Estimation of medium effects on equilibrium constants in moderate and high ionic strength solutions at elevated temperatures by using specific interaction theory (SIT): Interaction coefficients involving Cl, OH(- )and Ac(- )up to 200°C and 400 bars

In this study, a series of interaction coefficients of the Brønsted-Guggenheim-Scatchard specific interaction theory (SIT) have been estimated up to 200°C and 400 bars. The interaction coefficients involving Cl(- )estimated include ε(H(+), Cl(-)), ε(Na(+), Cl(-)), ε(Ag(+), Cl(-)), ε(Na(+), AgCl(2 )(-)), ε(Mg(2+), Cl(-)), ε(Ca(2+), Cl(-)), ε(Sr(2+), Cl(-)), ε(Ba(2+), Cl(-)), ε(Sm(3+), Cl(-)), ε(Eu(3+), Cl(-)), ε(Gd(3+), Cl(-)), and ε(GdAc(2+), Cl(-)). The interaction coefficients involving OH(- )estimated include ε(Li(+), OH(-)), ε(K(+), OH(-)), ε(Na(+), OH(-)), ε(Cs(+), OH(-)), ε(Sr(2+), OH(-)), and ε(Ba(2+), OH(-)). In addition, the interaction coefficients of ε(Na(+), Ac(-)) and ε(Ca(2+), Ac(-)) have also been estimated. The bulk of interaction coefficients presented in this study has been evaluated from the mean activity coefficients. A few of them have been estimated from the potentiometric and solubility studies. The above interaction coefficients are tested against both experimental mean activity coefficients and equilibrium quotients. Predicted mean activity coefficients are in satisfactory agreement with experimental data. Predicted equilibrium quotients are in very good agreement with experimental values. Based upon its relatively rapid attainment of equilibrium and the ease of determining magnesium concentrations, this study also proposes that the solubility of brucite can be used as a pH (pcH) buffer/sensor for experimental systems in NaCl solutions up to 200°C by employing the predicted solubility quotients of brucite in conjunction with the dissociation quotients of water and the first hydrolysis quotients of Mg(2+), all in NaCl solutions

Experimental determination of the hydrothermal solubility of ReS(2 )and the Re–ReO(2 )buffer assemblage and transport of rhenium under supercritical conditions

To understand the aqueous species important for transport of rhenium under supercritical conditions, we conducted a series of solubility experiments on the Re–ReO(2 )buffer assemblage and ReS(2). In these experiments, pH was buffered by the K–feldspar–muscovite–quartz assemblage; [Image: see text] in sulfur-free systems was buffered by the Re–ReO(2 )assemblage; and [Image: see text] and [Image: see text] in sulfur-containing systems were buffered by the magnetite–pyrite–pyrrhotite assemblage. Our experimental studies indicate that the species ReCl(4)(0 )is dominant at 400°C in slightly acidic to near-neutral, and chloride-rich (total chloride concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 M) environments, and ReCl(3)(+ )may predominate at 500°C in a solution with total chloride concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 M. The results also demonstrate that the solubility of ReS(2 )is about two orders of magnitude less than that of ReO(2). This finding not only suggests that ReS(2 )(or a ReS(2 )component in molybdenite) is the solubility-controlling phase in sulfur-containing, reducing environments but also implies that a mixing process involving an oxidized, rhenium-containing solution and a solution with reduced sulfur is one of the most effective mechanisms for deposition of rhenium. In analogy with Re, TcS(2 )may be the stable Tc-bearing phase in deep geological repositories of radioactive wastes

Solubility of Fe2(OH)3Cl (pure-iron end-member of hibbingite) in NaCl and Na2SO4 brines

Pure-iron end-member hibbingite, Fe2(OH)3Cl(s), may be important to geological repositories in salt formations, as it may be a dominant corrosion product of steel waste canisters in an anoxic environment in Na–Cl- and Na–Mg–Cl-dominated brines. In this study, the solubility of Fe2(OH)3Cl(s), the pure-iron endmember of hibbingite (FeII, Mg)2(OH)3Cl(s), and Fe(OH)2(s) in 0.04 m to 6 m NaCl brines has been determined. For the reaction Fe2 (OH)3Cl(s) + 3H+↔ 3H2O + 2Fe2+ + Cl−, the solubility constant of Fe2(OH)3Cl(s) at infinite dilution and 25 °C has been found to be log10 K=17.12±0.15 (95% confidence interval using F statistics for 36 data points and 3 parameters). For the reaction Fe(OH)2(s)+2H+↔ 2H2O + Fe2+ ; the solubility constant of Fe(OH)2 at infinite dilution and 25 °C has been found to be log10 K=12.95±0.13 (95 % confidence interval using F statistics for 36 data points and 3 parameters). For the combined set of solubility data for Fe2(OH)3Cl(s) and Fe(OH)2(s), the Na+–Fe2+ pair Pitzer interaction parameter θNa+/Fe2+ has been found to be 0.08±0.03 (95% confidence interval using F statistics for 36 data points and 3 parameters). In nearly saturated NaCl brine we observed evidence for the conversion of Fe(OH)2(s) to Fe2(OH)3Cl(s). Additionally, when Fe2 (OH)3Cl(s) was added to sodium sulfate brines, the formation of green rust(II) sulfate was observed, along with the generation of hydrogen gas. The results presented here provide insight into understanding and modeling the geochemistry and performance assessment of nuclear waste repositories in salt formations

