AN ENGINEERING MODEL FOR MULTICOMPONENT REVERSIBLE REACTION NETWORK

The treatment of a multicomponent reversible reaction network is extremely complicated because largenumber of rate constants must be precisely determined and because the calculation based on these rateconstants is tedious.In order to reduce the degrees of freedom of the process,the authors propose a methodin which the reactor and the separator are regarded as a whole.Based on this approach,an N-componentreversible reaction system can be dealt with as a two—component system.Consequently,a simple and ac-cessible way of the apparent rate determination is suggested.For fiist-order reactions,an explicit,simplifiedexpression has been derived for both lumped and distributed parameter reaction systems.

A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE THEORY OF THE SECOND AND THIRD ORDER DERIVATIVE ADSORPTION CHRONOPOTENTIOMETRY FOR A REVERSIBLE REACTION

The equations of the second and third order derivative curves of time with respect to potential for a reversible process in adsorption chronopotentiometry are derived and experimentally verified.

Ergodicity of Reversible Reaction Diffusion Processes with General Reaction Rates

In this paper,a class of reaction diffusion processes with general reaction rates is studied.A necessary and sufficient condition for the reversibility of this calss of reaction diffusion processes is given,and then the ergodicity of these processes is proved.

Identifying the stability of housekeeping genes to be used for the quantitative real-time PCR normalization in retinal tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

AIM:To investigate the stability of the seven housekeeping genes:beta-actin(ActB),glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH),18s ribosomal unit 5(18s),cyclophilin A(CycA),hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase(HPRT),ribosomal protein large P0(36B4)and terminal uridylyl transferase 1(U6)in the diabetic retinal tissue of rat model.METHODS:The expression of these seven genes in rat retinal tissues was determined using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)in two groups;normal control rats and streptozotocininduced diabetic rats.The stability analysis of gene expression was investigated using geNorm,NormFinder,BestKeeper,and comparative delta-Ct(ΔCt)algorithms.RESULTS:The 36B4 gene was stably expressed in the retinal tissues of normal control animals;however,it was less stable in diabetic retinas.The 18s gene was expressed consistently in both normal control and diabetic rats’retinal tissue.That this gene was the best reference for data normalisation in RT-qPCR studies that used the retinal tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Furthermore,there was no ideal gene stably expressed for use in all experimental settings.CONCLUSION:Identifying relevant genes is a need for achieving RT-qPCR validity and reliability and must be appropriately achieved based on a specific experimental setting.

Comparison of Perovskite Systems Based on AFeO_(3)(A=Ce,La,Y)in CO_(2) Hydrogenation to CO

CO_(2) is the most cost-eff ective and abundant carbon resource,while the reverse water-gas reaction(rWGS)is one of the most eff ective methods of CO_(2) utilization.This work presents a comparative study of rWGS activity for perovskite systems based on AFeO_(3)(where A=Ce,La,Y).These systems were synthesized by solution combustion synthesis(SCS)with diff erent ratios of fuel(glycine)and oxidizer(φ),diff erent amounts of NH 4 NO_(3),and the addition of alumina or silica as supports.Various techniques,including X-ray diff raction analysis,thermogravimetric analysis,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),scanning electron microscopy,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,N 2-physisorption,H_(2) temper-ature-programmed reduction,temperature-programmed desorption of H_(2) and CO_(2),Raman spectroscopy,and in situ FTIR,were used to relate the physicochemical properties with the catalytic performance of the obtained composites.Each specifi c perovskite-containing system(either bulk or supported)has its own optimalφand NH_(4) NO_(3) amount to achieve the highest yield and dispersion of the perovskite phase.Among all synthesized systems,bulk SCS-derived La-Fe-O systems showed the highest resistance to reducing environments and the easiest hydrogen desorption,outperforming La-Fe-O produced by solgel combustion(SGC).CO_(2) conversion into CO at 600°C for bulk ferrite systems,depending on the A-cation type and preparation method,follows the order La(SGC)<Y<Ce<La(SCS).The diff erences in properties between La-Fe-O obtained by the SCS and SGC methods can be attributed to diff erent ratios of oxygen and lanthanum vacancy contributions,hydroxyl coverage,morphology,and free iron oxide presence.In situ FTIR data revealed that CO_(2) hydrogenation occurs through formates generated under reaction conditions on the bulk system based on La-Fe-O,obtained by the SCS method.γ-Al_(2)O_(3) improves the dispersion of CeFeO_(3) and LaFeO_(3) phases,the specifi c surface area,and the quantity of adsorbed H_(2) and CO_(2).This led to a signifi cant increase in CO_(2) conversion for supported CeFeO_(3) but not for the La-based system compared to bulk and SiO_(2)-supported perovskite catalysts.However,adding alumina increased the activity per mass for both Ce-and La-based perovskite systems,reducing the amount of rare-earth components in the catalyst and thereby lowering the cost without substantially compromising stability.

