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The selective separation of CO2 from CH4‐containing gases is crucial to produce clean energy gases. In this study, triazole anion‐functionalized ionic liquids (TAFILs) were designed by combining low molecular weight cations with triazole anions containing N electronegative site and further mixed with physical solvents to form physicochemical absorbents. The results indicated that [Cho][Triz]/TMS (80 wt%/20 wt%) not only absorbs 0.125 g CO2/g absorbent equal to that of 30 wt% MEA solution at 40°C and 1 bar, but also has low enthalpy of −35.76 kJ/mol less than half of 30 wt% MEA solution. Simultaneously, a super high CO2/CH4 selectivity of 191.0, higher than most of the reported absorbents, is obtained for [Cho][Triz]/TMS solvents. Such great performance of CO2 separation was attributed to relatively weak chemical and physical interaction between CO2 and TAFIL binary absorbents. This study may provide novel promising ionic liquid absorbents for CO2 capture applications from clean energy gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interfacial microhabitat induced by functionalized ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte can effectively improve product selectivity for CO2 electroreduction. The multiple interactions in IL electrolytes affect the ions, CO2, proton distribution, and the protonation reaction, which are relevant to product selectivity. However, the specific effects are still unclear. Herein, molecular dynamics simulation and density functional theory were combined to reveal the regulatory mechanisms. The results showed that the dipolar interaction between CO2 and [124Triz]− cooperating the hydrogen bonds between [124Triz]− and H2O facilitates the accumulation of H atoms around C atoms of CO2. Moreover, the strong polar [124Triz]− induces protons to attack the C atoms of CO2, which results in lower free energy (−0.10 eV) for the formation of *HCOO intermediate and promotes the formation of formate, compared with the free energy of 0.43 eV for [NTf2]−. This work reveals the [124Triz]− regulatory mechanism for high formate selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modulating the coordination environment of single‐atom catalysts (SACs) is an attractive approach for maximizing the catalytic activity of single‐atom centers. Currently, the synthesis of low‐coordinated SACs is mainly confined to increasing the pyrolysis temperature (≥900 °C) to control C─N volatile fragments. Herein, a novel and universal strategy for the low‐coordinated SACs modulation is presented using transition metal (e.g., Ni, Co, Zn) ionic liquid precursors under relatively mild temperature of 600 °C, which regulates the L‐shell electronic structure and decreases nearly 50% electrophilic reactivity by ionization of 4‐position N atom, thereby orienting synthesis of the SACs with metal‐N3 centers. The Ni‐N3 SACs exhibit exceptional CO2 electroreduction performance of 99.7% CO Faraday efficiency with an ultra‐high CO partial current density of 467.55 mA·cm−2 as well as a CO production rate up to 10417.51 µmol·h−1·cm−2 in flow cell. The superior catalytic activity achieves over twofold increase compared with the Ni‐N4 SACs prepared by non‐metal ionic liquid precursors due to the lower free energy of the key intermediate *COOH and the stronger adsorption energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome integration‐free pig induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) bring tremendous value in pre‐clinical testing of regenerative medicine, as well as conservation and exploitation of endangered or rare local pig idioplasmatic resources. However, due to a lack of appropriate culture medium, efficient induction and stable maintenance of pig iPSCs with practical value remains challenging. Here, we established an efficient induction system for exogenous gene‐independent iPSCs under chemically defined culture condition previously used for generation of stable pig pre‐gastrulation epiblast stem cells (pgEpiSCs). WNT suppression was found to play an essential role in establishment of exogenous gene‐independent iPSCs. Strikingly, stable integration‐free pig iPSCs could be established from pig somatic cells using episomal vectors in this culture condition. The iPSCs had pluripotency features and transcriptome characteristics approximating pgEpiSCs. More importantly, this induction system may be used to generate integration‐free iPSCs from elderly disabled rare local pig somatic cells and the iPSCs could be gene‐edited and used as donor cells for nuclear transfer. Our results provide novel insights into potential applications for genetic breeding of livestock species and pre‐clinical evaluation of regenerative medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Reactive lymphocytes are substantial components of germinoma, which are believed to be related to the favorable prognosis of this intracranial tumor and better response to immunotherapy. However, the mechanisms managing the recruitment of lymphocytes are poorly understood. High endothelial venules (HEVs) are specialized blood vessels that