Assessment of Extremely Cold Subarctic Climate Environment Destruction of the Basalt Fiber Reinforced Epoxy (BFRE) Rebar Using Its Moisture Uptake Kinetics

A quite simple method is proposed for the assessment of extremely cold subarctic climate environment destruction of the basalt fiber reinforced epoxy (BFRE) rebar. The method involves the comparison of experimentally obtained long-term moisture uptake kinetic curves of unexposed and exposed BFRP rebars. A moisture uptake test was carried out at the temperature of 60 °C and relative humidity of 98 ± 2% for 306 days. The plasticization can be neglected because of low-level moisture saturation (<0.41% wt.); the swelling and structural relaxation of the polymer network can be neglected due to the high fiber content of BFRP rebar; moisture diffusion into the basalt fibers can be neglected since it is a much lesser amount than in the epoxy binder. These assumptions made it possible to build a three-stage diffusion model. It is observed that an increase in the density of defects with an increase in the diameter of the BFRP rebar is the result of the technology of manufacturing a periodic profile. The diffusion coefficient of the BFRP rebar with a 6, 10, or 18 mm diameter increased at an average of 82.7%, 56.7%, and 30%, respectively, after exposure to the climate of Yakutsk during 28 months, whereas it was known that the strength indicators had been increased.

Effect of Weak Magnetic Field on the Structure and Physical Properties of Chitosan Membranes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of weak magnetic fields on the structure and physical properties of chitosan (Ch) membranes. The membranes were prepared by a casting method using chitosan and a solvent of acetic acid. The magnetic field of 1.5 mT is applied during the membrane-forming reaction with administration times of 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours. The membranes formed were named M-2h, M-4h, M-8h, and M-12h, respectively. The chitosan membrane without magnetic fields is used as a control, namely M-0. The structure and physical properties of the membranes were examined using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectrophotometer, water uptake test, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The result showed that the membranes with magnetic fields are thicker compared to the control membrane. FTIR analysis revealed that some peaks of the membranes with magnetic fields shifted to the higher or lower wavenumber with increased or decreased absorption intensity. The membranes become stronger and more flexible; their degree of crystallinity increases as increasing the time of the magnetic fields' application, and their hydrophilicity improved. The membranes' crystal structure becomes more regular, and their degree of crystallinity increases as increasing the time of the application of the magnetic fields; and their mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break were improved. Those results explain that the structure and physical properties of chitosan membranes were significantly affected by the membrane-forming reaction's magnetic fields.

Radiosynthesis of A Novel Antisense Imaging Probe Targeting LncRNA HOTAIR in Malignant Glioma

Background: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOTAIR was manifested amplifying in many human carcinomas, which could serve as a useful target for cancer therapy. The 99mTc radiolabeled antisense oligonucleotides (ASON) could visualize the expression of HOTAIR and provide a diagnostic value for malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to radiosynthesis 99mTc with HOTAIR ASON and investigate the in vivo imaging in malignant glioma xenografts.Methods: The ASON targeting lncRNA HOTAIR as well as mismatched ASON probe (ASONM) were designed and modified. The radiolabeling of 99mTc with two probes were via the conjugation of bifunctional chelator HYNIC. Then probes were purified by Sephadex G25 and tested for their radiolabeling efficiency and purity, as well as stability by ITLC and gel electrophoresis. Then the radiolabeled probes were transfected with lipofectamine 2000 for cellular uptake test and the next experimental use. Furthermore, biodistribution study and SPECT imaging were performed at different times after probes were intravenously injected in glioma tumor-bearing mice models. All data were analyzed by statistical software.Results: The labeling efficiencies of 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON and 99mTc-HYNIC-ASONM measured by ITLC were (91 ±1.5) % and (90 ±0.6) %, respectively, and the radiochemical purity were more than 89%. The probes showed good stability within 12 hours. Gel electrophoresis confirmed that the oligomers were successfully radiolabeled no significant degradation was found. Cellular uptake experiment showed that liposomes had the ability to carry probes into cells. Biodistribution study demonstrated that liposome coated 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON had significantly higher uptake in the tumor and higher T/M ratio than the mismatched group. Meanwhile, the tumor was clearly shown at 1-hour post probe injection of liposome coated 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON on SPECT/CT imaging, no tumor was seen in mismatched and blocking group.Conclusion: The liposome encapsulated 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON probe can be used in the in vivo, real-time imaging of lncRNA HOTAIR expression in malignant glioma.

