Surgical tumor-derived nanoplatform targets tumor-associated macrophage for personalized postsurgical cancer immunotherapy.

Directly activating CD8+ T cells within the tumor through antigen-presenting cells (APCs) hold promise for tumor elimination. However, M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the most abundant APCs in tumors, hinder CD8+ T cell activation due to inefficient antigen cross-presentation. Here, we demonstrated a personalized nanotherapeutic platform using surgical tumor-derived galactose ligand-modified cancer cell membrane (CM)-coated cysteine protease inhibitor (E64)-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles for postsurgical cancer immunotherapy. The platform targeted M2-like TAMs and released E64 within lysosomes, which reshaped antigen cross-presentation and directly activated CD8+ T cells, thus suppressing B16-OVA melanoma growth. Furthermore, this platform, in combination with anti-PD-L1 antibodies, enhanced the therapeutic efficacy and substantially inhibited 4T1 tumor growth. CMs obtained from surgically resected tumors were used to construct a personalized nanotherapeutic platform, which, in synergy with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), effectively inhibited postsurgical tumor recurrence in 4T1 tumor. Our work offered a robust, safe strategy for cancer immunotherapy and prevention of postsurgical tumor recurrence.

Effect of the Substituent Position on the Phase Behavior and Photoresponsive Dynamic Behavior of Mixed Systems of a Gemini Surfactant and trans-Methoxy Sodium Cinnamates.

Mixed systems of the Gemini cationic surfactant trimethylene-1,3-bis (dodecyldimethylammonium bromide) (12-3-12·2Br-) and the photosensitive additives trans-methoxy sodium cinnamates with different substituent positions (trans-ortho-methoxy cinnamate, trans-OMCA; trans-meta-methoxy cinnamate, trans-MMCA; and trans-para-methoxy cinnamate, trans-PMCA) were selected for investigating the effects of the substituting position of methoxy on the system phase diagram and UV light-responsive behavior of the wormlike micelles. The differences in phase behaviors of the selected systems were analyzed by calculating the potential distribution, molecular volume, and free energy of solvation of cinnamates and the binding energies between photosensitive additives and the surfactant. The photoresponsive behaviors of wormlike micelle solutions formed in the selected systems were studied by the rheological method and UV-vis and H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy; the kinetics of photoisomerization of trans-OMCA, trans-MMCA, and trans-PMCA were studied by first-order derivative spectrophotometry. The results reveal that the methoxy substituent position has a great influence on the phase behavior and photosensitivity of the studied systems. In addition, the photoisomerization of the studied cinnamates follows the first-order opposite reaction laws; the different reaction rates play the decisive role in the photosensitivity of the wormlike micelles. This paper would afford a deeper understanding of the UV light-responsive mechanism at the molecular level and provide essential guidance in preparing smart materials with adjustable light sensitivity.

Are Clean Technologies More Effective Than End-of-Pipe Technologies? Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing.

An increasing number of manufacturing enterprises are adopting environmental technologies to cope with the increasingly severe environmental regulatory pressure, but the existing studies about the impact of environmental technologies on economic performance come up with mixed results. This paper contributes to the literature by using the financial constraints and market advantages as a dual mediating process in this relationship. An empirical test using a sample of Chinese manufacturing enterprises listed in the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchange from 2011 to 2018 is established. The results of regression analyses show that end-of-pipe technologies and clean technologies have a positive effect on firms' economic performance. Moreover, we find that clean technologies not only directly affect economic performance but also indirectly affect economic performance through mitigating financial constraints. With the negative influence of end-of-pipe technologies on market advantages, the positive economic effect caused by end-of-pipe technologies is weakened. This research provides useful insights into the selection of environmental technologies for manufacturing firms and the establishment of new policies to promote green finance and green consumption.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Density Functional Theory on Unraveling Photoresponsive Behavior of Wormlike Micelles Constructed by 12-2-12·2Br- and trans-ortho-Methoxy Cinnamate.

Photoresponsive systems with controllable self-assembly morphologies and adjustable rheological properties have attracted widespread interest by researchers in the past few years. Among them, the photoresponsive systems consisting of ortho-methoxycinnamic (OMCA) and Gemini surfactants are endowed with rich self-assemblies with different states and in different scales including spherical micelles, wormlike micelles, vesicles, aqueous two-phase system (ATPS), etc. All these self-assemblies display excellent photoresponsive behavior. However, the mechanism of these photoresponsive behaviors has not been unraveled systematically so far. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, transmission electron microscopy, and rheology are employed to investigate the photoresponsive behaviors of wormlike micelles caused by photoisomerization of trans-OMCA in 12-2-12·2Br-/trans-OMCA solutions and to unravel the underlying mechanisms of these photoresponsive behaviors. The experimental results show that 12-2-12·2Br-/trans-OMCA micelles display photoresponsiveness after UV-light irradiation, with the transformation of micellar morphologies from wormlike micelle to spherical micelles. In MD simulations, certain micelle morphologies in experiments and the specific packing between 12-2-12·2Br-/OMCA were successfully captured. The larger three-dimensional structure and steric hindrance of cis-OMCA disturb the interior structure of micelles. The stronger hydrophilicity of cis-OMCA induces the escape of cis-OMCA from the interval of micelles to the solution. The energy results prove that trans-OMCA associates more strongly with 12-2-12·2Br- than cis-OMCA. These causes lead to the fission and repacking of wormlike micelles.

[Graphene-based pipette tip solid-phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for determination of ten lipophilic shellfish toxins in shellfish].

