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Objective: This study aimed to assess the role of synovial fluid (SF) CD4+T, CD19+B, follicular helper cells (Tfh), and cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: This study enrolled 16 patients with RA and 8 patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The frequencies of the SF CD4+ T, CD19+ B, Tfh cells, and Tfh subsets were assessed using flow cytometry. The medical condition in patients with RA was evaluated using The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI). Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) were measured. The cytokines IL-4, IL-13, IL-21, and BLyS were measured by ELISA test. Results: The percentages of SF CD4+T, CD19+B, and PD-1+CXCR5+ Tfh in RA patients were higher than those in OA patients. And the Tfh2 was the main subset among Tfh subsets. In addition, levels of IL-21 and BLyS were higher in patients with RA compared to patients with OA. Furthermore, the treatment of TNF-α inhibitors may be associated with decreased levels of SF Tfh. Conclusions: Elevated SF Tfh, B cell, and cytokines expression profiles were observed in RA patients. Tfh2 was the major subset of the Tfh, and IL-21 and BLyS were significantly enhanced. Additionally, TNF-α inhibitors reduced Tfh in SF. Therefore, Tfh, B, and Tfh2 cells could play a significant role in the progression of RA. Key Points •Tfh cells in the synovial fluid are significantly higher in RA patients and are dominated by the Tfh2 subpopulation. •Synovial fluid Tfh cells decrease in RA patients after anti-TNF-α treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: HNF1B syndrome is caused by defects in the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1B (HNF1B) gene, which leads to maturity‐onset diabetes of the young type 5 and congenital organ malformations. This study aimed to identify a gene defect in a patient presenting with diabetes and severe diarrhea, while also analyzing the prevalence of hypomagnesemia and its correlation with the HNF1B genotype. Materials and Methods: Whole exome sequencing was used to identify responsible point mutations and small indels in the proband and their family members. Multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification was carried out to identify HNF1B deletions. Furthermore, an analysis of published data on 539 cumulative HNF1B cases, from 29 literature sources, was carried out to determine the correlation between the HNF1B genotype and the phenotype of serum magnesium status. Results: Using multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification, we identified a de novo heterozygous HNF1B deletion in the patient, who showed dorsal pancreas agenesis and multiple kidney cysts, as detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Magnesium supplementation effectively alleviated the symptoms of diarrhea. Hypomagnesemia was highly prevalent in 192 out of 354 (54.2%) patients with HNF1B syndrome. Compared with patients with intragenic mutations, those with HNF1B deletions were more likely to suffer from hypomagnesemia, with an odds ratio of 3.1 (95% confidence interval 1.8–5.4). Conclusions: Hypomagnesemia is highly prevalent in individuals with HNF1B syndrome, and those with HNF1B deletion are more susceptible to developing hypomagnesemia compared with those with intragenic mutations. The genotype–phenotype associations in HNF1B syndrome have significant implications for endocrinologists in terms of genotype detection, treatment decisions and prognosis assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce a hybrid LBM-FVM solver for two-phase fluid flow simulations in which interface dynamics is modeled by a conservative phase-field equation. Integrating fluid equations over time is achieved through a velocity-based lattice Boltzmann solver which is improved by a central-moment multiple-relaxation-time collision model to reach higher accuracy. For interface evolution, we propose a finite-volume-based numerical treatment for the integration of the phase-field equation: we show that the second-order isotropic centered stencils for diffusive and separation fluxes combined with the WENO-5 stencils for advective fluxes achieve similar and sometimes even higher accuracy than the state-of-the-art double-distribution-function LBM methods as well as the DUGKS-based method, while requiring less computations and a smaller amount of memory. Benchmark tests (such as the 2D diagonal translation of a circular interface), along with quantitative evaluations on more complex tests (such as the rising bubble and Rayleigh-Taylor instability simulations) allowing comparisons with prior numerical methods and/or experimental data, are presented to validate the advantage of our hybrid solver. Moreover, 3D simulations (including a dam break simulation) are also compared to the time-lapse photography of physical experiments in order to allow for more qualitative evaluations. • This paper proposes a new hybrid LBM-FVM solver to simulate two-phase flows which reduces memory consumption and improves computational accuracy and efficiency. • The momentum equation is solved by a set of lattice Boltzmann equations with a velocity-based high-order