Fast and Selective Removal of Aqueous Uranium by a K+-Activated Robust Zeolitic Sulfide with Wide pH Resistance.

For the nuclear industry, uranium is not only an important strategic resource but also a serious global contaminant with radiotoxicity and high chemotoxicity. It is very important to efficiently capture uranium from complex aqueous solutions for further treatment and disposal of nuclear wastes. Herein, we first demonstrate the suitability of a three-dimensional (3D) water-stable K+-exchanged zeolitic sulfide, namely K@GaSnS-1, for the remediation of radioactive and toxic uranium by ion exchange. In comparison to the pristine compound GaSnS-1, the K+-activated porous sulfide K@GaSnS-1 exhibits faster [UO2]2+ ion uptake kinetics, following the pseudo-second-order adsorption model. Further studies indicate that K@GaSnS-1 shows high exchange capacity (qmU = 147.6 mg/g) and wide pH resistance (pH 2.75-10.87). In particular, it can efficiently capture [UO2]2+ ion even when excessive amounts of Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ ions are present. The highest distribution coefficient value Kd, signifying the affinity and selectivity for [UO2]2+ ion, reaches as high as 1.24 × 104 mL/g. More importantly, the uranium in corresponding exchanged samples can be facilely and effectively eluted by a low-cost and eco-friendly method. These merits of K@GaSnS-1 make it promising for the effective and selective removal of uranium from complex contaminated water.

[Assessing drug targeting of Yougui Pill, Zuogui Pill, and their disassembled prescriptions using infrared thermography].

OBJECTIVE: To dynamically assess drug targeting of Yougui Pill (YP) and Zuogui Pill (ZP) using infrared thermography. METHODS: In this self-control experiment, five healthy volunteers were recruited. By using infrared thermography 10 to 11 thermal images of different body locations were taken from each participant after they took warm water, YP, ZP, and their dissembled prescriptions at 30, 70, 100, 130, and 160 min, respectively. The heat values in the lower quadrant abdomen, uterus, Du channel, and Shenque (CV8) were statistically analyzed after scanning for 125 times. RESULTS: Administration of YP and its disassembled prescriptions enhanced the heat value of the locations of the Du channel and Shenque (CV8), but did no enhance the heat value of the lower quadrant abdomen at 30 min. Administration of ZP and its disassembled prescriptions reduced the heat value in the locations of the lower quadrant abdomen, uterus, Du channel, and Shenque (CV8) at each time point. CONCLUSION: The drug targeting of ZP and YP focused on the locations of the Du channel and Shenque (CV8), not on the locations of the lower quadrant abdomen or uterus.

Higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is associated with better prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide; its morbidity and mortality have both recently increased. Lately, the role played by the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the development of HCC has attracted attention. However, the exact relationship is not fully understood.A total of 538 participants diagnosed with HCC were recruited between 2010 and 2018. Their relevant routine blood parameters were measured, including NLR. Pearson Chi-Squared test, Spearman Rho test, and logistic regression analysis were performed to explore any correlations between NLR and HCC. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the usefulness of NLR for predicting HCC. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis for relevant routine blood parameters and any relationships with overall survival (OS) were performed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to explore any further relationships with OS.NLR was significantly correlated with HCC tumor size by Pearson Chi-Squared test (P = .008). Furthermore, Spearman correlation coefficient showed that HCC tumor size was significantly correlated with NLR (P = .115, P = .008). NLR could sensitively and specifically predict HCC tumor size (area under the curve [AUC], 0.605; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.429-0.743; P = .000). Higher NLR in patients with HCC was correlated with better OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.584; P = .000).A close correlation existed between increased NLR and HCC; NLR could sensitively and specifically predict HCC. High NLR might be an independent protective factor in the prognosis of patients with HCC.

Effect of Rat Medicated Serum Containing Zuo Gui Wan and/or You Gui Wan on the Differentiation of Stem Cells Derived from Human First Trimester Umbilical Cord into Oocyte-Like Cells In Vitro.

