Local Structure and Crystallization Transformation of Hydrous Ferric Arsenate in Acidic H2O-Fe(III)-As(V)-SO42- Systems: Implications for Acid Mine Drainage and Arsenic Geochemical Cycling.

Hydrous ferric arsenate (HFA) is a common thermodynamically metastable phase in acid mine drainage (AMD). However, little is known regarding the structural forms and transformation mechanism of HFA. We investigated the local atomic structures and the crystallization transformation of HFA at various Fe(III)/As(V) ratios (2, 1, 0.5, 0.33, and 0.25) in acidic solutions (pH 1.2 and 1.8). The results show that the Fe(III)/As(V) in HFA decreases with decreasing initial Fe(III)/As(V) at acidic pHs. The degree of protonation of As(V) in HFA increases with increasing As(V) concentrations. The Fe K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray absorption near-edge structure results reveal that each FeO6 is linked to more than two AsO4 in HFA precipitated at Fe(III)/As(V) < 1. Furthermore, the formation of scorodite (FeAsO4·2H2O) is greatly accelerated by decreasing the initial Fe(III)/As(V). The release of As(V) from HFA is observed during its crystallization transformation process to scorodite at Fe(III)/As(V) < 1, which is different from that at Fe(III)/As(V) ≥ 1. Scanning electron microscopy results show that Oswald ripening is responsible for the coarsening of scorodite regardless of the initial Fe(III)/As(V) or pH. Moreover, the formation of crystalline ferric dihydrogen arsenate as an intermediate phase at Fe(III)/As(V) < 1 is responsible for the enhanced transformation rate from HFA to scorodite. This work provides new insights into the local atomic structure of HFA and its crystallization transformation that may occur in AMD and has important implications for arsenic geochemical cycling.

Altered gut microbiome composition in nontreated plaque psoriasis patients.

Recent studies have demonstrated that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is associated with psoriasis, but these studies showed some conflicting results. Our study examined differences in microbiome composition associated in people with psoriasis and those without. Comparing individuals with their healthy partners was a second strategy. We explored the fecal microbiota among 32 nontreated plaque psoriasis patients, 15 healthy controls and 17 healthy couples by metagenomic gene sequencing. The relative levels of intestinal microbiota of the psoriasis cohort differed from those in healthy controls and these patients' partners. However, there was no microbial diversity among these three cohorts. On the level of the phylum, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes' relative abundances were reversed. Escherichia coli was significantly enriched in the psoriasis group compared with the healthy people and the healthy spouses. Gene functional analysis indicated that Ribosome (ko03010) was upregulated, Flagellar assembly (ko02040) and Bacterial chemotaxis (ko02030) were downregulated in the psoriasis cohort compared with the healthy individuals and the healthy spouses. The microbiota in severe psoriasis patients differed from those with milder conditions. These findings strongly support the association between intestinal flora and psoriasis. It is necessary to perform more meaningful experiments to identify whether the differences of gut microbiota are the cause or consequences of psoriasis in future.

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Synchrotron X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy for Highly Sensitive Characterization of Calcium Arsenates.

Calcium arsenates such as pharmacolite (CaHAsO4·2H2O), haidingerite (CaHAsO4·H2O), and weilite (CaHAsO4) are important sinks for arsenic in mine tailings as well as other natural and contaminated sites and are useful for reducing the mobility and bioavailability of this toxic metalloid in the environment. However, calcium arsenates usually occur in trace amounts dominated by other phases, making their detection, identification, and quantification challenging. In this contribution, pharmacolite, haidingerite, and weilite are shown to exhibit subtle but distinct postedge differences in As K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra and feature characteristic [AsO3]2-, [AsO4]2-, and [AsO4]4- radicals, all derived from the diamagnetic [HAsO4]2- precursor during γ-ray irradiation, in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. In particular, the 75As (nuclear spin I = 3/2 and natural isotope abundance = 100%) hyperfine coupling constants of the [AsO3]2- radicals in pharmacolite and haidingerite as well as other minerals (e.g., calcite and gypsum) are clearly distinct, allowing the unambiguous identification of calcium arsenates by the EPR technique readily at ∼0.1 wt %. Similarly, linear combination fittings of As K-edge XANES spectra demonstrate that pharmacolite and haidingerite at ∼0.1 wt % each in gypsum-rich mixtures can be detected and quantified as well. Therefore, a combination of the EPR and XANES techniques is a powerful approach for the highly sensitive characterization of calcium arsenates in the quest for the safe management and remediation of arsenic contamination. This work demonstrates the highly sensitive characterization of calcium arsenates by integrated electron paramagnetic resonance and synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Mechanisms for Pressure-Induced Isostructural Phase Transitions in EuO.

