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The effectiveness and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for cases with single pseudo-capsuled hepatocellular carcinoma (pHCC), as well as their survival outcomes, were investigated. A total of 196 cases with single pHCC (diameter >5 cm) receiving initial HAIC (n = 92) and TACE (n = 104) were enrolled. The propensity score match (PSM) approach based on Cox models was employed to tune any possible imbalance in treatment assignment. The overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and partial response rate (PRR) of the subjects were investigated using the log-rank test. The independent risk factors for outcomes were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses, and the results were analyzed using the Cox regression model. The median follow-up of the subjects was 22.3 months. After PSM, no significant difference was found in the OS of the HAIC and TACE groups (OS, 12.0 vs. 16.8 months; P =.267), while the median PFS of the TACE group was prolonged compared with the HAIC group (PFS, 5.7 vs. 2.8 months; P =.003). Moreover, PRR and ORR of the TACE group were prolonged compared with the HAIC group (PRR, 34.6% vs. 21.7%; P =.046; ORR, 35.6% vs. 21.7%; P =.033). The nomogram model showed high predictive accuracy and significant discrimination. TACE therapy could delay tumor progression compared with HAIC for cases with a single pHCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, nanocellulose was extracted from agricultural waste corn husks. Transparent hydrophobic membranes containing silica were fabricated through two facile methods including surface coating and internal grafting. The results showed that: the nanocellulose prepared by TEMPO-mediated oxidation and high pressure homogenization not only retained the type and crystal structure of the original cellulose, but also increased the crystallinity to 64.5% and improved the thermal stability. Both surface coating and internal grafting methods had successfully loaded silica onto films. The internal grafting film had a silica content of 10.5%, which was mainly present inside the film. The light transmittance of this film was 84.4% and the surface contact angle to water was 152.6°. The content of silica on the surface coating film was 5.7%, and they were mainly distributed on the surface of the film to form a nano-scale rough surface. The light transmittance of the surface coating film was 87.8% and the surface contact angle to water was 165.7°. Compared to the film prepared by internal grafting method, the nanocellulose film prepared by surface coating method contained less nano silica and had better properties including higher transparency, higher surface roughness and excellent hydrophobic anti-fouling properties. • The prepared green composite films show good antifouling and superhydrophobic properties and are candidate for food package. • Nano silica can be used to graft to nanocellulose or film successfully and to increase their surface roughness. • Both the surface coating method and the internal grafting method can enhance the hydrophobic properties of nanocellulose film. • The film made by surface coating, had higher foul resistance, transparency and hydrophobicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The composite film prepared show good mechanical and hydrophobic properties and is a candidate for food package. • Stearic acid can be used to modify microcrystalline and nanocellulose successfully. • Both the M-MCC and M-NCC can enhance the mechanical and hydrophobic properties of the film. The green composite cassava starch films were prepared using stearic acid modified microcrystalline cellulose (M-MCC)/nanocellulose (M-NCC) as strength agent, which shows good mechanical and hydrophobic properties and is a candidate for food package in this work. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was prepared with 98% phosphoric acid hydrolysis and mechanical stirring at 600 r/min and nanocellulose (NCC) was prepared with 65% sulfuric acid hydrolysis. After using stearic acid to modify MCC and NCC, the casting method was used to prepare the M-MCC/cassava starch composite films and M-NCC/cassava starch films. Physical, mechanical, hydrophobic and thermal properties were characterized using SEM, electronic universal testing machine, contact angle meter and TGA. The results showed that: M-MCC and M-NCC can lead to the enhancement of mechanical and hydrophobic properties of composite films; 0.5% M-MCC and 1.5% M-NCC had the highest enhancement effect on mechanical properties, leading the tensile strength of cassava starch film increased by 484.5% and 327.7% respectively; As to hydrophobic property, when 2% M-MCC and 0.5% M-NCC added, the hydrophobicity of the film increased by 65.0% and 30.3% respectively. Overall, the enhancement effect of M-MCC was better than M-NCC. But when M-MCC/M-NCC was added, the thermal stability of films reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fomesafen is a diphenyl ether herbicide used to control the growth of broadleaf weeds in bean fields. The persistence, phytotoxicity, and negative impact on crop rotation associated with this herbicide have led to an increasing concern about the buildup of fomesafen residues in agricultural soils. The exigent matter of treatment and remediation of soils contaminated with fomesafen has surfaced. Nevertheless, the degradation pathway of fomesafen in soil remains nebulous. In this study, Bacillus sp. Za was utilized to degrade fomesafen residues in black and yellow brown soils. Fomesafen's degradation rate by strain Za in black soil reached 74.4%, and in yellow brown soil was 69.2% within 30 days. Twelve intermediate metabolites of fomesafen were identified in different soils, with nine metabolites present in black soil and eight found in yellow brown soil. Subsequently, the degradation pathway of fomesafen within these two soils was inferred. The dynamic change process