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Light quality can affect the growth of plants, regulate the accumulation and metabolism of substances, thereby improving the growth and quality of plants. Alfalfa is a vital forage with wide distribution and high value for feeding. However, few studies have investigated the effects of light quality on growth, quality, and nitrogen (N) metabolism regulation of alfalfa under artificial light control environment. In this study, the light intensity was 400 μmol·m−2·s−1 and photoperiods was 16/8 h. Five light quality treatments were used for alfalfa production, red-blue ratio of 3:1, 4:1 and 5:1, respectively, and on the basis of red-blue ratio of 4:1, 5% and 10% red light were replaced by green light were also used (R3B1, R4B1, R5B1, R19B5G1 and R18B5G2). The results showed that although the stomatal conductance and lysine content of the R3B1 treatment were significantly higher than other treatments, but the leaf area, fresh yield, contents of soluble sugar, sucrose, nitrate and ammonium, as well as the enzyme activities of NR, NiR, GOGAT and GS were the lowest among all treatments. The R3B1 treatment resulted in growth inhibition and reduced N metabolism levels. Strikingly, compared with the R4B1 treatment, the synthesis of Chl a+b, Chl a, Chl b, and free amino acid, as well as the accumulation of nitrate and crude protein, and the activity of GS also increased significantly in the two treatments which green light replaced partial of red light. However, the contents of soluble sugar, glutamate and lysine, as well as the activities of GOGAT and GDH, were significantly reduced in the R19B5G1 and R18B5G2 treatments. The carotenoids and sucrose contents of R19B5G1 treatment were significantly higher than R4B1 treatment, and the fresh weight and NR activity of R18B5G2 were significantly higher than R4B1 treatment. In addition, the content of starch and soluble protein and AK activity were not affected by light quality. In general, green light instead of partial red light increased the content of photosynthetic pigment and promoted the growth of alfalfa. Although the levels of glutamate, cysteine and lysine were reduced, it was beneficial to the accumulation of nitrate, free amino acid and crude protein, maintained the stability of N metabolism and improved the feeding value. These findings provide valuable insight into the effects of light quality regulation on value of feeding and N metabolism of alfalfa. • The treatment of red, blue and green light expansion of alfalfa leaves and the increase of yield. • The red, blue and green light quality significantly affected the nitrogen metabolism of alfalfa. • Replacing the red light with green light improves accumulates more crude protein content. • The use of green light reduces the accumulation of soluble sugar, glutamate, cysteine and lysine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a microbubble is subject to ultrasound, non-spherical oscillation or surface modes can be generated after many acoustic cycles. This phenomenon has wide applications, including ultrasonic cleaning, sonochemistry, and biomedical ultrasonics. Yet, the nonlinear development of the bubble shape modes over dozens of cycles is not well understood. Here, we describe a grid-free and robust model to simulate the phenomenon. A viscous pressure correction is introduced to compensate the non-zero tangential stress at the free surface in the potential flow model, based on conservation of energy. Consequently, the phenomenon is modeled using the boundary integral method, in which the compressible and viscous effects are incorporated into the model through the boundary conditions. The computations have been carried out for axisymmetric cases; however, the numerical model can be extended for three-dimensional cases in a straightforward manner. The numerical results are shown to be in good agreement for many cycles with some independent viscous and compressible theories for axisymmetric bubbles and experiments for microbubbles undergoing shape oscillation subject to ultrasound. The development of the shape oscillation of a bubble after a dozen cycles, the formation of a reentry jet and its penetration through the bubble, and the topological transformation of the bubble are simulated and analyzed in terms of the amplitude and frequency of the ultrasound. The computations and physical analysis are carried out for the development of shape modes due to a resonant volume oscillation, strong pressure wave, or the matching of the acoustic wave frequency with the shape mode frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peritumoral cysts are commonly detected in the central nervous system tumors, especially hemangioblastomas (HBs). However, the molecular mechanisms driving their formation and propagation are still unknown. We conducted an integrated lipidomics and transcriptomics analysis on solid and cystic HB samples in order to elucidate the changes in the lipid profile and expression of lipid metabolism-related genes during cyst formation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed differential expression of several genes between the solid and cystic HBs, and those associated with lipid metabolism, such as ADCY4, MGLL, ACOT2, DGKG, SHC1 and LPAR2, were markedly dysregulated in the cystic HBs. The lipidomic analysis further showed a significant reduction in the abundance of triacylglycerol, ceramide, lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and an increase in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine levels in the cystic HBs. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis revealed altered lipid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism and phospholipase activity in the cystic HBs. Taken together, our findings indicate that cyst formation in HBs is related with aberrant lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As cloud storage technology develops, data sharing of cloud-based electronic medical records (EMRs) has become a hot topic in the academia and healthcare sectors. To solve the problem of secure search and sharing of EMR in cloud platforms, an EMR data-sharing scheme supporting multi-keyword search is proposed. The proposed scheme combines searchable encryption and proxy re-encryption technologies to perform keyword search and achieve secure sharing of encrypted EMR. At the same time, the scheme uses a traceable pseudo identity to protect the patient's private information. Our scheme is proven secure based on the modified Bilinear Diffie-Hellman assumption and Quotient Decisional Bilinear Diffie-Hellman assumption under the random oracle model. The performance of our scheme is evaluated through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: A well-established cell line of hemangioblastomas (HBs) is still lacking.Aim: This study aims to explore a stable way to establish primary cell lines of HB stromal cells and investigate the morphological and molecular features of these cells.Patients and Methods: Specimens of HBs from 13 patients were collected for establishment of primary cell lines of stromal cells. The details on cell culture were described, and the characterizations of cultured cells were conducted by morphological observation, immunocytochemical staining of inhibin-α, brachyury, CD133, CD34, GFAP, CD31, NeuN, CD45, Oligo2, and transmission electron microscopy.Results: Eleven cases were successfully cultured with a success rate of 84.6%. The cultured cells survived for 10 generations with an estimated doubling time of 77.2 ± 5.89 h. Light microscopy revealed that these cells showed vigorous growth status and presented as polygons or trigons with significant heterogeneity. The immunocytochemical staining showed that inhibin-α, brachyury, CD133, and CD34 were expressed in all the cultured cells, whereas the expression of GFAP, CD31, NeuN, CD45, and Oligo2 was all negative. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the cultured cells were stromal cells with typical lipid droplets. The phenomenon of lysosomal autophagy was commonly observed without apoptotic cells in late stage.Conclusion: Appropriate selection of tumor specimens, short duration of devascularization, ideal digestion time, and nutritious medium are critical points for establishment of primary cell line of HB stromal cells. Stromal cells from both von Hippel-Lindau disease-related HBs and sporadic HBs might originate from embryologically arrested hemangioblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with microbubble dynamics in a viscous compressible liquid near a rigid boundary. The compressible effects are modelled using the weakly compressible theory of Wang & Blake (2010 , Non-spherical bubble dynamics in a compressible liquid. Part 1. Travelling acoustic wave. J. Fluid Mech. , 730 , 245–272), since the Mach number associated is small. The viscous effects are approximated using the viscous potential flow theory of Joseph & Wang (2004 , The dissipation approximation and viscous potential flow. J. Fluid Mech. , 505 , 365–377), because the flow field is characterized as being an irrotational flow in the bulk volume but with a thin viscous boundary layer at the bubble surface. Consequently, the phenomenon is modelled using the boundary integral method, in which the compressible and viscous effects are incorporated into the model through including corresponding additional terms in the far field condition and the dynamic boundary condition at the bubble surface, respectively. The numerical results are shown in good agreement with the Keller–Miksis equation, experiments and computations based on the Navier–Stokes equations. The bubble oscillation, topological transform, jet development and penetration through the bubble and the energy of the bubble system are simulated and analysed in terms of the compressible and viscous effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light intensity plays a critical regulatory role in determining plant yield and quality, and energy consumption in plant factory with artificial light (PFAL). The effects of different light intensities (200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 µmol·m−2·s−1) of light-emitting diodes (LED) red and blue light with ratio 4:1 on growth, quality, nitrogen and amino acid metabolisms of ryegrass were investigated. The results showed the tiller number and shoot fresh weight in ryegrass were increased, while plant height and stem diameter remained stable with the improvement of light intensity. The highest levels of soluble protein, free amino acid, and DPPH free radical clearance rate in photon flux density (PPFD) at 500 µmol·m−2·s−1, and then significantly decreased with light intensity increased. The highest soluble sugar content was found at PPFD of 600 µmol·m−2·s−1, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content remained stable in all treatments. As the light intensity increased, nitrate content decreased, while nitrate reductase (NR) activity and the ammonium content increased. As light