CM-MRT model, while the phase-field equation is solved by a WENO-based finite-volume approach. • Our solver is validated through benchmark tests, comparisons, and validation examples, both quantitatively and qualitatively. • Our massively-parallel implementation on GPU offers efficient simulation of two-phase flows for a low memory footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a complex systemic autoimmune disease. This study aims to elucidate a humanized NOD-PrkdcscidIl2rgem1/Smoc (NSG) murine model to better clarify the pathogenesis of SS. NSG female mice were adoptively transferred with 10 million peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) through the tail vein from healthy controls (HCs), primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients on D0. The mice were subcutaneously injected with C57/B6j submandibular gland (SG) protein or phosphate-buffered saline on D3, D17 and D31, respectively. NSG mice were successfully transplanted with human PBMCs. Compared with NSG-HC group, NSG-pSS and NSG-SLE mice exhibited a large number of lymphocytes infiltration in the SG, decreased salivary flow rate, lung involvement, decreased expression of genes related to salivary secretion, and the production of autoantibodies. Type I interferon-related genes were increased in the SG of NSG-pSS and NSG-SLE mice. The ratio of BAX/BCL2, BAX, cleaved caspase3, and TUNEL staining were increased in the SG of NSG-pSS and NSG-SLE mice. The expressions of p-MLKL and p-RIPK3 were increased in the SG of NSG-pSS and NSG-SLE mice. Increased expression of type I interferon-related genes, PANoptosis (apoptosis and necroptosis) were identified in the SG of this typical humanized NSG murine model of SS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HighlightsThis study reports a novel frameshift mutation c.212dupG (p.Gly73fs) in the insulin (INS) gene causing maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) 10, one of the rare types of MODY, identified in seven family members.Screening for mutations in identified MODY genes is warranted in patients who require insulin, are negative for autoantibodies but have a family history of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prospective association of circulating adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) levels with the development of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes in an 8-year prospective study.Methods: A total of 170 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were recruited in the study and 133 patients completed the follow-up of 8 years. Baseline plasma A-FABP levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The role of A-FABP in predicting the development of subclinical atherosclerosis over 8 years was analyzed using multiple logistic regression.Results: Of the 133 patients without subclinical atherosclerosis at baseline, a total of 100 had progressed to subclinical atherosclerosis over 8 years. Baseline A-FABP level was significantly higher in patients who had progressed to subclinical atherosclerosis at year 8 compared with ones who had not developed subclinical atherosclerosis after adjustment for sex (15.3 [12.1-23.2] versus 13.3 [10.0-18.9] ng/ml, P = 0.021). High baseline A-FABP level was an independent predictor for the development of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes (odds ratio: 16.24, P = 0.022).Conclusions: Circulating A-FABP levels predict the development of subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The toxicity of OPs was slightly increased with the decrease of soil pH. • Mechanistic models were developed to interpret the phenomena. • Bioavailability and toxicodynamics are key factors for toxicity variation. • Bioavailability was related to hydrolysis and biodegradation characteristics. • Toxicodynamics were influenced by the interaction between AchE with OPs. Abstract Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) have been widely used to control agricultural insects. Soil acidification is a major problem in soil of intensive agricultural systems, especially in red soil with a low pH buffer capacity. However, the effects of soil acidification on the toxicity of pesticides are still unclear. In the present study, the toxicity of three OPs on E. fetida was determined at individual (14-day lethal test) and biochemical levels (antioxidative defence enzymes) by using acidified soils (pH = 5.5, 4.3 and 3.1). The results showed that the toxicity of tested OPs was slightly increased with the decrease of soil pH. To interpret the phenomena, an optimum Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) model was developed based on the toxicity mechanism and the partial least squares regression (PLS) method. The model indicated bioavailability and toxicodynamics are key factors of soil acidification affecting the toxicity of the OPs. Further results revealed the bioavailability of the OPs was strongly related to their hydrolysis and biodegradation character, whereas the effects of soil acidification on toxicodynamics were mainly caused by the interaction between the acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and the OPs. Results will increase understanding of the