Diagnosis of West Nile virus infections:Evaluation of different laboratory methods

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of West Nile virus(WNV)is challenging due to short-term and low-level viremia,flavivirus cross-reactivity,and long immunoglobulin M(IgM)persistence.AIM To evaluate different methods for WNV detection[reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),IgM/IgG antibodies,IgG avidity]in serum,cerebrospinal fluid(CSF),and urine samples of patients with confirmed WNV infection.METHODS The study included patients with confirmed WNV neuroinvasive infection(n=62),asymptomatic WNV seropositive individuals(n=22),and individuals with false-positive WNV IgM antibodies(n=30).WNV RNA was detected using RT-PCR.A commercial ELISA was used to detect WNV IgM/IgG antibodies with confirmation of cross-reactive samples using a virus neutralization test(VNT).IgG-positive samples were tested for IgG avidity.RESULTS The WNV-RNA detection rates were significantly higher in the urine(54.5%)/serum(46.4%)than in CSF(32.2%).According to the sampling time,the WNV-RNA detection rates in urine collected within 7 days/8-14/≥15 days were 29.4/66.6/62.5%(P=0.042).However,these differences were not observed in the CSF.The median RT-PCR cycle threshold values were significantly lower in urine(32.5,IQR=28-34)than in CSF(34.5,IQR=33-36).The frequency of positive WNV IgM and IgG significantly differed according to the sampling time in serum but not in CSF.Positive IgM/IgG antibodies were detected in 84.3/9.3%of serum samples collected within 7 days,100/71.1%of samples collected 8-14,and 100%samples collected after≥15 days.Recent WNV infection was confirmed by low/borderline avidity index(AI)in 13.6%of asymptomatic individuals.A correlation between ELISA and AI was strong negative for IgM and strong positive for IgG.No significant correlation between ELISA IgG and VNT was found.CONCLUSION The frequency of WNV RNA and antibody detection depends on the sampling time and type of clinical samples.IgG avidity could differentiate recent WNV infections from long-persisting IgM antibodies.

Epidemiological and Subtype Characterization of Influenza Viruses Infection in Children in Shenzhen, China during Three Consecutive Seasons (January 2016-December 2018)

