Search

Guilin Zhang,1– 3,* Yanqiao Ren,1– 3,* Jiayun Liu,1– 3 Yanyan Cao,1– 3 Fu Xiong,1– 3 Bin Liang,1– 3 Chuansheng Zheng,1– 3 Xuefeng Kan1– 3 1Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China; 2Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Precision Radiology & Interventional Medicine, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China; 3Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xuefeng Kan; Chuansheng Zheng, Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei province, 430022, People’s Republic of China, Email xkliulang1314@163.com; hqzcsxh@sina.comBackground & Aims: The effect of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (TACE-RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk locations is not satisfactory. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of TACE-RFA plus iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation (TACE-RFA-125I) therapy with those of TACE-RFA for unresectable HCC (≤ 5 cm) in high-risk locations.Methods: From January 2010 to June 2023, the clinical data of 126 patients with unresectable HCC (≤ 5 cm) in high-risk locations who received TACE-RFA-125I or TACE-RFA treatment were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical outcomes between the two groups were compared after propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.Results: Forty-six pairs of patients were matched. The local progression-free survival rates at 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-years were 100%, 82.4%, 74.8%, 63.5%, and 54% in the TACE-RFA-125I group, which were significantly higher than 91.3%, 69.4%, 50.7%, 29.4%, and 26.7% in the TACE-RFA group, respectively (p = 0.004). The median progression-free survival in the TACE-RFA-125I group was significantly longer than that in the TACE-RFA group (p = 0.002). The overall survival rates at 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-years were 100%, 93.4%, 80.7%, 74.9%, and 64.7% in the TACE-RFA-125I group, which were significantly higher than 97.8%, 78%, 68.6%, 51.1%, and 45.3% in the TACE-RFA group, respectively (p = 0.011). There was no occurrence of major complications or procedure-related deaths in the two groups.Conclusion: Compared with the TACE-RFA treatment, TACE-RFA-125I should be a more effective treatment strategy for patients with unresectable HCC (≤ 5 cm) in high-risk locations.Keywords: radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, iodine-125 seed, hepatocellular carcinoma, high-risk locations

Jiaqiong Lin,1,2 Yan Lin,3 Xiaoyong Li,4 Fei He,5 Qinyuan Gao,3 Yuanjun Wang,3 Zena Huang,3 Fu Xiong5,6 1Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510282, People’s Republic of China; 2Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base of Southern Medical University, Dongguan, People’s Republic of China; 3Yunkang School of Medicine and Health, Nanfang College, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4General Surgery Department; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Medical Genetics/Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Fu Xiong, Department of Medical Genetics/Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China, Email xiongfu@smu.edu.cn Zena Huang, Yunkang School of Medicine and Health, Nanfang College, Guangzhou, 510970, People’s Republic of China, Email 506647168@qq.comBackground: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is an intricate complication of diabetes with limited treatment options. Anoikis, a programmed cell death activated by loss of cell anchorage to the extracellular matrix, participated in various physiological and pathological processes. Our study aimed to elucidate the role of anoikis-related genes in DKD pathogenesis.Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with anoikis in DKD were identified. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to identify DKD-correlated modules and assess their functional implications. A diagnostic model for DKD was developed using LASSO regression and Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) was performed for enrichment analysis. Experimental validation was employed to validate the significance of selected genes in the progression of DKD.Results: We identified 10 anoikis-related DEGs involved in key signaling pathways impacting DKD progression. WGCNA highlighted the yellow module’s significant enrichment in immune response and regulatory pathways. Correlation analysis further revealed the association between immune infiltration and anoikis-related DEGs. Our LASSO regression-based diagnostic model demonstrated a well-predictive efficacy with seven identified genes. GSVA indicated that gene function in the high-risk group was primarily associated with immune regulation. Further experimental validation using diabetic mouse models and data analysis in the single-cell dataset confirmed the significance of PYCARD and SFN in DKD progression. High glucose stimulation in RAW264.7 and TCMK-1 cells showed significantly increased expression levels of both Pycard and Sfn. Co-expression analysis demonstrated distinct functions of PYCARD and SFN, with KEGG pathway analysis showing significant enrichment in immune regulation and cell proliferation pathway.Conclusion: In conclusion, our study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in DKD pathogenesis, specifically highlighting the role of anoikis-related genes in modulating immune infiltration. These findings suggest that targeting these genes may hold promise for future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in DKD management.Keywords: diabetic kidney disease, anoikis, immune infiltration, biomarker, PYCARD, SFN

Longyin Zhu,1,* Huhai Zhang,1,* Jia Fang,1 Shuang Xiao,2 Fu Xiong,3 Caixia Deng,3 Qin Yang,1 Chunxiao Fu,1 Qianguang Pan,1 Hongwen Zhao1 1Department of Nephrology, the First Hospital Affiliated to Army Military Medical University (Southwest Hospital), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Infectious Disease, the First Hospital Affiliated to Army Military Medical University (Southwest Hospital), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Hospital Affiliated to Army Military Medical University (Southwest Hospital), Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hongwen Zhao; Qianguang Pan, Email zhaohw212@126.com; panqianguang@163.comIntroduction: We report a fatal case of massive airway bleeding caused by pulmonary strongyloidiasis in a patient with a transplanted kidney.Case Presentation: A 47-year-old male, regularly taking immunosuppressants post-kidney transplant, visited our hospital with symptoms of abdominal bloating, nausea, and emesis persisting for three days. After hospitalization, he developed a cough, hemoptysis, and respiratory failure. Sputum analysis confirmed an infestation with Strongyloides stercoralis. Despite receiving albendazole therapy and bronchoscopic management for bronchial hemorrhage, the patient ultimately died due to acute respiratory and circulatory collapse triggered by severe airway bleeding.Conclusion: Patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy following kidney transplantation are at increased risk for disseminated strongyloidiasis. Consequently, infectious disease screening prior to transplantation, along with essential preventive pharmacotherapy, is of paramount importance.Keywords: strongyloides stercoralis, kidney transplantation, airway bleeding, disseminated infection

