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Introduction：Gout is a chronic self-limiting inflammatory arthritis. The mechanism for the spontaneous rapid resolution of inflammation in acute gout was not yet to be elucidated. Metallothionein-1(MT-1) belongs to the metallothionein family, it has been reported to increase in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), and attenuate the inflammation and pathology of the diseases, however the expression of MT-1 in gout and the correlation with the disease activity are still unclear. The present study aims to detect the level of MT-1 in gout patients, and to explore its correlation with disease activity, complication, clinical indexes and inflammatory cytokines.Methods：The expressions of MT-1 mRNAs in PBMCs and serum MT-1 levels in gout patients were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlations between MT-1 and clinical indexes or inflammatory mediators in serum of gout were analyzed by Spearman correlation test.Results：Compared to healthy controls (HCs), active gout patients showed higher levels of MT-1 mRNA in PBMCs and protein in serum, especially in active gout patients with tophi. No significant difference in serum MT-1 levels was observed among the inactive gout patients, HCs and hyperuricemia patients without gout, and also no significant difference was found between kidney damage gout patients and HCs. Compared to HCs, serum IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significant elevated in active gout patients, especially in active gout patients with tophi. Serum MT-1 were positively correlated with CRP, as well as with IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-18, but not correlated with urid acid (UA), ESR and CREA in gout patients. Conclusion：MT-1 was up-regulated in active gout patients, especially in active gout patients with tophi, and positively associated with CRP, as well as with proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8. Given that MT-1 has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress capacity in chronic noninfectious inflammatory diseases, thus, elevated MT-1 in active gout patients may play as an immune mediator to suppress the inflammatory response in acute gout episode.

Achieving detection of the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is of critical importance for understanding plant growth and development. We report a hybrid supramolecular fluorescent probe that uses bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a host. Aggregation-induced emission of fluorescent chromophores (AIEgens) enables luminescence in the presence of BSA. ABA and its aptamer act as a switch to trigger this fluorescent system, the strategy that exhibits high sensitivity to abscisic acid with a detection limit of 0.098 nM. The probe test strip also enables visualization of ABA content from plants by colorimetric observation with the naked eye. In particular, the high biocompatibility and small molecular size of the prepared fluorescent probe allow for effective monitoring of ABA in plant tissues by fluorescence imaging. This strategy provides a new perspective to achieve the detection of endogenous and exogenous ABA in plants and has important implications for plant biology research.

Clinoatacamite (γ-Cu

Mechanically induced polarization of ferroelectric materials generate reactive oxygen species for in situ piezocatalysis and enhance photochemical reactivities by facilitating the separation of photoinduced electron and hole pairs.

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the effect of high-quality nursing based on the concept of childlike interest in children with cleft lip and palate following operation on healing time, degree of pain, psychological state, quality of life, and the occurrence of complications. Methods A series of 62 children with cleft lip and palate was treated in our hospital from January 2019 to March 2021. The patients were randomly divided into observation group (31 cases, given high-quality nursing based on childlike interest) and control group (31 cases, given routine nursing intervention). The healing time and hospital stay of the two groups were recorded. The degree of pain, psychological state and quality of life of the two groups before and after intervention were compared, and the occurrence of complications was closely monitored. Results Compared with the control group, the healing time and hospital stay of the study group were significantly shorter after the intervention (P 0.05), while after intervention the SDS and SAS scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment. Compared with the control group, the SDS and SAS scores of the study group were remarkably lower (P 0.05), while after the intervention, the scores of quality of life in the two groups were associated with lower outcomes. Compared with the control group, the scores of quality of life in the study group were significant lower (P Conclusions High quality nursing based on childlike interest exerted beneficial outcomes in terms of shortening the healing time and hospital stay, reducing the degree of pain and complications, as well as improving the psychological state and quality of life of children harboring cleft lip and palate. Additionally, its high safety feature contributes to the wide application for clinical practice.

