Summary
Natural killer (NK) cells exert anti‐viral effects after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The balance between inhibition and activation of NK cells determined by the inherited ...repertoire of killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR) genes may influence Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) reactivation after transplantation. To evaluate the relative contributions of KIR genotypes to EBV reactivation, we prospectively enrolled 300 patients with malignant haematological disease who were suitable for haploidentical HSCT. Univariate analysis showed that donors with KIR2DS1, KIR2DS3 or KIR3DS1 genes were associated with an increased risk of EBV reactivation hazard ratio (HR) 1·86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·19–2·9, P = 0·0067; HR 1·78, 95% CI 1·07‐2·97, P = 0·027; HR 1·86, 95% CI 1·19‐2·91, P = 0·0065 respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of KIR2DS1, KIR2DS3 or KIR3DS1 genes was associated with increased EBV reactivation after HSCT. This effect was more evident in the absence of the cognate ligands for the corresponding activating receptors. Our present data firstly showed that donors with activating KIR genes, specifically activating KIR2DS1, KIR2DS3 and KIR3DS1, had an increased risk of EBV reactivation. Precaution for patients whose donors carry activating genes will help prevent EBV reactivation and improve patient prognosis after HSCT.
In this article, a 2-D bistatic attributed scattering center (BASC) model is developed to represent the bistatic return from a perfect electric conducting (PEC) target, based on the derived analytic ...scattering solutions of seven canonical primitives. Because of its unified and concise form, the BASC model is useful for extracting the geometrical features of targets from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) echoes. However, estimating the parameters of the BASC model is an ill-posed inverse problem. To reduce the ill-posedness, we present a sparse method for bistatic inverse scattering that incorporates differential evolution (DE) into doubly orthogonal matching pursuit (DOMP). The experimental results not only verify the validity of the parameter inversion method but also demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model.
To provide a theoretical basis for the development of future mercury removal methods, two types of biochars modified by the coprecipitation method were investigated: undoped iron-based biochars ...modified with FeCl3 and iron-based biochars doped with Cu and Mn from CuSO4, Mn(CH3COO)2, and KMnO4. The crystal phase compositions, pyrolysis characteristics, pore structures, microscopic morphologies, elemental speciations, and functional groups of the modified biochars were characterized. The adsorption mechanism was further explored by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). The results showed that the mercury adsorption of the modified biochars was significantly enhanced. The mercury adsorption performances first increased and then weakened with increased loading. The modification decreased the graphitization degree. Spinel structure solid solutions of MnFe2O4 and CuFe2O4 were formed in the modified biochars, generating many cation vacancies on the biochar surface. After biochar modification, the pore structures and the contents of carbonyl, carboxyl, and metal hydroxyl functional groups were significantly increased. The removal of Hg0 by modified biochar is the result of a combination of adsorption and oxidation. The modification process significantly promotes the chemical adsorption of Hg0. Functional groups, lattice oxygen, chemisorbed oxygen, halogen components, and metal oxides or ions on the sorbent surface all play roles in the oxidation of the adsorbed Hg0. Fe2O3 and CuO (MnO2 and Fe2O3) double metal oxides have a synergistic effect on the removal of Hg0.
An iron-based modified biochar was prepared by the coprecipitation method, including single iron-based modified biochar with FeCl3 and iron-based biochar doped with Cu and Mn from CuSO4 and KMnO4. ...Combined with the physicochemical properties of sorbents, the effect of flue gas temperature on the mercury adsorption performance of the sorbents was explored within the temperature range of 50–350 °C. The adsorption mechanism was further explored by adsorption kinetics, thermodynamics, and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) analyses. The results showed that the mercury adsorption capacity of unmodified biochar decreased monotonously with temperature, but the adsorption capacities of Fe/BC, FeCu/BC, and FeMn/BC all enhanced first and then weakened, with 200 °C being the optimum adsorption temperature. FeCu/BC had the strongest adsorption capacity, while Fe/BC had the worst one. CO and COOH, metal oxides and ions, lattice oxygen, chemisorbed oxygen, and Cl ions were all active sites for oxidative adsorption of Hg0, among which Fe2O3 and CuO or CuFe2O4 exerted a synergistic effect. Excessive temperature caused destruction to the porous structure and deactivation of the active centers, leading to the reduction of physisorption and chemisorption. Mercury adsorption on sorbents needs more activated energy due to the enhancement of chemisorption, and the moderate increase of temperature contributed to the adsorption properties of the sorbents. The Hg0 adsorption on modified biochar was spontaneous and endothermic, and the complexity degree of the adsorption process was promoted. TPD results showed that at 200 °C the removal of Hg0 by modified biochar was mainly strong chemisorption and that HgO was mainly formed.
