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The sodium lignosulfonate (SL) modified Fe3O4(Fe3O4-SL) nanoparticles with excellent peroxidase-like activity were prepared by one-step solvothermal method, which were applied to sensing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and glutathione (GSH) with color change. Firstly, the morphology and composition of Fe3O4-SL nanoparticles were characterized. The results showed that the synthesized Fe3O4-SL nanoparticles had a spherical structure with an average diameter of 220 nm. Subsequently, the peroxidase-like activity of Fe3O4-SL nanoparticles was investigated by catalyzing the formation of blue-colored oxidized TMB (ox-TMB) by 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2. Mechanism studies showed that the Fe3O4-SL nanoparticles exhibited better catalytic activity than natural horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and the catalytic pathway abode by the ping-pong mechanism. Finally, the colorimetric sensor for H2O2was established, which had a linear range of 0.5–150 μmol/L, a detection limit of 0.139 μmol/L and good selectivity. In addition, according to the decolorization reaction of ox-TMB and GSH and the scavenging effect of GSH on hydroxyl radicals, a colorimetric GSH sensor was further constructed. Based on the above results, a colorimetric detection platform for GSH was built, by which a detection range of 0.5–25 μmol/L and a detection limit of 0.08 μmol/L were obtained. The results above showed that the colorimetric sensing system constructed here had a wide detection range, good selectivity and stability for detection of GSH, which would provide an important reference in food monitoring, biomolecule detection and other fields.

Magnetized biochar (MB) was prepared by co-precipitation-supported Fe3O4method to investigate the adsorption characteristics of Cu2+in aqueous solution by amphoterically modified MB (MBBS). MB was modified by dodecyl dimethyl betaine (BS-12) with modification ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 100%, 150%, and 200% cation exchange capacity (CEC) of MB for preparing MB, MB25BS, MB50BS, MB100BS, MB150BS, and MB200BS, respectively. Basic physicochemical properties of different MBBSmaterials were analyzed. Isothermal adsorption and thermodynamic characteristics of Cu2+on different MBBSs were studied by batch method, and the effects of pH, temperature, and ionic strength on Cu2+adsorption were compared. Results showed the following. (1) The surface of biochar (B) loaded with Fe3O4became rough, and that of MB modified by BS-12 became smooth gradually. The pH, CEC, and specific surface area of all MCBSmaterials diminished with increased BS-12 modification ratio. (2) Adsorption isotherms of Cu2+on different MBBSs were L-shaped and accorded with Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity of MBBSs to Cu2+ranged from 318.43 to 542.46 mmol/kg. The adsorption capacity of MB modified by BS-12 for Cu2+was substantially enhanced compared with MB. (3) In the range of 20°C–40°C, the adsorption amount of Cu2+on MBBSmaterials all increased with the increase in temperature. The increase in pH was beneficial to the adsorption of Cu2+by various MBBSmaterials, whereas the increase in ionic strength inhibited the adsorption of Cu2+by various MBBSs. (4) Cu2+adsorption by MCBSs was a process of spontaneous, endothermic, and entropy increase.

To determine the effect of compositely modified amphipathic clay on Cu2+adsorption, 50% and 100% cation exchange capacity (CEC) of anionic polyacrylamide (PA in the modified amphipathic maifan- ite (M50x)), citric acid (CA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (ED in M50x), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SD in M50x) were used to remodify the 50% CEC of dodecyl dimethyl betaine (BS-12 or BS)-modified maifanite (M50BS) and form four types of compositely modified amphipathic maifanite (M50x), such as M50BS/PA(including M50BS/50PAand M50BS/100PA; the same goes for the other samples), M50BS/CA, M50BS/ED, and M50BS/SD. The adsorption and thermodynamic characteristics of Cu2+on the various compositely modified M50BSwere investigated by using the batch method, and the adsorption difference in the pH value, temperature, and ion strength were discussed. The results showed that (1) the adsorption isotherms of Cu2+on the test samples were all “L” type and combined with the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption amount of Cu2+on the different samples changed between 109.09 and 200.87 mmol/kg and presented the trend M50BS/PA> M50BS/CA> M50BS/SD> M50BS/ED> M50BS> M. M50BSremodified by 100% CEC of the composite modifier obtained superior Cu2+adsorption, and the adsorption amount of Cu2+was 1.10–1.20 times higher than that of MBSremodified by 50% CEC of the composite modifier. (2) In the range of 20°C to 40°C, the adsorption amount of Cu2+in the tested samples increased with the increase in temperature, except for M50BS/PAand M50BS/SD, and the increasing range was 7.56%–16.79%. (3) Within the pH range of 3 to 5, the Cu2+adsorbed by each test sample increased with increasing pH value. The adsorption amount of Cu2+on the tested maifanites (except M50BS) decreased with increasing ionic strength, wherein the best amount was at 0.01 mol/L. (4) The adsorption of Cu2+on the tested maifanites was a spontaneous, endothermic (except MBS/PAand M50BS/SD), and entropic-adding process.

