Ilomastat, a synthetic inhibitor of MMPs, prevents lung injury induced by γ-ray irradiation in mice

Lung injury is one of the pathological features in human or animal after radiation and the main side effect for patient after lung cancer radiotherapy. The efficient protective strategy still needs to exploit and the underlying mechanisms remain to be investigated. We found that the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) significantly increased at the early stage of radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). Pretreatment with Ilomastat, a synthetic inhibitor of MMPs, decreased the expression and activity of MMPs and significantly alleviated the lung inflammation and fibrosis in the irradiated mice, as well as enhanced the survival of irradiated mice. In addition, the levels of TGF-β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in the tissues dramatically reduced in the irradiated mice pretreated with Ilomastat. Furthermore, our experiments in vitro also showed that radiation significantly increased the MMPs activity, and Ilomastat pretreatment inhibited the activity of MMPs activated by irradiation and increased the cell survival. It is the first report, to our knowledge, to demonstrate that Ilomastat is a potential effective reliever for RILI and MMPs may play important roles in the process of RILI.

[A prospective study of the efficacy and safety of maintenance therapy with recombinant human thrombopoietin in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia: a multicenter study]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of maintenance therapy with reduced dose of rhTPO in the patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who attained stable platelet (PLT) counts after daily administration of rhTPO. Methods: Treatment was started with a daily administration of rhTPO (300 U/kg) for 2 consecutive weeks. Patients who attained stable PLT≥50×10(9)/L were enrolled to maintenance therapy starting with every other day administration of rhTPO, then adjusted dose interval to maintain platelet count (30-100) ×10(9)/L. Results: A total of 91 eligible patients were enrolled. Fourteen patients discontinued the study due to noncompliance (12/14) and investigator decision (2/14) . Among 77 patients who completed the study, 38 patients with the administration of rhTPO at every other day or less could maintain PLT≥30×10(9)/L for 12 weeks. The percentage of patients with a platelet response (PLT≥30×10(9)/L) at 4(th) week, 8(th) week and 12(th) week of maintain therapy was 92.6% (63/68) , 82.7% (43/52) and 85.0% (34/40) , respectively. Median platelet counts remained in the range of (70-124) ×10(9)/L. The overall incidence of rhTPO-related adverse events was 7.7%. All the adverse events were generally mild. Conclusion: Extending the dose interval of rhTPO is feasible to maintain stable platelet count in the patients with ITP, but the optimal dose interval is uncertain and might vary with individuals.

Foreign-catalyst-free growth of InAs/InSb axial heterostructure nanowires on Si (111) by molecular-beam epitaxy

Epitaxial high-quality InAs/InSb axial heterostructure nanowires are of great interest due to their distinct advantages in fundamental research as well as applications in semiconductor electronic and quantum devices. Currently, nearly all the growth of InAs/InSb axial heterostructure nanowires is assisted with foreign catalysts such as Au, and work on foreign-catalyst-free growth of InAs/InSb axial heterostructure nanowires is lacking. Here we report on the growth of InAs/InSb axial heterostructure nanowires on Si (111) substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy without using any foreign catalysts. The Sb/In beam equivalent pressure (BEP) ratio is found to have important influence on the heterostructure nanowire morphology, and InSb nanowires can be epitaxially grown on InAs nanowire stems with a hexagonal prism and nanosheet-like shapes when the Sb/In BEP ratio varies from 10 to 20. Transmission electron microscopy studies reveal that the InAs nanowire stems have a mixture of zincblende (ZB) and wurtzite (WZ) crystal structures, while InSb nanowire parts have a pure ZB crystal structure free of stacking faults. Composition analysis of axial heterostructure nanowires provides clear evidence that the InSb nanowires are epitaxially grown on InAs nanowires in an In self-assisted vapor-liquid-solid manner. This study paves a new route for growing narrow-gap semiconductor heterostructures with strong spin-orbit interaction for the study of topological states, and the growth manner presented here is expected to be used to grow other In-based axial heterostructure nanowires.

