Control of Zeolite Local Polarity toward Efficient Xenon/Krypton Separation.

The inherent inertness and striking physicochemical similarities of krypton and xenon pose significant challenges to their separation. Reported herein is the efficient xenon capture and xenon/krypton adsorptive separation by transition metal-free zeolites under ambient conditions. The polarized environment of zeolite, denoted as local polarity, can be tuned by changing the topology, framework composition, and counter-cations, which in turn correlates with the guest-host interaction and separation performance. Chabazite zeolite with a framework Si/Al ratio of 2.5 and Ca2+ as the counter-cations, namely, Ca-CHA-2.5, is developed as a state-of-the-art zeolite adsorbent, showing remarkable performance, i.e., high dynamic xenon uptake, high xenon/krypton separation selectivity, and good recyclability, in the adsorptive separation of the xenon/krypton mixture. Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulation reveals that extraframework Ca2+ cations act as the primary binding sites for xenon and can stabilize xenon molecules together with the chabazite framework, whereas krypton molecules are stabilized by weak guest-host interaction with the zeolite framework.

WWP2 binds to NKRF, enhances the NF-κB signaling, and promotes malignant phenotypes of acute myeloid leukemia cells.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the hematological malignancies with a high recurrence rate. WW domain-containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (WWP2) is identified as a pivotal regulator of tumor progression. This study aimed to assess the possible role of WWP2 in AML. Analysis of the GEPIA database indicated an elevated WWP2 expression in AML. We established stable WWP2-overexpressed or WWP2-silenced cells using lentivirus loaded with cDNA encoding WWP2 mRNA or shRNA targeting WWP2. Notably, WWP2 overexpression facilitated cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, which was manifested as the increase of colony formation number, S-phase percentage and cell cycle related protein levels. As observed, WWP2 knockdown presented opposite effects, leading to inhibition of tumorigenicity. Strikingly, WWP2 knockdown induced apoptosis, accompanied by upregulation of pro-apoptosis proteins cleaved caspase-9, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and downregulation of anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2. Functionally, we further confirmed that WWP2 overexpression enhanced the NF-κB signaling and upregulated the levels of downstream genes, which may contribute to aggravating the development of AML. More importantly, by co-immunoprecipitation assay, we verified that WWP2 bound to NF-κB-repressing factor (NKRF) and promoted NKRF ubiquitylation. Dramatically, NKRF overexpression abolished the role of WWP2 in facilitating the process of AML. Overall, our observations confirm that WWP2 exerts a critical role in the tumorigenicity of AML, and NKRF is regarded as an essential factor in the WWP2-mediated AML progression. WWP2 may be proposed as a promising target of AML.

Three stilbenes from pigeon pea with promising anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation activity.

Cajaninstilbene acid (CSA), longistylin A (LLA), and longistylin C (LLC) are three characteristic stilbenes isolated from pigeon pea. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of these stilbenes against Staphylococcus aureus and even methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and test the possibility of inhibiting biofilm formation. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of these stilbenes were evaluated. And the results showed that LLA was most effective against tested strains with MIC and MBC values of 1.56 µg/mL followed by LLC with MIC and MBC values of 3.12 µg/mL and 6.25 µg/mL as well as CSA with MIC and MBC values of 6.25 µg/mL and 6.25-12.5 µg/mL. Through growth curve and cytotoxicity analysis, the concentrations of these stilbenes were determined to be set at their respective 1/4 MIC in the follow-up research. In an anti-biofilm formation assay, these stilbenes were found to be effectively inhibited bacterial proliferation, biofilm formation, and key gene expressions related to the adhesion and virulence of MRSA. It is the first time that the anti-S. aureus and MRSA activities of the three stilbenes have been systematically reported. Conclusively, these findings provide insight into the anti-MRSA mechanism of stilbenes from pigeon pea, indicating these compounds may be used as antimicrobial agents or additives for food with health functions, and contribute to the development as well as application of pigeon pea in food science.

