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Although thermal ablation has been recommended as an alternative therapy option for autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN), current clinical evidence mainly focuses on toxic AFTN. This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation (percutaneous radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation) in treating nontoxic and toxic AFTN. AFTN patients who received a single session of thermal ablation with a follow-up period ≥12 months were recruited. Changes in nodule volume and thyroid function, and complications were evaluated. Technical efficacy was defined as the maintenance or restoration of euthyroidism with a volume reduction rate (VRR) ≥80% at the last follow-up. In total, 51 AFTN patients (age: 43.8±13.9 years, female: 88.2%) with a median follow-up period of 18.0 (12.0-24.0) months were included, where 31 were nontoxic (nontoxic group), and 20 were toxic (toxic group) before ablation. The median VRR was 96.3% (80.1%-98.5%) and 88.3% (78.3%-96.2%) in the nontoxic and toxic groups, respectively, and the respective euthyroidism rates were 93.5% (29/31, 2 evolved to toxic) and 75.0% (15/20, 5 remained toxic). The corresponding technical efficacy was 77.4% (24/31) and 55.0% (11/20, p= 0.126). Except for one case of stress-induced cardiomyopathy in the toxic group, no permanent hypothyroidism or other major complications occurred in both groups. Image-guided thermal ablation is efficacious and safe in treating AFTN, both nontoxic and toxic. Recognition of nontoxic AFTN would be helpful for treatment, efficacy evaluation, and follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Y 0.1 Ca 0.9 Zr 1- x Co x O 3-δ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) was synthesized by a solid-state reaction. Y 0.1 Ca 0.9 Zr 1- x Co x O 3-δ is orthorhombic perovskite structure. The electronic conductivity and total conductivity increase with increasing Co concentration and temperature. The activation energy of electronic conductivity and total conductivity is lowest when the Co concentration is x = 0.5. A lower activation energy is conducive to the migration of oxygen ions. Using Y 0.1 Ca 0.9 Zr 0.7 Co 0.3 O 3-δ and Y 0.1 Ca 0.9 Zr 0.5 Co 0.5 O 3-δ as dense diffusion barrier and 8YSZ (8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia) as a solid electrolyte, the limiting current oxygen sensor was fabricated by the Pt sintered-paste method, and its sensing performance was studied. The oxygen sensor exhibits a limiting current plateau at 760–850 °C. The oxygen measurement range increases with increasing Co concentration. The limiting current is directly proportional to the oxygen concentration, indicating that it shows excellent sensing characteristics at different temperatures. When the test time is more than 75 h, the oxygen sensor has good stability, and the stable limiting current is approximately 4.23 mA. The voltage range of the limiting current plateau has no effect on the increase of the detection time, and its voltage range is 0.75–1.75 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, porous Al 2 O 3 ceramics have attracted extensive attention because of their unique properties. However, the low strength of porous Al 2 O 3 ceramics constrains their practical application. Herein, the porous Al 2 TiO 5 –Al 2 O 3 ceramics with higher strength were prepared through the Al 2 O 3 hollow spheres (HSs) coated with TiO 2 sol using co-precipitation method. The present work is to study the effects of Al 2 TiO 5 solution content on the sintering behavior and mechanical properties of porous Al 2 O 3 ceramics. Then, the enhancement mechanism was analyzed by comparison of the bulk density, porous, shrinkage, compressive strength, and the resultant microstructure. With Ti(SO 4) 2 solution content as the primary parameter to control the Al 2 TiO 5 content, it was found that when Ti(SO 4) 2 solution content was 15 mL, the minimum value of porosity reached 30.4%, while the maximum values of bulk density and shrinkage reached 2.52 g/cm3 and 9.