Abstract
In this study, the semi‐aromatic polyamide membranes were synthesized by the interfacial polymerization between piperazine (PIP) monomers in the water phase and Benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarbonyl ...chloride in the organic phase. To further modify the semi‐aromatic pervaporation membrane, the two amino acids, glycine, and
l
‐lysine, were mixed with PIP monomers for interfacial polymerization. The morphology and physicochemical properties of the synthesized membranes were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and contact angle measurements. The results show that the semi‐aromatic polyamide membranes modified by the two amino acids possess a higher hydrophilic surface and lower thickness compared to the unmodified membrane. Additionally, the permeation flux of the semi‐aromatic polyamide membranes was improved by 18.6% and 38.5% as modified with glycine and
l
‐lysine, respectively, at the operating temperature of 70°C when the rejection of both NaCl and arsenic are higher than 99.8%. Furthermore, the operating temperature significantly influenced the permeation flux, while the salt rejections were insignificantly affected. The permeation flux increases by 3.2‐ and 4.0‐folds for glycine and lysine‐modified membranes, respectively, when elevating the feed temperature from 40°C to 70°C. The highest permeation flux of 29.5 kg m
−2
h
−1
with a 5 wt% NaCl rejection of 99.8% was obtained at 70°C by using 0.3 wt%
l
‐lysine modified polyamide (PA) membrane. For elimination of 1.5 mg L
−1
As solution at the feed temperature of 70°C, such
l
‐lysine modified PA membrane exhibited the permeation flux of 30.5 kg m
−2
h
−1
and As rejection of 99.6%, respectively. This work provides a cost‐saving, facile, and eco‐friendly preparation method for effectively improving the permeation flux while not sacrificing the high rejection of salts of the modified membranes.
Abstract
α-Thalassemia is a common inherited blood disorder manifested mainly by the deletions of α-globin genes. In geographical areas with high carrier frequencies, screening of α-thalassemia ...carrier state is therefore of vital importance. This study presents a novel method for identifying female carriers of common α-thalassemia deletions using samples routinely taken for non-invasive prenatal tests for screening of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies. A total of 68,885 Vietnamese pregnant women were recruited and α-thalassemia statuses were determined by gap-PCR, revealing 5344 women (7.76%) carried deletions including αα/−−
SEA
(4.066%), αα/−α
3.7
(2.934%), αα/−α
4.2
(0.656%), and rare genotypes (0.102%). A two-stage model was built to predict these α-thalassemia deletions from targeted sequencing of the HBA gene cluster on maternal cfDNA. Our method achieved F1-scores of 97.14–99.55% for detecting the three common genotypes and 94.74% for detecting rare genotypes (−α
3.7
/−α
4.2
, αα/−−
THAI
, −α
3.7
/−−
SEA
, −α
4.2
/−−
SEA
). Additionally, the positive predictive values were 100.00% for αα/αα, 99.29% for αα/−−
SEA
, 94.87% for αα/−α
3.7
, and 96.51% for αα/−α
4.2
; and the negative predictive values were 97.63%, 99.99%, 99.99%, and 100.00%, respectively. As NIPT is increasingly adopted for pregnant women, utilizing cfDNA from NIPT to detect maternal carriers of common α-thalassemia deletions will be cost-effective and expand the benefits of NIPT.
•Somatic embryos regenerated from AgNPs-sterilized leaf explants of Ngoc Linh ginseng.•Tetraploid induction by colchicine in Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. from somatic embryo.•Tetraploid plantlets ...had vigorous growth compared to the diploid plantlets.
In the present study, the protocol of polyploid induction via somatic embryogenesis of the Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.) (2n = 2x = 24) was developed. Ex vitro leaf explants were disinfected with AgNPs at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 g/L for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min and cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D, 0.5 mg/L NAA and 0.2 mg/L Kin for somatic embryogenesis. Globular embryos induced from the leaf explants were treated with colchicine by immersed method at different concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7% for 24, 36, 48 and 72 h. Then, these embryos were cultured on medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D, 0.5 mg/L NAA and 0.2 mg/L Kin for secondary embryos induction. The ploidy level was identified by counting chromosomes of the root tip of plantlets derived from these secondary embryos. The results showed that the survival rate and somatic embryo induction the highest (65.56% and 29.89%, respectively) at 0.2 g/L AgNPs for 20 min. For colchicine treatment, the increase in the concentration and exposure time of colchicine decreased the survival rate of explants and the number of secondary embryos but increased the abnormal secondary embryo formation. Identifying the ploidy level showed that the treatments with colchicine concentrations from 0.3% to 0.5% for 48 h lead to tetraploid induction rates from 22.22% to 25.92%. The results also revealed that the tetraploids (2n = 4x = 48) had larger stomatal size, lower stomatal density, denser stomatal chloroplast density, and better growth than did the diploids.