Perceived stress and influencing factors for the people at high risk to COVID-19 in centralized quarantine camps in Wenzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess stress levels and related factors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic among individuals in centralized quarantine camps in Wenzhou, China. METHODS: The survey was conducted using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, life events related to the COVID-19 and stressful situations, as well as Perceived Stress Scale-14. Participants included close contacts of patients with COVID-19 or at-risk individuals in quarantine camps. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze different factors affecting perceived stress. RESULTS: The prevalence of high stress among quarantine camp participants was 37.45%. Of the 881 respondents, 51.99% were concerned about the difficulty of controlling the epidemic, 46.20% were concerned about the health of themselves and their family members and 39.61% were concerned about not being able to leave their homes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the prevalence of stress among different groups for certain variables, including occupation, education level and knowledge of COVID-19 (all P < 0.05). Our study found that at-risk individuals and close contacts experienced high levels of stress in quarantine camps during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that centralized quarantine policies should be adapted and optimized to minimize negative psychological effects on quarantined individuals.

[Prospective,multi-center,and large-scale hospital centralized monitoring of clinical safety of Reduning Injection in 100249 children cases].

This study utilized a prospective, large-sample, multi-center, and registered key specialty approach of hospitals to monitor the application of Reduning Injection. A total of 100 249 adolescent patients aged 14 years and below who received Reduning Injection were monitored, resulting in 83 cases of adverse events, with 76 of them being classified as adverse drug reaction(ADR). The calculated incidence rate of ADR for Reduning Injection was 0.076%, indicating a very rare ADR. The main symptoms of ADR were pruritus, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, high fever, dyspnea, convulsion, and chills. All ADR cases were reported for the first time, including three new ADR cases and 73 known ADR cases. The categories of ADR was general ADR. All ADR was mild in severity. There were more males than females in ADR patients. One patient had a history of ADR, and the drug causing ADR was buprofen. The largest number of ADR cases occurred when the dosage of Reduning injection was 5-10 mL. The dropping speed was 30 drops or less per min, and the solvent type was 5% glucose injection. The most common manifestation of ADR patients was pruritus, followed by diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, high fever, dyspnea, convulsions, and chills. 72 patients(94.74% of ADR patients) discontinued the drug, and three patients(3.95% of ADR patients) were given oxygen inhalation. 47 cases(61.84% of ADR patients) were treated with medication, of which dexamethasone was the most used(24 cases, 46.15% of ADR patients). 76 ADR patients were cured or improved. ADRs are more likely to occur when diagnosed with acute bronchitis by western medicine and cough by traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), TCM syndrome type is wind heat syndrome, and the combination medicine is ambroxol hydrochloride and bromhexine hydrochloride injection, ascorbic acid/vitamin C injection. This result provides an evidence-based safety basis for active pharmacovigilance of Reduning Injection in adolescents aged 14 years and below.

Na2 CeF6 : A Highly Laser Damage-Tolerant Double Perovskite Type Ce(IV) Fluoride Exhibiting Strong Second-Harmonic Generation Effect.

Perovskite structure compounds are significant candidates for designing new optical function materials due to their structural variability. Here, an inorganic tetravalent cerium fluoride, Na2 CeF6 , is derived from the perovskite structure through double-site cation co-substitution. Na2 CeF6 crystalizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group P 6 ¯ 2 m ${P}^{\bar{6}}2m$ . Edge-sharing connected NaF9 and CeF9 polyhedra build the whole 3D structure of Na2 CeF6 . Importantly, it represents the first Ce(IV) fluoride nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal and can produce a strong and phase-matchable second-harmonic generation (SHG) effect of ≈2.1 times that of KH2 PO4 (KDP), making it the strongest among non-lone pair electron metal fluoride system. Further, it exhibits a high laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of 74.65-76.25 MW cm-2 , which is over 20 times that of AgGaS2 . It also exhibits a wide transparent region (0.5-14.3 µm). This work provides a facile route for exploring high-performance halide NLO materials.

Ultrafine Pt Nanoparticles Anchored on 2D Metal-Organic Frameworks as Multifunctional Electrocatalysts for Water Electrolysis and Zinc-Air Batteries.

Multifunctional electrocatalysts are crucial to cost-effective electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems requiring mutual enhancement of disparate reactions. Embedding noble metal nanoparticles in 2D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are proposed as an effective strategy, however, the hybrids usually suffer from poor electrochemical performance and electrical conductivity in operating conditions. Herein, ultrafine Pt nanoparticles strongly anchored on thiophenedicarboxylate acid based 2D Fe-MOF nanobelt arrays (Pt@Fe-MOF) are fabricated, allowing sufficient exposure of active sites with superior trifunctional electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and oxygen reduction reactions. The interfacial Fe─O─Pt bonds can induce the charge redistribution of metal centers, leading to the optimization of adsorption energy for reaction intermediates, while the dispersibility of ultrafine Pt nanoparticles contributes to the high mass activity. When Pt@Fe-MOF is used as bifunctional catalysts for water-splitting, a low voltage of 1.65 V is required at 100 mA cm-2 with long-term stability for 20 h at temperatures (65 °C) relevant for industrial applications, outperforming commercial benchmarks. Furthermore, liquid Zn-air batteries with Pt@Fe-MOF in cathodes deliver high open-circuit voltages (1.397 V) and decent cycling stability, which motivates the fabrication of flexible quasisolid-state rechargeable Zn-air batteries with remarkable performance.

