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With the increasing demand for Nd-Fe-B magnets across various applications, the cost-effective substitution of Ce has garnered significant interest. Many studies have been conducted to achieve the high magnetic properties of Nd-Ce-Fe-B hot deformation magnets in which Nd is replaced with Ce. We propose a method to improve magnetic properties of the Ce-substituted Nd-Ce-Fe-B hot-deformed magnets by optimizing the hot-pressing process. This study investigates the microstructure and properties following hot deformation of Ce-substituted Nd-Ce-Fe-B magnets fabricated at a constant temperature and different pressures (100–300 MPa) during the hot-pressing process. The results highlight the influence of pressure from previous hot-pressing processes on grain alignment and microstructure during hot deformation. Magnets subjected to hot pressing at 200 MPa followed by hot deformation achieved superior magnetic properties, with Hci = 8.9 kOe, Br = 12.2 kG, and (BH)max = 31 MGOe with 40% of Nd replaced with Ce. Conversely, precursors prepared at 100 MPa exhibited low density due to high porosity, resulting in poor microstructure and magnetic properties after hot deformation. In magnets using precursors prepared at 300 MPa, coarsened grains and a condensed h-RE2O3 phase were observed. Incorporating Ce into the magnets led to insufficient formation of RE-rich phases due to the emergence of REFe2 secondary phases, disrupting grain alignment and hindering the homogeneous distribution of the RE-rich phase essential for texture formation. Precursors prepared under suitable pressure exhibited uniform distribution of the RE-rich phase, enhancing grain alignment along the c-axis and improving magnetic properties, particularly remanence. In conclusion, our findings present a strategy for achieving the ideal microstructure and magnetic properties of hot-deformed magnets with high Ce contents.

Background Vaginal microbiome studies frequently report diversity metrics and communities of microbiomes associated with reproductive health outcomes. Reports of Streptococcus agalactiae (also known as Group B Streptococcus or GBS), the leading cause of neonatal infectious morbidity and mortality, are notably lacking from the studies of the vaginal microbiome, despite being a known contributor to preterm birth and other complications. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to explore the frequency of GBS reporting in vaginal microbiome literature pertaining to pregnancy and to examine methodological bias that contributes to differences in species and genus-level microbiome reporting. Lack of identification of GBS via sequencing-based approaches due to methodologic or reporting bias may result incomplete understanding of bacterial composition during pregnancy and subsequent birth outcomes. Methodology A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guideline. Three databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science) were used to identify papers for review based on the search terms “vaginal microbiome”, “pregnancy”, and “16S rRNA sequencing”. Articles were evaluated for methods of DNA extraction and sequencing, 16S region, taxonomy classification database, number of participants or vaginal specimens, and pregnancy trimester. Results Forty-five research articles reported employing a metagenomic approach or 16S approach for vaginal microbiome analysis during pregnancy that explicitly reported taxonomic composition and were included in this review. Less than 30% of articles reported the presence of GBS (N = 13). No significant differences in methodology were identified between articles that reported versus did not report GBS. However, there was large variability across research methods used for vaginal microbiome analysis and species-level bacterial community reporting. Conclusion Considerable differences in study design and data formatting methods may contribute to underrepresentation of GBS, and other known pathogens, in existing vaginal microbiome literature. Previous studies have identified considerable variation in methodology across vaginal microbiome studies. This study adds to this body of work because in addition to laboratory or statistical methods, how results and data are shared (e.g., only analyzing genus level data or 20 most abundant microbes), may hinder reproducibility and limit our understanding of the influence of less abundant microbes. Sharing detailed methods, analysis code, and raw data may improve reproducibility and ability to more accurately compare microbial communities across studies.

The escalating obesity epidemic and aging population have propelled metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) to the forefront of public health concerns. The activation of FXR shows promise to combat MASH and its detrimental consequences. However, the specific alterations within the MASH-related transcriptional network remain elusive, hindering the development of more precise and effective therapeutic strategies. Through a comprehensive analysis of liver RNA-seq data from human and mouse MASH samples, we identified central perturbations within the MASH-associated transcriptional network, including disrupted cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function, decreased tissue repair capability, and increased inflammation and fibrosis. By employing integrated transcriptome profiling of diverse FXR agonists-treated mice, FXR liver-specific knockout mice, and open-source human datasets, we determined that hepatic FXR activation effectively ameliorated MASH by reversing the dysregulated metabolic and inflammatory networks implicated in MASH pathogenesis. This mitigation encompassed resolving fibrosis and reducing immune infiltration. By understanding the core regulatory network of FXR, which is directly correlated with disease severity and treatment response, we identified approximately one-third of the patients who could potentially benefit from FXR agonist therapy. A similar analysis involving intestinal RNA-seq data from FXR agonists-treated mice and FXR intestine-specific knockout mice revealed that intestinal FXR activation attenuates intestinal inflammation, and has promise in attenuating hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Collectively, our study uncovers the intricate pathophysiological features of MASH at a transcriptional level and highlights the complex interplay between FXR activation and both MASH progression and regression. These findings contribute to precise drug development, utilization, and efficacy evaluation, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Pharmacological Society.)

Background: Both N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation and autophagy are considered relevant to the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). However, a systematic exploration of the role of the com-bination of m6A methylation and autophagy in UC remains to be performed., Aim: To elucidate the autophagy-related genes of m6A with a diagnostic value for UC., Methods: The correlation between m6A-related genes and autophagy-related genes (ARGs) was analyzed. Finally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed on the characteristic genes. Additionally, the expression levels of four characteristic genes were verified in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice., Results: GSEA indicated that BAG3, P4HB and TP53INP2 were involved in the inflammatory response and TNF-α signalling via nuclear factor kappa-B. Furthermore, polymerase chain reaction results showed significantly higher mRNA levels of BAG3 and P4HB and lower mRNA levels of FMR1 and TP53INP2 in the DSS group compared to the control group., Conclusion: This study identified four m6A-ARGs that predict the occurrence of UC, thus providing a scientific reference for further studies on the pathogenesis of UC., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Carbon nanowalls (CNWs) have attracted significant attention for gas sensing applications due to their exceptional material properties such as large specific surface area, electric conductivity, nano- and/or micro-porous structure, and high charge carrier mobility. In this work, CNW films were synthesized and used to fabricate gas sensors for carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas sensing. The CNW films were synthesized using an inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method and their structural and morphological properties were characterized using Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The obtained CNW films were used to fabricate gas sensors employing interdigitated gold (Au) microelectrodes. The gas sensors were fabricated using both direct synthesis of CNW films on interdigitated Au microelectrodes on quartz and also transferring presynthesized CNW films onto interdigitated Au microelectrodes on glass. The CO 2 gas-sensing properties of fabricated devices were investigated for different concentrations of CO 2 gas and temperature-ranges. The sensitivities of fabricated devices were found to have a linear dependence on the concentration of CO 2 gas and increase with temperature. It was revealed that devices, in which CNW films have a maze-like structure, perform better compared to the ones that have a petal-like structure. A sensitivity value of 1.18% was obtained at 500 ppm CO 2 concentration and 100 °C device temperature. The CNW-based gas sensors have the potential for the development of easy-to-manufacture and efficient gas sensors for toxic gas monitoring., (© 2024 IOP Publishing Ltd.)

