Lymphocyte to monocyte ratio predicts survival and is epigenetically linked to miR-222-3p and miR-26b-5p in diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 10-20% of the patients present with bone marrow (BM) involvement which predicts a worse survival. This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of serum miR-222-3p, miR-26b-5p, EBV-miR-BHRF1-2-5p, and EBV-miR-BHRF1-2-3p and correlate their levels to clinical and haematological markers in DLBCL with special emphasis on the lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) and neutrophil-monocyte ratio. We also studied the role of BM BMI1 and PIM2 proteins in predicting BM infiltration. Serum miRNAs were studied on 40 DLBCL and 18 normal individuals using qRT-PCR. BMI1 and PIM2 proteins were studied on BM biopsies by immunohistochemistry. The results were correlated with clinical and follow-up data. All the studied miRNAs were dysregulated in DLBCL serum samples. BMI1 and PIM2 were expressed in 67% and 77.5% of BM samples, respectively. LMR was significantly associated with disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.022), miR-222-3P (P = 0.043), and miR-26b-5p (P = 0.043). EBV-miR-BHRF1-2-3p was significantly correlated to haemoglobin level (P = 0.027). MiR-222-3p, miR-26b-5p, and EBV-miR-BHRF1-2-5p expressions were significantly correlated to each other (P = 0.001). There was no significant correlation between the studied markers and follow-up data. LMR is a simple method for predicting survival in DLBCL. MiR-222-3p and miR-26b-5p may be implicated in an immunological mechanism affecting patients' immunity and accordingly influence LMR. The correlation between miR-222-3p, miR-26b-5p, and EBV-miR-BHRF1-2-5p may indicate a common mechanism among the 3 miRNAs that may explain DLBCL pathogenesis.

Tailoring the bandgap of Mn3O4 for visible light driven photocatalysis.

The photocatalytic activity of pure Mn3O4 and silver (Ag) modified Mn3O4 nanoparticles have been investigated. The nanoparticles were prepared by using co-precipitation technique. The structural analysis showed that the Ag modified Mn3O4 was successfully synthesized. For instance, a slight shift to lower angle of XRD pattern was observed after Ag doping. Morphological analysis revealed that the particles have an average size of 274 nm, 287 nm and 321 nm for pure, 1% and 3% Ag modified Mn3O4 respectively. The UV-Visible analysis indicated that the bandgap of Mn3O4 decreased with increased Ag content and the band gap is 1.4 eV with the 3% of Ag content. The spectra obtained from DRS were also evaluated through inverse logarithmic derivative method (ILD) to counter check the bandgap values. 3% Ag-modified photocatalysts exhibited the enhanced decolorization efficiency compared to pure Mn3O4 nanoparticles. The pseudo first order kinetic model is used to explain the photocatalytic kinetics of the photocatalyst. The rate constant values are 0.01/min, 0.017/min and 0.024/min for pure Mn3O4, 1% Ag and 3% Ag modified Mn3O4 nanoparticles, respectively.

Study of electric conduction mechanisms in bismuth silicate nanofibers.

This work represents the nature of conduction mechanism in bismuth silicate (BiSiO) nanofibers as a function of temperature and frequency. Scanning electron micrographs and X-rays diffraction patterns exhibited the formation of cubic phases of Bi4(SiO4)3 and Bi12SiO20 nanofibers respectively with an average diameter of ~200 nm. Temperature dependent (300 K-400 K) electrical characterization of fibers was carried out in frequency range of ~20 Hz-2 MHz. The complex impedance analysis showed contribution from bulk and intergranular parts of nanofibers in conduction. Moreover, analysis of the Cole-Cole plot confirmed the space charge dependent behavior of BiSiO nanofibers. Two types of relaxation phenomena were observed through Modulus analysis. In ac conductivity curve, step like feature of plateau and dispersive regions were described by Maxwell-Wagner effect while the dc part obeyed the Arrhenius law. However, frequency dependent ac conductivity revealed the presence of conduction mechanism in diverse regions that was ascribed to large polaron tunneling model. Detailed analysis of complex Impedance and ac conductivity measurement showed negative temperature coefficient of resistance for the BiSiO nanofibers. Current-voltage (IV) characteristics represented ohmic conduction; followed by space charge limited current conduction at intermediate voltages. Results from both ac and dc measurements were in good agreement with each other.

Assessment of reproductive disorder (imposex) induced by tributyltins in marine gastropods.

Imposex is a genital disorder characterized by imposition of male sexual characteristics in female gastropods due to exposure to tributyltin (TBT). TBT is used as biocidal agent in antifouling paints, applied on the ship hulls and marine submerged structures such as fishing gears and buoys. In the present study bioassay experiment was carried out to determine imposex inductive and endocrine disruptive effect of TBT in two species of gastropods of genus Thais. In this experiment normal specimens of T. bufo and T. rudolphi were exposed to three different concentrations (100, 500 and 1000ngl-1) of TBTCl for four weeks in laboratory and at the end of experiment level of free testosterone and TBT body burden was estimated by radioimmunoassay and gas chromatograph coupled with a flame photometric detector respectively. In both tested species exposed to 500 and 1000ngl-1 of TBT imposex stages developed, while in 100ng l-1 and control groups showed no imposex condition. Elevation of free testosterone level in imposex females has also been observed. These observations indicate that the TBT act as potential imposex inducer and endocrine disruptor in the targeted gastropod species and these species can be used as sensitive biomonitoring tool for TBT contamination.