Impact of air pollutants on influenza-like illness outpatient visits under COVID-19 pandemic in the subcenter of Beijing, China.

This study aimed to explore the association between air pollutants and outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stage in the subcenter of Beijing. The data on ILI in the subcenter of Beijing from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 were obtained from the Beijing Influenza Surveillance Network. A generalized additive Poisson model was applied to examine the associations between the concentrations of air pollutants and daily outpatient visits for ILI when controlling meteorological factors and temporal trend. A total of 171 943 ILI patients were included. In the pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stage, an increased risk of ILI outpatient visits was associated to a high air quality index (AQI) and the high concentrations of particulate matter less than 2.5 (PM2.5 ), particulate matter 10 (PM10 ), sulphur dioxide (SO2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), and carbon monoxide (CO), and a low concentration of ozone (O3 ) on lag0 day and lag1 day, while a higher increased risk of ILI outpatient visits was observed by the air pollutants in the COVID-19 stage on lag0 day. Except for PM10 , the concentrations of other air pollutants on lag1 day were not significantly associated with an increased risk of ILI outpatient visits during the COVID-19 stage. The findings that air pollutants had enhanced immediate effects and diminished lag-effects on the risk of ILI outpatient visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is important for the development of public health and environmental governance strategies.

Euryachincoside, a Novel Phenolic Glycoside with Anti-Hepatic Fibrosis Activity from Eurya chinensis.

Eurya chinensis has been recorded as a folk medicine traditionally used for treatment of a variety of symptoms. However, the phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of this plant are still scarce. A novel phenolic glycoside named Euryachincoside (ECS) was isolated by chromatographic separation from E. chinensis, and its chemical structure was identified by analysis of HRMS and NMR data. Its anti-hepatic fibrosis effects were evaluated in both HSC-T6 (rat hepatic stellate cells) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mice with Silybin (SLB) as the positive control. In an in vitro study, ECS showed little cytotoxicity and inhibited transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß)-induced Collagen I (Col1) along with alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expressions in HSC-T6. An in vivo study suggested ECS significantly ameliorated hepatic injury, secretions of inflammatory cytokines, and collagen depositions. Moreover, ECS markedly mediated Smad2/3, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathways both in vitro and vivo. These present findings confirmed that ECS is a novel phenolic glycoside from E. chinensis with promising curative effects on hepatic fibrosis, and its mechanisms may include decreasing extracellular matrix accumulation, reducing inflammation and attenuating free radicals via Smad2/3, NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways, which may shed light on the exploration of more effective phenolic glycoside-based anti-fibrotic agents.

Tranexamic acid use in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is an effective and safe adjunct to improve visualization: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Although tranexamic acid (TXA) is being increasingly used in orthopedic arthroplasty and lower-extremity arthroscopic procedures, its use in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is less widely reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of TXA administration in ARCR. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to compare clinical outcomes in patients who underwent ARCR with or without TXA. Literature was retrieved using the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase electronic databases. The primary outcome of this study was visual clarity. Secondary outcomes contained total operative time, postoperative pain score, amount of blood loss, shoulder swelling (change in shoulder circumference), volume of irrigation fluid, number of adjustments of the pump pressure for irrigation, and adverse cardiovascular events. RESULTS: Seven studies (3 and 4 with level I and II evidence, respectively), which included 272 and 265 patients who underwent arthroscopy with and without TXA, respectively, met the eligibility criteria. Pooled analysis showed significant improvements in visual clarity (mean difference, 9.10%; 95% CI, 4.05-14.15; P = .0004) and total operative time (mean difference, -11.24 minute; 95% CI, -19.90 to -2.57) associated with perioperative TXA application. None of the trials reported adverse events and complications associated with TXA. CONCLUSION: The best available evidence indicates that TXA administration could significantly improve arthroscopic visual clarity and effectively save operative time in ARCR without increasing the incidence of adverse events. Furthermore, the optimal dose, route, and timing of TXA application in ARCR surgery remains to be validated by future high-level evidence studies.