A food additive, silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) is commonly used in the food industry as an anti-caking agent. The presence of nanoparticles (NPs) in commercial food-grade SiO 2 has raised concerns regarding their potential toxicity related to nano size. While recent studies have demonstrated the oral absorption and tissue distribution of food-additive SiO 2 particles, limited information is available about their excretion behaviors and potential impact on macrophage activation. In this study, the excretion kinetics of two differently manufactured (fumed and precipitated) SiO 2 particles were evaluated following repeated oral administration to rats for 28 d. The excretion fate of their intact particles, decomposed forms, or ionic forms was investigated in feces and urine, respectively. Monocyte uptake, Kupffer cell activation, and cytokine release were assessed after the oral administration of SiO 2 particles. Additionally, their intracellular fates were determined in Raw 264.7 cells. The results revealed that the majority of SiO 2 particles were not absorbed but directly excreted via feces in intact particle forms. Only a small portion of SiO 2 was eliminated via urine, predominantly in the form of bioconverted silicic acid and slightly decomposed ionic forms. SiO 2 particles were mainly present in particle forms inside cells, followed by ionic and silicic acid forms, indicating their slow conversion into silicic acid after cellular uptake. No effects of the manufacturing method were observed on excretion and fates. Moreover, no in vivo monocyte uptake, Kupffer cell polarization, or cytokine release were induced by orally administered SiO 2 particles. These finding contribute to understanding the oral toxicokinetics of food-additive SiO 2 and provide valuable insights into its potential toxicity.

Salinity greatly affects the production of soybeans in arid and semi-arid lands around the world. The responses of soybeans to salt stress at germination, emergence, and other seedling stages have been evaluated in multitudes of studies over the past decades. Considerable salt-tolerant accessions have been identified. The association between salt tolerance responses during early and later growth stages may not be as significant as expected. Genetic analysis has confirmed that salt tolerance is distinctly tied to specific soybean developmental stages. Our understanding of salt tolerance mechanisms in soybeans is increasing due to the identification of key salt tolerance genes. In this review, we focus on the methods of soybean salt tolerance screening, progress in forward genetics, potential mechanisms involved in salt tolerance, and the importance of translating laboratory findings into field experiments via marker-assisted pyramiding or genetic engineering approaches, and ultimately developing salt-tolerant soybean varieties that produce high and stable yields. Progress has been made in the past decades, and new technologies will help mine novel salt tolerance genes and translate the mechanism of salt tolerance into new varieties via effective routes.

HLA-DPB1*02:02:07 differs from HLA-DPB1*02:02:01:01 by one nucleotide in exon 2., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are utilized as a zinc (Zn) fortifier in processed foods where diverse food additives can be present. Among them, additive solvents may strongly interact with ZnO NPs by changing the dispersion stability in food matrices, which may affect physico-chemical and dissolution properties as well as the cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs. In this study, ZnO NP interactions with representative additive solvents (methanol, glycerin, and propylene glycol) were investigated by measuring the hydrodynamic diameters, solubility, and crystallinity of ZnO NPs. The effects of these interactions on cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and intestinal transport were also evaluated in human intestinal cells and using in vitro human intestinal transport models. The results revealed that the hydrodynamic diameters of ZnO NPs in glycerin or propylene glycol, but not in methanol, were significantly reduced, which is probably related to their high dispersion and increased solubility under these conditions. These interactions also caused high cell proliferation inhibition, membrane damage, reactive oxygen (ROS) generation, cellular uptake, and intestinal transport. However, the crystal structure of ZnO NPs was not affected by the presence of additive solvents. These findings suggest that the interactions between ZnO NPs and additive solvents could increase the dispersion and solubility of ZnO NPs, consequently leading to small hydrodynamic diameters and different biological responses.

Cryptosporidium species and Giardia duodenalis are infectious intestinal protozoan pathogens that cause alarming rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Children are more likely to have clinical symptoms due to their less developed immune systems and factors such as undernutrition, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The severity of the symptoms and clinical manifestations in children may vary from asymptomatic to life-threatening depending on the Cryptosporidium species/ G. duodenalis strains and the resulting complex stepwise interactions between the parasite, the host nutritional and immunologic status, and the gut microbiome profile. Structural damages inflicted by both parasites to epithelial cells in the large and small intestines could severely impair children's gut health, including the ability to absorb nutrients, resulting in stunted growth, diminished neurocognitive development, and other long-term effects. Clinically approved cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis drugs have broad antimicrobial effects that have incomprehensible impacts on growing children's gut health.

