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Infection and injury of the gut are associated with cell damage and release of molecules such as extracellular adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP), which is recognised by the purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). P2X7R is widely expressed in the gut by antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) and epithelial cells, but the role of the P2X7R on epithelial cells is poorly understood. We investigated P2X7R in intestinal epithelium in vitro and in vivo using two model infections, Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spiralis. Lipopolysaccharide and ATP treatment of intestinal epithelial cells and infection with T. gondii in vitro did not promote inflammasome‐associated interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) or IL‐18 secretion, but promoted C–C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), tumour necrosis factor‐α and IL‐6 production that were significantly reduced when the P2X7R was blocked. Similarly, in vivo, infection with either T. spiralis or T. gondii induced rapid upregulation of epithelial CCL5 in wild‐type (wild‐type (WT)) mice that was significantly reduced in P2X7R−/− littermate controls. The effects of reduced epithelial CCL5 were assayed by investigating recruitment of dendritic cells (DCs) to the epithelium. Infection induced a rapid recruitment of CD11c+CD103+ DC subsets into the epithelial layer of WT mice but not P2X7R−/− mice. In vitro chemotaxis assays and bone marrow chimeras demonstrated the importance of epithelial P2X7R in DC recruitment. P2X7R signalling in epithelial cells mediates chemokine responses to promote initiation of host immunity to infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Improvements in the bioactivity of zirconia implants for accelerated healing and reduced morbidity have been of continuing interest in the fields of dentistry and orthopedic surgery. The aim of the present study was to examine whether UV treatment increases the osteoconductivity of zirconia-based materials. Materials and Methods: Smooth and rough zirconia-based disks and cylindrical implants were treated with UV light for 15 min and subsequently placed in rat femurs. Surface characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements. Results: In vivo histomorphometry revealed that the percentage of bone-implant contact and the amount of bone volume, formed around UV-treated implants, increased by 3-7-fold for smooth surfaces and by 1.4-1.7-fold for rough surfaces compared to non-treated specimens at Weeks 2 and 4 of healing, respectively. A biomechanical test showed that UV treatment accelerated the establishment of bone-zirconia integration and enhanced the strength of the bone-implant interface by two-fold. Additionally, surface characterization of the zirconia disks revealed that UV treatment decreased the amount of surface carbon and converted the hydrophilic status from hydrophobic to superhydrophilic. Conclusions: This study indicates that UV light pretreatment enhances the osteoconductive capacity of zirconia-based materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this study a platform is laid out for the creation of a multitiered surface exhibiting switchable wettability. This is done through a combination of both an acrylate-based polymer understructure photopolymerized into a pillared array, and selectively placed surface treatments on these pillars. The acrylate-based polymer is created through a systematic study and is shown to exhibit drastic alterations in material stiffness over a 19 °C temperature transition under aqueous conditions, allowing for stiff, erect pillars in the low temperature state, and pliable pillars that can easily be bent in the high temperature state. The glass transition temperature and onset temperature for the polymer system is found to be 49 and 30 °C, respectively. Three different surface treatments, including trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, polydimethylsiloxane, and polydopamine, are investigated using static contact angle studies, and are selectively deposited onto the pillared surface such that a hydrophobic surface is exposed with the pillars erect, and a hydrophilic surface is exposed with the pillars in the bent state. The surface is shown to transition between first a hydrophobic, then hydrophilic state and return to a hydrophobic state when the investigations are coupled together forming a hierarchical surface structure. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44122. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The super-hydrophilic polymer coating film can easily be be peeled off from a substrate with the existence of water, which is a fatal drawback in practical applications. Herein, a facile approach is proposed to prepare UV-curable super-hydrophilic polyacrylate coating film that is chemically grafted on the surface of γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane-modified glass substrate. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the polyacrylate coating films were successfully grafted onto the glass substrate and exhibited rough micro-groove structure. The obtained polyacrylate coating film possessed super-hydrophilicity with the water contact angle close to nearly zero as well as good transmittance and antifogging property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The raw titania pulp was heated from 350 up to 700 °C and the impact of TiO properties on the photocatalytic decomposition of acetaldehyde under UV-Vis light was investigated. The physico-chemical parameters such as BET surface area, extent of surface hydroxylation, phase composition and size of TiO crystallites, were measured. It appeared that low-hydroxylated TiO prepared at 400 °C with relatively high BET surface area (106 m/g) and the crystallized anatase phase was the most active for the acetaldehyde decomposition. High hydroxylation of TiO surface and the presence of amorphous TiO slowed down the photocatalytic process in the gas phase. On the other hand, high concentration of OH groups on TiO surface favored the generation of a high amount of OH radicals in an aqueous environment under UV irradiation. A sufficient amount of hydroxyl groups adsorbed on TiO surface is needed to facilitate electron-hole separation and OH radicals formation. On the