Two new withanolides from the whole plants of Physalis peruviana.

Two new withaphysalin-type withanolides (18-O-ethylwithaphysalin R and 5-O-ethylphysaminimin C, 1 and 2), along with twelve known withanolides (3-14), were purified and identified from Physalis peruviana L. The chemical structures of these new isolates were elucidated through analyzing spectroscopic and HRESIMS data. All the obtained metabolites were appraised for their potential antiproliferative activity against the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Compound 7 was discovered to exhibit potent activity with an IC50 value of 3.51 µM and compounds 2, 6 and 14 showed weak cytotoxic effect.

[Clinical comprehensive evaluation of Xiangju Capsules in treatment of rhinosinusitis].

The articles involving Xiangju Capsules were retrieved, and qualitative research and quantitative research methods were combined to evaluate the evidence of the safety, effectiveness, economy, innovation, suitability, accessibility, and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine( "6+1" dimensions) of this drug. Multi-criteria decision analysis(MCDA) model and CSC v2.0 software were used to comprehensively evaluate the clinical value of Xiangju Capsules in the treatment of rhinosinusitis and clarify the precise clinical positioning. The dimensions are graded A, B, C, or D. Multi-source safety evidence showed that the main adverse reactions were gastrointestinal reactions, rash, itching, dizziness, and headache. Based on the available studies, the risk is controllable and the safety is grade A. Meta-analysis showed that Xiangju Capsules + conventional western medicine could recover the Lund-Kennedy score, Lund-Mackay score, and CT score, relieve headache, nasal congestion, olfactory disturbance, and facial pain, with the effectiveness is grade B. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of Xiangju Capsules + conventional western medicine compared with conventional western medicine alone in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis was 263.71 yuan, about 0.82% of the per capita disposable income. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the research results were relatively robust. Based on the assumption that the per capita disposable income in 2020 will be the threshold of patients' willingness to pay, it is more economical to use Xiangju Capsules + conventional western medicine. The drug belongs to grade A of the national medical insurance, with an average daily cost of 3.06 yuan, and the economy is grade B. This formula is modified from classic formulas and characteristic empirical formulas, be capable of improving immunity and preventing repeated attacks. It can be used for acute and chronic rhinitis-rhinosinusitis. It had a wide range of applicability, especially for the patients with head and face tenderness. Service innovation was reflected in the measures to guarantee supply, capacity, scalability, and coverage of grass-roots sales channels. The industrial innovation was improved through the management of medicinal resources, pharmaceutical industry, production technology, quality control, scientific research and development, and this formula won three national invention patents. Comprehensively, the innovation of Xiangju Capsules is grade B. According to the survey of 188 medical practitioners and 196 patients in 20 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions of China, the drug was characterized by easy preparation and administration, individualized medication, simple technology and management, convenient use, storage, and transport, and controllable adverse reactions, with the suitability is grade B. Xiangju Capsules showed the cost of 45.9 and 275.4 yuan for treatment of acute and chronic rhinitis-rhinosinusitis, respectively, being well affordable. It was sold in 35 000 medical institutions in China. The dosage form was suitable for transportation, storage, and grass-root application. With rich, sustainable, and available medicinal resources, the accessibility of Xiangju Capsules is grade A. This drug can be used for both acute and chronic rhinitis-rhinosinusitis, clearing heat and expelling pus, and strengthening the exterior to prevent relapse. After this drug was available on the market, over 4 000 cases were studied, with rich experience in human use accumulated, and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine is grade B. Overall, the clinical value of Xiangju Capsules is class B. It is suggested that Xiangju Capsules should be used in accordance with the relevant policies of basic clinical drug administration to play its role.

Versatile Biocatalytic C(sp3 )-H Oxyfunctionalization for the Site- Selective and Stereodivergent Synthesis of α- and ß-Hydroxy Acids.

C(sp3 )-H oxyfunctionalization, the insertion of an O-atom into C(sp3 )-H bonds, streamlines the synthesis of complex molecules from easily accessible precursors and represents one of the most challenging tasks in organic chemistry with regard to site and stereoselectivity. Biocatalytic C(sp3 )-H oxyfunctionalization has the potential to overcome limitations inherent to small-molecule-mediated approaches by delivering catalyst-controlled selectivity. Through enzyme repurposing and activity profiling of natural variants, we have developed a subfamily of α-ketoglutarate-dependent iron dioxygenases that catalyze the site- and stereodivergent oxyfunctionalization of secondary and tertiary C(sp3 )-H bonds, providing concise synthetic routes towards four types of 92 α- and ß-hydroxy acids with high efficiency and selectivity. This method provides a biocatalytic approach for the production of valuable but synthetically challenging chiral hydroxy acid building blocks.