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases CYP120As are the unique non-membrane P450s, which are extensively involved in retinoid biodegradation. As the O-functionalized 1,3,3-trimethylcyclohex-1-ene moiety exists in many bioactive compounds which could only be catalyzed by Class II P450s, exploration of the catalytic repertoire of CYP120As is therefore highly attractive. However, up to date, only one bacteriogenic candidate (CYP120A1) was demonstrated for the hydroxylation of C16 and C17 of retinoic acid, by utilizing the integral membrane protein cytochrome P450 reductase redox partner for the electron transfer. Herein, we provided an efficient prokaryotic functional expression system of CYP120As in E. coli by expression of the CYP120A1 coupled with several reductase partners. Fusion redox partners to the C-terminal of the heme-domain are also working on other CYP120A members. Among them, the fusion protein of CYP120A29 and FAD/FMN reductase from Bacillus megaterium P450 BM3 (CYP101A2) showed the highest expression level. Based on the available translational fusion systems, the regioselectivity and the substrate scope of the CYP120As have also been explored. This work represents a good starting point for further expanding the catalytic potential of CYP120 family. KEY POINTS: • Characterization of CYP120As in E. coli is firstly achieved by constructing fusion proteins. • The feasibility of three P450 reductase domains to CYP120As was evaluated. • Hydroxylated products of retinoic acid by six CYP120As were sorted and analyzed., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This paper explored the chemical constituents of Boswellia carterii by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures of the compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data such as infrared radiation(IR), ultra violet(UV), mass spectrometry(MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR). Seven diterpenoids were isolated and purified from n-hexane of B. carterii. The isolates were identified as(1S,3E,7E,11R,12R)-11-hydroxy-1-isopropyl-4,8,12-trimethyl-15-oxabicyclo[10.2.1]pentadeca-3,7-dien-5-one(1),(1R,3S,4R,7E,11E)-4,8,12,15,15-pentamethyl-14-oxabicyclo[11.2.1]hexadeca-7,11-dien-4-ol(2), incensole(3),(-)-(R)-nephthenol(4), euphraticanoid F(5), dilospirane B(6), and dictyotin C(7). Among them, compounds 1 and 2 were new and their absolute configurations were determined by comparison of the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroisms(ECDs). Compounds 6 and 7 were obtained from B. carterii for the first time.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, with the fourth highest mortality among all cancers. Reportedly, in addition to adenomas, serrated polyps, which account for 15%-30% of CRCs, can also develop into CRCs through the serrated pathway. Sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSAs/Ps), a type of serrated polyps, are easily misdiagnosed during endoscopy., Aim: To observe the difference in the Wnt signaling pathway expression in SSAs/Ps patients with different syndrome types., Methods: From January 2021 to December 2021, patients with SSAs/Ps were recruited from the Endoscopy Room of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine-Integrated Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Thirty cases each of large intestine damp-heat (Da-Chang-Shi-Re, DCSR) syndrome and spleen-stomach weakness (Pi-Wei-Xu-Ruo) syndrome were reported. Baseline comparison of the general data, typical tongue coating, colonoscopy findings, and hematoxylin and eosin findings was performed in each group. The expression of the Wnt pathway-related proteins, namely β-catenin, adenomatous polyposis coli, and mutated in colorectal cancer, were analyzed using immunohistochemistry., Results: Significant differences were observed with respect to the SSAs/Ps size between the two groups of patients with different syndrome types ( P = 0.001). The other aspects did not differ between the two groups. The Wnt signaling pathway was activated in patients with SSAs/Ps belonging to both groups, which was manifested as β-catenin protein translocation into the nucleus. However, SSAs/Ps patients with DCSR syndrome had more nucleation, higher β-catenin expression, and negative regulatory factor (adenomatous polyposis coli and mutated in colorectal cancer) expression ( P < 0.0001) than SSA/P patients with Pi-Wei-Xu-Ruo syndrome. In addition, the SSA/P size was linearly correlated with the related protein expression., Conclusion: Patients with DCSR syndrome had a more obvious Wnt signaling pathway activation and a higher risk of carcinogenesis. A high-quality colonoscopic diagnosis was essential. The thorough assessment of clinical diseases can be improved by combining the diseases of Western medicine with the syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Two pairs of flavonoid enantiomers ( 1a / 1b and 2a / 2b ) together with three known analogues ( 3 - 5 ) were isolated from the heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1 D and 2 D NMR, UV, IR, and HRMS) and experimental and calculated ECD data. Compound 2 features an unusual 2-methyl-3(2 H )-furanone moiety forming the C-ring of flavonoid, and its putative biosynthetic pathway is also proposed. Compounds 3 ‒ 5 exhibited significant inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with IC 50 values of 14.7 ± 0.3 μM, 40.2 ± 1.1 μM, and 3.2 ± 0.1 μM, respectively.

Background: Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) are ones of the most widely used food additives as an anti-caking and a coloring agent, respectively, in the food industry. Understanding particle, aggregate, or ionic fates of two additives in commercial products is of importance to predict their potential toxicity., Methods: Triton X-114 (TX-114)-based cloud point extraction (CPE) methods for two additives were optimized in food matrices. Their particle or ionic fates in various commercial foods were determined by the CPE, and the physico-chemical properties of separated particles were further characterized., Results: SiO2 and TiO2 were primarily present as particle forms without changes in constituent particle size, size distribution, and crystalline phase. The maximum solubilities of SiO2 and TiO2 were 5.5% and 0.9%, respectively, depending on food matrix type, supporting their major particle fates in complex food matrices., Conclusions: These findings will provide basic information about the fates and safety aspects of SiO2 and TiO2 additives in commercial processed foods., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. S-JC is serving as one of the Guest editors of this Journal. We declare that S-JC had no involvement in the peer review of this article and has no access to information regarding its peer review. Full responsibility for the editorial process for this article was delegated to GOC., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)