Yanmei Ma,1– 3,* Jing Du,4,* Zhihua Yin,1,3 Hanying Dai,2 Yazhi Wei,1,3 Yuhao Xia,2,4 Lingyun Li,2 Zhizhong Ye,1,3 Zhong Huang2,3 1Shenzhen Futian Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Shenzhen, 518040, People’s Republic of China; 2Biological Therapy Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Immunology, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China; 3Joint Research Laboratory for Rheumatology of Shenzhen University Health Science Center and Shenzhen Futian Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Zhizhong Ye, Shenzhen Futian Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Shenzhen, 518040, People’s Republic of China, Email yezhizhong2000@163.com Zhong Huang, Department of Immunology, Biological Therapy Institute of Shenzhen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-755-86671943, Email zhuang809@126.comIntroduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common form of chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease. Metallothionein-1 (MT-1) has been known to play an immunosuppressive role in various noninfectious inflammatory diseases, especially osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, thus inhibiting inflammation and pathogenesis in various diseases. However, whether MT-1 is related to AS is unclear. Here, we examined the levels of MT-1 in patients with AS and its correlation with the disease activity, complication, clinical indexes, and inflammatory cytokines and attempted to explain the effect of MT-1 on inflammation in AS.Methods: The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of MT-1 in patients with AS were detected through real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The associations between serum MT-1 protein level and clinical indexes or proinflammatory cytokines in AS were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test.Results: The mRNAs and serum protein levels of MT-1 were significantly higher in patients with AS, especially in patients with active AS and patients with osteoporosis (OP) than in healthy controls (HCs), and no difference was observed between patients with inactive AS and HCs. Serum MT-1 levels positively correlated with disease activity, proinflammatory cytokines, and clinical indexes Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-Reactive Protein, C-reactive protein level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with AS.Conclusion: MT-1 expression was upregulated in patients with active AS but not in those with inactive AS and positively correlated with clinical indexes, especially in OP, as well as with proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor–alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in patients with AS.Keywords: metallothionein-1, ankylosing spondylitis, noninfectious inflammatory diseases, inflammation cytokines, regulatory cytokines

The clinical benefits of targeting programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in various cancers represent a strategy for the treatment of immunosuppressive diseases. Here, it was demonstrated that the expression levels of PD-L1 in cells were greatly upregulated in response to H1N1 influenza A virus (IAV) infection. Overexpression of PD-L1 promoted viral replication and downregulated type-I and type-III interferons and interferon-stimulated genes. Moreover, the association between PD-L1 and Src homology region-2, containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP2), during IAV/H1N1 infection was analyzed by employing the SHP2 inhibitor (SHP099), siSHP2, and pNL-SHP2. The results showed that the expressions of PD-L1 mRNA and protein were decreased under SHP099 or siSHP2 treatment, whereas the cells overexpressing SHP2 exhibited the opposite effects. Additionally, the effects of PD-L1 on the expression of p-ERK and p-SHP2 were investigated in PD-L1-overexpressed cells following WSN or PR8 infection, determining that the PD-L1 overexpression led to the decreased expression of p-SHP2 and p-ERK induced by WSN or PR8 infection. Taken together, these data reveal that PD-L1 could play an important role in immunosuppression during IAV/H1N1 infection; thus, it may serve as a promising therapeutic target for development of novel anti-IAV drugs.

Directional motion in response to specific signals is critically important for micro/nanomotors in precise cargo transport, obstacle avoidance, collective control, and complex maneuvers. In this work, a kind of isotropic light-driven micromotor that is made of hedgehog-shaped TiO2 and functional multiwall carbon nanotubes (Hs-TiO2@FCNTs) has been developed. The FCNTs are closely entangled with Hs-TiO2 and form a close-knit matrix on the surface of Hs-TiO2, which facilitates the transfer of electrons from Hs-TiO2 to FCNTs. Due to the high redox potential of Hs-TiO2, excellent electron-hole separation efficiency by the addition of FCNTs, and isotropic morphology of the micromotor, these Hs-TiO2@FCNT micromotors show phototactic and fuel-free propulsion under unidirectional irradiation of UV light. It is the first time to demonstrate isotropic micromotors that are propelled by self-electrophoresis. The isotropy of Hs-TiO2@FCNT micromotors makes them immune to the rotational Brownian diffusion and local flows, exhibiting superior directionality. The motion direction of our micromotors can be precisely tuned by light and a velocity of 8.9 μm/s is achieved under 160 mW/cm2 UV light illumination. Photodegradation of methylene blue and active transportation of polystyrene beads are demonstrated for a proof-of-concept application of our micromotors. The isotropic design of the Hs-TiO2@FCNT micromotors with enhanced photocatalytic properties unfolds a new paradigm for addressing the limitations of directionality control and chemical fuels in the current asymmetric light-driven micromotors.