We study pressure-induced isostructural electronic phase transitions in the prototypical mixed valence and strongly correlated material EuO using the global-hybrid density functional theory. The simultaneous presence in the valence of highly localized d- and f-type bands and itinerant s- and p-type states, as well as the half-filled f-type orbital shell with seven unpaired electrons on each Eu atom, have made the description of the electronic features of this system a challenge. The electronic band structure, density of states, and atomic oxidation states of EuO are analyzed in the 0-50 GPa pressure range. An insulator-to-metal transition at about 12 GPa of pressure was identified. The second isostructural transition at approximately 30-35 GPa, previously believed to be driven by an oxidation from Eu(II) to Eu(III), is shown instead to be associated with a change in the occupation of the Eu d orbitals, as can be determined from the analysis of the corresponding atomic orbital populations. The Eu d band is confined by the surrounding oxygens and split by the crystal field, which results in orbitals of e_{g} symmetry (i.e., d_{x^{2}-y^{2}} and d_{2z^{2}-x^{2}-y^{2}}, pointing along the Eu-O direction) being abruptly depopulated at the transition as a means to alleviate electron-electron repulsion in the highly compressed structures.

Tumor suppressor ATP4B serve as a promising biomarker for worsening of gastric atrophy and poor differentiation.

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen/potassium ATPase ß (ATP4B) is a proton pump acting an essential role in gastric acid secretion. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of ATP4B and its biological role in tumor progression in gastric cancer. METHODS: The correlations between ATP4B expression level and clinicopathologic parameters, as well as the relevance of ATP4B expression with overall survival were assessed. The functional roles of ATP4B in gastric cancer were verified by gain- and loss-of-function cell models and tumor xenograft models. The possible downstream effects of ATP4B were analyzed by iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics analysis. RESULTS: A dramatic decrease in ATP4B was associated with malignant transformation in gastric mucosa lesions and correlated with poor differentiation. Restoration of ATP4B expression in gastric cancer cells significantly suppressed cell proliferation, cell viability, migration, invasion, tumorigenicity and induced apoptosis, whereas ATP4B silencing exerted the opposite effects. Mechanistically, we found a quality control on mitochondrial metabolism and functions in ATP4B-overexpression GC cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that decreasing ATP4B is an indicator for gastric mucosa malignant transformation and GC aggressive phenotype and it plays an inhibitory role in gastric cancer as a tumor suppressor via regulating mitochondrial metabolism and apoptosis pathway.

Sequestration of Selenite and Selenate in Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O): Insights from the Single-Crystal Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Synchrotron X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study.

Gypsum is the most common sulfate mineral on Earth's surface and is the dominant solid byproduct in a wide variety of mining and industrial processes, thus representing a major source for heavy metal(loid) contamination, including selenium. Gypsum crystals grown from the gel diffusion technique in 0.02 M Na2SeO4 solution at pH 7.5 and 0.02 M Na2SeO3 solutions at pH 7.5 and 9.0 contain 828, 5198, and 5955 ppm Se, respectively. Synchrotron Se K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopic analyses show that selenite and selenate are the dominant species in Se4+- and Se6+-doped gypsum, respectively. The single-crystal EPR spectra of Se4+- and Se6+-doped gypsum after gamma-ray irradiation reveal five selenium-centered oxyradicals: SeO2-(I), SeO2-(II), SeO2-(III), SeO3-, and HSeO42-. The former three radicals provide unequivocal evidence for the substitution of their paramagnetic precursor SeO32- for SO42- in the gypsum structure, while the latter two confirm the replacement of SeO42- for SO42-. These results demonstrate that gypsum has a significant capacity for sequestrating both selenite and selenate in the structure but has a marked preference for the former, thus confirming important controls on the mobility and bioavailability of selenium oxyanions and pointing to optimal applications of gypsum for remediating selenium contamination under neutral to alkaline conditions.

