Early determination of potential critical quality attributes of therapeutic antibodies in developability studies through surface plasmon resonance-based relative binding activity assessment.

Precise measurement of the binding activity changes of therapeutic antibodies is important to determine the potential critical quality attributes (CQAs) in developability assessment at the early stage of antibody development. Here, we report a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based relative binding activity method, which incorporates both binding affinity and binding response and allows us to determine relative binding activity of antibodies with high accuracy and precision. We applied the SPR-based relative binding activity method in multiple forced degradation studies of antibody developability assessment. The current developability assessment strategy provided comprehensive, precise characterization of antibody binding activity in the stability studies, enabling us to perform correlation analysis and establish the structure-function relationship between relative binding activity and quality attributes. The impact of a given quality attribute on binding activity could be confidently determined without isolating antibody variants. We identified several potential CQAs, including Asp isomerization, Asn deamidation, and fragmentation. Some potential CQAs affected binding affinity of antibody and resulted in a reduction of binding activity. Certain potential CQAs impaired antibody binding to antigen and led to a loss of binding activity. A few potential CQAs could influence both binding affinity and binding response and cause a substantial decrease in antibody binding activity. Specifically, we identified low abundance Asn33 deamidation in the light chain complementarity-determining region as a potential CQA, in which all the stressed antibody samples showed Asn33 deamidation abundances ranging from 4.2% to 27.5% and a mild binding affinity change from 1.76 nM to 2.16 nM.

Comparison of low-cost phantoms for ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy training.

INTRODUCTION: Phantoms and simulators are widely accepted methods to gain valuable experience and confidence for inexperienced trainees prior to seeing their patient and for refining their skills. A phantom model that is durable, simple, and inexpensive to produce and use would be ideal to train practitioners in ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (USFNA) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we systematically compared several low-cost phantom models including gelatin, extra firm tofu, canned cooked pork, ballistics gel, and chicken breast for their haptic properties, echogenicity, teaching utility, and overall performance based on a Likert scale (1-5; 5 = best). Nine cytopathologists and cytopathology fellows who perform FNA regularly evaluated these models and completed the survey. RESULTS: The gelatin phantom, with a gelatin to water ratio of 1:8 by weight, was found to be the best for USFNA practice and overall performance, followed by the 1:10 gelatin phantom. Tofu and chicken breast phantoms were also good low-cost alternatives that needed only a few minutes of total preparation time. CONCLUSIONS: Low-cost, homemade phantoms can serve as excellent alternatives to commercial phantoms for practicing and teaching USFNA.

Identifying spatial agglomeration and driving forces of land use by green industries: a case study of Jiangsu Province, China.

In response to China's aims of becoming "carbon-neutral," the development of green industries such as renewable energy and recycling has flourished. Based on 2015 and 2019 data, this study uses spatial autocorrelation to analyze the evolution of land use by the green industries in Jiangsu Province. The Geodetector model was also applied to identify the driving factors underlying these spatial patterns. The spatial variability of green industrial land use in Jiangsu Province is significant, with the land-use area gradually decreasing from Southern to Northern Jiangsu. In terms of spatial-temporal changes, there is an increase in land use and a trend of expansion in the central and northern regions of Jiangsu. Land use by green industries in the province exhibits a more significant spatial clustering pattern but with a weakened clustering effect. The clustering types are mainly H-H and L-L, with the H-H type distributed mainly in the Su-Xi-Chang region and the L-L type distributed mainly in the Northern Jiangsu region. The levels of technology, economic development, industrialization, and industrial diversification are important individual driving factors, and the interaction among the different factors enhances their driving forces. This study suggests that spatial spillover effects should be focused to promote the coordinated development of regional energy-saving and environmental protection industries. At the same time, joint efforts should be made from the aspects of resources, government, economy, and related industries to promote the agglomeration of land for energy-saving and environmental protection industries.

Assessment and dynamic mechanisms of the land-use dominant morphology transition: a case study of Hainan Province, China.

This paper was aimed at providing a perspective on the assessment of land-use dominant transition. Based on the transfer matrix of land-use type, the dynamic degree of dominant morphology transition was measured, and an active degree index was proposed. The spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics were assessed and analyzed by land use change characteristics in different phases. Our assessment resulted in three types of spatiotemporal differentiation of Hainan Province in China. The whole island can be divided into three regions with two parallel lines at 45° based on spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics. The "slow-type" was distributed in four eastern counties (cities), "steady-type" was distributed in 13 central and western counties (cities), and the "active-type" was distributed in four central counties (cities). Over three phases, namely 2010-2011, 2012-2015, and 2015-2018, four levels of spatiotemporal differentiation of the 21 counties (cities) were assessed, and they were relatively stable, leaping, declining, and unstable. Areas of new construction and fixed assets investments consumed by increased construction land were the positive factors of land-use dominant transition, while output values of secondary industries and area of industrial-mining per capita were the negative factors. Based on these results, a more informative examination of LULC was proposed, and all resulting land management policies will be more targeted and effective.

Assessment of Port-Specific Pain After Gynecological Laparoscopy: A Prospective Cohort Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between pain related to laparoscopic port sites and different incision sizes after gynecological laparoscopy. DESIGN: Prospective, cohort trial Canadian Task Force classification 2-II. SETTING: Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, China. PATIENTS: Two hundred patients who underwent three-port laparoscopic gynecological procedures for benign indications. INTERVENTIONS: In total, 200 patients underwent laparoscopic gynecological procedures. Each patient had three incisions, one in the left lower abdomen, measuring 5, 10, or 15 mm based on the type of surgery, another measuring 10 mm in the umbilical port, and the third one measuring 5 mm, in the right lower abdomen. Port-related pain was registered and measured by visual analogue score (VAS). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The VAS score showed statistically significant differences between 5-, 10-, and 15-mm port sites at each time point (24 and 72 hours) (P < .05); the score elevated as the size of the incision increased. Pain was significantly lower at the umbilical port sites at 24 hours than in the left lower abdominal port sites with incisions of the same (10 mm) size (P = .013) and also significantly lower in the right lower abdominal port sites than in the left lower abdominal port sites with incisions of the same (5 mm) size (P = .041). Specimen extraction port significantly affected the 24-hour pain intensity, while specimen extraction port, surgical time, and previous abdominal surgery affected the 72-hour pain intensity. CONCLUSIONS: The size of port sites is the most important factor related to port-specific pain.

System approach for evaluating the potential yield and plantation of Jatropha curcas L. on a global scale.

Many Jatropha curcas Linnaeus (JCL) plantations have been established in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. To assess the potential of JCL for biofuel production, the potential areas for JCL plantations, and the yields of JCL must be estimated as accurately as possible. Here, we present a system approach to estimate JCL yields, classify yield levels, and estimate productivity of future JCL plantations. We used a process-based net primary productivity (NPP) model to estimate potential JCL yields. The model estimated that the potential yield of JCL dry seed will vary from 0 to 7.62 ton ha(-1) y(-1), in contrast to estimates of 1.50-7.80 ton ha(-1) y(-1) from previous assessments. We formulated a zoning scheme that takes into account land cover status and potential yield levels. This scheme was used to evaluate the potential area and production of future plantations at the global, regional, and national levels. The estimated potential area of JCL plantations is 59-1486 million hectares worldwide, and the potential production is 56-3613 million ton dry seed y(-1). This study provides scientific information on global patterns of potential plantation areas and yields, which can be used to support bioenergy policy makers to plan commercial-scale JCL plantations.