Preparation of Oriented Superhydrophobic Surface to Reduce Agglomeration in Preparing Melt Marbles.

Numerous innovative granulation techniques utilizing the concept of liquid marbles have been proposed before. However, these processes frequently encounter issues such as collisions, aggregation, and fragmentation of liquid/melt marble during the granulation process. In this study, the oriented superhydrophobic surface (OSS) was successfully prepared by utilizing copper wire to solve the above problem, facilitating efficient batch production and guided transportation of uniform marbles. The parameters and mechanisms of this process were thoroughly studied. The optimized structure is that the copper wire spacing (d) and height (h) are set as 1.0 and 0.1 mm, respectively. This resulted in a surface contact angle (CA) of 156° and anisotropic sliding (ΔSA) of 16.3 ± 1.34°. Using the prepared substrate, high-quality urea products were successfully obtained through the controlled transport of urea melt marbles. The mechanism of guided and directional drag reduction, based on the solid/solid contact on the surface, is proposed. These findings in this study have significant implications for improving granulation processes.

[Morphological Characteristics of Bone Marrow Cells in Patients with EB Virus Infection].

OBJECTIVE: Review and analyze the characteristics of bone marrow cell morphology in patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and explore the diagnostic value of bone marrow cell morphology for the early identification of EBV infection. METHODS: A total of 33 patients with EBV-DNA positive detection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2018 to May 2021 were collected as the research objects. Bone marrow cell morphology and peripheral blood cell analysis were performed, and the significance in disease diagnosis was analyzed by statistical methods. RESULTS: The sampling satisfaction of 33 patients with EBV infection was 100%. In the clinical diagnosis of all cases, 7 cases were IM, 17 cases were EBV-HLH, 3 cases were lymphoma, 2 cases were EBV-associated lymphoid hyperplasia, and 4 cases were not diagnosed. Among them, 31 patients had active bone marrow hyperplasia or above, 26 patients had active granulocytic hyperplasia or above, 21 patients had active erythroid hyperplasia or above, and 17 cases of megakaryocyte production platelet function decreased. The abnormal components of bone marrow mainly indude atypical lymphocyte cells (33 cases), hemophagocytic cells (22 cases), abnormal histiocyte (10 cases). CONCLUSION: According to the proliferation of granulocytes, erythrocytes and megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, and the emergence of abnormal components such as atypical lymphocytes, hemophagocyte, abnormal histiocyte. Bone marrow cell morphological examination can indicate the possibility of EBV infection, which is certain diagnostic value for early identification of EBV infection.

5-Amino-4-Imidazolecarboxamide Ribonucleotide Transformylase/IMP Cyclohydrolase Polymorphisms Affect the Susceptibility to Multiple Myeloma.

OBJECTIVE: The upregulation of 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase/IMP cyclohydrolase (ATIC) may affect tumorigenesis and multiple myeloma (MM) development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 97 patients with MM and 102 healthy control patients were included in the study. The SNaPshot technique was used to detect the ATIC gene polymorphisms. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype analyses were conducted using SHEsis software. RESULTS: The genotype distribution or allele frequency of rs3772078 and rs16853834 was significantly different between the patients with MM and the healthy control patients (all P < .05). The rs16853834 A allele, rs3772078 CT genotype, and C allele were associated with a decreased risk of MM (all P < .05). Five single-nucleotide polymorphism combinations showed strong LD. Three haplotypes were associated with MM risk (all P < .05). We found that ATIC rs7604984 was significantly associated with serum lactate dehydrogenase levels (P = .050). CONCLUSION: We determined that the rs3772078 and rs16853834 polymorphisms are associated with a decreased risk of MM.

Ultralow Adhesion and Phase Change Behaviors of Sulfur Droplets on the Superhydrophobic Surface and Its Application in the Granulation Process.

Traditional sulfur granulation process is often accompanied by high dust and mechanical friction, which are dangerous and harmful to the environment. In this work, the application of the superhydrophobic surface to sulfur granulation is expected to solve the above problem. Two superhydrophobic metal sheets were prepared, and the rolling angles of the two samples are both less than 10°. The contact angles of liquid sulfur are 152.7 ± 0.5 and 151.3 ± 0.1°, respectively. The adhesion rates of both samples are less than 0.5 wt %. The solidifying process of a sulfur drop on the superhydrophobic surface was recorded and simulated, conforming that the substrate temperature has a great influence on the solidifying process. Based on the above findings, static granulation and rolling to granulation were proposed. The product obtained by the two methods has uniform particle size distribution and excellent compressive strength, showing a good industrial application prospect. This study provides a referral strategy for an economical and environmentally friendly sulfur granulation process.