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the compressive strength of porous Al 2 O 3 ceramics containing 15 mL Ti(SO 4) 2 solution reached a maximum of 53.1 MPa, which is attributed to the formation of the liquid phase and the presence of elongated Al 2 TiO 5 grains. This results from the improvement of bonding strength between Al 2 O 3 HSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine casein, particularly α-casein, is a common source of allergenic epitopes that trigger adverse immune responses in susceptible individuals. In this study, we developed a method to significantly reduce the antigenicity of α-casein by combining hydrolysis with yeast and alkaline proteases. enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, Tricine-SDS-PAGE, and electronic tongue were employed to assess the products of two-step hydrolysis. Infant and child allergy serum was used to evaluate IgE binding capacity. The serum IgE inhibition rate of the hydrolysate was 23.55% and the antigenicity of α-casein decreased by 81.40%. The bitterness and astringency produced during hydrolysis are also reduced. These results indicate that the combined hydrolysis of Clavispora lusitaniae DPU-MWFCl-D2 with an alkaline protease enhances the breakdown of allergenic epitopes, striking a balance between diminished antigenicity and good taste. This study provides a potential solution for developing hypoallergenic dairy products. [Display omitted] • Casein antigenicity reduced by a Clavispora lusitaniae strain and alkaline protease. • Allergic epitopes were targeted hydrolysis via computer simulation after strain fermentation. • The combined hydrolysis mitigates the bitter and astringent flavours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La 0.8 Sr 0.2 (Ga 0.8 Mg 0.2) 1- x (Cr 0.4 Fe 0.6) x O 3- δ (LSGMCF, x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9) and La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Ga 0.8 Mg 0.2 (LSGM) were synthesized by solid-state reaction with La 2 O 3 , SrCO 3 , Ga 2 O 3 , MgO, Cr 2 O 3 and Fe 2 O 3 as raw materials. By characterizing the phase analysis and micro-structure of LSGMCF, it was found that Cr and Fe dissolved in the main crystalline phase LSGM in a wide range. The effects of Cr and Fe concentrations on the electronic and total conductivity of LSGMCF were analyzed by Hebb-Wagner and Linear Sweep Voltammetry methods. The results show that when x = 0.9, it has better electronic conductivity and the highest total conductivity. LSGMCF(x = 0.9) and LSGM were prepared into limiting current oxygen sensor by co-pressing and co-sintering technique, and its sensing characteristics were studied. The oxygen sensor exhibits a limiting current in the range of 0–7% oxygen concentration at 730–790 °C. The limiting current is directly proportional to the oxygen concentration, indicating that it shows good sensing characteristics at different temperatures. In addition, its sensing performance has excellent stability between 0 -42h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropeptides such as neurotensin (NT), and enkephalin (ENK) in the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) are involved in excitatory synaptic transmission to modulate nociceptive information. However, morphological evidence indicating that NT or ENK coexists with glutamate in the MDH is still meager. Using fluorescent immunohistochemistry, the results showed that double labeling of NT or ENK terminals with VGluT2 is mainly concentrated in the lamina II of the MDH, and many axon terminals exhibiting NT or ENK immunoreactivity in the superficial layers of the MDH showed VGluT2 immunoreactivity. Electron microscopy confirmed the coexpression of NT or ENK and VGluT2 in axon terminals within the laminae I and II of the MDH. These axon terminals make asymmetrical synapses with immunonegative neuronal cell bodies and dendrites. The findings suggest that glutamate is coreleased with NT or ENK from axon terminals of interneurons in the superficial layers of the MDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: DNA G-quadruplex is an attractive drug target for anticancer therapy. Most G-quadruplex ligands have little selectivity, due to π-stacking interaction with common G-tetrads surface. Thanks to the varieties of G-quadruplex grooves, the groove-binding ligand is expected to create high selectivity. Therefore, developing novel molecular geometries that target G-quadruplex groove has been paid growing attention. In this work, steroid FG, a special nonplanar and nonaromatic small molecule, interacting with different conformations of G-quadruplexes has been studied by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed the selectivity of the hydrophobic group of steroid FG for the wide groove of antiparallel G-quadruplex. The methyl groups on the tetracyclic ring of steroid represent the specific binding ability for the small hydrophobic cavity formed by reversed stacking of G-tetrads in antiparallel G-quadruplex groove. This work provides new insight for developing new classes of G-quadruplex groove-binding ligands. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Removal of waste (cyanobacteria, macrophytes and sediment) from Chaohu Lake, a large freshwater lake in China, might cause secondary environmental pollution due to improper disposal. Bioleaching dewatering and composting were performed in this study to dispose these wastes. The results showed that bioleaching could effectively decrease the water content in the cyanobacteria-macrophytes-sediment mixture. The reduced nitrogen-loss rate and increased humus content were observed in the compost after inoculating with microbial agent. High-throughput DNA sequencing showed that the microbial inoculants influenced microbial community composition. The degradation rates of microcystin variant with leucine (MC-LR) and microcystin variant with arginine (MC-RR) in the treatment of composting plus microbial inoculation were significantly higher than those in the natural placement. Seeds of Chinese cabbage were grown in the soil supplemented with mature compost for 67 days. The content of heavy metals in the organic fertilizer, soil and cabbage were much lower than the corresponding limited values of the national standard in China. In conclusion, the cyanobacteria, macrophytes and sediment in China Chaohu Lake could be used safely as raw materials for composting. Unlabelled Image • Bioleaching removes excess water from cyanobacteria-macrophytes-sediment mixture. • Microbial inoculation reduces nitrogen and NH 4 +-N loss rates during composting. • Composting of Chaohu Lake wastes produces acceptable levels of microcystins. • Cyanobacteria-macrophytes-sediment mixture is a safe fertilizer after composting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium aluminate (MgAl 2 O 4) spinel has grasped considerable attention in high-temperature application by right of its excellent properties. However, the poor sintering behavior of MgAl 2 O 4 is detrimental to its further development. In the present work, the application of isostructural heterogeneous nucleation method provides a novel idea for optimizing the sintering behavior of refractory materials. A series of (1- x)MgAl 2 O 4 - x Mg 2 TiO 4 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1) spinel solid solutions with a present ration of components were fabricated from light calcined magnesia, reactive alumina and pre-preparation Mg 2 TiO 4. The effect of Mg 2 TiO 4 heterogeneous nucleating agent on the crystalline phase, densification, and microstructure evolution of MgAl 2 O 4 –Mg 2 TiO 4 spinel solid solutions was studied. The XRD, XPS, and EDS results showed that Mg 2 TiO 4 entered the lattice of MgAl 2 O 4 to form a spinel solid solution, and the heterovalent substitution process was identified, where Ti4+ and Mg2+ ions of larger radius in the Mg 2 TiO 4 replaced the Al3+ of smaller radius in the MgAl 2 O 4. For the sample at x = 0.08, the spinel solid solutions exhibited the optimized densification with a relative density of 93.3%, an apparent porosity of 1.2%, and a compressive strength of 84.5 MPa. A significant increase in densification was related to the lattice distortion induced by ion size mismatch during the heterovalent substitution, thus accelerating the diffusion rate of Mg2+ and Al3+ ions in the spinelisation state. Moreover, the solid solubility content of Ti4+ in the MgAl 2 O 4 –Mg 2 TiO 4 spinel solid solutions had a significant effect on the grain morphologies. The Mg 2 TiO 4 heterogeneous nucleating agent significantly increased the spinelisation rate of MgAl 2 O 4 spinel with negligible effect on densification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] A series of MnMoP catalysts were prepared by ionic liquid assisted thermal synthesis method and characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscope and NH 3 -Temperature Programmed Desorption. The catalytic performance of MnMoP catalysts for the synthesis of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) was studied. The results showed that phosphorus was fixed via ionic liquid, which could improve the catalytic performance of the catalysts. Under the optimal conditions, MnMoP-80 catalyst showed the best catalytic performance with the cyclohexene conversion of 97.5% and CHO selectivity of 93.9%. Meanwhile, we have deduced that the reaction was mainly carried out according to the epoxidation pathway over MnMoP catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The TiO 2 -MXene/MWCNTs/PDA/GCE electrode was successfully prepared, and it has a low detection limit for xanthine, reaching 0.018 µmol·L−1. • The electrochemical method was used to study the effects of three different structures of