of soil bacterial community structure in the degradation of fomesafen by strain Za was analyzed. The results showed that strain Za potentially facilitate the restoration of bacterial community diversity and richness in soil samples treated with fomesafen, and there were significant differences in species composition at phylum and genus levels between these two soils. However, both soils shared a dominant phylum and genus, Actinobacteriota, Proteoobacteria, Firmicutes and Chloroflexi dominated in two soils, with a high relative abundance of Sphingomonas and Bacillus. Moreover, an intermediate metabolite acetaminophen degrading bacterium, designated as Pseudomonas sp. YXA-1, was isolated from yellow brown soil. When strain YXA-1 was employed in tandem with strain Za to remediate fomesafen contaminated soil, the degradation rate of fomesafen markedly increased. Overall, this study furnishes crucial insights into the degradation pathway of fomesafen in soil, and presents bacterial strain resources potentially beneficial for soil remediation in circumstances of fomesafen contamination. [Display omitted] • The degradation pathway of fomesafen in various soils by Bacillus sp. strain Za was inferred. • The impact of soil community structure in the degradation of fomesafen by strain Za was studied. • The strain YXA-1, capable of degrading acetaminophen, was successfully isolated. • The combination of strains Za and YXA-1 could enhance the degradation rate of fomesafen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new concept for a distributed space transportation system is proposed and a corresponding decentralized cooperative control scheme is investigated. First, for a leaderless team of homogeneous space robots transporting a large object in orbit, a systematic control architecture that includes information flow is developed. Second, based on relative orbit dynamics, a rendezvous guidance law and a rigid formation control law are designed, and the necessary communication topology for the space robot team is discussed. Third, to guarantee the consensus of the motion of the large object with the robot team, both orbital maneuver control and attitude control for the large object are studied Emphasis is placed not on the attitude control law but on the force distribution problem, for which an algorithm exploiting a special property of trigonometric functions is proposed to transfer the necessary attitude control torque to the distributed forces. To support the above control method, an estimation of the motion of the formation center contributed by each robot in a decentralized manner is developed using a Kalman filter. Fourth, the robustness of the system to the failure of one robot is analyzed, and four effective typical fault response modes are proposed. Finally, numerical simulations validated the performance, robustness and practicability of the developed control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 18 novel compounds with unprecedented ring systems were prepared from the diterpenoid alkaloids deltaline and talatisamine. • Deltanaline was found to exhibit the most potent anti-inflammatory activity after optimization and screening. • Deltanaline inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators and NF-κB/MAPK pathway in activated macrophages. • Deltanaline alleviated inflammation in ear edema, AKI, and CIA. The diterpenoid alkaloids belong to a highly esteemed group of natural compounds, which display significant biological activities. It is a productive strategy to expand the chemical space of these intriguing natural compounds for drug discovery. We prepared a series of new derivatives bearing diverse skeletons and functionalities from the diterpenoid alkaloids deltaline and talatisamine based on a diversity-oriented synthesis strategy. The anti-inflammatory activity of these derivatives was initially screened and evaluated by the release of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. Futhermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of the representative derivative 31a was validated in various inflammatory animal models, including phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mice ear edema, LPS-stimulated acute kidney injury, and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). It was found that several derivatives were able to suppress the secretion of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Compound 31a , one of the representative derivatives named as deltanaline, demonstrated the strongest anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-activated macrophages and three different animal models of inflammatory diseases by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and inducing autophagy. Deltanaline is a new structural compound derived from natural diterpenoid alkaloids, which may serve as a new lead compound for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the near-distance rendezvous problem of spacecraft, the classical guidance methods, such as R-bar and V-bar, are restricted by the initial relative positions and velocities and require a long period of time to rendezvous. In this paper, a new geometric guidance approach based on continuous low-thrust, which avoids the restrictions on initial states and decreases rendezvous time dramatically and has the advantages of robustness, is presented. First, based on the classical differential geometric curve theory, the dynamics equation of near-distance rendezvous is presented and a derivative term of spacecraft velocity is introduced, by which the relative velocity can be adjusted. Then, a spacecraft guidance curvature law is derived and one navigation ratio and two velocity feedback control gains are provided based on the analysis of motion in the normal and tangential directions of line-of-sight. Moreover, a method to improve the geometric guidance by using a modified linear-quadratic regulator, in which the time and the cost for rendezvous may be optimized by