Near Full-Composition-Range High-Quality GaAs1-xSbx Nanowires Grown by Molecular-Beam Epitaxy

Here we report on the Ga self-catalyzed growth of near full-composition-range energy-gap-tunable GaAs_1-xSb_x nanowires by molecular-beam epitaxy. GaAs_1-xSb_x nanowires with different Sb content are systematically grown by tuning the Sb and As fluxes, and the As background. We find that GaAs_1-xSb_x nanowires with low Sb content can be grown directly on Si(111) substrates (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.60) and GaAs nanowire stems (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.50) by tuning the Sb and As fluxes. To obtain GaAs_1-xSb_x nanowires with x ranging from 0.60 to 0.93, we grow the GaAs_1-xSb_x nanowires on GaAs nanowire stems by tuning the As background. Photoluminescence measurements confirm that the emission wavelength of the GaAs_1-xSb_x nanowires is tunable from 844 nm (GaAs) to 1760 nm (GaAs_0.07Sb_0.93). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images show that the grown GaAs_1-xSb_x nanowires have pure zinc-blende crystal structure. Room-temperature Raman spectra reveal a redshift of the optical phonons in the GaAs_1-xSb_x nanowires with x increasing from 0 to 0.93. Field-effect transistors based on individual GaAs_1-xSb_x nanowires are fabricated, and rectifying behavior is observed in devices with low Sb content, which disappears in devices with high Sb content. The successful growth of high-quality GaAs_1-xSb_x nanowires with near full-range bandgap tuning may speed up the development of high-performance nanowire devices based on such ternaries.

Evaluation of prediagnosis emergency department presentations in patients with active tuberculosis: the role of chest radiography, risk factors and symptoms

INTRODUCTION

London has a high rate of tuberculosis (TB) with 2572 cases reported in 2014. Cases are more common in non-UK born, alcohol-dependent or homeless patients. The emergency department (ED) presents an opportunity for the diagnosis of TB in these patient groups. This is the first study describing the clinico-radiological characteristics of such attendances in two urban UK hospitals for pulmonary TB (PTB) and extrapulmonary TB (EPTB).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the London TB Register (LTBR) and hospital records to identify patients who presented to two London ED's in the 6 months prior to their ultimate TB diagnosis 2011-2012.

RESULTS

397 TB cases were identified. 39% (154/397) had presented to the ED in the 6 months prior to diagnosis. In the study population, the presence of cough, weight loss, fever and night sweats only had prevalence rates of 40%, 34%, 34% and 21%, respectively. Chest radiography was performed in 76% (117/154) of patients. For cases where a new diagnosis of TB was suspected, 73% (41/56) had an abnormal radiograph, compared with 36% (35/98) of patients where it was not. There was an abnormality on a chest radiograph in 73% (55/75) of PTB cases and also in 40% (21/52) of EPTB cases where a film was requested.

CONCLUSIONS

A large proportion of patients with TB present to ED. A diagnosis was more likely in the presence of an abnormal radiograph, suggesting opportunities for earlier diagnosis if risk factors, symptoms and chest radiograph findings are combined.

Inflammation-related pro-apoptotic activity of exopolysaccharides isolated from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) have attracted attention recently for possible use in suppressing early stage breast cancer. In this study, a mannan EPS produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis was found to affect the production of inflammatory cytokines. EPS (300 μg/ml) can significantly enhance tumour necrosis factor alpha and inducible NO synthase release in MCF-7 cells compared to control cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Also the intracellular calcium level was found to increase with the concentration of EPS. After EPS-treatment, a significant reduction in mitochondrial potential was observed, as was nuclear condensation and cell shrinkage. These results may be helpful in further understanding the anti-tumour properties of lactic acid bacteria.

Negative photoconductivity of InAs nanowires

Negative photoconductivity is observed in InAs nanowires (NWs) without a surface defective layer. The negative photoconductivity is strongly dependent on the wavelength and intensity of the light, and is also sensitive to the environmental atmosphere. Two kinds of mechanisms are discerned to work together. One is related to gas adsorption, which is photodesorption of water molecules and photo-assisted chemisorption of O2 molecules. The other one can be attributed to the photogating effect introduced by the native oxide layer outside the NWs.