Zuo Gui Wan (ZGW) and You Gui Wan (YGW) are two classic formulas used in clinical treatment of infertility in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the actions of the formulas remain to be proven at the cellular and molecular levels. In this study, we investigate whether the two formulas have any effect on germ cell formation and differentiation by culturing rat medicated serums containing YGW or ZGW with stem cells derived from human first trimester umbilical cord. Our results showed that while the normal rat serums had no significant effects, the rat medicated serums had significant effects on the differentiation of the stem cells into oocyte-like cells (OLCs) based on (1) cell morphological changes that resembled purative cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs); (2) expressions of specific markers that were indicative of germ cell formation and oocyte development; and (3) estradiol production by the COC-like cells. Furthermore, ZGW medicated serums exhibited more obvious effects on specific gene expressions of germ cells, whereas YGW medicated serums showed stronger effects on estradiol production. Accordingly, our study provides evidence demonstrating for the first time that one of molecular and cellular actions of YGW or ZGW in treating human reproductive dysfunctions may be through an enhancement of neooogenesis.

Genomic organization of the crested ibis MHC provides new insight into ancestral avian MHC structure.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays an important role in immune response. Avian MHCs are not well characterized, only reporting highly compact Galliformes MHCs and extensively fragmented zebra finch MHC. We report the first genomic structure of an endangered Pelecaniformes (crested ibis) MHC containing 54 genes in three regions spanning ~500 kb. In contrast to the loose BG (26 loci within 265 kb) and Class I (11 within 150) genomic structures, the Core Region is condensed (17 within 85). Furthermore, this Region exhibits a COL11A2 gene, followed by four tandem MHC class II αß dyads retaining two suites of anciently duplicated "αß" lineages. Thus, the crested ibis MHC structure is entirely different from the known avian MHC architectures but similar to that of mammalian MHCs, suggesting that the fundamental structure of ancestral avian class II MHCs should be "COL11A2-IIαß1-IIαß2." The gene structures, residue characteristics, and expression levels of the five class I genes reveal inter-locus functional divergence. However, phylogenetic analysis indicates that these five genes generate a well-supported intra-species clade, showing evidence for recent duplications. Our analyses suggest dramatic structural variation among avian MHC lineages, help elucidate avian MHC evolution, and provide a foundation for future conservation studies.

Stem cells derived from human first-trimester umbilical cord have the potential to differentiate into oocyte-like cells in vitro.

Compared to stem cells derived from human term umbilical cord, stem cells derived from human first-trimester umbilical cord (hFTUC) exhibit a significantly greater proliferative potential, and more efficiency in terms of their in vitro differentiation. In the present study, we investigated whether hFTUC-derived stem cells are able to differentiate into germ cells. The hFTUC-derived stem cells were first isolated, expanded and then cultured in differentiation medium containing human follicular fluid, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol for 24 days. During the period of induction, a subpopulation of the cultured cells appeared that had a morphological resemblance to primordial germ cells (PGCs) and cumulus-oocyte complex (COC)-like cells, and oocyte-like cells (OLCs). The PGC-like cells expressed specific markers indicative of germ cell formation such as octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 (SSEA1), B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp1), PR domain containing 14 (Prdm14), transcription factor AP-2 gamma (Tfap2C), VASA, STELLA, deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) and interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3). The OLCs, which contained a single germinal vesicle, expressed oocyte-specific markers, such as synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SCP3), growth/differentiation factor-9 (GDF9), GDF9B and zona pellucida (ZP)1, ZP2 and ZP3. The COC-like cells secreted estradiol, vascular endothelial growth factor and leukemia inhibitory factor. Thus, our findings suggest that hFTUC-derived stem cells have an intrinsic ability to differentiate into OLCs, which may provide an in vitro model for the identification of factors involved in germ cell formation and differentiation.

Effect of rat medicated serum containing you gui wan on mouse oocyte in vitro maturation and subsequent fertilization competence.

You Gui Wan (YGW) is a classic herbal formula in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used for the clinical treatment of infertility. This study was to explore whether YGW has an impact on mouse oocyte maturation in vitro and subsequent fertilization competence. Rat medicated serum containing YGW was prepared by orally administrating YGW. Mouse immature oocytes were cultured with YGW medicated serum and compared to those cultured with or without normal rat serum or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). YGW medicated serum significantly increased the percentages of matured oocytes when compared to the groups with or without normal rat serum (P < 0.01). Furthermore, YGW medicated serum increased the rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) when compared to the groups treated with FSH and with or without normal rat serum (P < 0.001). YGW medicated serum also had significant effects on the mRNA expressions of PKA, CREB, MAPK, PKC, PKG, and MPF and the concentrations of cAMP, cGMP, and NO in matured oocytes. These results indicate that YGW can promote mouse oocyte maturation and IVF in vitro. Signaling pathways, such as the cAMP/PKA/MAPK, the PKC-MAPK, and the NO-cGMP-PKG pathway, which are similar to those induced by FSH, may be responsible for this action.