A method for the simultaneous determination of ten lipophilic shellfish toxins was established based on graphene-based pipette tip solid-phase extraction (G-PT-SPE) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The factors influencing the extraction efficiency, including the types of extractants, the amount of graphene, the types and volumes of washing and eluent solvents, were optimized in detail. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curves showed linear relationships between the LC peak areas of the selected ion-pairs and the mass concentrations of the ten lipophilic shellfish toxins with correlation coefficients >0.99. The limits of detection (LODs) and the limits of quantification (LOQs) of the method were 0.1-1.1 µg/kg and 0.3-3.2 µg/kg, respectively. The recoveries of the ten lipophilic shellfish toxins spiked in blank oyster at three levels ranged from 72.0% to 101.2% with relative standard deviations <15%. The method is sensitive, simple, and effective, and is suitable for the determination of the lipophilic shellfish toxins in shellfish products.

A New Species of Sulcospira (Gastropoda: Pachychilidae) from Hunan, China.

A new species of pachychilid freshwater gastropod, Sulcospira hunanensis sp. nov., is described from Hunan Province, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters, including elongated shell with eight to nine whorls, spiral whorls with ribs, and stomach with outer and inner crescentic pads not connected to each other. Sulcospira hunanensis sp. nov. is the first confirmed report of this genus from Hunan Province, China. It is anticipated that further species will be found in this region, which currently remain unknown. Furthermore, based on morphological and molecular evidence, this study is the first record of Sulcospira tonkiniana in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, with Sulcospira krempfi supported as a synonym of Sulcospira tonkiniana.

[Clinical analysis of 8 cases of neonatal septicemia caused by Candida haemulonii in neonatal intensive care unit].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics, antibiotics sensitivity, outcome and risk factors of neonatal septicemia caused by Candida haemulonii. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical characteristics and antibiotics sensitivity after 8 cases of neonatal septicemia caused by Candida haemulonii were identified; each of these patients had at least one positive result of bacterial culture for Candida haemulonii. RESULT: The 8 cases born at gestational age of 178-260 d, weighing 835-2 055 g, developed the infection from May to July at 10-34 d after hospitalization. Among the 8 patients, 7 were cured, 1 died during hospitalization after the treatments were given up because of serious complications. The 8 patients with septicemia caused by Candida haemulonii had similar clinical chariacteristics to those of other neonatal candidemia, such as apnea, fever, abdominal distension, jaundice etc. They had abnormal auxiliary examination with increased C-reactive protein (CRP), declined platelet (PLT) count to different degrees. All of the 8 patients had peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) and broad-spectrum antibiotics were applied. C. haemulonii as an emergent fungal pathogen had varying degrees of resistance to fluconazole, amphotericin B, itraconazole, or ketone, but was susceptible to voriconazole. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of neonatal septicemia caused by Candida haemulonii were similar to those caused by other candida, and the main risk factors are the low birth weight, PICC, and usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics. It mainly occurred in May to July which is hot and humid season.

Base composition of the Danio chrysotaenitus complete mitochondrial genome.

In this study, 16 sets of primers were used to amplify contiguous, overlapping segments of the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Danio chrysotaenitus in order to characterize and compare their mitochondrial genomes. The total length of the mitochondrial genome is 16,608 bp and deposited in the GenBank with accession numbers KP407138. The organization of the mitochondrial genomes was similar to those reported from other Mountain carp fishes mitochondrial genomes containing 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA, and 22 transfer RNAs) and a major non-coding control region (D-loop region). Most genes were encoded on the H-strand, except for the ND6 and 8 tRNA genes, encoding on the L-strand. The nucleotide skewness for the coding strands of Danio chrysotaenitus (AT-skew = 0.10, GC-skew = -0.25) is biased toward T and G. The complete mitogenome may provide important date set for the study of genetic mechanism of Danio chrysotaenitus.

Imaging manifestations and pathological analysis of severe pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the imaging and pathological findings of severe pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9), and therefore to further understand and improve diagnostic accuracy of severe pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9). METHODS: The relevant clinical and imaging data of 19 cases, including 10 males and 9 females, with pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9) was retrospectively analyzed. One of the cases had received percutaneous lung biopsy, with the clinical, imaging and pathological changes possible to be analyzed. RESULTS: The lesions were mainly located at lower lobes and dorsal of lungs, involving multiple lobes and segments. Ground-glass opacities and/or pulmonary opacities were the more often imaging manifestations of severe pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9) in early and evolving phases (19/19,100%). By biopsy following percutaneous lung puncture, exudation of slurry, cellulose, RBC and neutrophils, formation of hyaline membrane, squamous metaplasia and organizing exudates were observable at the alveolar space. Some of alveoli collapsed, and some responded to show compensatory emphysema. CONCLUSION: The imaging features of severe pneumonia caused by human infected avian influenza (H7N9) include obvious ground-glass opacity and pulmonary consolidation, mainly at lower lobes and dorsal of lungs, with rapid changes. The cross-analysis of imaging and pathology preliminary can elucidate the pathological mechanisms of ground-glass opacities and pulmonary consolidation of severe pneumonia. Such an intensive study is beneficial to prompt clinicians to observe and evaluate the progress of the disease. In addition, it is also in favor of managing the symptoms and reducing the mortality rate.

Mitochondrial DNA sequence of Onychostoma rara.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Onychostoma rara was determined to be 16,590 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, large (rrnL) and small (rrnS) rRNA and the non-coding control region. Its total A + T content is 55.65%. We also analyzed the structure of control region, 6 CSBs (CSB-1, CSB-2, CSB-3, CSB-D, CSB-E and CSB-F) and 2 bp tandem repeat were detected.