Selective Separation of U(VI) from Pu(IV) by 2,9-Diamide-1,10-phenanthroline Ligands at High Acidity: Extraction and Coordination Chemistry.

During the PUREX process, the separation between U(VI) and Pu(IV) is achieved by reducing Pu(IV) to Pu(III), which is complicated and energy-consuming. To address this issue, we report here the first case of separation of U(VI) from Pu(IV) by o-phenanthroline diamide ligands under high acidity. Two new o-phenanthroline diamide ligands (1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-diyl)bis(indolin-1-ylmethanone) (L1) and (1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-diyl)bis((2-methylindolin-1-yl)methanone) (L2) were synthesized, which can effectively separate U(VI) from Pu(IV) even at 4 mol/L HNO3. The highest separation factor of U(VI) and Pu(IV) can reach over 1000, setting a new record for the separation of U(VI) from Pu(IV) under high acidity. Furthermore, extracted U(VI) can be easily recovered with water or dilute nitric acid, and the extraction performance remains stable even after 150 kGy gamma irradiation, which provides solid experimental support for potential engineering applications. The results of UV-vis titration and single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements show that the 1:1 complex formed by L1 with U(VI) is more stable than all of the previously reported phenanthroline ligands, which reasonably reveals that the ligand L1 designed in this work has excellent affinity for U(VI). The findings of this work promise to contribute to the facilitation of the PUREX process by avoiding the use of reducing agents. It also provides new clues for designing ligands to achieve efficient separation between U(VI) and Pu(IV) at high acidity.

Sequential Water Sorption/Desorption of a Nonporous Adaptive Organic Ligand Bridged Coordination Polymer for Atmospheric Moisture Harvesting.

Moisture harvesters with favourable attributes such as easy synthetic availability and good processability as alternatives for atmospheric moisture harvesting (AWH) are desirable. This study reports a novel nonporous anionic coordination polymer (CP) of uranyl squarate with methyl viologen (MV2+ ) as charge balancing ions (named U-Squ-CP) which displays intriguing sequential water sorption/desorption behavior as the relative humidity (RH) changes gradually. The evaluation of AWH performance of U-Squ-CP shows that it can absorb water vapor under air atmosphere at a low RH of 20 % typical of the levels found in most dry regions of the world, and have good cycling durability, thus demonstrating the capability as a potential moisture harvester for AWH. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on non-porous organic ligand bridged CP materials for AWH. Moreover, a stepwise water-filling mechanism for the water sorption/desorption process is deciphered by comprehensive characterizations combining single-crystal diffraction, which provides a reasonable explanation for the special moisture harvesting behaviour of this non-porous crystalline material.

New polymerized sesquiterpene lactones from Ainsliaea yunnanensis and their activity evaluation.

Two new dimeric and trimeric sesquiterpene lactones (1-2), and nine known sesquiterpene lactones (3-11) were isolated from the EtOAc phase of the ethanolic extract of Ainsliaea yunnanensis. Their structures were identified by NMR, IR and HR-ESIMS spectroscopic methods, and compound 1 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiment. All the compounds were tested for their cytotoxic, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 showed very significant selective cytotoxic activities on MDA-MB-468, PANC-1, HEPG2 or A549 cells. Compounds 6 and 11 showed very significant inhibiting effect on Epicoccum sp. (CPCC 400307), Fusarium solani (CPCC 800013) or Bacillus subtilis. Meanwhile, compounds 6 and 7 can inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome's activation at the concentration of 10 µM.

Mixed-Ligand Uranyl Squarate Coordination Polymers: Structure Regulation and Redox Activity.