other hand, an excessive content of these groups results in the creation of a barrier for adsorption of acetaldehyde and thus deteriorates photocatalytic process. Additionally, the high concentration of hydroxyl groups on TiO surface could accelerate recombination of radicals and reduce its photocatalytic efficiency in the gas phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sol-gel is a convenient method to fabricate micro-nano structures on various surfaces. In the present study, rough alumina surfaces were prepared from aluminum isopropoxide and ethyl acetoacetate and modified with low-concentration lauric acid (LA) dissolved in ethanol. The sample hydrophobicity and antiicing property were optimized by changing the rotation speed, rotation time, and coating thickness during spin-coating, and the type and concentration of surface modifier used during surface hydrophobization. Superhydrophobic surfaces were achieved with contact angle values as high as 157.6°, when 0.4-mm-thick coatings were modified with 0.4% LA dissolved in ethanol. The surface morphology of the superhydrophobic samples was shown to be rough at micro/nano-scale, which allowed them to demonstrate excellent anti-icing properties. Specifically, the optimized sample could delay the icing time and reduce the freezing temperature from 15 min and-4.1°C (for uncoated aluminum) to 65 min and-8.3°C, respectively, while also reducing the ice adhesion strength twice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the superhydrophobicity and transparence are generally two contradictory characters as the roughness factor, it is literature abundant for achieving both of these two purposes. To our knowledge, the integration multipurpose (transparent, superhydrophobic, superhydrophilic, underwater superoleophobicity, anti-fogging, and photo-controllable ability) in one has not been reported so far and these are vital for their promising applications in various aspects which can attract broad attention from scholars to engineers. In this work, we are successful to bio-inspired design of a kind versatile transparent nanocoating with superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic properties. The TiO/SiO nanocoatings can be transformed from superhydrophobicity into superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity after heat treatment (450 °C and 2 h). If it was coated on conductive glass, the electrical conductivity was impervious, while the wettability can be manipulated. Importantly, both these superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic TiO/SiO composite nanocoatings were endowed with photo-induced self-cleaning nature and these antifouling coatings could prolong their service life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophage and dendritic cell (DC) populations residing in the intestinal lamina propria (LP) are highly heterogeneous and have disparate yet collaborative roles in the promotion of adaptive immune responses towards intestinal antigen. Under steady-state conditions, macrophages are efficient at acquiring antigen but are non-migratory. In comparison, intestinal DC are inefficient at antigen uptake but migrate to the mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN) where they present antigen to T cells. Whether such distinction in the roles of DC and macrophages in the uptake and transport of antigen is maintained under immunostimulatory conditions is less clear. Here we show that the scavenger and phosphatidylserine receptor T cell Immunoglobulin and Mucin (TIM)-4 is expressed by the majority of LP macrophages at steady-state, whereas DC are TIM-4 negative. Oral treatment with the mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin (CT) induces expression of TIM-4 on a proportion of CD103+ CD11b+ DC in the LP. TIM-4+ DC selectively express high levels of co-stimulatory molecules after CT treatment and are detected in the mLN a short time after appearing in the LP. Importantly, intestinal macrophages and DC expressing TIM-4 are more efficient than their TIM-4 negative counterparts at taking up apoptotic cells and soluble antigen ex vivo. Taken together, our results show that CT induces phenotypic changes to migratory intestinal DC that may impact their ability to take up local antigens and in turn promote the priming of mucosal immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the photocatalytic property of TiO2, Fe3+-doped TiO2nanotubes were fabricated by sol-gel and hydrothermal method. The prepared materials were characterized by XRD and TEM techniques. The photocatalytic properties of samples were evaluated based on the degradation of aqueous methylene blue solution under visible light. The obtained anatase-type titania nanotubes were hollow scrolls with outer diameter approximately 13 nm and length about 90–120 nm. The results showed that appropriate content of ferrum ion can improve the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide nanotubes significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ABSTRACT Polycarbonate (PC) sheet is a promising material for facile patterning to induce hydrophobic self-cleaning and dust repelling properties for photovoltaic panels' protection. An investigation to texture PC sheet surfaces to develop a self-cleaning structure using solvent induced-crystallization is carried out using acetone. Acetone is applied in both liquid and vapor states to generate a hierarchically structured surface that would improve its contacts angle and therefore improve hydrophobicity. The surface texture is investigated and characterized using atomic force microscopy, contact angle technique (Goniometer), optical microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The findings revealed that the liquid acetone-induced crystallization of PC surface leads to a hierarchal and hydrophobic surface with an average contact angle of 135° and average transmittance <2%. However, the acetone vapor induced-crystallization results in a slightly hydrophilic hierarchal textured surface with high transmittance; in which case, average contact angle of 89° and average transmittance of 69% are achieved. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43074. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of multifunctional coatings plays a crucial role in the achievement of more competitive glasses for optical and solar application, among others. In this respect, coatings that provide high transmittance together with abrasion resistance could mean an added value to such glasses. Herein, we report design and preparation of novel multifunctional coatings that present anti-reflection (AR), scratch and abrasion resistance properties. This is achieved by a coating structure with a composite top layer comprising at least one type of metal oxide (ZrO or TiO) or silane compound with low-refractive-index SiO layer. The above composite layer is applied onto a high refractive metal oxide layer, either titania or zirconia. The properties of the coatings were studied by different characterization techniques such as UV-visible-NIR spectrophotometer, FESEM, FIB, SEM-EDAX, haze and transmission meter, ellipsometer, pencil hardness tester, Taber Abrader and water contact angle measurement. The results indicate that the AR films produced by a bilayer system especially using a low refractive nanocomposite layer as a top layer and a high refractive layer as a bottom layer showed a high transmission in the visible range with comparatively better abrasion and scratch resistances. Moreover, the coatings developed on silicon wafer used as an absorber substrate for PV application exhibited an excellent low reflectance property, <2.5 % average reflection from 300 to 1500 nm which makes it applicable in both optical and photovoltaic systems with high mechanical stability. Graphical Abstract: Composite bilayer anti-reflection coatings with enhanced abrasion and scratch resistance properties.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent TiO films (~50-540 nm thick) were spin-coated in multiple cycles by sol-gel on soda-lime-silica glass and annealed at 450 °C for 2 h. Analyses included mineralogy (XRD), optics (UV-Vis), chemistry (XPS), microstructure and topography (SEM, AFM), and hydrophilicity (sessile drop). The microstructures were discontinuous (1 cycle), continuous (4-11 cycles), and damaged (13-15 cycles), with the highest quality films being those fabricated using 7-11 cycles. The thickest films were damaged as a result of shrinkage during annealing, which may have occurred from a two-stage process of dehydroxylation followed by pyrolysis. The single-crystal grain sizes were ~27 nm for the films and the roughness increased with increasing thickness. The hydrophilicity showed clear correlations with the roughness and surprisingly, not with the Ti, -OH, and Na contents. The role of the glass also was critical to the absorption/transmission of radiation as well as the wetting. That is, the discontinuous and damaged films showed high wetting angles and the continuous films showed low wetting angles. Correlation was observed between the amounts of different contaminants from glass and the free energies of formation for TiO to TiO under the influence of these contaminants. This relation was attributed to the driving force for oxide bond formation, where the only slightly negative free energy of reaction with Na allowed its relatively free diffusion through the microstructure until it achieved saturation solubility, although all of the main glass components effectively achieved saturation solubility under the modest kinetics of equilibration that were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifuntional fabrics with special wettability have attracted a lot of interest in both fundamental research and industry applications over the last two decades. In this review, recent progress of various kinds of approaches and strategies to construct super-antiwetting coating on cellulose-based substrates (fabrics and paper) has been discussed in detail. We focus on the significant applications related to artificial superhydrophobic fabrics with special wettability and controllable adhesion, e.g., oil-water separation, self-cleaning, asymmetric/anisotropic wetting for microfluidic manipulation, air/liquid directional gating, and micro-template for patterning. In addition to the anti-wetting properties and promising applications, particular attention is paid to coating durability and other incorporated functionalities, e.g., air permeability, UV-shielding, photocatalytic self-cleaning, self-healing and patterned antiwetting properties. Finally, the existing difficulties and future prospects of this traditional and developing field are briefly proposed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestinal immune system remains unresponsive to beneficial microbes and dietary antigens while activating pro-inflammatory responses against pathogens for host defence. In intestinal mucosa, abnormal activation of innate immunity, which directs adaptive immune responses, causes the onset and/or progression of inflammatory bowel diseases. Thus, innate immunity is finely regulated in the gut. Multiple innate immune cell subsets have been identified in both murine and human intestinal lamina propria. Some innate immune cells play a key role in the maintenance of gut homeostasis by preventing inappropriate adaptive immune responses while others are associated with the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation through development of Th1 and Th17 cells. In addition, intestinal microbiota and their metabolites contribute to the regulation of innate/adaptive immune responses. Accordingly, perturbation of microbiota composition can trigger intestinal inflammation by driving inappropriate immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants belonging to the genus Salacia in the Hippocrateaceae family are known to inhibit sugar absorption. In a previous study, administration of Salacia reticulata extract in rats altered the intestinal microbiota and increased expression of immune-relevant genes in small intestinal epithelial cells. This study aimed to investigate the effect of S. reticulata extract in human subjects by examining the gene expression profiles of blood cells, immunological indices, and intestinal microbiota. The results revealed an improvement in T-cell proliferation activity and some other immunological indices. In addition, the intestinal microbiota changed, with an increase in Bifidobacterium and a decrease in Clostridium bacteria. The expression levels of many immune-relevant genes were altered in blood cells. We concluded that S. reticulata extract ingestion in humans improved immune functions and changed the intestinal microbiota. Trial Registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin (IL)-15 has multiple roles in innate and adaptive immunity, especially regarding CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells. However, the role of IL-15 in regulating differentiation of T helper cell subsets and mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) in different tissues in vivo is unknown. Here we report that IL-15 indirectly regulates Th17 but not other Th subsets in the intestinal lamina propria (LP), apparently through effects on MPs. Th17 cells in the LP were more prevalent in IL-15 KO mice than their wild-type counterparts, and less prevalent in IL-15 transgenic mice than their wild-type littermates, even co-caged. MPs from the LP of these mice were sufficient to mimic the in vivo finding in vitro by skewing of cocultured wild type OVA-specific CD4+ T cells. However, production of IL-15 or lack thereof by these MPs was not sufficient to explain the skewing, as addition or blockade of IL-15 in the cultures had no effect. Rather, a skewing of the relative proportion of CD11b+, CD103+ and double positive LP MP subsets in transgenic and KO could explain the differences in Th17 cells. Thus, IL-15 may influence MP subsets in the gut in a novel way that alters the frequency of LP Th17 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in titanium and its oxides keeps growing on account of their peculiar engineered properties, which find applications in several fields, from architecture to bioengineering, from automotive to photovoltaic cells and photocatalytic devices, as well as to produce self-cleaning surfaces. This review intends to provide an overview of anodic oxidation treatments currently applied to form nanostructured oxide layers on titanium, with special reference to their whole range of applications. The different procedures and parameters of anodic oxidation will be described, giving information on the main oxide characteristics achievable: thickness, morphology, structure and composition. An analysis of the fields of application associated with specific oxide characteristics will be provided, in order to highlight the variety of properties that can be obtained, and the importance of tuning such properties as a function of the specific application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hierarchical tin(III) oxide, SnO, nanospheres were synthesized via hydrothermal reaction under strongly acidic ambient conditions. The morphology of SnO varied with decreasing pH. The prickly SnO nanospheres changed into SnO nanospheres covered with single-crystalline nanoplates having a high BET surface area of ca. 55.05 m·g and a band gap of ca. 2.25 eV. Small amounts (0.05 g) of the hierarchical SnO nanostructures completely decomposed a 30% methyl orange (MO) solution in 100 mL deionized water within 15 min under one sun condition (UV + visible light). The SnO photocatalyst exhibited a fast decomposition rate of 1.73 × 10 min, which is a 90.86% enhancement relative to that of the commercially available P25 photocatalyst. The high photocatalytic activity of the hierarchical SnO nanostructures is attributed to its ability to absorb visible light and its high surface-to-volume ratio. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiO nanoparticles (TiONPs) doped with N and Fe, exhibiting improved photocatalytic activity in the visible light region, were prepared and then applied onto leather surfaces. Diffuse reflectance spectra measurements evidenced the shifting of the absorption peak toward visible region and the enlargement of absorption band (the so-called 'tail' of the band). Absorbance spectra for a 20 ppm methylene blue (MB) solution, in the presence of 0.1% (wt%) doped TiONPs after 1 h under visible light irradiation, showed the high efficiency of the doping. Doped TiONPs were embedded in composites material based on acrylic binder, nitrocellulose lacquer, and pigmented paste and were used for leather surface finishing. Self-cleaning properties were confirmed by spectrophotometrical measurements and CIELab color coordinates recording for the degradation of MB spots applied to the treated leather surface exposed to UVA ( λ = 365 nm) and visible light irradiation. Leather treated with Fe-N co-doped TiONPs presents the highest activity for MB spot degradation under visible light irradiation. The photographic images of MB dye spots and ball pen ink lines indicate a complete degradation after 30 h of exposure to visible light. Water contact angle measurements in dynamic conditions evidenced the photo-induced hydrophilicity process on functionalized leather surface, supporting the degradation phenomena through water and oxidative species generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the gonioapparent character of colored anodized titanium surfaces. In appropriate experimental conditions, the anodizing process generates a homogeneous oxide layer at the surface of the metal, with a thickness comparable with the visible wavelengths of light. The anodized metallic surfaces thus exhibit interferential colors, which depend on the thickness of the oxide layer and have the particularity to vary according to the illumination and observation directions. They are said to be gonioapparent. This article describes an experimental method to characterize these variations precisely. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 40, 483-490, 2015 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reversible photocontrol of wood-surface wettability between superhydrophilicity and superhydrophobicity based on a TiO2film modified with octadecyl trichlorosilane (OTS) was achieved via a facile hydrothermal method at low temperature. Under UV illumination, the wood surface became superhydrophilic with a water contact angle (WCA) of approximately 0°. However, when placed in the dark, a superhydrophobic wood surface with a WCA of approximately 152° was achieved. The mechanism of the reversible photocontrol of wood-surface wettability is discussed in this article. This photocontrolled wood surface may have potential for wood self-cleaning or manipulation in response to indoor humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) films were deposited onto polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) leather by magnetron sputtering, respectively. The crystal structure of the prepared film was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the surface morphology of the TiO2 films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). The SEM and AFM observations revealed that the surface roughness of the substrates was an extremely important influencing factor on the morphology of the TiO2 films. Moreover, a calculation formulation on the weight loss of per peeling force was proposed to determine the bonding strength between the TiO2 films and the substrates. It was found that the adhesive performance of the TiO2 nanofilms coating on PVC leather was better than that on the substrate of the PU leather. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the interaction between the nanomaterials and bioactive molecules are of current interest due to the potential application of nanomaterial in biomedical field. The structural, electronic and optical properties of newly synthesised fluorophore 2-(4-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl)-1-phenyl-1H-phenanthro[9.10-d]imidazole have been investigated in detail. The imidazole absorbs strongly on the surface of TiO nanocrystals probably because of the chemical affinity of azomethine nitrogen atom of the imidazole, resulting in lowering the HOMO and LUMO energy levels. The TEM, SEM and EDX spectra confirm the adsorption of imidazole on the surface of TiO nanocrystals. The growth behavior and stability of small stoichiometric (TiO) clusters have been analysed by using density functional theory which reveals that clusters prefers three-dimensional structures. In addition, the interaction between the ground state structure of the (TiO) cluster and a single imidazole molecule have been studied. The calculated binding energy (E) and the energy gap (E) indicate that the imidazole molecule preferably binds to the Ti atom of the (TiO) clusters through its azomethine nitrogen atom; the binding energy is in range 5.24-7.89 eV. In order to understand the binding interaction with DNA docking study has been carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common phenomenon concerning cold surfaces which are subjected to a warmer, more humid atmosphere is condensation in the form of water droplets (fogging) or even ice crystals (icing). Thus, a previously transparent object becomes opaque because light is scattered by the droplets or crystals. This may impair the usability of that object. We developed an anti-fogging/icing coating which overcomes the problem of fogging and icing by being able to absorb the condensing water and preventing it from crystallizing. The coating consists of poly(1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) crosslinked by UV light using hydrogen peroxide (HO). Benzophenone (BP) is used to attach PVP to the surface of the polystyrene (PS) substrate. At temperatures as low as −60°C, the PVP coating can absorb up to 70 wt% of water and still inhibit its crystallization. However, at surface temperatures of around −18°C, opacity is only observable at 150 wt% of absorbed water and higher. An increasing coating thickness as well as a decreasing crosslink density improves the anti-fogging/icing effect because the coating can absorb more water. The abrasion resistance of the coating is impaired by a decreasing crosslink density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is compelling evidence that autoreactive CD8+Tcells play a central role in precipitating the development of autoimmune diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Given that ITGAE (CD103) recognizes an isletrestricted ligand (E-cadherin), we postulated that its expression is required for initiation of disease. We herein use a mouse model of autoimmune diabetes (NOD/ShiLt mice) to test this hypothesis. We demonstrate that ITGAE is expressed by a discrete subset of CD8+ Tcells that infiltrate pancreatic islets before the development of diabetes. Moreover, we demonstrate that development of diabetes in /igae-deficient NOD mice is significantly delayed at early but not late time points, indicating that ITGAE is preferentially involved in early diabetes development. To rule out a potential contribution by closely linked loci to this delay, we treated WT NOD mice beginning at 2 weeks of age through 5 weeks of age with a depleting anti-ITGAE mAb and found a decreased incidence of diabetes following anti-ITGAE mAb treatment compared with mice that received isotype control mAbs or non-depleting mAbsto ITGAE. Moreover, a histological examination of the pancreas of treated mice revealed that NOD mice treated with a depleting mAb were resistant to immune destruction. These results indicate that ITGAE + cells play a key role in the development of autoimmune diabetes and are consistent with the hypothesis that ITGAE+ CD8+T effectors initiate the disease process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a series of novel hydrogen-bonded complexes derived from 4-[[(dodecyloxy)benz-4-yl]azo]benzoic acid (DBA) and melamine are reported. The morphology and surface wettability of the resulting self-assembled supramolecular architectures can be easily modulated not only by varying the molar ratios of DBA and melamine, but also by external UV irradiation. Based on the results of atomic force microscope, X-ray diffractometer and contact angle measurements, orientation of the coassembled units with different molar ratios of DBA and melamine could be clearly confirmed. Moreover, the effect of photo-isomerisation of the azobenzene units on the wettability of the assemblies has been investigated in detail. As we know, the films derived from thecis-azobenzene derivative usually exhibit a more hydrophilic property than that from thetrans-azobenzene derivative. However, the opposite results were obtained for the samples derived from thecisisomers of DBA–melamine (3:1) complexes or DBA. An explanation, based on the surfaces topography, has been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diverse microbial populations constituting the intestinal microbiota promote immune development and differentiation, but because of their complex metabolic requirements and the consequent difficulty culturing them, they remained, until recently, largely uncharacterized and mysterious. In the last decade, deep nucleic acid sequencing platforms, new computational and bioinformatics tools, and full-genome characterization of several hundred commensal bacterial species facilitated studies of the microbiota and revealed that differences in microbiota composition can be associated with inflammatory, metabolic, and infectious diseases, that each human is colonized by a distinct bacterial flora, and that the microbiota can be manipulated to reduce and even cure some diseases. Different bacterial species induce distinct immune cell populations that can play pro- and anti-inflammatory roles, and thus the composition of the microbiota determines, in part, the level of resistance to infection and susceptibility to inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes recent work characterizing commensal microbes that contribute to the antimicrobial defense/inflammation axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly ordered TiO nanotube array (TN) films were prepared by anodization of titanium foil in a mixed electrolyte solution of glycerin and NHF and then annealed at 200°C, 400°C, 600°C, and 800°C, respectively. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water contact angle (WCA), and photoluminescence (PL). It was found that low temperature (below 600°C) has no significant influence on surface morphology, but the diameter of the nanotube increases from 40 to 50 nm with increasing temperature. At 800°C, the nanotube arrays are completely destroyed and only dense rutile film is observed. Samples unannealed and annealed at 200°C are amorphous. At 400°C, anatase phase appears. At 600°C, rutile phase appears. At 800°C, anatase phase changes into rutile phase completely. The wettability of the TN films shows that the WCAs for all samples freshly annealed at different temperatures are about 0°. After the annealed samples have been stored in air for 1 month, the WCAs increase to 130°, 133°, 135°, 141°, and 77°, respectively. Upon ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, they exhibit a significant transition from hydrophobicity to hydrophilicity. Especially, samples unannealed and annealed at 400°C show high photoinduced hydrophilicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stable super-hydrophobic and self-cleaning surface with a high contact angle above 150°and the contact angle hysteresis below 3°were produced by using roughness combined with hydrophobic coatings, which were also confirmed to exhibit extreme water repellence and self-cleaning properties which facilitate removal of contaminant particles. To fabricate micro-patterened aluminium surface, the aluminium was etched with hydrochloric acid. A very thin polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film was coated on the etched aluminium surface in order to achieve the super-hydrophobic surface. Roughness factors on the aluminium surfaces coated with PTFE were calculated as a function of etching time, based on the homogeneous interface (Wensel model). A critical roughness factor on the super-hydrophobic surface of the aluminium coated with PTFE was found to be 1.51 which can be formed on the surface of the aluminium etched over 10 min with hydrochloric acid of 7 wt.%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrophobic Y-zeolite (SiO2/Al2O3 = 810) and TiO2 composite photocatalysts were designed by using two different types of TiO2 precursors, i.e., titanium ammonium oxalate and ammonium hexafluorotitanate. The porous structure, surface property and state of TiO2 were investigated by various characterization techniques. By using an ammonium hexafluorotitanate as a precursor, hydrophobic modification of the Y-zeolite surface and realizing visible light sensitivity was successfully achieved at the same time after calcination at 773 K in the air. The prepared sample still maintained the porous structure of Y-zeolite and a large surface area. Highly crystalline anatase TiO2 was also formed on the Y-zeolite surface by the role of fluorine in the precursor. The usages of ammonium hexafluorotitanate were effective for the improvement of the photocatalytic performance of the composite in the degradation of 2-propanol in the gas phase under UV and visible light (λ > 420 nm) irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a significant interest in using synthetic polymers, such as polycaprolactone (PCL), in engineering skin to avoid the need for donor sites with autografts, immunological rejection issues with allograft and reproducibility issues with using natural polymers. PCL is promising as it is a US Food and Drug Administration-approved biodegradable polymer with good mechanical properties. However, its hydrophobic nature is not optimal for cellular interaction and biodegradation in skin tissue engineering. In this study, titanium oxide-PCL composite films were prepared using an in situ, one-step synthesis method. Titanium dioxide (TiO) was introduced to improve the wetting properties of the hydrophobic polymer and so enhance the cell-material interactions and material biodegradation to be more suitable for skin regeneration. Results showed that the simple synthesis method produced nano- and submicron TiO particles well dispersed within the PCL matrix. Spin-coated composite films showed increasing hydrophilicity with increasing concentration of TiO. Degradation of the composite films and pure PCL films were compared using gel permeation chromatography of the films after 14-day-immersion experiments. Molecular weights of PCL after immersion were found to steadily decrease by up to ~65 % with increasing concentration of TiO. Rates of water penetration into the composite films were found to increase with the concentration of TiO and correlate with the molecular weight decreases observed. In vitro experiments with fibroblasts demonstrated enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation on the composite films. This synthesis method therefore provides a simple means of tuning the wetting properties of hydrophobic polymers to enhance their cellular interactions, as well as tuning their biodegradation properties to suit applications such as skin tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Previously, we have reported that photocatalytically active hydrophilicity of the anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles coated onto commercially pure titanium discs presented significantly improved hydrophilicity after ultraviolet irradiation. As hydrophilicity has shown enhancement of osseointegration, the in vivo responses were of great interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not the