Lingrong Yang, Jing Guo, Fu Xiong Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610045, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Fu Xiong, Email drfuxiong@163.comBackground: This study aims to evaluate the immunological features of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).Study Design: This retrospective study was conducted on children with HSP. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, complement C3 and C4 levels, and lymphocyte subtype percentage.Results: A total of 446 hospitalized children had HSP. Eighty-six children with HSP had GI bleeding, 114 had proteinuria, and 107 had hematuria. Lower arthralgia, prolonged glucocorticoid use, increased white blood cell counts, elevated neutrophils and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, reduced IgG and C3 levels, elevated CD19+ cell percentage, and reduced CD3+ cell and natural killer cell percentages were associated with GI bleeding risk in patients with HSP. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that arthralgia, glucocorticoid use, increased neutrophil percentage, reduced IgG and C3 levels, and increased CD19+ cell percentage were independent predictors of GI bleeding. Further analysis indicated that the combination of C3 and CD19+ cell percentages had a high predictive ability for GI bleeding in children with HSP.Conclusion: This study indicated that reduced C3 and increased CD19+ cell percentages contributed to the development of GI bleeding in children with HSP. Specific immunologic profiles may be strongly correlated with GI bleeding risk in children with HSP.Keywords: children, complement, gastrointestinal bleeding, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, lymphocyte subtype

Jiaqiong Lin,1 Xiaoyong Li,2 Yan Lin,3 Zena Huang,3 Fei He,4 Fu Xiong4,5 1Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base of Southern Medical University, Dongguan, People’s Republic of China; 2General Surgery Department; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Yunkang School of Medicine and Health, Nanfang College, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Medical Genetics/Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Fu Xiong, Department of Medical Genetics/Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China, Email xiongfu@smu.edu.cnBackground: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the primary causes of end-stage renal disease, yet effective therapeutic targets remain elusive. This study aims to identify novel diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic candidates for DN.Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GSE96804 and GSE142025 were identified and functional enrichment analysis was performed. Diagnostic biomarkers were selected using machine learning algorithms and evaluated by Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis. c-Fos expression was validated in an established DN mouse model. Immune infiltration levels were assessed with Single-Sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. Co-expression analysis revealed regulatory relationships involving FOS. cMAP predicted potential therapeutic candidates. Transcriptome sequencing and experiments in RAW264.7 cells was performed to investigate molecular mechanisms of emetine.Results: In both datasets, we identified 44 upregulated and 74 downregulated DEGs involved in focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. FOS emerged as a robust diagnostic marker with decreased expression in DN patients and DN mouse. Co-expression analysis revealed potential regulatory mechanisms of FOS, implicating the MAPK signaling pathway, regulation of cell proliferation and apoptotic signaling pathways. Immune dysregulation was observed in DN patients. Notably, emetine was identified as a potential therapeutic candidate. Transcriptome sequencing and experimental validation demonstrated emetine suppressed M1 macrophage polarization by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway, as well as reducing the expression of Il-18 and Ccl5.Conclusion: In conclusion, our study identified FOS as a promising diagnostic biomarker and emetine as a potential therapeutic candidate for DN. These findings enhance our understanding of DN pathogenesis and present novel prospects for therapeutic strategies.Keywords: diabetic nephropathy, diagnostic markers, FOS, emetine, immune infiltration, inflammation

Jianmin Ling,1,2 Shanshan Yu,1,2 Feng Xiong,1,2 Tingting Xu,1,2 Shusheng Li1,2 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Shusheng Li, Department of Emergency Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Dadao, Wuhan, 430000, People’s Republic of China, Email lishusheng@hust.edu.cnBackground: Epidemiological studies have indicated that lung injury is a frequent complication of sepsis. Mitophagy is vital to multiple pathological processes and diseases; however, its influence on sepsis-induced acute lung injury remains elusive. Melatonin has multiple antioxidant action and anti-inflammatory effects, including regulating mitophagy and inflammatory cytokine expression. Whereas, little is known about the affection of melatonin and mitophagy on CLP-induced ALI.Methods: The in vivo effect of melatonin on OPTN-mediated mitophagy was studied by CLP-induced ALI in a mouse model using C57BL/6 followed by treatment with vehicle and melatonin (30 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneal injection). ALI was assayed by lung wet /dry ratio, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemical staining. Signaling pathway changes were subsequently determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The effects of melatonin on STAT3 activation and TNF-α production were detected by Western blotting, PCR, and immunohistochemical staining.Results: Our results indicated that OPTN, mitophagy adaptors were significantly repressed in CLP-induced ALI, accompanied by overactivation of mitophagy and inflammation. At the same time, we found that melatonin treatment alleviated ALI caused by CLP, and the effect was highly correlated with OPTN-related mitophagy. Furthermore, we demonstrated that OPTN-related mitophagy, which was normalized by melatonin, blocked STAT3 involved epithelial barrier and inflammation in vivo.Conclusion: Overall, our results confirm that mitophagy is adjusted by melatonin in the CLP-induced ALI. Moreover, manipulation of mitophagy through melatonin could be a possible treatment to reduce sepsis-associated lung injury.Keywords: melatonin, sepsis, acute lung injury, mitophagy, inflammation