The electron-rich squarate ion (C4O42-, SA2-) possesses electronic delocalization over the entire molecule and good redox activity, and the functionalization of metal-organic complexes with the SA2- group is desirable. In this work, a mixed-ligand method is used to construct novel uranyl squarate coordination polymers utilizing 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy), 4,4'-bipyridine-N,N'-dioxide (bpydo), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,4'-vinylenedipyridine (vidpy), and in situ formed oxalate (OA2-) as ancillary ligands. Seven mixed-ligand uranyl compounds, [(UO2)(OH)(SA)](Hbpy) (1), [(UO2)(H2O)(SA)2](H2bpy) (2), (UO2)(H2O)(SA)(bpydo)·2H2O (3), (UO2)(H2O)(SA)(phen)·H2O (4), (UO2)(OH)(SA)0.5(phen)·H2O (5), [(UO2)(SA)(OA)0.5](Hphen) (6), and [(UO2)(SA)(OA)0.5](Hvidpy) (7), with varying crystal structures were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Compound 1, together with bpy molecules filling in the interlayer space as template agents, has a two-dimensional (2D) network structure, while 2 gives a one-dimensional (1D) chain based on mononuclear uranium units. Compound 3 shows a neutral 2D network through the combined linkage of SA2- and bpydo. Both 4 and 5 have a similar chain-like structure due to the capping effect of phen motifs, while phen molecules in 6 act as templating agents after protonation. Similar to 6, compound 7 has a "sandwich-like" structure in which the Hvidpy motifs locate in the voids of layers of 2D uranyl-squarate networks. The redox properties of typical mixed-ligand uranyl-squarate compounds, 1, 4, and 5 with high phase purity, are characterized using cyclic voltammetry. All three of these uranyl coordination compounds show anode peaks (Ea) at 0.777, 0.804, and 0.760 V, respectively, which correspond to the oxidation process of SA2- → SA. Meanwhile, cathodic peaks (Ec) at -0.328, -0.315, and -0.323 V corresponding to the reduction process of U(VI) → U(V) are also observed. The results reveal that all three of these uranyl coordination compounds show good redox activity and, most importantly, the interplay between two different redox-active motifs of SA2- organic linker and uranyl node. This work enriches the library of redox-active uranyl compounds and provides a feasible mixed-ligand method for regulating the synthesis of functional actinide compounds.

Treating the primary in low burden metastatic prostate cancer: Where do we stand?

ABSTRACT: On the basis of endocrine therapy for patients with low burden metastatic prostate cancer (LBMP), the clinical efficacy and quality of life were compared between prostate-only directed radiotherapy (PODT) and prostate and metastasis radiotherapy (PMRT).From November 2009 to November 2015, total 91 patients newly diagnosed with LBMP were retrospectively analyzed, of which 52 patients received PODT and 39 patients received PMRT. The biochemical failure free interval (IBF), prostate specific survival (PCSS), and overall survival (OS) time were compared between the 2 groups, and expanded prostate cancer index composite (EPIC) scale was used to evaluate the difference in quality of life between the 2 groups.The median IBF of the PODT group was 31 months, which was significantly lower than the 39 months of the PMRT group (P < .05); the 5-year OS and PCSS were 58.9%, 65.3% in PODT group, and 58.9%, 71.79% in PMRT group, respectively. There was no significant between the 2 groups (P > .05); the side effects of acute radiotherapy in PMRT group were significantly higher than PODT group (P < .05), especially in bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal reactions; The scores of urinary system function and intestinal system function in PMRT group were significantly higher than PODT group at the end of radiotherapy, 3 months after radiotherapy, and 6 months after radiotherapy (P < .05). The score of sexual function in PMRT group was significantly lower than that in PODT group after radiotherapy (P < .05), and higher than that in PORT group at other follow-up time points (P < .05). The hormone function was decreased at each follow-up time point in 2 groups, and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P > .05).Patients with LBMP receiving PMRT can improve IBF, but cannot increase PCSS and OS, and increase the incidence of acute radiation injury.

