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Two new steroidal glycosides oxystauntoside A (1) and oxystauntoside B (2), together with sixteen known compounds (3–18) were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of Merrillanthus hainanensis. Their structures were characterized by extensive spectroscopic analysis including NMR and mass spectra and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The absolute configuration of 1 and 2 were further determined by ECD calculations. All of these compounds were isolated from M. hainanensis for the first time. All the fractions and compounds were tested for the anti-inflammatory activity against the TNF-α factor. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the most potent inhibition (71.3%) at 10 μg/mL and compounds 5 (78.9%) and 9 (73.4%) in this fraction with both carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups showed significant inhibition at 10 μM. Our study provided the first scientific report for the medicinal value of M. hainanensis.

Higher mortality in asthmatics has been shown previously. However, evidence on different asthma phenotypes on long-term mortality risk is limited. The aim was to evaluate the impact of asthma phenotypes on mortality in general population. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001–2002 to 2013–2014 linked mortality files through December 31, 2015, were used (N = 37,015). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, body mass index, and chronic conditions. During the mean follow-up time of 7.5 years, 4326 participants died from a variety of causes. Current asthma, but not former asthma was associated with increased all-cause mortality (current asthma: HR = 1.37; 95% CI 1.20–1.58; Former asthma: HR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.73–1.18); as well as mortality from cardiovascular disease (HRCurrent = 1.41; 95% CI 1.08–1.85) and chronic lower respiratory diseases (HRCurrent = 3.17; 95% CI 1.96–5.14). In addition, we found that the HR for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was slightly greater in people with childhood-onset asthma than those with adult-onset asthma. The HR for chronic lower respiratory diseases (CLRD) mortality was greater in people with adult-onset asthma than those with childhood-onset asthma. However, the differences were not statistically significant. Our study suggested that current asthma but not former asthma was associated with increased all-cause, CLRD and CVD mortality. Future well-designed studies with larger sample are required to demonstrate the association and clarify the potential mechanisms involved.

Accumulating evidence has indicated that lncRNAs regulate various biological and pathological processes in diverse malignant tumors. The roles of LINC00667 in cancer development have been explored in glioma, hepatocellular carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer, but not in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In the present study, we characterize the role and molecular mechanism of LINC00667 in NPC progression. It was found that LINC00667 was overexpressed in NPC cells compared to normal cells. Silencing LINC00667 suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NPC cells. In addition, bioinformatics analysis revealed that LINC00667 acted as a ceRNA to absorb miR-4319. Further investigations illustrated that miR-4319 had low expression in NPC cells and functioned as a tumor suppressor in the progression of NPC. Mechanistic study identified forkhead box Q1 (FOXQ1) as a functional target of miR-4319. The effect of LINC00667 in NPC development was mediated by the miR-4319/FOXQ1 axis. Analysis on tumorxenograft mouse model demonstrated that knockdown of LINC00667 repressed NPC tumor growth in vivo and confirmed the in vitro results. Our present study suggested that LINC00667 promoted the malignant phenotypes of NPC cells by competitively binding to miR-4319 to up-regulate FOXQ1 expression. Our results reveled that LINC00667 could be a diagnostic and therapeutic target for NPC patients.

Pretreatment evaluation of tumor biology and microenvironment is important to predict prognosis and plan treatment. We aimed to develop nomograms based on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI to predict microvascular invasion (MVI), tumor differentiation, and immunoscore. This retrospective study included 273 patients with HCC who underwent preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Patients were assigned to two groups: training (N = 191) and validation (N = 82). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate clinical variables and MRI features’ associations with MVI, tumor differentiation, and immunoscore. Nomograms were developed based on features associated with these three histopathological features in the training cohort, then validated, and evaluated. Predictors of MVI included tumor size, rim enhancement, capsule, percent decrease in T1 images (T1D%), standard deviation of apparent diffusion coefficient, and alanine aminotransferase levels, while capsule, peritumoral enhancement, mean relaxation time on the hepatobiliary phase (T1E), and alpha-fetoprotein levels predicted tumor differentiation. Predictors of immunoscore included the radiologic score constructed by tumor number, intratumoral vessel, margin, capsule, rim enhancement, T1D%, relaxation time on plain scan (T1P), and alpha-fetoprotein and alanine aminotransferase levels. Three nomograms achieved good concordance indexes in predicting MVI (0.754, 0.746), tumor differentiation (0.758, 0.699), and immunoscore (0.737, 0.726) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. MRI-based nomograms effectively predict tumor behaviors in HCC and may assist clinicians in prognosis prediction and pretreatment decisions. • This study developed and validated three nomograms based on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI to predict MVI, tumor differentiation, and immunoscore in patients with HCC. • The pretreatment prediction of tumor microenvironment may be useful to guide accurate prognosis and planning of surgical and immunological therapies for individual patients with HCC.

The aim of this work is to explore the impact of the number of sampling sites (NuSS) and sampling location on microvascular invasion (MVI) detection rate and long-term survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and determine the minimum NuSS for sufficient MVI detection. From January 2008 to March 2017, 1144 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy were retrospectively enrolled. Associations between NuSS and MVI positive rates and overall survival were investigated. NuSS thresholds were determined by Chow test and confirmed prospectively in 305 patients from April 2017 to February 2019. In the prospective cohort, the distribution of MVI in different sampling locations and its prognostic effect was evaluated. MVI positive rates increased as NuSS increased, steadily reaching a plateau when NuSS reached a threshold. A threshold of four, six, eight, and eight sampling sites within paracancerous parenchyma ≤ 1 cm from tumor was required for detecting MVI in solitary tumors measuring 1.0–3.0, 3.1–4.9, and ≥ 5.0 cm and multiple tumors. Patients with adequate NuSS achieved longer survival than those with inadequate NuSS [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.75, P = 0.043]. For all MVI-positive patients, MVI could be detected positive in paracancerous parenchyma ≤ 1 cm from tumor. Patients with MVI positive in paracancerous parenchyma > 1 cm had higher recurrence risk than those with MVI positive only in parenchyma ≤ 1 cm (HR = 6.05, P

Four new diterpenoids (1–4), three new triterpenoids (12–14), and seven known diterpenoids (5–11) were obtained from an aqueous EtOH extract of the aerial parts of Triadica rotundifolia. The structures of new compounds were determined by spectroscopic techniques. Their absolute configurations were verified via single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, Mo2(OAc)4 induced electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and ECD calculations. The antineuroinflammatory effects of the isolates were assessed by inhibiting NO production in LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cells. Compared with the positive control minocycline (IC50 = 16.1 μM), compounds 3, 8, 11 showed moderate inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 35.9, 17.0, 31.5 μM, respectively.