Botallackite (α-Cu2(OH)3Cl) exhibits exotic unconventional magnetic transitions and magnetic ordering structures and thus attracts considerable research enthusiasm. In this work, free-standing α-Cu...

IntroductionIn the current study, silver nanoparticles were prepared and synthesized in aqueous medium using Scrophularia ‎striata leaf extract as stabilizing and reducing agents. Also, we investigated the anti-chronic myeloid leukemia ‎potentials of silver nanoparticles against BV173 (chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis), CML-T1 (chronic ‎myeloid leukemia in lymphoid blast crisis), EM-2 (chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis; relapse after bone ‎marrow transplantation), and JOSK-M (chronic myeloid leukemia in myelomonocytic) cell lines. ‎Material and methodsSilver nanoparticles were characterized and analyzed using common nanotechnology techniques including UV-‎Vis.‎‏ ‏and FT-IR Spectroscopy, Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and Transmission ‎Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectrometry (EDS). ‎ResultsFT-IR analysis offered antioxidant compounds in the nanoparticles were the sources of reducing power, ‎reducing silver ions to silver nanoparticles. FE-SEM and TEM images revealed a uniform spherical morphology ‎in size of 19.72 nm for the green synthesized nanoparticles. DPPH test revealed similar antioxidant potentials ‎for silver nanoparticles and butylated hydroxytoluene. Silver nanoparticles had very low cell viability and anti-‎chronic myeloid leukemia properties dose-dependently against JOSK-M, EM-2, CML-T1, and BV173 cell lines ‎without any cytotoxicity on the HUVEC cell line. The best result of cytotoxicity properties of silver ‎nanoparticles against the above cell lines was observed in the case of CML-T1 cell line. ‎ConclusionsAfter confirming in the in vivo and clinical trial studies, these nanoparticles can be administrated in humans for ‎the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia.‎