The Influence of Venous Characteristics on Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter-Related Symptomatic Venous Thrombosis in Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: With increasing use, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are associated with the risk of venous thrombosis. Few studies have focused on the relationships between venous thrombosis and venous characteristics. This study aimed to identify effects of venous characteristics on symptomatic PICC-related venous thrombosis in cancer patients and explore the relationship between venous characteristics and blood flow velocity. METHODS: The data of patients who underwent placement of PICC were retrospectively studied between January 2015 and September 2017. Symptomatic PICC-related venous thrombosis was confirmed by ultrasound. Univariable, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors associated with PICC-related venous thrombosis. In October 2017, 169 patients with PICCs were enrolled prospectively, and the relationships between blood flow velocity and venous characteristics were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2933 cancer patients were enrolled in this study; of these patients, 68 experienced symptomatic venous thrombosis. In the bivariate analysis, body mass index (BMI), history of venous thrombosis, triglycerides, tumor category, vessel diameter, vessel depth and arm circumference were associated with thrombosis. The multivariable analyses showed that arm circumference, vascular diameter, triglyceride level and tumor category were independent risk factors for thrombosis. Blood flow velocity was positively correlated with vessel depth and arm circumference but not with vessel diameter. CONCLUSION: Different venous characteristics can lead to different blood flow rates, which can affect the incidence of thrombosis. A vein depth of greater than 1.07cm or less than 0.57cm was associated with a higher incidence of PICC-related venous thrombosis, and the greater the arm circumference and vessel diameter, the greater the risk of venous thrombosis.

Bradymonabacteria, a novel bacterial predator group with versatile survival strategies in saline environments.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial predation is an important selective force in microbial community structure and dynamics. However, only a limited number of predatory bacteria have been reported, and their predatory strategies and evolutionary adaptations remain elusive. We recently isolated a novel group of bacterial predators, Bradymonabacteria, representative of the novel order Bradymonadales in δ-Proteobacteria. Compared with those of other bacterial predators (e.g., Myxococcales and Bdellovibrionales), the predatory and living strategies of Bradymonadales are still largely unknown. RESULTS: Based on individual coculture of Bradymonabacteria with 281 prey bacteria, Bradymonabacteria preyed on diverse bacteria but had a high preference for Bacteroidetes. Genomic analysis of 13 recently sequenced Bradymonabacteria indicated that these bacteria had conspicuous metabolic deficiencies, but they could synthesize many polymers, such as polyphosphate and polyhydroxyalkanoates. Dual transcriptome analysis of cocultures of Bradymonabacteria and prey suggested a potential contact-dependent predation mechanism. Comparative genomic analysis with 24 other bacterial predators indicated that Bradymonabacteria had different predatory and living strategies. Furthermore, we identified Bradymonadales from 1552 publicly available 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing samples, indicating that Bradymonadales was widely distributed and highly abundant in saline environments. Phylogenetic analysis showed that there may be six subgroups in this order; each subgroup occupied a different habitat. CONCLUSIONS: Bradymonabacteria have unique living strategies that are transitional between the "obligate" and the so-called facultative predators. Thus, we propose a framework to categorize the current bacterial predators into 3 groups: (i) obligate predators (completely prey-dependent), (ii) facultative predators (facultatively prey-dependent), and (iii) opportunistic predators (prey-independent). Our findings provide an ecological and evolutionary framework for Bradymonadales and highlight their potential ecological roles in saline environments. Video abstract.

A histone deacetylase, GhHDT4D, is positively involved in cotton response to drought stress.