ABSTRACTThe study was to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity and lot-to-lot consistency of live attenuated varicella vaccine in Chinese population aged 1–3 years. The double-blind, randomized phase III trial was conducted in Henan Province, China. In total, 1197 subjects were included in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned into four groups in a 2:2:2:1 ratio to receive one of the three lots of commercial scale (CS) vaccine or the licensed pilot scale (LPS) vaccine. Seroconversion rate and neutralizing antibody titers (NATb) were assessed at day 0 pre-vaccination and at day 30 post-vaccination. Safety data were recorded for 30 days post-vaccination. After vaccination, the geometric mean titers (GMTs) of the three CS groups were 25.04 (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.85 to 27.44), 24.47 (95% CI, 22.35 to 26.78) and 25.88 (95% CI, 23.61 to 28.36), respectively (P= 0.6928). The ratio of GMTs adjusted for covariates of each pair of lots were all between 0.67 to 1.50 in susceptible subjects. The difference of seroconversion rate between pooled CS group and LPS group was 3.82 (95% CI, 0.55 to 8.81). Meanwhile, the percentage of solicited local, systemic and unsolicited adverse reactions showed no difference across the four groups, and most of the adverse reactions were mild or moderate in intensity. The CS group was comparable to the LPS group in safety and immunogenicity. The consistency of three consecutive CS lots was reliable. Moreover, the CS group was non-inferior to the LPS group.

