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The application of ionic liquids is prevalent in various industries, including pharmaceutical, chemical, and aerospace, especially in environments with high temperatures. Thus, the importance of researching the characteristics and mechanism of the pyrolysis hazard of ionic liquids cannot be overemphasized. This research presents a systematic study of a new versatile ionic liquid, 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate ([Pmim][NO 3 ]). The flash-ignition temperature, thermal decomposition and thermal runaway characteristics of [Pmim][NO 3 ] were analyzed using various techniques, including thermogravimetric analyzer, differential scanning calorimetry, flash-ignition temperature tester, and accelerating rate calorimeter, for determining its major hazard characteristics. The main thermodynamic and safety parameters, as well as the reaction pattern of the pyrolysis process, were obtained. Additionally, an assessment was conducted to determine the potential occurrence and seriousness of a runaway reaction of [Pmim][NO 3 ] decompose. The present study is of significant importance in improving the intrinsic safety level of ionic liquids in the processes of synthesis, utilization, storage, and transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cutaneous adverse events are common with programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors. However, the nature of the specific cutaneous adverse event of dermatitis has not been investigated across various PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Oncologic outcomes potentially associated with dermatitis are not well characterized.Objective: To assess the nature of dermatitis after exposure to a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor and oncologic outcomes associated with dermatitis.Methods: Retrospective, matched, case-control study conducted at a single academic center.Results: The most common histologic patterns were lichenoid dermatitis (50%) and spongiotic dermatitis (40%). The overall tumor response rate was 65.0% for the case patients and 17.0% for the controls (P = .0007) (odds ratio, 7.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-23.1). The progression-free survival and overall survival times were significantly longer for the case patients than for the controls by Kaplan-Meier analysis (P < .0001 and .0203, respectively).Limitations: The retrospective design and relatively small sample size precluded matching for all cancer types.Conclusions: Lichenoid and spongiotic dermatitis associated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors could be a sign of robust immune response and improved oncologic outcomes. The value of PD-1/PD-L1-related dermatitis in predicting cancer outcomes awaits investigation through prospective multicenter studies for specific cancer types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel thermostable α-amylase, D45 was studied for its reaction pattern on starch hydrolysis. Fine structures of the dextrins and oligosaccharides produced by D45 were determined and compared with those produced by other thermostable α-amylases, Termamyl®LC (LC) and Termamyl®SC (SC). Waxy maize starch dispersion was hydrolyzed with LC, SC and D45 at different concentrations to obtain hydrolysates with the same dextrose equivalent value (DE). At DE ∼13, molecular weight distribution of dextrins produced by D45 displayed a mono-distribution with a peak centered at degree of polymerization (DP) of 7, whereas LC and SC hydrolysates displayed a bimodal-distribution of the molecular weight profiles with one peak centered at DP 5 and the other at DP 34. Thin-layer chromatograms (TLC) showed that DP 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 were the primary oligosaccharides produced in LC hydrolysate, DP 4–7 in SC hydrolysate, and DP 6–9 in D45 hydrolysate. Comparison of the decrease in the blue color of amylose-iodine complex at 620nm (blue value) with the increase in reducing value for the hydrolysis of amylose by LC, SC and D45 showed that for an equivalent decrease in blue value, LC and SC produced a higher percentage of reducing sugar than did D45. The results suggest that D45 has a greater degree of random attack (multichain) reaction, whereas LC and SC have more multiple-attack reactions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nest building and farrowing behaviour of 40 Landrace/Yorkshire (L/Y) sows was studied in their first and second parity. In the first parity the gilts were either housed in a crate or a “get-away-pen” (GAP) and in the second parity either the same farrowing environment was used again or the sow was housed in the alternative system. The behaviour was compared with the behavioural reaction pattern of the same individuals in prepubertal tests (open field test, human-test, food competition test) and the reactivity in the HPA-axis during the open field test.Nest building behaviour was in both parities found to be more elaborated in the GAPs, where the prepartum rooting period started significantly sooner (32.5±3.0 h versus 41.3±3.0 h, F1,27=5.72; P<0.05 and 27.4±3.3 h versus 35.6±3.1 h, F1,27=4.33; P<0.05, respectively) and had a longer duration (21.5±3.1 h versus 32.6±3.1 h, F1,27=8.33; P<0.01 and 27.9±3.6 versus 38.7±3.4 h, F1,27=6.57; P<0.05, respectively). Farrowing behaviour was in the first parity strongly dependent upon the environment, e.g. the mean piglet birth interval was significantly longer in the crates (30±4 min versus 19±3 min, F1,21=5.55; P<0.05), indicating an increased environmental sensitivity in gilts as compared to the second parity sows, where no environmental effect was found. Both farrowing and nest building behaviour, especially in the first parity, was connected to the prepubertal behavioural and physiological reaction pattern (1st parity—immobility in human-test∼activity during farrowing: rs=−0.49; P<0.01, N=38 and the quantity of postural changes in nest building period∼rise in cortisol during open field test: rs=0.44; P<0.01, N=35). Furthermore, there was a strong repeatability across parities in parameters describing activity during nest building and farrowing.The prepubertal gilts reacting behaviourally calm in a stressful situation were timing their nest building more optimally than the more actively responding individuals. Behavioural activity during prepubertal tests was also correlated with being active during farrowing. We therefore conclude that behaviour during nest building and farrowing is related to the general reaction pattern during stress, especially in inexperienced gilts, and that the performance reflects an innate pattern of reaction in the individual, that can be modified by the environment and previous experience. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

One hundred forty-two Rh-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) were evaluated by serology in 27 laboratories. Evaluators were asked to test each Mab at three dilutions in specified serological techniques against normal positive and normal negative phenotype cells, and any Rh variant cells that they had available. Raw data was submitted to the coordinator for overall analysis. Results were analysed by expressing the sum of reaction grades for each Mab with each variant cell as a percentage of the sum of reaction grades of that Mab with normal phenotype cells. Anti-D Mabs were sorted into 23 groups which had the same pattern of reactions with different partial D phenotype cells. Eighteen of these corresponded to previously defined patterns; five were new patterns. Combined with data from the previous workshop, this means that 30 different reaction patterns have been defined. A new nomenclature is introduced for numbering the epitopes. Reactions with new variants DNB, DNU and DAR indicated some further subsplits of these patterns. Reactions with Category Va cells indicated that there were five different types of Va cells that could be distinguished serologically with monoclonal antibodies. No patterns of reactivity corresponding to the epitope groups could be observed with the different types of weak D tested. Anti-E Mabs were sorted into 14 groups, and the E variant cells into seven groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]