Citrate anticoagulation in plasma exchange followed by continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of regional citrate-anticoagulated (RCA) plasma exchange (PE) and whether citrate-related metabolic disorders can be improved by sequential RCA continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). METHODS: This retrospective, single-center observational study included 79 critically ill children requiring PE followed by CRRT (June 2018 to June 2021) at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Hunan Children's Hospital, China. Patients were divided into the RCA-PE (n = 30) and systemic heparin anticoagulation (SHA-PE) (n = 49) groups. Filter level comparison post-PE assessed RCA-PE efficacy, and metabolic changes occurring pre- and post-PE and CRRT were used to evaluate the effect of CRRT on RCA-based anticoagulation safety. RESULTS: The RCA-PE group had a better overall filter performance than the SHA-PE group. Two hours after PE, pH and HCO3- levels increased more significantly for the RCA-PE than the SHA-PE group. The RCA-PE incidence of metabolic alkalosis was 48.3%, higher by 4.2% (p < 0.001) compared to the SHA-PE group. In the RCA-PE group, pH and HCO3- decreased significantly 4 h after CRRT; the metabolic alkalosis caused by RCA-PE decreased to 13.8% (p = 0.005). No significant difference in pH, HCO3-, and metabolic alkalosis incidence was observed between the two groups 4 h after CRRT. CONCLUSIONS: The overall filtration performance of RCA-PE is superior to that of SHA-PE followed by CRRT. The metabolic complications associated with RCA-PE are mainly metabolic alkalosis that can be improved by using CRRT after RCA-PE and this is a better alternative for anticoagulation during PE in critically ill children.

Diallyl disulfide downregulating RhoGDI2 induces differentiation and inhibit invasion via the Rac1/Pak1/LIMK1 pathway in human leukemia HL-60 cells.

Leukemia is a type of disease in which hematopoietic stem cells proliferate clonally at the genetic level. We discovered previously by high-resolution mass spectrometry that diallyl disulfide (DADS), which is one of the effective ingredients of garlic, reduces the performance of RhoGDI2 from APL HL-60 cells. Although RhoGDI2 is oversubscribed in several cancer categories, the effect of RhoGDI2 in HL-60 cells has remained unexplained. We aimed to investigate the influence of RhoGDI2 on DADS-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells to elucidate the association among the effect of inhibition or over-expression of RhoGDI2 with HL-60 cell polarization, migration and invasion, which is important for establishing a novel generation of inducers to elicit leukemia cell polarization. Co-transfection with RhoGDI2-targeted miRNAs apparently decreases the malignant biological behavior of cells and upregulates cytopenias in DADS-treated HL-60 cell lines, which increases CD11b and decreases CD33 and mRNA levels of Rac1, PAK1 and LIMK1. Meanwhile, we generated HL-60 cell lines with high-expressing RhoGDI2. The proliferation, migration and invasion capacity of such cells were significantly increased by the treated with DADS, while the reduction capacity of the cells was decreased. There was a reduction in CD11b and an increase in CD33 production, as well as an increase in the mRNA levels of Rac1, PAK1 and LIMK1. It also confirmed that inhibition of RhoGDI2 attenuates the EMT cascade via the Rac1/Pak1/LIMK1 pathway, thereby inhibiting the malignant biological behavior of HL-60 cells. Thus, we considered that inhibition of RhoGDI2 expression might be a new therapeutic direction for the treatment of human promyelocytic leukemia. The anti-cancer property of DADS against HL-60 leukemia cells might be regulated by RhoGDI2 through the Rac1-Pak1-LIMK1 pathway, which provides new evidence for DADS as a clinical anti-cancer medicine.

