Initial Uptake Research Articles

Green Nanoengineered Keratin Derived Bio‐Adsorbent for Heavy Metals Removal from Aqueous Media

AbstractExploiting poultry chicken feathers, a keratin‐rich by‐product offers a sustainable raw material for bio‐adsorbents in water remediation. This study developed a bio‐adsorbent from chicken feathers keratin (CFK), functionalized with surface‐modified graphene oxide (SMGO). The bio‐adsorbent was tested for adsorbing metal cations (Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Co) and oxyanions (As, Se, Cr) from water contaminated with 600 µg/L of each metal at pH 5.5, 7.5, and 10.5. Results showed optimal removal efficiencies at pH 7.5, with anions achieving ≥91.10% for As (III), ≥89.55% for Cr (VI), and ≥74.33% for Se (IV). Cations removal reached 96.34% for Co (II), 97.36% for Ni (II), 99.03% for Cd (II), 99.21% for Pb (II), and 59.06% for Zn (II). Kinetic studies indicated rapid initial uptake within the first 6 hours, reaching equilibrium at 24 hours. The bio‐adsorbent maintained high adsorption capacities over four regeneration cycles with minimal efficiency loss, showing strong stability and reusability. Removal efficiency followed the order: Pb (II) 〉 Cd (II) 〉 Ni (II) 〉 Co (II) 〉 Zn (II), correlating with their ionic radii. Ni2+ adsorbed more effectively than Co2+ due to a smaller ionic radius and stronger electrostatic attraction. These findings highlight CFK‐SMGO's efficacy in wastewater treatment, promoting bio‐based sustainable adsorbents.

Ultrasound-triggered drug release and cytotoxicity of microbubbles with diverse drug attributes

Ultrasound (US)-triggered cavitation of drug-loaded microbubbles (MBs) represents a promising approach for targeted drug delivery, with substantial benefits attainable through precise control over drug release dosage and form. This study investigates Camptothecin-loaded MBs (CPT-MBs) and Doxorubicin-loaded MBs (DOX-MBs), focusing on how properties such as hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, and charged functional groups affect their interaction with the lipid surfaces of MBs, thereby influencing the fundamental characteristics and acoustic properties of the drug-loaded MBs. In comparison to DOX-MBs, CPT-MBs showed larger MB size (2.2 ± 0.3 and 1.4 ± 0.1 μm, respectively), a 2-fold increase in drug loading, and an 18 % reduction in leakage after 2 h at 37℃. Under 1 MHz US with a 100 ms pulse repetition interval (PRI), 1000 cycles, 5-minute duration, and 550 kPa acoustic pressure, CPT-MBs undergo inertial cavitation, while DOX-MBs undergo stable cavitation. Drug particles released from these MBs under US-induced cavitation were analyzed using dynamic light scattering, NanoSight, cryo-electron microscopy, and density gradient ultracentrifugation. Results showed that CPT-MBs mainly release free CPT, while DOX-MBs release multilayered DOX-lipid aggregates. The cytotoxicity to C6 cells induced by US-triggered cavitation of these two types of MBs also differed. DOX-lipid aggregates delayed initial uptake, leading to less pronounced short-term (2 h) effects compared to the rapid release of free CPT from CPT-MBs. These findings underscore the need to optimize drug delivery strategies by fine-tuning MB composition and US parameters to control drug release kinetics and achieve the best tumoricidal outcomes.

89Zr-Labeled DFO@Durvalumab-HSA nanoparticles: In vitro potential for triple-negative breast cancer.

This study presents the development and evaluation of a DFO@mAb-NP (DFO@Durvalumab-HSA-DTX nanoparticle) nanoplatform for imaging in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The nanoplatform demonstrated significant changes postconjugation with DFO, evidenced by increased particle size from 178.1 ± 5 nm to 311 ± 26 nm and zeta potential alteration from -31.9 ± 3 mV to -40.5 ± 0.8 mV. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet spectral analyses confirmed successful DFO conjugation, with notable shifts in peak wavelengths. High labeling efficiency was achieved with 89Zr, as indicated by thin layer radio chromatography and high-performance liquid radio chromatography results, with labeling efficiencies of 98 ± 2% for 89Zr-DFO@mAb and 96 ± 3% for 89Zr-DFO@mAb-NP. The nanoplatforms maintained stability over 24 h, showing less than 5% degradation. Lipophilicity assays revealed logP values of 0.5 ± 0.03 for 89Zr-DFO@mAb-NP and 0.98 ± 0.2 for 89Zr-DFO@mAb, indicating a higher lipophilic tendency in the radiolabeled Durvalumab. Cell uptake experiments showed an initial high uptake in MDA-MB-468 cells (45.1 ± 3.2%), which decreased over time, highlighting receptor-specific interactions. These comprehensive findings suggest the promising potential of the DFO@mAb-NP nanoplatform for targeted imaging in TNBC, with implications for improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment strategies.

