Chemical Bonds Formed in Solid Wood by Reaction with Maleic Anhydride and Sodium Hypophosphite.

The reaction of wood with maleic anhydride (MA) and sodium hypophosphite (SHP) has been identified as a viable modification method, with macroscopical properties indicating formation of cross-linking to explain the results. However, the chemical reaction between wood and the modification reagents has not been studied yet. To resolve this, the reaction was studied with solid-state C cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning (CP-MAS) and P MAS nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to reveal the formation of bonds between wood components, MA and SHP during the treatments to explain the formation of cross-linking and the possible fixation of phosphorus in wood.

Overview of Lymphatic Muscle Cells in Development, Physiology, and Disease.

Lymphatic muscle cells (LMCs) are indispensable for proper functioning of the lymphatic system, as they provide the driving force for lymph transport. Recent studies have advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate LMCs, which control rhythmic contraction and vessel tone of lymphatic vessels-traits also found in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle. In this review, we discuss the molecular pathways that orchestrate LMC-mediated contractility and summarize current knowledge about their developmental origin, which may shed light on the distinct contractile characteristics of LMCs.

Lymphatic system regulation of anti-cancer immunity and metastasis.

Cancer dissemination to lymph nodes (LN) is associated with a worse prognosis, increased incidence of distant metastases and reduced response to therapy. The LN microenvironment puts selective pressure on cancer cells, creating cells that can survive in LN as well as providing survival advantages for distant metastatic spread. Additionally, the presence of cancer cells leads to an immunosuppressive LN microenvironment, favoring the evasion of anti-cancer immune surveillance.

Transcriptional, developmental, and functional parallels of lymphatic and venous smooth muscle.

Lymphatic muscle cells (LMCs) are indispensable for lymphatic vessel contraction and their aberrant recruitment or absence is associated with both primary and secondary lymphedema. Despite their critical role in lymphatic vessel function, the transcriptomic and developmental basis that confer the unique contractile properties to LMCs are largely undefined. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), lineage tracing and imaging to investigate the basis for the hybrid cardiomyocyte and blood vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) characteristics that have been described for LMCs.

Phosphorylated and carbamylated Kraft lignin for improving fire- and biological-resistance of Scots pine wood.

In this study, Kraft lignin was modified by ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) and urea for achieving phosphorylation and carbamylation, aiming to protect wood against biological and fire attack. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood was impregnated with a water solution containing Kraft lignin, ADP, and urea, followed by heat treatment at 150 °C, resulting in changes in the properties of the Kraft lignin as well as the wood matrix.

Psychosocial stressors and breast cancer gene expression in the Black Women's Health Study.

Purpose: Prior studies indicate that the physiologic response to stress can affect gene expression. We evaluated differential gene expression in breast cancers collected from Black women with high versus low exposure to psychosocial stressors.

Methods: We analyzed tumor RNA sequencing data from 417 Black Women's Health Study breast cancer cases with data on early life trauma and neighborhood disadvantage.

Particleboards Bonded by an Imidazole-Based Adhesive System.

Particleboards with different combinations of the adhesive material imidazole, citric acid, and sorbitol were produced. Softwood sawdust from a Swedish sawmill was mixed with an aqueous solution of the chemicals and then dried to 0% moisture content prior to pressing. The boards were pressed to a target density of 700 kg m at either 200 °C or 220 °C for 10 min.

The tumor-draining lymph node as a reservoir for systemic immune surveillance.

Early in solid tumor development, antigens are presented in tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLNs), a process that is necessary to set up immune surveillance. Recent evidence indicates that tdLNs fuel systemic tumor-specific T cell responses which may halt cancer progression and facilitate future responses to immunotherapy. These protective responses, however, are subject to progressive dysfunction exacerbated by lymph node (LN) metastasis.

The Influence of the Initial Treatment of Oak Wood on Increasing the Durability of Exterior Transparent Coating Systems.

This study determined the impact of undertaking an initial treatment of oak wood by sealing its surface pores with epoxy resin, focusing on the durability of transparent coating systems when exposed outdoors. Throughout the exposure period, various parameters including color, gloss, surface wettability, and both macroscopic and microscopic surface evaluation were continuously monitored. The study involved two sets of samples: one set underwent the pretreatment, while the other did not.

Cancer cell plasticity and MHC-II-mediated immune tolerance promote breast cancer metastasis to lymph nodes.

Tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) are important for tumor antigen-specific T cell generation and effective anticancer immune responses. However, TDLNs are often the primary site of metastasis, causing immune suppression and worse outcomes. Through cross-species single-cell RNA-Seq analysis, we identified features defining cancer cell heterogeneity, plasticity, and immune evasion during breast cancer progression and lymph node metastasis (LNM).

"Isolation and characterization of a novel hormone receptor positive mammary adenocarcinoma MCa-P1362 with stromal drivers of tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistance".

Preclinical models that display spontaneous metastasis are necessary to improve therapeutic options for hormone receptor positive breast cancers. In this study, we conducted a detailed cellular and molecular characterization of MCa-P1362, a novel syngeneic Balb/c mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. MCa-P1362 cancer cells expressed estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and HER-2 receptors.