photo-activated hydrophilicity generated at the time of implant placement has an effect on the longer healing periods for osseointegration. Materials and methods Photocatatytically active nanostructured TiO2 powder (Degussa P-25), which consists of approximately 80% anatase and 20% rutile, was spin-coated onto commercially pure titanium discs and was heat-treated thereafter. These P25-coated discs were irradiated with ultraviolet ( UV) light for the test (+ UV) group, and non-irradiated discs were prepared for the control (− UV) group. Both groups of discs were placed in the rabbits' tibiae. After 12 weeks of healing period, histological analysis and gene expression analysis using real-time RT- PCR were performed. Results From the histological analyses, there were no specific differences between − UV and + UV groups. However, from the gene expression analysis, ALP, RUNX-2 and IL-10 were significantly upregulated for the + UV group compared with the − UV group. Conclusions The biologically enhancing effect to photocatalytically activated surfaces remained even after 12 weeks of healing time in terms of genetic responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To characterize renal macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) in 2 murine models of lupus nephritis. Methods We used a bead-based enrichment step followed by cell sorting to isolate populations of interest from young mice and nephritic mice. Cell morphology was examined by microscopy. Arginase and nitrite production was examined using biochemical assays. The antigen-presenting functions of the cells were determined using mixed lymphocyte reactions. Selected cytokine, chemokine, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) profiles were examined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results We identified 2 populations of macrophages and 3 populations of DCs in both of our murine models of lupus (NZB/NZW and [NZW × BXSB]F1 mice). F4/80high macrophages, which were resident in normal kidneys and found to be increased in number during nephritis, did not produce either arginase or nitrite upon cytokine stimulation and acquired a mixed proinflammatory and antiinflammatory functional phenotype during nephritis that resembles the constitutively activated phenotype of gut F4/80high macrophages. The various cell types differed in their expression of chemokine receptors and TLRs, consistent with variability in their renal location. Resident renal CD103+ DCs were the best antigen-presenting cells and could easily be distinguished from CD11chigh myeloid DCs that accumulated in large numbers during nephritis. Conclusion Our study highlights the heterogeneity of the macrophage/DC infiltrate in chronic lupus nephritis and provides an initial phenotypic and functional analysis of the different cellular components that can now be used to define the role of each cell subset in nephritis progression or amelioration. Of note, the dominant macrophage population that accumulates during nephritis has an acquired phenotype that is neither M1 nor M2 and may reflect failure of resolution of inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface wetting/anti-wetting and liquid absorption are relevant properties of many porous solids including paper and other cellulose-based materials. Here we demonstrate how surface wetting by water and water absorption of commercially available kraft paper can be altered by thin nanoparticle coatings fabricated by liquid flame spray in facile and continuous one-step process. Surface wettability and absorption properties of paper increased with silica and decreased with titania (TiO) nanoparticle coatings. Moreover, the water-repellent (superhydrophobic) TiO nanoparticle coated paper could be switched to superhydrophilic and water absorbing by ultraviolet illumination. The experiments revealed that although surface wetting and liquid absorption of nanoparticle coated paper are strongly related to each other, they are two distinct phenomena which do not necessarily correlate. We propose wetting regimes on the nanoparticle coated paper samples on the basis of the experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resident memory T cells (TRM) are broadly defined as a population of T cells which persist in non-lymphoid sites long term, do not re-enter the circulation, and are distinct from central memory T cells (TCM) and circulating effector memory T cells (TEM). Recent studies have described populations of TRM cells in the skin, gut, lungs and nervous tissue. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the specific environment in which the TRM reside can further refine their phenotypical and functional properties. Here, we focus on the TRM cells that develop following respiratory infection and reside in the lungs and the lung airways. Specifically, we will review recent studies that have described some of the requirements for establishment of TRM cells in these tissues, and the defining characteristics of TRM in the lungs and lung airways. With continual bombardment of the respiratory tract by both pathogenic and environmental antigens, dynamic fluctuations in the local milieu including homeostatic resources and niche restrictions can impact TRM longevity. Beyond a comprehensive characterization of lung TRM cells, special attention will be placed on studies which have defined how the microenvironment of the lung influences memory T cell survival at this site. As memory T cell populations in the lung airways are requisite for protection yet wane numerically over time, developing a comprehensive picture of factors which may influence TRM development and persistence at these sites is important for improving T cell-based vaccine design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superhydrophilic surfaces have recently received some attention due, in large part to the intense interest on the antonymous field of superhydrophobicity. Imparting superhydrophilicity onto surfaces through coatings, texturing, or choice of materials appears to hold significant commercial promise for the protection for optical devices (e.g. anti-fogging), self-cleaning, and stain resistant paints and flooring and use in the area of ‘intelligent’ coatings. In this review, the fabrication and application of artificial superhydrophilic surfaces are discussed. The focus is on results reported over the past decade for these