Functionalized magnetic metal organic framework nanocomposites for high throughput automation extraction and sensitive detection of antipsychotic drugs in serum samples

Due to the complexity of biological sample matrix, the automated and high-throughput pretreatment technology is urgently needed for monitoring the antipsychotic drugs for mental patients. In this study, functionalized magnetic zirconium-based organic framework nanocomposites (Fe3O4@SiO2@Zr-MOFs) were successfully designed and synthesized by the layer-by-layer growth. Among them, Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-67-COOH showed the best adsorption performance, and at the same time it exhibited excellent water dispersibility, high thermal stability, chemical stability and high hydrophobicity. Results of adsorption kinetics, isotherm and FT-IR showed that the adsorption process was dominated by chemical adsorption (hydrogen bond, electrostatic interaction, π-π interaction) and monolayer adsorption. Moreover, the smaller pore size improved the protein exclusion rate which reached 98.9-99.8%. Based on the above result, the synthesized magnetic nanoparticles were introduced to 96-well automatic extractor, antipsychotic drugs in 96 serum samples were automatically extracted within 9 min, which most greatly saved the time and labor costs and avoided artificial errors. By further integrating with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), antipsychotic drugs can be detected in the range of 0.2-3.0 ng mL-1 with a quantitative limit of 0.06-0.9 ng mL-1. The recoveries of antipsychotic drugs and their metabolites in serum ranged from 95.7% to 112.3% within 1.4-6.5% of RSD. These features indicate that the proposed method is promising for high throughput and sensitively monitoring of drugs and other hazardous substances.

Diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy CT for bone marrow edema in patients with acute knee injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Knee injuries are prevalent, and early diagnosis is crucial for guiding clinical therapy. MRI is the diagnostic gold standard for bone marrow edema (BME) in patients with acute knee injuries, yet there are still limitations. Dual-energy CT, a possible viable replacement, is being explored (DECT).

METHODS

We systematically retrieved studies from EMBASE, Scopus, PUBMED, and the Cochrane Library and collected gray literatures. In accordance with the PRISMA-DTA standards, a systematic review was conducted between the study's initiation and July 31, 2021, utilizing an MRI reference standard and at least 10 adult patients with acute knee injuries to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of DECT for diagnosing BME. Two reviewers collected the study's details independently. For the meta-analysis, a bivariate mixed-effects regression model was utilized, and subgroup analysis was employed to determine the sources of variability.

RESULTS

The research included nine studies that examined 290 individuals between the ages of 23 and 53 with acute knee injuries who had DECT and MRI. Overall, the sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of the BME were 85% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77-90%), 96% (95% CI: 93-97%), and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95-0.98), respectively. To account for the assumed diversity of research, there were no statistically significant differences between the comparison groups in terms of specificity and sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

DECT is a viable alternative to MRI for individuals with acute knee injuries when MRI is inappropriate or unavailable.

Sensitization profiles of aeroallergens among allergic rhinitis patients in China: A 13-year multicenter retrospective study

A 13-year multicenter retrospective study was conducted on patients with allergic rhinitis. All the patients underwent SPT containing a panel of 19 aeroallergens. We concluded that house dust mite was the most common allergen, the sensitization rate to animal dander trended upward in the past decades and a panel of five allergens was sufficient to identify over 95% of the sensitized patients. Abbreviations: SPT, skin prick test.

A novel magnetic metal-organic framework absorbent for rapid detection of aflatoxins B1B2G1G2 in rice by HPLC-MS/MS

In this study, a core-shell-structured magnetic metal-organic framework (MMOF) composite material (Fe₃O₄@UiO-66-NH₂) was synthesized by the solvothermal method. It was employed as a new absorbent in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous detection of four aflatoxins (AFs) in rice. This method could shorten the pre-processing time by exploiting the advantageous characteristics of magnetic cores. The impurity was removed quickly. The effects of extraction solution, extraction time, adsorbent types, and amount of adsorbent on the extraction rate of target compounds were optimized. Under optimized conditions, AFs were validated and showed a good linear relationship within the 0.375-20 μg kg^-1 concentration range (r² > 0.9992). The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.0188-0.1250 μg kg^-1 and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.0375-0.3750 μg kg^-1. At three spiking levels (0.375, 2, and 10 μg kg^-1), the average recovery values for the four AFs ranged from 85.1% to 111.0%. The relative standard deviation ranged from 3.4% to 7.7%. The new method proved to be simple, fast, efficient, and suitable for the determination of AFs in rice samples.

