2021. The role of bacterial symbionts in the biodegradation of chlorpyrifos in the digestive tract of Plutella xylostella larvae. Biodiversitas 22: 702-712. Several species in the order Lepidoptera act as plant pests, one of which is Plutella xylostella. Plutella xylostella is one of the most destructive pests of cabbage and other horticultural crops. The use of chemical insecticides as pest control for P. xylostella causes many problems, such as the increased pest resistance to pesticides. The objectives of this study are: (i) to obtain and characterize symbiont bacteria in the digestive tract of P. xylostella collected from organic and conventional agriculture soils; (ii) to evaluate the potential of bacterial symbionts in the digestive tract of P. xylostella from organic and conventional soils in degrading the active ingredient of chlorpyrifos insecticide; (iii) To determine the biodegradation process of chlorpyrifos insecticide by symbiont bacteria in the digestive tract of P. xylostella; and (iv) to identify the derivative compounds from the biodegradation of chlorpyrifos insecticide. The results showed 30 symbiont bacteria isolated from the digestive tract of P. xylostella collected from organic soil and 36 symbiont bacteria isolated from the digestive tract of P. xylostella from conventional farming soil. There are 15 species of symbiont bacteria in 5 genera from the digestive tract of P. xylostella from organic and conventional farming capable of degrading the chlorpyrifos insecticide. They are identified as Providencia sp., Pseudomonas sp., Serratia sp., Proteus sp., and Aeromonas sp. Chlorpyrifos-derived compounds from the biodegradation of symbiont bacteria are less toxic than chlorpyrifos compounds.

Prolonging the circulation time (CT) of microparticles (MPs) in the blood is key for a successful microparticle-based medicinal approach to serve as drug delivery systems (DDSs). Previously, we reported that MPs that mimic the shape of red blood cells (RBCs) avoid accumulation in the spleen and lungs. We now describe the effectiveness of mimicking not only the shape of RBCs but also their surface structure for the prolongation of CT. RBC-shaped MPs (RBC-MPs) were electrosprayed with cellulose and covered with a native RBC membrane (RBCM) collected from mouse blood. Seven hours after intravenous injection, approximately twice as many RBCM-covered RBC-MPs (RBC-MPs@RBCM) were present in the blood of mice compared to unmodified RBC-MPs. Twenty-four hours postinjection, the concentration of RBC-MPs@RBCM in the blood was 4 times higher. These findings suggest that an RBCM covering the MPs contributed to significant CT prolongation, which may positively impact their applications as DDSs.

Techniques to elucidate the kinetics and distribution of the same cells in the whole body and in tissues are necessary for further studies of cancer, immunity, and regenerative medicine. Fluorescent imaging is a powerful technique for visualization of cells. However, current fluorescent probes are applicable in either the ultraviolet (UV)-visible (Vis) region (300-650 nm) or the biological transparency window (BTW, 650-900 nm), but not both. Thus, they cannot serve as fluorescent probes for both in vivo and in vitro imaging, and it is difficult to achieve imaging of the same cells seamlessly from the cellular level to the whole body and tissue levels using currently available fluorescent probes. Accordingly, in this paper, we describe organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) that could be used to achieve seamless tracking of the same cells. Within the HNPs, a porphyrin molecule, Vis-fluorophore, was surrounded by a siloxane chain, preventing the aggregation of porphyrin molecules. As a result, the porphyrin fluorescence was not quenched. Furthermore, indocyanine green (ICG), a BTW fluorophore, was localized on the HNP surface, leading to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from porphyrin to ICG only near the HNP surface. Through the above structural design, the HNPs acquired both excitation (λ

Amine functionalized materials have been widely investigated as promising candidates for CO2 capture. Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) is the commercial amine that has been commonly impregnated into porous supports for post-combustion CO2 capture. Commercial technical-grade TEPA is a mixture of four main ethyleneamine compounds with close boiling points including linear, branched, and two cyclic TEPA products. This study investigated the stability of the four main components of TEPA under accelerated oxidizing conditions. The CO2 adsorption performances of the sorbents containing TEPA components decreased after the exposure to O2. Among the isolated components in commercial TEPA, 1,4,7,10,13-pentaazatridecane displayed the most sensitivity to O2, which were supported by infrared spectroscopic, gas chromatography, and NMR analysis.

