Molecular epidemiology analysis of symptomatic and asymptomatic norovirus infections in Chinese infants.

Background: Norovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among children. Previous studies based on symptomatic infections indicated that mutations, rather than recombination drove the evolution of the norovirus ORF2. These characteristics were found in hospital-based symptomatic infections, whereas, asymptomatic infections are frequent and contribute significantly to transmission.

Uncovering the Heterogeneity and Clinical Relevance of Circulating Tumor-Initiating Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using an Integrated Immunomagnetic-Microfluidic Platform.

Circulating tumor-initiating cells (CTICs) with stem cell-like properties play pivotal roles in tumor metastasis and recurrence. However, little is known about the biology and clinical relevance of CTICs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we investigated the molecular heterogeneity and clinical relevance of CTICs in HCC using a novel integrated immunomagnetic-microfluidic platform (iMAC).

CD155/SRC complex promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via inhibiting the p38 MAPK signalling pathway and correlates with poor prognosis.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignancy with poor prognosis. As a cell adhesion molecule, poliovirus receptor (PVR/CD155) is abnormally overexpressed in tumour cells, and related to tumour proliferation and invasion. However, the potential role and mechanism of CD155 have not yet been elucidated in HCC.

[Soil meso- and micro-fauna community structures in different urban forest types in Shanghai, China.].

Soil meso- and micro-fauna of four urban forest types in Shanghai were investigated in four months which include April 2014, July 2014, October 2014 and January 2015. A total of 2190 soil fauna individuals which belong to 6 phyla, 15 classes and 22 groups were collected. The dominant groups were Nematoda and Arcari, accounting for 56.

[Adsorption Characteristics of Nitrate and Phosphate from Aqueous Solution on Zirconium-Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride Modified Activated Carbon].

A novel adsorbent material, i.e., zirconium-cationic surfactant modified activated carbon (ZrSMAC) was prepared by loading zirconium hydroxide and hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) on activated carbon, and was used as an adsorbent for nitrate and phosphate removal from aqueous solution.

Photothermal synthesis of ultrafine Cu(x)O nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes for photosensitized degradation.

We exploit a facile strategy for photothermal synthesis (PTS) of CuxO nanoparticles (NPs) on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) suspended in solution, where the pulsed laser can penetrate through the liquid unimpeded and heat the CNTs selectively to a high temperature, thereafter, the hot CNTs trigger the chemical reactions to produce CuxO NPs directly on the CNT surface. PTS yields ultrafine NPs with sizes of 3-5 nm, which distribute evenly and connect tightly with CNTs. The CuxO-CNTs composite shows excellent photocatalytic properties due to its cascade energy structure, smooth electron transfer between NPs and CNTs, and elimination of structural defects in CNTs by laser heating.

Gain high-quality colloidal quantum dots directly from natural minerals.

Green and simple synthesis of high-quality colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) is of great importance and highly anticipated yet not fully implemented. Herein, we achieve the direct conversion of natural minerals to highly uniform, crystalline lead sulfide CQDs based on laser irradiation in liquid. The trivial fragmentation of mineral particles by an intense nanosecond laser was found to create a localized high degree of monomer supersaturation in oleic acid, initiating the LaMer growth of uniform CQDs.

[Synthesis of hydroxyapatite/magnetite/zeolite composite for Congo red removal from aqueous solution].

In this study, a novel hydroxyapatite/magnetite/zeolite (HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo) composite was prepared, characterized and used as an adsorbent to remove Congo red (CR) from aqueous solution. The adsorption characteristics of CR from aqueous solution on the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite were investigated using batch experiments. Results showed that the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite was effective for the removal of CR from aqueous solution.

[Removal of nitrate from aqueous solution using cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)-modified activated carbon as the adsorbent].

Surfactant-modified activated carbon (SMAC) was prepared by loading cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) onto activated carbon and used as adsorbents to remove nitrate from aqueous solution. The SMAC was effective for removing nitrate from aqueous solution. The SMAC exhibited much higher nitrate adsorption capacity than that of the unmodified activated carbon.