Rational Design and Synthesis of a Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Fluorinated Orthophosphate: BaZn(PO4)F.

Rational design and tailored synthesis of noncentrosymmetric compounds with nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, especially in the deep-ultraviolet (deep-UV) region, remains a great challenge. Herein, we report on the development of a modified fluoro-solvo-hydrothermal method with two additive reagents (trimethylamine and NaF solution) as the solvents, using BaFe(PO4)(OH) ( P212121) as the prototype, for the rational design and tailored synthesis of the first deep-UV fluorinated orthophosphate, BaZn(PO4)F. It crystallizes in the polar space group Pna21 and exhibits transparency down to deep-UV region (<190 nm) with SHG effect at 0.26 × KH2(PO4). Its structure is built from strictly alternating ZnO4F trigonal bipyramids and PO4 tetrahedra, resulting in a four-connected ABW-type zeolite framework. First-principles calculations confirm the deep-UV absorption edge and reveal that ZnO4F plays an essential role in the NLO properties. The synergetic effect of Zn and F atoms leads to its more polar crystal structure, much deeper absorption edge, and better SHG effect than the prototype.

A Novel Method to Detect Early Colorectal Cancer Based on Chromosome Copy Number Variation in Plasma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonoscopy screening has been accepted broadly to evaluate the risk and incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) during health examination in outpatients. However, the intrusiveness, complexity and discomfort of colonoscopy may limit its application and the compliance of patients. Thus, more reliable and convenient diagnostic methods are necessary for CRC screening. Genome instability, especially copy-number variation (CNV), is a hallmark of cancer and has been proved to have potential in clinical application. METHODS: We determined the diagnostic potential of chromosomal CNV at the arm level by whole-genome sequencing of CRC plasma samples (n = 32) and healthy controls (n = 38). Arm level CNV was determined and the consistence of arm-level CNV between plasma and tissue was further analyzed. Two methods including regular z score and trained Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier were applied for detection of colorectal cancer. RESULTS: In plasma samples of CRC patients, the most frequent deletions were detected on chromosomes 6, 8p, 14q and 1p, and the most frequent amplifications occurred on chromosome 19, 5, 2, 9p and 20p. These arm-level alterations detected in plasma were also observed in tumor tissues. We showed that the specificity of regular z score analysis for the detection of colorectal cancer was 86.8% (33/38), whereas its sensitivity was only 56.3% (18/32). Applying a trained SVM classifier (n = 40 in trained group) as the standard to detect colorectal cancer relevance ratio in the test samples (n = 30), a sensitivity of 91.7% (11/12) and a specificity 88.9% (16/18) were finally reached. Furthermore, all five early CRC patients in stages I and II were successfully detected. CONCLUSION: Trained SVM classifier based on arm-level CNVs can be used as a promising method to screen early-stage CRC.