Mutational analysis of Phanerochaete chrysosporium´s purine transporter.

We present here a mutational analysis of the purine transporter from Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PhZ), a member of the AzgA-like subfamily within the Nucleobase Ascorbate Transporters family. We identified key residues that determine its substrate specificity and transport efficiency. Thirteen PhZ mutants were generated and heterologously expressed in Aspergillus nidulans. The growth of mutant strains in the presence of purines and toxic analogues and the uptake rate of radiolabelled hypoxanthine were evaluated. Results revealed that ten mutants showed differences in transport compared to the wild-type PhZ: six mutants completely lost function, two exhibited decreased transport activity, and two showed increased hypoxanthine uptake. Subcellular localization and expression level analyses indicated that the differences in transport activity were not due to trafficking issues to the plasma membrane or protein stability. A three-dimensional model of PhZ, constructed with the artificial intelligence-based AlphaFold2 program, suggested that critical residues for transport are located in transmembrane segments and an internal helix. In the latter, the A418 residue was identified as playing a pivotal role in transport efficiency despite being far from the putative substrate binding site, as mutant A418V showed an increased initial uptake efficiency for the transporter´s physiological substrates. We also report that residue L124, which lies in the putative substrate binding site, plays a critical role in substrate transport, emerging as an additional determinant in the transport mechanism of this family of transporters. These findings underscore the importance of specific residues in AzgA-like transporters and enhance our understanding of the intricate mechanisms governing substrate specificity and transport efficiency within this family.

Focal Unspecific Bone Uptake on [18F]PSMA-1007 PET: Evaluation Analog PROMISE Criteria and Validation via PET/CT Follow-Up.

Background: Focal unspecific bone uptake (UBU) is common in [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT, yet its clinical significance remains unclear, causing uncertainty in treatment decisions. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 99 prostate cancer patients (age 69 ± 7) who underwent [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT scans (3 MBq/kg; uptake time 70 ± 14 min) for staging and follow-up (after 13.0 ± 7.2 months). Semiquantitative assessment using the miPSMA score, analogous to the PROMISE criteria, evaluated the prevalence of UBU and bone metastases. Results: In the initial PET/CT scan, 56 patients had 230 lesions classified as UBU. A total of 19 patients were found to have bone metastases and UBU, while 24 patients had no focal bone uptake. UBU distribution was as follows: ribs (50%), spine (30%), pelvis (15%), and other sites (5%). There were no significant differences in age, Gleason score, injected tracer dose, uptake time, SUVpeak of UBU, or SUVmean in the spleen and parotid gland between patients with and without UBU. Follow-up showed stable miPSMA-score and CT appearance in 44/56 patients with UBU (79%), minor changes in 5/56 patients (8%), and new bone metastases in 7/56 patients (12%). Patient-specific analysis indicated at least one bone metastasis initially classified as UBU in 3/56 patients (5%) and new bone metastases in 4/56 patients (7%). In total, 4 of the 24 patients (17%) without initial focal uptake developed osseous metastases at follow-up. Conclusions: No significant differences were found between patients with or without UBU. Only a small portion of UBU (2%) evolved into metastases, a lower rate than the development of new osseous metastases, which appears to be independent of UBU.

The TELEhealth Shared decision-making COaching and navigation in Primary carE (TELESCOPE) intervention: a study protocol for delivering shared decision-making for lung cancer screening by patient navigators.