Two-step fabrication of self-catalyzed Ga-based semiconductor nanowires on Si by molecular-beam epitaxy

For the epitaxial growth of Ga-based III-V semiconductor nanowires (NWs) on Si, Ga droplets could provide a clean and compatible solution in contrast to the common Au catalyst. However, the use of Ga droplets is rather limited except for that in Ga-catalyzed GaAs NW studies in a relatively narrow growth temperature (Ts) window around 620 °C on Si. In this paper, we have investigated the two-step growth of Ga-catalyzed III-V NWs on Si (111) substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy. First, by optimizing the surface oxide, vertically aligned GaAs NWs with a high yield are obtained at Ts = 620 °C. Then a two-temperature procedure is adopted to preserve Ga droplets at lower Ts, which leads to an extension of Ts down to 500 °C for GaAs NWs. Based on this procedure, systematic morphological and structural studies for Ga-catalyzed GaAs NWs in the largest Ts range could be presented. Then within the same growth scheme, for the first time, we demonstrate Ga-catalyzed GaAs/GaSb heterostructure NWs. These GaSb NWs are axially grown on the GaAs NW sections and are pure zinc-blende single crystals. Compositional measurements confirm that the catalyst particles indeed mainly consist of Ga and GaSb sections are of high purity but with a minor composition of As. In the end, we present GaAsSb NW growth with a tunable Sb composition. Our results provide useful information for the controllable synthesis of multi-compositional Ga-catalyzed III-V semiconductor NWs on Si for heterogeneous integration.

Association of NT-proBNP and interleukin-17 levels with heart failure in elderly patients

Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) are involved in the pathophysiological processes of heart failure; however, the exact role of IL-17 is not clear. We explored the relationship between IL-17 and NT-proBNP, as a clinical parameter, in heart failure. The whole blood IL-17 and NT-proBNP levels and the readmission rates in 70 patients with chronic heart failure class III or IV according to the New York Heart Association and 35 patients with normal heart function (control group) were measured and compared. The left ventricle ejection fractions (LVEFs) and NT-proBNP and IL-17 levels in cardiac functional class III (40.38 ± 4.76%, 7780 ± 6393 pg/mL, 8.65 ± 3.05 pg/mL, respectively) and class IV (31.59 ± 4.31%, 13,704 ± 10,945, 21.10 ± 10.60 pg/mL, respectively) were higher than those in the control group (61.27 ± 5.66%, 420 ± 256 pg/mL, 3.53 ± 2.05 pg/mL, respectively). Compared to the cardiac functional class IV, class III showed significantly higher values for LVEF and NT-proBNP and IL-17 levels (P < 0.05). The readmission rates of the patients in cardiac functional class III at 3 and 6 months (15.7 and 34.4%, respectively) and cardiac functional class IV at 3 and 6 months (39.5 and 76.3%, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the control group (0 and 5.7%, respectively) (P < 0.05). The NT-proBNP and IL-17 levels increased as the heart function worsened. NT-proBNP and IL-17 may play essential roles in the process of heart failure.

Crystal Phase- and Orientation-Dependent Electrical Transport Properties of InAs Nanowires

We report a systematic study on the correlation of the electrical transport properties with the crystal phase and orientation of single-crystal InAs nanowires (NWs) grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. A new method is developed to allow the same InAs NW to be used for both the electrical measurements and transmission electron microscopy characterization. We find both the crystal phase, wurtzite (WZ) or zinc-blende (ZB), and the orientation of the InAs NWs remarkably affect the electronic properties of the field-effect transistors based on these NWs, such as the threshold voltage (VT), ON-OFF ratio, subthreshold swing (SS) and effective barrier height at the off-state (ΦOFF). The SS increases while VT, ON-OFF ratio, and ΦOFF decrease one by one in the sequence of WZ ⟨0001⟩, ZB ⟨131⟩, ZB ⟨332⟩, ZB ⟨121⟩, and ZB ⟨011⟩. The WZ InAs NWs have obvious smaller field-effect mobility, conductivities, and electron concentration at VBG = 0 V than the ZB InAs NWs, while these parameters are not sensitive to the orientation of the ZB InAs NWs. We also find the diameter ranging from 12 to 33 nm shows much less effect than the crystal phase and orientation on the electrical transport properties of the InAs NWs. The good ohmic contact between InAs NWs and metal remains regardless of the variation of the crystal phase and orientation through temperature-dependent measurements. Our work deepens the understanding of the structure-dependent electrical transport properties of InAs NWs and provides a potential way to tailor the device properties by controlling the crystal phase and orientation of the NWs.