Summary Region-specific neural progenitor cells (NPCs) can be generated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) by modulating signaling pathways. However, how intrinsic transcriptional factors contribute to the neural regionalization is not well characterized. Here, we generate region-specific NPCs from hESCs and find that SOX1 is highly expressed in NPCs with the rostral hindbrain identity. Moreover, we find that OTX2 inhibits SOX1 expression, displaying exclusive expression between the two factors. Furthermore, SOX1 knockout (KO) leads to the upregulation of midbrain genes and downregulation of rostral hindbrain genes, indicating that SOX1 is required for specification of rostral hindbrain NPCs. Our SOX1 chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis reveals that SOX1 binds to the distal region of GBX2 to activate its expression. Overexpression of GBX2 largely abrogates SOX1-KO-induced aberrant gene expression. Taken together, this study uncovers previously unappreciated role of SOX1 in early neural regionalization and provides new information for the precise control of the OTX2/GBX2 interface., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • SOX1 is highly expressed in rostral hindbrain NPCs derived from hESCs • OTX2 inhibits SOX1 expression in addition to its inhibition on GBX2 expression • SOX1 contributes to the specification of rostral hindbrain NPCs from hESCs • GBX2 is a key factor for SOX1 to function in the rostral hindbrain NPC specification, Molecular Genetics; Developmental Neuroscience

Background Limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2Y (LGMD2Y) is a rare subgroup of limb girdle muscular dystrophy featuring limb-girdle weakness, tendon contracture and cardiac involvement. It is caused by the mutation of TOR1AIP1, which encodes nuclear membrane protein LAP1 (lamina-associated polypeptide 1) and comprises heterogeneous phenotypes. The present study reported a patient with a novel homozygous TOR1AIP1 mutation that presented with selective muscle weakness, which further expanded the phenotype of LGMD2Y- and TOR1AIP1-associated nuclear envelopathies. Case presentation A 40-year-old male presented with Achilles tendon contracture and muscle weakness that bothered him from 8 years old. While the strength of his distal and proximal upper limbs was severely impaired, the function of his lower limbs was relatively spared. Muscle pathology showed dystrophic features, and electron microscopy showed ultrastructural abnormalities of disrupted muscle nuclei envelopes. Whole-exome sequencing showed a frameshift mutation in TOR1AIP1 (c.98dupC). Conclusion We reported a novel mild phenotype of LGMD2Y with relatively selective distal upper limb weakness and joint contracture and revealed the heterogeneity of LGDM2Y and the role of the LAP1 isoform by literature review.

Background The estimated global burden of suicide is almost 1 million deaths per year, representing 57% of all violent deaths worldwide. In order to better identify at risk individuals and develop effective prevention strategies at the population level, a comprehensive understanding of the biological, psychological and social risk factors is required. Method Data from the National Health Interview Survey (1997- 2004) were analyzed. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and accompanying 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results During a mean 6.3 years of follow-up of 242, 952 people (1.56 million person-years), 180 deaths due to suicide occurred. Of 18 risk factors, eight revealed associations with suicide. Participants who had never been married (HR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.44-4.62), current smokers (HR, 2.26; 1.49-3.43), current drinkers (HR, 1.93; 1.14-3.27]), participants with serious psychological distress (HR, 3.34; 1.81-6.18), and a history of emphysema (HR, 2.79; 1.18-6.59), liver disease (HR, 4.63; 2.10-10.20), kidney disease (HR, 2.26; 1.00-5.06) and cancer (HR, 2.18; 1.32-3.59) were at increased risk of completed suicide. Limitations Due to the observational nature of this study, we cannot exclude the possibility of reverse or bi-directional causality. Conclusions This large, prospective cohort study identified a series of biopsychosocial risk factors that may have utility in suicide prevention.