Lung cancer screening (LCS) can reduce lung cancer mortality but has potential harms for patients. A shared decision-making (SDM) conversation about LCS is required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for LCS reimbursement. To overcome barriers to SDM in primary care, this protocol describes a telehealth decision coaching and navigationintervention for LCS in primary care clinics delivered by patient navigators. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention and its implementation potential, compared with an enhanced usual care (EUC) arm. Patients (n = 420) of primary care clinicians (n = 120) are being recruited to a cluster randomized controlled trial. Clinicians are randomly assigned to 1) TELESCOPE intervention: prior to an upcoming non-acute clinic visit, patients participate in a telehealth decision coaching and navigationsession about LCS delivered by trained patient navigators and nurse navigators place a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) order for each TELESCOPE patient wanting LCS, or 2) EUC: patients receive enhanced usual care from a clinician. Usual care is enhanced by providing clinicians in both arms with access to a Continuing Medical Education (CME) webinar about LCS and an LCS discussion guide. Patients complete surveys at baseline and 1-week after the scheduled clinic visit to assess quality of the SDM process. Re-navigation is attempted with TELESCOPE patients who have not completed the LDCT within 3months. One month before being due for an annual screening, TELESCOPE patients whose initial LCS showed low-risk findings are randomly assigned to receive a telehealth decision coaching booster session with a navigator or no booster. Electronic health records are abstracted at 6, 12 and 18months after the initial decision coaching session (TELESCOPE) or clinic visit (EUC) to assess initial and annual LCS uptake, imaging results, follow-up testing for abnormal findings, cancer diagnoses, treatment, and tobacco treatment referrals. This study will evaluate factors that facilitate or interfere with program implementation using mixed methods. We will assess whether a decision coaching and patient navigation intervention can feasibly and effectivelysupport high-quality SDM for LCS and guideline-concordant LCS uptake for patients in busy primary care practices serving diverse patient populations. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05491213) on August 4, 2022. Version 1, April 10, 2024.

Aging of mineral dusts and proxies by uptake of methylglyoxal: A Knudsen cell study

This study investigates interactions between methylglyoxal (MGL) and 29 different samples, such as clays, proxies and natural dusts from the arid regions of the planet. Initial and quasi steady state uptake coefficients (ɣ0 and ɣqss) of MGL are determined using a Knudsen cell at concentration of 70 ppb, under dry conditions. Remarkably high ɣ0 values for MGL, ranging from 0.05 to 0.67, are determined, close to those of radical species, suggesting a high affinity for dusts. ɣ0 is evidenced to be linearly correlated with the Al/Si ratio of dust samples, indicating a specific initial affinity of MGL with aluminum surface sites. Ɣqss, determined after 40 min of exposure, ranges from 2.9 × 10−7 to 5.9 × 10−6. Ɣqss is linearly correlated with Ti/Si ratio, highlighting specific affinity of MGL with titanium. The impact of concentration on ɣqss is investigated on Gobi dust with MGL concentrations ranging from 0.1 ppt to 2.2 ppm. Ɣqss increases when MGL concentration decreases. Under typical dust storm conditions, MGL uptake competes with gas phase removal by OH radicals or photolysis. In addition, the maximum storage capacity of MGL by samples is determined at 2 ppm with Knudsen cell. MGL uptake does not exceed a compact monolayer on natural dust samples, whereas on some surrogates multilayer uptake is reached. Comparison of ɣ0 and ɣqss of glyoxal and MGL shows that MGL generally exhibits higher affinity with samples. The maximum number of molecules taken up by Gobi dust (Nmax) of MGL is compared with those for isoprene, isopropanol and acetic acid retrieved from literature. It points at the dependance of Nmax on chemical functionality of VOCs: oxygenated compounds exhibit higher interactions with dust. Data are available to increase the representativeness of modeling.

Evaluation of calcium looping CO2 capture and thermochemical energy storage performances of different stabilizers promoted CaO-based composites derived from solid wastes

Calcium looping is considered as an important high-temperature cyclic CO2 capture and concentrated solar energy storage technology. However, the dramatic inactivation of CaO over multiple carbonation-calcination cycles has seriously restricted their practical applications. In this study, a series of metal oxide (i.e. TiO2, MgO, Al2O3 and ZrO2)-stabilized CaO-based materials with high cyclic stability derived from carbide slag were synthesized via a facile and cost-effective approach for simultaneously enhanced CO2 capture and thermochemical energy storage (TCES). The results suggest that CCS-H-TiO2 exhibits high initial CO2 uptake of 0.41 gCO2/gsorbent, superior cyclic stability with an average attenuation of 1.71 %/cycle and remarkably stable energy storage density. CCS-H-Al2O3 shows the best stability with lowest attenuation rate of 9.6 %. Except for CCS-H-MgO, the stabilizers reacted with active calcium to form new phases and used as physical “barrier” and high-TT skeleton to offset the sintering stress, retain the microporous structures, hinder the excessive agglomeration and alleviate sintering.

Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles for Diabetes (HEAL-D) Online: a mixed methods evaluation exploring the feasibility of implementing a virtual culturally tailored diabetes self-management programme for African and Caribbean communities

ObjectivesTo assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles for Diabetes (HEAL-D) Online.InterventionHEAL-D Online—a 7-week culturally tailored type 2 diabetes educational programme delivered using online platform.SettingProgramme...

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Green Practices: A Case of Five Selected Shopping Malls in Lusaka District

There is growing recognition for the need for eco-friendly commercial buildings. However, there exists a significant gap between the potential for developing them and the actual implementation. Zambia faces the tangible impacts of climate change, such as droughts and floods, while the uptake of green initiatives remains sluggish. Environmental degradation, worsened by the absence of green initiatives, threatens ecosystems, biodiversity, and the overall health of the planet. Recognizing the urgent need for change, there is a growing consensus that economic growth should no longer be pursued at the expense of environmental degradation. Yet, despite the abundance of opportunities to develop and implement green practices, various stakeholders have not fully embraced these options. This study delved into the factors influencing green practice adoption, focusing on five prominent shopping malls in Lusaka district, Zambia. A mixed methods approach was adopted, and involved 25 purposively selected respondents that attended a questionnaire uploaded via google forms and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS while content analysis was adopted for qualitative data. The study found a positive correlation between perceived benefits of green practices and willingness to adopt green practices. However, the study showed a disconnect between knowledge of climate change effects and adoption of green practices, which meant that the choice to implement green practices was not influenced by the knowledge of the consequential effects of climate change. This study findings underscore the importance of the educational knowledge on the benefits green implementation and government incentives had in fostering green practice adoption within commercial establishments. While the study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of green practice adoption in the context of Lusaka district, limitations and potential biases underscore the need for further research in this area.

Preclinical Evaluation of Dihydropyrazole-Cored Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Ligands for Imaging of Receptor-Interacting Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase 1 (RIPK1) in the Brain.

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) has emerged as an important regulator of pathologic cell death and inflammation and is implicated in the pathologies of various central nervous system diseases. In this study, we reported the development of three potent dihydropyrazole-cored RIPK1 positron emission tomography (PET) ligands [18F]WL1-3. Among these, [18F]WL1 showed specific binding to RIPK1 in mouse brain sections in vitro through autoradiography and exhibited favorable brain kinetics in mice, characterized by a high initial uptake (brain2 min = 4.89% ID/g) and rapid washout (brain60 min = 0.21% ID/g). PET studies in rat brains revealed that [18F]WL1 could readily penetrate the brain with specific binding confirmed by inhibition effects of unlabeled WL1 and GSK'547. Notably, [18F]WL1 showed significant potential in imaging the alterations of RIPK1 in a rat brain of tumor necrosis factor α-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome model. These findings may pave the way for the future design of potent RIPK1 PET ligands.

Structure-based discovery of a 4,5-Dihydropyrazole-cored PET ligand for imaging of receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) in the brain

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) regulates programmed cell death and inflammation, contributing to a wide range of human pathologies, including inflammatory disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer. Despite this, no RIPK1 positron emission tomography (PET) ligand with significant in vivo specificity has been reported to date. In this work, we designed and synthesized a new family of dihydropyrazole-cored ligands suitable for 18F-labeling at the late stage. Among these, WL8 showed a strong binding affinity to RIPK1 (EC50 = 19.9 nM, Kd = 25 nM) and was successfully labeled with 18F in the 6-position of pyridine ring, yielding a high radiochemistry yield of 27.9 % (decay-corrected) and a high molar activity of 18.8–31.2 GBq/μmol. In in vitro autoradiography, [18F]WL8 showed some specific binding in the brain sections of rats and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model mice. Preliminary PET studies in rat brains revealed that [18F]WL8 could efficiently penetrate the blood-brain barrier and was rapidly washed out. As anticipated, [18F]WL8 exhibited a high initial uptake (brain2min = 4.80 % ID/g) in mouse brains, followed by a rapid washout (brain60min = 0.14 % ID/g), although no clear specific binding to RIPK1 was observed. Moderate in vivo stability was noted for [18F]WL8 in mouse brains with 35.2 % of the parent fraction remaining after 30 min post-administration. Altogether, our work broadens the landscape and offers a new chemotype for RIPK1 PET ligand development.

