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Background An increase in allergen-specific IgG4 (sIgG4), which serves as a blocking antibody, is associated with acquisition of immune tolerance after immunotherapy. In this study, we developed a rapid, sensitive, and homogeneous immunoassay based on the light-initiated chemiluminescent assay (LICA) technology for quantifying allergen sIgG4 in serum samples. Methods Allergen sIgG4 was measured in vitro by incubating the sample with biotinylated allergens and chemiluminescent beads coated with anti-human IgG4 antibody, followed by the addition of streptavidin-coated sensitizer beads. Multiple tests were performed to optimize the working conditions of the LICA and evaluate its performance. Results We established the optimal concentration of biotinylated allergens (250 ng/mL), the optimal dilution range (1:8 for Gal d 1, Gal d 2 sIgG4 and 1:4 for Gal d 3, Gal d 4 sIgG4), and the optimal incubation time (20 min for Gal d 1, Gal d 2 sIgG4 and 40 min for Gal d 3, Gal d 4 sIgG4). The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.261 ng/mL. The coefficient variation (CV) of the LICA was It exhibited excellent accuracy to detect allergen-sIgG4 in human serum. Additionally, we demonstrated that the levels of Gal d 1, Gal d 2, and Gal d 3-sIgG4 were significantly higher in the egg allergy group (p Conclusions The LICA demonstrated satisfactory performance and can be used for quantifying allergen sIgG4 in clinical practice.

Background Increasing dairy consumption in China has been accompanied by rising incidence of milk allergy. Here we analyzed profiles of specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) against cow's milk proteins, and assessed their value for milk allergy diagnosis among infants and young children from northern China. Methods Sera collected from 48 patients with milk allergy and 27 negative control subjects was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure sIgE to α-lactalbumin (Bos d 4), β-lactoglobulin (Bos d 5), α-casein (Bos d 9), β-casein (Bos d 11), and κ-casein (Bos d 12). Results Among milk-allergic individuals, most were sensitized to at least one milk protein; about half were sensitized to Bos d 5, Bos d 9, Bos d 11 and Bos d 12, respectively, while few had positive serum sIgE against Bos d 4. Bos d 12 sIgE had the largest area under curve (AUC) (0.878; 95% CI, 0.800–0.957) and thus showed the best diagnostic performance in discriminating between milk-allergic and non-milk allergic patients, with a sensitivity of 92.6% and specificity of 72.9% using a statistically optimal cut-off value (OD450nm, 0.191). The combinations of Bos d 5 + Bos d 12 showed an AUC of 0.926, which was larger than for any individual components. Conclusions Our results revealed inter-individual variation in the sensitization to different milk allergen component. Bos d 12 sIgE showed best performance in diagnosing milk allergy. Milk allergy diagnostic accuracy was further improved using combinations of milk allergen components by application of ROC curves based on logistic regression.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified to play critical roles in tumorigenesis. LncRNA HNF1A-AS1 has been suggested to act as an oncogene and serves as a novel prognostic biomarker for various cancer. However, the biological role and clinical significance of lncRNA HNF1A-AS1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) have yet to be fully elusive. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the expression of lncRNA HNF1A-AS1 in patients with CRC, the role of lncRNA HNF1A-AS1 in CRC cells, as well as the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Our results indicated that the expression of lncRNA HNF1A-AS1 was significantly upregulated in both CRC tumor tissues and CRC cell lines in comparison with adjacent non-tumor tissues and the human normal colonic epithelial cell line (HcoEpiC). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis further suggested that high expression of lncRNA HNF1A-AS1 might be an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with CRC. Moreover, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for HNF1A-AS1 was up to 0.8714, implying that HNF1A-AS1 had diagnostic significance as it could discriminate tumor tissues from nontumorous tissues. In addition, silencing of lncRNA HNF1A-AS1 abrogated the proliferation of CRC cells by MTS assay and clonogenic assay, arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 stage and reduced the migration and invasion in CRC cells. Finally, we found that decreased expression of lncRNA HNF1A-AS1 suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activity by downregulating the expression of β-catenin,cyclinD1, and c-myc. In conclusion, these findings provide evidence that lncRNA HNF1A-AS1 may be considered as a new prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in patients with CRC.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles, widespread applied in our life, have attracted much concern for their human health effects. However, most of the works addressing cerium oxide nanoparticles toxicity have only used in vitro models or in vivo intratracheal instillation methods. The toxicity studies have varied results and not all are conclusive. The information about risk assessments derived from epidemiology studies is severely lacking. The knowledge of occupational safety and health (OSH) for exposed workers is very little. Thus this review focuses on recent advances in studies of toxicokinetics, antioxidant activity and toxicity. Additionally, aim to extend previous health effects assessments of cerium oxide nanoparticles, we summarize the epidemiology studies of engineered cerium oxide nanoparticles used as automotive diesel fuel additive, aerosol particulate matter in air pollution, other industrial ultrafine and nanoparticles (e.g., fumes particles generated in welding and flame cutting processes).