adjusting a ‘decay factor’, is proposed. Finally, numerical simulations about the selection of guidance parameters, about the comparison with the glideslope method, and about the guidance convergence with measurement errors, which prove the validity of the geometric approach for the rendezvous guidance problem of spacecraft, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NLRP1 and CARD8 are related pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) that detect intracellular danger signals and form inflammasomes. Both undergo autoproteolysis, generating N-terminal (NT) and C-terminal (CT) fragments. The proteasome-mediated degradation of the NT releases the CT from autoinhibition, but the stimuli that trigger NT degradation have not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that several distinct agents that interfere with protein folding, including aminopeptidase inhibitors, chaperone inhibitors, and inducers of the unfolded protein response, accelerate NT degradation. However, these agents alone do not trigger inflammasome formation because the released CT fragments are physically sequestered by the serine dipeptidase DPP9. We show that DPP9-binding ligands must also be present to disrupt these complexes and allow the CT fragments to oligomerize into inflammasomes. Overall, these results indicate that NLRP1 and CARD8 detect a specific perturbation that induces both protein folding stress and DPP9 ligand accumulation. [Display omitted] • Aminopeptidase inhibitors induce peptide accumulation and protein folding stress • Protein folding stress accelerates NLRP1 and CARD8 N-terminal degradation • Protein folding stress potentiates DPP8/9-inhibitor-induced NLRP1 and CARD8 activation Orth-He et al. report that agents that interfere with protein folding accelerate the degradation of the NLRP1 and CARD8 N-terminal repressive fragments, thereby potentiating inflammasome activation in the presence of DPP9-binding ligands. These results indicate that the NLRP1 and CARD8 inflammasomes detect a danger state related to protein folding stress and DPP9 ligand accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Calreticulin (CRT) protein has multifaceted role in carcinogenesis, however its role in breast cancer remains unidentified. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effect of overexpressed CRT on breast cancer cells viability and proliferation. Methods Levels of mRNA and protein expression for CRT and CD47 in cells were determined by Quantitative RT-PCR analysis and Western blot, respectively. Cells apoptosis was evaluated using Annexin V-FITC assay with flow cytometry. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay. Cell migration and autophagy were also evaluated. Results In breast cancer cells of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, both CRT and CD47 expression were enhanced, compared with that in normal breast cells of MCF-10A. Overexpression of CRT by MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with significantly suppressed cell migration, viability as well as promote cell apoptosis while exerted no effected on cell autophagy. Interestingly, combining of thrombospondin (TSP) and overexpression of CRT significantly induced cell autophagy and inhibited tumor growth in MCF-7 cells xenograft. In result of chip assay, we observed that TSP treatment promoted interaction of TSP with CRT and CD47. Conclusion TSP promoted anti-tumor of adenovirus-mediated CRT via forming complexes with CRT and CD47 in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) was successfully performed at room temperature using 60Co γ-irradiation as the initiation source. Under the dose rate of 10Gy/min irradiation, the polymerization proceeded smoothly and converted approximately 90% of the monomer within 7h. The molecular weight distribution (M w/M n) remained narrow (M w/M n <1.35) up to 90% conversion. Compared to AIBN-initiated RAFT polymerization at 60°C, 60Co γ-irradiation-initiated RAFT polymerization is a technique that can better control the molecular weight, especially at high conversion. The 1H NMR spectra and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry confirmed that most of the chain ends of poly(VAc) (PVAc) from γ-irradiated RAFT polymerization were living and can be reactivated for chain-extension reactions. The microstructures of PVAc from 60Co γ-irradiated RAFT polymerization (almost head-to-tail addition) and AIBN-initiated RAFT polymerization (5% tail-to-tail addition) were different, as revealed by the 13C NMR spectra. For the first time, 60Co γ-irradiation was used as an initiation source for RAFT polymerization of VAc at room temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To utilize visible light more efficiently and enhance the photocatalytic performance of TiO2, Ag–Si/TiO2 photocatalyst was synthesized via a two-step method. The obtained materials were characterized by XRD, Raman, TEM, HRTEM, BET, TG–DTA, XPS, ICP as well as UV–vis DRS. All photocatalyst materials held an anatase phase confirmed by XRD, Raman and HRTEM. The Ag–Si/TiO2 photocatalysts possessed high thermal stability and the phase transformation was retarded to about 900°C revealed by XRD and TG–DTA. The Ag–Si/TiO2 particles synthesized via the nonaqueous method were highly monodispersed and the particles size became smaller compared to the un-doped TiO2, resulting in the enlargement of surface area. In addition, UV–vis light absorption shifted to visible region after Ag doping. XPS results demonstrated that Si weaved into the matrix of TiO2 and enriched in the surface layer, while Ag dispersed on the surface of TiO2 particles. The Ag dopant suppressed the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, Si enlarged the surface of photocatalysts. Silver and silicon co-doping improved the visible photocatalytic activity, which was evaluated by Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained Ag–Si/TiO2 sample was much more higher than those of pure TiO2 