Summary
Licensed natural killer (NK) cells have been demonstrated to have anti‐cytomegalovirus (CMV) activity. We prospectively analysed the human leucocyte antigen typing of donor‐recipient pairs ...and the killer cell immunoglobulin–like receptor (KIR) typing of donors for 180 leukaemia patients to assess the predictive roles of licensed NK cells on CMV reactivation post‐T‐cell‐replete haploidentical stem cell transplantation. Multivariate analysis showed that donor‐recipient KIR ligand graft‐versus‐host or host‐versus‐graft direction mismatch was associated with increased refractory CMV infection (Hazard ratio = 2·556, 95% confidence interval, 1·377–4·744, P = 0·003) post‐transplantation. Donor‐recipient KIR ligand matching decreased CMV reactivation 51·65% (46·67, 56·62%) vs. 75·28% (70·87, 79·69%), P = 0·012, refractory CMV infection 17·58% (13·77, 21·40%) vs. 35·96% (31·09, 40·82%), P = 0·004 and CMV disease 3·30% (1·51, 5·08%) vs. 11·24% (8·04, 14·43%), P = 0·024 by day 100 post‐transplantation. In addition, the percentage of γ‐interferon expression on donor‐derived NK cells was significantly higher in the recipients among the recipient‐donor pairs with a KIR ligand match compared with that in the recipients among the pairs with a KIR ligand graft‐versus‐host or host‐versus‐graft direction mismatch on days 30 and 100 post‐transplantation (P = 0·036 and 0·047, respectively). These findings have suggested that donor‐recipient KIR ligand matching might promote the NK cell licensing process, thereby increasing NK cell‐mediated protection against CMV reactivation.
A series of quenching hydration experiments of magnesium slag were carried out under different conditions (quenching and hydration temperatures, hydration time, liquid/solid ratio, and ...continuous/non-continuous process). During the hydration process, the electrical conductivity, pH, and hydration degree were obtained to characterize the reaction. Combined with the hydration degree, kinetic models were used to analyze the hydration kinetics and obtain the relevant parameters. To further understand the desulfurization performance of the hydrated magnesium slag, and the relationship between hydration and desulfurization, desulfurization experiments were carried out in a thermal gravimetric analyzer. Further, changes in the material composition and morphology after hydration were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results showed that the non-continuous hydration could be described by a modified Krstulović-Dabić model. The highest hydration degree (0.16) was achieved at the quenching temperature of 950 °C and hydration temperature of 80 °C. Orthogonal tests established the optimum conditions for continuous hydration: quenching temperature of 950 °C, liquid/solid ratio of 8, and hydration time of 8 h. In decreasing order, these three factors are ranked as hydration time > quenching temperature > liquid/solid ratio. The desulfurization performance of samples treated with continuous hydration was better than that treated with non-continuous hydration, with the calcium conversion rates of 30.3% and 13.3%, respectively.
•Magnesium slag waste treated with continuous/non-continuous quenching hydration.•Morphology of the sample after quenching treatment changed dramatically.•Non-continuous hydration could be described by a modified Krstulović-Dabić model.•Renedo shrinking core model was adopted for continuous quenching hydration.•Desulfurization performance of samples treated with continuous hydration was better.
The rate and extent of natural killer (NK)–cell education after hematopoietic cell transplantation correlates with leukemia control. To study the effect of donor and host HLA on NK-cell ...reconstitution, single killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)+ NK cells (exhibiting KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2/KIR2DL3, or KIR3DL1 as their sole receptor) were grouped into 4 groups based on the interaction between donor/host HLA and donor inhibitory KIR in 2 cohorts (n = 114 and n = 276, respectively). On days 90 to 180 after transplantation, the absolute number and responsiveness against K562 cells (CD107a or interferon-γ expression) of single-KIR+ NK cells were higher in pairs where donor and host HLA both expressed ligands for donor inhibitory KIRs than in pairs where 1 or both of the donor and recipient HLA lacked at least 1 KIR ligand. NK-cell responsiveness was tuned commensurate with the number of inhibitory receptors from the donor. When both donor and host expressed the 3 major KIR ligands (HLA-C1, HLA-C2, and HLA-Bw4), NK cells expressing 3 inhibitory receptors (KIR2DL1/2DL3/3DL1) reached the maximum responsiveness against K562 cells compared with those NK cells expressing only 1 or 2 inhibitory receptors. When donor and host HLA both expressed all ligands for donor inhibitory KIRs, patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) showed the lowest recurrence rate after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that when both donors and hosts present all the KIR ligands for donor KIRs, reconstituted NK cells achieve better functional education and contribute to least relapse among patients. This observation study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02978274.