Acetylation and deacetylation of histones are important for regulating a series of biological processes in plants. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) control the histone deacetylation that plays an important role in plant response to abiotic stress. In our study, we show the evidence that GhHDT4D (a member of the HD2 subfamily of HDACs) is involved in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) response to drought stress. Overexpression of GhHDT4D in Arabidopsis increased plant tolerance to drought, whereas silencing GhHDT4D in cotton resulted in plant sensitivity to drought. Simultaneously, the H3K9 acetylation level was altered in the GhHDT4D silenced cotton, compared with the controls. Further study revealed that GhHDT4D suppressed the transcription of GhWRKY33, which plays a negative role in cotton defense to drought, by reducing its H3K9 acetylation level. The expressions of the stress-related genes, such as GhDREB2A, GhDREB2C, GhSOS2, GhRD20-1, GhRD20-2 and GhRD29A, were significantly decreased in the GhHDT4D silenced cotton, but increased in the GhWRKY33 silenced cotton. Given these data together, our findings suggested that GhHDT4D may enhance drought tolerance by suppressing the expression of GhWRKY33, thereby activating the downstream drought response genes in cotton.

Genome-wide identification and functional characterization of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) MAPKKK gene family in response to drought stress.

BACKGROUND: Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAPKKKs) are significant components in the MAPK signal pathway and play essential roles in regulating plants against drought stress. To explore MAPKKK gene family functioning in cotton response and resistance to drought stress, we conducted a systematic analysis of GhMAPKKKs. RESULTS: In this study, 157 nonredundant GhMAPKKKs (including 87 RAFs, 46 MEKKs and 24 ZIKs) were identified in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). These GhMAPKKK genes are unevenly distributed on 26 chromosomes, and segmental duplication is the major way for the enlargement of MAPKKK family. Furthermore, members within the same subfamily share a similar gene structure and motif composition. A lot of cis-elements relevant to plant growth and response to stresses are distributed in promoter regions of GhMAPKKKs. Additionally, these GhMAPKKKs show differential expression patterns in cotton tissues. The transcription levels of most genes were markedly altered in cotton under heat, cold and PEG treatments, while the expressions of some GhMAPKKKs were induced in cotton under drought stress. Among these drought-induced genes, we selected GhRAF4 and GhMEKK12 for further functional characterization by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) method. The experimental results indicated that the gene-silenced cotton displayed decreased tolerance to drought stress. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was higher, but proline accumulation, relative leaf water content and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were lower in the gene-silenced cotton, compared with those in the controls, under drought stress. CONCLUSION: Collectively, a systematic survey of gene structure, chromosomal location, motif composition and evolutionary relationship of MAPKKKs were performed in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). The following expression and functional study showed that some of them take important parts in cotton drought tolerance. Thus, the data presented here may provide a foundation for further investigating the roles of GhMAPKKKs in cotton response and resistance to drought stress.

MicroRNA-34c suppresses proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell via modulating high mobility group box protein 1.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is the most frequent pathological process that causes cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to confirm miRNAs associated with atherosclerosis and explore the molecular mechanism of miR-34c and its target high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) in the control of growth of smooth muscle cells in the development of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Real-time PCR was firstly performed to confirm miRNA correlation with atherosclerosis, and computational analysis and luciferase assay were performed to explore the target of miR-34c, Western blot, and real-time PCR were also utilized to reveal the effect of whether high glucose (HG) and miR-34c affect miR-34c, HMGB1 levels, NF-κB p65 and TNF-α levels, and the role of miR-34c on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) viability induced by HG. Students' unpaired t test was performed to compare data between two groups. RESULTS: MiR-34c level was associated with atherosclerosis with different expression between VSMCs treated with high glucose or normal VSMCs. Then, HMGB1 is a virtual target of miR-34c with predicted binding site resided in HMGB1 3'UTR and further verified by that miR-34c remarkably reduced luciferase activity of wild HMGB1 3'UTR under a concentration-dependent fashion, and miR-34c cannot influence luciferase activity of mutant HMGB1 3'UTR. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested miR-34c might be a novel therapeutic strategy in the management of atherosclerosis by suppressing the expression of HGMB1 and its downstream effectors.

Pelagivirga dicentrarchi sp. nov., a member of the family Rhodobacteraceae isolated from the gut microflora of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.).