effects of soil acidification on the toxicity of pesticides and its mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hormesis is an intriguing phenomenon that is characterized by low dose stimulation and high dose inhibition. Several traditional parameters, such as the concentration of the zero equivalent point ( ZEP ) and the maximal stimulatory effect ( Y max ), have been used to characterize the zone of hormesis or the extent of the stimulatory effect. However, the characteristics of hormesis for chemicals cannot be quantified completely by one parameter, which is important to accurately compare the hormetic effects of chemicals and to describe the combined effects of chemical mixtures at low doses. In the present study, a novel parameter, termed the relative standard area of hormetic zone ( H o r A r e a R ), was developed and proposed to quantify the hormetic effects (24 h exposure) of nine metal ions (Cr 3+ , Cu 2+ , Mg 2+ , Cd 2+ , Fe 3+ , Ni 2+ , Zn 2+ , Co 2+ , Cs + ) towards Vibrio fischeri , both individually and as binary mixtures. The results indicate that H o r A r e a R can be used not only to accurately assess the hormetic effects and its relationship with structural characteristics but also to conveniently describe the combined effects of interactive mixtures at low dose. Thus, the H o r A r e a R parameter can quantitatively assess the hormetic effects and can offer a useful approach to perform environmental risk assessments of chemicals at low doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the reduced adsorption of propanil on black carbon (BC) influenced by dissolved organic matter (DOM) was verified to be closely related to DOM molecule size and loading mode. Two congenetic carbons, a rice-residue-derived BC and the reduced product (RC), were characterized by similar specific surface area and different surface properties. Reduced product exhibits higher adsorption of propanil and DOM than BC. A series of model DOMs, including tannic acid (TA), pentagalloylglucose (PA), 3-O-galloylmucic acid (OA), and gallic acid (GA), characterized by different molecule sizes and molecular weights, were used to evaluate the different inhibitory effects. The DOM adsorption (mmol/g) on BC and RC follows the order of GA > PA > OA > TA, whereas the reduction of propanil adsorption influenced by the model DOM follows the order of PA ≈ TA > OA ≈ GA. The suppressive degree is connected to their molecule sizes rather than to molecular weights. Tannic acid and PA weakened propanil adsorption more effectively than OA and GA because the large DOM molecules may hinder propanil molecules into the micropore regions. Because of the similar molecule size, TA and PA present a similar suppressive effect on propanil adsorption. The influence of the DOMs was greater when preloaded than when in competition with propanil. The preloading of macromolecules (TA and PA) and OA on the carbons may lead to secondary and primary micropore blocks, respectively. The preloading of GA may cause partial GA molecule sequestration in the primary micropore, thus leading to strong attenuation of propanil adsorption on the carbons. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:1187-1193. © 2012 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A poor understanding of tributyltin (TBT) sorption on sediments has hindered an accurate evaluation of its environmental fate. The present study determined TBT sorption by a freshwater sediment (BH) and a coastal marine sediment (TZ) as influenced by pH, salinity, and biochar (BC) amendment into TZ. The isotherms were essentially linear, with KOC values in the range of 104 to 105 L/kg. Tributyltin sorption at pH 3.56 and 8.00 occurred mainly via partitioning. It reached maxima at pH equal to its p Ka (=6.25) because of added ion exchange. A salinity increase from 5 to 35 practical salinity units enhanced TBT sorption at pH 3.56 and 8.00 on TZ by approximately 30% and on BH by approximately 80%, ascribed to the salting-out effect that reduced the solubilities of tributyltin hydroxide (TBTOH) and tributyltin chloride (TBTCl). At pH 6.25, the same salinity increase reduced TBT sorption on TZ by approximately 20% but enhanced TBT sorption on BH by approximately 35%. This was attributed to the enhancing role of salting out and the reducing role of metal competition for ion exchange. Tributyltin was two orders of magnitude more effectively sorbed by BC than by total organic carbon of TZ, mainly because of the high level of surface area of the BC. Although BC affinity for TBT may be significantly diminished when present in TZ, it was considered to be the primary contributor to TBT sorption from water. Biochar may thus be used to immobilize TBT in sediment for potential remediation. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2682-2687. © 2011 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sevoflurane (SEV) preconditioning plays a protective effect against liver ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury, while the role of autophagy in SEV-mediated hepatoprotection and the precise mechanism is unclear. In the current study, mice were pretreated with SEV or autophagy inhibitor before liver IR injury. In vitro, primary rat hepatocytes were pretreated with SEV and then exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Liver function was measured by biochemical and histopathological examinations, and markers associated with inflammation, oxidation, apoptosis and autophagy were subsequently measured. We found that SEV preconditioning dramatically reduced hepatic damage, alleviated cell inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis in mice suffering hepatic IR injury, whereas these protective effects were abolished by the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. In addition, pretreatment with SEV markedly activated HGF/Met signaling pathway regulation. Besides, pretreatment with an hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) inhibitor or knocking down HGF expression significantly downregulated phosphorylated met (p-met) and autophagy levels, and abolished the protective effects of SEV against hepatic IR or hepatocyte H/R injury. Conversely, HGF overexpression efficiently increased the p-met and autophagy levels and strengthened the protective effects of SEV. These results indicated that sevoflurane preconditioning ameliorates hepatic IR injury by activating HGF/Met-mediated autophagy. • Sevoflurane preconditioning reduced mice hepatic ischemia reperfusion injuryby alleviating inflammation , oxidative stress and apoptosis. The protective effects of sevoflurane could be abolished by the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. • Inhibiting hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) expression abolished the protective effects of sevoflurane against hepatic IR. • Sevoflurane preconditioning ameliorated hepatic IR injury by activating HGF/Met-mediated autophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been widely detected around the world and are generally viewed as emerging pollutants with environmental persistence. The proliferation of ARGs can be easily promoted by antibiotics. However, the dynamics of ARGs in the environment are still unable to be quantified using a single parameter, which is vital to evaluating the ability of ARGs to spread by antibiotics and effectively controlling ARGs. A new parameter, termed the relative area ratio of sample to control (Δ A R), was developed based on the quantitative features determined by ARG-time curves in soils contaminated with sulfonamides (SAs) and verified by quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) models. The results showed that Δ A R can not only be used to accurately quantify the characteristics of SAs resistance genes (Suls) over time but also be applied to reveal the relationships between the proliferation of Suls and important factors (i.e., concentrations and chemical structures). Moreover, the Δ A R-based QSARs model indicated that bioavailability and the frequency of conjugative transfer, rather than the ability of induced mutations in bacteria, tend to be key processes of the characteristics of the proliferation of Suls. Therefore, Δ A R is a useful parameter to perform environmental risk assessments of ARG proliferation in the environment. Unlabelled Image • Suls levels in SAs-spiked soil increased and then declined to the level of control. • A new parameter ΔAR was developed to interpret the dynamic of Suls. • ΔAR can reveal the relationships between Suls proliferation and important factors. • Bioavailability/frequency of conjugative transfer contributes to Suls proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread occurrence and distribution of organotin compounds (OTCs) in both marine and freshwater ecosystems has aroused considerable concerns in most countries worldwide. In this work, individual kinetics of the elimination of three butyltins and three phenyltins from C. demersum L. were systematically studied for over 240 h in clean water after a 48h period of accumulation. All OTCs were rapidly metabolized to nontoxic inorganic tin by C. demersum L. through stepwise debutylation or dephenylation. In addition to inorganic tin, monobutyltin (MBT) and monophenyltin (MPT) were the primary degradation products of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT), with small amounts of dibutyltin (DBT) and diphenyltin (DPT), respectively, also being present. The estimated half-life of TPT (240 h) in C. demersum L. was longer than that of TBT (100 h), although the TPT was less hydrophobic. The corresponding degradation mechanisms may be attributed to a cascade of enzymatic reactions of CYP450 enzymes in C. demersum L. The pH played an important role in both plant growth and TBT degradation. Although pH 8.9 was more suitable for C. demersum L. growth, it uptook and metabolized more TBT at pH 5.0, which may be because the cationic species TBT+ (at pH 5.0) was metabolized more easily than the neutral hydroxide species TBTOH (at pH 8.9). C. demersum L. may thus be the plant with the most potential for the remediation of OTC-contaminated freshwater environments. • OTCs can be rapidly metabolized to nontoxic inorganic tin by C. demersum L. (77 characters). • Degradation pathways are through the progressive removal of butyl or phenyl groups. (85 characters). • Mechanism is mainly attributed to a cascade of enzymatic reactions of CYP450. (79 characters). • OTC existence forms have a substantial impact on the degradation efficiency. (78 characters). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with highly heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to find the key genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients and to provide a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of lupus.GSE121239, GSE50772, GSE81622, and GSE144390 mRNA expression profiles were obtained from the website of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and differential expressed genes (DEGs) analysis was performed by R. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to elucidate signaling pathways for the DEGs. Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the key gene EPSTI1 in PBMCs of SLE patients. Finally, the correlation analysis and ROC curve analysis of EPSTI1 for SLE were performed.A total of 12 upregulated DEGs were identified, including MMP8, MX1, IFI44, EPSTI1, OAS1, OAS3, HERC5, IFIT1, RSAD2, USP18, IFI44L, and IFI27. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that those DEGs were mainly concentrated in the response to virus and IFN signaling pathways. Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that EPSTI1 was increased in PBMCs of SLE. EPSTI1 was positively correlated with SLEDAI score in SLE patients. Besides, EPSTI1 was positively correlated with T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes (BCL6 and RORC). Furthermore, ROC analyses proved EPSTI1 may have diagnostic value for SLE.Together, EPSTI1 was found to be a potential biomarker for SLE, closely related to T cell immune imbalance.Key Points• EPSTI1 expression was significantly increased in PBMCs of SLE patients.• EPSTI1 was positively correlated with disease activity and T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes in SLE patients.• EPSTI1 might have a good diagnostic value for SLE.Key Points• EPSTI1 expression was significantly increased in PBMCs of SLE patients.• EPSTI1 was positively correlated with disease activity and T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes in SLE patients.• EPSTI1 might have a good diagnostic value for SLE.Methods: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with highly heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to find the key genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients and to provide a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of lupus.GSE121239, GSE50772, GSE81622, and GSE144390 mRNA expression profiles were obtained from the website of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and differential expressed genes (DEGs) analysis was performed by R. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to elucidate signaling pathways for the DEGs. Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the key gene EPSTI1 in PBMCs of SLE patients. Finally, the correlation analysis and ROC curve analysis of EPSTI1 for SLE were performed.A total of 12 upregulated DEGs were identified, including MMP8, MX1, IFI44, EPSTI1, OAS1, OAS3, HERC5, IFIT1, RSAD2, USP18, IFI44L, and IFI27. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that those DEGs were mainly concentrated in the response to virus and IFN signaling pathways. Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that EPSTI1 was increased in PBMCs of SLE. EPSTI1 was positively correlated with SLEDAI score in SLE patients. Besides, EPSTI1 was positively correlated with T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes (BCL6 and RORC). Furthermore, ROC analyses proved EPSTI1 may have diagnostic value for SLE.Together, EPSTI1 was found to be a potential biomarker for SLE, closely related to T cell immune imbalance.Key Points• EPSTI1 expression was significantly increased in PBMCs of SLE patients.• EPSTI1 was positively correlated with disease activity and T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes in SLE patients.• EPSTI1 might have a good diagnostic value for SLE.Key Points• EPSTI1 expression was significantly increased in PBMCs of SLE patients.• EPSTI1 was positively correlated with disease activity and T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes in SLE patients.• EPSTI1 might have a good diagnostic value for SLE.Results: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with highly heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to find the key genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients and to provide a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of lupus.GSE121239, GSE50772, GSE81622, and GSE144390 mRNA expression profiles were obtained from the website of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and differential expressed genes (DEGs) analysis was performed by R. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to elucidate signaling pathways for the DEGs. Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the key gene EPSTI1 in PBMCs of SLE patients. Finally, the correlation analysis and ROC curve analysis of EPSTI1 for SLE were performed.A total of 12 upregulated DEGs were identified, including MMP8, MX1, IFI44, EPSTI1, OAS1, OAS3, HERC5, IFIT1, RSAD2, USP18, IFI44L, and IFI27. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that those DEGs were mainly concentrated in the response to virus and IFN signaling pathways. Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that EPSTI1 was increased in PBMCs of SLE. EPSTI1 was positively correlated with SLEDAI score in SLE patients. Besides, EPSTI1 was positively correlated with T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes (BCL6 and RORC). Furthermore, ROC analyses proved EPSTI1 may have diagnostic value for SLE.Together, EPSTI1 was found to be a potential biomarker for SLE, closely related to T cell immune imbalance.Key Points• EPSTI1 expression was significantly increased in PBMCs of SLE patients.• EPSTI1 was positively correlated with disease activity and T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes in SLE patients.• EPSTI1 might have a good diagnostic value for SLE.Key Points• EPSTI1 expression was significantly increased in PBMCs of SLE patients.• EPSTI1 was positively correlated with disease activity and T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes in SLE patients.• EPSTI1 might have a good diagnostic value for SLE.Conclusion: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with highly heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to find the key genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients and to provide a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of lupus.GSE121239, GSE50772, GSE81622, and GSE144390 mRNA expression profiles were obtained from the website of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and differential expressed genes (DEGs) analysis was performed by R. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to elucidate signaling pathways for the DEGs. Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the key gene EPSTI1 in PBMCs of SLE patients. Finally, the correlation analysis and ROC curve analysis of EPSTI1 for SLE were performed.A total of 12 upregulated DEGs were identified, including MMP8, MX1, IFI44, EPSTI1, OAS1, OAS3, HERC5, IFIT1, RSAD2, USP18, IFI44L, and IFI27. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that those DEGs were mainly concentrated in the response to virus and IFN signaling pathways. Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that EPSTI1 was increased in PBMCs of SLE. EPSTI1 was positively correlated with SLEDAI score in SLE patients. Besides, EPSTI1 was positively correlated with T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes (BCL6 and RORC). Furthermore, ROC analyses proved EPSTI1 may have diagnostic value for SLE.Together, EPSTI1 was found to be a potential biomarker for SLE, closely related to T cell immune imbalance.Key Points• EPSTI1 expression was significantly increased in PBMCs of SLE patients.• EPSTI1 was positively correlated with disease activity and T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes in SLE patients.• EPSTI1 might have a good diagnostic value for SLE.Key Points• EPSTI1 expression was significantly increased in PBMCs of SLE patients.• EPSTI1 was positively correlated with disease activity and T cell activation- or differentiation-associated genes in SLE patients.• EPSTI1 might have a good diagnostic value for SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an ultra-wideband, angle and polarization-insensitive laser assisted graphene metamaterial absorber is presented. The design consists of double graphene resistive layers with the combination of three dielectric substrates. The graphene imbedded nano-magnetic material Fe 3 O 4 has been synthesisedby laser direct writing technology, which demonstrates a high degree of uniformity with deviations less than 6% for different designed values of sheet resistance. Numerical simulation and analytical studies were carried out in order to analyze the absorption mechanism. The measured results confirm that the absorber operates from 1.32 to 17.9 GHz with over 90% absorptivity. The absorber achieves 173% fractional absorption bandwidth with a thickness of 0.068λ L. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study characterized the nutrients availability of three rare earth tailings deserted in different time stages in Southern Jiangxi of China, and revealed the influence of the soil nutrient properties on fungi composition and diversity by using an internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA sequence approach. Three tailings (RS1, RS2 and RS3) and one reference soil (RS4) were sampled. Results showed that a higher levels of AN and TOC occurred in RS1 and RS4, whereas higher contents of SO2-4, TN, NO-3-N, NH+4-N and rare earth elements (REEs) existed in RS2 and RS3, suggesting a high environmental heterogeneity in the different tailings. Metagenomic analysis showed that RS1~RS4 harbored 355, 564, 366 and 507 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), respectively. Alpha diversity analysis showed that RS4, a control sample, had the highest Shannon diversity, whereas RS3, a newly formed tailings, exhibited the lowest Chao1 richness.Among the monitored environmental variables, AN and SO2-4 were the most important factors affecting the overall fungal community composition and the relative abundances of specific