Prognostic implications of left ventricular torsion measured by feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

AIMS: The prognostic implication of left ventricular (LV) torsion on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) findings of 420 patients from a registry study (NCT03768453). These patients received CMR examination within 1 week after timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention. LV torsion and other CMR indexes were measured. Compared with healthy control subjects, STEMI significantly decreased patients' LV torsion (1.04 vs. 1.63°/cm, P < 0.001). During follow-up (median, 52 months), the reduction of LV torsion was greater in patients with than without composite major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs, 0.79 vs. 1.08°/cm, P < 0.001). The risk of MACCEs would increase to 1.125- or 1.092-fold, and the risk of 1-year LV remodelling would increase to 1.110- or 1.082-fold for every 0.1°/cm reduction in LV torsion after adjustment for clinical or CMR parameters respectively. When divided dichotomously, patients with LV torsion≤ 0.802°/cm had significantly higher risk of MACCEs (40.2 vs. 12.3%, P < 0.001) and more remarkable LV remodelling (46.1 vs. 11.9%, P < 0.001) than patients with better LV torsion. The addition of LV torsion to conventional prognostic factors such as the LV ejection fraction and infarction size led to a better risk classification model of patients for both MACCEs and LV remodelling. Finally, tobacco use, worse post-PCI flow, and greater microvascular obstruction size were presumptive risk factors for reduced LV torsion. CONCLUSION: LV torsion measured by CMR is closely associated with the prognosis of STEMI and would be a promising indicator to improve patients' risk stratification. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03768453.

The potential role of lactulose pharmacotherapy in the treatment and prevention of diabetes.

The non-absorbable disaccharide lactulose is mostly used in the treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders such as chronic constipation and hepatic encephalopathy. The mechanism of action of lactulose remains unclear, but it elicits more than osmotic laxative effects. As a prebiotic, lactulose may act as a bifidogenic factor with positive effects in preventing and controlling diabetes. In this review, we summarized the current evidence for the effect of lactulose on gut metabolism and type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevention. Similar to acarbose, lactulose can also increase the abundance of the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium as well as suppress the potentially pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli. These bacterial activities have anti-inflammatory effects, nourishing the gut epithelial cells and providing a protective barrier from microorganism infection. Activation of peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) can influence secondary bile acids and reduce lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxins. A low dose of lactulose with food delayed gastric emptying and increased the whole gut transit times, attenuating the hyperglycemic response without adverse gastrointestinal events. These findings suggest that lactulose may have a role as a pharmacotherapeutic agent in the management and prevention of type 2 diabetes via actions on the gut microbiota.

Effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on expression of CYR61, FSH, and AMH in mice with premature ovarian failure.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on the expression of CYR61, FSH and AMH in mice with premature ovarian failure. For this purpose, thirty SPF female SD mice were selected as the research object, 10 of which were control group, namely group α, and 20 mice with premature ovarian failure model were established by cyclophosphamide. The mice were divided into the model group, namely the ß group and the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation group (γ group), with 10 mice in each group. ELSA method was used to determine the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (Estradiol) in serum. The changes of E2, Antimullerian hormone (AMH) and cysteine-rich protein 61 in ovarian tissues were determined by the protein imprinting method. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and caspase-3 protein expression. Results showed that in fertility rate, γ group > α group > ß group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), in litter size, α group > γ group > ß group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The levels of serum E2 and AMH in α group > γ group > ß group, and the levels of serum FSH and LH in ß group > γ group > α group were statistically significant (P<0.05). The growth follicles were α group > γ group > ß group, and the atresia follicles were ß group > γ group > α group, and there was a statistical difference among all groups (P<0.05). There was no difference in luteal number among the three groups (P>0.05). In terms of CYR61 and CTGF protein expression, α group > γ group > ß group, and in terms of caspase-3, ß group > γ group > α group had statistical significance (P<0.05). It is concluded that intervention with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can significantly improve the expression levels of CYR61 and AMH, reduce the level of FSH, promote cell survival, improve the reproductive quality of mice, and restore the physiological function of the ovary. It is feasible to treat premature ovarian failure with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

Effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on expression of CYR61, FSH and AMH in mice with premature ovarian failure.