Durable hydrophobic Enteromorpha design for controlling oil spills in marine environment prepared by organosilane modification for efficient oil-water separation

Hydrophobic and oleophilic materials are attractive candidates for efficient oil collection due to their excellent oil-water separation. However, the most of currently reported oil adsorption materials are limited resources or require complicated preparation steps, which causes high energy consumption and not be practical for large-scale application. Herein, we report a facile strategy to modify the wettability of Enteromorpha from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, which not only greatly reduces energy consumption but also shows the outstanding capacity for oil-water separation with the maximum adsorption capacities is 11.4 g/g and the contact angle reaches 137°. The successful modification of the Enteromorpha is achieved by grafting n-octyltriethoxysilane on the surface of the pristine Enteromorpha. The hydrophobic and superoleophilic Enteromorpha guarantee adequate voids in the fibrous bundles only for oil adsorption and the oil floating on the seawater is removed by the formation of hydrogen bonding between oil and modified Enteromorpha. By optimizing test, the optimal adsorption conditions are adsorption time of 60 min, oil-water ratio of 1:10 and pH of 7. Our reported hydrophobic organosilane modified Enteromorpha will open a new avenue to control marine oil pollution and suppress the damage of Enteromorpha to the marine ecology system.

Multivariate generalized linear model for genetic pleiotropy

When a single gene influences more than one trait, known as pleiotropy, it is important to detect pleiotropy to improve the biological understanding of a gene. This can lead to improved screening, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. Yet, most current multivariate methods to evaluate pleiotropy test the null hypothesis that none of the traits are associated with a variant; departures from the null could be driven by just one associated trait. A formal test of pleiotropy should assume a null hypothesis that one or fewer traits are associated with a genetic variant. We recently developed statistical methods to analyze pleiotropy for quantitative traits having a multivariate normal distribution. We now extend this approach to traits that can be modeled by generalized linear models, such as analysis of binary, ordinal, or quantitative traits, or a mixture of these types of traits. Based on methods from estimating equations, we developed a new test for pleiotropy. We then extended the testing framework to a sequential approach to test the null hypothesis that $k+1$ traits are associated, given that the null of $k$ associated traits was rejected. This provides a testing framework to determine the number of traits associated with a genetic variant, as well as which traits, while accounting for correlations among the traits. By simulations, we illustrate the Type-I error rate and power of our new methods, describe how they are influenced by sample size, the number of traits, and the trait correlations, and apply the new methods to a genome-wide association study of multivariate traits measuring symptoms of major depression. Our new approach provides a quantitative assessment of pleiotropy, enhancing current analytic practice.

Outcomes of the six-strand M-Tang repair for zone 2 primary flexor tendon repair in 54 fingers

We repaired complete divisions of flexor tendons in zone 2 in 54 fingers using a six-strand core M-Tang repair method. Partial active digital motion started with early passive digital motion carried out first in the first 3-4 weeks after surgery and full range of active motion in later weeks. The patients were followed for 4-27 months. According to Strickland criteria or Tang criteria, 24 (83%) had excellent or good, four fair and one poor results in 28 fingers with follow-up of more than one year. In the other 25 fingers which were followed for less than 12 months, 19 (76%) had excellent and good, four fair and two poor results. There were no repair ruptures. We analysed outcomes against ages, gender, pulley integrity, accompanied injuries and follow-up times. The patients younger than 37 years old, male patients and with their A2 pulley(s) vented there were significantly better outcomes. The patients with longer than one year follow-up had significantly smaller extension deficits than those with less than one year follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

VISCOSITIES OF CONCENTRATED NaCl-H2O AND Me2SO-NaCl-H2O SOLUTIONS AT SUBZERO TEMPERATURES

BACKGROUND

Viscosity is an important property of cryoprotectant solutions because it directly influences diffusion and reaction at liquid state.

OBJECTIVE

To measure the viscosities of concentrated NaCl-H(2)O and Me(2)SO-NaCl-H(2)O solutions at subzero temperatures down to -50 degree C.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Solution viscosity was measured with a rotary viscometer coupled with a thermostat bath. Two viscosity models, Laliberté model and Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) model, were employed in the correlation and prediction.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The Laliberte model performed well to correlate the viscosities of NaCl- H(2)O solutions measured here and the viscosities of Me(2)SO-H(2)O solutions found in the literature. The parameters obtained were used to predict the viscosities of Me(2)SO-NaCl-H(2)O solutions. The average discrepancy between the calculation and the experimental data was 19.0%. With the WLF model, the average discrepancy between the calculation and the experimental data for ternary solution was 5.4%.