Background Osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) is crucial for regenerate periodontal tissues. In this study, we investigated the function of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) in osteogenesis of hPDLCs. Methods HPDLCs were isolated from healthy third molar roots. HPDLCs at passage 3 were identified by morphological observation and immunohistochemistry of vimentin. The viability of hPDLCs incubated with Sal B at concentrations of 0μM, 0.1μM, 0.5μM, 1μM and 5μM were measured by CCK-8 assay. To evaluate the effect of Sal B on osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteogenic differentiation markers, and mineralized nodules were determined by ALP kit, qRT-PCR and alizarin red S staining, respectively. To confirm the function of Sal B in hPDLCs involved in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, hPDLCs were incubated with Sal B or co-incubated with Sal B and DKK-1 (a inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin). The levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and osteogenic differentiation-associated indicators were then determined. Results HPDLCs showed a typical fibroblast-like and spindle-shaped, with vimentin-positive. The viability of hPDLCs had no obvious change with stimulation of Sal B at various doses. Sal B promoted the increase of ALP activity, osteogenic differentiation markers levels, mineralized nodules and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and DKK-1 could block those effects of Sal B on hPDLCs. Conclusion Sal B promoted osteogenesis of hPDLCs through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which providing a potential drug for periodontitis treatment.

Coumarin-based “turn-off” fluorescent chemosensor, 3-acetoacetyl-7-diethylaminocoumarin ( 1 ), has been synthesized and structurally characterized by IR, 1 H NMR and X-ray crystal structure analysis. The fluorescence behaviors in the presence of various metal ions were investigated in aqueous media. 1 Exhibits highly selective and sensitive absorbance and fluorescence sensing ability for Cu 2+ over other metal ions. Addition of Cu 2+ to the aqueous solution of 1 gave rise to obvious absorbance change and fluorescence quenching. Other competing ions, such as Mg 2+ , Ba 2+ , Mn 2+ , Fe 3+ , Co 2+ , Ni 2+ , Zn 2+ , Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , Hg 2+ , induced negligible absorbance and fluorescence changes under the same conditions. The job’s plot showed that the stoichiometry between 1 and Cu 2+ was estimated to be 1:1. The fluorescence intensity varied almost linearly vs. the concentration of Cu 2+ (1.0–7.0 μM), and the detection limit of Cu 2+ was estimated to be 1.81 nM, indicating that 1 can be used as “turn-off” fluorescent chemosensor to selectively detect Cu 2+ in aqueous solution.

CdS/Si multi-interface nanoheterojunction is synthesized through depositing nanocrystals CdS (nc-CdS) on the silicon nanoporous pillar array (Si-NPA) using a chemical bath deposition method. p-type nanocrystals Si in Si-NPA and n-type nc-CdS construct the multi-interface nanoheterojunction. Due to the reducibility of Si-NPA, a portion of Cd2+ in the interface of Si-NPA and solution are deoxidized and nanocrystals Cd are simultaneously incorporated into the interface of Si–CdS, namely, CdS:Cd/Si-NPA. Through decomposing the resolution XPS spectrum of Cd 3d, the ratio of Cd0 and Cd2+ is about 0.7:1. Three primary color emissions from CdS:Cd/Si-NPA are observed at the room temperature. Optical band gap obtained by the Tauc’s relation and origins of emission bands are studied.

A technology of one-stage roughing and one-stage scavenging vanadium pre-concentration with shaking table was investigated for improving vanadium grade and decreasing acid consumption minerals content based on the quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning electronic microscopy (QEMSCAN). In order to visually illustrate how the vanadium-bearing minerals were separated from system, a loose-stratification model was established with Bagnold shear loose theory and Kelly stratification hypothesis. Through the model, it was inferred that fine fraction and coarse fraction of vanadium-bearing muscovite particles easily became the concentrate in roughing and scavenging stages, respectively. The type of the dominant effect on the loose-stratification was confirmed. In the roughing stage, gravity sedimentation played a leading role in the loose-stratification process. However, in the scavenging stage, shearing dispersion pressure caused by asymmetric motion of table deck took an important part in the loose-stratification process. Finally, the correction of the loose-stratification model was validated by the practical experiment.

Separation factor of shaking table for vanadium pre-concentration was intensively investigated to search for the dominant factor making vanadium-bearing particles separated from stone coal. The density factor was not the main reason for vanadium pre-concentration, only assisting the separation in the roughing and scavenging stage. The granularity factor had nearly no effect on the separation. The V 2 O 5 grade in the particle related with the particle shape, which in the lamellar particles were much higher than that in the irregular granular particles. Both micro-measurement method and free settling method for determining the shape coefficient were used to quantify the effect of the shape factor on the separation based on a physical analysis of the force balance acting on the particles. The results indicated that the shape factor was the dominant factor for the separation of vanadium-bearing minerals with shaking table. These findings proposed that the lamellar shape vanadium-bearing particle would be protected in the grinding process and the operation parameters and table deck structure would be optimized according to the shape factor to improve the separation effect.

In China, more than 87% of vanadium is discovered from stone coal. However, because the vanadium grade in stone coal is generally low, current vanadium extraction technology faces challenges in terms of large ore tonnage and high energy consumption, acid consumption and cost. A new process for pre-concentration of vanadium from stone coal by gravity separation was investigated based on mineralogical study. It was confirmed that the vanadium occurred in muscovite and illite, and the acid consuming minerals were pyrite and calcite. The process comprised three key steps: decarburization, selective grinding and gravity separation. In the decarburization stage, the thermal energy of carbon in the stone coal can be used and the V 2 O 5 grade increased to some extent. The differences of V 2 O 5 grade among different size fractions increased through the selective grinding stage. In the gravity separation stage, 28.9% of the feed ore were rejected as final tailings, while the V 2 O 5 loss was 9.7%. The pre-concentration of vanadium from stone coal can improve the V 2 O 5 grade and decrease the content of high acid consuming minerals. The benefits of the pre-concentration process in terms of cost savings and solving processing problems were discussed.