In this work, a complex experimental study of the effect of electron and proton ionizing radiation on the properties of carbon nanowalls (CNWs) is carried out using various state-of-the-art materials characterization techniques. CNW layers on quartz substrates were exposed to 5 MeV electron and 1.8 MeV proton irradiation with accumulated fluences of 7 × 10 13 e/cm 2 and 10 12 p/cm 2 , respectively. It is found that depending on the type of irradiation (electron or proton), the morphology and structural properties of CNWs change; in particular, the wall density decreases, and the sp 2 hybridization component increases. The morphological and structural changes in turn lead to changes in the electronic, optical, and electrical characteristics of the material, in particular, change in the work function, improvement in optical transmission, an increase in the surface resistance, and a decrease in the specific conductivity of the CNW films. Lastly, this study highlights the potential of CNWs as nanostructured functional materials for novel high-performance radiation-resistant electronic and optoelectronic devices., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2022 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Seven undescribed sesquiterpenoid dimers, commiphomyrones A - G, together with three known analogs, were isolated from the resin of Commiphora myrrha Engl.. The structures of the undescribed compounds were elucidated based on a comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data (NMR, UV, IR, and MS), and the absolute configurations were defined by comparing the experimental and calculated ECD spectra as well as by performing X-ray crystallographic analysis. All the isolated dimeric sesquiterpenoids feature a 7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1] hept-2-ene moiety formed by the [4 + 2] cycloaddition of two sesquiterpenoids. Commiphomyrones C and G and commiphoratone D showed cytotoxic activity against the HGC-27 cell line with IC 50 values of 22.76, 25.01, and 27.51 μM, respectively., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a complicated disease caused by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors that affects mucosal homeostasis and triggers an inappropriate immune response. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) can be used to rapidly obtain the precise gene expression patterns of thousands of cells in the intestine, analyze the characteristics of cells with the same phenotype, and provide new insights into the growth and development of intestinal organs, the clonal evolution of cells, and immune cell changes. These findings can provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal diseases., Aim: To identify clinical phenotypes and biomarkers that can predict the response of UC patients to specific therapeutic drugs and thus aid the diagnosis and treatment of UC., Methods: Using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we analyzed peripheral blood cell subtypes of patients with UC by scRNA-seq combined with bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to reveal the core genes of UC. We then combined weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis to reveal diagnostic markers of UC., Results: After processing the scRNA-seq data, we obtained data from approximately 24340 cells and identified 17 cell types. Through intercellular communication analysis, we selected monocyte marker genes as the candidate gene set for the prediction model. Construction of a WGCNA coexpression network identified RhoB, cathepsin D (CTSD) and zyxin (ZYX) as core genes. Immune infiltration analysis showed that these three core genes were strongly correlated with immune cells. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were closely related to immune and inflammatory responses, which are associated with many challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of UC., Conclusion: Through scRNA-seq analysis, LASSO diagnostic model building and WGCNA, we identified RhoB, CTSD and ZYX as core genes of UC that are closely related to monocyte infiltration that may serve as diagnostic markers and molecular targets for UC therapeutic intervention., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest related to this study., (©The Author(s) 2022. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives  Primary frontal sinus malignancies (FSMs) are the rarest sinonasal cancers. This study aimed to determine clinicopathologic characteristics of primary FSMs and provide long-term survival outcomes. Design  This study is a retrospective review. Setting  The study was conducted at a tertiary medical center. Participants  Patients who participated in this study were diagnosed with primary FSMs. Main Outcome Measures  Median survival time is the primary outcome measure of this study. Results  In this series, the median age was 48 years (30-53 years) and all patients were male. There were five cases with squamous cell carcinoma and one with osteosarcoma. All cases presented with locally advanced disease without regional lymphatic metastasis, including five cases of stage III and one case of stage II. The two most common pathways of tumor invasion were as follows: local tumor broke posteriorly through bone wall and invaded dura mater, followed by frontal lobe; local tumor infiltrated downward through the floor of frontal sinus into ethmoid sinus, thereafter invaded laterally orbit and orbital contents. All patients received surgery followed by postoperative radiotherapy at the total doses of 50 to 75.95 Gy. Among them, only one patient underwent R0 resection, the rest of patients underwent R1/R2 resection. With a median survival time of 56 months (32-76 months), two patients receiving R1/R2 resection developed treatment failure and died within 5 years, including one case with local recurrence and one with local recurrence, thereafter distant metastasis. Conclusion  The majority of FSMs presented with peripherally invasive progression lesions which led to a high ratio of R1/R2 resection. Surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy might result in satisfactory efficacy., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Eight sesquiterpenoids were isolated from petroleum ether extract of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum by various column chromatography techniques including silica gel, ODS, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties, UV, IR, MS, and NMR spectroscopic data as(4S,5S,7R,10S)-5,7-dihydroxy-11-en-eudesmane(1),(7R,10S)-eudesma-4-en-11,15-diol(2),(2R,4S,5R,7R)-2-hydroxyeremophila-9,11-dien-8-one(3), 7α-H-9(10)-ene-11,12-epoxy-8-oxoeremophilane(4),(+)-9β,10β-epoxyeremophila-11(13)-en(5), 4(14)-eudesmene-8α,11-diol(6), 12,15-dioxo-selina-4,11-dien(7), and 2β,8 aα-dihydroxy-11-en-eremophilane(8). Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds, and their absolute configurations were determined by calculating ECD. Compounds 1, 4, and 6-8 could significantly improve taurocholic acid(TCA)-induced gastric mucosal GES-1 cell injury at a concentration of 20 μmol·L~(-1), and the cell protection rates were 23.51%±2.79%, 16.10%±1.25%, 24.45%±4.89%, 17.48%±2.93%, and 21.44%±2.39%, respectively.

Terpenoids, formed by cyclization and/or permutation of isoprenes, are the most diverse and abundant class of natural products with a broad range of significant functions. One family of the critical enzymes involved in terpenoid biosynthesis is terpene cyclases (TCs), also known as terpene synthases (TSs), which are responsible for forming the ring structure as a backbone of functionally diverse terpenoids. With the recent advances in biotechnology, the researches on terpene cyclases have gradually shifted from the genomic mining of novel enzyme resources to the analysis of their structures and mechanisms. In this review, we summarize both the new methods for genomic mining and the structural mechanisms of some typical terpene cyclases, which are helpful for the discovery, engineering and application of more and new TCs., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Retraction of 'Chemical synthesis and antigenic activity of a phosphatidylinositol mannoside epitope from Mycobacterium tuberculosis' by Shi-Yuan Zhao et al., Chem. Commun., 2020, 56, 14067-14070, DOI: 10.1039/D0CC05573E.

This study aims to study the chemical components from the gum resin of Boswellia carterii. Five cembranoid diterpenes were isolated from the gum resin of B. carterii by various of column chromatographies including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties, mass spectrometry(MS), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), Ultraviolet(UV) and infrared(IR) spectroscopic data. These compounds were identified as(1S,2E,4R,5S,7E,11E)-4-methoxy-5-hydroxycembrane(1),(1R~*,4R~*,5E,8E,12E,15E)-4-hydroxycembra-5,8,12,15-tetraene(2), cembrene A(3),(3S,4S,7R)-4-hydroxycembrane(4), and pavidolide D(5). Compound 1 was a new compound. Compounds 2, 4, and 5 were obtained from the gum resin of B. carterii for the first time. Compound 2 showed weak inhibition on the human liver cancer cell line HepG2.