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain YLY04T, was isolated from the gut microflora of a sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) collected from the coast of Yuanyao Wharf, Weihai, China. Growth was found to occur at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, 7.0-8.0), 4-37 °C (optimum, 28-30 °C) in the presence of 0-11.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3.0-4.0%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YLY04T is closely related to Pelagivirga sediminicola BH-SD19T and Roseovarius antarcticus M-S13-148T. Strain YLY04T contains ubiquinone-10 as the sole respiratory quinone and summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c), cyclo-C19:0ω8c, C16:0 and 11-methyl-C18:1ω7c as the major fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain YLY04T were found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 62.7 mol%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, and genome analysis, indicated that strain YLY04T represents a novel species within the genus Pelagivirga, for which the name Pelagivirga dicentrarchi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YLY04T (= MCCC 1H00334T = KCTC 62452T).

Deinococcus arcticus sp. nov., isolated from Silene acaulis rhizosphere soil of the Arctic tundra.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic, short rod-shaped bacterium, designated OD32T, was isolated from a soil sample taken from the rhizosphere of Silene acaulis collected from the Arctic tundra. The novel strain, OD32T, was able to grow at 15-37 °C (optimum, 33 °C), pH 6.5-9.5 (pH 7.5-8.0) and 0-0.5 % NaCl (0 %, w/v). A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain OD32T was most closely related to the genus Deinococcus; it shared the highest sequence similarity (95.7 %) with Deinococcus grandis ATCC 43672T. Genomic DNA G+C content of the strain OD32T was 68.2 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone 8 (MK-8). The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c), C15 : 1 ω6c, C17 : 1 ω6c, C17 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. Based on phylogenetic inference and genotypic characteristics, strain OD32T represents a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus arcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is OD32T (=KCTC 33972T=CICC 24671T).

Oceaniglobus ichthyenteri sp. nov., isolated from the gut microflora of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) and emended description of the genus Oceaniglobus.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-flagellated, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive bacterial strain, designated YLY08T, was isolated from the gut microflora of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) collected from the coast of Yuanyao Wharf, Weihai, PR China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain YLY08T grew optimally at 28-30 °C, at pH 7.0-7.5 and in the presence of 2.0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate granules were produced. Neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YLY08T clustered with the type strain of Oceaniglobus indicus, with which it exhibited 95.3 % sequence similarity, while the similarity to other genera was below 95.0 %. Genomic analyses, including average nucleotide identity and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization, clearly separated YLY08T from O. indicus MCCC 1A11863T with values below the thresholds for species delineation. The major cellular fatty acid was summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The sole respiratory quinone detected was Q-10. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified phospholipid. The genome of strain YLY08T, with 38 assembled contigs, was 3.9 Mb long with a G+C content of 59.0 mol%. The results of the phenotypical, phylogenetic and biochemical analyses between the strain YLY08T and the related type strain indicated that this strain represents a novel species in genus Oceaniglobus within the family Rhodobacteraceae, for which the name Oceaniglobus ichthyenteri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YLY08T (=MCCC 1H00318T=KCTC 62182T).

Vibrio albus sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultative anaerobic, motile, slightly bent rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain E4404T, was isolated from coastal sediment sampled Weihai, China. According to phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain E4404T shared the highest similarity with the type strain of Vibriovariabilis (97.0 %), followed by the type strains of Vibriomaritimus (96.1 %) and Vibrioeuropaeus (96.0 %). Multilocus sequence analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and eight housekeeping genes (ftsZ, gapA, gyrB, mreB, pyrH, recA, rpoA and topA) showed that strain E4404T formed a unique clade in the genus Vibrio. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain E4404T and some other species in the genus Vibrio were 71.0-72.7 % and 20.4-22.4 %, respectively. Cells grew at 15-37 °C and pH 6.0-8.5 in the presence of 1.0-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimal growth at 33 °C and pH 7.0-7.5 in the presence of 3.0-3.5 % (w/v) NaCl. No growth was observed on thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose medium. The major fatty acids of strain E4404T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain E4404T was 46.1 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, genotypic, phenotypic, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain E4404T represented a novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrioalbus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E4404T (=MCCC 1H00197T=KCTC 52890T).