Jia Guo,1 Xuli Bao,1 Fuquan Liu,2 Jiang Guo,3 Yifan Wu,2 Fang Xiong,1 Jun Lu1 1Hepatology and Cancer Biotherapy Ward, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jun Lu, Hepatology and Cancer Biotherapy Ward, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Xi Tou Tiao, Youan Men Wai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 10069, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-010-83997153, Fax +86-010-83997000, Email lujun98@ccmu.edu.cnPurpose: Invariant NKT cells (iNKT) are CD1d-restricted T cells with the capacity of antitumor immunity. The safety of autologous iNKT cell treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been verified. This study aimed to investigate its efficacy in advanced HCC after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) failure.Patients and methods: This open-label, randomized, controlled, trial enrolled 60 patients with unresectable HCC after TACE failure at three centers. Transarterial embolization (TAE) was used instead of TACE to protect iNKT cell function. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive TAE therapy with (TAE–iNKT) or without (TAE) biweekly iNKT cell infusion. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), quality of life (QoL), peripheral blood cell count, and safety.Results: Fifty-four patients completed the study. Median PFS was significantly higher in TAE–iNKT patients (5.7 months [95% CI, 4.3– 7.0 months]) compared with TAE patients (2.7 months [95% CI, 2.3– 3.2 months]; hazard ratio 0.32 [95% CI, 0.16– 0.63]; P< 0.001). Higher ORR and DCR were observed in TAE–iNKT patients (52% and 85%, respectively) compared with TAE patients (11% and 33%; respectively). Five TAE–iNKT patients and 1 TAE patient achieved completed response. The median time to deterioration in QoL was longer in TAE–iNKT patients (9.2 months [95% CI, 6.0– 13.3 months]) compared with TAE patients (3.0 months [95% CI, 2.9– 3.0 months]). The mean lymphocytes were higher in the TAE-iNKT group than in the TAE group at 8 (1.48 vs 0.95× 109/L, P = 0.007) and 12 (1.49 vs 0.89× 109/L, P = 0.001) weeks. Grade 3 adverse events occurred in 1 TAE-iNKT patient (4%) and 5 TAE patients (19%). All the other adverse events were grade 1– 2.Conclusion: iNKT cell infusion significantly improved PFS, ORR, DCR, and QoL with manageable toxicity during TAE therapy in patients with HCC. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04011033.Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, invariant natural killer T cell, transarterial embolization, progression-free survival

Feng Xiong,1 Peng Shen,1 Zhenhui Li,2 Ziyi Huang,1 Ying Liang,1 Xiwen Chen,1 Yutong Li,3 Xinping Chai,3 Zhen Feng,1,* Moyi Li1,* 1Rehabilitation Medicine Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China; 2Children Health Care Department, Longyan First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Longyan, People’s Republic of China; 3First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Moyi Li; Zhen Feng, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 17, Yong Wai Zheng Jie, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15806031050 ; +86 13970038111, Email limoyi123@aliyun.com; fengzhen@email.ncu.edu.cnBackground and Purpose: Pain is one of the most common symptoms in patients after stroke. It is a distressing experience that affects patients’ quality of life, and it is highly prevalent in clinical practice. The pathogenesis mechanisms of PSP are not so clear, and there is currently a lack of effective medical treatments, hence it is necessary to establish a sufficient understanding of this disease. Limited number of studies have applied bibliometric methods to systematically analyze studies on post-stroke pain. This study aimed to systematically analyze scientific studies conducted worldwide on post-stroke pain from 2012 to 2021 to evaluate global trends in this field using a bibliometric analysis.Methods: Publications related to post-stroke pain from 2012 to 2021 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Bibliometrics Biblioshiny R-package software was used to analyze the relationship of publication year with country, institution, journals, authors, and keywords and to generate variant visual maps to show annual publications, most relevant countries, authors, sources, keywords, and top-cited articles.Results: In this study, 5484 papers met the inclusion criteria. The annual growth rate of publications was 5.13%. The USA had the highest number of publications (1381, 25.2%) and citations (36,395), and the University of Toronto had the highest number of papers (156, 2.8%). “Stroke”, “management”, “pain”, “risk”, “prevalence”, “ischemic stroke”, “risk factors”, “disease”, “diagnosis” and “therapy” are the top 10 keywords.Conclusion: The global research interest regarding PSP has maintained growing over the past ten years. Both central post stroke pain and hemiplegic shoulder pain are the hottest research subjects. Further investigations are needed in order to reveal the mystery of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of CPSP, and high-quality well-designed trials of potential treatments of CPSP and HSP are also needed.Keywords: post-stroke pain, publication trends, bibliometric analysis, research interest