Adsorption of ionic liquids onto an activated carbon: kinetic modeling studies.

In this study, the uptake of hydrophobic bromide-based ionic liquids (ILs) (imidazolium, pyrrolidinium, and pyridinium) from aqueous solutions onto granulated and fabric-based microporous activated carbons (ACs). Surface characterization study shows that both ACs have basic pHpzc, like 8.7 for granulated AC and 8.0 for fabric AC. Granulated AC have ten times higher phenolic groups 0.2 meq g-1 compared to fabric AC which is 0.03 meq g-1. The kinetics of adsorption was remarkably slower for ILs on granulated/fabric AC than milled one. We also studied the effect of AC size on the rate of adsorption in the operating conditions. In order to improve the adsorption kinetics of ILs with ACs, different phenomenological and empirical kinetic models like as pseudo-first order, Boyd model, pseudo-second-order diffusion model and Elovich were applied on the kinetic experimental data. The analysis of kinetic specified that the adsorption mechanism of ILs onto ACs is controlled mainly by the mass transfer through the pores of ACs. So, the selection of appropriate adsorbent particle size of AC plays a main role for the development of viable IL adsorption. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Immunotherapeutic Approach to Breast Cancer: The Anti-Tumor Effect of Anti-IL-6 Monoclonal Antibodies in Malignant Mammary Tumor Implanted-Mice.

It has been established that suppression of apoptosis during carcinogenesis is the main cause of development and progression of breast cancer. Breast cancer patients have higher circulating levels of IL-6 protecting cancer cells from apoptosis and positively correlated with poor prognosis of the disease. The current work is carried out to fulfill one of our in vivo preclinical studies' for approaching a novel breast cancer immunotherapy through induction of tumor cell apoptosis. The study aims at investigating the potential of anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to suppress IL-6 anti-apoptotic activities in tumor microenvironment of malignant mammary tumor implanted-mice. To achieve this goal, 4 groups of mice were used, group I: served as control, group II: mice implanted with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell lines (EAC), through intramuscular injection till tumor inoculation, group III: injected intratumorally with10 µl saline for 3 successive days, and group IV: mice were injected intratumorally one day after tumor inoculation with a dose of 1.5 mg / kg of recombinent anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibodies in10 µl saline for 3 successive days. Apoptosis was evaluated in tumor samples from anti-IL-6 treated tumor implanted mice and compared with controls. Levels of apoptosis in tumor tissue samples of tumor implanted mice treated with anti-IL-6 were significantly (P=0.009) higher than untreated ones. In conclusion, anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibodies have the potential to suppress the anti-apoptotic effect of interleukin-6 (IL-6) within the tumor microenvironment of tumor implanted in mice.

Chitosan/CNTs green nanocomposite membrane: synthesis, swelling and polyaromatic hydrocarbons removal.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were irradiated in air at 100 kGy under gamma radiations. The Raman spectroscopy of γ-treated CNTs showed distinctive changes in the absorption bands. The CNTs were mixed with blend of chitosan (Cs)/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and crosslinked with silane. The chemical reactions between the components affected the position and intensities of the infrared bands. Scanning electron micrograph of Cs/CNTs nanocomposite membrane showed the homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the polymer matrix. The addition of CNTs lowered its swelling in water. Naphthalene (NAPH) was selected as a model compound and its removal was studied using HPLC technique. This membrane showed fast uptake of NAPH and 87% was removed from water within 30 min. The NAPH loaded membrane showed strong chemical interactions and cannot be desorbed. The fast uptake of PAHs and the green nature of this membrane made them suitable candidates for clean-up purposes.

Effect of cation type, alkyl chain length, adsorbate size on adsorption kinetics and isotherms of bromide ionic liquids from aqueous solutions onto microporous fabric and granulated activated carbons.

The adsorption from aqueous solution of imidazolium, pyrrolidinium and pyridinium based bromide ionic liquids (ILs) having different alkyl chain lengths was investigated on two types of microporous activated carbons: a fabric and a granulated one, well characterized in terms of surface chemistry by "Boehm" titrations and pH of point of zero charge measurements and of porosity by N2 adsorption at 77 K and CO2 adsorption at 273 K. The influence of cation type, alkyl chain length and adsorbate size on the adsorption properties was analyzed by studying kinetics and isotherms of eight different ILs using conductivity measurements. Equilibrium studies were carried out at different temperatures in the range [25-55 °C]. The incorporation of ILs on the AC porosity was studied by N2 adsorption-desorption measurements at 77 K. The experimental adsorption isotherms data showed a good correlation with the Langmuir model. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption of ILs onto activated carbons was an exothermic process, and that the removal efficiency increased with increase in alkyl chain length, due to the increase in hydrophobicity of long chain ILs cations determined with the evolution of the calculated octanol-water constant (Kow). The negative values of free energies indicated that adsorption of ILs with long chain lengths having hydrophobic cations was more spontaneous at the investigated temperatures.