Effect of Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) Size on Microstructure and Compressive Strength of Concrete.

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are hydrophilic, polymeric network materials renowned for their ability to enhance various properties of cementitious materials. This investigation examines the impact of SAP size on the hydration degree, porosity, and compressive strength of cement pastes and concrete under diverse curing conditions and ageing periods. The findings reveal that SAP addition stimulates the hydration of the C2S phase, particularly during the early curing stages, thereby favouring early strength development. However, the effect of SAPs on hydration promotion diminishes as their size increases. Conversely, the size of SAPs affects the hydration range of their action, and the 400 µm SAP demonstrates the most extensive range of hydration enhancement, reaching up to 105 µm. Additionally, SAPs effectively reduce porosity in small pores (4 nm-10 µm), with 200 µm and 400 µm SAPs exhibiting the highest efficacy. While analysing the effects of SAPs on larger pores (>10 µm), the results show that although larger SAPs result in larger average porosity, the total porosity is effectively reduced, particularly in samples incorporating 400 µm SAP. The compressive strength of cement paste, even after 28 days, is slightly reduced following the introduction of SAPs. However, the strength of concrete, due to the naturally occurring pores eliminating the negative effects of the pores produced by SAPs, is significantly increased following the introduction of SAPs, especially 400 µm SAP.

Diagnostic value of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT for predicting the pathological grade of prostate cancer.

This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of relevant parameters of 18F-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-1007 PET/CT in predicting the pathological grade of primary prostate cancer. Briefly, a prospective analysis was performed on 53 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer by systematic puncture biopsy, followed by 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT examination prior to treatment within 10 d. The patients were grouped in accordance with the Gleason grading system revised by the International Association of Urology Pathology (ISUP). They were divided into high-grade group (ISUP 4-5 group) and low-grade group (ISUP 1-3 group). The differences in maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), tumor-to-background ratio (TBR), intraprostatic PSMA-derived tumor volume (iPSMA-TV), and intraprostatic total lesion PSMA (iTL-PSMA) between the high- and low-grade group were statistically significant (p < .001). No significant difference was found for mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) between the high- and low-grade groups (Z = -1.131, p = .258). Besides, binary multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only iPSMA-TV and iTL-PSMA were independent predictors of the pathological grading, for which the odds ratios were 18.821 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.040-173.614, p = .010] and 0.758 (95% CI: 0.613-0.938, p = .011), respectively. The area under the ROC of this regression model was 0.983 (95% CI: 0.958-1.00, p < .001). Only iTL-PSMA was a significant parameter for distinguishing ISUP-4 and ISUP-5 groups (Z = -2.043, p = .041). In a nutshell, 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT has good application value in predicting the histopathological grade of primary prostate cancer. Three-dimensional volume metabolism parameters iPSMA-TV and iTL-PSMA were found to be independent predictors for pathological grade.

Adsorption behaviour of simulant radionuclide cations and anions in metakaolin-based geopolymer.

Geopolymers are a class of alkaline-activated materials that have been considered as promising materials for radioactive waste disposal. Currently, metakaolin-based geopolymers (MK-GPs) are attracting interest for the immobilisation of radionuclides in contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. However, the associated chemical interaction mechanisms and the theoretical prediction of the adsorption behaviour of MK-GP in response to cationic radionuclides have not been thoroughly studied or fully understood. In addition, there is a lack of studies on the adsorption capacity of MK-GP for anionic radionuclides. In this study, two types of metakaolin-based (Metastar501 and Sobueclay) geopolymers were synthesised at a K2O:SiO2:H2O ratio of 1:1:13. The binding capacity and interaction mechanism of MK-GP with Cs+, Sr2+, Co2+, I-, IO3-, SeO32-, and SeO42- were evaluated based on the zeta potential, radionuclide binding, and alkali leaching. The results showed that MK-GP does not have the ability to incorporate anionic radionuclides irrespective of the metakaolin source used, but both types of geopolymers have a high capacity to immobilise cationic radionuclides. The uptake of Cs+ was observed as a one-to-one exchange between Cs+ and K+ whereas both one-two and one-one ion exchanges are possible in the case of Sr2+ and Co2+ with K+. The formation of cobalt blue (CoAl2O4) also contributed to the binding of Co2+. Thermodynamic modelling was conducted according to the ion exchange mechanism which predicts the binding of Cs+ and Sr2+ at low concentrations.