Hong Liu,1,* Quan Wang,1,* Ge Shi,1 Wenqiang Yang,2 Yanmin Zhang,1 Weidong Chen,1 Sheng Wan,1 Fei Xiong,1 Zengsi Wang1 1Department of Nephrology, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Central Laboratory, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Fei Xiong; Zengsi WangDepartment of Nephrology, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, No. 215 Zhongshan Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-27-85332356; +86-27-85332346Email xiongf23@sina.com; wangzengsi@hotmail.comPurpose: The activation of autophagy has potential protective effect on diabetic nephropathy (DN) podocyte injury, and the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway is an important regulatory pathway of autophagy. Emodin has been reported to effectively delay DN progression; however, the therapeutic mechanisms involved in vivo remain ambiguous. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of emodin in improving renal tissue and podocyte injury in DN by regulating the AMPK/mTOR-autophagy signaling pathway.Methods: All rats were divided into 4 groups: a Sham group, a Vehicle group, a low-dose emodin (LD-Emo) group (20 mg/kg/day) and a high-dose emodin (HD-Emo) group (40 mg/kg/day). The different doses of Emo and distilled water were daily administrated for 8 weeks after the induction of DN by the unilateral nephrectomy combined with intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ). The rats’ general status, blood glucose, biochemical parameters, urinary protein excretion, renal histological changes and cell apoptosis in renal tissue, as well as the key protein expressions in the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and apoptosis-related proteins were examined, respectively.Results: Emodin ameliorated the general condition, kidney weight and urinary protein excretion of the rats, but has little influence on serum biochemical parameters and did not lower blood glucose; emodin attenuated renal fibrosis including the cell numbers, extracellular matrix rate and collagen area in glomerulus, simultaneously relieved podocyte foot process fusion, up-regulated the expression of nephrin protein and suppressed glomerular and tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. In addition, emodin can induce and enhance autophagy in podocytes including increased expression of LC3-II/I, Beclin-1, p-AMPK protein and decreased expression of p62, p-mTOR protein, as well as increased autophagosomes in podocytes.Conclusion: We have demonstrated that emodin, as a natural regulator in vivo, reduced proteinuria and alleviated renal fibrosis without affecting hyperglycemia in DN rats. The potential mechanisms by which emodin exerts its renoprotective effects in vivo are through suppressing cell apoptosis and enhancing autophagy of podocytes via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in the kidney.Keywords: emodin, diabetic nephropathy, autophagy, cell apoptosis, AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway

Fu Xiong,1,2,* Yanyan Cao,1,2,* Xiaopeng Guo,1,2 Hongsen Zhang,1,2 Jihua Wang,1,2 Bin Xiong,1,2 Bin Liang,1,2 Chuansheng Zheng1,2 1Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People’s Republic of China; 2Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Chuansheng Zheng Email hqzcsxh@sina.comPurpose: To evaluate the adriamycin (ADM) pervasion distance within tumor stroma after relaxin (RLX) infusion through tumor feeding artery and further investigate the therapeutic effects of RLX infusion combined with transcatheter chemoembolization (TACE) on the rabbit VX2 liver cancer, since the chemotherapy impaired due to limited drug distribution hindered by stiffened tumor stroma.Materials and Methods: In the first part, rabbits received normal saline (NS), RLX or combined with TACE, and the penetration distance of ADM was measured by immunofluorescence and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were evaluated by gelatin substrate zymography in each group. In the second part, the rabbits received NS, TACE and RLX combined with TACE, respectively. The tumor growth rates, necrosis rates and intrahepatic metastasis were measured, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE), transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) and Ki67 staining were conducted in each group.Results: In the first part, the expression of MMP-9 was increased in groups treated by RLX compared with NS group, especially three days after RLX infusion (p=0.001). The ADM penetration distance was significantly increased in groups treated by RLX compared with NS group (p< 0.05), and it was farthest three days after RLX infusion. In the second part, compared with the NS and TACE groups, the tumor growth rates, the positive staining rates of Ki67 and the tumor growth rates were significantly decreased in RLX+TACE group (p< 0.05). However, the positive staining rates of TUNEL and the tumor necrosis rates were significantly increased (p< 0.05), and HE staining also revealed higher necrosis rates. The intrahepatic metastasis indicates no difference between the three groups (p=0.273).Conclusion: An increased penetration distance was obtained by RLX infusion through tumor feeding artery, and better therapeutic effects were achieved by RLX combined with TACE.Keywords: relaxin, liver cancer, transcatheter chemoembolization, MMP-9, penetration distance

Chao Zhou,1,* Pu Wang,1,* Mengtian Tu,1 Yi Huang,2 Fei Xiong,1 Yue Wu3 1Department of Gastroenterology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Sichuan 610072, People’s Republic of China; 3Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Sichuan 610072, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yue WuDepartment of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, No. 32 West Second Section First Ring Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-028-87393405Email zegyex@163.comBackground: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary hepatic malignancy worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as effective markers for the detection of multiple cancers. This study aimed to illuminate the mechanism of prostate androgen regulated transcript 1 (PART1) in HCC.Materials and Methods: The levels of PART1, miR-149-5p and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAP2K1) mRNA were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and cell migration and invasion were evaluated by transwell assay. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was carried out to examine the relationship among PART1, miR-149-5p and MAP2K1. Western blot assay was conducted to measure the protein expression of MAP2K1.Results: PART1 and MAP2K1 expression were greatly increased and miR-149-5p level was decreased in HCC tissues. Functional analysis revealed that the si-PART1 inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells. PART1 directly bound to miR-149-5p and miR-149-5p level was down-regulated by PART1. Moreover, restoration experiment demonstrated that the effect of PART1 knockdown on HCC cell progression could be partially rescued by miR-149-5p depletion. MiR-149-5p was predicted to target MAP2K1 and MAP2K1 expression was negatively modulated by miR-149-5p. Also, MAP2K1 rescued the inhibitory effects of miR-149-5p overexpression on proliferation, migration and invasion in HCC cells. Besides, the inhibition of miR-149-5p weakened the impact on MAP2K1 expression mediated by PART1 repression.Conclusion: PART1 promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells by regulating miR-149-5p/MAP2K1 axis.Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, PART1, miR-149-5p, MAP2K1