Distinctive Drug-resistant Mutation Profiles and Interpretations of HIV-1 Proviral DNA Revealed by Deep Sequencing in Reverse Transcriptase

OBJECTIVE

To investigate distinctive features in drug-resistant mutations (DRMs) and interpretations for reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) between proviral DNA and paired viral RNA in HIV-1-infected patients.

METHODS

Forty-three HIV-1-infected individuals receiving first-line antiretroviral therapy were recruited to participate in a multicenter AIDS Cohort Study in Anhui and Henan Provinces in China in 2004. Drug resistance genotyping was performed by bulk sequencing and deep sequencing on the plasma and whole blood of 77 samples, respectively. Drug-resistance interpretation was compared between viral RNA and paired proviral DNA.

RESULTS

Compared with bulk sequencing, deep sequencing could detect more DRMs and samples with DRMs in both viral RNA and proviral DNA. The mutations M184I and M230I were more prevalent in proviral DNA than in viral RNA (Fisher's exact test, P<0.05). Considering 'majority resistant variants', 15 samples (19.48%) showed differences in drug resistance interpretation between viral RNA and proviral DNA, and 5 of these samples with different DRMs between proviral DNA and paired viral RNA showed a higher level of drug resistance to the first-line drugs. Considering 'minority resistant variants', 22 samples (28.57%) were associated with a higher level of drug resistance to the tested RTIs for proviral DNA when compared with paired viral RNA.

CONCLUSION

Compared with viral RNA, the distinctive information of DRMs and drug resistance interpretations for proviral DNA could be obtained by deep sequencing, which could provide more detailed and precise information for drug resistance monitoring and the rational design of optimal antiretroviral therapy regimens.

Population genetic analysis and trichothecene profiling of Fusarium graminearum from wheat in Uruguay

Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto (F. graminearum s.s.) is the major causal agent of Fusarium head blight of wheat worldwide, and contaminates grains with trichothecene mycotoxins that cause serious threats to food safety and animal health. An important aspect of managing this pathogen and reducing mycotoxin contamination of wheat is knowledge regarding its population genetics. Therefore, isolates of F. graminearum s.s. from the major wheat-growing region of Uruguay were analyzed by amplified fragment length polymorphism assays, PCR genotyping, and chemical analysis of trichothecene production. Of the 102 isolates identified as having the 15-ADON genotype via PCR genotyping, all were DON producers, but only 41 strains were also 15-ADON producers, as determined by chemical analysis. The populations were genotypically diverse but genetically similar, with significant genetic exchange occurring between them. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that most of the genetic variability resulted from differences between isolates within populations. Multilocus linkage disequilibrium analysis suggested that the isolates had a panmictic population genetic structure and that there is significant recombination occurs in F. graminearum s.s. In conclusion, tour findings provide the first detailed description of the genetic structure and trichothecene production of populations of F. graminearum s.s. from Uruguay, and expands our understanding of the agroecology of F. graminearum and of the correlation between genotypes and trichothecene chemotypes.

Free-Standing Two-Dimensional Single-Crystalline InSb Nanosheets

Growth of high-quality single-crystalline InSb layers remains challenging in material science. Such layered InSb materials are highly desired for searching for and manipulation of Majorana Fermions in solid state, a fundamental research task in physics today, and for development of novel high-speed nanoelectronic and infrared optoelectronic devices. Here, we report on a new route toward growth of single-crystalline, layered InSb materials. We demonstrate the successful growth of free-standing, two-dimensional InSb nanosheets on one-dimensional InAs nanowires by molecular-beam epitaxy. The grown InSb nanosheets are pure zinc-blende single crystals. The length and width of the InSb nanosheets are up to several micrometers and the thickness is down to ∼10 nm. The InSb nanosheets show a clear ambipolar behavior and a high electron mobility. Our work will open up new technology routes toward the development of InSb-based devices for applications in nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, and quantum electronics and for the study of fundamental physical phenomena.