Background: Among head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) has the worst prognosis. Iron metabolism, which plays a crucial role in tumor progression, is mainly regulated by alterations to genes and post-transcriptional processes. The recent discovery of the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification has expanded the realm of previously undiscovered post-transcriptional gene regulation mechanisms in eukaryotes. Many studies have demonstrated that m6A methylation represents a distinct layer of epigenetic deregulation in carcinogenesis and tumor proliferation. However, the status of m6A modification and iron metabolism in HPSCC remains unknown. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis, sample analysis, and transcriptome sequencing were performed to evaluate the correlation between m6A modification and iron metabolism. Iron metabolic and cell biological analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of the m6A reader YTHDF1 on HPSCC proliferation and iron metabolism. Transcriptome-wide m6A-seq and RIP-seq data were mapped to explore the molecular mechanism of YTHDF1 function in HPSCC. Results: YTHDF1 was found to be closely associated with ferritin levels and intratumoral iron concentrations in HPSCC patients at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. YTHDF1 induced-HPSCC tumorigenesis depends on iron metabolism in vivo in vitro. Mechanistically, YTHDF1 methyltransferase domain interacts with the 3'UTR and 5'UTR of TRFC mRNA, then further positively regulates translation of m6A-modified TFRC mRNA. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function analyses validated the finding showing that TFRC is a crucial target gene for YTHDF1-mediated increases in iron metabolism. Conclusion: YTHDF1 enhanced TFRC expression in HPSCC through an m6A-dependent mechanism. From a therapeutic perspective, targeting YTHDF1 and TFRC-mediated iron metabolism may be a promising strategy for HPSCC.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the role of preoperative two-dimensional (2D) shear wave elastography (SWE) in assessing the stages of liver fibrosis in patients with suspected biliary atresia (BA) and compared its diagnostic performance with those of serum fibrosis biomarkers. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the ethical committee, and written informed parental consent was obtained. Two hundred and sixteen patients were prospectively enrolled between January 2012 and October 2018. The 2D SWE measurements of 69 patients have been previously reported. 2D SWE measurements, serum fibrosis biomarkers, including fibrotic markers and biochemical test results, and liver histology parameters were obtained. 2D SWE values, serum biomarkers including, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRi), and other serum fibrotic markers were correlated with the stages of liver fibrosis by METAVIR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the ROC (AUROC) curve analyses were used. RESULTS The correlation coefficient of 2D SWE value in correlation with the stages of liver fibrosis was 0.789 (p < 0.001). The cut-off values of 2D SWE were calculated as 9.1 kPa for F1, 11.6 kPa for F2, 13.0 kPa for F3, and 15.7 kPa for F4. The AUROCs of 2D SWE in the determination of the stages of liver fibrosis ranged from 0.869 to 0.941. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of 2D SWE in the diagnosis of ≥ F3 was 93.4% and 96.0%, respectively. The diagnostic performance of 2D SWE was superior to that of APRi and other serum fibrotic markers in predicting severe fibrosis and cirrhosis (all p < 0.005) and other serum biomarkers. Multivariate analysis showed that the 2D SWE value was the only statistically significant parameter for predicting liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION 2D SWE is a more effective non-invasive tool for predicting the stage of liver fibrosis in patients with suspected BA, compared with serum fibrosis biomarkers.

Preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is important for surgery strategy making. We aimed to develop and validate a combined intratumoural and peritumoural radiomics model based on gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for preoperative prediction of MVI in primary HCC patients. This study included a training cohort of 110 HCC patients and a validating cohort of 50 HCC patients. All the patients underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI examination and curative hepatectomy. The volumes of interest (VOIs) around the hepatic lesions including intratumoural and peritumoural regions were manually delineated in the hepatobiliary phase of MRI images, from which quantitative features were extracted and analysed. In the training cohort, machine-learning method was applied for dimensionality reduction and selection of the extracted features. The proportion of MVI-positive patients was 38.2% and 40.0% in the training and validation cohort, respectively. Supervised machine learning selected ten features to establish a predictive model for MVI. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity of the combined intratumoural and peritumoural radiomics model in the training and validation cohort were 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.77–0.93), 88.2%, 76.2%, and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.71–0.95), 90.0%, 75.0%, respectively. We evaluate quantitative Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI image features of both intratumoural and peritumoural regions and provide an effective radiomics-based model for the prediction of MVI in HCC patients, and may therefore help clinicians make precise decisions regarding treatment before the surgery. • An effective radiomics model for prediction of microvascular invasion in HCC patients is established. • The radiomics model is superior to the radiologist in prediction of MVI. • The radiomics model can help clinicians in pretreatment decision making.

In this study, by incorporating imide-fused benzothiadiazole (BIBT) as the electron-withdrawing core unit, for the first time we designed and synthesized a novel A1–D–A2–D–A1 type small molecule acceptor denoted BIBT-NI for organic solar cell (OSC) applications. Its thermal, optical and electrochemical properties were thoroughly investigated. Density functional theory was also applied to shed light on the molecular configuration and energy level distribution of the acceptor. This molecule exhibited a strong absorption spectrum in the range of 420–550 nm together with an optical bandgap of 2.04 eV. The inverted OSC devices based on BIBT-NI as an electron-acceptor combined with the classical polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as an electron-donor afforded an optimal power conversion efficiency of 2.11% with a comparatively high open-circuit voltage of 0.78 V. These results underscore the promising potential of BIBT as an electron-deficient building block in constructing nonfullerene acceptors for OSCs.

In the international shipping business industry, the degree of industry concentration is more and more intensive. Pushing native shipping industrial integration is an important route to possess the advantages of the scale economy, and foster the leading enterprises. The study on the ownership structure and corporate governance of Japan shipping companies enlightens China’s large state-owned shipping company after integration.

This work aims to explore the feasibility of self-matting coatings based on soybean oil. A novel reactive waterborne polyurethane (RWPU) dispersion containing unsaturated CC double bonds was synthesized from epoxidized soybean oil (ESO). Subsequently, the RWPU dispersion was copolymerized with hard/soft monomers at different weight ratios to prepare polyurethane/acrylate (MPU) hybrid emulsions. The results reveal the gloss levels of MPUs to be as low as 3.3 gloss units at 60°. A scanning electron microscope and three-dimensional surface profilometer were employed to observe the morphology of the MPU-based films, and the relation between the surface roughness and gloss was determined. Further, thermal gravimetric analysis was conducted to determine the thermal stability of the MPU-based films, and the results denoted that these MPU-based films exhibited excellent thermal stability. Tensile tests indicated that the RWPU dispersion, which was copolymerized at a hard monomer weight of 30%, exhibited a good tensile strength of 13.2 MPa and a high elongation percentage of 578%. Furthermore, after one year, the MPU emulsions exhibited a narrow particle size distribution and their zeta potential values were approximately −30.0 mV, revealing the excellent storage stabilities (>one year) of all the MPU emulsions.