Objective: To explore the effect of comprehensive nursing based on risk prevention in perioperative nursing of intracranial aneurysm., Methods: A total of 156 patients who suffered from intracranial aneurysm were admitted in neurosurgery department from the hospital between January 2018 and January 2019. Patients were randomly divided into observation group (n = 78, patients were given comprehensive nursing based on risk prevention) and control group (n = 78, patients were given routine nursing). The following parameters, such as postoperative hospital stay, rescue success rate, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) after being awake, anxiety degree and nursing effect (incidence of complications, incidence of infection and patient satisfaction) were compared between the two groups., Results: The postoperative hospital stay, rescue success rate and GCS after intervention in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group (P < .05). The degree of anxiety in the observation group after intervention was superior to that in the control group (P < .05), similar results were obtained in terms of the nursing effect in the observation group compared with the control group (P < .05)., Conclusion: Comprehensive nursing was associated with the shortness of hospitalisation time of patients, improved rescue rate, reduced occurrence of complications and infection, and improved satisfaction of patients. Thus, comprehensive nursing was regarded to exert protective effect with a promising future for clinical practice., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The effectiveness of bone repair is determined by the balance of proliferative and destructive factors in the fracture union site. It can be enhanced by using various nanostructured materials possessing osteoinductive properties, in particular titanium implants with biodegradable calcium phosphate coatings. The effects of these coatings on the state of stem cells, their differentiation and distribution in the repair zone is unknown., Objective: To study the dynamics of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of stem cells after experimental fracture followed by implantation of titanium implants with calcium phosphate coatings., Methods: The localization of proliferation (PCNA) and differentiation (CD44 and osteocalcin) factors and apoptotic molecules (MDM2, p53, caspase-3) was studied in a rat femoral fracture model with implant placement. Titanium implant screws with bioactive calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite coatings formed by plasma electrolytic oxidation were used in the study. Experimental rats were arranged into three groups (15 animals per group): control group; rats implanted with uncoated implants; and rats implanted with coated implants. Control rats were subject to a similar fracture as experimental ones and were allowed to heal conservatively. Rats from all groups were sampled on days 7, 14, and 30 after injury., Results: Low-differentiated PCNA-, osteocalcin-, and CD44-immunopositive cells were localized around the implant in the inner layer of the periosteum, layer of outer circumferential lamellae, and connective tissue lining of haversian canals. The spatial density of cells expressing the above proliferation and differentiation factors, as well as that of MDM2-immunoreactive cells, increased on day 7 and decreased by day 30 after injury. The spatial density of apoptotic cells reached the maximum on day 14 after injury. They were mainly found in the inner layer of the periosteum and outer circumferential lamellae. p53- and caspase-3-positive cells occurred on the surface of the concentric lamellae surrounding haversian canals and under the periosteum. Their spatial density decreased by day 30 after injury., Conclusions: Calcium phosphate coatings stimulate cell proliferation at early stages of fracture restoration and apoptotic cell death at later stages. Coating components may provide positional information guiding the differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells. A change in the activity of apoptotic factors, osteocalcin, and CD44 is caused by gene induction in response to the diffusion of calcium phosphate compounds from coating to surrounding tissue.

Objective: The aim: To find out density of melatonin receptors 1A in the neurons of the lateral preoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus in mature and old rats under various light conditions., Patients and Methods: Materials and methods: The study was carried out on 72 albino mature and old rats with light conditions appropriate for the experiment. To find out circadian differences of melatonin receptors 1A the material for the study was taken at 2 p.m. and 2 a.m. Visualization of primary antibodies against melatonin receptors 1A (Abcam) was conducted by means of the polymeric system Dako and diaminobenzidine staining under the microscope Delta Optical Evolution 100. The intensity of staining was assessed on the digital copies of images according to computer microdensitometry method., Results: Results: Immunohistochemical examinations conducted enable to suggest that melatonin receptors 1A in the neurons of the lateral preoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus respond to different light conditions. In particular, intensity of immunohistochemical staining to melatonin receptors 1A under conditions of light deprivation increases both in mature and old rats, but it decreases under conditions of light stimulation. The parameter is higher at 2 a.m. as compared with 2 p.m. Intensity of immunohistochemical staining to melatonin receptors 1A in the neurons of the lateral preoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus is always lower in old rats than in mature ones., Conclusion: Conclusions: Density of melatonin receptors 1A in the neurons of the lateral preoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus is subordinated to the circadian rhythm: it increases at night and decreases in the daytime. At the same time, light stimulation results in disorders of the rhythm and development of desynchronization.

Phosphatidylinositol mannosides (PIMs) have been investigated as lipidic antigens for a new subunit tuberculosis vaccine. A non-natural diacylated phosphatidylinositol mannoside (Ac2PIM2) was designed and synthesized by mimicking the natural PIM6 processing procedure in dentritic cells. This synthetic Ac2PIM2 was achieved from α-methyl d-glucopyranoside 1 in 17 steps in 2.5% overall yield. A key feature of the strategy was extending the use of the chiral myo-inositol building block A to the O-2 and O-6 positions of the inositol unit to allow for introducing the mannose building blocks B1 and B2, and to the O-1 position for the phosphoglycerol building block C. Building block A, being a flexible core unit, may facilitate future access to other higher-order PIM analogues. A preliminary antigenic study showed that the synthetic PIM epitope (Ac2PIM2) was significantly more active than natural Ac2PIM2, which indicated that the synthetic Ac2PIM2 can be strongly immunoactive and may be developed as a potential vaccine.

Objective: This study is aimed at analysing the endogenous metabolites profiling of patients with diabetic osteoporosis, so as to provide the reference for pathogenesis research of diabetic osteoporosis., Patients and Methods: The 1H-NMR metabolomics technology, combined with pattern recognition analysis and SIMCA-P 12.0 statistical analysis, were employed to identify the metabolites differences between diabetic patients with disordered bone metabolism (research group) and healthy volunteers (normal group) in this study., Results: Compared with normal group, the results show that in research group, the levels of O-acetyl glycoprotein, proline, 1-methyl histidine, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) product (citric acid and α-ketoglutaric acid) decline, while the levels of branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine), glucose, choline, creatine, inositol, glutamine, aspartic acid, alanine, glycine, and citrulline increase., Conclusions: There are disordered metabolic pathways and imbalanced bone synthetic materials and regulatory substances in diabetic patients with bone metabolic abnormality. These metabolic abnormalities could be the specific indicators in early diagnosis of diabetic osteoporosis.

PGL-1 epitope 1 bearing a p -aminoethylphenol group was efficiently synthesized by using linear synthetic routes. A method for efficient synthesis of oligosaccharides containing rhamnose rings was developed. The chemistry is flexible and could be used for the synthesis of other PGLs antigens. A biotinylated PGL-1 antigen 23 was synthesized and could be used as a probe for early detection of leprosy.

