Search

Disturbances or defects in the process of wound repair can disrupt the delicate balance of cells and molecules necessary for complete wound healing, thus leading to chronic wounds or fibrotic scars. Myofibroblasts are one of the most important cells involved in fibrotic scars, and reprogramming provides a potential avenue to increase myofibroblast clearance. Although myofibroblasts have long been recognized as terminally differentiated cells, recent studies have shown that myofibroblasts have the capacity to be reprogrammed into adipocytes. This review intends to summarize the potential of reprogramming myofibroblasts into adipocytes. We will discuss myofibroblast lineage tracing, as well as the known mechanisms underlying adipocyte regeneration from myofibroblasts. In addition, we investigated different changes in myofibroblast gene expression, transcriptional regulators, signalling pathways and epigenetic regulators during skin wound healing. In the future, myofibroblast reprogramming in wound healing will be better understood and appreciated, which may provide new ideas for the treatment of scarless wound healing.

We aimed to validate the Children's Empathy Quotient (EQ-C) and Systemizing Quotient (SQ-C) in Mainland China, which can reflect the profiles of empathizing and systemizing, and describing specific characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gender-typical behaviors in general population. A total of 800 typically developing (TD) children, aged 4–12 years was recruited initially with whose parents/guardians complete the measurements, and 782 TD children who met inclusion criteria were finally included. A 23-item three-factor EQ-C and a 22-item four-factor SQ-C was developed with good internal consistency (Omega total values of 0.87 and 0.86) and test–retest reliability (Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.82 and 0.69). In TD children, girls scored significantly higher on EQ-C (31.4 ± 7.8 vs. 28.2 ± 7.7) but there were no gender differences in SQ-C scores. TD children showed different cognitive styles (empathizing-dominant for girls with 42.6% identified as Type E; systemizing-dominant for boys with 40.7% identified as Type S). A further sample of 222 children with ASD indicated that they scored lower on EQ/SQ-C compared to TD children (13.2 ± 5.1 vs. 29.7 ± 7.9, 12.4 ± 5.8 vs. 23.5 ± 8.3) and were generally systemizing-dominant (Type S: 50.8% for boys and 64.0% for girls). Autistic children scored higher on the SQ-C in those without intellectual disability and with higher paternal education level and family income (14.2 ± 6.1 vs. 10.9 ± 5.0, 13.3 ± 6.2 vs. 11.5 ± 5.1, 13.7 ± 5.6 vs. 11.9 ± 5.8), while there were no differences in the EQ-C. This study indicated good reliability and validity of the Chinese version of EQ/SQ-C, which can be used in Chinese children with and without ASD. Lay Summary: We developed the Chinese version of the Children's Empathy Quotient (EQ-C) and Systemizing Quotient (SQ-C) in 782 typically developing (TD) children aged 4–12 years in Mainland China, yielding a 23-item, 3-factor EQ-C and a 22-item, 4-factor SQ-C with good psychometric properties. In TD children, we found gender difference only in scores of EQ-C. Further analyses of 222 autistic children indicated that differences were found in scores of SQ-C when considering their gender, intelligence and socio-economic status.

An albumin-binding CsA analogue 4MCsA was achieved by attachment of a thiol-reactive maleimide group at the side-chain of P4 position of CsA derivative. 4MCsA was semi-synthesized from CsA, and the cell-impermeability of albumin-4MCsA was detected by mass spectrometry and a competitive flow cytometry. 4MCsA exhibits inhibition of chemotaxis activity and inflammation by targeting extracellular CypA without immunosuppressive effect and cellular toxicity. These combined results suggested that 4MCsA can be restricted extracellularly through covalently binding to Cys34 of albumin with its maleimide group, and regulate the functions of cyclophilin A extracellularly.

N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most abundant messenger RNA (mRNA) modifications in eukaryotes and is involved in various key processes of RNA metabolism. In this issue of Nature, Ries et al (2019) described the fundamental features of m6A modification of mRNAs in regulating the composition of the phase‐separated transcriptome on the basis of number and distribution, and provide strong evidence that m6A plays a role in regulating phase separation in cells.

The synthesis of antiaromatic NiII -norcorroles having primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl groups at the reactive meso-positions was attempted. Reductive coupling of a NiII -dipyrrin precursor provided NiII -meso-dihexylnorcorrole, which underwent substantial degradation on silica gel. Introduction of tert-butyl groups was unsuccessful due to the difficult preparation of the corresponding dipyrrin precursor. Meanwhile, NiII -norcorroles with isopropyl and cyclohexyl groups were isolated as stable molecules under ambient conditions. Furthermore, we found that oxidation of NiII -meso-dialkylnorcorroles with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sodium carbonate gave NiII -5-oxaporphyrins(2.0.1.0). In contrast, oxidation of NiII -meso-dimesitylnorcorrole under the same reaction conditions gave 10-oxaporphyrin(1.1.1.0). The contrasting reactivity can be attributed to the steric congestion around the meso-positions.