The aim of this study was to objective to investigate the effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on the expression of CYR61, FSH and AMH in mice with premature ovarian failure. For this purpose, thirty SPF female SD mice were selected as the research object, 10 of which were control group, namely group α, and 20 mice with premature ovarian failure model were established by cyclophosphamide. The mice were divided into model group, namely ß group and the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation group (γ group), with 10 mice in each group. ELSA method was used to determine the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (Estradiol) in serum. The changes of E2, Antimullerian hormone (AMH) and cysteine-rich protein 61 in ovarian tissues were determined by the protein imprinting method. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and caspase-3 protein expression. Results showed that in fertility rate, γ group > α group > ß group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), in litter size, α group > γ group > ß group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The levels of serum E2 and AMH in α group > γ group > ß group, and the levels of serum FSH and LH in ß group > γ group > α group were statistically significant (P<0.05). The growth follicles were α group > γ group > ß group, and the atresia follicles were ß group > γ group > α group, and there was a statistical difference among all groups (P<0.05). There was no difference in luteal number among the three groups (P>0.05). In terms of CYR61 and CTGF protein expression, α group > γ group > ß group, and in terms of caspase-3, ß group > γ group > α group had statistical significance (P<0.05). It is concluded that intervention with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can significantly improve the expression levels of CYR61 and AMH, reduce the level of FSH, promote cell survival, improve the reproductive quality of mice, and restore the physiological function of the ovary. It is feasible to treat premature ovarian failure with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

Electronic Topological Transition as a Route to Improve Thermoelectric Performance in Bi0.5 Sb1.5 Te3.

The electronic structure near the Fermi surface determines the electrical properties of the materials, which can be effectively tuned by external pressure. Bi0.5 Sb1.5 Te3 is a p-type thermoelectric material which holds the record high figure of merit at room temperature. Here it is examined whether the figure of merit of this model system can be further enhanced through some external parameter. With the application of pressure, it is surprisingly found that the power factor of this material exhibits λ behavior with a high value of 4.8 mW m-1 K-2 at pressure of 1.8 GPa. Such an enhancement is found to be driven by pressure-induced electronic topological transition, which is revealed by multiple techniques. Together with a low thermal conductivity of about 0.89 W m-1 K-1 at the same pressure, a figure of merit of 1.6 is achieved at room temperature. The results and findings highlight the electronic topological transition as a new route for improving the thermoelectric properties.

Impact of Concomitant Impairments of the Left and Right Ventricular Myocardial Strain on the Prognoses of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: The impact of concomitant impairments of left and right ventricular (LV and RV) strain on the long-term prognosis of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not clear. Methods: We analyzed CMR images and followed up 420 first STEMI patients from the EARLY Assessment of MYOcardial Tissue Characteristics by CMR in STEMI (EARLY-MYO-CMR) registry (NCT03768453). These patients received timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 12 h and CMR examination within 1 week (median, 5 days; range, 2-7 days) after infarction. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) of both ventricles were measured based on CMR cine images. Conventional CMR indexes were also assessed. Primary clinical outcome was composite major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) including cardiovascular death, re-infarction, re-hospitalization for heart failure and stroke. In addition, CMR data from 40 people without apparent heart disease were used as control group. Results: Compared to controls, both LV and RV strains were remarkably reduced in STEMI patients. During follow-up (median: 52 months, interquartile range: 29-68 months), 80 patients experienced major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) including cardiovascular death, re-infarction, heart failure, and stroke. LV-GCS > -11.20% was an independent predictor of MACCEs (P < 0.001). RV-GRS was the only RV strain index that could effectively predict the risk of MACCEs (AUC = 0.604, 95% CI [0.533, 0.674], P = 0.004). Patient with RV-GRS ≤ 38.79% experienced more MACCEs than those with preserved RV-GRS (log rank P < 0.001). Moreover, patients with the concomitant decrease of LV-GCS and RV-GRS were more likely to experience MACCEs than patients with decreased LV-GCS alone (log rank P = 0.010). RV-GRS was incremental to LV-GCS for the predictive power of MACCEs (continuous NRI: 0.327; 95% CI: 0.095-0.558; P = 0.006). Finally, tobacco use (P = 0.003), right coronary artery involvement (P = 0.002), and LV-GCS > -11.20% (P = 0.012) was correlated with lower RV-GRS. Conclusions: The concomitant decrease of LV and RV strain is associated with a worse long-term prognosis than impaired LV strain alone. Combination assessment of both LV and RV strain indexes could improve risk stratification of patients with STEMI. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03768453. Registered 7 December 2018 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03768453.