Resorcinol/formaldehyde (RF) foam resin is an attractive material as a low-density target in high-power laser–plasma experiments because of its fine network structure, transparency in the visible region, and low-Z element (hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen) composition. In this study, we developed disk-shaped RF foam and deuterated RF foam targets with 40–200 μm thickness and approximately 100 mg/cm3 density having a network structure from 100 nm to a few micrometers cell size. By deuteration, the polymerization rate was drastically slowed down owing to kinetic isotope effects. These targets were used in high-power laser experiments where a megaelectronvolt proton beam was successfully generated.

Baculovirus-infected silkworms are promising bioreactors for producing recombinant glycoproteins, including antibodies. Previously, we developed a method for isotope labeling of glycoproteins for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies using silkworm larvae reared on an artificial diet containing 15N-labeled yeast crude protein extract. Here, we further develop this method by introducing a technique for the expression of isotope-labeled glycoproteins by silkworm pupae, which has several potential advantages relative to larvae-based techniques in terms of production yield, ease of handling, and storage. Here, we fed fifth instar larvae an artificial diet with an optimized composition containing [methyl-13C]methionine, leading to pupation. Nine-day-old pupae were then injected with recombinant Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) bacmid for expression of recombinant human immunoglobulin G (IgG). From the whole-body homogenates of pupae, 0.35 mg/pupa of IgG was harvested, which is a yield that is five times higher than can be obtained from larvae. Recombinant IgG, thus prepared, exhibited mainly three kinds of pauci-mannose-type oligosaccharides and had a 13C-enrichment ratio of approximately 80%. This enabled selective observation of NMR signals originating from the methionyl methyl group of IgG, confirming its conformational integrity. These data demonstrate the utility of silkworm pupae as factories for producing recombinant glycoproteins with amino-acid-selective isotope labeling.

The end of the Holocene Humid Period was characterized by the massive collapse of forest ecosystems in central Africa. Was this large-scale environmental crisis dated between 3300 and 2500 years BP at the origin of the present-day wooded-grassland/forest mosaic of central Cameroon? Here we present carbon isotope data on soil organic matter collected from 29 sites from this area, including the Grassfield plateaus, with the aim of characterizing this environmental crisis and discussing the origin of the present-day landscape. 14C data on total soil organic matter and charcoal fragments show that the organic matter in these soils originates from the Holocene. In our forest sites, the δ13C profiles do not show any marked alteration of the forest cover throughout the Holocene. Discrete traces of forest expansion or retreat are observed only punctually at the forest margins. In the wooded-grassland/forest mosaic zone, the environmental crisis was of reduced amplitude. In the present grassland and wooded grassland areas, there was no true forest during the lower to middle Holocene, but a markedly more tree-covered landscape. The timing of this crisis revealed by our 14C measurements, although only indicative at this stage, suggests that it occurred earlier at higher altitudes than in the lowlands due to marked topographic relief favoring drainage along the slopes. These results fit a climatic rather than anthropogenic origin of the vegetation opening in this region.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is a major antibody and functions as a hub linking specific antigen binding and recruitment of effector molecules typified by Fcγ receptors (FcγRs). These activities are associated primarily with interactions involving its Fab and Fc sites, respectively. An IgG molecule is characterized by a multiple domain modular structure with conserved N-glycosylation in Fc. The molecule displays significant freedom in internal motion on various spatiotemporal scales. The consequent conformational flexibility and plasticity of IgG glycoproteins are functionally significant and potentially important factors for design and engineering of antibodies with enhanced functionality. In this article, experimental and computational approaches are outlined for characterizing the conformational dynamics of IgG molecules in solution. In particular, the importance of integration of these approaches is highlighted, as illustrated by dynamic intramolecular interactions between the pair of N-glycans and their proximal amino acid residues in Fc. These interactions can critically affect effector functions mediated by human IgG1 and FcγRIII. Further improvements in individual biophysical techniques and their integration will advance understanding of dynamic behaviors of antibodies in physiological and pathological conditions. Such understanding will provide opportunities for engineering antibodies through controlling allosteric networks in IgG molecules.

