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An unexpected dominance of the coordination affinity of the sulfate anion over those of two organic chelating ligands, (1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methanol (Hmbm) and pyridin-2-ylmethanamine (pma), was observed during the study of the solvothermal assembly of [Co11(mbm)6(pma)2(SO4)8(H2O)6(CH3OH)6]·5CH3OH (1), from CoSO4·7H2O at 100 °C in methanol. ESI-MS of solutions at different periods of the assembly reveal a hierarchical sequence, [Co1] → [Co2] → [Co3] → [Co4] → [Co5] → [Co9], where the lower nuclearity species are richer in Co2+ and SO42− before the inclusion of more mbm ligands at the last step. Its crystal structure consists of an almost symmetrical wheel of nine cobalt atoms, [Co9(mbm)6(SO4)8(H2O)6] in edge-sharing octahedral coordination arranged in triangles with two peripheral dangling [Co(pma)(CH3OH)3]. The sulfate ions exhibit three different coordination modes, two in μ6-, two in μ3- and four as μ2-bridging. Its thermal, optical and magnetic properties are also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface modification of exoelectrogenic bacteria represents an impressive development in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), because every bacterial cell can maintain an intimate contact with the anodic material for upgrading the performance. Here, Au and Fe3O4 co-modified Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is developed for the bioanode of MFCs. The co-modified bacterial cells are synthesized by the biomineralization of Au nanoparticles (NPs) and the electrostatic attraction of Fe3O4 NPs to the cell surfaces. The highly conductive Au NPs accelerate electron transfer inside the biofilm and between the biofilm/electrode interfaces. Meanwhile, the bioaffinity of Fe3O4 NPs can help to retain the bacterial metabolic activity for a long time. More importantly, the magnetic activity of Fe3O4 NPs allows the fast capture of co-modified bacteria onto the magnetic substrate electrode, largely improving the bacterial loading amount and decreasing the time for bacterial colonization. As a result of this trifunctional modification, the magnet-assisted bioanode fabricated with co-modified bacteria is far superior to that with native bacteria in start-up, stability and output performance. This work not only deepens the application of cell-surface modification technology in MFCs but also brings bacterial cells into the stage of multi-step modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abundant and diverse domestic mammals living on the Tibetan Plateau provide useful materials for investigating adaptive evolution and genetic convergence. Here, we used 327 genomes from horses, sheep, goats, cattle, pigs and dogs living at both high and low altitudes, including 73 genomes generated for this study, to disentangle the genetic mechanisms underlying local adaptation of domestic mammals. Although molecular convergence is comparatively rare at the DNA sequence level, we found convergent signature of positive selection at the gene level, particularly the EPAS1 gene in these Tibetan domestic mammals. We also reported a potential function in response to hypoxia for the gene C10orf67 , which underwent positive selection in three of the domestic mammals. Our data provide an insight into adaptive evolution of high-altitude domestic mammals, and should facilitate the search for additional novel genes involved in the hypoxia response pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stimulator of interferon genes (STING)–associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI) was first described in 2014 as a type I interferonopathy resulting from heterozygous mutations in the transmembrane protein 173 (TMEM173) gene. SAVI is characterized by the neonatal onset of systemic inflammation, severe cutaneous vasculopathy, and interstitial lung disease. Janus kinase inhibitors are considered effective therapeutics. We sought to describe 2 patients who were diagnosed with SAVI only at postmortem to increase awareness of this disorder. Methods: Clinical data were collected, and Sanger sequencing of the TMEM173 gene was performed in 2 patients suspected of SAVI. This article reviews details of these cases and lessons learned from clinical review and postmortem studies. Results: Two male children shared similar manifestations, including recurrent skin abscesses in winter, skin lesions, and recurrent respiratory tract infections, since birth. Computed tomography of the chest revealed pulmonary fibrosis, but no mutations in relevant genes (including ABCA3 and SFTPC) were discovered in patient 1 (P1). Joint pain was significant in P2 and he was diagnosed with arthritis. Antibiotic treatment yielded little improvement and did not prevent progression. Finally, P1 and P2 died of respiratory and circulatory failure in 2016 and 2012, respectively. In 2018, mutations (P1: c.463G>A, p.V155M; and P2: c.461A>G, p.N154S) in exon 5 of the TMEM173 gene were discovered, confirming the diagnosis of SAVI. Conclusions: The experience with these 2 patients suggests that SAVI should be considered in children with systemic inflammation, chilblain skin lesions, and pulmonary fibrosis, and TMEM173 gene analysis can be beneficial in the diagnosis of SAVI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A covalently bonded Fe3O4/poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/attapulgite nanocomposite soft magnetic adsorbent is prepared by the inverse suspension polymerization process. We have developed a one-pot method for the process, which shows apparent advantages, such as simplified production process, high utilization of raw materials, good dispersity of nanomaterials in the polymer matrix, and the beadlike appearance of the product. The adsorbent has good adsorptions for Pb(ii) and Cu(ii). The excellent mechanical stability and reusability suggest that it is expected to have a long service life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are widely used to provide illumination due to their low energy requirements and high brightness. However, the LED spectrum contains