Immunometabolic rewiring in tumorigenesis and anti-tumor immunotherapy.

Cellular metabolism constitutes a fundamental process in biology. During tumor initiation and progression, each cellular component in the cancerous niche undergoes dramatic metabolic reprogramming, adapting to a challenging microenvironment of hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, and other stresses. While the metabolic hallmarks of cancer have been extensively studied, the metabolic states of the immune cells are less well elucidated. Here we review the metabolic disturbance and fitness of the immune system in the tumor microenvironment (TME), focusing on the impact of oncometabolites to the function of immune cells and the clinical significance of targeting metabolism in anti-tumor immunotherapy. Metabolic alterations in the immune system of TME offer novel therapeutic insight into cancer treatment.

Phylogenomic analysis of Salmonella Indiana ST17, an emerging MDR clonal group in China.

OBJECTIVES: To reconstruct the genomic epidemiology and evolution of MDR Salmonella Indiana in China. METHODS: A total of 108 Salmonella Indiana strains were collected from humans and livestock in China. All isolates were subjected to WGS and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary analyses were conducted using WGS data from this study and the NCBI database. RESULTS: Almost all 108 Salmonella Indiana strains displayed the MDR phenotype. Importantly, 84 isolates possessed concurrent resistance to ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime. WGS analysis revealed that class 1 integrons on the chromosome and IncHI2 plasmids were the key vectors responsible for multiple antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) [including ESBL and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes] transmission among Salmonella Indiana. The 108 Salmonella Indiana dataset displayed a relatively large core genome and ST17 was the predominant ST. Moreover, the global ST17 Salmonella Indiana strains could be divided into five distinct lineages, each of which was significantly associated with a geographical distribution. Genomic analysis revealed multiple antimicrobial resistance determinants and QRDR mutations in Chinese lineages, which almost did not occur in other global lineages. Using molecular clock analysis, we hypothesized that ST17 isolates have existed since 1956 and underwent a major population expansion from the 1980s to the 2000s and the genetic diversity started to decrease around 2011, probably due to geographical barriers, antimicrobial selective pressure and MDR, favouring the establishment of this prevalent multiple antibiotic-resistant lineage and local epidemics. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that adaptation to antimicrobial pressure was possibly pivotal in the recent evolutionary trajectory for the clonal spread of ST17 Salmonella Indiana in China.

Dynamics of influenza-like illness under urbanization procedure and COVID-19 pandemic in the subcenter of Beijing during 2013-2021.

Influenza-like illness (ILI) varies in intensity year by year, generally keeping a stable pattern except for great changes of its epidemic pattern. Of the most impacting factors, urbanization has been suggested as shaping the intensity of influenza epidemics. Besides, growing evidence indicates the nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 offer great advantages in controlling infectious diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of urbanization and NPIs on the dynamic of ILI in Tongzhou, Beijing, during January 2013 to March 2021. ILI epidemiological surveillance data in Tongzhou district were obtained from Beijing Influenza Surveillance Network and separated into three periods of urbanization and four intervals of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Standardized average incidence rates of ILI in each separate stages were calculated and compared by using Wilson method and time series model of seasonal ARIMA. Influenza seasonal outbreaks showed similar epidemic size and intensity before urbanization during 2013-2016. Increased ILI activity was found during the process of Tongzhou's urbanization during 2017-2019, with the rate difference of 2.48 (95% confidence interva [CI]: 2.44, 2.52) and the rate ratio of 1.75 (95% CI: 1.74, 1.76) of ILI incidence between preurbanization and urbanization periods. ILI activity abruptly decreased from the beginning of 2020 and kept at the bottom level almost in every epidemic interval. The top decrease in ILI activity by NPIs was shown in 5-14 years group in 2020-2021 influenza season, as 92.2% (95% CI: 78.3%, 95.2%). The results indicated that both urbanization and NPIs interrupted the epidemic pattern of ILI. We should pay more attention to public health when facing increasing population density, human contact, population mobility, and migration in the process of urbanization. NPIs and influenza vaccination should be implemented as necessary measures to protect people from common infectious diseases like ILI.

