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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with poor prognosis and high mortality. In this study, we demonstrated a novel vaccine targeting HCC and tumor neovascular endothelial cells by fusing recombinant MHCC97H cells expressing porcine α -1,3-galactose epitopes (α Gal) and endorphin extracellular domains (END) with dendritic cells (DCs) from healthy volunteers. END+/Gal+-MHCC97H/DC fusion cells induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN- γ). CTLs targeted cells expressing α Gal and END and tumor angiogenesis. The fused cell vaccine can effectively inhibit tumor growth and prolong the survival time of human hepatoma mice, indicating the high clinical potential of this new cell based vaccine. A novel fusion cells vaccine specifically against tumor and tumor microvasculature has been developed for against tumor. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to simultaneously improve the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of Mg alloys is an interesting and important issue topic. In the present study, the effect of aging treatment on the thermal conductivity and micro-hardness of Mg–12Gd alloy was investigated. Results indicated that the thermal conductivity and micro-hardness of the alloy could be significantly improved by aging treatment, and Mg–12Gd alloy exhibited a typical aging hardening response with the increasing aging time. At the early stage of aging (4 h), a large number of fine particles precipitated from α-Mg matrix, but thermal conductivity of alloy increased a little, which was attributed to the coherent interface hindering the increase of thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity increased to the peak value of 75.7 W/(m·K) at the aging time of 300 h, which was about 2.17 times that of as-solutionized alloy. The huge increment in the thermal conductivity of as-aged Mg–12Gd alloy was related to the precipitation of particles and the incoherent interface between precipitates and α-Mg matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), known as a sensor and a master of cellular energy balance, integrates various regulatory signals including anabolic and catabolic metabolic processes. Accompanying the application of genetic methods and a plethora of AMPK agonists, rapid progress has identified AMPK as an attractive therapeutic target for several human diseases, such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and neurodegenerative disease. The role of AMPK in metabolic and energetic modulation both at the intracellular and whole body levels has been reviewed elsewhere. In the present review, we summarize and update the paradoxical role of AMPK implicated in the diseases mentioned above and put forward the challenge encountered. Thus it will be expected to provide important clues for exploring rational methods of intervention in human diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drying characteristics and kinetics of Shengli lignite were investigated using four different drying methods, namely, the fluidized bed (FB), vibrated fluidized bed (VFB), medium fluidized bed (MFB), and vibrated medium fluidized bed (VMFB) methods, at various inlet air temperatures (80–160 °C). Seven thin layer models were used to analyze the lignite drying kinetics. The drying characteristics results showed that a higher temperature contributed to the drying process in all of the drying methods. Different drying methods also had significant effects on the drying characteristics and kinetics. The VMFB had the best drying characteristics with the shortest drying time and fastest drying rate. The Midilli–Kucuk model best simulated the lignite dewatering processes in all of the drying methods. Moreover, the VMFB obtained the fastest drying kinetics with the highest apparent diffusion coefficients and lowest activation energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A time-saving and efficient method, which is microwave-assisted sol–gel method, by using citric acid as a chelating agent, has been employed to synthesize CeO 2 nanoparticles as a high-performance catalyst for CH 3 SH catalytic decomposition. Microwave-assisted sol–gel process is superior in terms of shortening reaction time, and a viscous gel can be obtained with the aid of uniform and rapid heating process within several minutes. Combined with N 2 adsorption–desorption, TEM, XRD, H 2 -TPR and XPS results, CeO 2 nanoparticles obtained by microwave-assisted sol–gel method exhibited larger surface area and smaller crystallite size than that prepared by conventional sol–gel method. The method should be beneficial to form more lattice oxygen species and more structural defects, which are in favor of CH 3 SH catalytic decomposition. TPS results illustrated that CeO 2 -based catalysts were typical sulfur absorbents at high temperature. According to the characterization results of XPS and XRD, various Ce–O–S compounds including cerium sulfide (Ce 2 S 3 ) and cerium sulfate (Ce(SO 4 ) 2 ) were formed after the relevant reactions between CeO 2 and gaseous sulfur species, and the formation