High Leach-Resistant Fire-Retardant Modified Pine Wood () by In Situ Phosphorylation and Carbamylation.

The exterior application of fire-retardant (FR) timber necessitates it to have high durability because of the possibility to be exposed to rainfall. In this study, water-leaching resistance of FR wood has been imparted by grafting phosphate and carbamate groups of the water-soluble FR additives ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP)/urea onto the hydroxyl groups of wood polymers via vacuum-pressure impregnation, followed by drying/heating in hot air. A darker and more reddish wood surface was observed after the modification.

Dissection of murine collecting lymphatic vessels for imaging, single-cell analysis, and tissue culture of lymphatic muscle cells.

and systems have the potential to provide a framework to study the organization, gene expression, and functionality of lymphatic and blood vessel smooth muscle cells in physiology and disease settings. A series of procedures are described here, including the surgical isolation of mouse collecting lymphatic vessels and blood vessels, whole-mount immunofluorescence staining of muscle cells on the vessels, and the enzymatic digestion and culture of α- smooth muscle actin+ cells from the vessels. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Jones et al.

Fire Retardancy and Leaching Resistance of Furfurylated Pine Wood ( L.) Treated with Guanyl-Urea Phosphate.

Guanyl-urea phosphate (GUP) was introduced into furfurylated wood in order to improve fire retardancy. Modified wood was produced via vacuum-pressure impregnation of the GUP-furfuryl alcohol (FA) aqueous solution, which was then polymerized at elevated temperature. The water leaching resistance of the treated wood was tested according to European standard EN 84, while the leached water was analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS).

Solid stress impairs lymphocyte infiltration into lymph-node metastases.

Strong and durable anticancer immune responses are associated with the generation of activated cancer-specific T cells in the draining lymph nodes. However, cancer cells can colonize lymph nodes and drive tumour progression. Here, we show that lymphocytes fail to penetrate metastatic lesions in lymph nodes.

Decision Making and Interventions During Interfacility Transport of High-Acuity Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection.

Objective: There are limited data regarding the typical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients requiring interfacility transport or the clinical capabilities of the out-of-hospital transport clinicians required to provide safe transport. The objective of this study is to provide epidemiologic data and highlight the clinical skill set and decision making needed to transport critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of persons under investigation for COVID-19 transported during the first 6 months of the pandemic by Johns Hopkins Lifeline was performed.

Approaching Highly Leaching-Resistant Fire-Retardant Wood by In Situ Polymerization with Melamine Formaldehyde Resin.

The objective of the work was to improve the leaching resistance of fire-retardant (FR) modified wood by the incorporation of a thermoset resin. Here, Scots pine ( L.) sapwood was impregnated with melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin and hydrophilic FRs guanyl-urea phosphate/boric acid by a vacuum-pressure treatment.

The Multifaceted Effects of Breast Cancer on Tumor-Draining Lymph Nodes.

Breast cancer (BC) accounts for significant morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. About one in three patients with breast cancer present with lymph node (LN) metastasis and LN status is one of the most important prognostic predictors in patients with BC. In addition to their prognostic value, LNs initiate adaptive immunity against BC.

Extending the Near-Infrared Emission Range of Indium Phosphide Quantum Dots for Multiplexed Imaging.

This report of the reddest emitting indium phosphide quantum dots (InP QDs) to date demonstrates tunable, near-infrared (NIR) photoluminescence (PL) as well as PL multiplexing in the first optical tissue window while avoiding toxic constituents. This synthesis overcomes the InP "growth bottleneck" and extends the emission peak of InP QDs deeper into the first optical tissue window using an inverted QD heterostructure, specifically ZnSe/InP/ZnS core/shell/shell nanoparticles. The QDs exhibit InP shell thickness-dependent tunable emission with peaks ranging from 515-845 nm.

Influence of Zwitterionic Buffer Effects with Thermal Modification Treatments of Wood on Symbiotic Protists in Clément.

The majority of thermal modification processes are at temperatures greater than 180 °C, resulting in a product with some properties enhanced and some diminished (e.g., mechanical properties).

Parallels of Resistance between Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis Inhibition in Cancer Therapy.

Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related mortality. Cancer cells primarily metastasize via blood and lymphatic vessels to colonize lymph nodes and distant organs, leading to worse prognosis. Thus, strategies to limit blood and lymphatic spread of cancer have been a focal point of cancer research for several decades.

Utilization of Resources by Patients Who Are Morbid and Super Obese Admitted to a Tertiary Care Center.

Objectives: Data regarding the characteristics of patients who are morbidly and super obese, and the resources they use in nonbariatric hospital settings are limited. The aims of our study were to explore the frequency of inpatient admissions of patients who are morbid (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 40 kg/m) and super obese (BMI ≥ 50 kg/m), their specific characteristics, and to identify their utilization of hospital services and resources, 30-day readmission rates, safe patient handling equipment, and patient clinical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult patients hospitalized at our institution (n = 1670) who are morbidly obese or super obese.