To examine the cross-sectional relationship between sleep duration and 11 chronic diseases (risk of obesity, depression, diabetes, asthma, COPD, arthritis, kidney, CHD, stroke, and cancer [excluding skin cancer]) by using data from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.Using data from the 2013, 2014 and 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a total sample consisted of 1,191,768 participants. Logistic regression models were constructed to calculate OR and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between sleep duration and 11 chronic diseases. In addition, we also conducted subgroup analysis based on age and gender.In multi-adjusted model, the positive association between extremely short or long sleep duration and risk of chronic diseases was significant (P 0.05) with the exception of skin cancer (P = 0.14 and P = 0.43). There are stronger association between extremely short or long sleep duration and obesity, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, kidney, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer in women and aged 18-64 years old.Our results indicated a higher risk of common chronic diseases due to short or long sleep duration in women and aged 18-64 years. Further studies are needed to demonstrate these association.

Six new lignans with various type of linkage between two C6-C3 fragments (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3, 4), two new meroterpenoids (5, 6) and 24 known compounds (7–30) were isolated from an EtOH extract of the stems and leaves of Piper puberulum. The absolute configurations of enantiomers 1a and 1b were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, 2a and 2b were determined by comparing their calculated and experimental ECD spectra. Biogenetically, all the new lignans may come from the polymerization of two molecules of hydroxychavicol (30). In the anti-neuroinflammation activity assay, the IC50 values of fifteen compounds were lower than those of the positive control minocycline, and compound 1a showed good activity, but its enantiomer 1b showed no activity. Compound 1a have notable anti-neuroinflammatory activity, and can significantly decrease mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in a dose-dependent manner.

Two new cadinane sesquiterpene glucosides (1, 2), two new phenylpropanoid glycosides (3, 4), and two new diterpenoid glucosides (5, 6), as well as 6 known compounds were isolated from the stems of Tinospora sinensis. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by timedependent density functional theory (TDDFT) electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations and in situ dimolybdenum CD method. All the isolated compounds except for compounds 7, 11 and 12 were evaluated for their anti-neuroinflammatory effect by inhibiting the nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine BV-2 microglial cells, and compound 4 showed anti-neuroinflammatory activity with IC50 values 42.90 μM in vitro assay.

Synthesis, characterization, and coating performance of castor oil (CO)-based waterborne hyperbranched polyurethane acrylate (WHPUA) emulsions are highlighted in this work. Herein, a second-generation CO-based hyperbranched polyester (C20) was synthesized by introducing the renewable CO as a B3 core and dimethylolpropionic acid as an AB2 monomer via a pseudo-one-pot condensation procedure. Three types of CO-based WHPUA emulsions were prepared through the addition of the hyperbranched C20 with maleic anhydride (MA) and the isocyanate-bearing semiadduct (IPDI-HEA) at different MA/IPDI-IH molar ratios without the addition of any emulsifiers. The prepared emulsions were further formulated into UV-curable coating formulations and exposed to a medium-pressure mercury lamp. Consequently, the obtained UV-cured coatings exhibited outstanding adhesion performance, excellent transparency, and an acceptable degree of final double bond conversion. Owing to a relatively low concentration of hydrophilic units and a large number of acrylate functionalities in the waterborne oligomer, the obtained films were endowed with high crosslinking density and low hydrophilic nature, thus producing enhanced tensile strength, pencil hardness, water resistance, and chemical resistance. Due to their combination of renewable materials, a waterborne system and a UV-curing technique, these CO-based WHPUA emulsions offer promising opportunities to be used as environmentally friendly coatings.

Photoresponsive complex emulsions are prepared in a three-phase system consisting of two oils: hexane (H) and perfluorooctane (F). An aqueous solution of a mixed surfactant of fluorosurfactant, F(CF2)x(CH2CH2O)yH (Zonyl FS-300), and a synthesized light-responsive surfactant, 2-(4-(4-butylphenyl)diazenylphenoxy)ethyltrimethylammonium bromide (C4AZOC2TAB) was employed as the continuous phase. Complex emulsions with various geometries were prepared by one-step vortex mixing and a temperature-induced phase-separation method. It was noticed that the topology of the complex emulsion was highly dependent on the mass ratio of Zonyl FS-300/C4AZOC2TAB. Light microscopy images showed that phase inversion from an H/F/W- to an F/H/W-type double emulsion via a Janus emulsion was achieved by gradually increasing the mass ratio of C4AZOC2TAB/Zonyl FS-300. Upon UV/blue light irradiation, the topology of complex emulsions was turned to switch from an F/H/W double emulsion to a Janus emulsion to an entirely inverted H/F/W d...

Two previous undescribed cyclic pentapeptide-type compounds (1–2), with two known ones (3–4), were first isolated and purified from Clerodendrum japonicum (Thunb.) Sweet. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR) analysis. The absolute configurations of the two compounds were assigned using a combination of Marfey’s method and HPLC-MS analysis. All four compounds showed weak cytotoxicity against four human cancer cells lines (T24, A549, HepG2, MGC-803), with IC50 values ranging from 23.8 to 39.6 μM.

Summary The protein level of OCT4, a core pluripotency transcription factor, is vital for embryonic stem cell (ESC) maintenance, differentiation, and somatic cell reprogramming. However, how OCT4 protein levels are controlled during reprogramming remains largely unknown. Here, we identify ubiquitin conjugation sites of OCT4 and report that disruption of WWP2-catalyzed OCT4 ubiquitination or ablation of Wwp2 significantly promotes the efficiency of pluripotency induction from mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Mechanistically, disruption of WWP2-mediated OCT4 ubiquitination elevates OCT4 protein stability and H3K4 methylation level during the reprogramming process. Furthermore, we reveal that OCT4 directly activates expression of Ash2l-b, and that ASH2L-B is a major isoform of ASH2L highly expressed in ESCs and required for somatic cell reprogramming. Together, this study emphasizes the importance of ubiquitination manipulation of the reprogramming factor and its interplay with the epigenetic regulator for successful reprogramming, opening a new avenue to improve the efficiency of pluripotency induction., Highlights • Five lysine residues are major ubiquitination sites of OCT4 catalyzed by WWP2 • Disruption of OCT4 ubiquitination promotes somatic cell reprogramming • Mutation of OCT4 ubiquitination sites enhances OCT4 stability and H3K4me levels • ASH2L-B contributes to somatic cell reprogramming as a direct target of OCT4, In this article, Liao and colleagues show that five lysine residues are major ubiquitination sites of OCT4 catalyzed by WWP2, and that disruption of WWP2-catalyzed OCT4 ubiquitination or ablation of Wwp2 significantly promotes the efficiency of pluripotency induction. Mechanistically, disruption of WWP2-mediated OCT4 ubiquitination elevates OCT4 protein stability and H3K4 methylation level during the reprogramming process.