of Ce 2 S 3 in the later period of reaction might cause severe decline of the catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comparative study between the high-ash lignite (HAS) and low-ash lignite (LAS) demonstrated great effects of mineral matter on physico-chemical properties, inherent moisture and drying kinetics of Chinese lignite. The physico-chemical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N 2 physisorption, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and thermoanalytical methods. Raw and treated samples (screening, dry beneficiation, and flotation) were analyzed for inherent moisture content. Drying kinetic experiments were performed by isothermal thermogravimetry in combination with thin-layer models. In comparison with LAS, HAS had less cohesive features with higher amounts of heterogeneous crystalline minerals, less quantity of O-containing functional groups, and smaller surface areas as well as lower pore volumes, as evidenced by characterization analysis. Less cohesive features could allow the moisture to move easily through the lignite, which thus resulted in a lower inherent moisture contained in HAS. On the other hand, due to higher thermal conductivity and poorer holding-moisture structures resulted from the presence of abundant minerals, HAS revealed more promising drying kinetics with lower activation energies, which were determined by the combination of isothermal experiments and Page model analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Grain structure development under assisted of tensile and compressive stress aging is investigated. • Evolution of deformation and recrystallization texture components is analyzed in detail. • Role of lattice rotation and grain boundary migration in affecting texture evolution is discussed. The evolution of grain structure and corresponding texture development of Mg alloys under the assist of multiple physical fields are interesting and meaningful topics, and are investigated in this paper in detail. The results show that the texture development of stress free (SF) aged alloy exhibits a remarkable difference in type and intensity to those of 100 MPa tensile stress (100-TS) and 100 MPa compressive stress (100-CS) aged alloys at 160 °C. In the early stage of SF aging, preferential growth of<11-20>//ED grains give rise to the enhancement of<11-20>//ED fiber component. The increased pinning force caused by considerable precipitates at high energy boundaries reduce the boundary mobility, and therefore lead to a weak basal texture at the end of aging. Heavily activated prismatic dislocations under the action of 100-TS aging facilitate the precipitation of secondary phases at grain boundaries and lattice rotation induced continuous static recrystallization (CSRX) in the early stage of aging, which contributes to a weak basal texture and the formation of non-fiber texture. Upon further aging, the preferential growth of pre-existing<10-10>//ED grains and recrystallized grains formed by CSRX contribute the enhancement of<10-10>//ED basal fiber component. In the case of 100-CS aging, the slight growth of<11-20> grains and lattice rotation caused by prismatic dislocations lead to the enhancement of<11-20>//ED texture component in the early stage of aging. After long-time compressive stress aging, preferential growth of<10-10>//ED grains gives rise to the formation of<10-10>-<11-20> double fiber components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cyclic tests on circular CFDST column blind bolted end plate joints were conducted. • Failure mechanism and seismic behavior of the connections were analyzed. • Analytical models were proposed to estimate the mechanical behavior of connections. An experimental program was carried out to investigate the seismic performance and analytical modelling of blind bolted flush or extended end plate connections to circular concrete filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) columns. A series of cruciform assemblage specimens composed of circular CFDST columns and H-shaped steel beams were tested under lateral cyclic loads. The test parameters were determined as the curved end plate type and column hollow ratio. Typical failure modes for the connections to CFDST columns were analyzed by comparing with blind bolted connections to CFST columns, which indicated CFDST column blind bolted to steel beam connections significantly restricted the outward deformation of column wall. Moreover, the seismic performance of blind bolted connections between circular CFDST columns and steel beams was also estimated in terms of the moment (M) -rotation (θ r) relationship curves, ductility and energy dissipation capacities. Besides, the failure mechanism was studied through the analysis of strain responses. Analytical models were calibrated to estimate the initial stiffness and moment resistance of the blind bolted connections, which focused on the stiffness coefficients of curved flush and extended end plates in bending and the influence of circular CFDST column. The analytical models were verified against the experimental results. The experimental and