Clinical Significance of Myeloid Zinc Finger 1 Expression in the Progression of Gastric Tumourigenesis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the clinical significance of myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) expression in various gastric mucosal lesions including chronic superficial gastritis (CSG), chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), dysplasia (DYS) and gastric cancer (GC) in comparison with normal tissues and gastric cell lines. METHODS: MZF1 protein expression was detected using immunohistochemical staining in 37 CSG, 88 CAG, 77 IM, 51 DYS, 165 GC and 8 normal tissue samples. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were used to detect the level of MZF1 in gastric cell lines, 15 normal tissues and 34 GC samples, as well as 2 groups of paired primary GC and adjacent normal samples. RESULTS: Reduced MZF1 expression was detected in most GC cells and tissues. Among the gastric tissues consisting of various stages of lesions (normal, CSG, CAG, IM, DYS and GC), MZF1 protein expression was downregulated in precancerous lesions and GC. The data from clinical analyses showed that decreased MZF1 expression was correlated with tumour invasion (p = 0.044), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.048) and poor prognosis of GC patients (p = 0.003). Moreover, MZF1 was identified as an independent prognostic biomarker for GC patients in multivariate Cox regression analysis (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Downregulation of MZF1 was associated with gastric tumourigenesis, which may be a novel early predictive and prognostic biomarker in GC patients.

A Decrease of Histone Deacetylase 6 Expression Caused by Helicobacter Pylori Infection is Associated with Oncogenic Transformation in Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) plays a role in the progression of many tumors. However, the relationship between the level of HDAC6 expression and gastric tumorigenesis is still unclear. Here, we illustrate the potential correlation between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and the variation of HDAC6 expression in different gastric lesions, as well as the clinical significance of HDAC6 expression in gastric cancer (GC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2011 and 2016, 364 patients with different types of gastric lesions were enrolled in Baotou City Central Hospital. Immunostaining of HDAC6 expression and HP infection were performed in the following cohort including 21 normal tissues (Normal); 40 samples with chronic superficial gastritis (CSG); 106 with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG); 94 with intestinal metaplasia (IM); 64 with dysplasia (DYS) and 39 with gastric cancer (GC). Survival analysis was performed in another 80 GC patients using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The level of HDAC6 expression was determined by Real-time PCR, Western blotting and IHC staining in gastric cell lines and tissues. Furthermore, the correlation between HDAC6 expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis was analyzed in the GC cohort. HP strains were lavaged into Kunming mice to investigate the effects of HP infection on the expression of different HDAC members in this mouse model. RESULTS: Higher levels of HDAC6 expression were detected in normal and premalignant lesions than in the GC tissues (p<0.01), and decreased HDAC6 expression was associated with HP infection and TNM stage (p<0.01 and p=0.048, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that HDAC6 expression was an independent predictor of the outcome of GC patients (p=0.04). HP mediated HDAC6 expression in the cell lines and KM mice. HP infection could promote HDAC1 and HDAC4 expression as determined by Western blotting. CONCLUSIONS: HDAC6 is a promising biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis during the oncogenic transformation of gastric cancer.

Sequestration of U(VI) from Acidic, Alkaline, and High Ionic-Strength Aqueous Media by Functionalized Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Capacity and Binding Mechanisms.

Uranium(VI) exhibits little adsorption onto sediment minerals in acidic, alkaline or high ionic-strength aqueous media that often occur in U mining or contaminated sites, which makes U(VI) very mobile and difficult to sequester. In this work, magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMSNs) were functionalized with several organic ligands. The functionalized MMSNs were highly effective and had large binding capacity for U sequestration from high salt water (HSW) simulant (54 mg U/g sorbent). The functionalized MMSNs, after U exposure in HSW simulant, pH 3.5 and 9.6 artificial groundwater (AGW), were characterized by a host of spectroscopic methods. Among the key novel findings in this work was that in the HSW simulant or high pH AGW, the dominant U species bound to the functionalized MMSNs were uranyl or uranyl hydroxide, rather than uranyl carbonates as expected. The surface functional groups appear to be out-competing the carbonate ligands associated with the aqueous U species. The uranyl-like species were bound with N ligand as η2 bound motifs or phosphonate ligand as a monodentate, as well as on tetrahedral Si sites as an edge-sharing bidentate. The N and phosphonate ligand-functionalized MMSNs hold promise as effective sorbents for sequestering U from acidic, alkaline or high ionic-strength contaminated aqueous media.

