Search

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD), categorized as hazardous waste, contains notable concentrations of zinc. This research involved inducing the in situ deposition of zinc ions from EAFD on activated carbon (AC) surfaces, followed by the formation of ZIF-8 on the AC surface through the addition of 2-methylimidazole. The resulting ZIF-8/AC composite was utilized for adsorbing reactive and dispersed dyes. The characterization of the as-prepared ZIF-8/AC was accomplished by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, BET, XPS, and TGA. The as-prepared composite was tested for adsorption of reactive blue 19 (RB19) and chromatint yellow 3247 (CY3247) dispersion dyes. The ZIF-8/AC6 adsorbent produced the best removal efficiency for CY3247 (96.47%) and RB19 (98.63%). The highest removal efficiencies were 99.51 and 96.52% for RB19 and CY3247, respectively (concentration of 25 mg/mL). The Langmuir model yielded the maximum adsorption capacity (84.03 mg/g for RB19 and 72.46 mg/g for CY3247) coupled with strong correlation coefficient values. The Langmuir isotherm model was identified as the most fitting representation of equilibrium based on experimental data. The pseudo-second order rate model offers the most accurate depiction of the adsorption kinetics, and the Langmuir model proves suitable for describing the adsorption of RB19 and CY3247 on ZIF-8/AC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection (PICSI) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in terms of the fertilization rate and embryo quality using sibling oocyte cycles. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study collected data from 76 couples who underwent their first cycle at the Hue Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Vietnam, between May 2019 and November 2021. The inclusion criteria were cycles with at least eight oocytes and a sperm concentration of 5×106/mL. Sperm parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), fertilization, and the quality of cleavage-stage embryos on day 2 and blastocysts on day 5 were examined. Results: From 76 ICSI cycles, 1,196 metaphase II (MII) oocytes were retrieved, half of which were randomly allocated to either the PICSI (n=592) or ICSI (n=604) treatment group. The results showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of fertilization (72.80% vs. 75.33%, p=0.32), day 2 cleavage rate (95.13% vs. 96.04%, p=0.51), blastulation rate (52.68% vs. 57.89%), and high-quality blastocyst rate (26.10% vs. 31.13%, p=0.13). However, in cases where SDF was low, 59 cycles consisting of 913 MII oocytes produced a considerably higher blastulation rate with PICSI than with ICSI (50.49% vs. 35.65%, p=0.00). There were no significant differences between the pregnancy outcomes of the PICSI and ICSI embryo groups following embryo transfer. Conclusion: Using variable sperm quality provided no benefit for PICSI versus ICSI in terms of embryo outcomes. When SDF is low, PICSI appears to be able to produce more blastocysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical character recognition (OCR) is one of the most popular techniques used for converting printed documents into machine-readable ones. While OCR engines can do well with modern text, their performance is unfortunately significantly reduced on historical materials. Additionally, many texts have already been processed by various out-of-date digitisation techniques. As a consequence, digitised texts are noisy and need to be post-corrected. This article clarifies the importance of enhancing quality of OCR results by studying their effects on information retrieval and natural language processing applications. We then define the post-OCR processing problem, illustrate its typical pipeline, and review the state-of-the-art post-OCR processing approaches. Evaluation metrics, accessible datasets, language resources, and useful toolkits are also reported. Furthermore, the work identifies the current trend and outlines some research directions of this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: As the associations of sperm DNA fragmentation with morphology have not been examined in detail, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between abnormalities of morphological details and DNA integrity in human sperm. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, men from infertile couples were enrolled at Hue Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Vietnam. Conventional semen parameters, including morphological details, were analyzed following the World Health Organization 2010 criteria. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated using a sperm chromatin dispersion assay. The relationships and correlations between semen parameters, sperm morphology, and the type of halosperm and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were analyzed. Results: Among 130 men in infertile couples, statistically significant differences were not found in the sperm halo type between the normal and abnormal sperm morphology groups. The percentage of round-head spermatozoa was higher in the DFI >15% group (16.98%±12.50%) than in the DFI ≤15% group (13.13% ±8.82%), higher values for amorphous heads were found in the DFI >15% group, and lower values for tapered heads were observed in the DFI ≤15% group; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Small-halo sperm and the DFI were positively correlated with round-head sperm (r=0.243, p=0.005 and r=0.197, p=0.025, respectively). Conclusion: The rate of general sperm morphological abnormalities in semen analysis was not related to sperm DNA integrity. However, round sperm heads were closely associated with sperm DNA fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperphosphatemia is the primary risk factor for vascular calcification, which is closely associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence showed that oxidative stress by high inorganic phosphate (Pi) mediates calcific changes in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, intracellular signaling responsible for Pi-induced oxidative stress remains unclear. Here, we investigated molecular mechanisms of Pi-induced oxidative stress related with intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) disturbance, which is critical for calcification of VSMCs. VSMCs isolated from rat thoracic aorta or A7r5 cells were incubated with high Pi-containing medium. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and mammalian target of rapamycin were activated by high Pi that was required for vascular calcification. High Pi upregulated expressions of type III sodium-phosphate cotransporters PiT-1 and -2 and stimulated their trafficking to the plasma membrane. Interestingly, high Pi increased [Ca2+]i exclusively dependent on extracellular Na+ and Ca2+ as well as PiT-1/2 abundance. Furthermore, high-Pi induced plasma membrane depolarization mediated by PiT-1/2. Pretreatment with verapamil, as a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC) blocker, inhibited Pi-induced [Ca2+]i elevation, oxidative stress, ERK activation, and osteogenic differentiation. These protective effects were reiterated by extracellular Ca2+-free condition, intracellular Ca2+ chelation, or suppression of oxidative stress. Mitochondrial superoxide scavenger also effectively abrogated ERK activation and osteogenic differentiation of VSMCs by high Pi. Taking all these together, we suggest that high Pi activates depolarization-triggered Ca2+ influx via VGCC, and subsequent [Ca2+]i increase elicits oxidative stress and osteogenic differentiation. PiT-1/2 mediates Pi-induced [Ca2+]i overload and oxidative stress but in turn, PiT-1/2 is upregulated by consequences of these alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the accuracy of Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) compared with Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), the gold standard method, in a hearing screening program for children aged 2-5 years old in Hanoi, Vietnam. From 2011 to early 2012, 7191 preschool children were evaluated with OAE. OAE and ABR were the two methods were applied to examine the hearing loss status of the children. Children with OAE (-), meaning as “refer” in the community, were re-assessed using ABR in the sound rooms at the Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics, Hanoi, Vietnam. The results showed that the overall accuracy percentage of OAE compared with ABR 93.2%. The OAE method demonstrated highest accuracy of 97.9% in the oldest children of 5 years, lowest accuracy among 3-year children (90.0%), and similar for boys and girls. The study demonstrated that the OAE method is a convenient and precise method for universal hearing loss screening for preschool children in Vietnam, especially in the hard-to-reach and limited resource areas. However, further confirmed method like ABR is still needed to confirm the hearing loss status among those be classified as hearing impairment in the OAE step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated plasma levels of inorganic phosphate (Pi) are harmful, causing, among other complications, vascular calcification and defective insulin secretion. The underlying molecular mechanisms of these complications remain poorly understood. We demonstrated the role of Pi transport across the plasmalemma on Pi toxicity in INS-1E rat clonal β cells and rat pancreatic islet cells. Type III sodium-phosphate cotransporters (NaPis) are the predominant Pi transporters expressed in insulin-secreting cells. Transcript and protein levels of sodium-dependent phosphate transporter 1 and 2 (PiT-1 and -2), isotypes of type III NaPi, were up-regulated by high-Pi incubation. In patch-clamp experiments, extracellular Pi elicited a Na+-dependent, inwardly rectifying current, which was markedly reduced under acidic extracellular conditions. Cellular uptake of Pi elicited cytosolic alkalinization; intriguingly, this pH change facilitated Pi transport into the mitochondrial matrix. Increased mitochondrial Pi uptake accelerated superoxide generation, mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT), and endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated translational attenuation, leading to reduced insulin content and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Silencing of PiT-1/2 prevented Pi-induced superoxide generation and mPT, and restored insulin secretion. We propose that Pi transport across the plasma membrane and consequent cytosolic alkalinization could be a therapeutic target for protection from Pi toxicity in insulin-secreting cells, as well as in other cell types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we develop a Malliavin calculus associated to a timecontinuous Markov