intensity was increased from 200 to 600 µmol·m−2·s−1, nitrite reductase (NiR) activity first decreased and then increased. Moreover, glutamate and cysteine contents increased first and then decreased, while glutamate synthase (GOGAT), glutamine synthase (GS), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), and cysteine synthases (CS) activities increased continuously with light intensity. Light intensity was significantly correlated with the parameters of growth, quality, nitrogen and amino acid metabolisms in ryegrass. It was recommended that PPFD at 400–500 µmol·m−2·s−1, photoperiod of 16 h/d was suitable for ryegrass high-efficient production in PFAL with relatively low energy cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In its nanoparticulate form, active alumina (γ-Al2O3) exhibits promising potential as a catalyst support material for diverse applications. We report a simple synthesis of nano-crystalline grain γ-Al2O3 by the mechanochemical dehydration of boehmite (γ-AlOOH) at room temperature. The results showed that well-crystalline γ-Al2O3 could be obtained by high-energy milling for more than 32 h via amorphous boehmite. The BET specific surface area (SBET) decreased from 228.10 m2 g−1 to 136.15 m2 g−1, accompanied by a significant decrease in the pore volume (Vt) from 0.264 cm3 g−1 to 0.16 cm3 g−1. Interestingly, the relative percentage of AlO6 decreased to 85.78%, and the number fraction of AlO4 reached a value of approximately 14.22% in this process. But, the AlO5 disappeared completely with the increase in milling time. The amorphous boehmite was generated through dehydration and dehydroxylation of boehmite precursors during the ball milling process, accompanied by the appearance of high content of the AlO5. Several structural rearrangements from boehmite precursors to γ-Al2O3 could be governed by the interconversion between the AlO6, AlO5 and AlO4. Revealing the intricate formation mechanism of γ-Al2O3 through high-energy ball milling facilitates the target-oriented design of alumina materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In countries characterized by limited per capita arable land and grassland, agricultural development is hindered by insufficient forage productivity. The plant factory with artificial light (PFAL) system has emerged as a highly efficient approach to address this challenge by cultivating forage on finite land resources. In the PFAL framework, the regulation of light intensity plays a critical role in determining both the yield and quality of cultivated plants. Aims: This study seeks to delve into the optimal range of light intensity for achieving high efficiency and quality in the production of alfalfa in the PFAL. Additionally, it seeks to explore the effects of light intensity on nitrogen metabolism, as well as the accumulation and metabolism of amino acid in alfalfa. Methods: To achieve these objectives, alfalfa was sown and subjected to five treatments involving red and blue LED light in a 4:1 ratio. The light intensities used were 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 µmol m–2 s−1, respectively. The alfalfa plants were then harvested at intervals of 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 days. The quality and nitrogen metabolisms of alfalfa during this period were assessed by evaluating the plant's growth performance and determining the optimal cutting time. Conclusion: In summary, high‐light intensity (400–600 µmol m−2 s−1) improved alfalfa yield and quality, while also promoting nitrogen and amino acid metabolism. Photon flux density at 400–500 µmol m−2 s−1 light intensity for a duration of 30 days was identified as the optimal condition for PFAL alfalfa production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascorbate (AsA), an essential antioxidant for both plants and the human body, plays a vital role in maintaining proper functionality. Light plays an important role in metabolism of AsA in horticultural plants. Our previous research has revealed that subjecting lettuce to high light irradiation (HLI) (500 μmol·m−2·s−1) at the end-of-production (EOP) stage effectively enhances AsA levels, while the optimal light quality for AsA accumulation is still unknown. In this study, four combinations of red (R) and blue (B) light spectra with the ratio of 1:1 (1R1B), 2:1 (2R1B), 3:1 (3R1B), and 4:1 (4R1B) were applied to investigate the biosynthesis and recycling of AsA in lettuce. The results demonstrated that the AsA/total-AsA content in lettuce leaves was notably augmented upon exposure to 1R1B and 2R1B. Interestingly, AsA levels across all treatments increased rapidly at the early stage (2–8 h) of irradiation, while they increased slowly at the late stage (8–16 h). The activity of L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase was augmented under 1R1B treatment, which is pivotal to AsA production. Additionally, the activities of enzymes key to AsA cycling were enhanced by 1R1B and 2R1B treatments, including ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and monodehydroascorbate reductase. Notably, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde accumulation increased dramatically following 16 h of 1R1B and 2R1B treatments. In addition, although soluble sugar and starch contents were enhanced by EOP-HLI, this effect was comparatively subdued under the 1R1B treatment. Overall, these results indicated that AsA accumulation was improved by irradiation with a blue light proportion of over 50% in lettuce, aligning with the heightened activities of key enzymes responsible for AsA synthesis, as well as the accrual of hydrogen peroxide. The effective strategy holds the potential to enhance the nutritional quality of lettuce while bolstering its antioxidant defenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is caused by neurovascular compression and is often related to morphological changes in the trigeminal nerve. The aim of this study was to quantitatively measure atrophic changes of trigeminal nerves in patients with TN, and to further investigate whether nerve atrophy affected the efficacy of microvascular decompression (MVD). Methods: We conducted a prospective case-control study of 60 consecutive patients with TN and 30 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent high-resolution three-dimensional MRI. The volume of the cisternal segment of trigeminal nerves was measured and compared using 3D Slicer software. Patients with TN underwent primary MVD and regular follow-up for at least 2 years. Associations of nerve atrophy with patient characteristics and operative outcomes were analyzed. Results: The mean volume of the affected trigeminal nerve was significantly reduced in comparison to that of the nonaffected side (65.8 ± 21.1 versus 77.9 ± 19.3 mm, P = 0.001) and controls (65.8 ± 21.1 versus 74.7 ± 16.5 mm, P = 0.003). Fifty-two patients (86.7%) achieved complete pain relief without medication immediately after surgery, and 77.6% of patients were complete pain relief at the 2-year follow-up. The Spearman correlation test showed that there was a positive correlation ( r = 0.46, P = 0.018) between the degree of trigeminal nerve indentation and nerve atrophy. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, two factors, indentation on nerve root (OR = 2.968, P = 0.022) and degree of nerve atrophy (OR = 1.18, P = 0.035), were associated with the long-term outcome. Conclusions: TN is associated with atrophy on the affected nerve. Furthermore, greater nerve atrophy is associated with more severe trigeminal nerve indentation and better long-term outcome following MVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pediatric hemangioblastomas are rare, and the clinical features, timing of surgical intervention, optimal treatment, and clinical outcomes are still unclear. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of all patients with CNS hemangioblastomas who were treated at West China Hospital from January 2003 to March 2015. Patients under the age of 16 years were included in the study. The medical records of these patients were reviewed and statistically analyzed. Results: Twenty-five children (15 females and ten males, [mean age 12.6 ± 4.7 years, range 1-16 years]) presented with hemangioblastomas. Tumors were detected in the cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord in 40, 28, and 32% of patients, respectively. Sixteen children (64%) had VHL syndrome. The most frequent symptoms were those related to increased intracranial pressure. The mean duration of symptoms was 1.5 ± 2.1 months. Preoperative hydrocephalus was noted in 11 children (44%). Gross total resection was achieved in all children. Clinical symptoms improved in 19 children (76%), unchanged in four children (16%), and aggravated in two children (8%), respectively. The mean follow-up was 44.5 ± 32.3 months. Five patients (20%) experienced disease progression. Using univariate analysis, both tumor-associated cysts ( P = 0.027) and VHL disease ( P = 0.032) were significantly related to postoperative outcomes. Conclusions: Pediatric hemangioblastomas have many different clinical features compared with adult cases. A high degree of suspicion for VHL disease should be raised in pediatric hemangioblastomas. Despite many challenges involved, surgical outcomes for pediatric hemangioblastomas are favorable. Lifelong follow-up is mandatory to detect the disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Hemangioblastomas in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are uncommon and have rarely been reported. They may be easily misdiagnosed because of the atypical location and clinical and imaging features. The present study aimed to characterize clinical and radiologic features, treatment strategies, and outcomes in these rare lesions and to investigate various factors that may affect postoperative outcomes. Methods The medical records of patients with CPA hemangioblastomas who underwent surgery from 2003–2016 at the West China Hospital were reviewed retrospectively and statistically analyzed. Results Twenty-three patients (14 males and 9 females) presented with CPA hemangioblastomas. Eight patients (34.8%) had von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. Gross total resection was achieved in 22 patients (95.6%). The mean follow-up was 45.1 ± 36.2 months (range 3–144 months). After surgery, the symptoms improved in 18 cases (78.3%), remained unchanged in 3 cases (13%), and were aggravated in 2 cases (8.7%). Four patients showed local recurrence during follow-up (17.4%). Patients with cystic hemangioblastomas had a better neurologic improvement ( P = 0.041) compared with patients with solid tumors. Furthermore, patients with maximal diameter of tumors >3 cm ( P = 0.035) or solid tumors ( P = 0.018) showed a higher incidence of postoperative complications. The local recurrence was correlated with VHL disease ( P = 0.027). Conclusions Although hemangioblastomas of the CPA are challenging lesions to treat surgically, they can be removed safely when these lesions are appropriately