Background: Sustaining proliferation is the most fundamental step for breast cancer tumor genesis. Accelerated proliferation is usually linked to the uncontrolled cell cycle. However, the internal and external factors linked to the activation of breast cancer cell cycle are still to be investigated., Methods: quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting assay were used to detect the expression of potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 12 (KCTD12) in breast cancer. MTT and colony formation assays were performed to evaluate the effect of KCTD12 on cell proliferation of breast cancer. Anchorage-independent growth assay was used to examine the in vitro tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells. Flow cytometry assay, qPCR, and Western blotting were used to investigate the detailed mechanisms of KCTD12 on breast cancer progression., Results: Herein, the result showed that the level of KCTD12 is significantly decreased in breast cancer tissues and cells, and lower level of KCTD12 predicts poorer survival for patients with breast cancer. Further cell function tests illustrated that downregulation of KCTD12 significantly promotes cell proliferation and in vitro tumor genesis. Besides, molecular biologic experiments showed that downregulation of KCTD12 can enhance the G1/S transition through activating the AKT/FOXO1 signaling., Conclusion: Our study inferred that downregulation of KCTD12 can be a novel factor for poor prognosis in breast cancer., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Kinesin superfamily (KIFs) has a long-reported significant influence on the initiation, development, and progress of breast cancer. However, the prognostic value of whole family members was poorly done. Our study intends to demonstrate the value of kinesin superfamily members as prognostic biomarkers as well as a therapeutic target of breast cancer., Methods: Comprehensive bioinformatics analyses were done using data from TCGA, GEO, METABRIC, and GTEx. LASSO regression was done to select tumor-related members. Nomogram was constructed to predict the overall survival (OS) of breast cancer patients. Expression profiles were testified by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Transcription factor, GO and KEGG enrichments were done to explore regulatory mechanism and functions., Results: A total of 20 differentially expressed KIFs were identified between breast cancer and normal tissue with 4 (KIF17, KIF26A, KIF7, KIFC3) downregulated and 16 (KIF10, KIF11, KIF14, KIF15, KIF18A, KIF18B, KIF20A, KIF20B, KIF22, KIF23, KIF24, KIF26B, KIF2C, KIF3B, KIF4A, KIFC1) overexpressed. Among which, 11 overexpressed KIFs (KIF10, KIF11, KIF14, KIF15, KIF18A, KIF18B, KIF20A, KIF23, KIF2C, KIF4A, KIFC1) significantly correlated with worse OS, relapse-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) of breast cancer. A 6-KIFs-based risk score (KIF10, KIF15, KIF18A, KIF18B, KIF20A, KIF4A) was generated by LASSO regression with a nomogram validated an accurate predictive efficacy. Both mRNA and protein expression of KIFs are experimentally demonstrated upregulated in breast cancer patients. Msh Homeobox 1 (MSX1) was identified as transcription factors of KIFs in breast cancer. GO and KEGG enrichments revealed functions and pathways affected in breast cancer., Conclusion: Overexpression of tumor-related KIFs correlate with worse outcomes of breast cancer patients and can work as potential prognostic biomarkers., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© The Author(s) 2020.)

Little is known about the crystal chemistry of neptunyl peroxide compounds compared to uranyl peroxide compounds, for which dozens of structures have been described. Uranyl peroxides are formed over a broad range of pH and solution conditions, but neptunyl peroxide chemistry is complicated by the ability of H 2 O 2 to act as an oxidizing or reducing agent for Np, depending on the conditions present. The combination of Np(V) in 1 M HCl, H 2 O 2 , and CaCl 2 under alkaline conditions leads to the immediate crystallization of a neptunyl triperoxide monomer, Ca 2 [NpO 2 (O 2 ) 3 ]·9H 2 O, which is the first Np(VI)-based peroxide compound to be characterized in the solid state and is isostructural to Ca 2 [UO 2 (O 2 ) 3 ]·9H 2 O. The crystal structure reveals bond distances of 1.842(7) Å that are the longest reported to date for nonbridging Np(VI)-O yl bonds. Computational studies probe the oxidation state and bond distances of the monomer unit and differences in Raman spectra of the neptunyl and uranyl triperoxide compounds.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is sensitive to radiotherapy (RT). However, neurocognitive complications such as memory loss and learning and attention deficits emerge in the survivors of NPC who received RT. It remains unclear how radiation affects patient brain function. This pilot study aimed at finding cerebral functional alterations in NPC patients who have received RT., Methods: From September 2014 to December 2016, 42 individuals, including 22 NPC patients and 20 normal volunteer controls in National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, were recruited in this study. All patients received resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans and neurocognitive tests 1 day before the initiation of RT (baseline) and 1 day after the completion of RT; the 20 normal controls were also subjected to the same scans and tests. The amplitude of the low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in blood oxygen level-dependent signals and functional connectivity (FC) were used to characterize cerebral functional changes. Independent t test, paired t test, and analysis of variances were used to obtain statistical significance across groups., Results: After RT, NPC patients showed significantly decreased ALFF values in the calcarine sulcus, lingual gyrus, cuneus, and superior occipital gyrus and showed significantly reduced FC mainly in the default mode network (P < 0.05, corrected by AlphaSim). Relative to the controls, ALFF was decreased in the lingual gyrus, calcarine sulcus, cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal gyrus (P < 0.05, corrected by AlphaSim), and FC reduction was found in multiple cerebellar-cerebral regions, including the cerebellum, parahippocampus, hippocampus, fusiform gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, precuneus, and cingulate cortex (P < 0.001, corrected by AlphaSim)., Conclusions: Cerebral functional alterations occur immediately after RT. This study may provide an explanation for the cognitive deficits in the morphologically normal-appearing brains of NPC patients after RT and may contribute to the understanding of the complex mechanism of RT.

Moutai is a world-famous traditional Chinese liquor with complex taste and aroma, which are considered to be strongly influenced by the quality of fermentation starters (Daqu). However, the role of microbial communities in the starters has not been fully understood. In this study, we revealed the microbial composition of 185 Moutai starter samples, covering three different types of starters across immature and mature phases, and functional gene composition of mature starter microbiome. Our results showed that microbial composition patterns of immature starters varied, but they eventually were similar and steady when they became mature starters, after half-year storage and subsequent mixing. To help identify two types of immature starters, we selected seven operational taxonomic unit (OTU) markers by leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) and an OTU classified as Saccharopolyspora was the most decisive one. For mature starters, we identified a total of 16 core OTUs, one of which annotated as Bacillus was found positively associated with saccharifying power. We also identified the functional gene and microbial composition in starch and cellulose hydrolysis pathways. Microbes with higher abundances of alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase, and glucoamylase probably contributed to high saccharifying power. Overall, this study reveals the features of Moutai starter microbial communities in different phases and improves understanding of the relationships between microbiota and functional properties of the starters.