chain with finite state space. We apply it to get a criterion of density for solutions of stochastic differential equation involving the Markov chain and also to compute greeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) plays an important role in cell signaling and energy metabolism. In insulin releasing cells, Pi transport into mitochondria is essential for the generation of ATP, a signaling factor in metabolism-secretion coupling. Elevated Pi concentrations, however, can have toxic effects in various cell types. The underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we have investigated the effect of Pi on secretory function and apoptosis in INS-1E clonal β-cells and rat pancreatic islets. Elevated extracellular Pi (1~5 mM) increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), superoxide generation, caspase activation and cell death. Depolarization of the ΔΨm abolished Pi-induced superoxide generation. Butylmalonate, a nonselective blocker of mitochondrial phosphate transporters prevented ΔΨm hyperpolarization, superoxide generation and cytotoxicity caused by Pi. High Pi also promoted the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) pore leading to apoptosis, which was also prevented by butylmalonate. The mitochondrial antioxidants, mitoTEMPO or MnTBAP prevented Pi-triggered PT pore opening and cytotoxicity. Elevated extracellular Pi diminished ATP synthesis, cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations, insulin content and secretion in INS-1E cells as well as dispersed islet cells. These parameters were restored following preincubation with mitochondrial antioxidants. This treatment also prevented high Pi-induced phosphorylation of ER stress proteins. We propose that elevated extracellular Pi causes mitochondrial oxidative stress linked to mitochondrial hyperpolarization. Such stress results in reduced insulin content, defective insulin secretion and cytotoxicity. Our data explain the decreased insulin content and secretion observed under hyperphosphatemic states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pancreatic β-cells, ATP acts as a signaling molecule initiating plasma membrane electrical activity linked to Ca2+ influx, which triggers insulin exocytosis. The mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) mediates Ca2+ uptake into the organelle, where energy metabolism is further stimulated for sustained second phase insulin secretion. Here, we have studied the contribution of the MCU to the regulation of oxidative phosphorylation and metabolism-secretion coupling in intact and permeabilized clonal β-cells as well as rat pancreatic islets. Knockdown of MCU with siRNA transfection blunted matrix Ca2+ rises, decreased nutrient-stimulated ATP production as well as insulin secretion. Furthermore, MCU knockdown lowered the expression of respiratory chain complexes, mitochondrial metabolic activity, and oxygen consumption. The pH gradient formed across the inner mitochondrial membrane following nutrient stimulation was markedly lowered in MCU-silenced cells. In contrast, nutrient-induced hyperpolarization of the electrical gradient was not altered. In permeabilized cells, knockdown of MCU ablated matrix acidification in response to extramitochondrial Ca2+. Suppression of the putative Ca2+/H+ antiporter leucine zipper-EF hand-containing transmembrane protein 1 (LETM1) also abolished Ca2+-induced matrix acidification. These results demonstrate that MCU-mediated Ca2+ uptake is essential to establish a nutrient-induced mitochondrial pH gradient which is critical for sustained ATP synthesis and metabolism-secretion coupling in insulin-releasing cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent increase in the number of business studies lends us a better understanding of the multi-faceted behaviors of artisans whose product innovation is made to strategically respond to different logics. The purpose of this study is to develop an analytical framework for artisan product innovation based on the interplay between institutional logics, counter-institutional identities, and product innovation. We argue that craft product innovation results from the comparative power between oppositional identity (artisan identity) and relational identity (entrepreneurial identity) when coping with multiple logics. A qualitative methodology that incorporates in-depth interviews and field observations is applied to offer insights into product innovation among Vietnamese artisan businesses. Our research discovers a new strategy, "Core-Satellite," that is a tactic in reconciling competing logics. When oppositional identity is strong and relational identity is either strong or moderate at the same time, artisan business owners will create a "core" that provides a strong foundation for innovated products (satellite). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Several complexes of the formula trans-[Pt(Meug)(Am)Cl2], Meug: methyleugenol (4-allyl-1,2-dimethoxybenzene), a η 2-coordinated olefin, and Am: ammine, methylamine, diethylamine, o-toluidine, m-toluidine, p-toluidine, o-anisidine, m-anisidine and p-anisidine have been prepared. UV, IR, Raman, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 2D NMR spectra of the complexes were recorded and analyzed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The recent increase in the number of business studies lends us a better understanding of the multi-faceted behaviors of artisans whose product innovation is made to strategically respond to different logics. The purpose of this study is to develop an analytical framework for artisan product innovation based on the interplay between institutional logics, counter-institutional identities, and product innovation. We argue that craft product innovation results from the comparative power between oppositional identity (artisan identity) and relational identity (entrepreneurial identity) when coping with multiple logics. A qualitative methodology that incorporates in-depth interviews and field observations is applied to offer insights into product innovation among Vietnamese artisan businesses. Our research discovers a new strategy, ''Core-Satellite,'' that is a tactic in reconciling competing logics. When oppositional identity is strong and relational identity is either strong or moderate at the same time, artisan business owners will create a ''core'' that provides a strong foundation for innovated products (satellite). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Urethral catheterization is commonly required in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs). However, this increases their vulnerability to nosocomial infections such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Existing studies on nosocomial infections in COVID-19 patients usually report CAUTI prevalence but neglect the clinical differences between CAUTI and non-CAUTI patients. This study aimed to assess clinical features, microbiological characteristics, and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with CAUTI vs non-CAUTI patients in an ICU. Methodology: We analyzed the clinical data from a retrospective cohort study of 527 critically ill COVID-19 patients who required urethral catheterization at the ICU of Bach Mai hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August to October 2021. A total of 69 patients (n = 37 CAUTI vs n = 32 non-CAUTI) were selected for urine culture, and their clinical features, microbiological characteristics, and outcomes were recorded for analysis. Results: COVID-19 patients with CAUTI had a higher mortality rate compared to those without CAUTI (p = 0.02). The length of stay in the ICU was 1.4 times longer for CAUTI patients compared to the non-CAUTI group (p = 0.03). Fungi was the most common microbiological cause of UTI in COVID-19 ICU (91.4%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was a significant risk factor of CAUTI. P. aeruginosa, number of antibiotics used, and duration of catheterization had a strong association with the patients' survival time in ICU. Conclusions: This study provides a better understanding of CAUTI in COVID-19 patients, thus facilitating their future treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol use, a highly normative behavior in Vietnam that is associated with high rates of HIV infection and lower antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence, has been largely overlooked by HIV prevention efforts. Objectives: Using the risk environment framework, this qualitative study aims to explore the perceived microenvironmental (community-level) and endogenous (individual-level) barriers and facilitators to alcohol reduction among people living with HIV (PLHIV) with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in Vietnam. Methods: From June-July 2014, semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty PLHIV (18 men; 12 women) recruited from an outpatient ART clinic in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam. All participants had scores of ≥8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and ten of the 30 participants were currently using injection drugs. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and analyzed to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to alcohol reduction. Results: Most participants reported a spike in alcohol consumption at the time of HIV diagnosis. Most perceived barriers existed at the microenvironmental level, including perceived inability to refuse alcohol in the context of community-level social norms and lack of alcohol treatment programs. Two commonly mentioned endogenous barriers were compensatory behaviors when reducing injection drug use and using alcohol as a coping strategy for HIV-related sadness. Those who were able to successfully reduce alcohol use and adhere to ART reported having social support to buffer community-level social pressure and cope with sadness. Conclusions: It may be effective to introduce targeted alcohol reduction interventions in health care centers to address individual risk practices and microenvironmental social norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The World Health Organization recommends that primaquine should be given once weekly for 8-weeks to patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, but data on its antirelapse efficacy and safety are limited. Methods: Within the context of a multicentre, randomised clinical trial of two primaquine regimens in P. vivax malaria, patients with G6PD deficiency were excluded and enrolled into a separate 12-month observational study. They were treated with a weekly dose of 0.75 mg/kg primaquine for 8 weeks (PQ8W) plus dihydroartemisinin piperaquine (Indonesia) or chloroquine (Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Vietnam). G6PD