analytical results indicated that the blind bolted flush or extended end plate connections to circular CFDST columns had superior seismic behavior and properly could meet the design demands in high-intensity seismic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Al-air batteries are expected to be the candidates for energy conversion systems in renewable energy market due to the higher energy density, richer reserves, and lighter mass of Al metal, the anode self-discharge is seen as a notorious issue that seriously sacrifices battery durability and stability. Herein, we propose zinc carboxylate inhibition of anode self-discharge for enhancing Al-air battery's lifetime, where the ionized Zn2+ induces a Zn guard on Al surface, and the hydrolysate RCOOH dominates an adsorption layer on the outer surface of Zn, ensuring a double protection for metal anode by means of advanced "one stone two birds" strategy. The results show that the typical zinc carboxylates improve the absolute anticorrosion efficiency of anode greatly, especially the maximum of 92.24% after zinc malate optimization. Furthermore, battery capacity and anode efficiency are as high as 2685.20 mAh g−1 and 90.11% at 20 mA cm−2 respectively. The cyclic discharge lifetime of system (0.12 g fuel) exceeds 19.01 h, which is 1.72 times longer than traditional optimization. Finally, the optimization mechanism is revealed based on Monte Carlo simulation and density functional theory calculation, which the double C O groups in the hydrolysate of zinc malate dominates the harmonious interaction between RCOOH adsorption layer and active metals, exhibiting a high-energy efficiency and long-lifetime Al-air battery power system. [Display omitted] • Advanced optimization strategy is proposed to extend Al-air battery system's lifetime. • Zinc carboxylate enables anode anticorrosion of Al-air battery via a two-step reaction. • Capacity of Al-air battery is as high as 2685.20 mAh g−1 at 20 mA cm−2. • Anode efficiency of Al-air battery achieves 90.11% at 20 mA cm−2. • Cyclic discharge lifetime of Al-air battery is 1.72 times longer than traditional optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin C, a small organic molecule, is widely found in fruits and vegetables and is an essential nutrient in the human body. Vitamin C is closely associated with some human diseases such as cancer. Many studies have shown that high doses of vitamin C have anti-tumor ability and can target tumor cells in multiple targets. This review will describe vitamin C absorption and its function in cancer treatment. We will review the cellular signaling pathways associated with vitamin C against tumors depending on the different anti-cancer mechanisms. Based on this, we will further describe some applications of the use of vitamin C for cancer treatment in preclinical and clinical trials and the possible adverse events that can occur. Finally, this review also assesses the prospective advantages of vitamin C in oncology treatment and clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and convenient route, which is microwave-assisted sol–gel method, is employed to rapidly synthesize CeO 2 nanoparticles. The obtained samples exhibited high activity for CH 3 SH catalytic decomposition, and the influence of synthetic conditions on the catalytic performance has also been comprehensively investigated. Optimum preparation conditions in this study include: calcination temperature of 500 °C, calcination time of 2 h, the molar ratio of cerium salt/citrate of 1/1 and microwave time of 10 min. Catalysts with large surface area and small crystallite size can be obtained under the optimum synthetic conditions, and they can provide more structural defects/oxygen vacancies as well as active sites, which are in favor of CH 3 SH catalytic decomposition. In addition, it has been shown that CeO 2 catalyst can easily react with gaseous sulfur species to form cerium sulfide (Ce 2 S 3 ) and various Ce–O–S phases during the desulfurization processes. The formation of Ce 2 S 3 on the spent CeO 2 samples mainly accounts for the deactivation. The spent catalysts can be successfully regenerated with air for many times at a short regeneration time of 10 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • ZnCl 2 optimization of electrolyte is presented to reduce the anodic self-corrosion. • The optimization mechanism of Lewis acid groups on Al anode surface is revealed. • The anode efficiency of Al-air battery can reach 77.95% at 20 mA/cm2. • The specific capacity of Al-air battery is up to 2322.91 mAh/g at 20 mA/cm2. Al-air batteries are regarded as the potential energy conversion systems due to the ultra-high theoretical specific capacity of 2980 mAh/g and specific energy of 8100 mWh/g for Al anodes. However, the anodic self-corrosion has severely limited the energy efficiency, which induces a great challenge to the commercial penetration of Al-air batteries. Here, we present an alkaline electrolyte optimization with a single inorganic Zn-compound, where a strong Lewis acid ZnCl 2 has the best modification effect for Al-air battery compared with ZnO and ZnCO 3. The