play key roles in lymphocyte trafficking in Lymph nodes. These vessels are associated with lymphocyte infiltration in chronic inflammatory diseases and various malignant tumors, but their distribution and implications in germinoma are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and implications of HEVs in intracranial germinomas. Methods: We investigated the presence and distribution of HEVs in 42 germinomas by immunohistochemical staining of peripheral node addressin (PNAd) and transmission electron microscopic examination. The correlation of the densities of HEVs with the extent of T and B lymphocyte infiltration and several clinicopathological characteristics were also analyzed to determine whether HEVs are responsible for lymphocyte recruitment and their roles in anti‐tumor immunity in germinoma. Results: PNAd‐positive HEVs were detected in 31% (13/42) of germinomas, and their presence correlated with abundant infiltrating CD3+ T cells, CD20 + B cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (p = 0.0410, 0.0023, and 0.0061, respectively). Higher HEVs density was also correlated with several clinicopathological parameters, which are recognized indicators for favorable prognosis in germinomas, including typical tumor location (p = 0.0093), lower tumor cell content (p = 0.0428), and younger age at diagnosis (p = 0.0121). Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis showed HEVs‐associated genes mainly enriched in immune‐related Gene Ontology terms, including innate immune response, inflammatory response, and B cell receptor signaling pathway. The xCell analysis revealed that germinomas with higher HEVs enrichment scores had increased levels of the immune score, microenvironment score, dendritic cells, CD8+ central memory T‐cells, CD4+ memory T‐cells, and B‐cells. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that HEVs could contribute to lymphocyte recruitment in germinomas, thus may serve as a predictor of favorable prognosis and better response to immunotherapy in this intracranial tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new CO2 electroreduction electrolyte system consisting of tetrabutylphosphonium 4‐(methoxycarbonyl) phenol ([P4444][4‐MF‐PhO]) ionic liquid (IL) and acetonitrile (AcN) was designed to produce oxalate, and the electroreduction mechanism was studied. The results show that using the new IL‐based electrolyte, the electroreduction system exhibits 93.8% Faradaic efficiency and 12.6 mA cm−2 partial current density of oxalate at −2.6 V. The formation rate of oxalate is 234.4 μmol cm−2 h−1, which is better than those reported in the literature. The mechanism study using density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveals that [P4444][4‐MF‐PhO] can effectively activate CO2 molecule through ester and phenoxy double active sites. In addition, in the phosphonium‐based ionic environment, the potential barriers of the key intermediates *CO2− and *C2O42− are reduced by the induced electric field, which greatly facilitates the activation and conversion of CO2 molecule to oxalate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuticular proteins (CPs) are known to play important roles in insect development and defence responses. The loss of CP genes can lead to changes in insect morphology and sensitivity to the external environment. In this study, we identified the AccCPR2 gene, which belongs to the CPR family (including the R&R consensus motif) of CPs, and explored its function in the response of Apis cerana cerana to adverse external stresses. Our results demonstrated that AccCPR2 was highly expressed in the late pupal stage and epidermis, and the expression of AccCPR2 may be induced or inhibited under different stressors. RNA interference experiments showed that knockdown of AccCPR2 reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, led to the accumulation of oxidative damage and suppressed the expression of several antioxidant genes. In addition, knockdown of AccCPR2 also reduced the pesticide resistance of A. cerana cerana. The overexpression of AccCPR2 in a prokaryotic system further confirmed its role in resistance to various stresses. In summary, AccCPR2 may play pivotal roles in the normal development and environmental stress response of A. cerana cerana. This study also enriched the theoretical knowledge of the resistance biology of bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyroptosis is a type of programmed cell death, displaying caspase‐1‐dependent and pro‐inflammatory features. Purinergic 2X4 (P2X4) receptor activation in response to high‐adenosine triphosphate release can induce inflammation. Envelope glycoprotein 120 (gp120) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is considered one of the primary pathogens leading to neuronal injury. In this study, we investigated the possible role of P2X4 receptor activation in gp120‐triggered pyroptosis in cultured satellite glial cells (SGCs) of rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG). MTS assay, TdT‐mediated dUTP Nick‐end labeling assay, real‐time RT‐PCR, and western blotting et al. methods were used. The results