materials. The contents of this review are written to provide an introductory yet comprehensive overview of this emerging field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme wetting behaviors have been the subject of numerous studies in recent decades. Superhydrophilic surfaces with water contact angle lower than 5° is one of the most exciting research areas which has attract much attention. The ultrafast drying of such surfaces can provide outstanding properties such as antifogging, evaporative cooling, self-cleaning, and others. We review here the basic strategies and recent progress in fabricating superhydrophilic surfaces. And smart surfaces combining superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic abilities are highlighted, including surfaces with stimuli reversible wettability, patterning wettability, and gradient wetting. We also provide insights into the applications of the highly wettable surfaces, especially in devising new potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study shows that condensation on the hierarchically structured lotus leaf can facilitate self-propulsion of water droplets off the surface. Droplets on leaves inclined at high angles can be completely removed from the surface by self-propulsion with the assistance of gravity. Due to the small size of mobile droplets, light breezes may also fully remove the propelled droplets, which are typically projected beyond the boundary layer of the leaf cuticle. Moreover the self-propelled droplets/condensate were able to remove contaminants (eg silica particles) from the leaf surface. The biological significance of this process may be associated with maintaining a healthy cuticle surface when the action of rain to clean the surfaceviathe lotus effect is not possible (due to no precipitation). Indeed, the native lotus plants in this study were located in a region with extended time periods (several months) without rain. Thus, dew formation on the leaf may provide an alternative self-cleaning mechanism during times of drought and optimise the functional efficiency of the leaf surface as well as protecting the surface from long term exposure to pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel ultraviolet (UV)-driven microvalve based on the concept of inserting a trimethyl chlorosilane (CTMS) modified TiO2/SiO2 composite patch of switchable wettability in a microfluidic system. A unique micro–nano hierarchical structure was designed and used to enhance the overall wetting contrast with the aim of improving the wetting-based valve performances. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the morphology and chemical composition of the surface. UV-driven wettability conversion on the patched microchannel was investigated using water column relative height tests, and the results confirmed the significant improvement of the hierarchical structure with the surface hydrophobic/hydrophilic conversion, which produced enhancements of 276% and 95% of the water-repellent and water-sucking pressures, respectively, compared with those of the single-scale TiO2 nanopatterned structure. Accordingly, a good reversible and repeated on–off performance was identified by the valve tests, highlighting the potential application of the novel microvalve in the efficient control of microscale flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploiting the intrinsic photosensitivity of TiO2 nanoparticles, we demonstrated how ultraviolet (UV) pulsed laser irradiation of acrylate polymer nanocomposite solutions can separate the initial clusters of these colloidal semiconductor nanorods into clearly distinct units. From the irradiated solutions, optically clear nanocomposite films are obtained which exhibit enhanced optical properties with respect to the nanocomposites obtained without previous UV treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on the use of silica nanoparticles for producing durable, transparent, and super-hydrophilic coatings on painted surfaces. Two methods were studied in detail: bottom-up approach using layer-by-layer (LbL) assemblies of hydroxylated SiO2nanoparticles, and top-down approach based on hybrid polymer/silica nanoparticles coatings. Of the two approaches studied, only the hybrid polymer/SiO2nanocomposite coatings containing 50–90%wt. SiO2exhibited durable super-hydrophilic surface properties less than 5° water contact and sliding angles. In the latter case, a unique micrometer-sized cracking pattern was developed. The LbL-assembled SiO2coatings showed a gradual degradation over time from the initial super-hydrophilic properties, indicated by the increase of the contact angles from less than 5oto greater than 30oafter accelerated aging. To investigate the effect of environmental exposure on developing hydrophilicity, a variety of analytical methods were employed such as: atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared. Experimental results and associated modeling indicated that the combination of micro- and nano-surface roughness and the surface chemical composition were the dominant factors affecting the durability of the hydrophilic attributes of the coatings containing silica nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Titanium dioxide is a basic material of our daily life. Because of its favourable properties, such as harmlessness, chemical stability, photocatalytic activity, or whiteness it is increasingly applied in both micro and nano particles and thin films and coating. One of the available procedures for film forming is the sol-gel technology, an inexpensive low temperature process with wide possibilities to vary film properties by changing the composition of the precursor solution or other parameters. In the paper a new precursor polymer for TiO film-preparation with high storage and processing stabilities is introduced and applied in thin film forming. The new precursor poly(alkoxytitanate) is prepared by a one step, water-free sol-gel method. A smooth TiO film can be prepared using this precursor by spin-coating followed by H-plasma curing. Comparing to a common precursor such as Ti(O-iPr), this precursor has a good solubility in different solvents and a much higher storage stability. The easy to modify precursor end groups enable the tailoring of properties regarding to hydrolysis to both TiO particles and films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]