Hengbiao Sun,1,* Gang Xiao,1,* Jing Zhang,1 Zuhan Pan,1 Youming Chen,1 Fu Xiong,21Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this work Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex PCR system for the rapid and simultaneous detection of blaoxa-23, Ade-B, int-1, and ISCR-1 genes in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) using high resolution melting (HRM) assay.Methods: Four pairs of primers were designed, and PCR amplification products were sequenced and compared with NCBI GeneBank sequences to ensure primer specificity. Multiplex PCR was performed using a dedicated HRM reagent, and melting curves and temperatures were able to distinguish the four genes. This method was subsequently used to detect these genes in 79 MDRAB isolates from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University in southern China.Results: Using the HRM assay, 73 out of 79 isolates were found to carry both blaoxa-23 and Ade-B, one isolate carried int-1, two isolates carried both int-1 and ISCR-1, and three isolates carried Ade-B, int-1, and ISCR-1. No isolates carried all four genes. Conclusion: Compared with traditional resistance gene detection methods–PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis-based resistance gene detection methods–the multiplex PCR and HRM assay method was simple, rapid, highly efficient, and cost-effective. Our results showed that blaoxa-23 and Ade-B were the main resistance genotypes in MDRAB.Keywords: blaoxa-23, Ade-B, int-1, ISCR-1, multiplex PCR, high resolution melting

Hongsen Zhang, Fu Xiong, Kun Qian, Yiming Liu, Bin Liang, Bin Xiong, Fan Yang, Chuansheng Zheng Department of Radiology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China Purpose: Transcatheter arterial embolization or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization has become a critical therapy for unresectable hepatocarcinoma. Although hypoxia caused by embolization can induce apoptosis and necrosis of the majority of tumor cells, a small proportion of cells can survive with hypoxia and chemotherapy resistance. HIF-1α induced by hypoxia is the key factor rendering surviving tumor cells invasive and metastatic properties. Thus, we generated a synthetic hypoxia-replicative oncolytic adenovirus (HYAD) expecting to further eliminate the surviving tumor cells, which expressed HIF-1α.Materials and methods: In our study, we detected protein expression, proliferation, apoptosis, and necrosis of hepatic tumor cell line when infected with HYAD under hypoxia and normoxia. And we constructed VX2 hepatic cancer rabbit models to explore the therapeutic effect of transcatheter arterial embolization combined with HYAD perfusion under digital subtraction angiography. Inhibition of tumor growth and invasion was detected by histopathological examination and contrast-enhanced CT scan.Results: Experiments in vitro verified that HYAD expressed and replicated along with HIF-1α expression or hypoxia. Compared with wild adenovirus type 5 (WT), HYAD expressed much more under hypoxia, which was the main principle of HYAD killing surviving tumor cells posttransarterial embolization. In vivo experiment of VX2 models, HYAD perfusion combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) embolization achieved the highest expression quantity and the longest expression duration compared with simple HYAD perfusion, WT perfusion combined with PVA embolization, and simple WT perfusion. Because adenovirus expression protein E1A had the properties of promoting apoptosis, inhibiting invasion, and inhibiting metastasis, HYAD perfusion combined with PVA embolization group efficiently repressed tumor growth and intrahepatic metastases compared to other processing groups.Conclusion: HYAD can overcome the hypoxic tumor microenvironment postembolization and target the surviving tumor cells with specificity. In turn, HYAD perfusion combined with PVA embolization can bring out the best effect in each other. Keywords: transcatheter arterial embolization, hepatocarcinoma, hypoxia, oncolytic adenovirus

Xiaojing Dai, Jintian He, Ruxia Zhang, Guanghao Wu, Fangfang Xiong, Baohua Zhao College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China Abstract: The aim of the present work was to investigate the synergistic effect between toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 ligand polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (pI:C) and TLR5 ligand flagellin (FLN) on immune responses induced by nasally delivered hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). Mannan and chitosan oligosaccharide-modified, pH-responsive poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (MC-PLGA) microparticles (MPs) containing HBsAg, FLN, pI:C or both ligands were prepared with a double-emulsion method. In vitro uptake experiments show that cellular uptake of MC-PLGA MPs by macrophages was through energy-dependent, receptor-mediated endocytosis mechanism. After uptake of MPs by macrophages, MC-PLGA MPs existed both in the endosome and in the cytoplasm. FLN and pI:C in solution or MP formulation could synergize to activate macrophages and induce higher pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, interferon-γ and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 compared to single TLR ligand (P