Association of Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Polymorphisms and Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Serum Levels with Susceptibility to Multiple Myeloma in a Chinese Population.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) rs1058587, rs4808793, and rs1059369 polymorphisms, serum concentrations of GDF15, and International Staging System (ISS) staging or Durie-Salmon staging system (DS) staging in multiple myeloma patients and whether its polymorphism affects the expression of serum GDF15 in Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with multiple myeloma and 119 healthy controls were included in the study. The SNaPshot technique was used to detect the GDF15 gene polymorphisms. Serum GDF15 levels were measured using an Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in genotype distribution or allele frequency of three loci between multiple myeloma patients and healthy controls. However, the genotype distribution and allele frequencies of rs1059369 in ISS stage I were significantly different from those in ISS stage II (p = 0.008), and the distribution of rs1058587 genotype was different between ISS stage II and ISS stage III (p = 0.014). The overall serum concentration of GDF15 and the same genotype at the same locus (rs1058587: GC, GG; rs4808793: CC, GC; rs1059369: AA, AT, and TT) in patients with multiple myeloma was significantly higher than in the healthy control group (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed the genotype distribution and allele frequencies of rs1059369 and rs1058587 of GDF15 gene have some association with ISS and DS stage. But the polymorphism of GDF15 did not affect the expression of serum GDF15 in patients with multiple myeloma.

Assessment of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and Multiple Myeloma in a Guangxi Population: a Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been reported as a marker for inflammation and tumors. The present study aims to investigate the use of RDW in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: Seventy-three patients with newly diagnosed symptomatic multiple myeloma (SMM), 39 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (RMM), and 91 healthy individuals were recruited into this study. The demographic and laboratory parameters were reviewed retrospectively, and the correlation between RDW and other parameters among groups were evaluated by Spearman's correlation analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of RDW were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The RDW values in both SMM and RMM were significantly higher than in the healthy individuals (p < 0.001). In SMM patients with International Staging System (ISS) Stages II and III, the level of RDW was higher than in the patients with ISS Stage I; however, there was no significant difference between each ISS stage in RMM patients. The RDW strongly correlated with platelet distribution width (PDW), cystatin C, serum beta2-microglobulin (Sß2M), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), albumin (Alb), and calcium (p < 0.05) in SMM patients, and RDW in RMM patients had a positive or negative correlation with PDW, Sß2M, globulin, HGB, absolute neutrophil count, platelet count, HCT, and Alb (p < 0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that RDW > 13.5 had 94.5% sensitivity and 63.7% specificity for SMM, and 92.3% sensitivity and 63.7% specificity for RMM. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated RDW in MM patients was associated with the stage of the disease.

Analysis of Glycosylation Profiles of Serum Glycoprotein from Iron Overload Thalassemia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to use a lectin microarray to detect differential glycan profiling of serous glycoprotein in iron overload thalassemia patients. METHODS: This study enrolled iron overload α/ß-thalassemia patients and no iron overload α/ß-thalassemia patients. Lectin microarray was used to detect the alteration of protein glycosylation. The reliability of the lectin microarray results was verified by the lectin blotting technique. Expression level of hepcidin, erythropoietin, ferritin, and transferrin were measured by western blotting. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 16.0 software. RESULTS: In this study, 19 differentiating lectins were screened from the iron overload α-thalassemia group, and 15 were screened from the iron overload ß-thalassemia group. The agglutinin blotting technique demonstrated that the results of the Aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL), Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), and Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) agglutinin affinity for serum glycoproteins were consistent with the results of the lectin microarray. In iron overload thalassemia groups, expression levels of erythropoietin and ferritin were increased, but hepcidin and transferrin were significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: The differentially expressed glycoprotein database of iron overload thalassemia was successfully created, and the specific glycan patterns of serous glycoprotein might be efficient biomarkers for diagnosis or progression of iron overload thalassemia.

Role of CYP2E1 polymorphisms in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: CYP2E1 polymorphisms have been reported to influence individual's breast cancer susceptibility as a phase I enzyme, but the results of these previous studies remain controversial. We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to assess their association. METHODS: A comprehensive search of literature included in various databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Google scholar), published before August 2016, was performed. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated in fixed or random-effects models were used to estimate the strength of the associations between three polymorphisms of CYP2E1 and breast cancer susceptibility. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and test for publication bias were also performed. A total of 11 separate comparisons involving 4311 cases and 4407 controls were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Our result showed that there was no significant association between the two common polymorphisms CYP2E1 rs2031920 C>T, CYP2E1*5 Rsa I/Rst I (c1/c2) and BC risk. For CYP2E1*6 Dra I (D/C) polymorphism, a significantly increased BC risk in the overall population was found in genetic model D/C vs. D/D (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.04-1.61, P = 0.023) and C/C + D/C vs. D/D (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.04-1.51, P = 0.019), together with subjects who have at least one C allele (C vs. D: OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.20-1.79, P < 0.001). Similar results were also found in subgroup analyses in Caucasians of these three comparison models. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggests that CYP2E1*6 Dra I (D/C) variation significantly associated with the risk of BC. Individuals with D/C and C/C + D/C genotypes or carried at least one C allele of CYP2E1*6 Dra I (D/C) polymorphism had a significant higher susceptibility to develop BC.