Block copolymers (BCPs) have stimulated widespread research interest due to their applications as facile templates in the fabrication of optimized thermosets with micro– or nanostructured morphologies. In the present work, a novel block copolymer was obtained from a commercial poly(styrene-block-butadiene-block-styrene) (SBS) triblock copolymer precursor by a two-step process including reaction with hydrogen peroxide in a water/dichloroethane biphasic system to achieve an epoxidized derivative with a 46 mol% degree of epoxidation (thus denoted as eSBS46), which was then followed by reaction with 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine (AEP, thus yielding eSBS46-AEP) as a reactive functional group that was incorporated to prepare nanostructured epoxy thermosetting blends. As a result of the oxirane ring-opening achieved (to a conversion degree of 10 mol%) by reaction with AEP, the nanostructured morphology was converted from spherical micelles in the case of eSBS46 to branched wormlike micelles for eSBS46-AEP. ...

A novel waterborne polyurethane (WPU) resin with low gloss and micro-roughness was synthesized by the prepolymer and self-emulsification method. It was achieved by introducing multi-hydroxyl castor oil and reactive bisphenol A-type epoxy E-44 or E-51 resin to polyurethane prepolymer to form a cross-linking network structural waterborne polyurethane emulsion, which demonstrated the distinctive characteristic of the shear-thinning pseudoplastic fluid with a yield stress. The chemical structures and rough surface morphologies of the WPU films were characterized by FTIR-ATR, LCRS, AFM, SPMS and SEM, respectively. The specular gloss values at 20°, 60° and 85° incident angles were measured, and the values of different kinds of roughness parameters were obtained. The relationship between the gloss and the castor oil content was also discussed in detail. In general, this WPU resin endowed the film with micro-roughness, moderate hardness and good adhesive strength, making it very prospective in substitution for the traditional low gloss coatings.

Objective: Pituicytomas and granular cell tumours (GCTs) of the neurohypophysis are considered non-adenomatous neoplasms in the sellar region. The association between hormone hypersecretion and the...

A novel environmentally friendly method was developed to fabricate hollow core–shell conductive nanoparticles using a natural and nontoxic material, nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), as the template. The NCC used in this study has nano-scale rod-like structure. After the oxidization to dialdehyde cellulose, the insulated NCC was functionalized by poly(dopamine) (PDA) in weakly alkaline conditions through Schiff base reaction and self-polymerization. The Schiff base can be hydrolyzed in an aqueous acetone solution via ultraviolet radiation so that the hollow structure constructed. This structure not only strengthened the mechanical properties but also provided more active sites for silver deposition. Utilizing the chelating ability of the catechol groups in PDA, electroless plating method was used to form the silver coating layer. Scanning electron microscope and Dynamic Light Scattering measurements indicated that these nanoparticles (NPs) had well-defined morphology and a mean diameter of 100–120 nm. Moreover, these prepared Ag–DA–NCC0 NPs exhibited excellent conductivity. Their electrical resistivity reached 0.2 mΩ·cm, which is much higher than that of many other conductive particles used in conductive adhesive.

Objective: To study the correlation between magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging ADC value of endometrial stromal sarcoma and the malignant biological features. Methods: A total of 34 patients with endometrial stromal sarcoma who received surgical resection in Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese & Western Medicine between May 2014 and August 2016 were selected as the malignant group of the research, and 58 patients with uterine fibroids who received surgical resection between August 2015 and October 2016 were selected as the control group of the research. Magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging was done before operation to measure apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC value). The lesions were collected after operation to determine the expression of proliferation genes as well as estrogen and progestogen receptors. Results: Endometrial stromal sarcoma ADC value of malignant group was significantly lower than uterine fibroid ADC value of control group; CyclinD1, Rb, Sp1, Survivin, ERα, ERβ, PRA and PRB protein expression in endometrial stromal sarcoma lesions of malignant group were significantly higher than those of control group while SULT1E1 protein expression was significantly lower than that of control group; CyclinD1, Rb, Sp1, Survivin, ERα, ERβ, PRA and PRB protein expression in endometrial stromal sarcoma lesions of subgroup with low ADC value were significantly higher than those of subgroup with high ADC value while SULT1E1 protein expression was significantly lower than that of subgroup with high ADC value. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging ADC values can be used to evaluate the malignant biological behavior of endometrial stromal sarcoma.

Castor oil (CO) based hyperbranched urethane acrylates (HBUAs), namely C10-IH and C20-IH, were synthesized by modifying the hydroxyl groups of first (C10)- and second (C20)-generation of CO-based h...

Six previously undescribed oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins, fortunosides A–F, together with six known ones, were isolated from the aerial parts of Lysimachia fortunei Maxim. Their structures were established by spectroscopic data analyses (1D, 2D-NMR and HRESIMS) and chemical methods. All isolated triterpenoid saponins were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against four human liver cancer cell lines (SMMC-7721, Hep3B, HuH7, and SK-Hep-1). Three saponins with the aglycone protoprimulagenin A exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against all of the tested human cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 4.76 to 15.12 μM.

