Synthesis of fluorescent and low cytotoxicity phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR)@Ag composites for cell imaging and antibacterial activity.

Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were loaded onto the surface of phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR) NPs without any reducing agent. The as-synthesized PFR@Ag composites have low cytotoxicity, which makes them promising antibacterial agents. Furthermore, the good fluorescence of PFR could be used for cell imaging.

Transformation Capability Optimization and Product Application Potential of Proteatia brevitarsis (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) Larvae on Cotton Stalks.

Cotton stalks (CS) are a potential agricultural biomass resource. We investigated the use of CS as a feed for Proteatia brevitarsis Lewis larvae and the resulting frass (larvae dung-sand) as a fertilizer. Based on a three-factor experiment (decomposition inoculant, fermentation duration, and cattle manure ratio), the optimal parameters for the transformation of CS using P. brevitarsis larvae were determined as 40-50% of cattle manure, the use of VT inoculant and a fermentation duration of 25-30 days. Regarding the products of the transformation, the protein content of the larval body was as high as 52.49%, and the fat content was 11.7%, which is a suitable-quality insect protein source. The organic matter content of larvae dung-sand was 54.8%, and the content of total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (TNPK) was 9.04%, which is twice more than that of the organic fertilizer standard (NY525-2021, Beijing, China, TNPK ≥ 4.0%), and larvae dung-sand has the potential of fertilizer application. Therefore, CS as a feed and fertilizer based on the transformation of P. brevitarsis larvae is feasible, and it is a highly efficient way to promote the utilization of both CS and cattle manure.

Study on Performance Tests and the Application of Construction Waste as Subgrade Backfill.

The application of construction waste as an aggregate in subgrade backfilling is an important recycling option. This study analyzed a subgrade backfill material consisting of lime-fly ash construction waste mixture (LFCWM). Compaction and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests were performed on LFCWM under different cement-aggregate ratios (CARs, 3:7, 4:6, 5:5, 8:2). Different normal stresses (100, 200, and 300 kPa) and aggregate sizes (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% of P4.75) were also evaluated. The experimental results indicated that: (1) when the CAR was 4:6, the optimum water content and the maximum dry density reached their maximum values of 10.1% and 2.03 g/cm3, respectively, the maximum CBR value was 42.5%, and the shear strength reached its maximum value. (2) With an increase in shear displacement, the shear stress showed a rapid initial increase, then a slow decrease, and finally tended to stabilize. (3) Normal stress had a positive effect on the shear strength of the mixture. (4) When P4.75 was 40%, the shear strength of LFCWM was the maximum. The research results have been successfully applied to road engineering, providing an important reference for the application of construction waste aggregate in roadbed engineering.

Prognostic value of IRF-2 expression in colorectal cancer.

Interferon regulatory factor 2 (IRF-2) is known to play a pivotal role in the development and progression of several malignancies. As a crucial member of interferon regulatory factor family, the association between the expression of IRF-2 and clinical prognostic significance has not been fully explored in colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of our study was to investigate the expression profile of IRF-2 in CRC and to examine its association with clinical features. The expression levels of IRF-2 in 18 paired CRC and non-cancerous colorectal tissues were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and those in 4 paired samples by Western blotting. The results showed a significant increase in IRF-2 mRNA expression and protein expression in CRC tissues compared to those in paired normal tissues. Besides, high expression of IRF-2 was significantly associated with distant metastasis (P = 0.041) and preoperative serum CEA level (P = 0.045). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with high expression of IRF-2 had a significantly worse overall survival than those with low expression of IRF-2 (P = 0.006). Further multivariate analysis indicated that IRF-2 and TNM stage were independent prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with CRC. Our study primarily suggests IRF-2 as a potential prognostic biomarker in CRC.

Fecal miR-29a and miR-224 as the noninvasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death around the world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that often are abnormally expressed in tumors. Detection and quantitation of miRNAs may provide information for the screening and early diagnosis of CRC. OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to determine whether fecal microRNAs (miR-29a, miR-145, miR-223, miR-224) could be used as biomarkers for the screening and early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective analysis of the miRNAs in fecal samples from 80 CRC patients and 51 normal controls. The levels of 4 miRNAs (miR-29a, miR-145, miR-223, and miR-224) were quantitated using the SYBR Green miScript PCR system and 2( - Δ Δ Ct) method. RESULTS: Our data indicated that the expression levels of miR-29a (p< 0.001), miR-223 (p< 0.001) and miR-224 (p< 0.001) are significantly lower in feces from CRC patients than these from normal volunteers, whereas their miR-145 levels are not significantly different (p= 0.59). Interestingly, the level of miR-29a (p< 0.001) in feces from individuals with rectum cancer is also significantly higher than that from patients with colon cancer. CONCLUSION: There are reduced expression of miR-29a, miR-223, and miR-224 in the feces from the CRC patients, which could be an informative biomarker for screening and early diagnosis of CRC.