Association Between IL-4 Polymorphisms and Risk of Liver Disease: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) polymorphisms have been reported to influence an individual's susceptibility to liver disease as it is a central anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokine; however, these results remain controversial.A comprehensive meta-analysis of the relevant literature was thus performed to better estimate the relationship between IL-4 polymorphisms and liver disease.Systematic searches of various databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) for studies published before July 5, 2015 were performed. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated in fixed or random-effects models were used to estimate the strength of the association. Subgroup analyses, meta-regression, Galbraith plots, and sensitivity analyses were also performed.A total of 16 case-control studies, of which 15 involved the -590C/T polymorphism and 3 involved the -33T/C polymorphism, were included in the study. With respect to the -590C/T polymorphism, a significantly increased risk of liver diseases was found in the overall population (TT + CT vs CC: OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.06-1.49, P = 0.009 and CT vs CC: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.00-1.48, P = 0.048) and the Asian population (TT + CT vs CC: OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.04-1.57, P = 0.020). Further subgroup analyses also showed significant associations between the -590C > T polymorphism and the risk of hepatitis C infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, no association was found between the -33T/C polymorphism and risk of liver diseases in all comparison models.This meta-analysis suggested that the IL-4 -590C > T polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of hepatitis C infection and hepatocellular carcinoma, especially among the Asian population.

Genetic polymorphisms in Toll-like receptor 3 gene are associated with the risk of hepatitis B virus-related liver diseases in a Chinese population.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are well known to play a critical role in antiviral and antitumor response. Available evidence has demonstrated that TLRs are implicated in the immunopathogenesis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and tumor carcinogenesis. Therefore, we performed the present study to investigate the relationship with TLR3 gene polymorphisms and the risk of HBV-related liver disease in a Chinese population. A total of 623 individuals were included: 172 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, 91 HBV-related liver cirrhosis (LC) patients, 174 HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and 186 healthy controls. Allelic and genotypic frequencies of TLR3 rs1879026 and rs3775290 polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing analysis. Association analysis showed that the TT genotype of TLR3 rs3775290 was associated with a decreased risk for CHB, HBV-related LC, and HCC (OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.27-0.99, P=0.048; OR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.14-0.76, P=0.010; OR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.26-0.92, P=0.027). Nevertheless, a lack of association was found between TLR3 rs1879026 and HBV-related liver diseases. In addition, haplotype analysis revealed that individuals who carried the GT haplotype might have a decreased risk of HBV-related liver diseases. The results indicated that genetic variant in TLR3 gene rs3775290 polymorphisms may be a protective factor for CHB, HBV-related LC, and HCC in the Chinese population.

[Identification characters of leaf morphological and venation pattern of Houttuynia cordata with its confused herb Gymnotheca chinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the identification characters of Houttuynia cordata and its confused herb Gymnotheca chinensis and establish an identification method. METHODS: LMVP (leaf morphological-venation pattern for identification Chinese herbs), and QAERM (quantitatively analyze and evaluate reliability for the method of identification Chinese herbs) were applied for the study. RESULTS: Both venations were brochidodromous-acrodromous and arising from the mid-petiole or the upper section of petiole. The main characteristic of the leaf of Houttuynia cordata: surface with small gray-white stoma protuberances; Ligulate process of stipule-petiole sheath were clear; Primary veins 7 or 5; The innermost pair of primary vein closed up the top of the sinus at blade base or above sinus, and the section of closed vein was straight; Emitted a smell of fish when fresh leaf was kneaded into pieces. The main feature of the leaf of Gymnotheca chinensis: no small gray-white stoma protuberances; Ligulate process of stipule-petiole sheath were not clear; Primary veins 5; The innermost pair of primary vein closed into the sinus at blade base, and the section of closed vein was slightly curve; No smell of fish. With the mentioned key differences, the both plants could be successfully identified from each other. The accuracy of identification results (AC) was 100%, the repeatability of identification results: agreement rate for observation (ARO) was 100% and Kappa value was 1.00. CONCLUSION: The established method is simple, rapid, economic and reliable.