status was diagnosed using the fluorescent spot test and confirmed by genotyping for locally prevalent G6PD variants. The risk of P. vivax recurrence following PQ8W and the consequent haematological recovery were characterized in all patients and in patients with genotypically confirmed G6PD variants, and compared with the patients enrolled in the main randomised control trial. Results: Between July 2014 and November 2017, 42 male and 8 female patients were enrolled in Afghanistan (6), Ethiopia (5), Indonesia (19), and Vietnam (20). G6PD deficiency was confirmed by genotyping in 31 patients: Viangchan (14), Mediterranean (4), 357A-G (3), Canton (2), Kaiping (2), and one each for A-, Chatham, Gaohe, Ludhiana, Orissa, and Vanua Lava. Two patients had recurrent P. vivax parasitaemia (days 68 and 207). The overall 12-month cumulative risk of recurrent P. vivax malaria was 5.1% (95% CI: 1.3–18.9) and the incidence rate of recurrence was 46.8 per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 11.7–187.1). The risk of P. vivax recurrence was lower in G6PD deficient patients treated with PQ8W compared to G6PD normal patients in all treatment arms of the randomised controlled trial. Two of the 26 confirmed hemizygous males had a significant fall in haemoglobin (>5g/dl) after the first dose but were able to complete their 8 week regimen. Conclusions: PQ8W was highly effective in preventing P. vivax recurrences. Whilst PQ8W was well tolerated in most patients across a range of different G6PD variants, significant falls in haemoglobin may occur after the first dose and require clinical monitoring. Trial registration: This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01814683). Author summary: Fifty patients with P. vivax malaria and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency were given the WHO-recommended, primaquine regimen of 0.75 mg/kg body weight once per week for 8 weeks. Treatment was highly effective and well tolerated in most patients. Two patients had a significant (>5g/dl) fall in haemoglobin and one was hospitalised for intravenous fluids; both were able to complete the primaquine regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study shows high nitrogen removal efficiency of a combination of partial nitritation and Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation (anammox) process for old landfill leachate treatment. A lab-scale experiment including partial nitritation using a sequencing batch reactor (PN-SBR) followed by a anammox hybrid reactor (HAR), which consists of suspended biomass layer in the bottom part and bio-carrier bed in the upper part run at the influent total ammonia concentrations (TAN) of 500 mg N/L and 1000 mg N/L. The result of PN-SBR experiment showed that the NO 2 –N:NH 4 –N ratio achieved about 1.22 and 1.02 at HRT of 12 h (influent TAN of 500 mg N/L) and HRT of 19 h (influent TAN of 1000 mg N/L), respectively. Simultaneously, the HAR was operated at the nitrogen loading rate (NLR) of 4.2 and 8.3 kg N/m 3 .d, corresponding to influent TAN of 500 mg N/L and 1000 mg N/L, respectively. The effluent of the system containing 9.7 ± 3.5 mg NH 4 –N/L, 1.7 ± 0.4 mg NO 2 –N/L and 23 ± 4 mg NO 3 –N/L (equivalent to 35 ± 4 mg TN/L) at NLR of 1.02 for PN-SBR and NLR of 4.2 kg N/m 3 .d for HAR. This effluent quality was good enough to meet Vietnamese treated landfill leachate quality. The system obtained TN removals of 93 ± 1% and 81 ± 1.2% at NLRs of 4.2 kg TN/m 3 .d (phase I) and 8.3 kg TN/m 3 .d (phase II), respectively. The total biomass of HAR including attached biomass and suspended one was maintained up to 20,400 mgVSS/L at the end of the experiment when the removal rate of anamnox biomass obtained 0.4 kg TN/kgVSS.d. While, PN-SBR was kept at 2300 mg MLVSS/L and SRT of 10–12 days at NLR of 4.2 kg TN/m 3 .d, which the nitrogen conversion rate of AOB was 0.53 kg TAN/kgVSS.d. In terms of COD removal, it is found that PN-SBR removed only 14% of influent COD, whereas HAR removed 30% of COD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction of tropolone or hinokitiol with phosphorus pentasulfide (P₂S₅) directly gives the sulfurized precursor [PS₂(SST)]₂ or [PS₂(SSH)]₂ (SST = dithiotropolonato or SSH = dithiohinokitiolato). The resulting [PS₂(SST)]₂ or [PS₂(SSH)]₂ is further reacted with [CpCoI₂(CO)] (Cp = η³-cycIopentadienyl) to form the organometallic [CpCo(I)(SST)] (1) or [CpCo(I)(SSH)] (2), respectively. 1 and 2 have a cobaltadithiaazulene ring containing one cobalt and two sulfur atoms in die five-membered ring of azulene. Although X-ray structure analysis of 1 reveals the iodide-coordinated structure, 1 becomes the iodide-free complex [CpCo(SST)]⁺ (4⁺) in solution. Electrochemical studies of 4⁺ by CV and spectroelectrochemical measurements (ESR, UV--vis--NIR) in solution are carried out 4⁺ is stepwise reduced by 2e⁻ to form the stable neutral radical (4•) and unstable anion (4⁻). It is proposed that the anion 4⁻ undergoes dimerization to afford the dimer (62-) by anion radical coupling at the 5 or 7 position in the seven-membered ring of the cobaltadithiaazulene, since the similar anion radical coupling of a reduced azulene has been reported. Electrochemical reoxidation of 62- slowly undergoes monomerization, giving the original monomer 4•. DFT calculation of 4⁺ explains that there is a delocalized lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) in