•When donor and host coexpress ligands for sole donor inhibitory KIRs, NK-cell education is best after haplo-HSCT.•When donor and host coexpress ligands for all donor inhibitory KIRs, AML and MDS patients show the lowest relapse rates after haplo-HSCT.
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Biochars prepared in three pyrolysis atmospheres of N2, O2, and CO2 were investigated. The pyrolysis characteristics, pore structures, and functional groups of the biochars were characterized by ...thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), specific surface area and porosity analyses, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The adsorption mechanism was further explored by the temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) technique in combination with the adsorption kinetics. The results showed that the Hg0 adsorption capacities of the biochars produced in an O2 pyrolysis atmosphere were worse than those of the biochars obtained in a N2 atmosphere, whereas CO2 significantly promoted the adsorption capacity. The biochar prepared in 20% CO2 had the highest adsorption capacity. Three pyrolysis reaction pathways were possible in the O2 atmosphere. In addition, a critical concentration existed between O2 concentrations of 5 and 7%. Above 750 °C, CO2 could react directly with the biochar through the Boudouard reaction. Mercury adsorbed to the surface of the biochar in various ways in the mercury adsorption process and thus was attached to the surface of the biochar in several forms. The products of chemical adsorption were Hg-OM and HgO, and a “secondary adsorption layer” was proposed to form in the mechanism. In the process of mercury adsorption by the biochar, a small part of the Hg0 chemically adsorbed to the active sites through their functional groups, which were mainly carbonyl and carboxyl groups. At the same time, the formation of a monolayer or multilayer “secondary adsorption layer” occurred, and the remaining Hg0 could further adsorb to this “secondary adsorption layer”.
Comprehensive Summary
A series of unreported fullerodihydropyridine‐3‐ones were synthesized as a new family of fullerene derivatives in moderate to good yields by a simple one‐step reaction of ...60fullerene with cheap and readily available β‐substituted ethylamines in the absence or presence of arylacetaldehydes under the assistance of Cu(OAc)2. The in situ generation of arylacetaldehydes by the C—N bond cleavage of arylethylamines avoided their complex synthesis in advance and realized the preparation of fullerodihydropyridine‐3‐ones with structural and functional diversities, which may have promising applications in perovskite solar cells to improve the performance of photovoltaic devices due to the existence of a large π‐conjugated system on the dihydropyridine‐3‐one ring.
Reaction of 60fullerene with cheap and readily available β‐substituted ethylamines in the absence or presence of arylacetaldehydes under the assistance of Cu(OAc)2 afforded a series of unreported fullerodihydropyridine‐3‐ones as a new family of fullerene derivatives, which may have promising applications in photovoltaic devices due to the existence of a large π‐conjugated system on the dihydropyridine‐3‐one ring.
CMV infection remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Several investigators have reported that adaptive NKG2C+ NK ...cells persistently expand during CMV reactivation. In our study, 2 cohorts were enrolled to explore the relationships among the NKG2C genotype, NKG2C+ NK cell reconstitution, and CMV infection. Multivariate analysis showed that donor NKG2C gene deletion was an independent prognostic factor for CMV reactivation and refractory CMV reactivation. Furthermore, adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells' quantitative and qualitative reconstitution, along with their anti-CMV function after transplantation, was significantly lower in patients grafted with NKG2Cwt/del donor cells than in those grafted with NKG2Cwt/wt donor cells. At day 30 after transplantation, quantitative reconstitution of NKG2C+ NK cells was significantly lower in patients with treatment-refractory CMV reactivation than in patients without CMV reactivation and those with nonrefractory CMV reactivation. In humanized CMV-infected mice, we found that, compared with those from NKG2Cwt/del donors, adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells from NKG2Cwt/wt donors induced earlier and stronger expansion of NKG2C+ NK cells as well as earlier and stronger CMV clearance in vivo. In conclusion, donor NKG2C homozygosity contributes to CMV clearance by promoting the quantitative and qualitative reconstruction of adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells after haploidentical allo-HSCT.
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