Yeast-derived nanoparticles remodel the immunosuppressive microenvironment in tumor and tumor-draining lymph nodes to suppress tumor growth

Microbe-based cancer immunotherapy has recently emerged as a hot topic for cancer treatment. However, serious limitations remain including infection associated side-effect and unsatisfactory outcomes in clinic trials. Here, we fabricate different sizes of nano-formulations derived from yeast cell wall (YCW NPs) by differential centrifugation. The induction of anticancer immunity of our formulations appears to inversely correlate with their size due to the ability to accumulate in tumor-draining lymph node (TDLN). Moreover, we use a percolation model to explain their distribution behavior toward TDLN. The abundance and functional orientation of each effector component are significantly improved not only in the microenvironment in tumor but also in the TDLN following small size YCW NPs treatment. In combination with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade, we demonstrate anticancer efficiency in melanoma-challenged mice. We delineate potential strategy to target immunosuppressive microenvironment by microbe-based nanoparticles and highlight the role of size effect in microbe-based immune therapeutics.

Interfacial reactions between impurities and slag onset of Si purification by slag addition

The interfacial reactions between impurities (Al and Ti) and slag onset of Si purification by 51 mol% SiO2–34 mol% CaO–15 mol% MgO slag addition were studied to enhance impurity removal efficiency from Si. The Al distribution behavior at the Si/Slag interface was investigated; a short reaction time (10 s) resulted in the formation of successive SiO2–CaO–MgO–Al2O3 layers in the slag with a thickness of 10 µm; increasing the reaction time (60 s) resulted in the entire ternary slag being changed into SiO2–CaO–MgO–Al2O3 quaternary slag due to the diffusion of Al2O3. It was shown that the highest impurity removal rate of Al could be achieved at the onset of the slag refining process. Based on the Ti distribution at the Si/slag interface, the slag refinement with 51 mol% SiO2–34 mol% CaO–15 mol% MgO had no effect on Ti removal.

PETROGENETIC MODELING OF THE GRANITIC ROCKS IN AND AROUND LODHMA, DIST RANCHI, JHARKHAND, INDIA

The Lodhma area, in the Ranchi district, constitutes the central segment of Chotanagpur Granite Gneissic Complex ( CGGC) and falls in the northeastern segment of Survey of India toposheet number 73E/4. The CGGC is mainly composed of variants of granitic rocks, amphibolites and metasedimentaries. The granitic rocks find good exposure in the area. They comprise predominantly of granite gneisses, crystalline massive granites and migmatites showing noticeable variations in mineralogy, texture, structure and associations. The regional strike of the lithounits of the area show almost E-W trend. However ambient structural controls have brought about local changes in the strike direction. The area has witnessed at least three phases of deformations which is reflected by three generations of folds, which are generally isoclinals. Petrogenetic characterization of granitic rocks and its variants in the area has been attempted using various geochemical tools involving major/ trace element studies and Niggli values. S –type parentage of these Granites have been established on the basis of distribution behavior of various chemical components present in it, thereby indicating role of pelitic schists in the generation of anatectic melt, which ultimately crystallized into granites. S-type lineage of these granites has also been further cemented with the help of several well established binary and ternary variation diagrams

Política de Dividendos e Períodos de Recessão: Evidências no Mercado de Capitais Brasileiro

Objective: To observe the dividend distribution behavior of Brazilian stock market [B]³ listed companies, comparing periods of expansion and recession in the Brazilian economy.Method: Two panel data models were carried out, with the payout index and the dividend yield index as dependent variables and a dummy classified as 1 for years of economic recession and 0 for years of economic rise as an independent variable. In addition, the financial leverage, size and earnings per share control variables were added to the model.Originality/Relevance: The study addressed the distribution of dividends according to the cycle of the Brazilian economy, which makes the research original, since no similar studies were found.Results: Regardless of the proxy used for dividend distribution, companies increase dividend distribution in periods of recession, when there is greater market uncertainty. Regarding the control variables, for the model estimated using the proxy payout index, all variables were significant, while for the model that has the proxy dividend yield as a dependent variable, earnings per share were not significant.Theoretical/Methodological contributions: Identification of the economic aspect in the dividend policy of Brazilian companies and in the creation of value for shareholders in periods of economic recession.

Precipitation and Distribution Behavior of In Situ-Formed TiB Whiskers in Ti64 Composites Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting

The precipitation and distribution behaviors of in situ-formed titanium boride whiskers (TiB) in TiBw-reinforced Ti-6%Al-4%V (Ti64) composites fabricated from an elemental mixture of Ti64 alloy powder and TiB2 particles by selective laser melting were investigated. The primary precipitation of TiB whiskers strongly depends on B content. For a B content of less than 2 mass%, when the liquid → β-phase transformation occurred and B atoms were discharged, the B-enriched area formed around the β-phase resulted in the generation of TiB whiskers and their agglomeration at the prior β-grain boundaries. When the B content was over 2 mass%, TiB whiskers directly precipitated from the liquid phase and moved to the molten pool boundary via Marangoni convection. As a result, the TiB whiskers were located along the boundary. Furthermore, B-enrichment caused a decrease in the liquidus temperature and thus obstructed β-grain coarsening, and as a result, fine equiaxed α’-grains formed during the phase transformation.