Increasing dissolution of CO2 in the surface ocean is rapidly decreasing its pH and changing carbon chemistry which is further affecting marine biota in several ways. Phytoplankton response studies under the combination of elevated CO2 and trace metals are rare. We have conducted two consecutive onboard incubation experiments (R. V. Sindhu Sadhana; August 2017) in the eastern Arabian Sea (SW coast of India) during an upwelling event. A nutrient enriched diatom bloom was initiated onboard and grown under ambient (approximate to 400 mu atm, A-CO2) and high CO 2 levels (approximate to 1000 patm; H-CO2) with different zinc (Zn; 1 nM) and copper (Cu) concentrations (1 nM, 2 nM and 8 nM). Phytoplankton community composition and the dominant genera were different during these two experiments. CO2 enrichment alone did not show any significant growth stimulating impact on the experimental community except enhanced cell density in the first experiment. Addition of Zn at A-CO2 level revealed no noticeable responses; whereas, the same treatment under H-CO2 level significantly reduced cell number. Considerably high protein content under H-CO2+Zn treatment was possibly counteracting Zn toxicity which also caused slower growth rate. Cu addition did not show any noticeable impact on growth and biomass production except increased protein content as well as decreased carbohydrate: protein ratio. This can be attributed to relatively higher protein synthesis than carbohydrate to alleviate oxidative stress generated by Cu. The centric diatom Chaetoceros and toxin producing pennate diatom Pseudo-nitzschia showed no significant response to either CO2 or Zn enrichment. Large centric diatom Leptocylindrus and Skeletonema responded positively to Zn addition in both CO2 levels. The former species showed the most sensitive response at the highest Cu and H-CO2 treatment; whereas, the pennate diatoms Mtzschia and Pseudo-nttzschia (toxigenic diatom) showed higher resilience under elevated CO2 and Cu levels. This observation indicated that in future ocean, increasing CO2 concentrations and trace metal pollution may potentially alter phytoplankton community structure and may facilitate toxigenic diatom bloom in the coastal waters.

Guillain&ndash, Barr&eacute, syndrome, an autoimmune neuropathy characterized by acute limb weakness, is often preceded by Campylobacter jejuni infection. Molecular mimicry exists between the bacterial lipo-oligosaccharide and human ganglioside. Such C. jejuni infection induces production of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) autoantibodies against GM1 and causes complement-mediated motor nerve injury. For elucidating the molecular mechanisms linking autoantigen recognition and complement activation, we characterized the dynamic interactions of anti-GM1 IgG autoantibodies on ganglioside-incorporated membranes. Using high-speed atomic force microscopy, we found that the IgG molecules assemble into a hexameric ring structure on the membranes depending on their specific interactions with GM1. Complement component C1q was specifically recruited onto these IgG rings. The ring formation was inhibited by an IgG-binding domain of staphylococcal protein A bound at the cleft between the CH2 and CH3 domains. These data indicate that the IgG assembly is mediated through Fc&ndash, Fc interactions, which are promoted under on-membrane conditions due to restricted translational diffusion of IgG molecules. Reduction and alkylation of the hinge disulfide impaired IgG ring formation, presumably because of an increase in conformational entropic penalty. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into the molecular processes involved in Guillain&ndash, syndrome and, more generally, into antigen-dependent interplay between antibodies and complement components on membranes.

Microglia exhibit various activation phenotypes in the spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury, and promote neuropathic pain. Ibudilast is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor with anti-inflammatory activity, but its effect on activated microglia in chronic neuropathic pain is poorly understood. We investigated whether ibudilast was effective on established allodynia associated with activated microglial phenotypes in two rat models of peripheral and central neuropathic pain. A single intrathecal injection of ibudilast (25 μg) inhibited established allodynia on days 7–21 after sciatic nerve injury in rats. Repeated injections of ibudilast (25 μg/day) reduced the numbers of phosphorylated p38-positive cells without changing hypertrophic microglia, whereas minocycline (100 μg/day) decreased the numbers of hypertrophic microglia associated with phosphorylated p38 levels in the spinal cord. Gene analysis revealed that minocycline, but not ibudilast, increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine genes Il10 and Tgfβ1 in the spinal cord. Propentofylline (100 μg/day) was less effective on microglial phenotypes and established allodynia. Ibudilast inhibited persistent allodynia after the recovery of motor deficits in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis rats. Therefore, ibudilast might be effective for chronic neuropathic pain after peripheral and central nerve damage. Ibudilast mediated these effects on activated microglia using a different mechanism compared with minocycline and propentofylline.

