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Lateral flow nucleic acid biosensors (LFNABs) have attracted extensive attention due to their rapid turnaround time, low cost, and results that are visible to the naked eye. One of the key steps to develop LFNABs is to prepare DNA–gold nanoparticle (DNA–AuNP) conjugates, which affect the sensitivity of LFNABs significantly. To date, various conjugation methods—including the salt-aging method, microwave-assisted dry heating method, freeze–thaw method, low-pH method, and butanol dehydration method—have been reported to prepare DNA–AuNP conjugates. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the analytical performances of LFNABs prepared with the above five conjugation methods, and we found that the butanol dehydration method gave the lowest detection limit. After systematic optimization, the LFNAB prepared with the butanol dehydration method had a detection limit of 5 pM for single-strand DNA, which is 100 times lower than that of the salt-aging method. The as-prepared LFNAB was applied to detect miRNA-21 in human serum, with satisfactory results. The butanol dehydration method thus offers a rapid conjugation approach to prepare DNA–AuNP conjugates for LFNABs, and it can also be extended to other types of DNA biosensors and biomedical applications.

To study the new formulation and technology of compoiste cellulose-based enteric capsule shell with one-time dipping molding without organic solvent.Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate-55S (Hp55S) was used as the main film-forming material, agar as gelling agent and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as disintegrating regulator. The preparation technology was as follows: ①Hp55S was dissolved in dilute ammonia solution with pH of 10 ∼ 11 at room temperature to obtain transparent Hp55S solution. ②The mixture of HPMC, KCl and Tween 80 was fully dispersed in the agar solution at 90 ∼ 100 °C, and cooled to 50 ∼ 55 °C under continuous stirring to obtain a transparent agar/HPMC solution. ③The Hp55S solution was heated to 50 ∼ 55 °C and poured into the agar/HPMC solution and stirred evenly to obtain the composite cellulose solution, which was kept at 50 ∼ 55 °C for standby.④The compoiste cellulose-based enteric capsule shells were prepared by dipping, spinning, drying, stripping and trimming, and joining.The compoiste cellulose-based enteric capsule shell prepared according to this formula and process met the quality requirements of "enterosoluble vacant capsules" in Chinese Pharmacopoeia.Compared with the traditional formula and preparation technology of enteric capsule shell, the product is a plant type enteric capsule shell, no organic solvent is used in the formula, and the forming steps of multiple dipping solution is not used in the process. The advantages of this study are that the production steps are simplified, the production process is environmentally friendly, and the production cost is reduced.

This review summarizes the updated knowledge on the toxicity of T-2 on poultry, followed by potential strategies for detoxification of T-2 in poultry diet. The toxic effects of T-2 on poultry include cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, metabolism modulation, immunotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, skeletal toxicity, nephrotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, etc. Cytotoxicity is the primary toxicity of T-2, characterized by inhibiting protein and nucleic acid synthesis, altering the cell cycle, inducing oxidative stress, apoptosis and necrosis, which lead to damages of immune organs, liver, digestive tract, bone, kidney, etc., resulting in pathological changes and impaired physiological functions of these organs. Glutathione redox system, superoxide dismutase, catalase and autophagy are protective mechanisms against oxidative stress and apoptosis, and can compensate the pathological changes and physiological functions impaired by T-2 to some degree. T-2 detoxifying agents for poultry feeds include adsorbing agents (e.g., aluminosilicate-based clays and microbial cell wall), biotransforming agents (e.g., Eubacterium sp. BBSH 797 strain), and indirect detoxifying agents (e.g., plant-derived antioxidants). These T-2 detoxifying agents could alleviate different pathological changes to different degrees, and multi-component T-2 detoxifying agents can likely provide more comprehensive protection against the toxicity of T-2.

