Anti-Alpha fetoprotein monoclonal antibody, clone FQBGQ72

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) show thermal hysteresis through specific interaction with the ice crystal. Hyperactive AFPs interact with the ice surface through a threonine-rich motif present at their ice-binding surface (IBS). Ordering of water around the IBS was extensively investigated. However, the role of non-IBS in ice growth inhibition is yet to be understood completely. The present study explores the nature of hydration and its length-scale evaluation around the non-IBS for hyperactive AFPs. We observed that the hydration layer of non-IBS is liquid-like, even in highly supercooled conditions, and the nature of hydration is drastically different from the hydration pattern of non-AFP surfaces. In similar conditions, the hydration layer around the IBS is ice-like ordered. Non-IBS of the hyperactive AFP exposes toward the bulk and is able to maintain the liquid-like character of its hydration water up to 15 A. We also find that the amino acid compositions and their spatial distribution on the non-IBS are markedly different from those of the IBS and non-AFP surfaces. These results elucidate the combined role of IBS and non-IBS in ice-growth inhibition. While IBS is required to adsorb on ice efficiently, the exposed non-IBS may prevent ice nucleation/growth on top of the bound AFPs.

Background: Hepatoblastoma (HB) was the most common primary liver malignant tumor in children. In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcome in HB children with pulmonary metastasis and extrapulmonary involvement. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 36 HB children with pulmonary metastasis and extrapulmonary involvement from January 2010 to December 2017. Clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Thirty-six patients (10 females and 26 males) were recruited, with a mean onset age of 2.13 years (range, 0.33-7.83). Four (11.11%) patients presented with single metastatic pulmonary nodules, 32 (88.89%) patients presented with multiple metastatic nodules in both lungs. There were 10 (27.78%) patients with extrahepatic abdomen involvement, 13 (36.11%) patients with brain metastasis, and 16 (44.44%) patients with vascular metastasis. All patients underwent liver tumorectomy and chemotherapy. The median chemotherapy cycle was 17 (range, 3-39). In addition, 19 (54.29%) patients underwent lung metastasectomy. The patients were followed up to December 2018, with a median follow-up of 32.5 months. At the study closing date, 9 patients were alive, 24 patients had died, and 3 patients were censored. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level, PRETEXT stage and distant metastases had significant impact on survival time (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The common sites of extrapulmonary metastasis of HB were blood vessels, brain and extrahepatic abdominal organs. The overall prognosis of HB patients with lung metastasis and extrapulmonary involvement was poor, especially those with PRETEXT stage IV, high AFP level or distant metastases.