Vibrational spectroscopy and imaging for concurrent cellular trafficking of co-localized doxorubicin and deuterated phospholipid vesicles

Simultaneous tracking of nanoparticles and encapsulated payload is of great importance and visualizing their activity is arduous. Here we use vibrational spectroscopy to study the in vitro tracking of co-localized lipid nanoparticles and encapsulated drug employing a model system derived from doxorubicin-encapsulated deuterated phospholipid (dodecyl phosphocholine-d38) single tailed phospholipid vesicles.

Zinc-based deep eutectic solvent-mediated hydroxylation and demethoxylation of lignin for the production of wood adhesive

Choline chloride–ZnCl₂ deep-eutectic solvent (ChCl–ZnCl₂ DES), mole ratio 1 : 2, was used to improve the chemical reactivity of wheat straw alkali lignin under different temperatures and times of pretreatment.

Room-temperature spin transport in InAs nanowire lateral spin valve

We report room temperature spin transport in an InAs nanowire device. A large spin signal of 35 kΩ and long spin diffusion length of 1.9 μm are achieved. We believe that these results open a practical way to design InAs NW based spintronic devices.

Enhanced expression of soluble human papillomavirus L1 through coexpression of molecular chaperonin in Escherichia coli

The major recombinant capsid protein L1 of human papillomavirus (HPV) is widely used to produce HPV prophylactic vaccines. However, the quality of soluble and active expression of L1 in Escherichia coli was below the required amount. Coexpression with the chaperonin GroEL/ES enhanced L1 expression. Overexpressing GroEL/ES increased the soluble expression level of glutathione S-transferase-fused L1 (GST-L1) by approximately ∼3 fold. The yield of HPV type 16 L1 pentamer (L1-p) was ∼2 fold higher than that in a single expression system after purification through size-exclusion chromatograph. The expression and purification conditions were then optimized. The yield of L1-p was enhanced by ∼5 fold, and those of HPV types 18 and 58 L1-p increased by ∼3 and ∼2 folds, respectively, compared with that in the single expression system. Coexpressing the mono-site mutant HPV16 L1 L469A with GroEL/ES increased L1-p yield by ∼7 fold compared with strains expressing the wild-type L1 gene. L1-p was then characterized using circular dichroism spectra, UV-vis cloud point, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscope analyses. Results indicated that the conformation and biological characteristics of L1-p were identical to that of native L1. Hence, overexpressing chaperonin in E. coli can increase the expression level of GST-L1 and L1-p production after purification. This finding may contribute to the development of a platform for prophylactic HPV vaccines.

Robust Manipulation of Magnetism in Dilute Magnetic Semiconductor (Ga,Mn)As by Organic Molecules

Surface adsorption of organic molecules provides a new method for the robust manipulation of ferromagnetism in (Ga,Mn)As. Electron acceptor and donor molecules yield significant enhancement and suppression, respectively, of ferromagnetism with modulation of the Curie temperature spanning 36 K. Dip-pen nanolithography is employed to directly pattern monolayers on (Ga,Mn)As, which is presented as a novel pathway toward producing magnetic nanostructures.

Acylphloroglucinol derivatives from Decaspermum gracilentum and their antiradical and cytotoxic activities

Two new acylphloroglucinol derivatives, 1-(hexanoyl)phloroglucinol-α-d-arabinopyranoside (1) and 1-(hexanoyl)phloroglucinol-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), along with two known ones, 1-(acetyl)phloroglucinol-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) and ethyl 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoate (4), were isolated from the EtOAc soluble fraction of EtOH extract of Decaspermum gracilentum. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses including HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR data. Interestingly, all of the compounds showed ABTS(·+) radical scavenging activity with the IC50 values less than 10 μM. Furthermore, compounds 3 and 4 displayed moderate cytotoxicity on human non-small-cell lung carcinoma cell line A549 (IC50 = 50.9 μΜ) and human renal carcinoma cell line 786-O (IC50 = 38.6 μΜ), respectively.