A new hexadecahedron assembled by core-shell CoS2 particles@N-doped carbon (CoS2 @NCH) is prepared successfully through the self-templating method. The CoS2 @NCH hybrid electrode delivers a high lithium-storage capacity of 778 mA h g-1 after 1000 cycles at a high current density of 1 A g-1 , which is the longest cycle lifespan among the reported CoS2 anode materials in lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, the CoS2 @NCH hybrid electrode shows excellent rate capability with a discharge capacity of 220 mA h g-1 at an extremely high current density of 20 A g-1 , and a charge capacity of 649 mA h g-1 is restored upon returning the current density back to 2 A g-1 . The superior performance is attributed to the unique construction of CoS2 @NCH. The N-doped interconnected porous carbon shells form highly conductive skeletons for quick electron transfer and prevent the electrode from collapsing. Moreover, the porous characteristic of the materials plays a key role: as some effective channels, the mesopores on the porous carbon shells provide greater access for lithium, and the mesopores derived from the particle interspace enables the complete immersion of the electrodes in electrolyte, which alleviates the volume expansion and ensures the integrity of the electrode. In addition, the nanosized CoS2 particles, which shorten the ion-transport path and provide extra electroactive sites, also improve the reaction kinetics.

In this work, oxygen-deficient anatase TiO2 nanosheets (A-TiO2-x NSs) are proposed as a substrate to improve the electrochemical properties of sulfur electrodes for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The A-TiO2-x NSs are prepared by partly reducing pristine TiO2 nanosheets (A-TiO2 NSs) in NaBH4 solution. With some oxygen vacancies on the surface of the TiO2 nanosheets, A-TiO2-x NSs not only promote electronic transfer, but also act as more effective polysulfide reservoirs to minimize the dissolution of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) than the A-TiO2 NSs control. Hence, upon utilization as modifiers for cathodes of Li-S batteries, the A-TiO2-x NSs-modified sulfur (A-TiO2-x NSs-S) cathode exhibits a higher reversible specific capacity and greater cycling performance and rate capability than the A-TiO2 NSs-modified one (A-TiO2 NSs-S). For example, A-TiO2-x NSs-S delivers an initial specific capacity of 1277.1 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C and maintains a stable Coulombic efficiency of approximately 99.2 % after the first five cycles; these values are higher than those of 997.3 mAh g-1 and around 96.7 %, respectively, for A-TiO2 NSs-S. The enhanced electrochemical properties of the A-TiO2-x NSs-S cathode can be ascribed mainly to the more effective adsorption of dissolvable and diffused LiPSs by the oxygen vacancies. Therefore, utilization of the structure of oxygen vacancies in Li-S batteries demonstrates great prospects for practical application.

Bimetallic transition-metal oxides, which exhibit superior electrochemical properties compared with pristine single-metal oxides, have recently become a topic of significant research interest for applications in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, we report a simple and scalable electrospinning method to synthesize porous CoTiO3 nanofibers as the precursor for nanostructured bimetallic transition-metal oxides formed electrochemically in situ. This strategy ensures uniform mixing and perfect contact between two constituent transition-metal oxides during the lithiation/delithiation process. Furthermore, CoTiO3 nanofibers based on ultrafine CoTiO3 nanocrystals are interconnected to form a nano/microstructured 3D network, which ensures the high stability of the in situ formed structure composed of bimetallic transition-metal oxides, and also fast ion/electron transfer and electrolyte penetration into the electrode. Electrochemical measurements revealed the excellent lithium storage (647 mAh g-1 at 0.1 Ag-1 ) and retention properties (600 mAh g-1 at 1 Ag-1 after 1200 cycles) of the CoO/TiO2 electrode. Moreover, the electrochemical reaction mechanism was explored by using ex situ X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry tests, which confirmed the two-phase reaction processes in the electrodes. These results clearly validate the potential of CoTiO3 with a unique nano/microstructured morphology as the precursor for a bimetallic transition-metal oxide for use as the anode material for long-life LIBs.