Noncanonical Gβ Gib2 is a scaffolding protein promoting cAMP signaling through functions of Ras1 and Cac1 proteins in Cryptococcus neoformans

Gβ-like/RACK1 functions as a key mediator of various pathways and contributes to numerous cellular functions in eukaryotic organisms. In the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, noncanonical Gβ Gib2 promotes cAMP signaling in cells lacking normal Gpa1 function while displaying versatility in interactions with Gα Gpa1, protein kinase Pkc1, and endocytic intersectin Cin1. To elucidate the Gib2 functional mechanism(s), we demonstrate that Gib2 is required for normal growth and virulence. We show that Gib2 directly binds to Gpa1 and Gγ Gpg1/Gpg2 and that it interacts with phosphodiesterase Pde2 and monomeric GTPase Ras1. Pde2 remains functionally dispensable, but Ras1 is found to associate with adenylyl cyclase Cac1 through the conserved Ras association domain. In addition, the ras1 mutant exhibits normal capsule formation, whereas the ras1 gpa1 mutant displays enhanced capsule formation, and the ras1 gpa1 cac1 mutant is acapsular. Collectively, these findings suggest that Gib2 promotes cAMP levels by relieving an inhibitory function of Ras1 on Cac1 in the absence of Gpa1. In addition, using GST affinity purification combined with mass spectrometry, we identified 47 additional proteins that interact with Gib2. These proteins have putative functions ranging from signal transduction, energy generation, metabolism, and stress response to ribosomal function. After establishing and validating a protein-protein interactive network, we believe Gib2 to be a key adaptor/scaffolding protein that drives the formation of various protein complexes required for growth and virulence. Our study reveals Gib2 as an essential component in deciphering the complexity of regulatory networks that control growth and virulence in C. neoformans.

The incidence of deep venous thrombosis after arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

PURPOSE

The purpose of our study was to retrospectively assess and analyze the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) at our institution.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 249 arthroscopic ACLRs performed in our hospital between February 2009 and February 2012. The surgical procedure was standardized in all the patients and was conducted by the same 2 surgeons. Quadrupled hamstring autograft was used in all the patients. No patient was given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the first 2 weeks after surgery. A unilateral contrast venography examination was performed on the third postoperative day. Patients were confined to bed once DVT was confirmed, followed by therapeutic doses of batroxobin. The proportion of patients with DVT was calculated. The significance of the association between clinical factors and postoperative DVT was determined.

RESULTS

This study included 171 patients (123 men and 48 women), with a mean age (±SD) of 30.1 ± 10.0 years. DVT was detected in 24 patients (14.0%; 95% confidence interval, 8.8% to 19.3%). Body mass index (BMI), operative time, operator, and duration of tourniquet application were not significant risk factors for DVT. The risk of DVT was significantly higher in patients aged 35 years or older (P < .01). Higher risk for DVT was also identified in female patients (P < .05). Pulmonary embolism did not develop after thrombolytic therapy in any of the 24 patients with DVT after ACLR.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of DVT in patients who underwent arthroscopic ACLR was 14% in this study. Female patients and those aged 35 years or older have a significantly higher risk of DVT developing after ACLR; thus thromboprophylaxis is advocated in these patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Palladium-catalyzed Hiyama cross-coupling reactions of aryl mesylates

The combination of palladium acetate with XPhos shows high efficiency in the Hiyama cross-coupling reactions of aryl mesylates with arylsilanes. The reactions proceed smoothly to generate the corresponding biaryl compounds in good yields.

Novel poly(fluorene-alt-squaraine) derivatives having large coverage with solar spectrum

Novel main-chain-conjugated poly(fluorene-alt-squaraine) using vinyl as linkage group were synthesized through direct condensation of 9,9’-dioctylfluorene derivates and squaric acid. The resulting polyfluorenes were characterized by NMR and FT-IR. They have good solubility in common organic solvents, good thermal stability and electrochemical reversibility. The structure of donor-acceptor-donor interaction in the polymer backbone resulted in much more red-shifted absorption spectra of 500-1000 nm, and extremely low band gaps of ~1.2 eV have been obtained. Their absorption spectra have large coverage with solar spectrum, suggesting that they are potential materials that can be used in photovoltaic devices.