Functionalized Porous Silica-Based Nano/Micro Particles for Environmental Remediation of Hazard Ions.

The adsorption and separation of hazard metal ions, radioactive nuclides, or minor actinides from wastewater and high-level radioactive waste liquids using functional silica-based nano/micro-particles modified with various inorganic materials or organic groups, has attracted significant attention since the discovery of ordered mesoporous silica-based substrates. Focusing on inorganic and organic modified materials, the synthesis methods and sorption performances for specific ions in aqueous solutions are summarized in this review. Three modification methods for silica-based particles, the direct synthesis method, wetness impregnation method, and layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition, are usually adopted to load inorganic material onto silica-based particles, while the wetness impregnation method is currently used for the preparation of functional silica-based particles modified with organic groups. Generally, the specific synthesis method is employed based on the properties of the loading materials and the silicon-based substrate. Adsorption of specific toxic ions onto modified silica-based particles depends on the properties of the loaded material. The silicon matrix only changes the thermodynamic and mechanical properties of the material, such as the abrasive resistance, dispersibility, and radiation resistance. In this paper, inorganic loads, such as metal phosphates, molybdophosphate, titanate-based materials, and hydrotalcite, in addition to organic loads, such as 1,3-[(2,4-diethylheptylethoxy)oxy]-2,4-crown-6-Calix{4}arene (Calix {4}) arene-R14 and functional 2,6-bis-(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-pyridines(BTP) are reviewed. More specifically, we emphasize on the synthesis methods of such materials, their structures in relation to their capacities, their selectivities for trapping specific ions from either single or multi-component aqueous solutions, and the possible retention mechanisms. Potential candidates for remediation uses are selected based on their sorption capacities and distribution coefficients for target cations and the pH window for an optimum cation capture.

Direct separation of minor actinides from high level liquid waste by Me 2 -CA-BTP/SiO2-P adsorbent.

Directly separating minor actinides (MA: Am, Cm, etc.) from high level liquid waste (HLLW) containing lanthanides and other fission products is of great significance for the whole nuclear fuel cycle, especially in the aspects of reducing long-term radioactivity and simplifying the post-processing separation process. Herein, a novel silica-based adsorbent Me2-CA-BTP/SiO2-P was prepared by impregnating Me2-CA-BTP (2,6-bis(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,8,9,9-tetramethyl-5,8-methano-1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-yl)pyridine) into porous silica/polymer support particles (SiO2-P) under reduced pressure. It was found Me2-CA-BTP/SiO2-P exhibited good adsorption selectivity towards 241Am(III) over 152Eu(III) in a wide nitric acid range, acceptable adsorption kinetic, adequate stability against γ irradiation in 1 and 3 M HNO3 solutions, and successfully separated 241Am(III) from simulated 3 M HNO3 HLLW. In sum, considering the good overall performance of Me2-CA-BTP/SiO2-P adsorbent, it has great application potential for directly separating MA from HLLW, and is expected to establish an advanced simplified MA separation process, which is very meaningful for the development of nuclear energy.

A single nucleotide polymorphism located in microRNA-499a causes loss of function resulting in increased expression of osbpl1a and reduced serum HDL level.