STAT3 signaling drives EZH2 transcriptional activation and mediates poor prognosis in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: STAT3 signaling plays the pivotal role in tumorigenesis through EZH2 epigenetic modification, which enhanced STAT3 activity by increased tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3. Here, another possible feedback mechanism and clinical significance of EZH2 and STAT3 were investigated in gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: STAT3, p-STAT3 (Tyr 705) and EZH2 expression were examined in 63 GC specimens with matched normal tissues by IHC staining. EZH2 and STAT3 were also identified in five GC cell lines using RT-PCR and western blot analyses. p-STAT3 protein was detected by western blotting. In order to investigate whether EZH2 expression was directly regulated by STAT3, EZH2 expression was further detected using siRNA for STAT3 or IL-6 stimulation, with dual luciferase reporter analyses, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. The clinical significance of STAT3, p-STAT3 and EZH2 expression was evaluated by multi-factor COX regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. RESULTS: Hyper-activation of STAT3, p-STAT3 and EZH2 expression were observed in GC cells and tissues. STAT3 signaling was correlated with EZH2 expression in GC (R = 0.373, P = 0.003), which was consistent with our data showing that STAT3 as the transcriptional factor enhanced EZH2 transcriptional activity by binding the relative promoter region (-214 ~ -206). STAT3 was an independent signature for poor survival (P = 0.002). Patients with STAT3+/EZH2+ or p-STAT3+/EZH2+ had a worse outcome than others (P < 0.001); Besides, high levels of STAT3 and EZH2 was associated with advanced TNM staging (P = 0.017). Moreover, treatment with a combination of siSTAT3 and EZH2-specific inhibitor, 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNEP), increased the apoptotic ratio of cells. It is benefit for targeting STAT3-EZH2 interplay in GC treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that STAT3 status mediated EZH2 upregulation, associated with advanced TNM stage and poor prognosis, suggesting that combination with knockdown of STAT3 and EZH2 inhibitor might be a novel therapy in GC treatment. Collectively, STAT3, p-STAT3 and EZH2 expression were provided for the precision medicine in GC patients.

Multiple Fluorine-Substituted Phosphate Germanium Fluorides and Their Thermal Stabilities.

Anhydrous compounds are crucially important for many technological applications, such as achieving high performance in lithium/sodium cells, but are often challenging to synthesize under hydrothermal conditions. Herein we report that a modified solvo-/hydro-fluorothermal method with fluoride-rich and water-deficient condition is highly effective for synthesizing anhydrous compounds by the replacement of hydroxyl groups and water molecules with fluorine. Two anhydrous phosphate germanium fluorides, namely, Na3[GeF4(PO4)] and K4[Ge2F9(PO4)], with chainlike structures involving multiple fluorine substitutions, were synthesized using the modified solvo-/hydro-fluorothermal method. The crystal structure of Na3[GeF4(PO4)] is constructed by the common single chains ∞1{[GeF4(PO4)]3-} built from alternating GeO2F4 octahedra and PO4 tetrahedra. For K4[Ge2F9(PO4)], it takes the same single chain in Na3[GeF4(PO4)] as the backbone but has additional flanking GeOF5 octahedra via an O-corner of the PO4 groups, resulting in a dendrite zigzag single chain ∞1{[Ge2F9(PO4)]4-}. The multiple fluorine substitutions in these compounds not only force them to adopt the low-dimensional structures because of the "tailor effect" but also improve their thermal stabilities. The thermal behavior of Na3[GeF4(PO4)] was investigated by an in situ powder X-ray diffraction experiment from room temperature to 700 °C. The modified solvo-/hydro-fluorothermal method is also shown to be effective in producing the most germanium-rich compounds in the germanophosphate system.

(11)B MAS NMR and First-Principles Study of the [OBO3] Pyramids in Borates.

