Synthesis of a Novel Gemini Cationic Surfactant and Its Inhibition Behaviour and Mechanism Study on 2024 Al-Cu-Mg Alloy in Acid Solution

Isopropylamine was taken as a raw material to synthesize a new multi-alkyl multiple quaternary-ammonium salts gemini surfactant bis[2-hydroxy-3-(dodecyldimethylammonio)propyl]-isopropylamine dichloride. The structure of the synthetic product was characterized by 1H NMR and FTIR. The surface activity was investigated; the inhibition efficiencies and inhibition mechanism of the synthetic product were studied by weight loss method, electrochemical method, microscopic morphology observation, and adsorption model calculation. The results indicate that cmc of synthetic product was 9.204 × 10-4 mol/L; when the concentrations were lower than cmc, the inhibition efficiencies rose substantially, which was up to 89.3% with the concentration of 9.204 ×  10-4 mol/L; when they were higher than cmc, inhibition efficiencies were basically unchanged; polarization tests showed that the synthesis product could restrain both anodic and cathodic reactions; when the concentrations were lower than cmc, the adsorption of the synthetic product conformed to the Langmuir model, which formed monolayer on the 2024 Al-Cu-Mg alloy surface; when they were higher than cmc, it formed bilayer, so the adsorption of the synthetic product did not conform to the Langmuir model anymore

High-yield production of Streptavidin with native C-terminal in Escherichia coli

To increase the production yield of functional recombinant streptavidin in Escherichia coli, the effects of host strains and culture conditions on expression of streptavidin with native C terminal (CNSA, amino acid residues 13 to 159) were investigated. Results show that the CNSA, encoded by the CNSA gene, was produced by E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS strain in the inclusion body with a high yield up to 46.3% of the total cell protein (about 230 mg/g dry cell weight) after culture condition optimization. The dialysis method was adapted to refold CNSA and the refolding conditions were optimized. More than 90% of inclusion body protein was refolded to mature CNSA under optimized refolding conditions. The purity of the recombinant CNSA achieved 95.0% without using any affinity separation method. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis indicated that the biotin binding capability of our recombinant CNSA was similar to that of commercial products.Keywords: Streptavidin, Escherichia coli, protein refolding, recombinant protei

GATA2 mutant variant allele frequency may reflect prognosis in Chinese adult patients with de novo cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia

In this study, we analyzed GATA2 mutations (GATA2mut) and co-mutations in 166 Chinese patients with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia. This was done through targeted next-generation sequencing of 34 genes associated with myeloid leukemia. GATA2mut was identified in 17 (10%) patients being significantly correlated with co-mutations in CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) double mutation (P = 0.001). We observed that the N-terminal zinc finger domain (ZF1) was linked to CEBPA mutations, while the C-terminal zinc finger domain (ZF2) was associated with Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) mutations. It was also noted that patients with GATA2mut had lower platelet counts at diagnosis (P = 0.032). In the entire cohort, GATA2mut had no significant prognostic impact on overall survival (OS) (P = 0.762) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.369) compared to patients with GATA2wt. The OS (P = 0.737) and RFS (P = 0.894) of the ZF1 mutation were similar to those of the ZF2 mutation. Most patients with GATA2 mutations were classified in the ELN2022 favorable- and intermediate-risk groups. GATA2mut patients in the favorable-risk group were divided into GATA2High and GATA2Low groups using a median cutoff variant allele frequency (VAF) of 40.13%. GATA2High patients were associated with worse OS (P = 0.031) and RFS (P = 0.021) than GATA2Low patients. In the intermediate-risk group, the high median VAF of GATA2 (≥38.51%) had no significant effect in OS and RFS compared with the low median VAF (<38.51%). This study offers new insights on the prognosis of GATA2mut in the favorable-risk group, where VAF can be used as a guide

Clinical features and gene variation analysis of COQ8B nephropathy: Report of seven cases

ObjectiveCOQ8B nephropathy is a relatively rare autosomal recessive kidney disease characterized by proteinuria and a progressive deterioration of renal function, eventually leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The objective is to study the characteristics and correlation between the genotype and the clinical phenotype of COQ8B nephropathy.MethodsThis is a retrospective study focusing on the clinical characteristics of seven COQ8B nephropathy patients diagnosed by gene sequencing. Basic clinical information, clinical manifestations, examinations, imaging, genomes, pathology, treatments, and prognosis of the patients were reviewed.ResultsOf the seven patients, two were male children and five were female children. The median age at the disease onset was 5 years and 3 months. The initial main clinical manifestations were proteinuria and renal insufficiency. Four patients had severe proteinuria, four had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) diagnosed by a renal biopsy, and two had nephrocalcinosis after an ultrasound was performed on them. There were no other clinical manifestations such as neuropathy, muscle atrophy, and so on in all of them. Their gene mutations were all exon variants, which were classified as heterozygous or homozygous variants by performing family verification analysis. Compound heterozygous variants were predominant in all, and all gene variants were inherited from their parents. One novel mutation, c.1465c&gt;t, was found in this study. This gene mutation resulted from changes in the amino acid sequence, thus leading to an abnormal protein structure. Two patients with early diagnosis of COQ8B nephropathy presented with no renal insufficiency and were treated with oral coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and they maintained normal renal function. For the remaining five who were treated with CoQ10 following renal insufficiency, the deterioration of renal function could not be reversed, and they progressed to ESRD within a short time (median time: 7 months). A follow-up of these patients showed normal renal function with a CoQ10 supplement.ConclusionFor unexplained proteinuria, renal insufficiency, or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, gene sequencing should be considered, in addition to renal biopsy, as early as possible. Timely diagnosis of COQ8B nephropathy and early supplementation of sufficient CoQ10 can help control the progression of the disease and significantly improve the prognosis