Background: Children with seasonal influenza infection cause a significant burden of disease each year in the pediatric clinic. Influenza A and B viruses are the major types responsible for illness. A better understanding of the periodicity facilitates the prevention and control of influenza in children. Objective: This study aims to analyze the epidemiological patterns and subtype characterization of influenza viruses among children in Shenzhen, China. Methods: Influenza samples were collected by nasopharyngeal swabs from influenza like illness patients in Shenzhen Children’s Hospital from January 2016 to December 2018. The positive cases and influenza subtypes were determined by gold labeled antigen detection and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The influenza periodicity and age, subtype distribution as well as the association between climate parameters and different influenza subtypes were analyzed by SPSS 22.0. Results: The influenza positive rate during 2016-2018 was 21.0%, with a highest positive rate in the year 2018. The positive rate varied by month, season, and year describing a sequence of peaks presenting primarily in all year including spring, summer and winter. The characteristics of influenza peak were different in each year, with a spring peak in 2016 and a summer plus a winter-spring peaks in 2017 and 2018. In addition, influenza B exhibited a winter-spring seasonal pattern while influenza A displayed a more variable seasonality, highlighting influenza B rather than influenza A which had a negative association with climate parameters. Influenza-positive cases were older than influenza-negative cases (P P Conclusion: Influenza activity in children from Shenzhen typically displays both winter-spring and summer peaks. Influenza A epidemic occurred separately or co-circulated with influenza B, with a winter-spring pattern for influenza B and a much more variable seasonality for influenza A. Influenza B had a negative association with climate parameters. In addition, hospitalization with influenza often occurs in younger individuals infected with influenza A.

Reverse water gas shift reaction over Co-precipitated Ni-CeO_2 catalysts

The Ni-CeO2 catalysts with different Ni contents were prepared by a co-precipitation method and used for Reverse Water Gas Shift （RWGS） reaction. 2wt.%Ni-CeO2 showed excellent catalytic performance in terms of activity, selectivity, and stability for RWGS reaction. Characterizations of the catalyst samples were conducted by XRD and TPR. The results indicated that, in Ni-CeO2 catalysts, there were three kinds of nickel, nickel ions in ceria lattice, highly dispersed NiO and bulk NiO. Oxygen vacancies were formed in CeO2 lattice due to the incorporation of Ni^2＋ ions into ceria lattice. Oxygen vacancies formed in ceria lattice and highly dispersed Ni were key active components for RWGS, and bulk Ni was key active component for methanation of CO2.

Enhanced Reversible Zinc Ion Intercalation in Deficient Ammonium Vanadate for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Battery

Ammonium vanadate with bronze structure(NH_(4)V_(4)O_(10))is a promising cathode material for zinc-ion batteries due to its high specific capacity and low cost.However,the extraction of NH^(+)_(4) at a high voltage during charge/discharge processes leads to irreversible reaction and structure degradation.In this work,partial NH^(+)_(4) ions were pre-removed from NH_(4)V_(4)O_(10) through heat treatment;NH_(4)V_(4)O_(10) nanosheets were directly grown on carbon cloth through hydrothermal method.Defi-cient NH_(4)V_(4)O_(10)(denoted as NVO),with enlarged interlayer spacing,facilitated fast zinc ions transport and high storage capacity and ensured the highly reversible electrochemical reaction and the good stability of layered structure.The NVO nanosheets delivered a high specific capac-ity of 457 mAh g^(−1) at a current density of 100 mA g^(−1) and a capacity retention of 81%over 1000 cycles at 2 A g^(−1).The initial Coulombic efficiency of NVO could reach up to 97%compared to 85%of NH_(4)V_(4)O_(10) and maintain almost 100%during cycling,indicating the high reaction reversibility in NVO electrode.

Molybdenum carbide clusters for thermal conversion of CO2 to CO via reverse water-gas shift reaction

Molybdenum carbides are highly active for CO2 conversion to CO via the reverse water-gas shift(RWGS)reaction, however the large grain size up to micrometers renders its relatively lower active sites utilization efficiency while generating CH4 as a by-product. In this work, a homogeneously dispersed molybdenum carbide hybrid catalyst with sub-nanosized cluster(the average size as small as 0.5 nm) is prepared via a facile carbothermal treatment for highly selective CO2-CO reduction. The partially disordered Mo2C clusters are characterized by synchrotron high-resolution XRD and atomic resolution HAADF-STEM analysis, for which the source cause of the disorder is pinpointed by XAFS analysis to be the nitrogen intercalants from the carbonaceous precursor. The partially disordered Mo2C clusters show a RWGS rate as high as 184.4 μmol gMo2C-1s-1 at 400 ℃ with a superior selectivity toward CO(> 99.5%). This work 2 highlights a facile strategy for fabricating highly dispersed and partially disordered Mo2C clusters at a sub-nano size with beneficial N-doping for delivering high catalytic activity and operational stability.