Borates are built from the [Bϕ3] planar triangles and the [Bϕ4] tetrahedral groups, where ϕ denotes O or OH. However, the [Bϕ4] groups in some borates are highly distorted to include three normal B-O bonds and one anomalously long B-O bond and, therefore, are best described as the [OBO3] pyramids. Four synthetic borates of the boracite-type structures (Mg3B7O13Br, Cu3B7O13Br, Zn3B7O13Cl, and Mg3B7O13Cl) containing a range of [OBO3] pyramids were investigated by multifield (7.05, 14.1, and 21.1 T) (11)B magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR), triple quantum (3Q) MAS NMR experiments, as well as density functional theory calculations. The high-resolution (11)B MAS NMR spectra supported by theoretical predictions show that the [OBO3] pyramids are characterized by isotropic chemical shifts δiso((11)B) from 1.4(1) to 4.9(1) ppm and nuclear quadrupole parameters CQ((11)B) up to 1.3(1) MHz, both significantly different from those of the [BO4] and [BO3] groups in borates. These δiso((11)B) and CQ((11)B) values indicate that the [OBO3] pyramids represent an intermediate state between the [BO4] tetrahedra and [BO3] triangles and demonstrate that the (11)B NMR parameters of four-coordinate boron oxyanions are sensitive to local structural environments. The orientation of the calculated unique electronic field gradient tensor element Vzz of the [OBO3] pyramids is aligned approximately along the direction of the anomalously long B-O bond, corresponding to B-2pz with the lowest electron density.

Synergistically Enhanced Therapeutic Effect of a Carrier-Free HCPT/DOX Nanodrug on Breast Cancer Cells through Improved Cellular Drug Accumulation.

We are interested in developing systems for simultaneous delivery of two or more chemotherapeutic agents. Simple physical mixing of drugs may reduce the therapeutic effect and cause unexpected or even dangerous side-effects. For example, when 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) and doxorubicin (DOX) injection solutions are mixed, the curative effect is actually reduced in clinical practice. In this study we demonstrated that when HCPT and DOX are combined into a single nanoparticle, their toxicity to tumor cells in vitro is synergistically enhanced. We used a simple and "green" reprecipitation method to successfully create a carrier-free dual-drug delivery system by self-nanocrystallization of the drug molecules. When HCPT and DOX were coassembled, they formed small, spherical nanodrug particles with a positive surface charge. Cellular uptake of HCPT was improved and nuclear accumulation increased as much as 1.57-fold in comparison to HCPT alone. The carrier-free HCPT/DOX nanoparticles demonstrated enhanced synergistic cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells in vitro, while an antagonistic effect was observed when HCPT and DOX were directly mixed at high concentration.

Dimensional Reduction From 2D Layer to 1D Band for Germanophosphates Induced by the "Tailor Effect" of Fluoride.

The "tailor effect" of fluoride, exclusively as a terminal rather than a bridge, was applied successfully to design low-dimensional structures in the system of transition metal germanophosphates for the first time. Two series of new compounds with low-dimensional structures are reported herein. K[M(II)Ge(OH)2(H0.5PO4)2] (M = Fe, Co) possess flat layered structures built from single chains of edge-sharing M(II)O6 and GeO6 octahedra interconnected by HPO4 tetrahedra. Their fluorinated derivatives, K4[M(II)Ge2F2(OH)2(PO4)2(HPO4)2]·2H2O (M = Fe, Co), exhibit band structures of two four-membered ring germanium phosphate single chains sandwiched by M(II)O6 octahedra via corner-sharing. Both of these structures contain anionic chains of the condensation of four-membered rings built from alternating GeO4Φ2 (Φ = F, OH) octahedra and PO4 tetrahedra via sharing common GeO4Φ2 (Φ = F, OH) octahedra, the topology of which is the same as that of the mineral kröhnkite [Na2Cu(SO4)2·2H2O]. Note that the switch from the two-dimensional layered structure to the one-dimensional band structure was performed simply by the addition of a small amount of KF·2H2O to the reaction mixture. This structural alteration arises from the incorporation of one terminal F atom to the coordination sphere of Ge, which breaks the linkage between the transition metal and germanium octahedra in the layer to form the band structure.

Arsenic speciation in newberyite (MgHPO(4)·3H(2)O) determined by synchrotron X-ray absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies: implications for the fate of arsenic in green fertilizers.