the whole molecule, and that of radical 4• has a delocalized singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO). In these CpCo--SST (or SSH) complexes, there could be metal/ligand electron transfer since the SST (or SSH) ligand is potentially redox active. The spin density distribution of 4⁻ obtained by the DFT method supports the mechanism of the anion radical coupling at the 5 or 7 position in the seven-membered ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated to establish CD40-activated B cells (CD40-B cells) as alternative antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for the induction of myeloma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). To generate CD40-B cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were co-cultured with CD40L-transfected J558 cells in the presence of IL-4, insulin, transferrin, and cyclosporine for 14 days, and pulsed with myeloma lysates. The CD40-B cells consistently expressed high levels of CD80, CD86, CD54, CCR7, and HLA-DR. The CD40-B cells produced IL-12, IFN-γ, and IL-6 during the culture period, but not IL-10. In addition, the CD40-B cells showed potent allogeneic T-cell stimulatory capacities that depended on the dose ratio and had the potential to polarize naïve T cells into Th1 subsets. The CD40-B cells loaded with tumor lysates induced strong target-specific CTLs, based on large numbers of IFN-γ secreting cells and higher cytotoxic activity against target cells compared to the CD40-B cells without the tumor lysates. These results suggest that CD40-B cells loaded with myeloma lysates might provide alternative APCs for cellular immunotherapy in patients with myeloma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an important cultivated fruit crop in Vietnam due to its commercial value for fresh consumption and especially for fruit processing industry. A large number of diverse guava accessions, both indigenous and exotic, are available in Vietnam but their characterization, which is needed to identify targeted guava accessions for breeding programs, is still limited. Methods: The phenotypic variation and relationship among 40 guava accessions collected across Vietnam were assessed employing leaf and fruit morphological and physiological characterizations. Result: Range of variation for different leaf and fruit parameters were recorded. Significant correlations between leaf and fruit traits relating to yield and fruit quality were also observed implying a possibility of their simultaneous or interchangeable use in selection. Furthermore, the dendrogram generated from agglomeration hierarchical clustering grouped the 40 guava accessions into four major clusters which are highly associated with their origins. The result indicated that existing guava accessions are an important source of genetic diversity and can be used in the guava improvement program in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we use the operator projection method and descriptions of the Fuchs–Kliewer, Ridley, and Huang–Zhu confined phonon models to investigate the influence of confined optical phonons on the magneto-optical properties in parabolic quantum wells by calculating the expression for the absorption power. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) is obtained for the cyclotron resonance peak by using a computational method. The FWHM is defined as functions of the confinement frequency, temperature, and magnetic field for both the bulk phonon and confined phonon models. The results are discussed and compared with those for square quantum wells. The results show that the FWHM has a larger value in the parabolic quantum wells and it varies more rapidly than that in the square quantum wells for both the bulk phonon and confined phonon models. Thus, phonon confinement has an important role and it should be considered when investigating the FWHM for parabolic quantum wells. • Cyclotron resonance of the full width at half maximum (CRFWHM) calculated. • CRFWHM increases with magnetic field, temperature, and confinement frequency. • CRFWHM value larger for confined phonon than bulk phonon. • CRFWHM values smallest for Ridley model but largest for Huang-Zhu model. • CRFWHM value larger for parabolic quantum wells than square quantum wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined influence of temperature, hydrostatic pressure, and applied aluminum concentration on the magneto-optical properties of GaAs/Al μ Ga 1−μ As quantum wells (QWs) is presented by considering the combined influences of them on the magnetophonon resonance absorption power (AP) and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the optically detected magneto-phonon resonance (ODMPR) peaks for both phonon absorption and emission processes when phonons are confined to describe by Huang and Zhu. The numerical results denote that the AP and the FWHM have great influence (strong dependence) on the applied aluminum concentration, the temperature, and hydrostatic pressure. Moreover, the results also indicate the value and variation of the FWHM with applied aluminum concentration, hydrostatic pressure, as well as temperature of the ODMPR peak for phonon absorption processes is always larger and faster in comparison with that phonon emission process for both the confined and bulk phonons. Especially, when the phonons are confined, the more