[Analysis of hidden blood loss after percutaneous kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture and its influencing factors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hidden blood loss and related risk factors of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures after percutaneous kyphoplasty. METHODS: The clinical data of 153 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures who underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty from March 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, including 55 males and 98 females, aged 68 to 87(78.6±11.4) years old. Erythrocyte specific volume was collected before and after operation to calculate the hidden blood loss. The influence of sex, age, body mass index, bone mineral density, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, operation mode (unilateral or bilateral), operation time, operative segment and number, loss height of vertebral body and recovery height ratio on hidden blood loss was analyzed by multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: Postoperative hidden blood loss was (287.7±68.5) ml. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the history of diabetes mellitus (ß=2.405, P=0.012), the mode of operation(ß=3.042, P<0.001), the time of operation (ß=2.043, P=0.038), the operative segment (ß=1.993, P=0.043), the number (ß=0.374, P<0.001), the loss of vertebral height (ß=2.785, P=0.003) and the recovery ratio(ß=7.301, P<0.001) were correlated with occult hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: There is a certain degree of occult hemorrhage in kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The risk factors of hidden hemorrhage are diabetes history, operation method, operation time, operative segment and number, loss of vertebral height and recovery ratio.

An Advanced Backcross Population through Synthetic Octaploid Wheat as a "Bridge": Development and QTL Detection for Seed Dormancy.

The seed dormancy characteristic is regarded as one of the most critical factors for pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) resistance. As a wild wheat relative species, Aegilops tauschii is a potential genetic resource for improving common wheat. In this study, an advanced backcross population (201 strains) containing only Ae. tauschii segments was developed by means of synthetic octaploid wheat (hexaploid wheat Zhoumai 18 × Ae. tauschii T093). Subsequently, seed dormancy rate (Dor) in the advanced backcross population was evaluated on the day 3, 5 and 7, in which 2 major QTLs (QDor-2D and QDor-3D) were observed on chromosomes 2D and 3D with phenotypic variance explained values (PVEs) of 10.25 and 20.40%, respectively. Further investigation revealed significant correlation between QDor-3D and Tamyb10 gene, while no association was found between the former and TaVp1 gene, implying that QDor-3D site could be of closer position to Tamyb10. The obtained quantitative trait locus sites (QTLs) in this work could be applied to develop wheat cultivars with PHS resistance.

Vertebral bone marrow diffusivity in healthy adults at 3T diffusion-weighted imaging.

BACKGROUND: There has been controversy surrounding the relationship between diffusivity and age in vertebral bone marrow. In particular, gender-related factors that influence the vertebral bone marrow conditions have not yet been identified. PURPOSE: To determine the age- and gender-related diffusivity changes of the lumbar bone marrow by measuring the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 125 healthy adult volunteers were enrolled in this study. Sagittal magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the lumbar spine was performed. The ADC values of vertebral bone marrow were measured and compared between gender and age groups. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the ADC values and age. RESULTS: The ADC values of the female participants were significantly higher than those of the male participants (P = 0.023). Among individuals aged less than 50 years, the ADC values of the female participants were significantly higher than those of the male participants (P < 0.001). The ADC values of the pre-menopausal female participants were significantly higher than post-menopausal female participants (P < 0.001). The ADC value was also significantly and negatively correlated with age (r = -0.334, P = 0.001), particularly among women (r = -0.581, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Bone marrow ADC values of the lumbar spine demonstrated gender- and age-related differences. In particular, gender difference occurred among participants aged less than 50 years. These findings likely reflect changes in the cellular component of the lumbar bone marrow.

Evaluation of the clinical value of carbon nanoparticles as lymph node tracer in differentiated thyroid carcinoma requiring reoperation.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of parathyroid injury in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) who underwent reoperation is significantly higher than that incurred from the initial surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical value of carbon nanoparticles (CN) as tracers for lymph nodes to guide cervical lymph node dissection and protect the parathyroid during reoperation for DTC. METHODS: Our study recruited 116 patients with DTC who previously underwent thyroidectomy and later received remedial surgical treatment at the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, China, between February 2011 and February 2014. Those patients were randomly divided into the experimental group (the CN group) with 64 cases and the control group with 52 cases. Carbon nanoparticle suspension (CNS, 0.1-0.3 ml) was intraoperatively injected into the residual thyroid or enlarged lymph nodes in the CN group; in the control group, CNS was not applied intraoperatively. The differences in identification of the parathyroid glands, the number of lymph nodes resected intraoperatively, and the incidence of common complications after thyroidectomy in both groups were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The accuracy of identification of the parathyroid in the CN group and control group was 92.2 % and 28.8 %, respectively, and the identification rate of three glands or more in both groups was 75 % and 36.5 %, respectively; those differences were statistically significant between the two groups (P < 0.05). There was also a significant difference between the two groups in the number of lymph nodes removed in the central and lateral cervical compartments (P < 0.05). There was no increase in common complications after the second surgery compared with the previous surgery; in addition, there was a decline in the incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism (HPT) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: By tracing the thyroid and cervical regional lymph nodes with carbon nanoparticles, the parathyroid glands can be easily identified and protected to reduce the complications of transient hypoparathyroidism resulting from reoperation for residual or missed DTC. Carbon nanoparticle tracers also facilitate radical resection of lymph nodes at the central and lateral compartments of the neck.