Patterns and predictors of COVID-19 vaccination among young adults at 44 US sites: Secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled, open-label trial, March – December 2021

Background: The introduction of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to slow transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but initial uptake of COVID-19 vaccination was slow. We analyzed data from a randomized clinical trial of the mRNA-1273 vaccine (NCT04811664) to describe the patterns of uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among young adults.Methods: The CoVPN 3006 trial randomized adults ages 18–29 from 44 sites in the United States to receive 1) immediate mRNA-1273 vaccination from the study site, or 2) standard of care, including the option to seek vaccination at any time in the future. Randomization occurred between March and November 2021, and an observational arm of adults who declined vaccination was enrolled beginning June 2021. Among participants in the standard of care (SoC) or Vaccine Declined arms, we estimated demographic, behavioral, and health history correlates of vaccination, and the four-month cumulative incidence of COVID-19 vaccination using inverse probability weighted Kaplan-Meier estimators.Results: Among 728 SoC and 470 Vaccine Declined participants, 79% and 16% received COVID-19 vaccination, respectively. SoC and Vaccine Declined participants were more likely to seek and receive vaccination if they reported COVID-19 preventive behaviors, including wearing masks, physically distancing, and avoiding large gatherings. We identified strong predictors of vaccination in the Vaccine Declined arm, including attending class in person (adjusted risk ratio [aRR]: 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21, 1.03), having a COVID-19 relevant medical condition (aRR: 1.95, 95% CI: 0.89, 4.26), and avoiding large gatherings (aRR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.18, 4.25), though low vaccination rates in this arm led to imprecise estimates.Conclusions: Individuals who initially decline vaccination can be convinced to vaccinate, particularly if they are already practicing other forms of COVID-19 prevention. Continued outreach and education from the scientific community can combat low vaccine confidence.

Vital effects and the fractionation of rare earth elements and yttrium during uptake by and transfer within freshwater bivalves and their shells

Mussels are commonly used as bioarchives in environmental monitoring, yet the impact of vital effects on the trace element or isotope ratios used as biogeochemical proxies is often only ill constrained. A prime example of such trace elements are the Rare Earth elements and Yttrium (REY) which have become (micro)contaminants in freshwater systems worldwide. We here report on the distribution of REY in different soft tissues and in the shells of freshwater bivalve A. anatina, commonly known as “duck mussel”, from the Danube River in Hungary and the Vistula River in Poland. Both rivers are contaminated with anthropogenic Gd from contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Regardless of the mussels' origin, all of their compartments show very similar shale-normalised REY patterns. None of the samples show any anthropogenic Gd anomaly, implying that in freshwater anthropogenic Gd from MRI contrast agents is either not bioavailable or that REY from ambient river water are insignificant for the REY budget of freshwater mussels. Compared to ambient water, the bivalves bioaccumulate the REY with preferential uptake of Ce and of light REY over heavy REY. However, REY concentrations in mussels are similar to or lower than those in their potential food source, with minor fractionation along the REY series besides slight preferential uptake of La and Y. Comparison of shells and tissues reveals the systematic oxidative decoupling of Ce from its REY neighbours, probably due to the presence of Ce(IV) solution-complexes in the mussels' extrapallial fluid. Despite possible REY fractionation during their initial uptake, vital effects do not impose any major control on REY fractionation during REY transfer within the mussels or during formation of their shells. Mussel shells may, therefore, conveniently be used for environmental monitoring of REY without major disturbance from vital effects.

Interplay between the Glass Transition Temperature, Analyte Diffusion, and Fluorescence Quenching for Detection of Nitro-Group Containing Explosives Using Organic Semiconducting Films.