1. It has been reported that resveratrol exerts the inhibitory effects on aging through activation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH)/asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) pathway involved in the high glucose-induced endothelial cell senescence. 2. The aims of this work were to explore whether BTM-0512, a novel derivative of resveratrol, was able to exert the beneficial effect on high glucose-induced cellular senescence through regulating the DDAH/ADMA pathway and to explore whether the regulatory effect of BTM-0512 on DDAH/ADMA pathway was related to the activation of SIRT1. 3. The senescence model of endothelial cells was induced by high glucose and the cells were collected for the determination of beta-galactosidase and DDAH activity, ADMA level, DDAH and SIRT1 mRNA expression. 4. The results showed that high glucose significantly increased the ratio of senescent cells concomitantly with the decreased DDAH activity, the downregulated DDAH2 and SIRT1 mRNA expressions and the increased ADMA levels, which were attenuated by pretreatment with BTM-0512. 5. The beneficial effects of BTM-0512 on high glucose-induced senescence were blocked by splimtomicin, the specific inhibitor of SIRT1, or by silencing DDAH2 expression. 6. The results suggest that BTM-0512 was able to exert the beneficial effects on high glucose-induced cellular senescence through regulating the DDAH/ADMA pathway, and its regulatory effect on DDAH/ADMA pathway was related to the activation of SIRT1.

The intrinsic polysulfides shuttle, resulting from not only concentration-gradient diffusion but also slow conversion kinetics of polysulfides, bears the primary responsibility for the poor capacity and cycle stability of lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). Here, it is first presented that enriched edge sites derived from vertical standing and ultrathin 2D layered metal selenides (2DLMS) can simultaneously achieve the thermodynamic and kinetic regulation for polysulfides diffusion, which is systematically elucidated through theoretical calculation, electrochemical characterization, and spectroscopic/microscopic analysis. When employed to fabricate compact coating layer of separator, an ultrahigh capacity of 1338.7 mA h g−1 is delivered after 100 cycles at 0.2 C, which is the best among the reports. Over 1000 cycles, the cell still maintains the capacity of 546.8 mA h g−1 at 0.5 C. Moreover, the cell exhibits outstanding capacities of 1106.2 and 865.7 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at stern temperature of 0 and −25 °C. The superior low-temperature performance is appealing for extended practical application of LSBs. Especially, in view of the economy, the 2DLMS is recycled as an anode of lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries after finishing the test of LSBs. The low-cost and scalable 2DLMS with enriched egde sites open a new avenue for the perfect regulation of the sulfur electrode.

BACKGROUND. Recent work has demonstrated that methyl methansulfonate and ultraviolet-sensitive gene clone 81 (Mus81) is critical in the maintenance of chromosome stability and tumor suppression in mice. To investigate its role in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which currently is unknown, the authors examined the correlation between Mus81 expression and prognosis in patients with HCC. METHODS. Reverse transcriptase-polymersase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were used to determine Mus81 expression levels in 41 paired HCC and paracarcinomatous liver tissue (PCLT) specimens. Immunohistochemistry analysis was also performed on 104 HCC specimens from patients with follow-up information. RESULTS. Both Mus81 messenger RNA and protein expression levels were decreased significantly in HCC specimens. Moreover, lower Mus81 expression levels were detected in nodular HCC (NHCC) than in solitary large HCC (SLHCC) specimens. Among 104 specimens of HCC, the positive rate of Mus81 was significantly lower than the rate in PCLT (P = .017), and the decreased Mus81expression was correlated significantly with high Edmondson-Steiner grade, multiple tumor nodes, and venous invasion. Patients with HCC who had low Mus81 expression had either poorer disease-free survival or poorer overall survival than patients who had with high Mus81 expression (P = .0027 and P = .0001, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that low Mus81 expression was an independent prognostic factor for patients with HCC (risk ratio, 5.74; P = .012). CONCLUSIONS. Mus81 expression levels were decreased significantly in HCC specimens, and the decreased levels were correlated with a poor prognosis in patients with HCC, implicating Mus81 as a candidate prognostic marker in HCC. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are involved in the repair of vessels and angiogenesis and are useful in the treatment of ischemic diseases. The dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH)/asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) pathway is regulated by silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), leading to the senescence of endothelial cells (ECs). Here, we demonstrated that peripheral blood EPCs predominantly expressed DDAH2 that increased with EPC differentiation. EPC senescence and dysfunction were induced on interruption of DDAH2 expression, whereas the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and kinase-domain insert containing receptor (KDR) were downregulated. Moreover, SIRT1 expression increased with EPC differentiation. Interruption of SIRT1 inhibited DDAH2, VEGF, and KDR expression, but had no effect on the level of ADMA. From our data, we concluded that DDAH2 is involved in the differentiation of EPCs and regulates the senescence and function of EPCs through the VEGF/KDR pathway by activation of SIRT1.