Objective. Heart failure (HF) is the end stage of heart disease caused by various factors which mainly involves ventricular remodeling (VR). In HF patients with reduced ejection fraction, dapagliflozin (DAPA) reduced the risk of worsening HF or cardiovascular death. Thus, we attempted to clarify the specific role of DAPA underlying HF progression. Methods. The HF rat model was established to mimic characteristics of HF in vivo. HE staining assessed histopathological changes in left ventricular myocardial tissue of rats in each group. ELISA measured plasma ANP and BNP levels of rats in each group. M-mode echocardiography detected cardiac function of rats in each group. TUNEL staining detected apoptosis of infarct margin cells in myocardial tissue of rats in each group. Western blot detected levels of apoptosis-related proteins, autophagy-related proteins, and AMPK/mTOR-related proteins in myocardial tissue of rats in each group. Immunohistochemical staining detected caspase-3 or LC3B level in myocardial tissue of rats in each group. The HF cellular model was established to mimic characteristics of HF in vitro. Flow cytometry detected H9C2 cell apoptosis under different conditions. Western blot detected levels of apoptosis-related proteins, autophagy-related proteins, and AMPK/mTOR-related proteins in H9C2 cells under different conditions. Immunofluorescence detected caspase-3 or LC3B level in H9C2 cells under different conditions. Results. DAPA attenuated left VR and improved cardiac function in HF rats. DAPA attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis in HF rats. DAPA facilitated cardiomyocyte autophagy in HF rats via the AMPK/mTOR pathway. DAPA repressed hypoxia-induced H9C2 cell apoptosis by facilitating autophagy. DAPA repressed hypoxia-induced H9C2 cell apoptosis via the AMPK/mTOR pathway. Conclusion. DAPA suppresses ventricular remodeling in HF through activating autophagy via AMPK/mTOR pathway, which provides a potential novel insight for seeking therapeutic plans of HF.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common systemic autoimmune disorder of unknown etiology, which threatens public health. The regulatory role of tripartite motif‑containing 22 (TRIM22) has been reported in multiple types of cancers and disease, but not in RA. The aim of the present study was therefore to elucidate the potential roles and underlying mechanisms of TRIM22 in fibroblast‑like synoviocytes (FLSs) in RA. The Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to examine TRIM22 mRNA expression levels in synovial tissue samples of patients with RA and healthy controls. TRIM22 and forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) mRNA and protein expression levels in normal FLSs and RA‑FLSs were assessed using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR) and western blotting, respectively. The Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay was used to assess cell proliferation. Cell apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry. The migratory and invasive abilities of RA‑FLSs were assessed using Transwell assays. Western blotting was used to analyze the protein expression levels of apoptosis‑related factors, MMP2, MMP9 and NF‑κB signaling pathway‑related proteins. Inflammatory factors levels were assessed via ELISA and RT‑qPCR. Furthermore, the JASPAR database, chromatin immunoprecipitation and the dual‑luciferase reporter assays were used to determine the interaction between FOXC1 and the TRIM22 promoter. The results of the present study demonstrated that TRIM22 expression levels were significantly elevated in the synovial tissue samples of patients with RA and RA‑FLSs. Moreover, FOXC1 was also significantly overexpressed in RA‑FLSs. TRIM22 knockdown significantly reduced cell proliferation, migration, invasion and the inflammatory response, whereas cell apoptosis was significantly increased. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that FOXC1 may have positively mediated TRIM22 expression via binding to the TRIM22 promoter. Moreover, FOXC1 overexpression significantly reversed the outcome of TRIM22 knockdown on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and inflammation of RA‑FLSs. FOXC1 overexpression also significantly reversed the inactivation of the NF‑κB signaling pathway caused by TRIM22 knockdown. In summary, the present study demonstrated that TRIM22 was potentially activated via FOXC1, which contributed to the progression of RA via the NF‑κB signaling pathway.

To explore the effect of cognitive behavior oriented psychological intervention on the psychological status of depressed facial acne scar patients receiving fractional photothermolysis.The study enrolled 48 depressed facial acne scar patients who received treatment at our hospital between May 2018 and May 2021. They were randomized to the control group and the fractional photothermolysis group with 24 patients in each group using the random number table method. They received nursing intervention and cognitive behavior-oriented psychological intervention, respectively.The Hamilton Anxiety and Hamilton Depression scores were lower after intervention than before intervention in both groups,and the fractional photothermolysis group had lower Hamilton Anxiety and Hamilton Depression scores than the control group ( P0.05). The interpersonal sensitivity had hostility and phobic anxiety scores were lower after 12 weeks of treatment than before intervention in both groups, and the fractional photothermolysis group had lower interpersonal sensitivity hostility and phobic anxiety scores than the control group ( P0.05). The H, M, V, and P scores after 12 weeks of intervention were both lower in the 2 groups than those before intervention. The humanistic care quality of service nursing care and health education scores were lower after intervention before intervention in both groups and the fractional photothermolysis group had significantly lower humanistic care quality of service nursing care and health education scores than the control group ( P0.05).Cognitive behavior-oriented psychological intervention can effectively improve the psychological status and psychological health of depressed facial acne scar patients receiving fractional photothermolysis.

The crystal stacking order plays a crucial role in determining the structure and physical properties of 2D layered materials. A variation in the stacking sequence of adjacent 2D building blocks causes drastic changes in their functionalities. In this work, the structural variation of belloite (Cu(OH)Cl), as a function of pressure, is presented. Through in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering studies, in combination with first-principles theoretical simulations, a structural transformation from the initial monoclinic phase into an orthorhombic one has been established at 18.7 GPa, featuring variations in the stacking sequence of the tectonic monolayers. In the monoclinic phase, they are arranged in an AAAA sequence. While in the orthorhombic phase, the monolayers are stacked in an ABAB sequence. Such phenomena are similar to those observed in van der Waals 2D materials, with pressure-induced changes in the stacking order between layers. In addition, an isostructural phase transition within the initial monoclinic phase is also observed to occur at 12.9–16 GPa, which is associated with layer-sliding and a change in hydrogen bond configuration. These results show that Cu(OH)Cl, as well as other hydrogen-bonded 2D layered materials, can provide a convenient platform for studying the effects of the crystal stacking order.

Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is an infectious agent responsible for feather degeneration and beak deformation in birds. In March 2017, an epidemic of psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) struck a farm in Fuzhou in the Fujian Province of southeast China, resulting in the death of 51 parrots. In this study, the disease was diagnosed and the pathogen was identified by PCR and whole genome sequencing. A distinct BFDV strain was identified and named as the FZ strain. This BFDV strain caused severe disease symptoms and pathological changes characteristic of typical PBFD in parrots, for example, loss of feathers and deformities of the beak and claws, and severe pathological changes in multiple organs of the infected birds. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the FZ strain was more closely related to the strain circulating in New Caledonia than the strains previously reported in China. Nucleotide homology between the FZ strain and other 43 strains of BFDV ranged from 80.0% to 92.0%. Blind passage experiment showed that this strain had limited replication capability in SPF Chicken Embryos and DF-1 Cells. Furthermore, the capsid (Cap) gene of this FZ strain was cloned into the pGEX-4T-1 expression vector to prepare the polyclonal anti-Cap antibody. Western blotting analysis using the anti-Cap antibody further confirmed that the diseased parrots were infected with BFDV. In this study, a PBFD and its pathogen was identified for the first time in Fujian Province of China, suggesting that future surveillance of BFDV should be performed. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s12250-019-00159-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Combined experimental and theoretical investigations on the compression behavior of CuOHF, as a case study of the high-pressure responses of hydrogen-bonded two-dimensional layered materials, are p...

Gastric cancer is a common malignancy worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this malignancy remain unclear and there are a lack of effective drugs. The present study aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) or inhibition of Tankyrases (TNKS), and determine the underlying molecular mechanisms of gastric cancer. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to detect the expression levels of TNKS, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related proteins in gastric cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues. The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was performed to assess the viability of HGC-27 and AGS cells following treatment with different concentrations of HLY78 (a Wnt activator) or DHA. Following treatment with HLY78, DHA or small interfering (si)-TNKS1/si-TNKS2, colony formation and migratory abilities were assessed via the colony formation, wound healing and Transwell assays. Furthermore, western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to detect the expression levels of TNKS, EMT- and Wnt/β-catenin-related proteins. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of TNKS, AXI2, β-catenin, N-cadherin and Vimentin were upregulated, whereas E-cadherin expression was downregulated in gastric cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. Furthermore, HLY78 and DHA suppressed the viability of HGC-27 and AGS cells, in a concentration-independent manner. Notably, TNKS knockdown or treatment with DHA suppressed colony formation, migration, TNKS expression, EMT and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Opposing effects were observed following treatment with HLY78, which were ameliorated following co-treatment with DHA. Taken together, these results suggest that DHA or inhibition of TNKS can suppress the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells, which is partly associated with inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and EMT process.

Light-driven micromotors have stimulated considerate interests due to their potentials in biomedicine, environmental remediation, or serving as the model system for non-equilibrium physics of active matter. Simultaneous control over the motion direction and speed of micro/nanomotors is crucial for their functionality but still difficult since Brownian motion always randomizes the orientations. Here, a highly efficient light-driven ZnO/Pt Janus micromotor capable of aligning itself to illumination direction and exhibiting negative phototaxis at high speeds (up to 32 µm s-1 ) without the addition of any chemical fuels is developed. A light-triggered self-built electric field parallel to the light illumination exists due to asymmetrical surface chemical reactions induced by the limited penetration depth of light along the illumination. The phototactic motion of the motor is achieved through electrophoretic rotation induced by the asymmetrical distribution of zeta potential on the two hemispheres of the Janus micromotor, into alignment with the electric field. Notably, similar phototactic propulsion is also achieved on TiO2 /Pt and CdS/Pt micromotors, which presents explicit proof of extending the mechanism of dipole-moment induced phototactic propulsion in other light-driven Janus micromotors. Finally, active transportation of yeast cells are achieved by the motor, proving its capability in performing complex tasks.