indicated that the expression of P2X4 receptor in SGCs of DRG was up‐regulated upon cultured with gp120 for 24 h. The highest decrease in viability of SGCs due to gp120 treatment was accompanied by marked increases of positive pyroptosis cells and cellular lactate dehydrogenase release, elevated levels of interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐18, active caspase‐1 and NOD‐like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 1, and enhanced phosphorylation of p38MAPK. These abnormal changes because of gp120 were significantly inhibited and cell viability was markedly improved when SGCs of DRG were treated with short hairpin RNAs targeting P2X4 receptor. Our data suggest that silencing of P2X4 receptor may act effectively against gp120‐induced pyroptosis mediated by the activation of NOD‐like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 1 inflammasome and caspase‐1 signaling in SGCs of DRG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have shown critical roles in multiple cancers via competitively binding common microRNAs. miR‐214 has been proved to play tumour suppressive roles in various cancers, including cervical cancer. In this study, we identified that lncRNA LINC01535 physically binds miR‐214, relieves the repressive roles of miR‐214 on its target EZH2, and therefore up‐regulates EZH2 protein expression. Intriguingly, we also found that EZH2 directly represses the expression of miR‐214. Thus, miR‐214 and EZH2 form double negative regulatory loop. Through up‐regulating EZH2, LINC01535 further represses miR‐214 expression. Functional experiments showed that enhanced expression of LINC01535 promotes cervical cancer cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro and cervical cancer xenograft growth in vivo. Reciprocally, LINC01535 knockdown suppresses cervical cancer cell growth, migration and invasion. Activation of the miR‐214/EZH2 regulatory loop by overexpression of miR‐214 or silencing of EZH2 reverses the roles of LINC01535 in promoting cervical canc'er cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro and cervical cancer xenograft growth in vivo. Clinically, LINC01535 is significantly up‐regulated in cervical cancer tissues and correlated with advanced clinical stage and poor prognosis. Moreover, the expression of LINC01535 is reversely associated with the expression of miR‐214 and positively associated with the expression of EZH2 in cervical cancer tissues. In conclusion, this study reveals that LINC01535 promotes cervical cancer progression via repressing the miR‐214/EZH2 regulatory loop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The upregulation of nociceptive ion channels expressed in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) contributes to the development and retaining of diabetic pain symptoms. The flavonoid quercetin (3,3′,4′,5,7‐pentahydroxyflavone) is a component extracted from various fruits and vegetables and exerts anti‐inflammatory, analgesic, anticarcinogenic, antiulcer, and antihypertensive effects. However, the exact mechanism underlying quercetin's analgesic action remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on diabetic neuropathic pain related to the P2X4 receptor in the DRG of type 2 diabetic rat model. Our data showed that both mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency in diabetic rats treated with quercetin were higher compared with those in untreated diabetic rats. The expression levels of P2X4 messenger RNA and protein in the DRG of diabetic rats were increased compared with the control rats, while quercetin treatment significantly inhibited such enhanced P2X4 expression in diabetic rats. The satellite glial cells (SGCs) enwrap the neuronal soma in the DRG. Quercetin treatment also lowered the elevated coexpression of P2X4 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (a marker of SGCs) and decreased the upregulation of phosphorylated p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) in the DRG of diabetic rats. Quercetin significantly reduced the P2X4 agonist adenosine triphosphate‐activated currents in HEK293 cells transfected with P2X4 receptors. Thus, our data demonstrate that quercetin may decrease the upregulation of the P2X4 receptor in DRG SGCs, and consequently inhibit P2X4 receptor‐mediated p38MAPK activation to relieve the mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in diabetic rats. The expression levels of P2X4 receptor in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) satellite glial cells (SGCs) of diabetic rats were increased to relate to hyperalgesia. Quercetin decreased the upregulation of the P2X4 receptor in DRG SGCs. Consequently, quercetin relieved the mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic neuropathic pain is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Activation of satellite glial cells (SGCs) in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) plays a crucial role in neuropathic pain through the release of proinflammatory cytokines. The P2Y12 receptor is expressed in SGCs of the DRG. In this study, our aim was to investigate the role of the P2Y12 receptor on the pathological changes in diabetic neuropathic pain. The present study showed that diabetic neuropathic pain increased mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in type 2 DM model rats. The results showed that the expression levels of P2Y12 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in DRG SGCs were increased in DM model rats compared with control rats. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) expression levels in the DRG were increased in DM rats. Upregulation of GFAP is a marker of SGC activation. Targeting the P2Y12 receptor by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) decreased the upregulated expression of P2Y12 mRNA and protein, coexpression of P2Y12 and GFAP, the expression of GFAP, IL‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor‐receptor 1 in the DRG of DM rats, and relieved mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in DM rats. After treatment with the P2Y12 receptor shRNA, the enhancing integrated OPTICAL density (IOD) ratios of p‐P38 MAPK to P38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the DM rats treated with P2Y12 shRNA were significantly lower than that in the untreated DM rats. Therefore, P2Y12 shRNA treatment decreased SGC activation to relieve mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in DM rats. Upregulated P2Y12 in satellite glial cells (SGCs) of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) was involved in diabetic neuropathic pain. Targeting the P2Y12 receptor by short hairpin RNA decreased the upregulated expression of the P2Y12 receptor in DRG SGCs and relieved mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in type 2 DM rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chronic lead exposure causes peripheral sympathetic nerve stimulation, including increased blood pressure and heart rate. Purinergic receptors are involved in the sympathoexcitatory response induced by myocardial ischemia injury. However, whether P2X4 receptor participates in sympathoexcitatory response induced by chronic lead exposure and the possible mechanisms are still unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the change of the sympathoexcitatory response induced by chronic lead exposure via the P2X4 receptor in the stellate ganglion (SG). Rats were given lead acetate through drinking water freely at doses of 0 g/L (control group), 0.5 g/L (low lead group), and 2 g/L (high lead group) for 1 year. Our results demonstrated that lead exposure caused autonomic nervous dysfunction, including blood pressure and heart rate increased and heart rate variability (HRV) decreased. Western blotting results indicated that after lead exposure, the protein expression levels in the SG of P2X4 receptor, IL‐1β and Cx43 were up‐regulated, the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) was activated. Real‐time PCR results showed that the mRNA expression of P2X4 receptor in the SG was higher in lead exposure group than that in the control group. Double‐labeled immunofluorescence results showed that P2X4 receptor was co‐expressed with glutamine synthetase (GS), the marker of satellite glial cells (SGCs). These changes were positively correlated with the dose of lead exposure. The up‐regulated expression of P2X4 receptor in SGCs of the SG maybe enhance the sympathoexcitatory response induced by chronic lead exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superior cervical ganglia (SCG) innervate the myocardium and participate in sympathoexcitatory transmission. P2Y12 receptor is expressed in satellite glial cells (SGCs). This study seeks to clarify whether the P2Y12 receptor is involved in the sympathoexcitation reflex after myocardial ischemia (MI). MI model was induced by occlusion of the left coronary artery. P2Y12 were assayed by real time PCR and Western blotting. Our results showed that expression levels of P2Y12 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in the MI group than in the sham group. Administration of P2Y12 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) caused downregulation of the P2Y12 receptor in the SCG. In MI rats plus P2Y12 shRNA treatment group, the abnormal changes in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), electrocardiograms (ECGs), and cardiac tissue structures were alleviated. When the treatment of P2Y12shRNA in MI rats, upregulated coexpression values of P2Y12 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the upregulation of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and phosphorylated P38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p-P38 MAPK) in the SCG were decreased. Downregulation of the P2Y12 receptor in the SCG after MI may improve cardiac function by alleviating the sympathoexcitatory reflex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pituicytoma is rare and difficult to diagnose. This study explored the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of pituicytoma. We compared 11 cases of pituicytoma and 26 cases of sellar glioma (16 pilocytic astrocytomas, four diffuse astrocytomas, three pilomyxoid astrocytomas, and three third ventricle chordoid gliomas). The 