lineages. Additionally, genus Penicillium prevailed in RS1and RS4 while genus Aspergillus dominated in RS2 and RS3, indicating that the nitrification maybe conduct by different fungal genus in different tailings. Together, these results suggest that lower fungal community composition and diversity as well as the alteration in fungi-dominated heterotrophic nitrification may be due to the deteriorative nutrient in rare earth tailings, especially increasing level of sulfate and decreasing level of available nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics are categorized as pseudopersistent compounds because of their widespread use and continuous emission into the environment. Biological systems such as active sludge and biofilms are still the principal tools used to remove antibiotics in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Consequently, it is important to determine the relationship between toxic effects in biological WWTPs and the structural characteristics of antibiotics. In the present study, toxic effects of 10 sulfonamides (SAs) on nitrification in an active sludge system were studied. The toxicity results (half-effective concentrations, EC 50 ) indicated that the toxicity of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) is approximately 4 times as large as that of sulfadiazine (SD). Based on the toxicity mechanism and the partial least squares regression (PLS) method, an optimum quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model was developed for the test system. The mechanistic model showed that the p K a , the binding energies between SAs with dihydropteroate synthetase ( E b i n d i n g S A − D H P S ) and the binding energies between SAs with ammonia monooxygenase ( E b i n d i n g S A − A M O ) are the key factors affecting the toxic effects of SAs on nitration process in active sludge system, following an order of importance of E b i n d i n g S A − D H P S > E b i n d i n g S A − A M O > p K a . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysis is one of the most effective methods for treating antibiotic wastewater. Thus, it is of great significance to determine the relationship between degradation rates and structural characteristics of antibiotics in photocatalysis processes. In the present study, the photocatalytic degradation characteristics of 10 sulfonamides (SAs) were studied using two photocatalytic systems composed of nanophase titanium dioxide ( n TiO 2 ) plus ultraviolet (UV) and n TiO 2 /activated carbon fiber (ACF) plus UV. The results indicated that the largest apparent SA degradation rate constant ( K app ) is approximately 5 times as large as that of the smallest one. Based on the degradation mechanism and the partial least squares regression (PLS) method, optimum Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) models were developed for the two systems. Mechanistic models indicated that the degradation rule of SAs in the TiO 2 systems strongly relates to their highest occupied molecular orbital ( E homo ), the maximum values of nucleophilic attack ( f (+) x ), and the minimum values of the most negative partial charge on a main-chain atom ( q (C) min ), whereas the maximum values of OH radical attack ( f (0) x ) and the apparent adsorption rate constant values ( k ad ) are key factors affecting the degradation rule of SAs in the TiO 2 /ACF system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of miR-34a expression on cell metastasis-associated protein expression in hepatocellular cells. **P<0.01 vs. control cells. miR, microRNA; miRSCR, scramble miR-34a; SIRT, sirtuin; p53, tumor protein 53, Ac-p53, acetylated p53. [Extracted from the article]

Waste residues have been prepared as biochar (BC) adsorbents to remove sulfonamides (SAs) at low cost, but the mechanisms of the differences in the SA adsorption performance of different BCs are not clear. Thus, the adsorption characteristics of two SAs (sulfadiazine and sulfathiazole) on three BCs derived from waste residues (sewage sludge (SB), pig manure (PB), and rice straw (RB)) were investigated. The results showed that the adsorption mechanism was chemisorption and RB was the preferred BC under the different tested conditions (pH, Ca2+, and humic acid), followed by PB and SB. To interpret the phenomena, FTIR, XRD, and XPS analyses were performed and results indicated that SB had the lowest C content, and there was a very significant difference in the concentrations of the two O functional groups (C˭O and C‒O) for PB and RB (P < 0.01). Density functional theory calculations revealed that the mechanisms of SA adsorption onto BCs were mainly through π–π electron donor acceptor interactions and H bonds. There was no significant difference in the π interactions between the SAs-BC containing C‒O (BC(OH)) and the SAs-BC containing C˭O (BC(C˭O)), whereas the H bond strength of SAs-BC(OH) was much stronger than that of SAs-BC(C˭O). ga1 • The adsorption of SAs by tested biochars was chemisorption. • The order of preferred biochars was RB > PB > SB. • Adsorption capacity was related to the structural difference of biochars. • Adsorption capacity was influenced by interaction types and bond strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]