A series of low gloss waterborne polyurethane acrylate (WPUA) hybrid emulsions with different weight ratios of hard/soft monomers of acrylic monomers were synthesized successfully. Compared with the traditional low gloss coatings that achieve low gloss effects by adding a large number of pigments, fillers or both to roughen the surfaces, the low gloss effect of these WPUA emulsions was achieved through the formation of self-roughed surfaces during film formation with zero loading of extraneous dulling agent. Gloss levels could be as low as 3 units at 60° incident angle. The chemical structures of these WPUA films were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance carbon spectroscopy ( 13 C NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The rough surface topographies of these WPUA films were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle size distributions of these WPUA emulsions were analyzed by DLS measurement. The polymeric phase separation behaviors of these WPUA films were assessed by DSC analysis. In general, the WPUA emulsions that afforded films with good hardness, good adhesion strengths and excellent thermal stabilities, showed a great advantage in applications of low gloss aqueous coating.

Natural chalcopyrite (NCP) was used as a low-cost and efficient activator of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to repair groundwater polluted by aged landfill leachate. The optimal remediation effect of polluted groundwater was achieved at pH 8, PMS concentration 25 mM and NCP dosage 10 g/L via response surface method. The excellent performance of NCP was mainly Fe3+/Fe2+ and Cu2+/Cu+ cycles promoted by sulfur species, which was investigated via XPS analysis. Furthermore, the transformation of SO4•─, •OH and O2•─ were clarified by quenching experiments and ESR. The conversion of organics was revealed by UV–vis spectra and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra. Moreover, the toxicity of polluted groundwater after remediation was significantly reduced through the growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Finally, the flowing experiment using NCP/sand column showed that NCP could effectively activate PMS and thereby restore polluted groundwater.

Graphene is an important class of carbon-based materials that exhibits excellent thermal conductivity along its layers. In order to construct a 3D thermal transport material, herein, SiO2@C was successfully inserted into the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layers to enhance its axial thermal transport performance via vacuum-assisted electrostatic self-assembly and pyrolysis processes. The formed rGO-SiO2@C composite exhibits an enhanced axial thermal conductivity of 6.65 W/(m*K) and an in-plane thermal conductivity of 36.54 W/(m*K). Moreover, it also displays good electromagnetic shielding properties, with the high total shielding effectiveness (SET) value of 45.59 dB, and an ultralow shielding effectiveness reflection (SER) value of 2.72 dB. Our work provides a simple method to construct a hybrid as a 3D conductive and thermal conductive network.

We herein reported a series of superplasticizers that were synthesized from the macro-monomer polyethylene glycol methacrylate and the monomers acrylic acid, sodium allyl sulfonate, or vinylphosphonic acid at different molar ratios. In order to explore the influence of COO-, SO32-, and PO32- on the performance of superplasticizers, fluidity tests and plastic viscosity tests were carried out to evaluate the dispersion performance of these polymers. Furthermore, the conformation of these superplasticizers in calcium hydroxide solution was analyzed via dynamic light scattering and Ca2+ concentration tests. The results showed that these superplasticizers exhibited the best dispersion effect when the molar ratio of COO-:SO32- and COO-:PO32- was 3:1. In addition, the calcium complexing capacity of the phosphonate groups was higher than that of the sulfonate ions, leading to the lower plastic viscosity of cement pastes containing the superplasticizer with COO-:PO32- at a ratio of 3:1. This study provides valuable information for the application in practical engineering.

Sixteen chebulic acid derivatives, including nine new (1–9) and seven known (10–16) ones, were isolated from an ethanol extract of the branches and leaves of Balakata baccata. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by their UV, IR, HRESIMS, NMR, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The effects of all the isolates on antineuroinflammatory and antioxidant activities were evaluated. Compared with the positive control minocycline (IC50 = 1.21 ± 0.71 μM), compounds 1–16 with IC50 values being greater than 50 μM, displayed almost no effects on the inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cells, however, the results of antioxidant activity for compounds 1–16 showed significant DPPH-radical scavenging abilities with EC50 value ranging from 3.98 to 14.24 μM, while the EC50 value of positive control vitamin C was 14.31 μM. At last, the results of PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that compound 1 could enhance the expression of antioxidases (HO-1, GCLC, and NQO1) at the mRNA levels.

Magnesium phosphate cement-fly ash (MPC-FA) has been synthesized as a new cutoff wall material to control lead pollution in groundwater. A series of experiments were conducted to investigate its properties including adsorption, mechanical performances, morphologies, microstructure and migration of Pb(Ⅱ) through the magnesium phosphate cement-fly ash cutoff walls. X-ray microcomputed tomography was used to get the microscale three-dimensional real geometry images of the cutoff walls. The internal structural parameters were analyzed through digital image processing technology. Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) was employed to simulate the hydraulic conductivity and three-dimensional velocity fields distribution of cutoff walls. The optimized fly ash ratio (in mass) of cutoff walls was 40%, and the sodium dihydrogen phosphate/monopotassium phosphate molar ratio was 1:1. The compressive strength and flexural strength during 14 days were 23.2 MPa a nd 5.6 MPa, respectively. The laboratorial hydraulic conductivity of MPC-FA was 1.22 × 10−9 m/s and the theoretical maximum adsorption capacity was 467.87 mg/g. The pore-network model showed that the connected porosity of MPC-FA was 14.45%, and the most of the pores and throats in cutoff walls were microflow paths (radius ≤ 12 μm). The hydraulic conductivity simulated by LBM basically coincided with the measured results, and the velocity fields indicated that the flow paths were tortuous and complex. Under different breakthrough concentration standards, the penetration of Pb(Ⅱ) at initial concentration of 4000 mg/L through cutoff walls with thickness of 0.6 m, 1 m, 1.2 m, 1.5 m needed 8–10, 22–28, 31–41 and 49–64 years, respectively. The model obtained by Visual MODFLOW numerical simulation showed that the contaminant plume of Pb(Ⅱ) was controlled after 7400 days in the polluted site with MPC-FA cutoff walls, which supported that the MPC-FA met the requirements for good control of Pb(Ⅱ) in the lead-contaminated sites.