Atherosclerosis is the main pathological process that induces CVD (cardiovascular diseases), and the objective of our study was explore whether miR­499a rs3746444 polymorphism was associated with the HDL level, one of the risk factors of atherosclerosis. Online public miRNA database was utilized to predict the miR­499a target, and luciferase assay was conducted to confirm that miR­499a targeted osbpl1a, then western blot analysis and real-time PCR were performed to verify miRNA-mRNA regulatory relationship between miR­499a and osbpl1a. Based on results of bioinformatics algorithms, osbpl1a was predicted as a candidate target gene of miR­499a, luciferase reporter was generated, and it was found that the luciferase activity of cells was substantial downregulated following co-transfection with wild osbpl1a 3'UTR and miR­499a compared to that in scramble control, while the inhibitory effect of miR­499a was abolished after transfection of mutant osbpl1a 3'UTR. Then, miRNA-mRNA regulatory relationship between miR­499a and osbpl1a was detected, a concentration-dependent effect of miR­499a on the miR­499a expression was observed, and both osbpl1a mRNA and protein levels of cells transfected with miR­449a (30 and 60 nM) or osbpl1a siRNA were markedly reduced, while notably improved subsequent to transfect with anti­miR­449a (30 and 60 nM) in comparison with NC groups, moreover, the inhibitory effect among 30 or 60 nM miR­499a, osbpl1a siRNA was similar, the improved effect of 30 or 60 nM anti­miR­499a showed no significant change. The influence of rs3746444 A allele on expression level of miR­499a represented a recessive pattern in high-grade group with a higher level of miR­499a in AA group, and HDL level in AA group was significantly reduced related to those in AG and GG groups. This study validated that rs3746444 polymorphism influenced the expression of miR­499a, its target gene, osbpl1a, and thereby associated with the HDL level, which makes it a potential factor involved in the mechanism of atherosclerosis.

[Polypyrrole Functionalized Gold Nanorods as Novel Contrast Agents for Optical Coherence Tomography].

Polypyrrole (PPy) is easy-prepared with good biocompatibility and strong absorption in near-infrared (NIR) region which can serve as both the photothermal therapeutic agent and contrast agent of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Herein, gold nanorod (GNR) modified with PPy (GNR-PPy) as contrast agent for optical coherence tomography imaging was investigated. GNR-PPy was synthesized via one-pot facile oxidative polymerization by using pyrrole and GNR as starting materials. Nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet-visible absorbance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. A xenograft tumor mouse model was fabricated to study the OCT contrast effect of GNR-PPy on breast tumor. An OCT system equipped with an 840 nm SLED was used for OCT imaging of the tumors injected with gold nanostructures. The experimental results indicated that the penetration depth of the OCT signals from tumors injected with GNR-PPy was lower than that from tumors injected with gold nanorods, which could be ascribed to the stronger light activity of GNR-PPy in NIR region. To quantitatively analyze the contrast effect, the attenuation coefficients were extracted from the OCT images of tumors injected with the nanostructures. In comparison with the attenuation coefficient extracted from the OCT images containing GNR, the attenuation coefficient of tumors injected with GNR-PPy was significant higher. It was concluded that gold nanorods modified with polypyrrole can enhance the light absorption in near-infrared much better, which would provide a possible detection means for enhancing the contrast effect of tumor tissues.

Decreased number of interstitial cells of Cajal play an important role in the declined intestinal transit during cholesterol gallstone formation in guinea pigs fed on high cholesterol diet.

To study the changes of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and expression of c-kt and scf mRNA in terminal ileum tissue during cholesterol gallstone formation in guinea pigs fed on high cholesterol diet, forty guinea pigs were divided into the gallstone group and the control group. The animals in the gallstone group were fed on a high cholesterol diet (HCD), while those in the control group fed on a standard diet (StD). The guinea pigs were sacrificed at the 8th week. The expression of c-kit and scf in terminal ileum were determined by RT-PCR and the morphological characteristics and number of ICCs were observed and calculated by using immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR showed that, compared with the control group, the c-kit and scf mRNA expression levels in the gallstone group were significantly declined. In the animal assay, the decreased number of ICCs was present obviously in the gallstone group. We concluded from the study that decreased number of ICCs, decreased expression of c-kit and scf in terminal ileum are present in guinea pigs fed on high cholesterol diet. The c-kit/scf pathway inhibition might be involved in the decline of intestinal transit function during cholesterol gallstone formation.