Magnetite-nanoparticle-containing red-blood-cell-like-microparticles (M-RBC-MPs) with a selective ability for trapping cortisol (COR) were synthesized by an electrospray technique of a molecularly imprinted ethyl(hydroxyethyl) cellulose (EHEC)-based precursor. The as-synthezied M-RBC-MPs were ∼3-μm-disks with a dent. M-RBC-MPs contained magnetite nanoparticles below 15 nm in diameter, which exhibited magnetization and no room-temperature coercivity. The molecularly imprinted M-RBC-MPs (MI-M-RBC-MPs) passed through pores less than their diameter. The MI-M-RBC-MPs selectively trapped COR from a solution containing molecules similar to COR, whereas non-imprinted M-RBC-MPs did not trap COR. Furthermore, magnets were used to capture the water-dispersed MI-M-RBC-MPs flowing in a tube. Based on the above results, MI-M-RBC-MPs may selectively trap COR while simultaneously circulating in the blood, followed by their removal from the blood using magnets.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Objective— Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is a major mechanism by which HDL (high-density lipoprotein) protects against atherosclerosis. Endothelial lipase (EL) reportedly reduces HDL levels, which, in theory, would increase atherosclerosis. However, it remains unclear whether EL affects RCT in vivo. Approach and Results— Adenoviral vectors expressing EL or luciferase were intravenously injected into mice, and a macrophage RCT assay was performed. As expected, hepatic EL overexpression markedly reduced HDL levels. In parallel, plasma 3H-cholesterol counts from the EL-expressing mice decreased by 85% compared with control. Surprisingly, there was no difference in fecal 3H-cholesterol excretion between the groups. Kinetic studies revealed increased catabolism/hepatic uptake of 3HDL-cholesteryl ether, resulting in no change in fecal HDL-cholesteryl ester excretion in the mice. To explore underlying mechanisms for the preservation of RCT despite low HDL levels in the EL-expressing mice, we investigated the effects of hepatic SR-BI (scavenger receptor class B type I) knockdown. RCT assay revealed that knockdown of SR-BI alone reduced fecal excretion of macrophage-derived 3H-cholesterol. Interestingly, hepatic EL overexpression under SR-BI inhibition further attenuated fecal tracer counts as compared with control. Finally, we observed that EL overexpression enhanced in vivo RCT under pharmacological inhibition of hepatic ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) by probucol. Conclusions— Hepatic EL expression compensates for reduced macrophage-derived cholesterol efflux to plasma because of low HDL levels by promoting cholesterol excretion to bile/feces via an SR-BI pathway, maintaining overall RCT in vivo. In contrast, EL-modified HDL might negatively regulate RCT via hepatic ABCA1. Despite extreme hypoalphalipoproteinemia, RCT is maintained in EL-expressing mice via SR-BI/ABCA1-dependent pathways.

Dense and thin pure silica CHA-type zeolite (Si-CHA) membranes have been synthesized on porous α-alumina supports and investigated for CO2 permeation and CO2/CH4 separation performance under dry and humidified conditions. Si-CHA membranes with ultra-high permeance were greatly affected by performance suppression due to concentration polarization under high pressure and low feed-rate conditions. Under high feed-rate conditions at 298 K and a feed pressure of 0.1 MPaG, the CO2/CH4 selectivity was 130 with a CO2 permeance of 4.0 × 10–6 mol/(m2 s Pa) for an equimolar CO2/CH4 dry gas mixture. The presence of water vapor significantly reduced CO2 permeance, but the performance improved as feed pressure increased. The CO2/CH4 selectivities at high pressure with and without water vapor were essentially the same.

The adsorptive removal of sulfur-containing compounds such as thiophene derivatives from transportation fuels has received extensive attention because of its economic and environmental advantages compared to the hydrodesulfurization process. In our previous study, we suggested that the adsorption sites for benzothiophene and naphthalene on the silica surface consist of different types of silanol groups, and the removal of vicinal silanols from the silica surface should enable silica materials to adsorb benzothiophene selectively. In this study, an attempt is made to prove this hypothesis for the development of novel desulfurization sorbents. Heat treatment of silica gel was performed at different temperatures to remove vicinal silanol groups, and the adsorption capacities of benzothiophene and naphthalene were evaluated. The amount of naphthalene adsorbed on heat-treated silica gel decreased with increasing heat-treatment temperature, whereas the amount of benzothiophene adsorbed on silica gel treated at 873 and 1073 K showed only a slight decrease. Considering the heat treatment might lead to the removal of vicinal silanols due to dehydration of surface silanols, the results indicate that vicinal silanol groups were selective adsorption sites for naphthalene. Moreover, for binary-component systems, the adsorption capacities of benzothiophene and naphthalene were almost identical because of multilayer adsorption of naphthalene on adsorbed benzothiophene, and the adsorption capacities of benzothiophene for single- and binary-component systems were also identical. This suggests that the heat treatment of silica enables the selective removal of benzothiophene.