pronounced these properties are. • Effects of temperature T , pressure P , and Al-concentration µ on the magneto-optical properties of QWs are studied. • T , P , and µ strongly effect on the ODMPR effect for bulk and confined modes. • Redshift and blueshift behaviors of peaks with µ, P and T are discussed. • Variation of FWHMs with µ , P , and T for bulk and confined modes are compared. • Effects of µ , P , and T become important when phonons are confined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis class S protein (PIGS) gene has recently been implicated in a novel congenital disorder of glycosylation resulting in autosomal recessive inherited glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored protein (GPI‐AP) deficiency. Previous studies described seven patients with biallelic variants in the PIGS gene, of whom two presented with fetal akinesia and five with global developmental delay and epileptic developmental encephalopathy. We present the molecular and clinical characteristics of six additional individuals from five families with unreported variants in PIGS. All individuals presented with hypotonia, severe global developmental delay, microcephaly, intractable early infantile epilepsy, and structural brain abnormalities. Additional findings include vision impairment, hearing loss, renal malformation, and hypotonic facial appearances with minor dysmorphic features but without a distinctive facial gestalt. Four individuals died due to neurologic complications. GPI anchoring studies performed on one individual revealed a significant decrease in GPI‐APs. We confirm that biallelic variants in PIGS cause vitamin pyridoxine‐responsive epilepsy due to inherited GPI deficiency and expand the genotype and phenotype of PIGS‐related disorder. Further delineation of the molecular spectrum of PIGS‐related disorders would improve management, help develop treatments, and encourage the expansion of diagnostic genetic testing to include this gene as a potential cause of neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injury to podocytes leads to the onset of chronic renal diseases characterized by proteinuria. Elevated transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in kidney tissue is associated with podocyte damage that ultimately results in apoptosis and detachment. We investigated the proapoptotic mechanism of TGF-β in immortalized mouse podocytes. Exogenous TGF-β1-induced podocyte apoptosis through caspase-3 activation, which was related to elevated ROS levels generated by selective upregulation of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4). In mouse podocytes, Nox4 was predominantly localized to mitochondria, and Nox4 upregulation by TGF-β1 markedly depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential. TGF-β1-induced ROS production and caspase activation were mitigated by an antioxidant, the Nox inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium, or small interfering RNA for Nox4. A TGF-β receptor I blocker, SB-431542, completely reversed the changes triggered by TGF-β1. Knockdown of either Smad2 or Smad3 prevented the increase of Nox4 expression, ROS generation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase-3 activation by TGF-β1. These results suggest that TGF-β1-induced mitochondrial Nox4 upregulation via the TGF-β receptor-Smad2/3 pathway is responsible for ROS production, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis, which may at least in part contribute to the development and progression of proteinuric glomerular diseases such as diabetic nephropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transcription factor LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) controls aspects of early embryogenesis and seed maturation in Arabidopsis thaliana. To identify components of the LEC1 regulon, transgenic plants were derived in which LEC1 expression was inducible by dexamethasone treatment. The cotyledon-like leaves and swollen root tips developed by these plants contained seed-storage compounds and resemble the phenotypes produced by increased auxin levels. In agreement with this, LEC1 was found to mediate up-regulation of the auxin synthesis gene YUCCA10. Auxin accumulated primarily in the elongation zone at the root-hypocotyl junction (collet). This accumulation correlates with hypocotyl growth, which is either inhibited in LEC1-induced embryonic seedlings or stimulated in the LEC1-induced long-hypocotyl phenotype, therefore resembling etiolated seedlings. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed a number of phytohormone- and elongation-related genes among the putative LEC1 target genes. LEC1 appears to be an integrator of various regulatory events, involving the transcription factor itself as well as light and hormone signalling, especially during somatic and early zygotic embryogenesis. Furthermore, the data suggest non-embryonic functions for LEC1 during post-germinative etiolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the solution structure of the squash trypsin inhibitor MCoTI-II, a novel family of cyclic knottins from Momordica Cochinchinensis seeds. Main effect of the cyclization on the cyclic squash inhibitors; Differences with the three-dimensional structures of other known cyclic knottins; Explanation for the absence of significant antibacterial activity for the isolated macrocyclic squash inhibitors.