A Novel γ-Alumina Supported Fe-Mo Bimetallic Catalyst for Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction

In reverse water gas shift （RWGS） reaction COa is converted to CO which in turn can be used to pro- duce beneficial chemicals such as methanol. In the present study, Mo/AlaO3, Fe/AlaO3 and Fe-Mo/Al2O3 catalysts were synthesised using impregnation method. The structures of catalysts were studied using X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller （BET） method, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer （ICP-AES）, temperature programmed reduction （H2-TPR）, CO chemisorption, energy dispersive X-ray （EDX） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） techniques. Kinetic properties of all catalysts were investigated in a batch re- actor for RWGS reaction. The results indicated that Mo existence in structure of Fe-Mo/AlzO3 catalyst enhances its activity as compared to Fe/AlaO3. This enhancement is probably due to better Fe dispersion and smaller particle size of Fe species. Stability test of Fe-Mo/AlzO3 catalyst was carried out in a fixed bed reactor and a high CO yield for 60 h of time on stream was demonstrated. Fez（MoO4）3 phase was found in the structures of fresh and used catalysts. TPR results also indicate that Fez（MoO4）3 phase has low reducibility, therefore the Fe2（MoO4）3 phase significantly inhibits the reduction of the remaining Fe oxides in the catalyst, resulted in high stability of Fe-Mo/Al2O3 catalyst. Overall, this study introduces Fe-Mo/Al2O3 as a novel catalyst with high CO yield, almost no by-products and fairly stable for RWGS reaction.

Detection of circulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells in peripheral venous blood by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction

Objective: To detect circulating hepatocellular carcino-ma by demonstrating hepatocellular carcinoma cells orhepatocyte-associated mRNA in the nuclear cell com-ponent of peripheral blood (PBL).Methods: Peripheral blood (5 ml) samples were ob-tained from 93 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and from 33 control subjects (9 with liver cir-rhosis after hepatitis B,14 with chronic hepatitis B,10with normal liver function). To identify HCC cells inperipheral blood, liver-specific human alpha-fetopro-tein (AFP) mRNA was amplified from total RNA ex-tracted from whole blood by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Results: AFPmRNA was detected in 50 blood samplesfrom the HCC patients (50/93, 53.8%). In contrast,there were no clinical control patients whose samplesshowed detectable AFPmRNA in PBL. The presence ofAFPmRNA in blood seemed to be correlated with thestage (by TNM classification) of HCC, the serum AFPvalue, and the presence of intrahepatic metastasis,portal vein thrombosis, tumor diameter and/or distantmetastasis. In addition, AFPmRNA was detected in theblood of 21 patients with metastasis at extrahepaticorgans (100%) in contrast to 29 (40.3%)of 72 pa-tients without metastasis.Conclusion: The presence of AFPmRNA in peripheralblood may be an indicator of malignant hepatocytes,which might predict hematogenous spreading metasta-sis of tumor cells in patients with HCC.

High Initial Reversible Capacity and Long Life of Ternary SnO_(2)-Co-carbon Nanocomposite Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The two major limitations in the application of SnO_2 for lithium?ion battery(LIB) anodes are the large volume variations of SnO_2 during repeated lithiation/delithiation processes and a large irreversible capacity loss during the first cycle, which can lead to a rapid capacity fade and unsatisfactory initial Coulombic e ciency(ICE). To overcome these limitations, we developed composites of ultrafine SnO_2 nanoparticles and in situ formed Co(CoSn) nanocrystals embedded in an N?doped carbon matrix using a Co?based metal–organic framework(ZIF?67). The formed Co additives and structural advantages of the carbon?confined SnO_2/Co nanocomposite e ectively inhibited Sn coarsening in the lithiated SnO_2 and mitigated its structural degradation while facilitating fast electronic transport and facile ionic di usion. As a result, the electrodes demonstrated high ICE (82.2%), outstanding rate capability(～ 800 mAh g^(-1) at a high current density of 5 A g^(-1)), and long?term cycling stability(～ 760 mAh g^(-1) after 400 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g^(-1)). This study will be helpful in developing high?performance Si(Sn)?based oxide, Sn/Sb?based sulfide, or selenide electrodes for LIBs. In addition, some metal organic frameworks similar to ZIF?67 can also be used as composite templates.