Purpose This study aimed to report the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)characteristics of primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) of the larynx. Materials and methods The radiographic examinations of five patients (2 men, 3 women; median age, 68years) with histopathologically proven NHL of the larynx were retrospectively reviewed. CT and MRI images were analyzed qualitatively (Tumor distribution, Local tumor invasion, Tumor appearance, Cervical lymphadenopathy of NHL). Results CT and MRI images showed no obvious signs of vascular and laryngeal cartilage invasion. Three cases (1 MALT, 2 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL)) were centered in the supraglottic region involved the glottis (3/3) and subglottic (1/3). Two cases (MALT) were centered in the glottis involved the subglottic. The laryngeal tumors involved the true cords (5 cases), aryepiglottic folds (3 cases), ventricles and false cords (3 cases), anterior commissure (2 cases). On MRI (4 cases), all NHL presenting as homogeneous intermediate T1-weighted, heterogeneous slightly high T2-weighted mass with homogeneous moderate to evident enhancement. The mucosa with more obvious enhancement and smooth surface could be seen. On CT (1 plain and 3 contrast-enhanced), all tumors were homogeneous moderate density, and no necrosis or calcifications were seen. Lymphadenopathy was presented in two patients of DLBCL without necrosis. Conclusions On MRI or CT, when the laryngeal mass is located under the mucosa with uniform density or signal intensity, smooth surface, moderate to obvious homogeneous enhancement without cystic, necrosis, calcification and cartilage destruction, the radiologist should consider that it is likely to be NHL, especially when the mass spreads upwards to the oropharynx, nasopharynx and Webster's lymphoid ring. Further studies however are needed to confirm our findings obtained in a limited number of patients.

Premise of research. Even though the fossil record of oviposition provides a rich archive of plant resource use, it is deficient for a fundamental reason. Very few analyzable oviposition data have ...

Background Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is an extremely rare, aggressive malignant subtype of fibrosarcoma. Only dozens of cases of primary SEF in the bone have been reported so far, without case involving fibula reported in literature to date. Herein we report the first case of primary SEF in the right fibula in a 19-year-old man. In this case report, we firstly give a comprehensive description of fibula SEF, including its complete clinical course and radiological findings. Case presentation A 19-year-old man presented with a half-year history of soreness in the right lower leg. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the right lower leg were performed. Based on the radiological examinations, a diagnosis of malignant tumor arising in the fibular diaphysis was made. Final diagnosis of primary SEF in the right fibula was confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations after surgical resection. The patient had no signs of recurrence or metastasis during a 24-month follow-up. Conclusion We report an exceedingly rare case of primary SEF in the right fibula and its radiological features with CE-CT and MRI.

Two Ce-W-Ti mixed oxide catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation (CeW/Ti-I) and mechanical mixing (Ce/W/Ti-M) methods. CeW/Ti-I catalyst exhibits over 80% NOx conversion and nearly 100% N2 selectivity at 200–550 °C. The superior catalytic performance is associated with the high dispersion of active CeO2 and acidic WO3 on TiO2 and the synergistic effects among different components. The X-ray Diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Nitrogen physisorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, H2 temperature-programmed reduction, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia and infrared spectroscopy were performed. It is found that the formation of solid solutions, as well as the high specific surface area, would increase the amounts of Ce3+, oxygen vacancies and acid sites in the catalyst. These broaden the operating temperature window of NH3-SCR reaction and enhance the N2 selectivity by facilitating “fast SCR” reaction at low temperatures and inhibiting the unselective oxidation of NH3 at high temperatures.

A distinctive pattern of oviposition lesions occurs on a ginkgoalean seed, Yimaia capituliformis, which likely was inflicted by a kalligrammatid lacewing with a long, sword-like, plant piercing ovipositor. This newly recorded oviposition type, DT272, occurs in the 165 million-year-old Jiulongshan Formation, of Middle Jurassic age, in Northeastern China. DT272 consists from three to seven, approximately equally spaced lesions with surrounding callus tissue whose fabricator targeted fleshy outer and inner tissues of a ginkgophyte fruit. This distinctive damage also is known from the fleshy attachment pad surfaces of basal bennettitalean bracts. Examination of the life history of this probable ginkgoalean–kalligrammatid oviposition interaction indicates that the spacing of the eggs in substrate tissues disfavored inter-larval contact, but little can be said of defense and counterdefense strategies between the plant host and the newly hatched immatures. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Insect-mediated damage was examined on 756 specimens of three broadleaved conifers Podozamites , Lindleycladus and Liaoningocladus , originating from five mid-Mesozoic localities in Northeastern China. These localities are the Late Triassic Yangcaogou Fm. (T3, ca. 205 Ma), the latest Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Fm. (J2, 165 Ma), and the mid Early Cretaceous Yixian Fm. (K1, 125 Ma). Plant hosts from these three time intervals harbor five functional feeding groups (FFGs) of herbivores and 23 distinctive damage types (DTs), categorized using the widely applied DT system. The DTs were classified into the five FFGs of external foliage feeding (6 DTs), piercing and sucking (5 DTs), oviposition (3 DTs), galling (8 DTs) and leaf mining (1 DT). Damage-type richness and abundance was established for each FFG, encompassing from 10 to 16 DTs for each of the three time intervals examined. For this 80 million-year-long interval, foliar herbivory on broadleaved conifers was transformed from early predominance of external foliage feeding (T3), later replaced by an emphasis on piercing and sucking (J2), followed by bimodal expansion of endophytic interactions from oviposition and leaf mining (K1). This trajectory of herbivore succession indicates that, from T3 to K1, plant–insect associations were transformed from earlier reliance on a greater number of exophytic modes of herbivory to a later, increased variety in endophytic consumption. The transformation also was demonstrated by finer-grained partitioning of food resources and specialization on particular host-plant tissue types. This subdivision of tissue types likely promoted greater dietary saturation of tissue space by functional feeding groups. Possible explanations for these shifts in herbivory include ecological causes, long-term environmental changes, or both. Ecological factors, such as (i), evolution of a more differentiated plant-host spectrum available for consumption; (ii), long-term changes in plant physiognomy and deployment of antiherbivore defenses; (iii), change in herbivore partitioning of plant-host tissues; and (iv), emergence of the parasitoid guild for efficient regulation of insect herbivores. Long-term environmental variables may be linked to these shifts in insect herbivory style.