COVID19 Associated Painful Subacute Thyroiditis

Objective: Physicians should be aware that thyroiditis is a potential sequela of COVID-19 infection. Discussion: A 49-year-old female without any prior history of thyroid dysfunction presented with clinical and biochemical hyperthyroidism after a diagnosis of COVID-19 illness four months ago. At the time of thyroiditis diagnosis: free T4 was 1.52 ng/dL (normal, 0.76-1.46 ng/dL), TSH &lt;0.005 uIU/mL (normal, 0.358-3.74 uIU/mL), Thyroglobulin antibodies 2 IU/mL (normal, &lt;=1 IU/mL), TPO antibody 1 IU/mL (normal, &lt;9 IU/mL), ESR 5 mm/hr (normal, 0-20 mm/hr). Thyroid US showed no nodules or evidence of autoimmune thyroid disease or abnormal vascular flow. A radioactive iodine uptake test was performed through the primary care office. The test demonstrated symmetric, uniform radiotracer uptake in the right and left lobe. 24-hour uptake was low at 0.1% (normal 15-25%) indicating thyroiditis. Patient features consistent with the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis include suppressed TSH, diffuse tenderness on thyroid palpation, absent TPO/TG antibodies, and suppressed I-123 RAI uptake (&lt;1%) on 24-hour scan. Conclusion: There is limited data surrounding thyroid disease and COVID-19. It has been suggested that a possible sequela of COVID-19 is thyroiditis. Physicians caring for recovering COVID-19 patients should be aware of possible painful subacute thyroiditis and to check thyroid studies in persons with symptoms of thyrotoxicosis post-COVID-19.

Radiosynthesis of A Novel Antisense Imaging Probe Targeting LncRNA HOTAIR in Malignant Glioma.

Background: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOTAIR was manifested overexpressing and amplifying in many human carcinomas, which could serve as a useful target for cancer therapy. The 99mTc radiolabeled antisense oligonucleotides (ASON) could visualize the expression of HOTAIR and provide a diagnostic and therapeutic value for malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to radiosynthesis 99mTc with HOTAIR ASON and investigate the in vivo imaging in malignant glioma xenografts. Methods: The ASON targeting lncRNA HOTAIR as well as mismatched ASON probe (ASONM) were designed and modified. The radiolabeling of 99mTc with two probes was via the conjugation of bifunctional chelator HYNIC. Then the probes were purified by Sephadex G25 and tested for its radiolabeling efficiency and purity, as well as stability by iTLC and gel electrophoresis. Then the radiolabeled probes were transfected with lipofectamine 2000 for cellular uptake test and the next experimental use. Furthermore, biodistribution study and SPECT imaging was performed at different time after probes were intravenously injected in U87 tumor bearing nude mice models. All data were analyzed by statistical software. Results: The labeling efficiencies of 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON and 99mTc-HYNIC-ASONM measured by iTLC were (91 ±1.5) % and (90 ±0.6) %, respectively, and the radiochemical purity were more than 89%. The probes showed good stability within 12 hours for high radiochemical purity. Gel electrophoresis confirmed that the oligomers were successfully radiolabeled no significant degradation were found. Cellular uptake experiment showed that liposomes had ability to carry probes into cells. Biodistribution study demonstrated that liposome coated 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON had significantly higher uptake in the tumor and higher tumor to muscle ratio than mismatched group. Meanwhile tumor was clearly shown at 1 hours post probe injection of Liposome coated 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON on SPECT/CT imaging, compared with mismatched and blocking group. Conclusion: The Liposome encapsulated 99mTc-HYNIC-ASON probe can be radiosynthesized and used in the in vivo, real-time imaging of lncRNA HOTAIR expression in malignant glioma.