OPAHs on purine metabolism in HFF-1 cells. • Electrochemical method was used for the first time for the toxicity evaluation of OPAHs, and it exhibited higher sensitivity than the MTT method. Oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) present in the environment can enter the skin through direct contact and long-term exposure can increase the risk of skin inflammation, allergic reactions and skin cancer. In this study, a titanium dioxide-two-dimensional transition metal carbide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polydopamine/glassy carbon electrode (TiO 2 -MXene/MWCNTs/PDA/GCE) electrochemical biosensor was prepared to evaluate the cytotoxicity of OPAHs based on the changes in the content of xanthine/guanine (X/G) during cellular metabolism. The TiO 2 -MXene/MWCNTs/PDA/GCE exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and sensitivity. The surface morphology, structure and electrochemical properties of TiO 2 -MXene/MWCNTs/PDA composite material were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry. Human skin fibroblast cells (HFF-1) were used as model cells, and the cell viability was evaluated based on the electrochemical signal changes of X/G. When exposed to OPAHs for 30 h, the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC 50) of 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ), 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ), and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (9,10-PQ) on HFF-1 cells were 291.88, 67.72, and 4.44 µmol·L−1, respectively, which were lower than the IC 50 values of 1075.51, 113.96, and 9.63 µmol·L−1 obtained using the traditional MTT assay, indicating higher sensitivity of the sensor. This study achieved sensitive detection of purines in HFF-1 cells, providing a technical method for evaluating the cytotoxicity of persistent organic pollutants OPAHs in the environment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High proportion of semicoke was first considered in blended coal injection into BF. • Effects of injection conditions on the combustion of semicoke and coal are studied. • Suggestions are provided for the efficient co-combustion of semicoke and coal. The co-combustion of semicoke and coal is recognized as a promising method for ironmaking blast furnace operation to reduce energy consumption and decrease the cost of hot metal. It is imperative to investigate the co-combustion behaviors and the in-furnace characteristics when injecting high ratio semicoke into blast furnace. Therefore, a three-dimensional model including tuyere and raceway for the injection of both semicoke and coke breeze with the actual operational parameters of a blast furnace was established. The model is then used to investigate the effects of oxygen enrichment ratio, injection amount and particle size on the combustion characteristics in the tuyere and raceway. Results showed that the high temperature zones expanded significantly with the increase of the oxygen enrichment ratio while they shrunk with the increase of the injection amount and the particle size. In order to obtain a higher burnout rate and a smooth operation of blast furnace, it is suggested that the oxygen enrichment ratio should be increased, the injection amount of semicoke and coal should not exceed 180 kg/t under the current working condition and the particle size of semicoke and coke breeze should be smaller than 60 µm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some heavy metals in the environment may have estrogen-like activity, which probably lead to major diseases such as breast cancer. It is of great importance to establish new methods to evaluate the estrogen effect of heavy metals from multiple angles due to the complex mechanism of estrogen effect. In this paper, using MCF-7 cells as model, the electrochemical detection mechanism of the estrogen effect of heavy metal cadmium (Cd) was studied. The two electrochemical signals of MCF-7 cells derived from uric acid (0.30 V) and the mixture of guanine and xanthine (0.68 V) increased in a time and dose-dependent manner when MCF-7 cells induced by Cd, reaching the maximum at 96 h and 10−9 mol L−1. Further studies found that three purine metabolism pathways about de novo synthesis, salvage synthesis and decomposition metabolism were activated by the estrogen effect of Cd. The expression of PRPP amidotransferase in purine de novo synthesis pathway and HPRT in purine salvage synthesis pathway up-regulated, especially HPRT, which promoted cell proliferation together. Nevertheless, the expression of GDA and ADA, the key enzymes in purine decomposition