Background While it is known that irradiation can induce local and systemic bone loss over time, how focal irradiation induces systemic bone complications remains unclear. Immune cells are thought to be crucial to bone homeostasis, and abnormal immune cells lead to serious disruption of bone homeostasis, such as in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. This disruption primarily occurs due to inhibition of the osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Methods In this study, we detected local and systemic bone loss in trabecular bone by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and measurement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) expression in BMSCs using real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Additionally, changes in lymphocytes (B cells and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) in the peripheral blood and bone marrow were analysed by flow cytometry. BMSC-derived osteoblasts and adipocytes, cultured in osteogenic or adipogenic media or co-cultured with lymphocytes, were detected by BCIP/NBT, Alizarin Red S and Oil Red O staining. Results Focal irradiation induced local and systemic bone loss in trabecular bone. Increased PPARγ expression and decreased RUNX2 expression were observed, accompanied by upregulated adipogenesis and downregulated osteogenesis of BMSCs. B cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes were increased in the blood and bone marrow after irradiation, while CD4+ T lymphocytes were decreased in the blood. Inhibition of RUNX2 expression and reduction of alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization deposits were observed in lymphocyte-co-cultured BMSCs, accompanied by an increase in PPARγ expression and in the number of lipid droplets. Conclusions Focal irradiation induced local and systemic bone loss in trabecular bone. Increased B cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes led to systemic bone loss by decreasing BMSC osteogenesis.

Background Bone-related complications are commonly reported in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and are collectively referred to as the abscopal effect of irradiation, the mechanism of which remains poorly understood. When patients receive targeted radiotherapy to a tumor, the local skeleton is exposed to radiation, particularly within the bone marrow. We therefore investigated the hypothesis that single bone irradiation can induce deterioration of the skeleton outside the radiation field and is mediated by the bone marrow. Methods Using 4-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, the effects of irradiation (20 Gy, right distal femur and proximal tibia) on bone quality, microarchitecture and bone marrow, were evaluated prospectively by microcomputed tomography, histomorphometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. Results At 12 weeks post-irradiation, bone loss of the non-irradiated bone was induced and marrow adiposity was increased. Expression of runt-related transcription factor-2 by bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) decreased after irradiation by 88.0 % (P

A near-perfect mimetic association between a mecopteran insect species and a ginkgoalean plant species from the late Middle Jurassic of northeastern China recently has been discovered. The association stems from a case of mixed identity between a particular plant and an insect in the laboratory and the field. This confusion is explained as a case of leaf mimesis, wherein the appearance of the multilobed leaf of Yimaia capituliformis (the ginkgoalean model) was accurately replicated by the wings and abdomen of the cimbrophlebiid Juracimbrophlebia ginkgofolia (the hangingfly mimic). Our results suggest that hangingflies developed leaf mimesis either as an antipredator avoidance device or possibly as a predatory strategy to provide an antiherbivore function for its plant hosts, thus gaining mutual benefit for both the hangingfly and the ginkgo species. This documentation of mimesis is a rare occasion whereby exquisitely preserved, co-occurring fossils occupy a narrow spatiotemporal window that reveal likely reciprocal mechanisms which plants and insects provide mutual defensive support during their preangiospermous evolutionary histories.