diagnosed and treated. Patients with VHL disease are more likely to have a local recurrence. A regular follow-up is recommended to detect the local and distant recurrence, even if the clinical course is benign and the tumor is totally resected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study aimed to determine the expression of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), and endothelial tyrosine kinase receptor (Tie-2) in central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastomas (HBs) and explore the correlation with peritumoral cyst formation. Method A total of 22 paraffin-embedded specimens derived from 11 cyst-associated and 11 solid solitary CNS HBs were collected for streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical staining. The expression levels of Ang-1, Ang-2 and Tie-2 in cystic and solid HBs were estimated and compared according to the integrated optical density (IOD) of staining in the sections. To further confirm the differential expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 between cystic and solid HBs, an additional 9 frozen specimens from 5 cyst-associated and 4 solid solitary HBs were collected for Western blot analysis. Clinical histories and radiological records of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results Compared to normal cerebellum tissue, Ang-1, Ang-2 and Tie-2 were prominently overexpressed in both the stromal cells and endothelial cells of CNS HBs. The expression of Ang-2 and the ratio of Ang-2/Ang-1 in the cystic group were significantly higher than those in the solid group. The intensity of Ang-2 expression in the cystic group was negatively correlated with age. There was no correlation between the expression level of the proteins and sex, tumor location, tumor volume or cyst volume. Conclusions Ang/Tie signaling is upregulated in HBs and is likely associated with the process of intense vascularization and cyst formation. Higher Ang-2 levels and a higher Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio may contribute to cyst formation by increasing the vascular permeability. The decrease in Ang-2 expression with advanced age in cystic-associated HBs may be associated with the reduced growth rate of peritumoral cysts among elderly patients. Ang-2 shows great potential as an effective therapeutic target of symptomatic CNS HBs associated with cysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Surgical treatment of giant vestibular schwannomas (GVS) is challenging. The philosophy of incomplete tumor resection may balance the preservation of facial nerve function and long-term tumor control. Objective We aimed to evaluate the outcome of facial nerve function and tumor control in treating GVS via our institutional surgical strategy. Methods From September 2009 to August 2014, 218 patients who underwent surgical treatment of GVS were enrolled in our study. The clinical features, extent of resections, facial nerve outcome, and the tumor regrowth free rate of these patients were retrospectively analyzed. The treatment strategy of this disease was discussed. Results All patients had anatomic preservation of the facial nerve. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 58 patients (28.6%), near-total resection (NTR) in 103 (50.7%), and subtotal resection (STR) in 42 (20.7%). Two patients died because of postoperative complications. After a mean follow-up of 39.7 ± 18.3 months, a favorable facial nerve outcome was achieved in 58.6%, 79.6%, and 83.3% of patients who underwent GTR, NTR, and STR, respectively. During follow-up, 20 patients had tumor regrowth and were treated by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and tumor regrowth free rates were 96.6%, 92.2%, and 76.2% in GTR, NTR, and STR, respectively. The extent of resection was the independent risk factor for poor facial nerve function ( P = 0.006). Conclusions A surgical philosophy of prioritizing facial nerve preservation over total tumor resection was recommended in treatment of GVS. Favorable facial nerve outcome and tumor control were achieved after NTR of the tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rhizobox experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of phosphorus (P) sources on the rhizosphere soil characteristics of two wheat genotypes Xiaoyan54 (P-efficient) and Jing411 (P-inefficient), which were colonized with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and grown in Cumulic Haplustoll. The four P sources included a control (no added P), OP [organic P: sodium (Na)-phytate], IP [inorganic P: monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4)], and OPIP (Na-phytate plus KH2PO4). The results showed that when no exogenous P was added the shoot biomass of Xiaoyan54 was 28% significantly higher than Jing 411. The acid phosphatase activity (APA) in the rhizosphere soil was significantly depressed when inorganic P was added; the APA for Xiaoyan54 was higher than that of Jing411 in most of the layers regardless of the P source. Inorganic and organic P fertilizer conditions did not significantly impact the soil pH relative to the control, and the pH did not significantly differ between the two genotypes. In conclusion, when no exogenous P was added, shoot biomass of Xiaoyan54 was greater than Jing411. This increase was promoted by greater soil APA but not soil acidification. The rhizosphere soil pH was not altered across different wheat genotypes or P sources, but APA was increased in the soil of control and OP-treated plants compared with IP- and OPIP-treated plants. The APA of Xiaoyan54 was higher than Jing411 for all of the P sources. The response mechanism of rhizosphere soil acidification is different from acid phosphatase exudation in plants receiving different P sources under arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus inoculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Synthesis of Mg-Al-CO 3 LDH. • Effective and environmental desilication method. • Not Cr(VI)-containing compounds formation. • Synergistic effect between ion exchange of Si(IV) and zeolite formation. The Mg-Al-CO 3 LDH was synthesized as a desilication agent to effectively and environmentally remove Si(IV) from Na 2 CrO 4 -NaAlO 2 -NaVO 3 -Na 2 SiO 3 -H 2 O solutions. It was observed that the changes of reaction parameters including temperature, NaOH concentration, time, the dosage of Mg-Al-CO 3 LDH and NaAlO 2 concentration significantly affected the desilication efficiency, while the effect of Cr(Ⅵ) and V(Ⅴ) concentration on the desilication was negligible. The results showed that 91.5% Si(IV) could be removed after desilication at 90 °C for 6 h with the additive of 4 g/L Mg-Al-CO 3 LDH, without the formation of hazardous Cr(VI)-containing compounds. It could be concluded that the desilication mechanism was dominated by the synergistic effect between the ion exchange of Si(IV) and the formation of zeolite compounds. The method proposed in this study provides a new insight for Si(IV) removal from the highly concentrated Cr(VI) solutions in the chromate clean production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are interspecies differences in lettuce CL tolerance to LED red and blue light. It is important to clarify the response mechanism of tolerant and sensitive lettuce to CL to achieve efficient application of CL in artificial light plant factories. In the experiment, red-blue LEDs were used to provide a conventional light (360μmol·m−2·s−1, red:blue ratio 4:1 and 18/6 h photoperiod) and three continuous light (CL) treatments with various red:blue ratios (270μmol·m−2·s−1, red:blue ratio 4:1, 2:1 and 1:1) for CL-sensitive and tolerant lettuce cultivars (Yidali and Zishan) with the same daily light integral. The effects of CL quality on the growth, diurnal starch and sucrose accumulation and metabolism of two lettuces were studied by sampling at 6:00, 12:00, 18:00 and 24:00 on the 12 days after light treatment. The results showed that red-blue CL up-regulated shoot biomass of two cultivars, which might be attributed to root and leafy morphology, and chlorophyll content responses. CL with the 80% red light produced the greatest yield, but minor and medium leafy injury was found only on Yidali. CL improved starch and sucrose contents diurnally in two lettuce cultivars, and they totally decreased with blue light proportion. Sucrose synthase (SS), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), acid invertase (AI), neutral invertase (NI), adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylas (AGP), α-amylase and β-amylase activities under CL were improved in two lettuces compared with the conventional light. Starch and sucrose contents and SS, SPS and AGP activities basically decreased with blue light proportion for two cultivars, while AI, NI, α-amylase and β-amylase activities increased inversely totally. CL irrespectively of its quality disordered the circadian rhythms of carbohydrate accumulation and metabolic enzyme activities in two lettuces. Starch content related closely positively with AGP, α-amylase and β-amylase activities for Zishan, but positively AGP and β-amylase activities for Yidali. Sucrose content correlated negatively with AI and NI activities for Zishan, while positively SS and SPS activities for Yidali. To sum up, red-blue CL with low-dose blue light could improve Yidali and Zishan lettuce yield, starch and sucrose accumulation, and metabolic enzyme activity, but CL disordered the circadian rhythms of carbohydrate accumulation and metabolic enzyme activity irrespectively of spectral quality. Yidali and Zishan lettuces are sensitive and tolerant cultivars to red-blue CL, which is not up to their abilities to maintain circadian rhythms of carbohydrate accumulation and metabolism. Furthermore, starch accumulation in two cultivars was controlled jointly by synthesis and decomposition enzymes, but sucrose accumulation in Yidali lettuce depended on decomposition enzymes rather than synthesis enzyme for purple lettuce. • Sensitive and tolerant lettuce cultivars were grown under red-blue CL of various qualities for 12 days. • CL improved lettuce yield, starch and sucrose contents, and metabolic enzyme activity. • CL disordered the circadian rhythms of carbohydrate accumulation and metabolic enzyme activity. • Spectral quality affected diurnal carbohydrate accumulation and metabolic enzyme activity. • Lettuce tolerance to CL did not due to circadian rhythms of carbohydrate accumulation and metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lettuce was grown under continuous light with alternating overlapped red and blue light. • Shoot fresh weight decreased with the increase of alternating light frequency. • Alternating light could improve the antioxidant capacity of purple lettuce. • Antioxidant responses to alternating light depended on the duration and frequency. The responses of yield, nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity of hydroponic purple-lettuce were investigated in a plant factory to different alternations of temporally overlapped red (R) and