Focus on radioiodine-131 biokinetics: the influence of methylprednisolone on intratherapeutic effective half-life of 131I during radioiodine therapy of Graves’ disease

Aim Radioiodine therapy (RIT) may trigger the development of Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) or exacerbate pre-existing subclinical GO. Therefore, glucocorticoid administration is recommended for patients with pre-existing GO. Aim of this study was to analyze the influence of glucocorticoid therapy with methylprednisolone on intratherapeutic effective half-life (EHL) of radioiodine-131 in patients with Graves’ disease (GD) as recent studies showed an effect for prednisolone. Methods In a retrospective study, 264 patients with GD who underwent RIT without any additional antithyroid medication were evaluated. Intrathyroidal EHL was determined pre- and intratherapeutically. Patients with co-existing GO (n = 43) received methylprednisolone according to a fixed scheme starting 1 day prior to RIT, patients without GO (n = 221) did not receive any protective glucocorticoid medication. The ratios of EHL during RIT and during radioiodine uptake test (RIUT) were compared. Results Patients receiving methylprednisolone showed a slight decrease of the mean EHL from 5.63 d (RIUT) to 5.39 d (RIT) (p > 0.05). A comparable result was obtained in patients without glucocorticoids (5.71 d (RIUT) to 5.47 d (RIT); p > 0.05). The ratios of the EHL between RIT and RIUT failed to show a significant difference between the two groups. EHL is therefore not significantly influenced by an additional protective treatment with methylprednisolone. Conclusions In the present study a decreased intrathyroidal EHL under glucocorticoid medication with methylprednisolone could not be detected. Therefore, co-medication with methylprednisolone in patients with GO may be preferred to avoid an intratherapeutic decrease of EHL by accompanying protective glucocorticoides.

Foliar Application of Humic-Stabilized Nanoferrihydrite Resulted in an Increase in the Content of Iron in Wheat Leaves

The objective of this study was to synthesize iron (hydr)oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) stabilized by humic substances, and to estimate the feasibility of their use for foliar application on iron deficient plants. The IONPs were synthesized by rapid hydrolysis of iron(III) nitrate in a solution of potassium humate. The iron speciation and nanoparticle morphologies were characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The obtained sample of IONPs was applied at concentrations of 1- and 10-mM Fe, and 0.2% urea was used as an adjuvant. Wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L. cv. L15) were used for the iron uptake test. For both of the concentrations tested, spraying the nanoparticles resulted in a 70–75% higher iron content in wheat leaves compared to ferric ammonium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Fe-EDTA). The synergistic effect of humic substances acting as a surfactant seemed to promote an increase in the iron uptake of the ferrihydrite nanoparticles compared to the aqueous Fe-EDTA solution used in this study. We concluded that humic-stabilized IONPs are much better suited to foliar application as compared to soil amendment when applied as a source of iron for plants. This is because humic substances act as a capping agent for nanoparticles and the surfactants enhance iron penetration into the leaf.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of a new type of recombinant insulin Lisargine injection

Background Recombinant insulin Lisargine is a new type of insulin. In this study, we aimed to compare its pharmacodynamic (PD) and pharmacokinetic (PK) with Lantus. Methods The PD test was performed by exploring the effect of single administration on blood glucose of normal rats and STZ-induced diabetic rats, and the effect of multiple administrations on blood glucose of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Further PD tests include receptor affinity test, receptor autophosphorylation test and adipocyte glucose uptake test. Four IU and 8 IU per dog Lisargine was used for PK test, insulin was measured and area under curve (AUC) was calculated. Results With single injection, Lisargine 1.5 IU/kg had significant hypoglycemic effects at 1 and 2 h, similar to that of Lantus. Lisargine 5 IU/kg and 10 IU/kg lowered the blood glucose of STZ-induced diabetic rats at 1, 2, 4 & 6 h significantly. With multiple injections, Lantus lowered blood glucose at 2, 4 & 6 h, Lisargine 2.5 IU/kg, 5 IU/kg, and 10 IU/kg lowered blood glucose at 2 & 4 h significantly, compared with vehicle. There was no difference for receptor affinity test, receptor autophosphorylation test and adipocyte glucose uptake test between Lisargine and Lantus. The PK of Lisargine and Lantus of healthy Beagle dogs was very similar. Conclusions This animal study demonstrated that PK and PD of Lisargine and Lantus were similar, suggesting the bioequivalence of these products.