Microplastics (MPs) are small (< 5 mm) plastic particles that are widely found in marine, freshwater, terrestrial and atmospheric environments. Due to their prevalence and persistence, MPs are ...considered an emerging contaminant of environmental concern. The separation and quantitation of MPs from freshwater sediments is a challenging and critical issue. It is necessary to identify the fate and sources of MPs in the environment, minimise their release and adverse effects. Compared to marine sediments, standardised methods for extracting and estimating the amount of MPs in freshwater sediments are relatively limited. The present study focuses on MP recovery efficiency of four commonly used salt solutions (NaCl, NaI, CaCl
2
and ZnCl
2
) for isolating MPs during the density separation step from freshwater sediment. Known combinations of artificial MP particles (PS, PE, PVC, PET, PP and HDPE) were spiked into standard river sediment. Extraction using NaI, ZnCl
2
and NaCl solutions resulted in higher recovery rates from 37 to 97% compared to the CaCl
2
solution (28–83%) and varied between polymer types. Low-density MPs (PE, HDPE, PP and PS) were more effectively recovered (> 87%) than the denser polymers (PET and PVC: 37 to 88.8%) using NaCl, NaI and ZnCl
2
solutions. However, the effective flotation of ZnCl
2
and NaI solutions is relatively expensive and unsafe to the environment, especially in the context of developing countries. Therefore, considering the efficiency, cost and environmental criteria, NaCl solution was selected. The protocol was then tested by extracting MPs from nine riverine sediment samples from the Red River Delta. Sediments collected from urban rivers were highly polluted by MPs (26,000 MPs items·kg
−1
DW) compared to sediments located downstream. Using a NaCl solution was found to be effective in this case study and might also be used in long-term and large-scale MP monitoring programmes in Vietnam.
We investigated the consequences of colistin use in backyard chicken farms in Vietnam by examining the prevalence of mcr-1 in fecal samples from chickens and humans. Detection of mcr-1-carrying ...bacteria in chicken samples was associated with colistin use and detection in human samples with exposure to mcr-1-positive chickens.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
c-Maf is one of the large Maf (musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma) transcription factors that belong to the activated protein-1 super family of basic leucine zipper proteins. Despite its overexpression ...in hematologic malignancies, the physiologic roles c-Maf plays in normal hematopoiesis have been largely unexplored. On a C57BL/6J background, c-Maf−/− embryos succumbed from severe erythropenia between embryonic day (E) 15 and E18. Flow cytometric analysis of fetal liver cells showed that the mature erythroid compartments were significantly reduced in c-Maf−/− embryos compared with c-Maf+/+ littermates. Interestingly, the CFU assay indicated there was no significant difference between c-Maf+/+ and c-Maf−/− fetal liver cells in erythroid colony counts. This result indicated that impaired definitive erythropoiesis in c-Maf−/− embryos is because of a non–cell-autonomous effect, suggesting a defective erythropoietic microenvironment in the fetal liver. As expected, the number of erythroblasts surrounding the macrophages in erythroblastic islands was significantly reduced in c-Maf−/− embryos. Moreover, decreased expression of VCAM-1 was observed in c-Maf−/− fetal liver macrophages. In conclusion, these results strongly suggest that c-Maf is crucial for definitive erythropoiesis in fetal liver, playing an important role in macrophages that constitute erythroblastic islands.