Solubility of Fe2(OH)3Cl (pure-iron end-member of hibbingite) in NaCl and Na2SO4 brines

Pure-iron end-member hibbingite, Fe2(OH)3Cl(s), may be important to geological repositories in salt formations, as it may be a dominant corrosion product of steel waste canisters in an anoxic environment in Na–Cl- and Na–Mg–Cl-dominated brines. In this study, the solubility of Fe2(OH)3Cl(s), the pure-iron endmember of hibbingite (FeII, Mg)2(OH)3Cl(s), and Fe(OH)2(s) in 0.04 m to 6 m NaCl brines has been determined. For the reaction Fe2 (OH)3Cl(s) + 3H+↔ 3H2O + 2Fe2+ + Cl−, the solubility constant of Fe2(OH)3Cl(s) at infinite dilution and 25 °C has been found to be log10 K=17.12±0.15 (95% confidence interval using F statistics for 36 data points and 3 parameters). For the reaction Fe(OH)2(s)+2H+↔ 2H2O + Fe2+ ; the solubility constant of Fe(OH)2 at infinite dilution and 25 °C has been found to be log10 K=12.95±0.13 (95 % confidence interval using F statistics for 36 data points and 3 parameters). For the combined set of solubility data for Fe2(OH)3Cl(s) and Fe(OH)2(s), the Na+–Fe2+ pair Pitzer interaction parameter θNa+/Fe2+ has been found to be 0.08±0.03 (95% confidence interval using F statistics for 36 data points and 3 parameters). In nearly saturated NaCl brine we observed evidence for the conversion of Fe(OH)2(s) to Fe2(OH)3Cl(s). Additionally, when Fe2 (OH)3Cl(s) was added to sodium sulfate brines, the formation of green rust(II) sulfate was observed, along with the generation of hydrogen gas. The results presented here provide insight into understanding and modeling the geochemistry and performance assessment of nuclear waste repositories in salt formations

Tryptophan, an important link in regulating the complex network of skin immunology response in atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease, of which the pathogenesis is a complex interplay between genetics and environment. Although the exact mechanisms of the disease pathogenesis remain unclear, the immune dysregulation primarily involving the Th2 inflammatory pathway and accompanied with an imbalance of multiple immune cells is considered as one of the critical etiologies of AD. Tryptophan metabolism has long been firmly established as a key regulator of immune cells and then affect the occurrence and development of many immune and inflammatory diseases. But the relationship between tryptophan metabolism and the pathogenesis of AD has not been profoundly discussed throughout the literatures. Therefore, this review is conducted to discuss the relationship between tryptophan metabolism and the complex network of skin inflammatory response in AD, which is important to elucidate its complex pathophysiological mechanisms, and then lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies and drugs for the treatment of this frequently relapsing disease

Genome sequence of the insect pathogenic fungus Cordyceps militaris, a valued traditional chinese medicine

Species in the ascomycete fungal genus Cordyceps have been proposed to be the teleomorphs of Metarhizium species. The latter have been widely used as insect biocontrol agents. Cordyceps species are highly prized for use in traditional Chinese medicines, but the genes responsible for biosynthesis of bioactive components, insect pathogenicity and the control of sexuality and fruiting have not been determined. Here, we report the genome sequence of the type species Cordyceps militaris. Phylogenomic analysis suggests that different species in the Cordyceps/Metarhizium genera have evolved into insect pathogens independently of each other, and that their similar large secretomes and gene family expansions are due to convergent evolution. However, relative to other fungi, including Metarhizium spp., many protein families are reduced in C. militaris, which suggests a more restricted ecology. Consistent with its long track record of safe usage as a medicine, the Cordyceps genome does not contain genes for known human mycotoxins. We establish that C. militaris is sexually heterothallic but, very unusually, fruiting can occur without an opposite mating-type partner. Transcriptional profiling indicates that fruiting involves induction of the Zn2Cys6-type transcription factors and MAPK pathway; unlike other fungi, however, the PKA pathway is not activated.https://doi.org/10.1186/gb-2011-12-11-r11

Transcriptional response of USP18 predicts treatment outcomes of interferon-alpha in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patientsefere.

Ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) is an important inhibitor of interferon (IFN) antiviral activity, and the aim of this study was to investigate the association between the USP18 mRNA level change in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) when stimulated with IFN in vitro before initiating treatment and the treatment outcomes in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with IFN. A total of 44 patients who received standard IFN-based anti-HBV therapy and follow-up were enrolled in the study. The in vitro IFN-induced USP18 mRNA change (USP18IFN-N ) was measured via comparison of quantitative PCR-determined USP18 transcription levels of BPMCs cultured with and without IFN stimulation. Either for virological (VR) or serological response (SR), the baseline USP18IFN-N was significantly higher (P = 0.018 for VR, P = 0.008 for SR) among nonresponders (n = 23 for VR, n = 33 for SR) than that of responders (n = 21 for VR, n = 11 for SR). Multivariate analyses revealed baseline USP18IFN-N was a novel independent predictor for either VR (OR = 0.292, 95% CI = 0.102-0.835, P = 0.022) or SR (OR = 0.173, 95% CI = 0.035-0.849, P = 0.031) in our cohort. In addition, baseline USP18IFN-N in combination with HBV DNA loads or HBeAg levels showed improved accuracy of pretreatment prediction for VR or SR responders, respectively. Baseline USP18IFN-N levels are associated with both virological and serological response, and have the potential to become a clinical predictor for treatment outcomes in HBeAg-positive CHB patients before initiating IFN-α therapy

Genome dynamics and diversity of Shigella species, the etiologic agents of bacillary dysentery

The Shigella bacteria cause bacillary dysentery, which remains a significant threat to public health. The genus status and species classification appear no longer valid, as compelling evidence indicates that Shigella, as well as enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, are derived from multiple origins of E.coli and form a single pathovar. Nevertheless, Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 causes deadly epidemics but Shigella boydii is restricted to the Indian subcontinent, while Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei are prevalent in developing and developed countries respectively. To begin to explain these distinctive epidemiological and pathological features at the genome level, we have carried out comparative genomics on four representative strains. Each of the Shigella genomes includes a virulence plasmid that encodes conserved primary virulence determinants. The Shigella chromosomes share most of their genes with that of E.coli K12 strain MG1655, but each has over 200 pseudogenes, 300∼700 copies of insertion sequence (IS) elements, and numerous deletions, insertions, translocations and inversions. There is extensive diversity of putative virulence genes, mostly acquired via bacteriophage-mediated lateral gene transfer. Hence, via convergent evolution involving gain and loss of functions, through bacteriophage-mediated gene acquisition, IS-mediated DNA rearrangements and formation of pseudogenes, the Shigella spp. became highly specific human pathogens with variable epidemiological and pathological features

A Comprehensive Expression Profile of MicroRNAs in Porcine Pituitary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of small RNAs that regulate expressions of most genes. miRNAs play important roles in the pituitary, the “master” endocrine organ.However, we still don't know which role miRNAs play in the development of pituitary tissue or how much they contribute to the pituitary function. By applying a combination of microarray analysis and Solexa sequencing, we detected a total of 450 miRNAs in the porcine pituitary. Verification with RT-PCR showed a high degree of confidence for the obtained data. According to the current miRBase release17.0, the detected miRNAs included 169 known porcine miRNAs, 163 conserved miRNAs not yet identified in the pig, and 12 potentially new miRNAs not yet identified in any species, three of which were revealed using Northern blot. The pituitary might contain about 80.17% miRNA types belonging to the animal. Analysis of 10 highly expressed miRNAs with the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) indicated that the enriched miRNAs were involved not only in the development of the organ but also in a variety of inter-cell and inner cell processes or pathways that are involved in the function of the organ

Large expert-curated database for benchmarking document similarity detection in biomedical literature search

Document recommendation systems for locating relevant literature have mostly relied on methods developed a decade ago. This is largely due to the lack of a large offline gold-standard benchmark of relevant documents that cover a variety of research fields such that newly developed literature search techniques can be compared, improved and translated into practice. To overcome this bottleneck, we have established the RElevant LIterature SearcH consortium consisting of more than 1500 scientists from 84 countries, who have collectively annotated the relevance of over 180 000 PubMed-listed articles with regard to their respective seed (input) article/s. The majority of annotations were contributed by highly experienced, original authors of the seed articles. The collected data cover 76% of all unique PubMed Medical Subject Headings descriptors. No systematic biases were observed across different experience levels, research fields or time spent on annotations. More importantly, annotations of the same document pairs contributed by different scientists were highly concordant. We further show that the three representative baseline methods used to generate recommended articles for evaluation (Okapi Best Matching 25, Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency and PubMed Related Articles) had similar overall performances. Additionally, we found that these methods each tend to produce distinct collections of recommended articles, suggesting that a hybrid method may be required to completely capture all relevant articles. The established database server located at https://relishdb.ict.griffith.edu.au is freely available for the downloading of annotation data and the blind testing of new methods. We expect that this benchmark will be useful for stimulating the development of new powerful techniques for title and title/abstract-based search engines for relevant articles in biomedical research.Peer reviewe