metabolism pathway, up-regulated in a time and dose-dependent manner, which had same tendency with that of ERα, thereby increased the content of intracellular hypoxanthine, guanine, xanthine and uric acid, and enhanced electrochemical signals. [Display omitted] • Cd induced purine de novo and salvage synthesis, especially salvage synthesis. • Both purine de novo and salvage synthesis provided energy for cell proliferation. • Purine catabolism was induced by Cd in a time-dependent manner. • Purine metabolism induced by Cd enhanced electrochemical signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rare-earth ternary complexes Eu X La1− X (TTA)3Dipy (X =0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 0.9, 1.0) were synthesized. Characterization with DTA-TG, IR, elemental analysis and fluorescent spectra had also been carried out. It is found that the enhanced luminescence of Eu3+ ions by La3+ ions occurs in ternary complexes, and when X =0.25, Eu0.25La0.75(TTA)3Dipy has the highest luminescence efficiency and lifetime. It is proved by TG curve that the complexes are stable, and we monitored the spectra of Eu X La1− X (TTA)3Dipy[PVK:Eu X La1− X (TTA)3Dipy/BCP/AlQ/Al] at the different rate r min−1. The results showed that the La3+ ion acts as an energy transfer bridge that helps energy transfer from PVK to Eu3+. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Two electrochemical signals of S. aureus suspension were detected. • The electrochemical signals of S. aureus were attributed to adenine and guanine. • Microbial viability was evaluated from the perspective of purine metabolism. • The inhibition of bacterial viability was evaluated by purine metabolism. Establishment of new method for evaluation microbial viability has become an urgent need in the fields of biology, medicine, environment and so on. In this paper, two electrochemical signals of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) at + 0.693 and + 0.973 V vs. Ag/AgCl (sat. KCl) were detected on the multi-walled carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrode (MWCNTs/GCE), and attributed to the oxidation of guanine and adenine secreted by S. aureus. For the first time, bacterial viability was evaluated from the perspective of proliferation and purine metabolism. Compared with the plate counting method, the electrochemical signals of guanine and adenine showed an earlier change of viability when S. aureus entered stationary from logarithmic phase and apoptotic from stationary phase during the growth process of S. aureus. There were good linear relationships between electrochemical signals of guanine and adenine and the number of S. aureus cells in different growth phases, but there were different detection thresholds. At the logarithmic phase, S. aureu s had stronger viability and ability to metabolize purines, which resulted in a lower detection threshold. Both electrochemical signals of bacteria could well reflect the inhibition of levofloxacin on S. aureus viability, and the guanine signal peak was closer to the result of plate counting method. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell viability and cytotoxicity is one of the most important toxicology indicators. In this study, an electrochemical method for detecting cell viability and cytotoxicity was discussed with the intracellular small molecule metabolite purines as indexes. The electrochemical behaviors of Balb/c 3T3, CHO, PC-12 and V79 cell suspensions were studies by cyclic voltammetry, and cell viability and cytotoxicity of four cell lines were compared by electrochemical, cell counting, 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-Thiazyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue exclusion methods. Four cell lines all showed an oxidation peak derived from mixture of xanthine and guanine at about 0.7 V. Using intracellular xanthine and guanine as index, the electrochemical method could not only describe the cell growth curves of four cell lines, but also reflect the changes of cell viability at various phases of the cell growth prior to the counting method. Compared with MTT, cell counting and trypan blue staining methods, the electrochemical method could detect the cytotoxicity of carcinogen earlier and more sensitively. The electrochemical method could track the change of intracellular xanthine and guanine contents, and used it as index to detect cell viability and cytotoxicity at the molecular level without markers, showing greater advantages over the method with apparent cell proliferation as the endpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]