Effect of ATorvastatin On Chronic subdural Hematoma (ATOCH): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease that is more prevalent in older people. Surgical intervention is a safe treatment of choice. However, the recurrence rate is relatively high and the outcome is not always satisfactory among surgically treated patients. It is believed that aberrant angiogenesis and intracapsular inflammation contribute to the development of CSDH. Atorvastatin is reported to promote angiogenesis and suppress inflammation. We have recently shown that atorvastatin is effective to non-surgically reduce and eliminate CSDH with minimal side effects. Here, we report a clinical research trial protocol that is designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of atorvastatin on CSDH. METHODS/DESIGN: We have designed a multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial for evaluating the efficacy of oral atorvastatin in reducing CSDH. We have so far recruited 96 patients with CT-confirmed or MRI-confirmed CSDHs from 16 medical centers in China. These patients were originally recruited for the Oriental Neurosurgical Evidence-based Study Team (ONET) study. After informed consent is provided, patients are randomized to receive either atorvastatin (oral 20 mg/night for 8 weeks) or placebo (dextrin for 8 weeks); and followed for 16 weeks after the treatment. The primary outcome is the change in hematoma volume at the end of 8-week treatment. Secondary outcomes include: changes in 1) the hematoma volume at the 4(th), 12(th), and 24(th) weeks; 2) Markwalder's Grading Scale and Glasgow Coma Scale (MGS-GCS); 3) Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) and 4) Activities of Daily Life-the Barthel Index scale (ADL-BI). Safety will be assessed during the study by monitoring adverse events, laboratory tests, electrocardiography (ECG), measurements of vital signs (temperature, pulse, and blood pressure) and body weight. DISCUSSION: Results of this trial will provide critical information regarding whether atorvastatin is an effective and safe alternative to surgical treatment of CSDH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier--NCT02024373 The date of trial registration: 7 August 2013.

[Correlation factors of lymph node metastasis in patients with clinical stage T1a non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological features in patients with clinical stage T1a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Clinicopathological data of a total of 418 patients who underwent lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection were retrospectively analyzed. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological features. RESULTS: Lymph node metastasis was observed in 25 patients. There were 122 patients who were diagnosed as ground glass opacity with no lymph node metastasis. 399 patients had subcarinal dissection, among them 7 patients were found to have lymph node metastasis. Univariate analysis showed that gender, smoking history, diameter of lymph node, ground glass opacity (GGO), differentiation of the tumor and tumor site were the factors affecting lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that diameter of lymph node, differentiation of the tumor and the site of lesion were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis of NSCLC. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor in the left lung, poor differentiation, and diameter of lymph nodes ≥ 1 cm on the preoperative CT image are independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis of NSCLC, hence we should pay attention before surgery and systematic lymph node dissection should be done. For patients with poor differentiation and lymph nodes ≥ 1 cm, subcarinal lymph nodes dissection is recommended for the sake of higher possibility of lymph node metastasis. For patients with ground glass opacity ≤ 2 cm, the lymph node metastasis is extremely rare, therefore, selective lymph node dissection is reconmmended.

Influence of electric current pulses on the solidification of Cu-Bi-Sn immiscible alloys.