Targeting FGF19 inhibits tumor growth in colon cancer xenograft and FGF19 transgenic hepatocellular carcinoma models

Although fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) can promote liver carcinogenesis in mice its involvement in human cancer is not well characterized. Here we report that FGF19 and its cognate receptor FGF receptor 4 (FGFR4) are coexpressed in primary human liver, lung and colon tumors and in a subset of human colon cancer cell lines. To test the importance of FGF19 for tumor growth, we developed an anti-FGF19 monoclonal antibody that selectively blocks the interaction of FGF19 with FGFR4. This antibody abolished FGF19-mediated activity in vitro and inhibited growth of colon tumor xenografts in vivo and effectively prevented hepatocellular carcinomas in FGF19 transgenic mice. The efficacy of the antibody in these models was linked to inhibition of FGF19-dependent activation of FGFR4, FRS2, ERK and beta-catenin. These findings suggest that the inactivation of FGF19 could be beneficial for the treatment of colon cancer, liver cancer and other malignancies involving interaction of FGF19 and FGFR4.

Expression of rainbow trout growth hormone cDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Rainbow trout growth hormone cDNA was modified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The modified cDNA was subcloned into the E. coli-yeast shuttle vector pMA91 under the yeast PGK promoter, and transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y33 to construct an expression strain Y33 (pMArGH16). The recombinant gene could express the growth hormone peptide (about 3% of the total yeast proteins) in Y33 (pMArGH16). The expression product was used as a supplement to feed Tilapia fingerlings. The result showed that the recombinant fish GH could significantly enhance the growth of Tilapia fingerlings.

Structural and functional characterization of the transforming growth factor-beta -induced Smad3/c-Jun transcriptional cooperativity

Smads are intracellular proteins that act as central effectors for transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and related proteins from the activated receptor into the nucleus, where they regulate ligand-induced gene expression. AP-1 binding sites have been functionally linked to the transcriptional activation of various genes in response to TGF-beta. Accordingly, we have previously shown that the heteromeric complex of Smad3 and Smad4 synergizes with c-Jun/c-Fos at the AP-1 binding site of the collagenase I promoter to induce transcriptional activation in response to TGF-beta. Using the collagenase I promoter as model system, we have now investigated the role of the c-Jun and Smad3 interactions with the promoter DNA and have further characterized the physical basis of the c-Jun/Smad3 interaction in the transcriptional response. Mutational analyses of the c-Jun protein and the AP-1 binding site in the promoter revealed that the interaction of c-Jun with DNA is necessary for transcriptional activation by TGF-beta and Smad3. Similar analyses of Smad3 and the Smad binding sites revealed that binding of Smad3 to DNA is also required, but that its DNA sequence-specific recognition is not essential. We also found that the basic leucine zipper domain of c-Jun and a short sequence close to the N terminus of Smad3 mediate their physical interaction, and that these regions are critical for their DNA-binding function. Our studies provide a basis for understanding the functional cooperativity of Smads with the diversity of transcription factors, which underlies the Smad-induced transcriptional activation in response to TGF-beta and related factors.

Cloning and characterization of a novel gene encoding a putative transmembrane protein with altered expression in some human transformed and tumor-derived cell lines

Identification and characterization of genes expressed in normal cells and decreased in their malignant counterparts is an important method for detecting candidate tumor suppressors. Using differential display of mRNAs from nontumorigenic infinite life span human fibroblast cell strain MSU-1.1 and an isogenic fibrosarcoma-derived cell line, 6A/SB1, which was derived from chemical carcinogen transformed MSU-1.1 cells, we identified a novel gene, ST7, showing sixfold lower expression in 6A/SB1 cells compared with parental MSU-1.1 cells. Molecular cloning of a near full-length cDNA revealed that the novel gene encodes a putative transmembrane protein composed of 859 amino acids: the 492 N-terminal amino acids including a fivefold cysteine-rich repeat of 40 amino acids homologous to the ligand binding repeat of the known low density lipoprotein receptor, a 24 hydrophobic amino acid stretch spanning the plasma membrane, and a C-terminal domain of 343 residues. ST7 is located on human chromosome 8, band q22.2-23.1, the same locus as the genes involved in acute myeloid leukemia and a locus of high polymorphism in cancer biopsies. The ST7 gene is widely expressed in normal human tissues and is particularly abundant in human heart and skeletal muscle. Northern analysis of 15 tumor cell lines derived from patients and 16 cell lines established from tumors formed in athymic mice by MSU-1.1 cells transformed in culture by various methods showed that 16 of the 31 cell lines have low or undetectable levels of ST7 mRNA. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis using a specific anti-peptide antibody demonstrated that the level of ST7 protein is high in normal fibroblasts and low in 12 sarcoma-derived cell lines tested. Altered expression of ST7 appears to occur at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. These studies are a first step in characterizing a novel putative receptor protein, whose expression is downregulated in some malignantly transformed cells, and which may play an important role in the transformation process of these cells.