and Ag/TiO2, reaching the maximum at the Ag and Si content of 0.5mol% and 20.0mol%, respectively. The improved visible photocatalytic activity may be attributed to the synergetic effects of codoping by silver and silicon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To enhance the visible photocatalytic activity and thermal stability of TiO2, Ce–Si co-doped TiO2 materials were synthesized through a nonaqueous method of which the purpose was to reduce the aggregation between TiO2 particles. The obtained materials maintained anatase phase and large surface area of 103.3m2 g−1 even after calcined at 800°C. The XPS results also indicated that Si was weaved into the lattice of TiO2, and Ce mainly existed as oxides on the surface of TiO2 particles. The doped Si might enhance surface area and suppress transformation from anatase to rutile, while the doped Ce might cause visible absorption and inhibit crystallite growth during heat treatment. Evaluated by decomposing dye Rhodamine B, visible photocatalytic activity of Ce–Si co-doped TiO2 was obviously higher than that of pure TiO2 and reached the maximum at Ce and Si contents of 0.5mol% and 10mol%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The expansivity, constant-pressure heat capacity, and isothermal bulk modulus of sodium chloride (NaCl) have been obtained by using molecular dynamics method. The calculated thermodynamic parameters are found to be in agreement with the available experimental data. At an extended temperature and pressure ranges, these parameters have also been predicted. The thermodynamic properties of NaCl are summarized in the pressure 0–500 kbar ranges and the temperature up to 1000 K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we studied mission planning problem for Earth observation satellites using a competitive learning strategy. In particular, a scheme based on Q-network is proposed to solve scheduling problem of a single satellite, while a profit-based competitive strategy is introduced to address the scheduling conflict problem inherent with multi-satellite missions. More specifically, the Q-network is integrated with the competitive strategy to improve the algorithmic scalability and to reduce the communication burden, and the search-window is designed to improve scheduling efficiency by eliminating the obvious unbefitting choices in the learning process. Simulation results verified the performance of the proposed schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined effects between nanoalloy and disordered surface layer of TiO 2 nanosheet boosted the molecular oxygen activation to singlet oxygen, leading to the improved photocatalytic activity in selective benzylamine to imine. • Regulation the thickness of disordered surface layer and composition of Ag–Pt nanoalloy promoted the separation of charge carriers in TiO 2 nanosheet. • Synergic effect of Ag–Pt alloy and surface V O boosted the O 2 activation to 1O 2. • Highly strong interaction between Ag–Pt nanoalloy and defective TiO 2 nanosheet favored the separation of charge carriers, resulting in the improved activity. The activation of molecular oxygen with photoinduced charge carriers are highly vital in photocatalysis. Here, the synergetic effects of disordered surface layer and Ag–Pt nanoalloy over TiO 2 nanosheet on the improved photocatalytic activity was proposed. The nanocomposites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance in selective oxidation of benzylamine to imine under UV–visible irradiation. More importantly, the synergetic effect of nanoalloy and surface oxygen vacancy boosted the generation of singlet oxygen in the selective oxidation of benzylamine. The regulation of thickness of disordered surface layer and composition of Ag–Pt nanoalloy over nanosheet TiO 2 promoted the separation efficiency and mobility of charge carriers, resulted from the changed electronic structure of surface layer and nanoalloy. These findings provide an avenue for the design of nanocomposite photocatalysts combined defect engineering and nanoalloy modification to improve the photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel VOC-free luminescent composite based on photoluminescent dye and vegetable oil for UV-readable ink was developed. • Excellent photostability of the composite was demonstrated that could be continuous exposed to UV irradiation for long periods. • Pure vegetable-oil solvent did not show noticeable influence on the photoluminescence property of organic ink composites. • The anti-counterfeiting feature relying on invisible fluorescent marking was achieved through screen printing technology. In this work, a new anti-counterfeiting feature relying on invisible fluorescent pattern printed with vegetable-oil-based inks were reported. Soybean oil (SBO) and tung oil (TO) were used as all the vehicle materials with low-cost, VOC-free and renewable characteristics, and grinding with ultraviolet luminescent pigment and specific additives to obtain the synthesized ink. A series of physical properties of the inks with different mixing ratios were investigated. It was found that the formulations of 75 wt.% vehicles, 15 wt.% fluorescent pigments, 3 wt.% fluorescent whitening agents, 2 wt.% ink driers, 2 wt.% defoaming agents, 2 wt.% dispersing agents, and 1 wt.% antioxidants (BHT) showed highly performance on the stability, dryness, acid and alkali resistance. More importantly, the desired-viscosity (3000 ∼ 4000 mPa·s) inks were applied on the coated paper to obtain invisible geometric designs by screen printing technology, which showed bright blue fluorescence under 365 nm UV-light irradiation. Therefore, by applying the vegetable-oil-based ink in fluorescent security marking, the information in images could be protected in such a simple and green way that was convenient to observe and verify. It exhibited the wide potentials on the anti-counterfeiting printing and commodity packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]