Fujuan Chai,1,* Linlin Sun,2,3,* Xinyi He,1 Jieli Li,1 Yuanfen Liu,4 Fei Xiong,5 Liang Ge,1 Thomas J Webster,2,3 Chunli Zheng1 1Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 2Wenzhou Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; 4Department of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational College, 5State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Jiangsu Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: Natural polyelectrolyte multilayers of chitosan (CHI) and alginate (ALG) were alternately deposited on doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) with layer by layer self-assembly to control drug release for antitumor activity. Numerous factors which influenced the multilayer growth on nano-colloidal particles were studied: polyelectrolyte concentration, NaCl concentration and temperature. Then the growth regime of the CHI/ALG multilayers was elucidated. The coated NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction and a zeta potential analyzer. In vitro studies demonstrated an undesirable initial burst release of DOX-loaded PLGA NPs (DOX-PLGA NPs), which was relieved from 55.12% to 5.78% through the use of the layer by layer technique. The release of DOX increased more than 40% as the pH of media decreased from 7.4 to 5.0. More importantly, DOX-PLGA (CHI/ALG)3 NPs had superior in vivo tumor inhibition rates at 83.17% and decreased toxicity, compared with DOX-PLGA NPs and DOX in solution. Thus, the presently formulated PLGA-polyelectrolyte NPs have strong potential applications for numerous controlled anticancer drug release applications. Keywords: layer by layer, chitosan/alginate, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles, multilayer growth influencing factors, burst release, pH-dependent

Meiyu Chen,1–3,* Fei Xiong,4,5,* Liang Ma,1–3,* Hong Yao,1–3 Qinrong Wang,1–3 Lijun Wen,1–3 Qian Wang,1–3 Ning Gu,4,5 Suning Chen1–3 1Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 2Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis of Ministry of Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 3Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 4State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 5Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: Homoharringtonine (HHT), a natural cephalotaxine alkaloid, has been used in the People’s Republic of China for treatment of leukemia for >3 decades. Here, we employed magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MNP-Fe3O4) to improve the therapeutic effect of HHT and investigated its biological effects. Within a certain range of concentrations, the HHT-MNP-Fe3O4 showed a more enhanced inhibitory effect on the selected myeloid leukemia cell lines than HHT alone. Compared with HHT, HHT-MNP-Fe3O4 could induce more extensive apoptosis in leukemia cells, which also showed more pronounced cell arrests at G0/G1 phase. HHT-MNP-Fe3O4 enhanced antitumor activity by downregulating myeloid cell leukemia-1, which could inhibit the activation of caspase-3 and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase. In vivo experiments using tumor-bearing animal models showed that the mean tumor volume with HHT-MNP-Fe3O4 was significantly smaller than that with HHT alone (193±26 mm3 versus 457±100 mm3, P

Cuiping Yang,1,3,* Jing Wang,2,* Dengyu Chen,1,* Junsong Chen,1 Fei Xiong,4 Hongyi Zhang,1 Yunxia Zhang,2 Ning Gu,4 Jun Dou11Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School, 2Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 3Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 4School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workBackground: There is growing evidence that CD138– CD34– cells may actually be tumor stem cells responsible for initiation and relapse of multiple myeloma. However, effective drugs targeted at CD138– CD34– tumor stem cells are yet to be developed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of paclitaxel-loaded Fe3O4 nanoparticles (PTX-NPs) on CD138– CD34– tumor stem cells in multiple myeloma-bearing mice.Methods: CD138– CD34– cells were isolated from a human U266 multiple myeloma cell line using an immune magnetic bead sorting method and then subcutaneously injected into mice with nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency to develop a multiple myeloma-bearing mouse model. The mice were treated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles 2 mg/kg, paclitaxel 4.8 mg/kg, and PTX-NPs 0.64 mg/kg for 2 weeks. Tumor growth, pathological changes, serum and urinary interleukin-6 levels, and molecular expression of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 were evaluated.Results: CD138– CD34– cells were found to have tumor stem cell characteristics. All the mice developed tumors in 40 days after injection of 1 × 106 CD138– CD34– tumor stem cells. Tumor growth in mice treated with PTX-NPs was significantly inhibited compared with the controls (P

A key feature of unconventional shale reservoirs is low permeability. On average, only 10% of original oil in place and 25% of original gas in place is produced from these reservoirs. Understanding the mechanisms behind fracture conductivity past the first couple of years of shale production is still an ongoing research topic, as most such reservoirs report fast and massive production declines. Hydraulic fracturing is indispensable for stimulating low-permeability rocks for economical oil and gas production from unconventional reservoir rocks such as shales. In contrast, for subsurface sequestration and storage of fluids including supercritical CO2 (for carbon capture, utilization, and storage) and hydrogen gas, inadvertent creation of fractures can lead to breaching of shale caprock. The Caney Shale in southern Oklahoma is being evaluated as both a potential hydrocarbon-producing reservoir and a caprock for fluid sequestration. The Caney Shale is a Mississippian-age, organic-rich mudrock with intermittent calcareous laminae, that produces. But currently there is limited data reported regarding productivity of horizontally drilled wellbores. While many scholars have investigated fracture conductivity in shale reservoirs, the mechanisms of proppant embedment in relation to lithology are still under investigation. This study implemented a multi-scale approach towards investigating proppant embedment and fracture conductivity, from nano-scale instrumented micro/nano-indentation to millimeter (mm) scale, mono-layer propped fracture flow at reservoir temperature and pressure, and American Petroleum Institute (API)-RP19D conductivity tests using inch/cm-scale shale platens. At each scale, various material characterization tools were utilized, including Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, Laser profilometry, Computed X-ray Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The outcomes of the micro-indentation revealed variations in mechanical properties attributed to changing mineral composition and microstructures. Outcomes from API fracture conductivity testing and flow-through testing using a monolayer of proppant demonstrated: (1) a 50% impact on proppant embedment compared to ductile samples, (2) a significant decline in fracture conductivity with increasing stress and temperatures, and (3) conductivity that was also influenced by organic and inorganic content as well as internal sample architecture. Mineralogically, ductile samples contain about 25% more clay minerals compared to brittle regions. Heterogeneity in mineral composition causes the Caney Shale to show different responses at reservoir temperature and pressure, particularly in relation to creep and proppant embedment. Geomechanical and fluid-flow modeling have been conducted at several scales to help interpret laboratory results and apply findings to field-scale operation. The outcomes from this integration should aid geological and engineering predictions for the hydrocarbon production and caprock integrity of the Caney Shale.