Efficient detection of chemical analytes using fluorescence-based sensors necessitates an in-depth understanding of the physical interaction between the analyte molecules and the sensor films. This study explores the interplay between the thermal properties of a series of triphenylamine-centered fluorescent dendrimers with different glass transition temperatures (Tg) for detecting nitroaromatic explosives. When exposed to 4-nitrotoluene (pNT) vapors, biphasic diffusion kinetics were observed for all the dendrimers, corresponding to Super Case II kinetics, suggesting rapid film swelling during initial analyte uptake. The diffusion kinetics were further analyzed using a diffusion-relaxation model, where a strong Tg dependence was observed for both the initial concentration-driven diffusion phase and the slower film relaxation phase. Additionally, a difference in kinetics between analyte uptake and release was observed. The photoluminescence (PL) kinetics also showed a Tg dependence, with more efficient PL recovery observed for films composed of dendrimers that had a lower Tg. Rapid quenching of over 40% with little PL recovery was seen in the dendrimer with the highest Tg (107 °C), while a smaller quench with efficient PL recovery was observed in the dendrimer that had a Tg close to room temperature. The results highlight the critical role of the thermal properties of sensor films in achieving rapid and sensitive detection.

Preclinical evaluation of [225Ac]Ac-crown-TATE – An alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical for neuroendocrine tumors

BackgroundTargeted alpha therapy (TAT) of somatostatin receptor-2 (SSTR2) positive neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) involving Ac-225 ([225Ac]Ac-DOTA-TATE) has previously demonstrated improved therapeutic efficacy over conventional beta particle-emitting peptide receptor radionuclide therapy agents. DOTA-TATE requires harsh radiolabeling conditions for chelation of [225Ac]Ac3+, which can limit the achievable molar activities and thus therapeutic efficacy of such TAT treatments. Macropa-TATE was recently highlighted as a potential alternative to DOTA-TATE, owing to the mild radiolabeling conditions and high affinity toward [225Ac]Ac3+; however, elevated liver and kidney uptake were noted as a major limitation and a suitable imaging radionuclide is yet to be reported, which will be required for patient dosimetry studies and assessment of therapeutic benefit. Previously, [155Tb]Tb-crown-TATE has shown highly effective imaging of NETs in preclinical SPECT/CT studies, with high tumor uptake and low non-target accumulation; these favourable properties and the versatile coordination behavior of the crown chelator may therefore show promise for combination with Ac-225 for TAT. MethodsCrown-TATE was labeled with Ac-225, and radiochemical yield was analyzed as the function of crown-TATE concentration. LogD7.4 was measured as the indication of hydrophilicity. Free [225Ac]Ac3+ release from [225Ac]Ac-crown-TATE in human serum was studied. Biodistribution studies of [225Ac]Ac-crown-TATE in mice bearing AR42J tumors was evaluated at 1, 4, 24, 48, and 120 h, and the absorbed dose to major organs calculated. Therapy-monitoring studies with AR42J tumor bearing mice were undertaken using 30 kBq and 55 kBq doses of [225Ac]Ac-crown-TATE and compared to controls treated with PBS or crown-TATE. Results[225Ac]Ac-crown-TATE was successfully prepared with high molar activity (640 kBq/nmol), and characterized as a moderately hydrophilic radioligand (LogD7.4 = −1.355 ± 0.135). No release of bound Ac-225 was observed over 9 days in human serum. Biodistribution studies of [225Ac]Ac-crown-TATE showed good initial tumor uptake (11.1 ± 1.7% IA/g at 4 h) which was sustained up to 120 h p.i. (6.92 ± 2.03% IA/g). Dosimetry calculations showed the highest absorbed dose was delivered to the tumors. Therapy monitoring studies demonstrated significant (log-rank test, P < 0.005) improved survival in both treatment groups compared to controls. ConclusionsThis preclinical study demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of [225Ac]Ac-crown-TATE for treatment of NETs, and highlights the potential of using crown chelator for stable chelation of Ac-225 under mild conditions.

All-solid-waste-derived CaO-based sorbents for simultaneously enhanced calcium looping CO2 capture and thermochemical energy storage

Calcium looping (CaL) process relying on CaO as high-temperature CO2 sorbents is a prospective alternative technology for simultaneously cyclic CO2 capture and thermochemical energy storage. However, the cyclic stability and the energy storage density of the CaO-based sorbents decay drastically over repeated carbonation-calcination cycles. Herein, we yielded CaO-based sorbents derived from all industrial solid wastes with carbide slag (CS) as precursor and coal fly ash (CFA) as stabilizer featuring superior carbonation characteristics, stable CO2 cyclic uptake and high thermochemical energy storage density over multiple operation cycles. The optimal sorbent (CCS–H-G-CFA-D) exhibited a high initial CO2 uptake of 0.38 gCO2/gsorbent, superior cyclic stability with an average decay rate of 1.05% per cycle and remarkably stable energy storage density of 1375 kJ/kg, retaining 89.5% after 10 repeated cycles. Thereby, the simultaneously enhanced cyclic CO2 capture and thermochemical energy storage are attributed to adding CFA stabilizers in CS-derived CaO-based sorbents, forming stable skeleton to alleviate sintering, improving the uniform mixing degree between sorbent particles and promoting the carbonation reaction via synergistic effect. This simple and eco-friendly approach of cost-effective sorbents totally derived from industrial solid wastes provides a new avenue for large-scale practical CO2 capture and energy storage processes.