Fcγ receptor (FcγR) promotes various immune responses through interactions with the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG). FcγRIIIb is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked protein expressed on neutrophils and triggers degranulation and opsonic phagocytosis. The extracellular region of FcγR is composed of two Ig-fold domains and can be cleaved as a soluble form (sFcγRIIIb), which is also reactive with complement receptor type 3. Although structure and Fc interaction of sFcγRIIIb have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, little has been known about its structure in solution. We herein report the backbone NMR assignments of human sFcγRIIIb to gain basic understanding of functional IgG-FcγRIII interactions of immunological and biopharmaceutical interest regarding the structural investigation.

A series of efficient adsorbents for CO2 capture was prepared by a wet-impregnation method. Mesostructured cellular silica foam (MF) was selected as a support and modified with a mixture of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and imidazoles (Ims) to improve the initial and working CO2-adsorption capacity. The heat of adsorption was also evaluated. The impact of different amines and the adsorption temperature on CO2-adsorption performance was investigated. Some Ims showed a synergistic effect with TEPA regarding adsorption/desorption performance. Impregnating MF with such Ims and TEPA increased CO2-adsorption performance and decreased the heat of absorption compared with those obtained for MF impregnated only with TEPA. MF modified with 30 wt % 4-methylimidazole and 40 wt % TEPA exhibited a high first-pass CO2 adsorption capacity of 4.88 mmol/g at 100 kPa and 40 °C. Following vacuum regeneration, a working capacity of 4.15 mmol/g was observed for the same conditions.

Chemical modification of the amino functional groups of amine-impregnated solid sorbents is an effective strategy for drastically improving the regeneration performance for CO2 capture. In this study, isopropyl groups were introduced into tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) to obtain N-(isopropyl)-TEPA (IP-TEPA), which was impregnated in mesocellular silica foam (MSU-F). The obtained solid sorbent enabled low-temperature regeneration with a low regeneration energy. To clarify the role of the IP groups, experimental and computational methods were used to compare the IP-TEPA/MSU-F sorbent with TEPA/MSU-F in terms of CO2 working capacity, reaction product stability, self-diffusion coefficient, 13C spin–lattice relaxation time, and CO2 capture performance in steam-aided vacuum swing adsorption.

The separation ability of CHA-type and STT-type pure silica zeolite (Si-CHA and Si-STT) membranes for H2 purification from H2/toluene gas mixtures was investigated. When the feed mixture gas consisting of 98 mol % H2 and 2 mol % toluene was supplied, corresponding to the gas-phase composition after removing toluene by condensation following methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation, both membranes showed good H2-selective permeation, resulting in a hydrogen purity of above 99.9% on the permeate side.

We report the successful fabrication of copper (II) oleate [Cu(C18H33O2)2, Cu-oleate] microspheres as novel targets for laser fusion. Cu-oleate microspheres were prepared using emulsion method with Cu-oleate dissolved in an organic solvent. The fabricated microspheres exhibit a uniform radius of around 103 μm and a good sphericity of 0.97. The microspheres also have high atomic copper (Cu) content of ∼10 wt%, and the Cu ions are homogeneously distributed along their radii. Although defects which are 1-μm deep can be observed on the microsphere surfaces, these defects do not cause any significant perturbation that affects the resulting areal density during implosion. With good morphology, Cu content, and target performance, the Cu-oleate microspheres fabricated by emulsion method can then be used as targets for fast ignition laser fusion experiments such as FIREX. The use of these targets enables the x-ray observation of the laser-induced fast electron energy transfer on the compressed core.

Inorganic-organic hybrid membranes comprising an aliphatic backbone polymer and a trisiloxane bond were synthesized from a trisiloxane derivative, phosphonic acid acrylate, and vinylbenzotriazole, and used to prepare membrane electrode assembly (MEA) sandwiched between metallic glass separators (MGSs). The prepared MEA exhibited a higher cell voltage than that comprising carbon separators at 140 °C and 30% relative humidity for 50 h.

Technology to visualize small prostate cancers is urgently needed because of the difficulty of discriminating prostate cancer from normal tissue with the naked eye, and a fluorescence imaging method would be advantageous. Here, we describe the design and synthesis of a fluorogenic probe (Ac-KQLR-HMRG) that is activated by hepsin and matriptase (proteases over-expressed in prostate cancer). Ac-KQLR-HMRG exhibited significant turn-on fluorogenicity in the presence of hepsin (180-fold) and matriptase (80-fold) and allowed specific fluorescence imaging of various prostate cancer cell line in vitro. In addition, the probe enabled rapid imaging (within 1-10 min) of small prostate cancer nodules in mouse models of disseminated peritoneal tumor and orthotopic tumor.