Hepatitis C virus in human B lymphocytes transformed by Epstein-Barr virus in vitro by in situ reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction

AIM: To study persistence and replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured in vitro. METHODS: Epstein Barr virus (EBV) was used to transform the hepatitis C virus from a HCV positive patient to permanent lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). Positive and negative HCV RNA strands of the cultured cells and growth media were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) each month. Core and NS5 proteins of HCV were further tested using immunohistochemical SP method and in situ RT-PCR. RESULTS: HCV RNA positive strands were consistently detected the cultured cells for one year. The negative-strand RNA in LCL cells and the positive-strand RNA in supernatants were observed intermittently. Immunohistochemical results medicated expression of HCV NS3 and C proteins in LCL cytoplasm mostly. The positive signal of PCR product was dark blue and mainly localized to the LCL cytoplasm. The RT-PCR signal was eliminated by overnight RNase digestion but not DNase digestion. CONCLUSION: HCV may exist and remain functional in a cultured cell line for a long period.

COMBINED DETECTION OF BREAST CANCER MICROMETASTASES IN THE LYMPH NODES AND BONE MARROW USING REVERSETRANSCRIPTASE CHAIN REACTION AND SOUTHERN HYBRIDIZATION

Objective: The presence of lymph nodes and bone marrow micrometastases of patients with breast carcinoma by immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods has been strongly correlated to early recurrence and shorter overall survival. The aim of this study was to detect micrometastases in matched sample pairs of lymph nodes and the bone marrow of primary breast cancer patients using a more sensitive method, and compare with other clinical parameters. Methods: Cytokeratin 19 (CK-19) gene mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern blot hybridization. Human breast cancer cell line T47D was mixed with bone marrow cells at different proportions. The positive detection rate was compared among RT-PCR, Southern blotting and IHC methods. Results: Cytokeratin 19 gene was expressed in all 6 positive control samples, while the expression wasn’t seen in 18 negative control samples. CK-19 IHC positive cells were detected at a dilution of one T47D cell in 5×105 bone marrow cells, while the sensitivity detected by PCR and Southern blot hybridization was at 1:5×104 and 1:106, respectively. In the samples from the 35 patients, we found CK-19 positive cells in 2 cases (5.7%) by IHC. CK-19 gene expression signal was detected in 14/35 (40%) by RT-PCR, and 17/35 (48.6%) by southern blotting. Four cases were micrometastases positive both in lymph node and bone marrow (11.4%). There was no correlation between CK-19 detection and other clinical parameters. Conclusion: combined detection of micrometastases in lymph node and bone marrow by RT-PCR and Southern blotting, using CK-19 as a biological marker, is a highly sensitive method for breast cancer.

Exogenous reference gene normalization for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis under dynamic endogenous transcription

Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （qPCR） is widely used to investigate transcriptional changes following experimental manipulations to the nervous system. Despite the widespread utilization of qPCR, the interpretation of results is marred by the lack of a suitable reference gene due to the dynamic nature of endogenous transcription. To address this inherent deficiency, we investigated the use of an exogenous spike-in mRNA, luciferase, as an internal reference gene for the 2ct normalization method. To induce dynamic transcription, we systemically administered capsaicin, a neurotoxJn selective for C-type sensory neurons expressing the TRPV-1 receptor, to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We later isolated nodose ganglia for qPCR analysis with the reference being either exogenous luciferase mRNA or the commonly used endogenous reference 13-111 tubulin. The exogenous luciferase mRNA reference clearly demonstrated the dynamic expression of the endogenous reference. Furthermore, variability of the endogenous reference would lead to misinterpretation of other genes of interest. In conclusion, traditional reference genes are often unstable under physiologically normal situations, and certainly unstable following the damage to the nervous system. The use of exogenous spike-in reference provides a consistent and easily implemented alternative for the analysis of qPCR data.

Positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay results in patients recovered from COVID-19: Report of two cases

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has spread around the globe.On February 28,2020,the World Health Organization adjusted the risk of spread and impact of COVID-19 to“very high”at the global level.Studies have mainly focused on the etiology,epidemiology,and treatment of COVID-19 to limit further spread and the negative impact of the disease,while less attention has been devoted to the follow-up and reexamination of patients who recovered from COVID-19 or were released from quarantine.CASE SUMMARY This study reports two cases where patients who had negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)test results and met the criteria for discharge subsequently had positive RT-PCR test results.The clinical manifestations and computed tomography(CT)findings of these patients were examined.The conversion of RT-PCR test results in these two patients may be related to false-negative and false-positive outcomes of the test.CT images helped track improvement of pulmonary lesions.CONCLUSION The timing of discharge of COVID-19 patients should be determined by comprehensive analysis of CT images and RT-PCR test results.

Expression of the B-Cell Lymphoma/Leukemia 11A Gene in Malignant Hematological Cell Lines through Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction

The B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A （BCL11A） gene is essential for normal lymphoid development and has been associated with hematological malignancies. In the current study, the relative expression level of BCL11A in malignant hematological cell lines was evaluated through real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （qRT-PCR）. METHODS The relative expression level of BCLllA mRNA in malignant hematological cell lines was determined through qRT- PCR using SYBR Green I dye. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydro- genase was used as the reference gene to confirm the relative expression level of BCL11A gene mRNA. RESULTS The relative expression level of BCL11A mRNA in cell lines from B-cell malignancies was significantly higher compared with that from acute rnyeloid leukemia （P 〈 0.05）. Different cell lines with malignant B-cells exhibited a wide range of BCL11A expressions ranging from 27.37 to 93.38. CONCLUSION The overexpression of BCL11A gene mRNA in malignant B-cells might play a role in B-cell lymphoma/leukemia.

Quantification of Porcine Follicle-stimulating Hormone Receptor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid by Reverse Transcription competitive Polymerase Chain Reaction

An easy and reliable method was developed for construction and quantification of competitive templates, which shared the same sequence as the amplified target DNA except for a 20 bp insertion in the middle by recombinant polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among the advantages of competitive PCR is that any predictable or unpredictable variable that affects amplification has the same effect on both target and competitor species and that the final ratio of amplified products reflects exactly the initial targets. The utilization of a thermostable reverse transcriptase in the RT step was proposed to overcome the problem of the efficiency of target cDNA synthesis. In addition, to obtain reliable measurements, it was recommended to perform four PCR with amounts of competitive template flanking the concentration of the target mRNA.

Selective synthesis of carbon monoxide via formates in reverse water–gas shift reaction over alumina-supported gold catalyst

Thermal decomposition of formic acid on SiO2, CeO2 and γ-Al2O3 was studied as an elementary step of reverse water–gas shit reaction（RWGS） over supported Au catalysts. γ-Al2O3 showed the highest CO selectivity among the tested oxides in the decomposition of formic acid. Infrared spectroscopy showed the formation of four formate species on γ-Al2O3： three η~1-type and one μ~2-type species, and these formates decomposed to CO at 473 K or higher. Au-loaded γ-Al2O3 samples were prepared by a depositionprecipitation method and used as catalysts for RWGS. The supported Au catalyst gave CO with high selectivity over 99% from CO2 and H2, which is attributed to the formation of formates on Au and subsequent decomposition to CO on γ-Al2O3.