Suppression of anchorage-independent growth and matrigel invasion and delayed tumor formation by elevated expression of fibulin-1D in human fibrosarcoma-derived cell lines

Using differential display, we identified an mRNA that is markedly down-regulated in cell line 6A/SB1, derived from a fibrosarcoma formed in an athymic mouse following injection of carcinogen-transformed MSU-1.1 cells. The nontumorigenic parental cell strain, MSU-1.1, expresses high levels of this mRNA. Sequencing of the corresponding cDNA fragment revealed that it corresponded to an expressed sequence tag, which ultimately led to its identification as the fibulin-1D gene. Fibulin-1 is a cysteine-rich, calcium-binding extracellular matrix and plasma protein, which has four isoforms, A-D, derived from alternative splicing. Northern and Western blotting analysis of 16 cell lines established from tumors formed in athymic mice by MSU-1.1-derived cell strains independently transformed in culture showed that 44% exhibited low level or lack of expression of fibulin-1D mRNA and protein. In a similar analysis of 15 malignant cell lines derived from patients, 80% showed low level or no expression. To study the role of fibulin-1D in transformation, we transfected 6A/SB1 cells and a human fibrosarcoma-derived cell line (SHAC) with a fibulin-1D cDNA expression construct. Transfectants displaying high levels of fibulin-1D were isolated and characterized. Elevated expression of fibulin-1D led to reduced ability to form colonies in soft agar and reduced invasive potential as tested in a matrigel in vitro invasion assay. Furthermore, expression of fibulin-1D resulted in a markedly extended latency in tumor formation in athymic mice. These results indicate that low expression of fibulin-1D plays a role in tumor formation and invasion.

Correlation between CSWS and aphasia in Landau-Kleffner syndrome: a study of three cases

We report three typical cases of Landau-Kleffner syndrome with varied courses. The very frequent discharges in sleep EEGs, often showing the patterns of CSWS (continuous spike-waves during slow-wave sleep), either typical (spike-wave complex occupying over 85% of slow-wave sleep duration) or atypical (spike-waves occupying less than 85% of slow-wave sleep), were presented in all our cases. The CSWS seems correlated with aphasia in our cases. Since the disappearance of CSWS might be indicative of a lagged improvement in aphasia, we suggest that sufficiently long-term treatment with anticonvulsants and/or corticosteroids is worthwhile, if the EEG is improved significantly by this treatment.

[Using a lipid clearing drug to prevent osteocytes damage of the femoral head in steroid-treated rabbits]

OBJECTIVE

We investigated experimentally the prevention of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

METHODS

Twenty-three rabbits were divided into three groups: (Group S) steroid treated, (Group T), steroid and clofibrate treated, and controls. Serological tests (cholesterol and triglyceride), histology and histochemical studies and electron microscopic examination were performed six weeks after treatment.

RESULTS

The serum cholesterol and TG levels increased obviously in Group S. Although Group T animals also showed hyperlipidemia, their serum cholesterol and TG levels were much lower than those for Group S. Group S animals demonstrated fatty degeneration of the liver. Lipid droplets were seen in the osteocytes of the femoral heads of these animals, which compressed the nucleus of the osteocytes along with nuclear pyknosis or absent nuclei. However, the construction of liver cells and osteocytes of the femoral head were almost normal in Group T. Lipid containing osteocytes were not seen in these animals.

CONCLUSION

These observations demonstrated that clofibrate decreased hyperlipidaemia, modified lipid metabolism, and diminished steroid-induced damage to the osteocytes. This finding may be a guide to protect against steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Terminal differentiation of facial epidermis of the aged: immunohistochemical studies

In old age, the epidermis tends to become dry and flaky, especially on the lower legs. However, this does not occur on the face, although long-term ultraviolet light irradiation has important effects on the differentiation of facial keratinocytes. Therefore, the differentiation of the epidermal cells of the facial skin in the young and the aged was immunohistochemically examined using antibodies against four differentiation products: filaggrin, involucrin, cystatin A (CTA) and carbonic anhydrase-like protein. The results showed that there was no difference in the amounts of the above three proteins in facial skin between the young and the aged with the exception of CTA. The amount of CTA was much greater in the facial skin of the aged. However, there was a striking decrease of filaggrin content in the skin of the lower leg in the aged. One of the reasons why no scaly skin is found on the face in the aged may be the fact that especially filaggrin does not decrease with aging.