Barriers to initial COVID-19 booster among U.S. adults who completed a primary vaccine series in the CHASING COVID cohort, September 2021 - October 2022.

It is crucial to understand factors associated with COVID-19 booster uptake in the U.S. given the updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Using data from a national prospective cohort (N=4,616) between September 2021-October 2022, we examined socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral factors of initial booster uptake among participants fully-vaccinated with the primary COVID-19 vaccines series. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the associations of each factor with time to initial booster uptake. Most participants (86.5%) reported receiving their initial booster. After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, region, and employment, participants with greater risk for severe COVID-19 had similar booster uptake compared with those with lower risk (aHR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.14). Participants with greater barriers to healthcare (aHR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.84, 0.96), food insecurity (aHR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.89), and housing instability (aHR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.90) were less likely to report receiving initial booster compared with those without those barriers. Factors motivating the decision to vaccinate changed from safety-related concerns for the primary series to perceived need for the booster. It is key to address economic and health access barriers to achieve equitable COVID-19 vaccine uptake and continued protection against COVID-19.

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of an Intervention to Promote HPV Uptake Among Young Women Who Attend Subsidized Clinics

ObjectiveTo evaluate the preliminary efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility of Step Up to Prevention, a technology-enhanced intervention to promote human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake among young minority and low-income women. DesignA pilot randomized controlled trial. SettingTwo federally supported outpatient clinics in a large city in the northeastern United States. ParticipantsWomen who were 18 to 26 years of age (N = 60). MethodsWe randomized participants into four groups: computer information, in-person tailored, combined, and usual care. We administered computer-assisted self-interview surveys before the intervention (baseline), immediately after the intervention (postintervention), and after their clinic visit (post–clinic visit). We conducted a descriptive analysis of participant characteristics. For preliminary efficacy, we used logistic regression–assessed HPV vaccine initiation uptake rates, and we used descriptive statistics to compare theoretical mediators. We used conventional content analysis to assess participant feedback about intervention acceptability. We assessed feasibility through recruitment and retention rates and our ability to deliver the intervention. ResultsWe observed significant differences in initial HPV vaccine uptake between the intervention groups and the usual care group. Participant feedback indicated that the intervention was acceptable, empowering, and informative. We met our recruitment target, maintained a high retention rate (98%), and delivered the complete intervention to all participants. ConclusionWe report the preliminary efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility of this intervention to promote HPV vaccine initiation among young women in federally subsided health care settings by advancing favorable views and improving knowledge about HPV vaccination.

Photoenhanced sulfate formation by the heterogeneous uptake of SO2 on non-photoactive mineral dust

Abstract. Heterogeneous uptake of SO2 on mineral dust is a predominant formation pathway of sulfates, whereas the contribution of photo-induced SO2 oxidation to sulfates on the dust interfaces still remains unclear. Here, we investigated heterogeneous photochemical reactions of SO2 on five mineral oxides (SiO2, kaolinite, Al2O3, MgO, and CaO) without photocatalytic activity. Light enhanced the uptake of SO2, and its enhancement effects negatively depended on the basicity of mineral oxides. The initial uptake coefficient (γ0,BET) and the steady-state uptake coefficient (γs,BET) of SO2 positively relied on light intensity, relative humidity (RH), and O2 content, while they exhibited a negative relationship with the initial SO2 concentration. Rapid sulfate formation during photo-induced heterogeneous reactions of SO2 with all mineral oxides was confirmed to be ubiquitous, and H2O and O2 played key roles in the conversion of SO2 to sulfates. In particular, triplet states of SO2 (3SO2) were suggested to be the trigger for photochemical sulfate formation. Atmospheric implications supported a potential contribution of interfacial SO2 photochemistry on non-photoactive mineral dust to atmospheric sulfate sources.