A variable magnetization (VM) motor by incorporating magnets that can be flexibly configured with variable magnetization process is proposed to meet the emerging requirements on motor efficiency and actuator compliance in robotic applications. A generalized spin torque model is established which provides a relationship between the motor torque and two different types of motor inputs, the current inputs and the magnet magnetizations. A variable magnetization process is proposed based on the study of the hysteresis properties of the magnetic materials and the design criteria for implementing the variable magnetization process with current pulses are established. The feasibility of the variable magnetization is validated with experimental data and the motor functions and performances are numerically demonstrated and evaluated. The results show that the VM motor can maintain high efficiency by switching between two actuation modes. Controllable stiffness at different equilibria can be also achieved with the VM motor with instantaneous magnetizing current pulses.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of B cell depletion in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has revitalized interest in the pathogenic role(s) of B cells in RA. We evaluated the distribution of synovial B lineage cells and their correlation with histologic disease activity and joint destruction in RA. METHODS: Synovial tissue samples were obtained by closed-needle biopsy from 69 Chinese patients with active RA, from 14 patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and from 15 with orthopedic arthropathies (OrthA) as disease controls. Serial tissue sections were stained immunohistochemically for CD79a (pro-B cell to plasma cell), CD20 (B cells), CD38 (plasma cells), CD21 (follicular dendritic cells), CD68 (macrophages), CD3 (T cells), and CD34 (endothelial cells). Densities of positive-staining cells were determined and correlated with histologic disease activity (Krenn 3-component synovitis score) and radiographic joint destruction (Sharp score). RESULTS: Mean sublining CD79a-positive cell density was significantly higher in RA than in OA (p <0.001) or OrthA (p = 0.003). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that CD79a-positive cell density differentiated RA well from OA [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.79] or OrthA (AUC = 0.75). Spearman’s rank order correlation showed significant correlations between sublining CD79a-positive cell density and the synovitis score (r = 0.714, p < 0.001), total Sharp score (r = 0.490, p < 0.001), and the erosion subscore (r = 0.545, p < 0.001), as well as the joint space narrowing subscore (r = 0.468, p = 0.001) in RA. CONCLUSION: Synovial CD79a-positive B cells may be a helpful biomarker for histologic disease activity in RA and may be involved in the pathogenesis of joint destruction in RA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine serum glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) concentrations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to test whether they correlate with objective measures of disease activity. METHODS: Sera from 116 patients with RA, 69 patients with non-RA rheumatic diseases, and 101 healthy controls were analyzed. Levels of soluble serum GPI were measured by ELISA. Histological disease activity was determined with the synovitis score in synovial needle biopsies from 58 of the 116 patients with RA. Thirty-one of the 58 synovium samples were stained for CD68, CD3, CD20, CD38, CD79a, and CD34 by immunohistochemistry. Demographic data were collected, as well as serological and clinical variables that indicate RA disease activity, for Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS: Serum GPI level correlated positively with the synovitis score (r = 0.278, p = 0.034). Significantly higher soluble GPI levels were detected in the RA sera compared with sera from healthy controls and the non-RA disease controls (2.25 ± 2.82 vs 0.03 ± 0.05 and 0.19 ± 0.57 µg/ml, respectively; p < 0.0001). The rate of serum GPI positivity was significantly higher in the RA patients than in the non-RA disease controls (64.7% vs 10.1%; p < 0.0001). Spearman analysis showed no significant correlation between serum GPI level and Disease Activity Score in 28 joints at baseline. After initiation of antirheumatic treatments, GPI levels decreased significantly (2.81 ± 3.12 vs 1.44 ± 2.09 µg/ml; p = 0.016), paralleling improvement of the disease activity indices. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum GPI may be involved in the synovitis of RA and may prove useful as a serum marker for disease activity of RA.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) and adapter proteins (TRADD, RIP, and TRAF2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) subsets from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: PBMC were isolated from 45 SLE patients and 25 controls, and stained with labeled antibodies that enabled identification of various T cell, B cell, and monocyte subpopulations. Expression of TNF-related signaling molecules was measured by staining with labeled antibodies either directly or following fixation and permeabilization. Apoptosis was quantified using an anti-active caspase 3 antibody. RNA expression of TNF-related signaling molecules was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR and serum levels of TNF-α by ELISA. RESULTS: SLE patients had increased levels of TNFR1, TNFR2, and TRAF2, together with decreased levels of RIP, on various B, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T cell subsets as compared to controls. This altered expression was seen in both naive and memory subpopulations, and reflected altered staining of the whole population rather than a subset of cells that were activated. The levels of these molecules were not significantly correlated with serum TNF-α levels or their RNA expression in whole peripheral blood. TNFR1 and TNFR2 expression was negatively correlated with disease activity. There was no association between the proportion of apoptotic cells in any of the subpopulations and serum TNF-α levels or expression of TNF-related signaling molecules. CONCLUSION: Patients with SLE had altered expression of TNF-related signaling molecules, suggesting that there may be an imbalance in TNF-α signaling favoring cellular activation as opposed to proapoptotic pathways.

ABSTRACTCD137-targeting immune therapy, which activates anti-tumor T effector cell responses, seems to be an attractive concept in clinical oncology. Recent evidence has demonstrated that tumor cells besides T cells and antigen-presenting cells are able to express CD137 and CD137L. Here we aimed to identify CD137/CD137L expression in established colon cancer cell lines and primary tumors (UICC stages I-IV) from patients with documented long-term follow-up. CD137/CD137L expression was highly upregulated in early to late-stage tumors while the inverse was observed in patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells. High CD137L expression within primary tumors was mediated by tumor cells and significantly correlated with the occurrence of distant metastases and shortened survival in advanced stages of disease (UICC stage IV). Interestingly, induced tumor cell signaling via CD137L on its surface in vitroresulted in dual effects: (i) reduced tumor cell proliferation suggesting inhibitory signaling in all investigated cancers and (ii) increased epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition signaling events. Taken together CD137/CD137L expression was stage-dependently upregulated with shortened survival in patients with highly CD137L-expressing tumors. Our clinical and experimental data suggest that colon cancer cells predominantly express CD137L and thereby have negative impact on overall survival through a process of reverse signaling. Beside agonistic CD137 antibody therapy to foster T effector cell responses, CD137L-mediated intervention strategies may become instrumental to circumvent relapsed tumor growth through induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and consecutive metastases formation.

A case of congenital ostial stenosis of the left main coronary artery with a large short patent ductus arteriosus is described. Revascularization was performed by autologous pericardial patch angioplasty and the ductus was closed simultaneously with a fabric patch.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease leading to joint destruction and disability. Focal bone erosion is due to excess bone resorption of osteoclasts. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is one of the critical mediators both in inflammatory signal pathway and differentiation and resorption activity of osteoclasts. Here we aimed to investigate TRAF6 expression in RA synovium and its correlation with histological synovitis severity and radiological joint destruction in RA.