This paper reports on a novel self-matte or bulk-matte waterborne polyurethane coating composite with inherently extremely low gloss. The coating composite was comprised of a siloxane-containing waterborne polyurethane (SPU) resin and a crosslinked waterborne polyurethane (CPU) resin. The CPU resin was mainly responsible for fabricating the micro-rough surface of the film, which was achieved by a crosslinking reaction between the waterborne polyurethane and bisphenol A-type epoxy E-44 resin. The SPU resin was used to improve the comprehensive properties of the film, which was ascribed to the addition of silane coupling agent KH792. Compared with traditional matte coatings, this coating composite made it possible to avoid high loadings of matting agent and to arrive at highly flexible low-gloss finishes. Gloss levels of as low as a few tenths of a percent, even at high incidence angles, have been achieved with zero loading of extraneous dulling agent. The chemical structures of the SPU and CPU resins were characterized by FTIR-ATR and NMR spectra. The micro-rough topographies and surface rough degrees of the SPU, CPU and their 50%/50% composite films were measured by SEM and MSP, respectively. The particle sizes and particle morphologies of the SPU and CPU resins were imaged by TEM. Finally, the comprehensive properties of the SPU, CPU and their 50%/50% composite resins were evaluated, including the water contact angle, film transparency, tensile strength and storage stability.

We prepared poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-4-tert-butylcalix[8]arene) (PNIPAM-TBCX) hydrogels by copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) with 4-tert-butylcalix[8]arene (TBCX) to capture hazardous pentachlorophenol (PCP) from aqueous solution. Adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption capacities of PNIPAM-TBCX hydrogels reached 1.96, 2.08 and 2.02 mg PCP per 1 g of hydrogel, while the molar percentage ratio of TBCX in the hydrogels was as low as 0.5%, 0.7% and 1%. The equilibrium adsorption of PCP on the hydrogels was studied using different adsorption models. In addition, the PNIPAM-TBCX hydrogel still retained its performance when regenerated several times by immersing in water at 323 K.

Numerous dark enclaves with different shapes are found in Jiuling Neoproterozoic granitoids. Precise LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating was conducted on zircons extracted from two microcrystalline enclave samples, yielding crystallization ages of 822.6±5.8 Ma and 822.2±6.2 Ma, respectively. The consistent ages within analytical errors with the host granitoids suggested that they were the products of the same magmatism. The microcrystalline-dioritic enclaves commonly show plastic forms and contain similar plagioclase megacrysts to the host rocks, and both of the enclaves and host granitoids showed a complex composition and structural imbalance in plagioclases. Furthermore, the apatites with a euhedral acicular shape occurred widely in the microcrystalline-dioritic enclaves. All of these petrographic features above imply magma mixing is involved in their diagenesis. The enclaves and host granitoids show a marked zircon trace element difference and Hf isotopic signatures without correlation in zircon trace element pairs but form their own system between enclaves and host granitoids. Additionally, most of the zircons show extremely high eHf (t) with eHf (t) =3.54–11.94 from the southern samples, and eHf (t) =1.0–9.09 from the central region. Some zircons with the higher eHf (t) are similar to the zircons from the juvenile island arc in the eastern segment of Jiangnan Orogen. Integrated geological and Hf isotopic characteristics suggest microcrystalline-dioritic enclaves were derived from the partial melting process of the Mesoproterozoic crust which enriched juvenile island arc materials and mixed with the granitic magma that remelted from the Mesoproterozoic continental crust which relatively enriched ancient sediments and mixed with the host granitoid in diagenesis.

A peak aged (T6 heat treatment: 743 K /1.5 h + 393 K/24 h) Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was subjected to compression tests at different strain rates from 1.0 × 10−3 s−1 to 5.0 × 103 s−1. The yield strength of the Al alloy is increasing with strain rates from 1.0 × 10−3 s−1 to 4.0 × 103 s−1and is decreasing with increasing strain rate from 4.0 × 103 s−1 to 5.0 × 103 s−1 showing strain rate sensitivity (SRS). A large number of Al3Zr, GP zones, η’, T (Al2Mg3Zn3) and S (Al2CuMg) precipitates are present in the Al alloy after compression at 1.0 × 10−3 s−1 and Al3Zr, η’, η, T and S phases are dominant after high strain rate compression from 3.5 × 103 s−1 to 5.0 × 103 s−1. The precipitates average size is increased after compression at 1.0 × 10−3 s−1. High strain rate compression leads to the growth of precipitates and overlapping. Coarse precipitates are mainly found along the grain boundaries and dislocations. The increasing SRS with increasing strain rates up to 4.0 × 103 s−1 owes to the growth of precipitates which are hindering dislocations motion and generating more dislocations. Increasing strain rates to 5.0 × 103 s−1, the coarse precipitates are no longer effective in pinning dislocations, leading to a decrease in yield strength and a negative SRS value.

Through inserting SiO2@Au into the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layers, the rGO-SiO2@Au composites were prepared via the vacuum-assisted electrostatic self-assembly method. The obtained composites exhibit excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness due to the successful construction of multi-nanocavities (spherical SiO2 cavities and layered air cavities between rGO), multi-reflection interfaces (rGO and Au shell) and continuous conductive network (rGO-Au-rGO). Among them, the total shielding effectiveness (SET) of the composites with 75.78 wt% SiO2 and 19.38 wt% rGO can reach 38.4 dB at 18 GHz. Thereinto, the shielding effectiveness absorption (SEA) is 36.4 dB, 1.3 and 13.5 times higher than that of rGO and SiO2@Au. And the shielding effectiveness reflection (SER) is always below 5 dB from 1 to 18 GHz, much lower than that of rGO (about 15 dB). Further studies found that the SEA values were enhanced at 12.6 GHz and 6.2 GHz due to the construction of cavities and location of Au nanoparticles between the rGO layers. This study provides a simple and mild method to prepare high-performance thin-layered materials with applications in the field of EMI absorption shielding.

