Quality Improvement of Acidic Soils by Biochar Derived from Renewable Materials

Biochar derived from waste plant materials and agricultural residues was used to improve the quality of an acidic soil. The acidic soil was treated for 1 month with both soy bean stover-derived biochar and oak-derived biochar in the range of 1 to 5 wt% for pH improvement and exchangeable cation enhancement. Following 1 month of treatment, the soil pH was monitored and exchangeable cations were measured. Moreover, a maize growth experiment was performed for 14 days with selected treated soil samples to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment. The results showed that the pH of the treated acidic soil increased by more than 2 units, and the exchangeable cation values were greatly enhanced upon treatment with 5 wt% of both biochars, after 1 month of curing. Maize growth was superior in the 3 wt% biochar-treated samples compared to the control sample. The presented results demonstrate the effective use of biochar derived from renewable materials such as waste plant materials and agricultural residues for quality improvement of acidic soils

Cooperative Switching in Large‐Area Assemblies of Magnetic Janus Particles

Magnetic Janus particles (MJPs) have received considerable attention for their rich assembly behavior and their potential technological role in applications ranging from simple magnetophoretic displays to smart cloaking devices. However, further progress is hampered by the lack of predictive understanding of the cooperative self‐assembly behavior of MJPs and appropriate dynamic control mechanisms. In this paper, a detailed experimental and theoretical investigation into the magnetically directed spatiotemporal self‐assembly and switching of MJPs is presented. For this purpose, a novel type of MJPs with defined hemispherical compartments carrying superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as well as a novel simulation model to describe their cooperative switching behavior is established. Combination of the theoretical and experimental work culminates in a simple method to direct assemblies of MJPs, even at high particle concentrations. In addition, a magnetophoretic display with switchable MJPs is developed on the basis of the theoretical findings to demonstrate the potential usefulness of controlled large‐area assemblies of magnetic Janus particles.Anisotropic particles that have one hemisphere selectively loaded with magnetite nanoparticles rotate in response to magnetic fields as indicated by visually observable color changes.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155896/1/adfm201907865-sup-0001-SuppMat.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155896/2/adfm201907865.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155896/3/adfm201907865_am.pd

Dimeric configuration of SeqA protein bound to a pair of hemi-methylated GATC sequences

The binding of SeqA protein to hemi-methylated GATC sequences (hemi-sites) regulates chromosome initiation and the segregation of replicated chromosome in Escherichia coli. We have used atomic force microscopy to examine the architecture of SeqA and the mode of binding of one molecule of SeqA to a pair of hemi-sites in aqueous solution. SeqA has a bipartite structure composed of a large and a small lobe. Upon binding of a SeqA molecule to a pair of hemi-sites, the larger lobe becomes visibly separated into two DNA binding domains, each of which binds to one hemi-site. The two DNA binding domains are held together by association between the two multimerization domains that make up the smaller lobe. The binding of each DNA binding domain to a hemi-site leads to bending of the bound DNA inwards toward the bound protein. In this way, SeqA adopts a dimeric configuration when bound to a pair of hemi-sites. Mutational analysis of the multimerization domain indicates that, in addition to multimerization of SeqA polypeptides, this domain contributes to the ability of SeqA to bind to a pair of hemi-sites and to its cooperative behavior

Validating of the pre-clinical mouse model for metastatic breast cancer to the mandible

Metastatic breast carcinoma has a great tendency to spread to the mandible. It is concomitantly associated with bone destruction, food intake disorder, and a poorer prognosis. Appropriate animal models need to be developed for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the metastatic process of breast cancer cells to mandible and to test the effects of potential lead compounds. Here, we assessed the metastasis model of intracardiac injection using luciferase-transfected metastatic breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231Luc+) by determining the incidences of metastasis, mCT images, and histopathological results. A high bioluminescence signal mainly detected mandibular lesions with less frequent distal femora and proximal tibiae lesions. Extensive mandibular bone destruction occurred in nude mice grafted with metastatic breast cancer cells. This type of animal model might be a useful tool in assessing therapeutic implications and the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs for osteolytic cancers

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatic tumors: factors affecting baseline impedance

PurposeWe aimed to evaluate factors that affect baseline impedance of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.MethodsIn this retrospective study, we analyzed 51 patients with 55 hepatic tumors from November 2015 until April 2018. We measured the baseline impedance nine times with three adjustable tip sizes (2 cm, 2.5 cm, 3 cm) and three different pad locations (two pads attached on the thigh, four on the thigh, two on the back). The first roll-off time was measured with two grounding pads attached on the back. Body mass index, cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic liver parenchyma, previous procedure, tumor location, artificial ascites, active tip size, and the pad location were evaluated as potential factors affecting baseline impedance using the Mann–Whitney U test, t-test and analysis of variance test.ResultsComplete radiofrequency ablation was achieved in 51 patients. Body mass index (p = 0.897), cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic liver parenchyma (p = 0.767), previous procedure (p = 0.957), tumor location (p = 0.906), and artificial ascites (p = 0.882) did not significantly affect baseline impedance. Grounding pads located on the back showed the lowest baseline impedance (p < 0.001). Increase in active tip size showed gradual decrease in baseline impedance (p = 0.016).ConclusionThe factors affecting baseline impedance were the pad location and the tip size. Positioning pads on the back lowers the baseline impedance and can shorten the first roll-off time, ultimately resulting in reduced total ablation time

Phlegmonous Enteritis in a Patient with Congestive Heart Failure and Colon Cancer

Phlegmonous enteritis is a rare infective inflammatory disease of the intestine, predominantly involving the submucosal layer. It is difficult to diagnose and often fatal. Its association with alcoholism and various liver diseases, although rarely reported, is well documented. We report a case of phlegmonous enteritis in a male patient with congestive heart failure and colon cancer, and describe the ultrasonographic and CT findings