blue (B) light under continuous irradiation in which spectral photon flux density distribution changed with various combinations of R and B LEDs on a 24-h cycle. Two constant simultaneous rend and bleu (R-B) light treatments including one normal photoperiod (RB, 16/8 h, 225 μmol·m−2·s−1) and one continuous light (RB', 24/0 h, 150 μmol·m−2·s−1) as well as three alternating temporally overlapped light treatments (B to R-B and then R, each part lasts the same time) with alternating frequencies of one time (T1), two times (T2) and four times (T4) respectively in 24 h were set up with the same daily light integral (DLI). The lettuce plants were exposed to the irradiation patterns for 14 days. In all treatments, plants received the same quantum number of red or blue light and the same daily light integral (12.96 μmol·m−2). In comparison with normal photoperiod (RB), the results showed that lettuce plants gained greater shoot fresh and dry weight under RB' and T1 both on the 7 and 14 days after treatment, which depended on leaf area and biomass allocation. Among alternating light treatments, the shoot fresh weight of lettuce decreased with the increase of alternating frequencies. Lettuce plants under alternating temporally overlapped treatments had significantly higher MDA, H 2 O 2 and O2− contents as well as higher SOD and CAT activities than that under RB and RB'. Alternating light treatments also induced phenols accumulation, and particularly lettuce under T2 had significantly higher anthocyanin, flavonoid and total phenol contents than RB. However, prolongation of light period under the same DLI condition might promote nitrate accumulation in lettuce while had no positive effects on starch and soluble sugar contents. Therefore, alternating temporally overlapped red and blue light under continuous irradiation could improve the antioxidant capacity of lettuce to a certain extent, and the responses of lettuce antioxidant system to alternating light exposure might depend on the duration and alternating frequency of two monochromatic light qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT As the first neural element in the auditory pathway, neurons in the spiral ganglion shape the initial coding of sound stimuli for subsequent processing. Within the ganglion, type I and type II neurons form divergent and convergent innervation patterns, respectively, with their hair cell sensory receptors, indicating that very different information is gathered and conveyed. Layered onto these basic innervation patterns are structural and electrophysiological features that provide additional levels of processing multifaceted sound stimuli. To understand the nature of this additional complexity of signal coding, we characterized the distribution of calretinin and calbindin, two regulators of intracellular calcium that serve as markers for neuronal subpopulations. We showed in acute preparations and in vitro that calretinin and calbindin staining levels were heterogeneous. Immunocytochemical analysis of colocalization further showed that high levels of staining for the two molecules rarely overlapped. Although varied amounts of calbindin and calretinin were found within each tonotopic location and neuronal type, some distinct subdistributions were noted. For example, calretinin levels were highest in neurons innervating the midcochlea region, whereas calbindin levels were similar across the entire ganglion. Furthermore, we noted that apical type II neurons, identified by antiperipherin labeling, had significantly lower levels of calretinin and higher levels of calbindin. We also established that the endogenous firing feature of onset tau of the subthreshold response showed a pattern related to quantified calretinin and calbindin staining levels. Taken together, our results suggest an additional dimension of complexity within the spiral ganglion beyond that currently categorized. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:2299-2318, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High post-operative recurrence and poor prognosis are likely to be related to the infiltrative growth of the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the possible synergistic effect of the combined treatment of gamma knife radio-surgery (GKRS) and gene therapy for GBM and secondary objective is to explore the role of GKRS for the temporal and spatial regulation of the gene expression. Materials and Methods: The study performed on 70 nude mice and randomly divided into seven groups. Subcutaneous injection of human GBM tumor cells (T98G) was carried out to establish the animal models. Various doses of liposome-mediated pcDNA3.1-Egr. 1p-p16 recombinant plasmid were transfected through intra-tumor injection. GKRS was scheduled following the plasmid transfection. Tumor volumes were measured every 4 days after the treatment. Subcutaneous tumor nodule specimens were collected to analyze the cell apoptosis and p16 gene expression using terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Tumor volumes, levels of cell apoptosis and p16 gene expression were compared between groups. Results: Rates of tumor growth were significantly lower in the pcDNA3.1-Egr. 1p-p16 plasmid + GKRS groups than that in the remaining groups 28 days following the GKRS management. The p16mRNA expression was noted in both of the pcDNA3.1-Egr. 1p-p16 plasmid group and the pcDNA3.1-Egr. 1p-p16 plasmid + GKRS with marginal-dose of 20 Gy group. The level of messenger ribonucleic acid expression was higher in the pcDNA3.1.Egr. 1p.p16 plasmid + GKRS with the marginal-dose of 20 Gy group, with a markedly increased apoptotic and necrotic cells, than that in the pcDNA3.1-Egr. 1p-p16 plasmid group. Conclusions: In animal studies, pcDNA3.1-Egr. 1p-p16 in combination with GKRS is a preferable management option for the GBM to the sole use of GKRS or gene therapy. It may be a novel approach for the treatment of human patient with GBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, besides human medicine, an increasing amount of antibiotics as veterinary drugs and feed additives are used annually in many countries with the rapid development of the breeding industry (livestock breeding and aquaculture). As a result, mostly ingested antibiotic doses (30-90%) and their metabolites to humans and animals, as emerging persistent contaminants, were excreted together with urine and feces, and subsequently disseminated into environmental compartments in forms of urban wastewater, biosolids, and manures. More importantly, significant amount of antibiotics and their bioactive metabolites or degradation products were introduced in agro-ecosystems through fertilization and irrigation with antibiotics-polluted manures, biosolids, sewage sludge, sediments, and water. Subsequently, accumulation and transport of antibiotics in soil-crop systems, particularly soil-vegetable systems, e.g., protected vegetable and organic vegetable production systems, poses great risks on crops, soil ecosystem, and quality of groundwater- and plant-based products. The aim of this review is to explore the sources, fates (degradation, adsorption, runoff, leaching, and crop uptake), and ecological risks of antibiotics in agro-ecosystems and possible food security and public health impacts. Three topics were discussed: (1) the occurrence, fates, and ecological impacts of antibiotics in agro-ecosystems, a global agro-ecological issue; (2) the potential ecological risks and public health threat of antibiotic pollution in soil-vegetable system, especially protected vegetable and organic vegetable production systems; and (3) the strategies of reducing the introduction, accumulation, and ecological risks of antibiotics in agro-ecosystems. To summarize, environmental contamination of antibiotics has become increasingly serious worldwide, which poses great risks in agro-ecosystems. Notably, protected vegetable and organic vegetable production systems, as public health closely related agro-ecosystems, are susceptible to antibiotic contamination. Occurrence, fate, and ecotoxicity of antibiotics in agro-ecosystems, therefore, have become most urgent issues among antibiotic environmental problems. Nowadays, source control, including reducing use and lowering environmental release through pretreatments of urban wastes and manures is a feasible way to alleviate negative impacts of antibiotics in agro-ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, off-season leafy vegetables are generally characterized by low vitamin C (Vc) content and high nitrate accumulation due to low light intensity inner protected systems and high-level nitrogen supply. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of three kinds of nitrogen-free solution treatments before harvest on Vc and nitrate contents in expanded leaf blades, expanded leaf petioles and old leaves of hydroponic lettuce. The results showed that using nitrogen-free solutions could decrease nitrate contents of expanded leaf blades, expanded leaf petioles and old leaves, also nitrate contents in above parts reduced increasingly with treatment time extending. In addition, three nitrogen-free solution treatments increased the Vc content of expanded leaf blades instead of expanded leaf petioles and old leaves. There were instead of significant positive correlations between nitrate contents but Vc contents of expanded leaf blades, expanded leaf petioles and old leaves. To conclude, nitrogen disruption treatment before harvest could effectively reduce nitrate contents in edible parts of lettuce, and also improve Vc content in expanded leaf blade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A glasshouse study was conducted to compare the rhizosphere characteristics of two wheat genotypes, Xiaoyan54 (XY54) and Jing411 (J411) on two soils. The results showed that supplying phosphorus (P) increased the biomass and P content of two wheat lines significantly on alkaline soil, but P fertilization altered their biomass and P content on acidic soil only slightly. XY54 decreased rhizosphere pH more significantly than J411 on Fluvo-aquic soil without P addition, but similar acidity ability was shown when P applied. On red soil, two wheat genotypes showed similar rhizosphere pH. Two wheat lines showed similar rhizoshphere phosphatase activity on alkaline soil, whereas XY54 demonstrated greater rhizoshphere phosphatase activity than J411 on acidic soil. Rhizoshphere phosphatase activities of two wheat lines on acidic soil were greater than alkaline soil. Therefore, stronger acidity on alkaline soil and greater phosphatase activity on acidic soil are principal rhizosphere mechanisms for XY54 to adapt to low-P soils. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A glasshouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of five days’ treatment before harvest with various light intensities and seven hydroponic solutions on nitrate reduction in lettuce. The results showed that SPAD of new and expanded leaves were elevated by most of the hydroponic solutions under shading compared with the full nutrient solution, while no effect was demonstrated under non-shading. Additionally, lettuces under non-shading presented slightly higher leaf SPAD than those under shading. Nitrate concentrations of lettuce new leaves, expanded leaves and petiole were lowered significantly by all hydroponic solutions under shading and non-shading conditions compared with the full nutrient solution. Under non-shading, the efficiencies of seven hydroponic solutions varied largely, but no efficiency differences were showed under shading. N-free solution, 0.75 mM potassium sulphate solution and 5×10−5 mM ammonium molybdate solution functioned more efficiently in reducing nitrate concentration both in expanded leaves and petiole of lettuce before harvest. In conclusion, proper light intensity is a key important factor that determines the efficiencies of nitrogen-free hydroponic solution treatments in lowering nitrate concentrations in leaf blades and petioles of lettuce before harvest. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two glasshouse experiments were conducted to investigate the efficiencies of various hydroponic solutions and their concentration effects in reducing nitrate concentration of lettuce after short-term treatment. The first experiment showed that hydroponic solutions of 0.1 mM KCI, 0.75 mM K2SO4, 0.1 mM KCI plus 0.75 mM K2SO4 and 5.0×10- 5 mM (NH4)6MO7O24 significantly decreased nitrate concentration in expanded leaves of lettuce, and tap water and distilled water did slightly. However, all treatment solutions did not significantly lower the nitrate concentration in petioles. The second experiment showed that all KCI, K2SO4 and (NH4)6MO7O24 solutions reduced nitrate concentration both in leaves and petioles, but increased concentration of treatment solutions did not enhance the efficiencies. In conclusion, 0.1 mM KCI, 0.75 mM K2SO4, 0.1 mM KCI plus 0.75 mM K2SO4 and 5.0×10- 5 mM (NH4)6MO7O24 were efficient treatment solutions to decrease nitrate concentration of hydroponic lettuce for short-term treatment, but their efficiencies were not improved with the increased solute concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling of biogas slurry via vegetable production is a multi-benefit and sustainable utilization strategy regarding agriculture and environment. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) supplementation on growth and quality of lettuce cultivated hydroponically with diluted biogas slurry. The results showed that direct supplementation of P into diluted biogas slurry together with Fe improved the lettuce growth significantly, and decreased the root to shoot ratio. However, growth responses of lettuce to single addition of P or Fe into diluted biogas slurry were not significant. In addition, supplementation of P and Fe improved leaf chlorophyll content (determined as SPAD value), nitrate concentration significantly or slightly of the lettuces but not vitamin C content. However, addition of P and Fe or microelements through foliar spray is not effective in enhancement of growth and quality except for improving leaf SPAD. In conclusion, as a nutrient solution, the tested biogas slurry needs Fe and P supplementation, and P should be added together with Fe or post Fe supplementation in terms of lettuce yield. Also, direct addition of Fe into diluted biogas slurry was better than foliar spray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Notch signaling mediates multiple developmental decisions in Drosophila. In this study, we have examined the role of Notch signaling in Drosophila larval optic lobe development. Loss of function in Notch or its ligand Delta leads to loss of the lamina and a smaller medulla. The neuroepithelial cells in the optic lobe in Notch or Delta mutant brains do not expand but instead differentiate prematurely into medulla neuroblasts, which lead to premature neurogenesis in the medulla. Clonal analyses of loss-of-function alleles for the pathway components, including N, Dl, Su(H), and E(spl)-C, indicate that the Delta/Notch/Su(H) pathway is required for both maintaining the neuroepithelial stem cells and inhibiting medulla neuroblast formation while E(spl)-C is only required for some aspects of the inhibition of medulla neuroblast formation. Conversely, Notch pathway overactivation promotes neuroepithelial cell expansion while suppressing medulla neuroblast formation and neurogenesis; numb loss of function mimics Notch overactivation, suggesting that Numb may inhibit Notch signaling activity in the optic lobe neuroepithelial cells. Thus, our results show that Notch signaling plays a dual role in optic lobe development, by maintaining the neuroepithelial stem cells and promoting their expansion while inhibiting their differentiation into medulla neuroblasts. These roles of Notch signaling are strikingly similar to those of the JAK/STAT pathway in optic lobe development, raising the possibility that these pathways may collaborate to control neuroepithelial stem cell maintenance and expansion, and their differentiation into the progenitor cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Panda Rope Bridge Technique (PRBT) was an new minimally invasive technique consisted of two bridge anchors (proximal anchors at calcaneus and distal anchors at myotendinous junction) and strong ropes (threads of the suture anchors) stretched between them, which was suitable for early accelerated rehabilitation of Achilles tendon rupture. However, the optimal knot configuration with PRBT was unknow. The purpose of this study was identify minimum number of half hitches necessary to maintain knot security for PRBT. Methods Using an Instron device we tested the effect of different knot configuration in two kinds of suture threads (Ethibond™ #5 and Ultrabraid™ #2). According to the result of it, we put the optimal knot configuration into Part 1 with PRBT test model and Part 2 with modified PRBT test model, to evaluate whether the optimal knot configuration could complete the cyclic loading test simulated early rehabilitation. Findings In the first part of the study, the optimal knot configuration of Ethibond™ #5 suture thread was the combination of three half hitches and one double throw half knot, and the optimal knot configuration of Ultrabraid™ #2 suture thread was the combination of five half hitches and one double throw half knot. In the second part of the study, only Ultrabraid™ #2 suture thread with optimal knot configuration had finished all test in Part 1. Interpretation The Ultrabraid™ #2 suture thread with optimal knot configuration was suitable for PRBT with early accelerated rehabilitation after Achilles tendon repair. • Panda Rope Bridge Technique is suitable for early rehabilitation after Achilles tendon rupture. • The knots used for Panda Rope Bridge Technique should not be less than five half hitches. • Ultrabraid™ #2 suture with optimal knot is better than Ethibond™ #5 suture. • Ultrabraid™ #2 suture is suitable for Panda Rope Bridge Technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LED red (R) and blue (B) continuous light (CL) is a potential efficient way to increase plant productivity of plant factory with artificial light (PFAL), but limited information was explored about their effects on plant mineral nutrition. In an environmentally controlled plant factory with artificial light (PFAL), the effects of CL of different intensities and spectral qualities, emitted by R and B LEDs on growth and nutrient element content and accumulation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), were conducted in three hydroponic experiments. Two treatments, normal light (12 h/12 h) and CL (24 h/0 h) in experiment 1, three CL intensities (100, 200 and 300 μmol·m−2·s−1) in experiment 2, and three CL light qualities (1R:3B, 1R:1B and 3R:1B) in experiment 3 were designed. The results showed that CL significantly increased the fresh and dry lettuce shoot biomass compared with normal light, and shoot fresh and dry biomass increased with the intensity increment of CL. In experiment 3, shoot fresh biomass was great under high R light proportion CL treatment, while dry shoot biomass remained unchanged. Both CL and CL with increased intensities promoted shoot C content and accumulation in lettuce. CL reduced N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn contents in lettuce shoot, while Fe and Mn contents did not change compared to NL. Moreover, CL increased Ca, Fe and Mn accumulation. 100–200 μmol·m−2·s−1 CL facilitated N, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn contents in shoot, but K content was not influenced compared with 300 μmol·m−2·s−1. The data showed that high B light ratio (75%) facilitated C content comparison with low B ratios (50% and 25%). However, lettuce grown under 3R1B treatment had the higher C accumulation. Shoot N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and Zn contents were higher under 1R1B treatment, and Cu content did not affected by light quality. Moreover, accumulation of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in shoot was higher under 1R1B treatment, while P, Ca, Mg, Mn accumulation under 3R1B treatment was the lowest. In conclusion, CL tends to reduce shoot mineral element contents due to dilution effect as shoot dry weight increases compared to NL. However, long-term (12 days) CL composed of 1R1B, 100–200 μmol·m−2·s−1 tends to obtain relative higher K, Ca, Fe and Zn contents in the greater dry lettuce shoot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study investigated the responses of purple lettuce grown under part-time high light. • Short-term high light irradiation promoted biomass production, but the effect on secondary metabolites accumulation was not significant. • 4 h high light irradiation (500 μmol·m−2·s−1) in the middle of 16 h light period induced higher secondary metabolites content but caused stress on lettuce. • The responses of lettuce to high light irradiation are more sensitive in the early growth stage. In this study, effects of high light irradiation (HLI, 500 μmol m−2·s-1) duration in the middle of light period (16 h, 150 μmol m−2·s-1) provided by red (R) and blue (B) LEDs (4R:1B) on the growth, nutritional quality, and oxidative stress of hydroponic purple leaf lettuce grown in an environmentally controlled plant factory were examined on the 10th and 20th day after treatment. Set up five treatments with 0 h (CK), 0.5 h (HL0.5), 1 h (HL1), 2 h (HL2), and 4 h (HL4) HLI, respectively. We found that the shoot fresh weight of lettuce increased first and then decreased with the prolongation of HLI duration, whether in the early or late growth stage. On the 10th day after treatment, the root fresh weight and specific leaf weight of lettuce increased linearly with the prolongation of HLI duration, while the shoot/root ratio decreased linearly. On the 20th day after treatment, the lettuce of HL1 had the highest shoot fresh weight, leaf area, and shoot dry weight, followed by HL2. Besides, HL4 promoted the accumulation of soluble sugar, anthocyanin, flavonoid, and