11 pituicytoma cases involved six men and five women (age: 33-65 years). Three of the 11 patients experienced recurrence due to a residual tumor, and one patient underwent three surgeries during a 6-month period. Imaging findings revealed tumors were in the intrasellar region (four cases), suprasellar region (four cases) and intra-suprasellar regions (three cases). The tumor diameters were 1.3-3.8 cm, and the preoperative diagnoses were pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma and meningioma. The tumors were solid and contained spindle or slightly chubby cells that were densely arranged with visible cleft-like or expanded sinusoid structures. The cells had vague boundaries, circular nuclei, fine chromatin, and a small nucleolus. Immunohistochemical staining of the pituicytomas revealed positive expression of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) and S-100 protein (S-100), positive focal expression of glial GFAP;(five of 11 cases), and negative oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (Olig2), CD34 and neurofilament expression. The Ki67 index was 6% in one case and 1-2% in the other cases. Unlike pituicytoma, most sellar glioma cases exhibited GFAP and Olig2 expression, and negative TTF-1 expression. Third ventricle chordoid gliomas expressed TTF-1, GFAP and CD34, and were negative for Olig2. Our results indicate that pituicytoma typically involves dense arrangements of spindle or slightly chubby cells. The morphology is occasionally atypical, with ependymoma-like or meningioma-like structures, and occasionally exhibits pilomyxoid degeneration. Abundant sinusoids are characteristic of hemorrhagic tumors. The dense spindle cell arrangement is a relatively specific morphology, and staining for GFAP, TTF-1, Olig2 and CD4 may help differentiate pituicytoma from sellar glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the clinicopathologic features and immunophenotypes of 10 cases of endolymphatic sac tumor ( ELST) and compared them with other papillary tumors, including eight cases of choroid plexus papilloma ( CPP), three cases of atypical choroid plexus papilloma ( ACPP), two cases of papillary ependymoma ( PE), three cases of papillary meningioma ( PM) and two cases of metastatic carcinoma ( MC) the at cerebellopontine angle ( CPA). The age at onset of ELST ranged from 13 to 39 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1. The clinical presentations were primarily ear-related symptoms. The temporal bones showed extensive destruction. Histologically, the important characteristics for differential diagnosis with CPP, which is most similar to ELST, include the quantity of blood vessels, the nuclei location at apical surface of the papillary, clear cytoplasm cells sometimes with visible vacuoles, psammoma bodies and dura or bone invasion. Immunohistochemistry stains for AE1/AE3, cytokeratin CK)5/6, epithelial membrane antigen, CK8/18, S-100, and synaptophysin are helpful in diagnosis of ELST. In ELST, ultrastructure of uniform 2 μm vesicles in cytoplasm was seen, and gene analysis also showed missense mutation in exon 3. This study indicates that the above histological features combined with immunohistochemistry findings are important for making the correct diagnosis. Gene analysis should be used in patients without medical history to exclude von Hippel-Lindau disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transplantation of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is a potential therapy for cerebral ischemia. Although BMSCs‐induced angiogenesis is considered important for neurological functional recovery, the neurorestorative mechanisms are not fully understood. We examined whether BMSCs‐induced angiogenesis enhances cerebral tissue perfusion and creates a suitable microenvironment within the ischemic brain, which in turn accelerates endogenous neurogenesis and leads to improved functional recovery. Adult female rats subjected to 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were transplanted with a subpopulation of human BMSCs from male donors (Flk‐1+ hBMSCs) or saline into the ipsilateral brain parenchymal at 3 days after MCAO. Flk‐1+ hBMSCs‐treated rats exhibited significant behavioral recovery, beginning at 2 weeks after cerebral ischemia compared with controls. Moreover, rats treated with Flk‐1+ hBMSCs showed increased glucose metabolic activity and reduced infarct volume. Flk‐1+ hBMSCs treatment significantly increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, promoted angiogenesis, and facilitated cerebral blood flow in the ischemic boundary zone. Further, Flk‐1+ hBMSCs treatment enhanced proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) in the subventricular zone and subgranular zone of the hippocampus. Finally, more NSPCs migrated toward the ischemic lesion and differentiated to mature neurons or glial cells with less apoptosis in Flk‐1+ hBMSCs‐treated rats. These data indicate that angiogenesis induced by Flk‐1+ hBMSCs promotes endogenous neurogenesis, which may cause functional recovery after cerebral ischemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]