Newberyite (MgHPO4·3H2O), a biomineral and common constituent in guano deposits, is an important decomposition product of struvite that is an increasingly popular green fertilizer recovered from wastewaters. Two samples of newberyite containing 1099 and 25 ppm As have been obtained at pH = 6.4, by using Na2HAsO4·7H2O and NaAsO2 as the dopant, respectively (i.e., Synthesis 1 and Synthesis 2). Synchrotron arsenic K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopic data of newberyite from Synthesis 1 show that As(5+) is dominant and has a local environment typical of the arsenate species. Single-crystal electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of gamma-ray-irradiated newberyite from Synthesis 1 contain two arsenic-associated oxyradicals: [AsO3](2-) and [AsO2](2-) derived from As(5+) and As(3+), respectively, at the P site. Quantitative analyses of powder EPR spectra allow determinations of the As(5+) and As(3+) contents in newberyite from Synthesis 1 and Synthesis 2. Elevated concentrations of arsenic also occur in natural newberyite transformed from struvite in guano deposits and record the accumulation of this metalloid in the food chain. Therefore, newberyite, which sequesters As during crystallization and retains this metalloid during the transformation from struvite, can attenuate arsenic contamination from green fertilizers in moderately acidic soils. Also, the capacity for accommodating both As(5+) and As(3+) in the crystal lattice coupled with simple chemistry and easy crystallization at ambient conditions makes newberyite an attractive material for remediation of arsenic contamination in aqueous environments.

miR-769-3p inhibits cellular proliferation of KSHV-infected SH-SY5Y cells through targeting mTOR.

The infection by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is one of the most common causes of death in AIDS patients. Our studies have found that KSHV can infect SH-SY5Y cells (named SK-RG) in vivo and mTOR was up-regulated, which results in remarkable enhancement of cell proliferation, migration. But the regulatory role of mTOR in KSHV infected neurons has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we find that miR-769-3p is decreased in SK-RG cells, which can exert anti-KSHV effect through negatively regulating the expression of mTOR. The knockdown of mTOR or overexpress of miR-769-3p decreased the proliferation, migration ability and cell cycle related protein of SK-RG cells, and the expression of KSHV related genes. In contrast, activating mTOR function by 3BDO treatment weakened the cellular behaviors of miR-769-3p overexpressing cells. Meanwhile, overexpressed miR-769-3p and rapamycin showed a shared inhibition trend in the effects on cell proliferation and motility. Our data indicated that miR-769-3p can inhibit cell proliferation and migration by down regulating mTOR in KSHV infected SH-SY5Y cells, and can be a candidate molecule for anti-KSHV therapy.

Develop prediction model to help forecast advanced prostate cancer patients' prognosis after surgery using neural network.

Background: The effect of surgery on advanced prostate cancer (PC) is unclear and predictive model for postoperative survival is lacking yet. Methods: We investigate the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, to collect clinical features of advanced PC patients. According to clinical experience, age, race, grade, pathology, T, N, M, stage, size, regional nodes positive, regional nodes examined, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, history of malignancy, clinical Gleason score (composed of needle core biopsy or transurethral resection of the prostate specimens), pathological Gleason score (composed of prostatectomy specimens) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are the potential predictive variables. All samples are divided into train cohort (70% of total, for model training) and test cohort (30% of total, for model validation) by random sampling. We then develop neural network to predict advanced PC patients' overall. Area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) is used to evaluate model's performance. Results: 6380 patients, diagnosed with advanced (stage III-IV) prostate cancer and receiving surgery, have been included. The model using all collected clinical features as predictors and based on neural network algorithm performs best, which scores 0.7058 AUC (95% CIs, 0.7021-0.7068) in train cohort and 0.6925 AUC (95% CIs, 0.6906-0.6956) in test cohort. We then package it into a Windows 64-bit software. Conclusion: Patients with advanced prostate cancer may benefit from surgery. In order to forecast their overall survival, we first build a clinical features-based prognostic model. This model is accuracy and may offer some reference on clinical decision making.