an intense blue light component which is phototoxic to the retina. Recently, it has been reported that blue light may directly impinge on mitochondrial function in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Mitochondria are high dynamic organelles that undergo frequent fission and fusion events. The aim of our study was to elucidate the role of mitochondrial dynamics in blue light-induced damage in retinal neuronal R28 cells. We found that exposure to blue light (450 nm, 1000 lx) for up to 12 h significantly up-regulated the expression of mitochondrial fission protein Drp1, while down-regulating the expression of mitochondrial fusion protein Mfn2 in cells. Mitochondrial fission was simultaneously stimulated by blue light irradiation. In addition, exposure to blue light increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and induced apoptosis in R28 cells. Notably, Drp1 inhibitor Mdivi-1 and Drp1 RNAi not only attenuated blue light-induced mitochondrial fission, but also alleviated blue light-induced ROS production, MMP disruption and apoptosis in cells. Compared with Mdivi-1 and Drp1 RNAi, the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) only slightly inhibited mitochondrial fission, while significantly alleviating apoptosis after blue light exposure. Moreover, we examined markers for mitophagy, which is responsible for the clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria. It was found that blue light stimulated the conversion of LC3B-I to LC3B-II as well as the expression of PINK1 in R28 cells. Mdivi-1 or Drp1 RNAi efficiently inhibited the blue light-induced expression of PINK1 and co-localization of LC3 with mitochondria. Thus, our data suggest that mitochondrial fission is required for blue light-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in RGCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. It is known that the incidence of glaucoma is closely associated with inheritance. A large number of studies have suggested that genetic factors are involved in the occurrence and development of glaucoma, and even affect the drug sensitivity and prognosis of glaucoma. In the present review, 22 loci of glaucoma are presented, including the relevant genes (myocilin, interleukin 20 receptor subunit B, optineurin, ankyrin repeat- and SOCS box-containing protein 10, WD repeat-containing protein 36, EGF-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1, neurotrophin 4, TANK-binding kinase 1, cytochrome P450 subfamily I polypeptide 1, latent transforming growth factor β binding protein 2 and TEK tyrosine kinase endothelial) and 74 other genes (including toll-like receptor 4, sine oculis homeobox Drosophila homolog of 1, doublecortin-like kinase 1, RE repeats-encoding gene, retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator-interacting protein, lysyl oxidase-like protein 1, heat-shock 70-kDa protein 1A, baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 6, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and nitric oxide synthase 3 and nanophthalmos 1) that are more closely associated with glaucoma. The pathogenesis of these glaucoma-associated genes, glaucomatous genetics and genetic approaches, as well as glaucomatous risk factors, including increasing age, glaucoma family history, high myopia, diabetes, ocular trauma, smoking, intraocular pressure increase and/or fluctuation were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enhancement of microbial activity and electrocatalysis through the design of new anode materials is essential to develop microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with longer lifetimes and higher output. In this research, a novel anode material, graphene/Fe3O4 (G/Fe3O4) composite, has been designed for Shewanella-inoculated MFCs. Because the Shewanella species could bind to Fe3O4 with high affinity and their growth could be supported by Fe3O4, the bacterial cells attached quickly onto the anode surface and their long-term activity improved. As a result, MFCs with reduced startup time and improved stability were obtained. Additionally, the introduction of graphene not only provided a large surface area for bacterial attachment, but also offered high electrical conductivity to facilitate extracellular electron transfer (EET). The results showed that the current and power densities of a G/Fe3O4 anode were much higher than those of each individual component as an anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It may help to improve the performance output of microbial fuel cells by rational design of extracellular electron transfer (EET)-related nanomaterials, and lead to the widespread application. Keywords: extracellular electron transfer; hybrid biofilm construction; microbial fuel cells; nanomaterials; single-bacterial surface modification EN extracellular electron transfer hybrid biofilm construction microbial fuel cells nanomaterials single-bacterial surface modification 1 1 1 01/04/23 20230102 NES 230102 Based on the difference in combination mode of the exoelectrogens and nanomaterials, anode surface modification, hybrid biofilm construction and single-bacterial surface modification strategies are elucidated in this Review by L.-P. Jiang, J.-J. Zhu and co-workers (10.1002/chem.202202002). Extracellular electron transfer, hybrid biofilm construction, microbial fuel cells, nanomaterials, single-bacterial surface modification. [Extracted from the article]