total phenolic simultaneously decreased the maximum quantum efficiency compared with others on the 10th day after treatment. On the 20th day after treatment, HL0.5 and HL4 stimulated the accumulation anthocyanin, flavonoid, total phenolic, and ascorbic acid compared with other treatments. The results showed that short-term HLI promotes biomass production and secondary metabolite accumulation, but HL4 caused photo-oxidative damage to lettuce. Therefore, lettuce growth and qualities can be purposely adjusted by adopting different duration of HLI provided by red and blue light in the plant factory, also these responses depended on lettuce growth stage closely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent experiments have revealed the interesting cleaning effects that take place due to the shape mode oscillation of bubbles over a rigid boundary. While a microbubble was undertaking shape oscillation moving over a bacterial biofilm, it removed the contaminants from the boundary and created a clean path through the biofilm. This demonstrated much higher cleaning efficiency than that associated with the volume oscillation of cavitation bubbles; however, the mechanism is unknown. Here, we study this phenomenon using the boundary integral method with the viscous effects modeled using the viscous potential flow theory and the compressible effects using the weakly compressible theory. The viscous stress at the rigid boundary is approximated using the boundary layer theory. We observed that the natural frequencies of shape mode oscillation decrease significantly due to the presence of the boundary. The shear stress at the boundary due to the shape oscillation of a nearby bubble is at least 20 times higher than that due to volume oscillation with the same energy and is significant only within the area directly beneath the bubble. This is explained by the notably faster decay for higher shape modes of the kinetic energy in the fluid as the distance to the center of the bubble r increases with the induced velocity of mode k decaying at a rate of O (r − (k + 2)) away from the bubble. These results achieve excellent agreement with the intriguing cleaning effects first observed in the experiment and explain the mechanism behind this new highly efficient method of cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This is the first study focused on the dynamic responses of ascorbate metabolism to long-term continuous light. • The increase of lettuce shoot biomass under continuous light dependent on specific leaf weight rather than leaf area. • Increased AsA and DHA level under continuous light was mainly attributed to greater GalLDH and APX activity respectively. • Ascorbate-glutathione cycle pays little contribution to ascorbate accumulation under continuous light. To understand the dynamic changes of lettuce growth, ascorbate pool and metabolism under long-term red and blue continuous light (CL, 24/0 h, 200 μmol·m−2·s−1), growth parameters, ascorbate pool size, as well as activities and gene expression levels of key enzymes involved in the ascorbate metabolism in lettuce leaves were investigated every 3 days during 15 days. In comparison with normal photoperiod (Control, 16/8 h, 200 μmol·m−2·s−1), lettuce plants gained greater shoot fresh weight and dry matter under CL, which depended more on specific leaf weight than leaf area. Both reduced ascorbate (AsA) and dehydroascorbate (DHA) contents were remarkably enhanced by CL and keep a relatively stable level during the experiment. The consistent greater contents of AsA and DHA were respectively attributed to the up-regulation of L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase and ascorbate peroxidase activity rather than their gene expression. Although glutathione contents and glutathione reductase activities were elevated by CL, their contribution to AsA regeneration was limited on account of similar activity and expression level of dehydroascorbate reductase with control. In addition, H 2 O 2 content was also raised obviously under CL compared with control, but it was maintained at a relative safety and stable level from day 6. Fluorescence imaging results also showed that CL did not induce oxidative damage on lettuce leaves compared with control. It is concluded that lettuce plants grown under red and blue continuous light for 15 days obtained greater shoot biomass and ascorbate pool size without leaf injury, and 9 days was the most cost-effective duration for yield improvement from an energy standpoint. Ascorbate accumulation under continuous light was primarily and rapidly regulated by the enzymes involved in AsA biosynthesis and oxidation at enzymatic activity level rather than gene expression level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To prospectively evaluate the morphological and structural changes in the trigeminal nerve in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) compared with healthy controls. Methods We conducted a prospective case-control study of 60 consecutive patients diagnosed with TN and 30 sex-and age-matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent high-resolution 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The volume and length of the cisternal segment of the trigeminal nerve and the angle between the trigeminal nerve and the anterior surface of the pons (trigeminal pontine angle) were measured and compared. Results The mean volume of the affected trigeminal nerve was significantly reduced compared with that of the nonaffected side (65.8 ± 21.1 mm 3 vs. 77.9 ± 19.3 mm 3 ; P = 0.001) and controls (65.8 ± 21.1 mm 3 vs. 74.7 ± 16.5 mm 3 ; P = 0.003). The mean trigeminal pontine angle was 42.4 ± 8.7° on the affected side, 47.6 ± 9.2° on the nonaffected side, and 46.0 ± 7.2° in the controls. The trigeminal pontine angle on the affected side was significantly smaller than that on the nonaffected side ( P = 0.005) and in controls ( P = 0.01). There the was no statistically significant difference in the mean length of the cisternal segment of trigeminal nerve between the affected and nonaffected sides ( P = 0.46). Conclusions TN is associated with atrophy and a small trigeminal pontine angle in the affected nerve. Nerve atrophy may be a late consequence of chronic physical stress and is likely involved in the pathogenesis of TN. A small trigeminal pontine angle may increase the risk of neurovascular conflict, and thus more likely to result in the genesis of TN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ion-adsorption type rare earths desorption residues as adsorbents. • The maximum Y(III) adsorption capacity of 4.45 mg·g−1. • Y(III) adsorbed onto the adsorbents surface possibly via Sii-Oi-Y bond. • Adsorption process governed by chemical adsorption. Ion-adsorption type rare earths ore, as the primary source for middle-heavy rare earth elements, was extracted by various electrolytes via the adsorption–desorption effect. In this work, adsorption behavior and mechanism for yttrium ions onto ion-adsorption type rare earths ore as adsorbents were investigated systematically and comprehensively. The isotherms and kinetics suggested the adsorption of yttrium ions was consistent to Langmuir and pseudo-second-order model, revealing that the adsorption process was homogeneous and primarily governed by chemical adsorption. Maximum adsorption capacity could attain as 4.45 mg·g−1 in pH of 3 with 10 g·L−1 yttrium ions. Moreover, thermodynamics analysis indicated the adsorption process was spontaneous, and random. ATR-FTIR, XPS and DFT results indicated that Y(III) adsorbed onto ion-adsorption type rare earths ore surface possibly via Si-O-Y bond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the development of hyperspectral image (HSI) technology, the high-resolution hyperspectral image (HRHSI) in remote sensing is becoming widely used. Compared to traditional HSI, HRHSI has extremely high resolution in both spatial and spectral domains. It contains more texture and spectral information than the low-resolution HSI (LRHSI), which can improve the target detection performance of HSI. However, the majority of the existing automatic target detection methods are only applicable to LRHSI. Therefore, this paper brings forward to a spatial-spectral feature-based target detection framework for HRHSI. First, a two-channel residual network is proposed, which aims to learn jointly spatial-spectral features from the spectral domain and spatial domain of HRHSI. Second, a spatial-spectral feature space is constructed to describe the distribution of the spatial-spectral feature of HRHSI, which can overcome the limitation of the number of training samples. A combined loss function is used to minimize within-class differences and maximize between-class distance in the spatial-spectral feature space. Finally, the detection map is received in the spatial-spectral feature space by calculating the Mahalanobis Distance and analysing the credibility of the target. The experimental results show that our algorithm achieves better target detection accuracy when the number of training samples is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sugar content is an important indicator of fruit quality. Except for a few wild tomato species that accumulate sucrose in the fruits, most cultivated tomato species accumulate hexose. Although several studies have focused on wild sucrose-accumulating tomato, the sucrose accumulation mechanism is still unclear. Results: Here, two homozygous inbred cherry tomato lines ('TB0023' and 'TB0278', which accumulated sucrose and hexose, respectively) were selected to analyze the sugar accumulation mechanism. Carbohydrate analysis, cytological observation, gene expression and enzyme activity analysis and proteomics methods were used in this study. The results indicated that glucose and fructose were absolutely dominant in the soluble sugar content of hexose-accumulating cherry tomato fruit, while sucrose and a certain proportion of hexose were the main forms of soluble sugar in sucrose-accumulating cherry tomato fruit. The phloem unloading pathway of the hexose-accumulating cherry tomato fruit switched from symplastic to apoplastic during fruit development, and the sucrose-accumulating cherry tomato probably had a mixed unloading pathway involving the symplastic and apoplastic. High activity of acid invertase (AI), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SS) and sugar transporters LeSUT1, SlSWEET2a and SlSWEET12c were important factors for hexose accumulation in the hexose-accumulating cherry tomato fruit, while LeSUT2, SPS, SS, SlSWEET1b, SlSWEET5b, SlSWEET11b, SlSWEET7a, SlSWEET14 were responsible for solute sugar accumulation in the sucrose-accumulating cherry tomato. Conclusions: This study provides detailed evidence for elucidation of the tomato sugar accumulation mechanism from the perspective of cell structure, physiology and molecular biology, providing a theoretical basis for the improvement of tomato quality and aiding the utilization of tomato genetic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sugar