We report on a detailed study of longitudinal strength in the nucleon resonance region, presenting new results from inclusive electron-proton cross sections measured at Jefferson Lab Hall C in the four-momentum transfer range 0.2

Step junctions are often present in layered materials, i.e. where single-layer regions meet multilayer regions, yet their effect on thermal transport is not understood to date. Here, we measure heat flow across graphene junctions (GJs) from monolayer-to-bilayer graphene, as well as bilayer to four-layer graphene for the first time, in both heat flow directions. The thermal conductance of the monolayer-bilayer GJ ranges from ∼0.5 to 9.1 × 108 W m-2 K-1 between 50 K to 300 K. Atomistic simulations of such a GJ device reveal that graphene layers are relatively decoupled, and the low thermal conductance of the device is determined by the resistance between the two distinct graphene layers. In these conditions the junction plays a negligible effect. To prove that the decoupling between layers controls thermal transport in the junction, the heat flow in both directions was measured, showing no evidence of thermal asymmetry or rectification, within experimental error bars. For large-area graphene applications, this signifies that small bilayer (or multilayer) islands have little or no contribution to overall thermal transport.

A serial of red-emitting MgMoO4: Eu3+ phosphors were synthesized via a high-temperature solid-phase approach. The effect of partially combined substitution of Mg2+-Mo6+-O2− with Ca2+-W6+-F− on the structure and luminescent properties of the MgMoO4: Eu3+ phosphor was thoroughly investigated. The crystal structure of the as-prepared MgMoO4: Eu3+ phosphor was not influenced by the partially combined Ca2+-W6+-F− substitution. Under the excitation of 394 nm, The MgMoO4: Eu3+ phosphor could emit bright red light centered approximately at 612 nm, corresponding to the 5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu3+ and the optimal concentration of Eu3+ was about x = 0.10. After the partially combined Ca2+-W6+-F− substitution, the luminescence intensity of Eu3+ ions was approximately 1.94 times of the initial values owing to the alteration of the crystal field and charge compensation. The thermal stability of the partially substituted phosphor was significantly enhanced and the emission intensity at 423 K was approximately 82.3% of the initial value at room temperature. The internal quantum efficiency of the partially substituted sample is about 49.5%. A white light-emitting diode (LED) manufactured by the partially substituted red Mg0.7Ca0.2Mo0.8W0.2O3.8F0.2: 0.10Eu3+, combined with commercial blue-green phosphors and 395 nm chips exhibits high performance featuring CCT = 5441 K and Ra = 88.7. These results mean that the partially combined Ca2+-W6+-F− substitution in MgMoO4: Eu3+ can be used to optimize luminescent properties of phosphors applied in white LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emission, dispersion, and photochemistry of isoprene (C5H8) and related chemical species in the convective boundary layer (CBL) during sunlit daytime were studied over a mixed forest in the southeastern United States by combining ground-based and aircraft observations. Fluxes of isoprene and monoterpenes were quantified at the top of the forest canopy using a high-resolution proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS). Snapshot (2 min sampling duration) vertical profiles of isoprene, methyl vinyl ketone (MVK)Cmethacrolein (MACR), and monoterpenes were collected from aircraft every hour in the CBL (100-1000 m). Both ground-based and airborne collected volatile organic compound (VOC) data are used to constrain the initial conditions of a mixed-layer chemistry model (MXLCH), which is applied to examine the chemical evolution of the O3-NOx-HOx-VOC system and how it is affected by boundary layer dynamics in the CBL. The chemical loss rate of isoprene (1 h) is similar to the turbulent mixing timescale (0.1-0.5 h), which indicates that isoprene concentrations are equally dependent on both photooxidation and boundary layer dynamics. Analysis of a modelderived concentration budget suggests that diurnal evolution of isoprene inside the CBL is mainly controlled by surface emissions and chemical loss; the diurnal evolution of O3 is dominated by entrainment. The NO to HO2 ratio (NO :HO2) is used as an indicator of anthropogenic impact on the CBL chemical composition and spans a wide range (1-163). The fate of hydroxyl-substituted isoprene peroxyl radical (HOC5H8OO q; ISOPOO) is strongly affected by NO:HO2, shifting from NO-dominant to NO-HO2-balanced conditions from early morning to noontime. This chemical regime change is reflected in the diurnal evolution of isoprene hydroxynitrates (ISOPN) and isoprene hydroxy hydroperoxides (ISOPOOH).