results demonstrate that the inhibition efficiency of Al anode is up to 83.03% under the adsorption of strong Lewis acid groups on the Zn protective film. The high specific capacity of 2322.91 mAh/g and specific energy of 2457.02 mWh/g for Al-air battery are obtained at the galvanostatic condition of 20 mA/cm2, and the anode efficiency is enhanced to 77.95% after ZnCl 2 optimization. Moreover, the optimization mechanism is revealed, which provides a technical basis for the application of the enhanced-performance Al-air batteries in the fields of energy conversion and power supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of chemotherapeutic resistance, which is closely related to the oxidative stress defense induced by the imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is one of the important reasons for the failure of anti-tumor therapy. Herein, a GSH-triggered ferroptosis/apoptosis integrated tumor therapy strategy was successfully implemented to prohibit the mitoxantrone (MTO) resistance. Owing to the overexpressed GSH in the tumor microenvironment, the tumor active targeting MTO-Cu(Ⅱ)-cRGD nanolocks could be dissociated to release Cu(Ⅰ) and MTO, which could persistently catalyze hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals (•OH) via Fenton-like reaction and generate photothermal effect, respectively. The depletion of GSH inactivated GPX4 for the accumulation of lipid peroxides (LPO) and inducing ferroptosis. With the destruction of oxidative stress defenses, the formation of chemotherapeutic resistance could be effectively prohibited. The nanolocks could eliminate the solid tumors through ferroptosis-sensitized chemotherapy under the guidance of photoacoustic imaging. The study proposed the mechanism of reversing chemotherapeutic resistance by ferroptosis, providing a feasible strategy for the treatment of drug-resistant tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, Ti/SnO2-Sb2O4-Bi2O3/PbO2 anodes are prepared by electrodeposition method, and formation energy and band structure are analysed using first-principles calculations. The phase structure and valence states of the electrode are analysed using X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. Furthermore, the accelerated service life of the electrode is evaluated to be 4 A cm−2. The results show that the lattice parameters of Bi-doped SnO2 system increase approximately linearly with increasing Bi doping concentration. For the Bi-doped SnO2 system, the minimum value of formation energy is −10.28eV, and the most stable structure is obtained when the Bi doping ratio is 0.0625. The formation energy gradually increases and the stability decreases with increasing doping ratio. Moreover, the conductivity of the anode reaches the maximum value and the accelerated service life increases up to 52h when the doping ratio is 0.0625. On the basis of our experiment and theoretical calculations, the Bi-doped SnO2 electrode is shown to be a good acid-proof anode. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To study the impact about the stability and electronic properties on Sn0.5M0.5O2 electrode (M=Ti, Mn, Sb and Pb), formation energies and electronic structures of mixed systems with same concentration are calculated using first-principles. Besides, the experiments data are compared with the calculated results. Results show the formation energies of solid solutions are −0.3117eV, 0.9379eV, 2.8443eV and 1.3652eV and all are higher than that of pure SnO2; in addition, conductivity is improved after addition. Moreover, the computed results agree well with the foregoing experiments data. Therefore, the results of this paper provide a theoretical basis to development and application of Sn0.5M0.5O2 electrodes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tumor surgery is usually accompanied by neoplasm residual, tissue defects, and multi-drug resistant bacterial infection, causing high tumor recurrence, low survival rate, and chronic wounds. Herein, a light-activated injectable hydrogel based on bioactive nanocomposite system is developed by incorporating Ag 2 S nanodots conjugated Fe-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGN-Fe-Ag 2 S) into biodegradable PEGDA and AIPH solution for inhibiting tumor growth, treating bacterial infection, and promoting wound healing. Under laser irradiation, the photothermal effect mediated by Ag 2 S nanodots would trigger the decomposition of AIPH, generating alkyl radicals to initiate the gelation of PEGDA. The in-situ gelatinized hydrogel, with outstanding photothermal effect and chemodynamic effect derived from the doped Fe in BGN-Fe-Ag 2 S, can not only eliminate multidrug-resistant bacteria but also efficiently ablated tumor during treatment. Moreover, the hydrogel significantly accelerated wound healing with more skin appendages in the full-thickness cutaneous wounds model because of the hydrolysis of bioactive glass. These results manifest that this multifunctional hydrogel is a suitable biomaterial to inhibit tumor proliferation and overcome tissue bacterial infection after surgical removal of tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallium indium (GaIn) alloy as a kind of liquid metal (LM) with unique chemical and physical properties has attracted increasing attention for its potential biomedical applications. Herein, a series of core-shell GaIn@Metal (Metal: Pt, Au, Ag, and Cu) heterogeneous nanoparticles (NPs) are obtained by a simple in-situ reduction method. Take core-shell GaIn@Pt NPs for example, the synthesized GaIn@Pt NPs after Pt growth on their surface showed significantly improved photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) and thermal stability under near-infrared (NIR) II light irradiation. Moreover, the core-shell GaIn@Pt NPs also exhibited good Fenton-like catalytic effect due to the presence of Pt on their surface, and could convert tumor endogenous H 2 O 2 to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) for cancer cell killing. With biocompatible polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification, such GaIn@Pt-PEG NPs showed efficient tumor homing after intravenous injection, and could lead to effective NIR II triggered photothermal-chemodynamic synergistic therapy of tumors as evidenced in a mouse tumor model. Our work highlights the ingenious use of the chemical properties of metals, providing a rather simple route for the surface engineering of LM-based multifunctional nanoplatforms to achieve a variety of functionalities. Core-shell GaIn@Pt heterogeneous NPs prepared by in-situ reduction method were used for photothermal-enhanced catalytic therapy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent drug delivery systems (DDS), integrating with multi-modal imaging guidance and controlled drug release, have practical significance in enhancing the therapeutic efficiency of tumors. Herein, fluorinated aza-boron-dipyrromethene (NBF) with high near-infrared absorption is synthesized by introducing nonadecafluorodecanoic acid into aza-BODIPY via the amide bond. Through the co-precipitation methods, nanoparticles (NPs) based on NBF are fabricated and the obtained NBF NPs can not only load with DOX with a high loading efficiency (25%, DNBF NPs), but also absorb PFC droplets (1H-perfluoropentane) with bp of 42 °C because of the fluorinated chains inside NBF NPs (PDNBF NPs). Under 808-nm laser irradiation, the hyperthermia effect of NBF could induce the liquid-gas phase transition of PFC droplets, triggering the burst release of DOX and enhancing echo signals for ultrasound imaging as well. With efficient enrichment of PDNBF NPs at tumor site as revealed by in vivo ultrasound imaging and photoacoustic imaging, significant improvement in inhibiting tumor growth is achieved with PDNBF NPs under laser irradiation without noticeable side effects. The work presents a multifunctional organic DDS with great biocompatibility, high drug loading efficiency and light-stimuli-responsive drug release, which provides a new strategy for the manufacture of intelligent composite theranostic nanoplatform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor could not be completely removed due to the absence of immune storm against tumor. The porcine α1,3 galactosyltransferase (α1,3 GT) induce the hyperacute rejection by synthesizing Galα1-3Galβ1-(3)4GlcNAc-R (αGal) on the surface of graft endothelial cells (ECs) during xeno-transplantation. This study aimed to develop anti-endoglin single-chain Fv fragments (ENG-scFv) conjugated PEGylated immunoliposomes (iLPs) to induce immune storm against tumor. Immune fluorescence was performed to detect the binding of ENG-scFv to human ENG, the endosomal/lysosomal escape of ENG-scFv-iLPs/α1,3 GT, and αGal expression in hENG-HEK293 cells. In vitro MTT assay was performed to measure ENG-scFv-iLPs/α1,3 GT cytotoxicity. NOD/SCID mouse born A549 tumor model was used to evaluate the therapeutic potency of ENG-scFv-iLPs/α1,3 GT. ENG-scFv-iLPs enabled efficient targeting delivery of α1,3 GT plasmid to ENG + tumors neovascular endothelial cells (TnECs), promoted endosomal/lysosomal escape due to the pH-sensitive ability, then synthesized carbohydrate epitope αGal on the surface of these cells to achieve the purpose of destroying the tumor. The mechanism of uptake for nanoparticles was energy driven, the clathrin-mediated endocytosis was the main endocytic pathway of the ENG-mAb-iLPs/α1,3 GT and lipid-raft-mediated of the ENG-scFv-iLPs/α1,3 GT, and macropinocytosis was also involved in intracellular entry. The inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and proliferation by ENG-scFv-iLPs/α1,3 GT was closely related to down-regulation of VEGF. Our findings establish an alternative therapeutic paradigm for scFv-conjugated nanoparticles to induce tumor cell apoptosis and inhibit tumor growth early. Such iLPs nanocarrier could efficiently release α1,3 GT to their distinct sites of action, where the endoglin + tumor neovascular endothelial cells (ENG + TnECs) exist, in a site-specific manner. Therefore, we believe that these scFv-targeted core-shell immunocomplexes are an important potential α1,3 GT delivery system for various solid tumor-targeted therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]