A resident population of dendritic cells (DCs) has been identified in murine bone marrow, but its contribution to the regulation of hematopoiesis and establishment of the stem cell niche is largely unknown. Here, we show that murine bone marrow DCs are perivascular and have a type 2 conventional DC (cDC2) immunophenotype. RNA expression analysis of sorted bone marrow DCs shows that expression of many chemokines and chemokine receptors is distinct from that observed in splenic cDC2s, suggesting that bone marrow DCs may represent a unique DC population. A similar population of DCs is present in human bone marrow. Ablation of conventional DCs (cDCs) results in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) mobilization that is greater than that seen with ablation of bone marrow macrophages, and cDC ablation also synergizes with G-CSF to mobilize HSPCs. Ablation of cDCs is associated with an expansion of bone marrow endothelial cells and increased vascular permeability. CXCR2 expression in sinusoidal endothelial cells and the expression of two CXCR2 ligands, CXCL1 and CXCL2, in the bone marrow are markedly increased following cDC ablation. Treatment of endothelial cells in vitro with CXCL1 induces increased vascular permeability and HSPC transmigration. Finally, we show that HSPC mobilization after cDC ablation is attenuated in mice lacking CXCR2 expression. Collectively, these data suggest that bone marrow DCs play an important role in regulating HSPC trafficking, in part, through regulation of sinusoidal CXCR2 signaling and vascular permeability.

Individual and joint action of two water-soluble drugs, DMSO and tilorone, on model l-α-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) membranes were studied in equilibrium and kinetic regimes by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). For equilibrium experiments, the drugs were introduced during preparation of the model membrane. In kinetic studies, one of the drugs was added to the DPPC membrane already containing the other drug, and the effects of drug-membrane interactions were monitored in real-time regime. It was found that tilorone and DMSO had opposite effects on the membrane melting temperature, which were non-additive under joint introduction of these drugs. Analysis of kinetics of DSC profiles under drugs introduction allowed us to discriminate two processes in drug-membrane interactions with different characteristic times, i.e., drug sorption onto the membrane (minutes) and drug diffusion through stacks of lipid bilayers (hours). It was established that 0.1 mol% DMSO effectively enhanced membrane penetration for tilorone with the rate of tilorone diffusion being dependent upon the scheme of drugs administration. A model was proposed describing how sorption of a dopant onto lipid membrane could affect the membrane permeability for other dopants. Conditions were determined for enhancement of membrane permeability, as it was observed for DPPC/DMSO/tilorone system., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Biodegradable implant coatings promote proliferation and expression of BMP-2, VEGF, and TGF-β2 genes and enhance BMP-2, VEGF, and TGF-β2 regulatory effects at different stages of reparative osteogenesis., Objective: To study the topography and ratio of PCNA-, VEGF-, BMP-2-, and TGF-β2-immunoreactive cells in rat femoral bone after closed fracture and implantation of titanium implants with biodegradable calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite coatings., Methods: Standard titanium implant screws and similar implants with bioactive coatings were used. A total of 18 rats were randomly divided into three groups, two experimental and a control one. The rats in the first experimental group were implanted with implants without specific coating, while those in the second group, with implants with specific coatings. The control rats were subjected to the same fracture as the experimental ones without subsequent implantation. On days 7, 14, and 30 of experiment, the rats were sampled for histological examination. Histological sections were prepared and processed for PCNA, BMP-2, VEGF, and TGF-β2 immunoreactivity., Results: In the regeneration zone, PCNA-immunoreactive cells substantially outnumbered other immunoreactive cell types. During the first two weeks after fracture, in the immediate vicinity of implant surface, the rate of VEGF production increased in osteoblast subpopulations and level of TGF-32 immunoreactivity decreased in chondroblasts. The level of TGF-32 was maximum on day 30 of experiment. BMP-2-immunoreactive osteocytes were found in the zone of external general plates. They accumulated at implants with calcium phosphate coating. Their number gradually increased by day 30 of experiment., Conclusions: The present data suggest that biodegradable implant coatings promote proliferation and expression of BMP-2, VEGF, and TGF-β2 genes and enhance BMP-2, VEGF, and TGF-β2 regulatory effects at different stages of reparative osteogenesis.

We prepared a new class of chiral C 2 -symmetric bicyclic bisborane catalysts by addition reactions of internal dienes with the Piers borane, HB(C 6 F 5 ) 2 , and an analogue, HB(p-C 6 F 4 H) 2 . The dependence of the addition pattern on the reaction temperature allowed us to selectively prepare two diastereomeric catalysts from a single diene precursor. The bisboranes prepared in situ exhibited excellent activity (turnover numbers up to 200 at -40 °C) and enantioselectivity (up to 95 % ee) in imine hydrogenation reactions., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Gene therapy with herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene (HSV-TK), which is also known as "suicide" gene therapy, is effective in various tumor models. The lack of a safe and efficient gene delivery system has become a major obstacle to "suicide" gene therapy. In this study, the cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency of graphene oxide-hydroxyapatite (GO-Hap) were analyzed by MTS and flow cytometry, respectively. A series of assays were performed to evaluate the effects of GO-HAp/p-HRE/ERE-Sur-TK combined with ganciclovir treatment on growth of human breast normal and cancer cells. The results showed that GO-HAp nanocomposites effectively transfected cells with minimum toxicity. GO-HAp/p-HRE/ERE-Sur-TK combined with ganciclovir treatment inhibited the proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in cancer cells, while the cytotoxic effects are tolerable in normal breast cells. We conclude that the GO-HAp nanocomposites have significant potential as a gene delivery vector for cancer therapy.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been emerged as significant wound healing agents because of their improved mechanical properties. However, the green synthesized silver nanoparticleshave reported significant wound healing action in Albino rats which was validated by the measurement of wound closure rate. Silver nanoparticles were efficiently synthesized using Euphorbia milii leaf extract. The UV-visible spectra recorded the effect of the reaction time on AgNPs synthesis and was indentified that the peak became shaper with an increase in time, which corresponds to increase in the number of nanoparticles formed from the reduction of silver ions present in the aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction technique and corresponding XRD patterns confirmed the biphasic nature of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles. However, low magnification TEM images presented monodispersed AgNPs with their size ranging from 20 to 30 nm while SAED diffraction pattern disclosed their crystalline nature. Furthermore, the wound healing activity of AgNPs was examined through the excision wound model by measuring the rate of wound closure and Group II (treated with 10% Ointment base with biosynthesized AgNPs) revealed significant wound healing activity over Control group and Group I (treated with Standard Nitrofurazone ointment) in Albino rats., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Introduction: The pathogenesis of spina bifida depends on time, region, race and ethnicity. It is found in 4.7 per 10.000 of live born children worldwide. The aim: The incidence in children of Northern Bukovina was analyzed. The spina bifida incidence for 2007-2016 in this region, as well as, compared to some countries according to EUROCAT data was studied., Patients and Methods: Materials and methods: A retrospective study to analyze the risk factors for spina bifida was carried out. A case-control study was conducted using clinical records of 34 children with this pathology (16 boys and 18 girls) aged 0-18 years living in Northern Bukovina. 44 case records of healthy children (26 boys and 18 girls) were compared., Results: Results: According to EUROCAT, the prevalence of spina bifida in the studied countries varied in the range of 0.13-0.50‰. The spina bifida incidence in Northern Bukovina (0.22 ‰) does not exceed the statistics for Ukraine (0.29 ‰) throughout the study period., Conclusion: Conclusions: This study provides a comprehension overview of a number of factors determining spina bifida risks: third pregnancy, miscarriage, high emotional stress during pregnancy, TORCH infection in pregnant, poor housing, maternal age, co-habiting, residence near contaminated lands, hard physical work preconceptionally, smoking habits, military service, etc. The most probable spina bifida preventive factors in children are: high school education of parents and using folic acid during the first trimester of pregnancy. Nevertheless, our data present new factual material, which requires further in-depth study, it is already clear that all the above indicators are associated with increased risk for spina bifida-complicated pregnancies.