Green preparation of core-shell Cu@Pd nanoparticles with chitosan for glucose detection.

Although core-shell structure is favored by many applications, preparing it with green way is rarely been reported. Herein, a core-shell structured Cu@Pd-CS nanocomposite is greenly fabricated utilizing a natural chitosan and applied to glucose detection. As-obtained Cu@Pd-CS nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). When applied to glucose detection, the Cu@Pd-CS exhibits good stability, sensitivity and anti-interference. Moreover, it has a good linear relationship in glucose concentrations range of 0.1-1 mM with the sensitivity of 1.53 µA mM-1 cm-2 and 1-10 mM with the sensitivity of 23.00 µA mM-1 cm-2. This work proves the practicability of building metal-based core-shell structure nanoparticles with green resources and glucose detection application.

The genetic relationship of SOX9 polymorphisms with osteoarthritis risk in Chinese population: A case-control study.

This research aimed to reveal the relationship of SRY-type HMG box 9 (SOX9) gene polymorphisms with osteoarthritis (OA) risk in a Chinese population.Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing were used for genotyping polymorphism in 152 OA patients and 139 controls. Firstly, the conformity of genotype distribution to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the control group was checked. The differences in genotype and allele frequencies of our studied polymorphism were compared between the two groups using chi-square test. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was used to appraise the strength of the relationship between the polymorphism and OA occurrence. Cross-over analysis was conducted to reveal the interaction between polymorphisms in SOX9.The AA genotype of the polymorphism rs1042667 was significantly correlated to the increased susceptibility to OA (OR = 2.075, 95%CI = 1.042-4.132). We also detected that the A allele of the polymorphism rs1042667 also obviously increased the occurrence of OA in our study (OR = 1.401, 95%CI = 1.009-1.945). Moreover, the G allele of the polymorphism rs12601701 and the A allele of the polymorphism rs1042667 could significantly elevate the risk of OA (OR = 2.075, 95%CI = 1.021-4.218).SOX9 polymorphism rs1042667 may be a risk factor for OA in Chinese Han population. The interaction between the polymorphisms rs1042667 and rs12601701 also contribute to OA risk.

Lipopolysaccharide promoted the growth rate of MG-63 cells via the extracellular regulated kinase pathway.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the growth rate of MG-63 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MG-63 cells were exposed to various concentrations of LPS, and the growth rate was determined with the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. In addition, variations in the phosphorylation state of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK1/2), Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 were determined by western blotting. RESULTS: There was a correlation between the increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and the growth of LPS-treated MG-63 cells. The increased phosphorylation was mediated by the LPS receptor toll-like receptor-4. CONCLUSIONS: LPS promoted the growth of MG-63 cells through the ERK pathway.

Isolation and Structural Characterization of a Second Polysaccharide from Bulbs of Lanzhou Lily.

In this study, a second water-soluble polysaccharide (designated as LDP-2) was isolated from the bulbs of Lanzhou Lily (Lilium davidii var. unicolor). Based on monosaccharide composition and methylation analysis, its structural features were investigated using a variety of characterizations, such as size-exclusion chromatography combined with laser light scattering (SEC-LLS), gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that LDP-2 is a homogeneous heteropolysaccharide (molecular weight 6.2 × 104 Da), which includes four kinds of monosaccharides (Lyx, Man, Glc, and Gal in an approximate weight ratio of 6.74: 6.28: 76.50: 10.48). Furthermore, its morphology, thermal behavior, and preliminary hypoglycemic activities were also investigated.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of Pd3Ag nanocomposite via nature polysaccharide applied to glucose detection.

In this work, a green strategy is performed to fabricate Pd3Ag nanoparticles (NPs) using plant-extracted polysaccharide (Lilium brownie polysaccharide, LBP). As-obtained Pd3Ag nanocomposite (Pd3Ag-LBP/C) is surveyed including transmission election microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The result of glucose detection application shows that the Pd3Ag-LBP/C glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibits good stability and sensitivity. It can completely cover the normal blood glucose concentration (3-8 mM) with high sensitivity of 77.20 µA mM-1 cm-2. This work undoubtedly has positive effects on green synthesis development. It not only proves the practicability of building nanomaterials by polysaccharide, but also offers an environmentally friendly way for fabricating other nanomaterials.