Preventive treatment has an essential effect on latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) [purified protein derivative (PPD) induration ≥15 mm]. Between 2010 and 2013, there were 6 tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in the universities in Dalian, China. So far, in Dalian, the directly observed therapy (DOT) and full course management (FCM) were widely used in the preventive treatment of LTBI. However, it is yet to be determined which one of them has better efficacy. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to explore the performance of these two strategies for LTBI preventive treatment. The chi-square test and exact test were used to perform statistical analysis. In total, 794 LTBI patients were enrolled in this study, of which 443 were included in the DOT group and 351 in the FCM group. In 287 students who said ditto to take prophylactic treatment (DOT 149 and FCM 79), the compliance rate for the DOT group was 90.3% (149/165), while that for the FCM group was 64.8% (79/122). This difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ 2 =28.03, P =1.19E-07). The DOT group showed an effective intervention rate of 81.5%, while that for the FCM group was 28.5%. Again, this difference was significant (χ 2 =56.17, P =6.63E-14). Further, in 228 students who truly started taking treatment, 26 cases exhibited various adverse reactions (11.4%, 26/228), the most frequent one being elevated liver enzyme levels (6.6%, 15/228). In addition, the major reason for the treatment interruption was adverse reactions in the DOT group, and 6 (28.6%) LTBI patients discontinued treatment due to the adverse reactions of the anti-TB drugs. We also performed a one-year follow-up after the completion of the 3-month treatment. Out of the 794 close contacts, a total of 9 cases (1.1%) developed active TB. These results show that DOT is an effective preventive treatment for LTBI and would play an irreplaceable role in improving preventive treatment adherence and treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We hypothesize that citreoviridin (CIT) induces DNA damage in human liver-derived HepG2 cells through an oxidative stress mechanism and that N-acetyl- l-cysteine (NAC) protects against CIT-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells. CIT-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells was evaluated by alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay. To elucidate the genotoxicity mechanisms, the level of oxidative DNA damage was tested by immunoperoxidase staining for 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were examined; mitochondrial membrane potential and lysosomal membranes' permeability were detected; furthermore, protective effects of NAC on CIT-induced ROS formation and CIT-induced DNA damage were evaluated in HepG2 cells. A significant dose-dependent increment in DNA migration was observed at tested concentrations (2.50-10.00 µM) of CIT. The levels of ROS, 8-OHdG formation were increased by CIT, and significant depletion of GSH in HepG2 cells was induced by CIT. Destabilization of lysosome and mitochondria was also observed in cells treated with CIT. In addition, NAC significantly decreased CIT-induced ROS formation and CIT-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells. The data indicate that CIT induces DNA damage in HepG2 cells, most likely through oxidative stress mechanisms; that NAC protects against DNA damage induced by CIT in HepG2 cells; and that depolarization of mitochondria and lysosomal protease leakage may play a role in CIT-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 530-537, 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence suggests that intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic cirrhosis and its complications such as gastrointestinal injury and hepatic encephalopathy. To date, there is no cure for cirrhosis-associated intestinal mucosal lesion and ulcer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of oxymatrine on intestinal epithelial barrier function and the underlying mechanism in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhotic rats. Thirty CCl4-induced cirrhotic rats were randomly divided into treatment group, which received oxymatrine treatment (63 mg/kg), and non-treatment group, which received the same dose of 5% glucose solution (vehicle). The blank group (n = 10 healthy rats) received no treatment. Terminal ileal samples were collected for histopathological examination. The expression level of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in ileal tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The gene and protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in ileal tissues were analyzed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Additionally, plasma endotoxin level was determined. In comparison to the blank group, a significant alteration in the morphology of intestinal mucosal villi in the non-treatment group was observed. The intestinal mucosal villi were atrophic, shorter, and fractured, and inflammatory cells were infiltrated into the lamina propria and muscular layer. Besides, serious swell of villi and loose structure of mucous membrane were observed. Oxymatrine reversed the CCl4-induced histological changes and restored intestinal barrier integrity. Moreover, oxymatrine reduced the protein expression level of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, and IL-6, which were elevated in the vehicle-treated group. In addition, the serum endotoxin level was significantly decreased after oxymatrine treatment in CCl4-induced cirrhotic rats. The results indicate that oxymatrine improves intestinal barrier function via NF-κB-mediated signaling pathway and may be used as a new protecting agent for cirrhosis-associated intestinal mucosal damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel fluorescent immunosensor was developed based on the use of CuS nanoparticles (CuS NPs) as labels for the highly sensitive detection of human prostate cancer biomarker prostate specific antigen (PSA). In the presence of CuS NPs, the non-fluorescent substrate o-phenylenediamine could be oxidized into the stable fluorescent product 2,3-diamiophenazine at physiological pH. Throughout the reaction, no other oxidizing agents (e.g. hydrogen peroxide) were needed. The relatively mild oxidation conditions made the immunoassay robust, reliable and facile. The proposed immunoassay exhibited high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of PSA. A linear relationship between the fluorescent signals and the concentration of PSA was obtained in the range of 0.5 pg mL−1 to 50 ng mL−1, with a detection limit of 0.1 pg mL−1 (S/N = 3). The proposed fluorescent immunoassay can be used as a promising platform for the detection of a variety of other biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]