STEM education, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, is an important educational model in primary and secondary schools, including elementary schools. STEM education is ...being emphasized in many countries around the world. In Southeast Asia, the current state of STEM education is quite diverse and there is a discrepancy between countries. This study focuses on analyzing quantitative scientific indicators based on 490 publications on STEM education in elementary schools from 2000 to December 2022 in the Scopus database. The data is analyzed by bibliometrics software Biblioshiny and VOSviewer on the collaboration network between scientists in the field of STEM education in elementary schools, countries with the most publications, emerging keywords and related keywords, as well as research trends on STEM education in elementary schools for Southeast Asian countries. The results of the study show that publications on STEM education in elementary schools in Southeast Asian countries started to be studied from 2008 and have been increasing rapidly; scientific papers published in some high-impact factor journals; the countries with the most publications are not necessarily Southeast Asian countries, mainly in the Americas, Europe, Asia, with Indonesia being the only Southeast Asian country in the top-5 countries with the most publications on this research trend. Based on the analysis, the article proposes some directions for STEM education research in elementary schools in Southeast Asian countries to achieve high effectiveness in training at elementary schools.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease in children and adults. Genetic factors significantly contribute to early-onset FSGS, but the etiologies of ...most adult cases remain unknown. Genetic studies of monogenic syndromic FSGS exhibiting extra-renal manifestations have uncovered an unexpected biological role for genes in the development of both podocytes and other cellular lineages. To help define these roles, we studied two unrelated families with FSGS associated with Duane Retraction Syndrome, characterized by impaired horizontal eye movement due to cranial nerve malformation. All four affected individuals developed FSGS and Duane Retraction Syndrome in their first to second decade of life, manifested as restricted abduction together with globe retraction and narrowed palpebral fissure on attempted adduction. Hypoplasia of the abducens nerves and hearing impairment occurred in severely affected individuals. Genetic analyses revealed that affected individuals harbor a rare heterozygous substitution (p.Leu239Pro) in MAFB, a leucine zipper transcription factor. Luciferase assays with cultured monocytes indicated that the substitution significantly reduced transactivation of the F4/80 promoter, the known MAFB recognition element. Additionally, immunohistochemistry indicated reduced MAFB expression in the podocytes of patients. Structural modeling suggested that the p.Leu239Pro substitution in the DNA-binding domain possibly interferes with the stability of the adjacent zinc finger. Lastly, podocytes in neonatal mice with p.Leu239Pro displayed impaired differentiation. Thus, MAFB mutations impair development and/or maintenance of podocytes, abducens neurons and the inner ear. The interactions between MAFB and regulatory elements in these developing organs are likely highly specific based on spatiotemporal requirements.
In vitro grafting is one of the promising techniques for fruit crop breeding. This study was performed to produce in vitro vigorous passion fruit rootstocks and developed a simple in vitro grafting ...protocol with the support of nylon microtubes—a low cost, wide availability, non-toxic and reusable material. The results showed that stem-lTCL explants (longitudinal thin cell layers) cultured on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L BA and 0.5 mg/L NAA gave the highest shoot regeneration, and these shoots were initial materials for micropropagation of passion fruit rootstock. MSM medium containing 5 mg/L AgNPs increased shoot multiplication twofold higher than that of control and significantly reduced leaf yellowing and leaf drop during this stage. Rooting rate and quality of the plantlets were optimal on MSM medium contained with 2.5 mg/L IBA as well as their survival rate was enhanced in nursery. Nylon microtubes improved the efficiency of passion fruit in vitro grafts to 73.33% with yellow passion fruit as rootstock and purple passion fruit nodal segments as scion. In addition, the use of nylon microtubes significantly improved the in vitro growth of in vitro grafted plants resulting in increased survival rate and plantlet growth in the nursery stage. The present results provide an efficient protocol for micropropagation of yellow passion fruit for rootstock and production of purple passion fruit via nylon microtubule-mediated in vitro grafting.
Key message
An efficient protocol was established for multiplication of
in vitro
vigorous passion fruit rootstock via the application of thin cell layer culture techniques, nanotechnology and modification of the culture medium. Nylon microtubes enhanced the success rate of
in vitro
grafting and
ex vitro
grafted plant growth.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health concern. The development of vaccines with high ...immunogenicity and safety is crucial for controlling the global COVID-19 pandemic and preventing further illness and fatalities. Here, we report the development of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate, Nanocovax, based on recombinant protein production of the extracellular (soluble) portion of the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2. The results showed that Nanocovax induced high levels of S protein-specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies in three animal models: BALB/c mouse, Syrian hamster, and a non-human primate (
). In addition, a viral challenge study using the hamster model showed that Nanocovax protected the upper respiratory tract from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nanocovax did not induce any adverse effects in mice (
var. albino) and rats (
). These preclinical results indicate that Nanocovax is safe and effective.
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