Continuous solidification experiments were carried out with Cu-Bi-Sn alloys under the effects of Electric Current Pulses (ECPs). A model describing the microstructure evolution was developed. The formation of the microstructure in the continuously solidified alloys was calculated. The calculations demonstrated that ECPs mainly affect the solidification process through changing the energy barrier for the nucleation of the minority phase droplets (MPDs). When the matrix liquid has a lower electric conductivity compared to the MPD, the ECPs lead to a decrease in the energy barrier for the nucleation of the MPDs which then promote the formation of a finely dispersed microstructure. When the matrix liquid has a higher electric conductivity compared to the MPD, the ECPs cause an increase in the energy barrier for the nucleation and lead to the formation of a phase segregated microstructure.

Synthesis of biomimetic poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorycholine]-coated magnetite nanoparticles via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization.

Modification of magnetite nanoparticles with biomimetic poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorycholine] (poly(MPC)) via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was carried out. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and zeta potential studies indicated that well defined poly (MPC) was successfully grafted on the surface of magnetite nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction results showed the structure of magnetite nanoparticles after surface modification was not changed. The poly (MPC)-coated magnetite nanoparticles had a mean transmission electron microscopy (TEM) diameter of 11 +/- 1.5 nm. The resulting nanomaterials were superparamagnetic at room temperature, exhibited good colloidal stability in aqueous media and good responsibility to magnetic field. Such magnetite nanoparticles with biomimetic surface have potential application in prolonging circulation time in vivo.

Settling behaviour of pellet flocs in pelleting flocculation process: analysis through operational conditions.

Pellet flocs' settling velocity is an important parameter in the pelleting flocculation blanket (PFB) process, hence, it is necessary to investigate flocs' settling behaviour to achieve the optimum operation parameters of the process. To investigate the settling behaviour of pellets under different operational conditions, a dynamic experiment was carried out to concentrate ferric flocs sludge by pelleting flocculation blanket (PFB) process with the scale of 0.5-1.2 m3/h. Under different operating conditions such as raw water concentration, polyacrylamide (PAM) dosage, up-flow rate, and agitation speed, pellet particles were sampled from different locations of the blanket in various operating stages to analyze pellet size, setting velocity, and porosity. Experimental results indicated that, when the PAM dosage increased from 0.59 mg/L to 1.18 mg/L, pellets size would flocculated from 2.25 mm to 3.52 mm with the settling velocity accelerated from 3.28 mm/s to 7.37 mm/s, while under the same up-flow rate, agitation intensity and PAM dosage, accompany with the raw water concentration increased from 216 mg/L to 840 mg/L, pellets settling velocity would improved from 6.03 mm/s to 13.6 mm/s. Under the experimental condition, along with the up-flow rate increased from 13.3 m/h to 40 m/h, pellets settling velocity would decreased from 4.39 mm/s to 3.42 mm/s due to its lower density.

Overexpression of RhoE in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is associated with smoking and correlates with DNA copy number changes.

RhoE, a small G protein, is constitutively GTP bound within the cell and can regulate actin cytoskeleton reorganization, leading to the appearance of aggregates of actin filaments. Although emerging evidence suggests that RhoE is causally involved in cancer formation and progression, little is known about its significance in solid cancer, including lung cancer. In the present study, the expression of RhoE was analyzed using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot in 30 patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Then the correlation of RhoE overexpression with clinical parameters was evaluated. Furthermore, the possible reasons contributing to the RhoE expression were examined by real-time genomic PCR and mutation analysis on DNA sequence and cDNA sequence. Our results revealed that RhoE expression was dramatically increased in lung cancer tissues compared with adjacent nontumoral lung tissues (p <0.01). Immunohistochemistry showed a strong cytoplasmic staining in cancer cells compared with positive membrane staining in adjacent nontumoral proliferative alveolar epitheliums. Moreover, the overexpression of RhoE was significantly associated with the patients' smoking history (p <0.05). 72% tumor tissues displayed DNA copy number changes based on the DNA levels in the matched adjacent nontumoral lung tissues and this copy number changes correlated significantly with RhoE expression and smoking history (p <0.05). Three polymorphisms were identified but no correlation was found with the clinicopathological features. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that overexpression of RhoE correlated with smoking and DNA copy number changes, suggesting that RhoE may serve as a molecular marker to identify high-risk individuals and assist in the identification of additional pathways of carcinogenesis.