Unconventional ion exchangers can achieve efficient removal of [UO], Cs, and Sr ions from complex aqueous solutions and are of great interest for environmental remediation. We report two new gallium thioantimonates, [MeNH][GaSbS]·HO (FJSM-GAS-1) and [EtNH][GaSbS]·HO (FJSM-GAS-2), which present excellent ion exchange properties for [UO], Cs, and Sr ions. They exhibit high ion exchange capacities for [UO], Cs, and Sr ions ( q = 196 mg/g, q = 164 mg/g, and q = 80 mg/g for FJSM-GAS-1, q = 144 mg/g for FJSM-GAS-2) and short equilibrium times for [UO] ion exchange (5 min for FJSM-GAS-1 and 15 min for FJSM-GAS-2, respectively). Both compounds display active ion exchange with [UO] in the pH range of 2.9-10.5. Moreover, the sulfide compounds could maintain high distribution coefficients K even in the presence of excess Na, Ca, and HCO. The distribution coefficient K of 6.06 × 10 mL/g exhibited by FJSM-GAS-1 is the highest among the reported U adsorbents. The [UO]-laden products can be recycled by conveniently eluting the uranium with a low-cost method. These advantages combined with facile synthesis, as well as β and γ radiation resistance, make FJSM-GAS-1 and FJSM-GAS-2 promising for selective separations in nuclear waste remediation.

The presence of natural killer (NK) cells in the tumor microenvironment correlates with outcome in a variety of cancers. However, the role of intratumoral NK cells is unclear. Preclinical studies have shown that, while NK cells efficiently kill circulating tumor cells of almost any origin, they seem to have very little effect against the same type of tumor cells when these have extravasated. The ability to kill extravasated tumor cells is, however, is dependent of the level of activation of the NK cells, as more recent published and unpublished studies, discussed below, have demonstrated that interleukin-2–activated NK cells are able to attack well-established solid tumors.

Exploring new ion-exchangers for the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) and recycling is worthwhile for the high-tech industry and an eco-friendly sustainable economy. The efficient enrichment of low concentration REE from complex aqueous solutions containing large excess of competitive ions is challenging. Here we present a chalcogenide example as a superior REE ion-exchanger efficiently removing them from very complex aqueous solutions, (MeNH)(MeNH) SnS·1.25HO (FJSM-SnS). The material exhibits fast and efficient ion exchange behavior with short equilibrium time (<5 min), high adsorption capacity (139 mg/g for Eu, 147 mg/g for Tb, 126 mg/g for Nd), wide pH resistance (1.9-8.5), the largest distribution coefficient (K) value of 6.5 × 10 mL/g, good selectivity against Al, Fe, and Na ions, and high recovery rate (>99%) at low concentrations. Moreover, after ion-exchange, the REE in corresponding exchanged products could be easily recovered by elution. FJSM-SnS has superior capacity and faster absorption kinetics than other states of the artificial REE sorbents such as AlO/EG, clay minerals, zeolite, and activated carbon.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is being developed for cancer therapy. We created a recombinant replicating VSV (rrVSV) that preferentially infected Her2/neu expressing breast cancer cells. We now used this rrVSV to treat macroscopic peritoneal tumor implants of a mouse mammary tumor cell line stably transfected to express Her2/neu. rrVSV therapy alone prolonged survival but did not cure any animals. rrVSV therapy combined with antibody to TGFb or antibody to IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) each produced cure in one of six animals. Strikingly, rrVSV therapy combined with anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody (MAb) produced cure in four of five animals. Anti-CTLA4 MAb was only effective when administered within one day of rrVSV therapy. Cure required CD4 T-cells early (o7 days) and late (47 days) after rrVSV therapy whereas CD8 T-cells were required only late (47 days) after rrVSV therapy. Surviving animals were resistant to re-challenge with D2F2/E2 suggesting a memory immune response. Histopathologic analysis demonstrated a dense inflammatory infiltrate of tumor nodules within days of therapy and foamy histiocytes replacing the tumor nodules 2 weeks following therapy. These studies demonstrate that targeted rrVSV combined with anti-CTLA4 MAb can eliminate established macroscopic tumor implants by eliciting an anti-tumor CD4 and CD8 T-cell immunologic response.