content is an important indicator of fruit quality. Except for a few wild tomato species that accumulate sucrose in the fruits, most cultivated tomato species accumulate hexose. Although several studies have focused on wild sucrose-accumulating tomato, the sucrose accumulation mechanism is still unclear. Results: Here, two homozygous inbred cherry tomato lines ('TB0023' and 'TB0278', which accumulated sucrose and hexose, respectively) were selected to analyze the sugar accumulation mechanism. Carbohydrate analysis, cytological observation, gene expression and enzyme activity analysis and proteomics methods were used in this study. The results indicated that glucose and fructose were absolutely dominant in the soluble sugar content of hexose-accumulating cherry tomato fruit, while sucrose and a certain proportion of hexose were the main forms of soluble sugar in sucrose-accumulating cherry tomato fruit. The phloem unloading pathway of the hexose-accumulating cherry tomato fruit switched from symplastic to apoplastic during fruit development, and the sucrose-accumulating cherry tomato probably had a mixed unloading pathway involving the symplastic and apoplastic. High activity of acid invertase (AI), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SS) and sugar transporters LeSUT1, SlSWEET2a and SlSWEET12c were important factors for hexose accumulation in the hexose-accumulating cherry tomato fruit, while LeSUT2, SPS, SS, SlSWEET1b, SlSWEET5b, SlSWEET11b, SlSWEET7a, SlSWEET14 were responsible for solute sugar accumulation in the sucrose-accumulating cherry tomato. Conclusions: This study provides detailed evidence for elucidation of the tomato sugar accumulation mechanism from the perspective of cell structure, physiology and molecular biology, providing a theoretical basis for the improvement of tomato quality and aiding the utilization of tomato genetic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• EOP high light irradiation increased the ascorbate content of lettuce. • EOP high light intensity regulated the expression of genes and the activity of enzymes involved in ascorbate synthesis and cycling. • EOP high light intensity induced the production of ROS, and the content of ascorbate, as an important antioxidant, increased accordingly. • EOP high light intensity increased the carbohydrate content of lettuce. Increasing the L-ascorbate (AsA) content of vegetables is very important for improving plant quality in greenhouses and plant factories because AsA is an antioxidant that is essential for the proper function of plants and the human body. End-of-production (EOP) high light irradiation is an economical preharvest practice for improving product quality. Here, we studied the dynamic responses of the AsA pool and AsA metabolism in lettuce exposed to EOP high light irradiation (300, 400, and 500 μmol m−2·s−1) from red and blue LEDs over a 16-h time course. Compared to the control (200 μmol m−2·s−1), the content of AsA and total AsA (T-AsA) in lettuce leaves significantly increased after 8 h of high light irradiation, and the contents of AsA and T-AsA increased by 42.4 % and 36.9 %, respectively, under 500 μmol m−2·s−1 irradiation. Transcript levels of the AsA metabolism-related genes GME , GGP , GPP , GLDH , APX , MDHAR1 , MDHAR2 , DHAR1 , DHAR2 , and GR were upregulated under higher light. Likewise, the activities of AsA-related enzymes (GLDH, APX, DHAR, and GR) increased under 500 μmol m−2·s−1. The expression of genes (GGP , GPP , GLDH , MDHAR1 , MDHAR2 , DHAR1 , DHAR2 , and GR) was more sensitive to high light irradiation in AsA metabolism. Both high light intensity and long irradiation time increased the soluble sugar content. Moreover, high light intensity (500 μmol m−2·s−1) increased the content of H 2 O 2 , O 2 *−, and MDA in lettuce leaves, especially at 16 h. In conclusion, EOP high light increased AsA levels by upregulating the expression of genes and the activity of enzymes in AsA metabolism. The increase in soluble sugar availability and the signaling of reactive oxygen species also contributed to AsA accumulation. We therefore recommend 8 h of high light (500 μmol m−2·s−1) irradiation before harvest to increase the AsA content of lettuce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric cerebellar glioblastomas (pcGBMs) are rare and their characteristics remain ill-defined. We conducted a retrospective analysis of pediatric cerebellar glioblastomas who underwent surgery from 2008 to 2019 in our department. Besides, we performed a literature review of the literature data on pcGBMs. Ten children with mean age of 9.4 years were included. During the follow-up, six patients died with mean survival time of 11.7 months, four patients survived with mean follow-up of 28 months. Seven patients underwent molecular analysis, no patients detected IDH1 mutations, four patients (57.1%) had H3K27M mutations, and two patients (28.6%) had MGMT promoter methylation. The literature review identified 38 pcGBMs cases (including ours), with mean age of 8.84 ± 4.20 years (range, 1–16 years). Increased ICP was the commonest sign. Eighteen (47.4%) patients underwent GTR and fifteen (45.5%) patients received STR. Postoperative radiation (RT) was conducted in 28 patients (75.7%) and 23 patients (65.7%) received chemotherapy. During the follow-up, 25 patients died with mean survival time of 12.21 months and 11 patients survived with average follow-up of 29.3 months. Kaplan-Meier survival depicted chemotherapy (P < 0.001) or radiation (P < 0.001) had positive impact on overall survival. Multivariate analysis revealed chemotherapy was a significant predictor of survival with a hazard ratio of 3.264 (P = 0.038). Our study found mean overall survival time for pcGBMs patients was 12.21 months. PcGBMs may have distinct molecular features, with higher incidence of H3K27M mutation and were always IDH1 wild-type. We recommend the routine postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy in pcGBMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a pH-sensitive liposome–polymer nanoparticle (NP) composed of lipid, hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) was prepared using layer-by-layer (LbL) method for doxorubicin (DOX) targeted delivery and controlled release to enhance the cancer treatment efficacy. The NP with pH-sensitivity and targeting effect was successfully prepared by validation of charge reversal and increase of hydrodynamic diameter after each deposition of functional layer. We further showed the DOX-loaded NP had higher drug loading capacity, suitable particle size, spherical morphology, good uniformity, and high serum stability for drug delivery. We confirmed that the drug release profile was triggered by low pH with sustained release manner in vitro. Confocal microscopy research demonstrated that the NP was able to effectively target and deliver DOX into human non-small cell lung carcinoma (A549) cells in comparison to free DOX. Moreover, the blank NP showed negligible cytotoxicity, and the DOX-loaded NP could efficiently induce the apoptosis of A549 cells as well as free DOX. Notably, in vivo experiment results showed that the DOX-loaded NPs effectively inhibited the growth of tumor, enhanced the survival of tumor-bearing mice and improved the therapeutic efficacy with reduced side-effect comparing with free drug. Therefore, the NP could be a potential intelligent anticancer drug delivery carrier for cancer chemotherapy, and the LbL method might be a useful strategy to prepare multi-functional platform for drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Most patients who present with a fourth ventricle tumor have concurrent hydrocephalus, and some demonstrate persistent hydrocephalus after tumor resection. There is still no consensus on the management of hydrocephalus in patients with fourth ventricle tumor after surgery. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that predispose to postoperative hydrocephalus and the need for a postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion procedure. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgery of the fourth ventricle tumor between January 2013 and December 2018 at the Department of Neurosurgery in West China Hospital of Sichuan University. The characteristics of patients and the tumor location, tumor size, tumor histology, and preventive external ventricular drainage (EVD) that were potentially correlated with CSF circulation were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 121 patients were enrolled in our study; 16 (12.9%) patients underwent postoperative CSF drainage. Univariate analysis revealed that superior extension (p = 0.004), preoperative hydrocephalus (p<0.001), and subtotal resection (p<0.001) were significantly associated with postoperative hydrocephalus. Multivariate analysis revealed that superior extension (p = 0.013; OR = 44.761; 95% CI 2.235–896.310) and subtotal resection (p = 0.005; OR = 0.087; 95% CI 0.016–0.473) were independent risk factors for postoperative hydrocephalus after resection of fourth ventricle tumor. Conclusion: Superior tumor extension (into the aqueduct) and failed total resection of tumor were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative hydrocephalus in patients with fourth ventricle tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN) is a debilitating complication of diabetes. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the effectiveness of a Chinese herbal medicine regimen—the modified Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction (HGWD)—in the treatment of moderate-severe pDPN. The primary objective was to estimate the improvement in neuropathic pain severity. The secondary objective was to assess the response of common symptoms to the treatment. The change in patients' blood glucose level during the whole treatment was also evaluated. By searching through our medical records of all the diabetic patients from January 2006 to January 2012, we identified and enrolled 30 moderate and severe pDPN patients in the study, for whom the treatment of neuropathic pain by regular pharmacotherapies had failed. The modified HGWD treatment was administered orally twice a day for 6 months. The numerical rating scale (NRS) level at month 6 was 2.57 ± 2.30 , significantly improved compared with the baseline level of 6.03 ± 1.83 (P < 0.05). The amelioration of 3 common symptoms, namely, limb pain, limb numbness, and insomnia, was evident, and the major response of common symptoms at month 6 including limb pain, insomnia, and limb coldness was significantly increased compared with the results at month 3 (P < 0.05). Moreover, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPG) level decreased from 10.77 ± 1.29 mmol / L at baseline to 9.66 ± 0.60 mmol / L at month 6 (P < 0.05). No serious adverse events occurred throughout the treatment period. The modified HGWD was effective in the treatment of moderate and severe pDPN and can thus be offered as a new alternative treatment option for pDPN patients who failed to respond to regular pharmaceutical therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterized a prospective endometrial carcinoma (EC) cohort containing 138 tumors and 20 enriched normal tissues using 10 different omics platforms. Targeted quantitation of two peptides can predict antigen processing and presentation machinery activity, and may inform patient selection for immunotherapy. Association analysis between MYC activity and metformin treatment in both patients and cell lines suggests a potential role for metformin treatment in non-diabetic patients with elevated MYC activity. PIK3R1 in-frame indels are associated with elevated AKT phosphorylation and increased sensitivity to AKT inhibitors. CTNNB1 hotspot mutations are concentrated near phosphorylation sites mediating pS45-induced degradation of β-catenin, which may render Wnt-FZD antagonists ineffective. Deep learning accurately predicts EC subtypes and mutations from histopathology images, which may be useful for rapid diagnosis. Overall, this study identified molecular and imaging markers that can be further investigated to guide patient stratification for more precise treatment of EC. [Display omitted] • APM status can be accurately predicted using a targeted proteomic assay • MYC activity is a potential biomarker for metformin treatment • PIK3R1 in-frame indels are associated with upregulated AKT1 phosphorylation • CTNNB1 exon 3 hotspot mutations block pS45 induced β -catenin degradation Dou et al. report the characterization of a prospective endometrial carcinoma (EC) cohort using 10 different omics platforms. They identify potential molecular and imaging markers for guiding patient stratification for more precise treatment of EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer driver events refer to key genetic aberrations that drive oncogenesis; however, their exact molecular mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. Here, our multi-omics pan-cancer analysis uncovers insights into the impacts of cancer drivers by identifying their significant cis -effects and distal trans -effects quantified at the RNA, protein, and phosphoprotein levels. Salient observations include the association of point mutations and copy-number alterations with the rewiring of protein interaction networks, and notably, most cancer genes converge toward similar molecular states denoted by sequence-based kinase activity profiles. A correlation between predicted neoantigen burden and measured T cell infiltration suggests potential vulnerabilities for immunotherapies. Patterns of cancer hallmarks vary by polygenic protein abundance ranging from uniform to heterogeneous. Overall, our work demonstrates the value of comprehensive proteogenomics in understanding the functional states of oncogenic drivers and their links to cancer development, surpassing the limitations of studying individual cancer types. [Display omitted] • Multi-omic clusters reveal shared oncogenic driver pathways across ten cancer types • Genetic changes correlate with altered, tumor-specific protein-protein interactions • cis / trans -effects and kinase activities show driver heterogeneity and druggability • Proteomic integration with genomic drivers resolves distinct cancer hallmark patterns A multi-omics analysis-based resource across ten cancer types from more than 1,000 patients provides pan-cancer insights into shared oncogenic driver mechanisms and pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) has increased in the past decade, and many new treatments and rehabilitation regimens have been introduced. But major complications in ATR management remain an unsolved problem. Purpose: To compare the risk of major complications of acute ATR after different combinations of treatments and rehabilitation regimens. Study Design: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. Method: The authors searched 4 databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) from the date of inception until February 2018 for articles in English. The authors considered randomized controlled trials comparing interventions and rehabilitation protocols for acute ATR and restricted (1) interventions to nonoperative treatment, minimally invasive surgery, and open surgery and (2) rehabilitation protocols to accelerated rehabilitation and early immobilization. Major complications were assessed—namely, rerupture, deep infection, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Only patients with primary acute ATR were considered. Quality assessment was performed with the Cochrane "risk of bias" tool. A series of additional tests were conducted to ensure the validity of the results. Results: Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials with 2060 patients were included in this Bayesian network meta-analysis. The mean incidence of overall major complications from all managements was 9.13% (median, 6.67%). The mean incidence rates of rerupture, deep infection, and DVT from all managements were 5%, 1.50%, and 2.67%, respectively. According to relative risk, nonoperative treatment combined with early immobilization was significantly associated with a higher risk of major complications. According to the surface under the cumulative ranking curve, minimally invasive surgery with accelerated rehabilitation had the highest possibility (79.7%) of being the best management with regard to minimizing major complications. Conclusion: For treating acute ATR, management combining minimally invasive surgery with accelerated rehabilitation had the highest possibility of being superior in terms of major complication risks, according to the surface under the cumulative ranking curve. Management combining nonoperative treatment with early immobilization was statistically associated with a higher risk of complications as compared with the other methods of management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Meningitis after microsurgery for vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a severe complication that results in high morbidity. However, few studies have focused on meningitis after VS surgery. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for meningitis after VS surgery. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all VS patients who underwent microsurgery and survived for at least 7 days after surgery, between 1 June 2015 and 30 November 2018 at West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for postoperative meningitis (POM). Results: We enrolled 410 patients, 27 of whom had POM. Through univariate analysis, the factors of hydrocephalus (p = 0.018), Koos grade IV (p = 0.04), operative duration > 3 hours (p = 0.03) and intraoperative bleeding volume ≥400 ml (p = 0. 02) were significantly correlated with POM. The multivariate analysis showed that Koos grade IV (p = 0.04; OR = 3.19; 95% CI 1.032–3.190), operation duration > 3 hours (p = 0.03; OR = 7.927; 95% CI 1.043–60.265), and intraoperative bleeding volume ≥ 400 ml (p = 0.02; OR = 2.551; 95% CI 1.112–5.850) were the independent influencing factors of POM. Conclusions: Koos grade IV, operation duration > 3 hours, and intraoperative blood loss ≥ 400 ml were identified as independent risk factors for POM after microsurgery for VS. POM also caused a prolonged hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Efficient removal of V(V) and Cr(VI) of γ-AlOOH-Cr-V to 0.0656% and 0.0018%, respectively. • A method for improving the peptization index of γ-AlOOH to 98.1%. • Synergistic effect between the improvement of peptization performance and the removal of V(V) and Cr(VI). • Green process of utilizing aluminum waste in chromate industry. Cr(VI)-containing aluminum residues are inevitable industrial hazardous waste in the chromate industry. To reduce and utilize these residues, a combined desorption and peptization technology for disposing of Cr(VI)-V(V)-containing boehmite hazardous waste (γ-AlOOH-Cr-V) with NaOH solutions was proposed, which realized the removal of V(V) and Cr(VI) effectively and the improvement of peptization index (PI) of obtained pseudo-boehmite (PB) synergistically. The results showed that PB with high PI (98.1%) and low content of V(V) (0.0656%) and Cr(VI) (0.0018%) could be achieved by desorbing the γ-AlOOH-Cr-V, while the surface area and pore volume would be decreased during desorption with the increase of NaOH concentration. Besides the leaching toxicity of Cr(VI) of obtained PB of 0.09 mg/L was extremely lower than that of the standard of hazardous waste. It was noted that the evolution of structural hydroxyl groups governed the improvement of peptization performance. DFT results showed that proper interlayer water content was beneficial to the adsorption of hydroxyl ions on the structural hydroxyl groups of PB. This work not only reduced the emission of Cr(VI)-V(V)containing hazardous waste, but also paved the way for the high-valued utilization of co-associated aluminum and vanadium resources in chromite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Hemangioblastomas with enhanced cyst walls represent a rare radiologic presentation of hemangioblastomas with poor understandings. We aimed to summarize the clinical and radiologic features, important differential diagnosis, surgical strategy, and clinical outcome of this rare entity. Methods From June 2008 to March 2017, 12 patients with cystic hemangioblastomas presenting with enhanced wall thickness on MRI were treated in our department. The clinical presentations, radiologic investigations, surgical treatment, neurologic outcome, and recurrence rate were evaluated. Important preoperative differential diagnosis and surgical strategy of this entity were discussed. Results Twelve patients with cystic hemangioblastomas presenting with an enhanced cyst wall on magnetic resonance imaging were analyzed retrospectively. There were 5 male and 7 female subjects, with a mean age of 41.4 years (range, 13–78 years) and an average duration of symptoms before diagnosis of 2.23 months (range, 0.5–8.0 months). Radiologically, enhancement of both tumoral nodule and cyst were observed in 8 patients, while pure ring-enhanced cyst without typical tumoral nodule was found in 4 patients. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of hemangioblastomas, and the enhanced cyst wall and mural nodule shared the same histopathologic pattern. Postoperative complications occurred in only 1 patient with postoperative cerebellar hemorrhage. During follow-up, 8 patients achieved favorable neurologic outcomes (Karnofsky score: 100) without recurrence; however, 4 patients experienced local tumor recurrence after the initial surgery. Conclusions Hemangioblastomas with enhanced cyst wall possess distinctive radiologic features, and they are frequently misdiagnosed preoperatively. Favorable tumor control can be achieved only when gross total resection of both the tumor nodule and cyst wall are performed. Close follow-up is necessary because of the high recurrence rate in this subset of hemangioblastomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]