A further phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance led to the isolation of three new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins, foegraecumosides L–N ( 1 – 3 ), along with one known saponin, 3- O - β - d -glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α- l -arabinopyranosyl-cyclamiretin A ( 4 ). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analyses and chemical methods Compounds 1 − 4 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against NCI-H460, MGC-803, HepG2, and T24 human cancer cell lines, and compound 4 showed moderate activity against all tested cell lines. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of compound 4 was tested on drug-sensitive and drug-resistant lung cancer cell lines (A549 and A549/CDDP, respectively).

Summary Castleman disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder. To assess the clinical features, outcomes, and prognostic factors of this disease, we retrospectively analyzed 185 HIV-negative CD patients from four medical centers in southern China. The median age was 37 years. 121 patients (65.4%) were classified as unicentric CD (UCD) and 64 patients (34.6%) were classified as multicentric CD (MCD). The histology subtype was hyaline-vascular for 132 patients (71.4%), plasma cell for 50 patients (27%) and mixed type for 3 patients (1.6%). The 5-year overall survival (OS) of 185 CD cases was 80.3%. All UCD patients underwent surgical excision, while the treatment strategies of MCD patients were heterogeneous. The outcome for UCD patients was better than MCD patients, with 5-year OS rates of 93.6% and 51.2%, respectively. In further analysis of the MCD subgroup, a multivariate analysis using a Cox regression model revealed that age, splenomegaly and pretreatment serum albumin level were independent prognostic factors for OS. This multicenter study comprising the largest sample size to date suggested that MCD is a distinct entity from UCD with a significantly worse outcome. Older age (≥40 years), splenomegaly and hypoalbuminemia were risk factors for poorer MCD prognosis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Manganese dithionate (MnS2O6), formed in the leaching process of pyrolusite slurry with SO2, is a concern because of its ability to decrease the purity of MnSO4 (industrial raw material). Information regarding the oxidation and recovery of dithionate ion is scarce. In this study, we investigated the leaching process of MnO2 with MnS2O6 in the liquid phase. The leaching reaction presented one way to oxidize MnS2O6. The most suitable operating parameters on the oxidation efficiencies of MnS2O6 were established as follows: MnO2 dosage, 21.7 g L−1; agitation speed, 450 rpm; initial H2SO4 concentration, 1.81 mol L−1; initial MnS2O6 concentration, 28.5 g L−1; and reaction temperature, 372.5 K. Under the optimum conditions, the removal efficiency of 97.55% for MnS2O6 was obtained in 30 min. The experimental results showed that increasing the initial concentrations of MnS2O6 and H2SO4 and the reaction temperature resulted in a decrease in the content of MnS2O6. The dithionate oxidation process could be well modeled by the shrinking core model with an inert product layer, which indicated that the process was controlled by the interfacial chemical reaction. The reaction orders with respect to initial H2SO4 concentration and initial MnS2O6 concentration were 1.64 and 0.18, and the activation energy was 60.1 kJ mol−1 as well as pre-exponential factor was 5.9 × 106.

Summary The roles of histone demethylases (HDMs) for the establishment and maintenance of pluripotency are incompletely characterized. Here, we show that JmjC-domain-containing protein 1c (JMJD1C), an H3K9 demethylase, is required for mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal. Depletion of Jmjd1c leads to the activation of ERK/MAPK signaling and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to induce differentiation of ESCs. Inhibition of ERK/MAPK signaling rescues the differentiation phenotype caused by Jmjd1c depletion. Mechanistically, JMJD1C, with the help of pluripotency factor KLF4, maintains ESC identity at least in part by regulating the expression of the miR-200 family and miR-290/295 cluster to suppress the ERK/MAPK signaling and EMT. Additionally, we uncover that JMJD1C ensures efficient generation and maintenance of induced pluripotent stem cells, at least partially through controlling the expression of microRNAs. Collectively, we propose an integrated model of epigenetic and transcriptional control mediated by the H3K9 demethylase for ESC self-renewal and somatic cell reprogramming., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • JMJD1C is required for the maintenance of ESC identity • Depletion of Jmjd1c leads to the activation of ERK/MAPK signaling and EMT • JMJD1C interplays with KLF4 to activate the expression of miR-200 family • JMJD1C ensures efficient induction of pluripotency partially via miR-200 family, In this article, Jin and colleagues show that JMJD1C is required for mouse ESC self-renewal and efficient somatic cell reprogramming. In ESCs, JMJD1C cooperates with KLF4 to suppress the ERK/MAPK signaling and EMT at least in part through promoting miR-200 family and miR-290/295 cluster expression. Additionally, JMJD1C ensures efficient somatic cell reprogramming partially via the miR-200 family.

For various applications, it is essential to enhance the colloidal stabilization of carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersions. Here, the polymers with carbazole pendants of poly(4-(N-carbazolyl)methylstyrene-bl-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PCMS5-b-PAPEG73 and PCMS16-b-PAPEG43) and PCMS30, synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, were used for noncovalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in tetrahydrofuran (THF), offering efficient colloidal stabilization. Meanwhile, the adsorption of polymers onto MWCNTs was investigated. The results showed that the MWCNTs decorated with these three polymers in THF exhibited different colloidal stabilization and adsorption capacity. Moreover, the MWCNT dispersions could be stabilized for days and their colloidal stabilization elevated with the increase of polymer concentrations. The block copolymer PCMS16-b-PAPEG43 exhibited the optimal adsorption and dispersion capability for MWCNTs. The...