Nano zero-valent iron/activated carbon (nZVI/AC) composites were prepared via liquid phase chemical precipitation and then characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller theoretical methods for an analysis of the structure, morphology, physical and chemical characteristics of the composites. The effects of the reaction system, nZVI loading, initial pH, and dosage on antimony removal were investigated and the removal mechanisms were discussed. These results indicate that nZVI/AC can be successfully prepared via liquid phase chemical precipitation. In an N 2 atmosphere, a dosage of 0.2 g·L -1 , 15% nZVI/AC with an initial pH of 7.5 (the pH of raw water) was prepared. After a reaction duration of 2 h, the removal rate of Sb(Ⅴ) had reached 76.2% and the effluent concentration had decreased to only 23.8 μg·L -1 . These results show that Fe 2+ plays a major mechanistic role in the removal of Sb(Ⅴ) from the system and is the major active substance in the reaction process. In combination with an analysis of elemental Sb on the surface of the nZVI/AC before and after reaction, the removal process relies on the reduction of Fe(0) and Fe 2+ , Sb(Ⅴ) reducted into Sb(Ⅲ) and through adsorption removal.

A new fluorescent probe, 6-amino-1,3-naphthalenedisulfonic acid (ANDSA), has been developed for the determination of trace nitrite in different waters. This probe is based on the selective reaction of nitrite with ANDSA in hydrochloric acid solution to form the corresponding diazonium acid in sodium hydroxide solution at room temperature. The diazonium acid produced has high fluorescence intensity at 488 nm (excitation at 367 nm), whereas ANDSA has high fluorescence intensity at 465 nm (excitation at 354 nm). The synchronous fluorescence (Δλ = 121 nm) spectrum and the first-derivative synchronous fluorescence spectrum of diazonium acid greatly overlapped with those of ANDSA. The zero-crossing method was used to measure the first-derivative value (dF/dλ) of the first-derivative spectra, in which physical separation of excess ANDSA was unnecessary. The zero-crossing point was located at 351.2 nm for ANDSA, at which dF/dλ of diazonium acid was proportional to the nitrite concentration. Therefore, dF/dλ at 351.2 nm was selected as the analytical signal. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the signal intensity was linear over a nitrite concentration range of 0.006-0.075 mg L -1 , with a correlation coefficient better than 0.9994. The limit of detection was 2.1 μg L -1 for the determination of nitrite by the proposed method. The relative standard deviation of the method for the determination of nitrite in real water samples was below 2.45%, and the corresponding recoveries were between 95.7% and 104.1%. The validity of the proposed method was further confirmed by comparison with the reference method with use of the t test. Graphical abstract ANDSA reacts with nitrite to form diazonium acid with higher fluorescence intensity. For ANDSA, dF/dλ was zero at 351.2 nm, whereas dF/dλ of diazonium acid at 351.2 nm was close to the maximum value.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the pathways of primary tumor invasion (PTI) and regional lymph node (LN) spread based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in early-stage nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL), to improve clinical target volume (CTV) delineation and evaluate the prognostic value of locoregional extension patterns., Methods and Materials: A total of 105 patients with newly diagnosed early-stage nasal NKTCL who underwent pretreatment MRI were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy., Results: The incidences of PTI and regional LN involvement were 64.7% and 25.7%, respectively. Based on the incidence of PTI, involved sites surrounding the nasal cavity were classified into 3 risk subgroups: high-risk (>20%), intermediate-risk (5%-20%), and low-risk (<5%). The most frequently involved site was the nasopharynx (35.2%), followed by the maxillary (21.9%) and ethmoid (21.9%) sinuses. Local disease and regional LN spread followed an orderly pattern without LN skipping. The retropharyngeal nodes (RPNs) were most frequently involved (19.0%), followed by level II (11.4%). The 5-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and locoregional control (LRC) rates for all patients were 72.8%, 65.2%, and 90.0%, respectively. The presence of PTI and regional LN involvement based on MRI significantly and negatively affected PFS and OS., Conclusions: Early-stage nasal NKTCL presents with a high incidence of PTI but a relatively low incidence of regional LN spread. Locoregional spread followed an orderly pattern, and PTI and regional LN spread are powerful prognostic factors for poorer survival outcomes. CTV reduction may be feasible for selected patients., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

For non-biodegradable volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with low water solubility, the tradition biological method can not achieve a satisfactory removal efficiency, so development of high efficiency pre-treatment technology is a hot issue of research. In this experiment, using poor biodegradable chlorobenzene as the target pollutant and dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) non-thermal plasma as the pretreatment technology for biotrickling filter (BTF) , the effect of DBD on the degradation of chlorobenzene was studied by adjusting the technical parameters of DBD. The effects of the inlet concentration, residence time, humidity and peak voltage on decomposition efficiency were investigated and the decomposition products of chlorobenzene were analyzed. Experimental results showed that DBD could effectively remove waste gaseous chlorobenzene, the removal rate of chlorobenzene increased with the increasing peak voltage. When the peak voltage was ≥ 12kV, less effect of residence time on the degradation of chlorobenzene was found. The optimal humidity range of degradation chlorobenzene was 65% - 75%. Through the analysis of degradation products, the species and concentrations of degradation products increased with the increase of discharge voltage. The products were mainly consisted of organic acids and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The water solubility of degradation products was preferable. Furthermore, with the increase of discharge voltage, the biodegradability of degradation products became higher and higher and the biological toxicity was reduced. It had a promoting effect on the degradation of chlorobenzene when the voltage reached 20 kV. Meanwhile, the O3 concentration increased with the increasing discharge voltage and also enhanced with the rising humidity under the same voltage.