Exploring atherosclerosis imaging with contrast-enhanced MRI using PEGylated ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles

Plaque rupture is a critical concern due to its potential for severe outcomes such as cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction, underscoring the urgency of noninvasive early diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gained prominence in plaque imaging, leveraging its noninvasiveness, high spatial resolution, and lack of ionizing radiation. Ultrasmall iron oxides, when modified with polyethylene glycol, exhibit prolonged blood circulation and passive targeting toward plaque sites, rendering them conducive for MRI. In this study, we synthesized ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles of approximately 3 nm via high-temperature thermal decomposition. Subsequent surface modification facilitated the creation of a dual-modality magnetic resonance/fluorescence probe. Upon intravenous administration of the probes, MRI assessment of atherosclerotic plaques and diagnostic evaluation were conducted. The application of Flash-3D sequence imaging revealed vascular constriction at lesion sites, accompanied by a gradual signal amplification postprobe injection. T1-weighted imaging of the carotid artery unveiled a progressive signal ratio increase between plaques and controls within 72 h post-administration. Fluorescence imaging of isolated carotid arteries exhibited incremental lesion-to-control signal ratios. Additionally, T1 imaging of the aorta demonstrated an evolving signal enhancement over 48 h. Therefore, the ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles hold immense promise for early and noninvasive diagnosis of plaques, providing an avenue for dynamic evaluation over an extended time frame

Association between dietary intake of flavonoids and hyperuricemia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Previous research has demonstrated flavonoid intake was closely related to hyperuricemia. The purpose of this study was to examine whether flavonoid intake was associated with serum uric acid and hyperuricemia in U.S. adults. Methods The study sample consisted of 8,760 participants enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2010. Flavonoid consumption was measured using a two-day recall questionnaire on dietary intake. Hyperuricemia was defined based on the serum uric acid levels, determined as ≥ 7 mg/dL for males and ≥ 6 mg/dL for females. The study utilized multivariate linear regression to determine the correlation between flavonoid consumption and serum uric acid levels. Additionally, analyses involving multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were conducted to evaluate the potential link between flavonoid consumption and hyperuricemia. All analyses were adjusted for possible confounding variables. Results The study revealed a negative correlation between serum uric acid levels and elevated levels of anthocyanidins and flavanones, with significant p-trends of < 0.001 and 0.02 respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that anthocyanidins and flavanones intake had a significant negative association with the risk of hyperuricemia, with p-trend value being < 0.001 and 0.01, respectively. Flavan-3-ols, flavonols, and all flavonoids exhibited a non-linear association with the incidence of hyperuricemia, with significant p-nonlinear values of < 0.001, 0.04, and 0.01 respectively. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that individuals who follow a diet rich in anthocyanins and flavanones had significantly lower serum uric acid levels and a lower incidence of hyperuricemia

Synthesis of a Novel Gemini Cationic Surfactant and Its Inhibition Behaviour and Mechanism Study on 2024 Al-Cu-Mg Alloy in Acid Solution

Isopropylamine was taken as a raw material to synthesize a new multi-alkyl multiple quaternary-ammonium salts gemini surfactant bis[2-hydroxy-3-(dodecyldimethylammonio)propyl]-isopropylamine dichloride. The structure of the synthetic product was characterized by 1H NMR and FTIR. The surface activity was investigated; the inhibition efficiencies and inhibition mechanism of the synthetic product were studied by weight loss method, electrochemical method, microscopic morphology observation, and adsorption model calculation. The results indicate that cmc of synthetic product was 9.204 × 10-4 mol/L; when the concentrations were lower than cmc, the inhibition efficiencies rose substantially, which was up to 89.3% with the concentration of 9.204 ×  10-4 mol/L; when they were higher than cmc, inhibition efficiencies were basically unchanged; polarization tests showed that the synthesis product could restrain both anodic and cathodic reactions; when the concentrations were lower than cmc, the adsorption of the synthetic product conformed to the Langmuir model, which formed monolayer on the 2024 Al-Cu-Mg alloy surface; when they were higher than cmc, it formed bilayer, so the adsorption of the synthetic product did not conform to the Langmuir model anymore