Formation of organic nitrates (RONO2) during oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs: isoprene, monoterpenes) is a significant loss pathway for atmospheric nitrogen oxide radicals (NOx), but the chemistry of RONO2 formation and degradation remains uncertain. Here we implement a new BVOC oxidation mechanism (including updated isoprene chemistry, new monoterpene chemistry, and particle uptake of RONO2) in the GEOS-Chem global chemical transport model with ∼25 × 25 km2 resolution over North America. We evaluate the model using aircraft (SEAC4RS) and ground-based (SOAS) observations of NOx, BVOCs, and RONO2 from the Southeast US in summer 2013. The updated simulation successfully reproduces the concentrations of individual gas- and particle-phase RONO2 species measured during the campaigns. Gas-phase isoprene nitrates account for 25-50% of observed RONO2 in surface air, and we find that another 10% is contributed by gas-phase monoterpene nitrates. Observations in the free troposphere show an important contribution from long-lived nitrates derived from anthropogenic VOCs. During both campaigns, at least 10% of observed boundary layer RONO2 were in the particle phase. We find that aerosol uptake followed by hydrolysis to HNO3 accounts for 60% of simulated gas-phase RONO2 loss in the boundary layer. Other losses are 20% by photolysis to recycle NOx and 15% by dry deposition. RONO2 production accounts for 20% of the net regional NOx sink in the Southeast US in summer, limited by the spatial segregation between BVOC and NOx emissions. This segregation implies that RONO2 production will remain a minor sink for NOx in the Southeast US in the future even as NOx emissions continue to decline.

Isoprene hydroxynitrates (IN) are tracers of the photochemical oxidation of isoprene in high NOx environments. Production and loss of IN have a significant influence on the NOx cycle and tropospheric O3 chemistry. To better understand IN chemistry, a series of photochemical reaction chamber experiments was conducted to determine the IN yield from isoprene photooxidation at high NO concentrations (> 100 ppt). By combining experimental data and calculated isomer distributions, a total IN yield of 9(+4/-3) % was derived. The result was applied in a zero-dimensional model to simulate production and loss of ambient IN observed in a temperate forest atmosphere, during the Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) field campaign, from 27 May to 11 July 2013. The 9 % yield was consistent with the observed IN/(MVK+MACR) ratios observed during SOAS. By comparing field observations with model simulations, we identified NO as the limiting factor for ambient IN production during SOAS, but vertical mixing at dawn might also contribute (∼ 27 %) to IN dynamics. A close examination of isoprene's oxidation products indicates that its oxidation transitioned from a high-NO dominant chemical regime in the morning into a low-NO dominant regime in the afternoon. A significant amount of IN produced in the morning high NO regime could be oxidized in the low NO regime, and a possible reaction scheme was proposed.

To achieving high-quality white light emitting diodes (LED), a series of novel red-emitting phosphors NaMg3In1-zYz(Mo1-yWyO4-xFx)5: 0.10Eu3+ (x = 0–0.20, y = 0–0.05, z = 0–0.20) have been obtained via solid-state reaction process. The luminescent properties of NaMg3In(MoO4)5: 0.10Eu3+, and the effect of partial substituting Y3+/W6+/F− ions on the structure and properties of this phosphor were investigated on detailed. The crystal structure of these phosphors was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microcopy, energy-dispersive spectra, and Raman spectra. The luminescence properties and decay properties of those samples were also studied. The luminescent intensity and internal quantum efficiency of NaMg3In(MoO4)5: 0.10Eu3+ phosphor partially substituted by Y3+/W6+/F− ions was 1.59 and 2.76 times than that of the sample without partial substitution, due to the distort of local crystal field surrounding the Eu3+ ions. By employed the as-synthesized NaMg3In0.85Y0.05 (Mo0.96W0.04O3.84F0.16)5: 0.10Eu3+ phosphor as red component, a high-performance white LED with a low 4543 K correlated color temperature and high color-rendering index Ra = 90.0 has been fabricated with a 395 nm near-UV chip, commercial green and blue phosphors. These results implied that NaMg3In(MoO4)5: 0.10Eu3+ phosphor partially substituted by Y3+/W6+/F− ions could be used as a potential red-emitting candidate for white light-emitting-diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation restoration is the primary strategy employed for the purification and restoration of habitats in the Zhegao River wetlands. To investigate the changing characteristics of soil microbial biomass carbon/nitrogen (MBC/MBN) and soil enzyme activities in wetlands undergoing different vegetation restoration treatments, those involving reed and willow restoration were studied in 2014 (WR8) and 2021 (WR1), with a native vegetation wetland (NW) used as a control. This study examined changes in the MBC/MBN, sucrase (Suc), urease (Ure), and acid phosphatase (Acp) in these wetlands. The results indicated that during the restoration of Zhegao River wetlands, reed vegetation had a stronger positive effect on soil properties after one year of restoration than that of willow vegetation. After eight years, the effects of willow vegetation restoration were greater than those of reed vegetation restoration. The activities of MBC, MBN, Suc, Ure, and Acp in the reed and willow wetland soils for different years of vegetation restoration decreased with greater soil depth. Thus, reeds and willows have distinct contributions toward enhancing the ecological service functions of the Zhegao River wetlands for different restoration years, which provides a scientific basis for the selection and protection of ecological wetland restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]