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Rb+ and Cs+ are important components of lepidolite lithium-extraction tailings. However, efficient extraction and separation of Rb+ and Cs+ are difficult. We developed a two-step adsorption-flotation strategy for extraction and separation of Rb+ and Cs+. This new strategy enabled extraction of Rb+ and Cs+ from lithium-extraction tailings with efficiencies >99% and the Cs+/Rb+ separation ratio was 20:1. These findings will shed light on the efficient extraction and precise separation of Rb+ and Cs+ in liquid minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The impact of the immune landscape of the microenvironment on cancer progression is not well understood for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We, therefore, aimed to examine the association of immune cell enrichment scores as a proxy for immune profiles of tumor microenvironment with TNBC prognosis. Methods: We included 76 patients with TNBC diagnosed between 2008 to 2016 in West China Hospital and 158 patients with TNBC from The Cancer Genome Atlas. On the basis of transcriptome data, we calculated the overall ImmuneScore and type-specific enrichment scores for 34 types of immune cells, using xCell, a gene signature-based method. HRs of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated by Cox proportional hazards models. Results: During the median follow-up time of 2.8 (0.1-9.8) years, 42 patients had a recurrence, and 34 patients died. The overall ImmuneScore and most immune cell enrichment scores were relatively higher in tumors than normal tissues. A higher enrichment score of plasma cells was associated with favorable RFS [HR 0.45; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.27-0.73] and OS (HR 0.32; 95% CI, 0.17-0.61). The score of CD4+ central memory T cell (Tcm) was negatively associated with RFS (HR 1.52; 95% CI, 1.17-1.97). Besides, CD4+ Tcm enrichment score was higher in invasive tumors that were not ductal/lobular carcinoma (OR 1.59; 95% CI, 1.06-2.37). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that plasma cells and CD4+ Tcm in the tumor microenvironment may play a role in the subsequent progression of TNBC. Impact: This study provides evidence of the role of immune cells in TNBC progression that may have clinical utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Stratified waterflooding is the main technology for oilfield development. Continuously improving waterflooding control and utilization through fine waterflooding is a never-ending pursuit. Reinjecting the produced liquid into the formation after electrical dehydration is the main technical means for the waterflooding development of oilfields. Whether the suspended particle in the reinjection water meets the standards will directly affect the waterflooding development effect. This paper proposes and develops an on-line suspended particle detector and its inversion algorithm. In order to meet the downhole detection requirements of subsurface suspended particles in reinjection water, a laser on-line detector for suspended particle was developed based on the light scattering method, and an array structured lightinduced ring detector was designed to realize the identification of scattered light. In order to meet the engineering requirements of on-line inspection, the genetic algorithm and least-squares algorithm are used to optimize the granularity inversion calculation. The detection error and response time of these algorithms are compared and analyzed. With an error below the allowed value of 4% and a response time of 0.22s, the least square algorithm has more engineering application value. In order to prevent the occurrence of negative numbers after iteration of the least squares algorithm, a non-negative least square granularity inversion algorithm was designed in the practical engineering application. Based on the actual engineering data and the simulation structure, it can be concluded that the simulation values are highly consistent with the theoretical values, which proves that the laser suspended particle on-line detector and its inversion algorithm are applicable to the on-line detection system of suspended particles in the reinjection water of oilfields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms from denim-manufacturing mill sludge (DMMS) were screened for their capacity to biodegrade indigo wastewater pretreated with laccase. A bacterial strain that utilizes isatin and anthranilic acid, the metabolites of indigo produced oxidatively by laccase, was isolated and characterized. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and morphological, physiological and biochemical properties of the strain, it was identified as Achromobacter xylosoxidans N4. Anthranilic acid was detected by HPLC as a metabolite when isatin was added to the bacterial culture as the sole carbon and energy source. The N4 strain exhibited strong degradation of isatin and its metabolite anthranilic acid and was able to grow in MSM supplemented with 100 mg/L anthranilic acid with an initial pH value ranging from 4.0 to 9.0. This is the first report of a bacterium isolated from DMMS that can degrade isatin and anthranilic acid. These results indicate that the N4 strain has potential applications in the treatment of indigo wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on developments in statistical methods and practice in oncology drug development from an academic and an industry standpoint as of January 2014. It notes that the continual reassessment method (CRM) design and its modifications are being tested by the pharmaceutical industry, and that a paradigm shift from cytotoxic agents to molecularly targeted therapies has occurred. There has reportedly also been a gradual shift to randomized designs for the phase II study design.

The article centers on the enhancement of an oncology clinical program whose phase 3 studies have incurred a failure rate of 66% in the past decade. The study is based on the work of the Drug Information Association's (DIA) Adaptive Design Scientific Working Group oncology subteam on an Adaptive Program. The group analyzed 4 hypothetical oncology development programs choosing whether to pursue phase 3 after utilizing the clinical program's success and expected net present value (eNPV).

Background and objective: The absence of α-gal in humans is caused by the inactivity of α-1,3GT gene. However, humans have pre-existing and abundant anti-gal antibodies. Xenotransplantation procedures have indicated the high potential of introducing α-1,3GT gene to synthesize α-gal for cancer gene therapy by mimicking hyper-acute rejection. The aim of this study is to construct a lung cancer A549 cell line that expressed α-gal, and to observe the antitumor mechanisms mediated by human serum. Methods: A549 cells were transfected with pEGFP-N1-GT plasmids constructed in a previous study. A stable transgenic cell line, A549-GT, was then selected and cultivated. The biological characteristics of A549-GT cells, including morphology and proliferation, were examined. α-1,3GT mRNA expression was detected by RTPCR. Direct immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry (FCM) were used to analyze the synthesis of α-gal in A549- GT. The binding of human serum IgM and C3 with A549-GT were also detected. Results: α-1,3GT mRNA was expressed in A549-GT. Direct immunofluorescence staining and FCM indicated a high and stable α-gal expression rate in A549-GT. Compared with parental A549 cells, the biological characteristics of A549-GT were unaltered. α-Gal expression was not detected in the human fetal lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5 even though A549-GT and its culture medium were cultivated with the enzyme. Immunofluorescence staining and FCM also indicated abundant binding between A549-GT treated with human serum and IgM/C3. Conclusion: α-Gal expression in tumor cells by gene transduction can induce complement-dependent cytototic antitumor effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]