From CsKTaF7 to CsNaTaF7 : Alkali Metal Cations Regulation to Generate SHG Activity.

Inorganic metal halides play important roles in wide range of areas including fluorescence, X-ray detection, and nonlinear-optics. Herein, two new mixed alkali metal tantalum fluorides, CsKTaF7 and CsNaTaF7 , have been obtained based on the strategy of cations regulation in A2 MF7 (A represents monovalent cations and M is d0 transition-metal cation) system by a conventional hydrothermal route. CsKTaF7 crystallizes in the centric Pnma space group, while CsNaTaF7 crystallizes in the polar Cmc21 space group and exhibits moderate and phase-matchable NLO activity. Both halides possess large optical band gaps above 5.0 eV. The crystal structure evolution, optical properties, and detailed theory calculations of these two halides were elucidated in this work.

Weakening Ligand-Liquid Affinity to Suppress the Desorption of Surface-Passivated Ligands from Perovskite Nanocrystals.

The interfacial migration of surface-bound ligands highly affects the colloidal stability and optical quality of semiconductor nanocrystals, of which the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Herein, colloidal CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) with fragile dynamic equilibrium of ligands are taken as the examples to reveal the important role of balancing ligand-solid/solvent affinity in suppressing the desorption of ligands. As a micellar surfactant, glycyrrhizic acid (GA) with bulky hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups exhibits a relatively smaller diffusion coefficient (∼440 µm2/s in methanol) and weaker ligand-liquid affinity than that of conventional alkyl amine and carboxy ligands. Consequently, hydrophilic GA-passivated PNCs (PNCs-GA) show excellent colloidal stability in various polar solvents with dielectric constant ranging from 2.2 to 32.6 and efficient photoluminescence with a quantum yield of 85.3%. Due to the suppressed desorption of GA, the morphological and optical properties of PNCs-GA are well maintained after five rounds purification and two months long-term storage. At last, hydrophilic PNCs-GA are successfully patterned through inkjet- and screen-printing technology. These findings offer deep insights into the interfacial chemistry of colloidal NCs and provide a universal strategy for preparing high-quality hydrophilic PNCs.

Sellar germinoma mimicking IgG4-related hypophysitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis of IgG4-related hypophysitis and other inflammatory diseases or tumors involving sellar region is challenging even after sellar biopsy. Sellar germinoma is usually infiltrated by lymphocytes or plasma cells, and may be confused with hypophysitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old man with diabetes insipidus, elevated serum IgG4 level (336 mg/dl), and sellar mass was suspected to have IgG4-related hypophysitis, and no other lesion of IgG4-related disease was detected. After treated by prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil, the serum IgG4 decreased to 214 mg/dl. However, after withdrawal of the drugs, the IgG4 level increased to 308 mg/dl. Endocrine assessments revealed panhypopituitarism, and the sellar mass enlarged. Transsphenoidal sellar exploration and biopsy was conducted. Pathological examination showed that the lesion was germinoma with lymphocytes and plasma cells infiltration, and IgG4-staining was positive (70/HPF, IgG4/IgG ratio = 10%). The patient was then treated by cisplatin and etoposide. After four cycles of chemotherapy, the serum IgG4 was 201 mg/dl, and the sellar mass was invisible. CONCLUSION: Sellar germinoma can mimic the clinical characteristics of IgG4-related hypophysitis. Poor response to glucocorticoids can be used as an exclusion criterion in the clinical diagnosis of IgG4-related hypophysitis.

SENEBLOC, a long non-coding RNA suppresses senescence via p53-dependent and independent mechanisms.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important biological tuners. Here, we reveal the role of an uncharacterized lncRNA we call SENEBLOC that is expressed by both normal and transformed cells under homeostatic conditions. SENEBLOC was shown to block the induction of cellular senescence through dual mechanisms that converge to repress the expression of p21. SENEBLOC facilitates the association of p53 with MDM2 by acting as a scaffold to promote p53 turnover and decrease p21 transactivation. Alternatively, SENEBLOC was shown to affect epigenetic silencing of the p21 gene promoter through regulation of HDAC5. Thus SENEBLOC drives both p53-dependent and p53-independent mechanisms that contribute to p21 repression. Moreover, SENEBLOC was shown to be involved in both oncogenic and replicative senescence, and from the perspective of senolytic agents we show that the antagonistic actions of rapamycin on senescence are dependent on SENEBLOC expression.