NH2-MIL-88B (FeαIn1−α) mixed-MOFs designed for enhancing photocatalytic Cr(vi) reduction and tetracycline elimination

Aiming at solving the issue of wastewater purification, this work synthesized NH₂-MIL-88B (Fe_αIn_1−α) photocatalysts by a simple one-pot method, which was employed for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(vi) and oxidation of TC-HCl. Compared with traditional NH₂-MIL-88B (Fe) photocatalysts, NH₂-MIL-88B (Fe_0.6In_0.4) displayed excellent photocatalytic performance; the photocatalytic redox rate for Cr(vi) and TC-HCl reached 86.83% and 72.05%, respectively. The good photocatalytic performance might be attributed to the metal-to-metal charge transition (MMCT) between Fe–O clusters and In–O clusters formed by doping In(iii) into NH₂-MIL-88B (Fe), which provides effective active sites for the photocatalytic reduction and oxidation routes. Besides, the synergistic effect of the ligand-to-metal charge transition (LMCT) and MMCT expands the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers and inhibits the recombination of electron–hole pairs, thus effectively improving the photocatalytic performance. Therefore, this work could provide a new method for the construction of mixed metal MOFs for the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants.

Aiming at solving the issue of wastewater purification, this work synthesized NH₂-MIL-88B (Fe_αIn_1−α) photocatalysts by a simple one-pot method, which was employed for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(vi) and oxidation of TC-HCl.     

MicroRNA-876-5p represses the cell proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer through suppressing YAP signalling via targeting RASAL2

Aberrant expression of microRNA-876-5p (miR-876-5p) is implicated in the progression of multiple human cancers. However, the potential role of miR-876-5p in colorectal cancer remains poorly understood. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the potential role of miR-876-5p in colorectal cancer. miR-876-5p expression was significantly downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines compared with normal controls. Gain-of-function assays revealed that miR-876-5p overexpression effectively repressed the malignant behaviours of colorectal cancer cells, including cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that RAS protein activator like 2 (RASAL2), a potential oncogene for colorectal cancer, is a putative miR-876-5p target gene. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-876-5p directly binds to the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of RASAL2. Furthermore, both RASAL2 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were negatively modulated by miR-876-5p in colorectal cancer cells. Notably, there was an inverse correlation between miR-876-5p and RASAL2 expression in colorectal cancer tissue specimens. Moreover, miR-876-5p was involved in regulating the activation of Yes-associated protein (YAP) signalling through inhibiting RASAL2. However, the miR-876-5p-mediated antitumour effect on colorectal cancer cells was partially reversed by restoring RASAL2 expression. Notably, miR-876-5p upregulation impeded the tumour growth of colorectal cancer cells in vivo in nude mice. Overall, these results demonstrated that miR-876-5p exerts an antitumour function in colorectal cancer by targeting RASAL2 to suppress YAP signalling activation. These findings highlight the importance of the miR-876-5p/RASAL2/YAP axis in colorectal cancer progression and suggest that miR-876-5p is a potential therapeutic target for treating colorectal cancer.     

不同扫描参数对宽体探测器CT散射线的影响研究

目的 探讨宽体探测器CT在使用不同扫描模式、不同探测器宽度时在z轴方向上散射线的分布特点。方法 使用美国GE Revolution 16 cm宽体探测器CT,在机架扫描孔洞中心轴（z轴）上,以一定间隔布放热释光剂量计（TLD）,分别在逐层扫描模式下使用4、8、16 cm和螺旋扫描模式下4、8 cm探测器宽度,对CT标准剂量模体进行扫描,扫描条件：管电压为120 kV,有效管电流为200 mAs,扫描长度为16 cm,螺旋扫描时螺距分别为0.984∶1、0.516∶1。所有扫描重复4次,曝光后将所有TLD测量值除以4,并对数据进行统计学分析。结果 z轴方向上,人体头侧散射线剂量值均高于人体足侧（Z=-2.366、-2.197、-2.366、-2.371、-2.028、-2.236、-2.028,P<0.05）。逐层扫描时,不同探测器宽度的散射线分布差异有统计学意义（χ²=28.000,P<0.05）,均为探测器4 cm时最大,16 cm时最小,最大差值为67.5 μGy。螺旋扫描时,不同探测器宽度的散射线分布差异有统计学意义（Z=-3.233、-2.982,P<0.05）,均为探测器8 cm时最大,4 cm时最小,其中螺距0.516∶1时最大差值为97.67 μGy。螺旋扫描相同探测器宽度及有效管电流条件下,螺距为0.516∶1时高于螺距为0.984∶1的散射线,差异有统计学意义（Z=-3.296、-3.296,P<0.05）,其中探测器宽度为8 cm时最大差值为49.95 μGy。结论 宽体探测器CT不同探测器宽度的选择,可显著影响辐射场的分布和辐射值,应根据具体的临床需求选择合理的探测器宽度和相关参数,从而降低受检者、近台操作医务人员以及陪护人员的辐射剂量。     

Forensic analysis of diatom in the spleen and heart in Sprague-Dawley rats

Post-mortem diagnosis of drowning is a real challenge, especially in a decomposed body. The diatom test is considered a reliable scientific assessment in several countries including China. The lungs, liver, and kidneys are usually used in the diatom test, whereas the spleen and heart are rarely reported. In our study, we set up five water samples with different concentrations of diatoms. One-hundred and twenty adult SD rats were employed, assigned to the Drowning Group (DG), Post-mortem Submersion Group (PSG), Drowning Control Group (DG-Control), and Post-mortem Submersion Control Group (PSG-Control). Rats in DG and PSG were submerged in water samples, respectively. After the microwave digestion and vacuum filtration method for diatom enrichment, the diatom numbers were counted. The results showed no diatom was found in either the DG-Control or PSG-Control group. Although significant differences in the diatoms number were found between the DG and PSG groups, the heart and spleen revealed no significant differences. These two organs equally had high specificity and low sensitivity. Based on our data, we concluded that the heart and spleen can be used for the diagnosis of drowning, and detection of diatoms in systemic circulation organs may be more suitable for the diatom test, especially when exogenous contamination is avoided.     

Multiple Bifurcated Covered Self-Expanding Metallic Stents for Complex Tracheobronchial Fistulas or Stenosis

CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology - We aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of bifurcated covered self-expanding stents for the treatment of complex tracheobronchial fistulas or...