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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system chronic autoimmune disease with a complex occurrence and development process, associated with immune disorders, uncertain prognosis, and treatment modalities which vary by patient and disease activity. At present, the clinical treatment of SLE mainly focuses on hormones and immunosuppressants. In recent years, the research on new treatment strategies for SLE has been booming, and strong preclinical results and clinical research have promoted the development of numerous drugs (such as rituximab and orencia), but numerous of these drugs have failed to achieve effectiveness in clinical trials, and there are some adverse reactions. Recent evidence suggests that resveratrol (RSV) has the effect of ameliorating immune disorders by inhibiting overactivation of immune cells. In the present review, advances in research on the protective effects and potential mechanisms of RSV against SLE are summarized and the potential potency of RSV and its use as a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of SLE are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe3N/Fe soft magnetic composites (SMCs) are a kind of promising materials with excellent magnetic properties. In this work, Fe3N/Fe core-shell particles are prepared by gas nitriding and then pressed into Fe3N/Fe SMCs. The Fe3N phase increases with the nitriding time, resulting in the decrease of saturation magnetization and the increase of remanence and coercivity. The saturation magnetization and coercivity of the 5 h nitridated sample are 87.8 emu/g and 13.2Oe, respectively, and the product is identified to be pure Fe3N phase. The effective permeability firstly decreases and then increases with the nitridation time. The 5-h nitriding sample shows the best frequency stability, and its permeability decreases from 14.2 at 20 kHz to 4.3 at 590 kHz in a 4mT magnetic field. The core loss, especially eddy current loss, of Fe3N/Fe SMCs is obviously decreased with Fe3N content. The results show that the properties of soft magnetic composites at high frequency can be improved significantly by nitriding treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment has been found to ameliorate clinical symptoms in patients with dry eye, but its mechanisms are still not entirely clear. Objective: To study the regulation of EA on ocular surface function and the corneal reactive oxygen species (ROS)/thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)/Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory signaling pathway in dry eye syndrome (DES) model rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: Normal, Model, Model + EA, Model + NAC (N-actetylcysteine) and Model + NS (normal saline). The DES model was developed by subcutaneous injection of scopolamine hydrobromide with exposure to an air draft in the latter four groups. After intervention, the Schirmer I test (SIT), tear film break-up time (BUT) and ROS content were measured, the histopathological changes of corneal tissues were observed, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 were detected. Results: Compared with the Model group, the SIT and BUT increased significantly in the Model + EA group after intervention (p < 0.05), and the corneal injury was improved. Corneal ROS content declined in both Model + EA and Model + NAC groups (p < 0.05), and mRNA expression of TXNIP, NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 also decreased (p < 0.01). Corneal protein expression of TXNIP, NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 decreased significantly in the Model + EA group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Inhibiting the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway may be the mechanism underlying the role of EA in improving corneal injury in DES model rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inert passivation can significantly enhance the upconversion intensity of lanthanide ion doped nanocrystals, especially in the heavily doped cases. In this paper, we revealed that, besides the well-known enhancement of intensity, the inert shell can also influence the upconversion color of Er3+/Yb3+ heavily doped nanocrystals in two opposite directions. The mechanisms of the effects of inert shell passivation are discussed based on the spectroscopic observations. The quantum yields of upconversion nanocrystals were estimated for the core-only and core–shell nanocrystals. This work provides guidelines for designing upconversion nanomaterials with bright emission and desired color and thus can further help them to be applied in multichannel imaging, display devices, and phototherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To evaluate the synergetic adsorption capacity of layered double hydroxide (LDH) and photocatalytic reduction property of TiO 2 for aqueous Cr(VI), the Fe 3 O 4 -ZnAl-LDH and TiO 2 composites (FLT) were prepared via sol-gel method. The removal efficiency of FLT composites for Cr(VI) changed with the mass ratio of Fe 3 O 4 -LDH/TiO 2 , and the optimal ratio was 20% (FLT-2). The adsorption efficiencies of 100 mg FLT-2 were 74% and 64% for 20 and 50 mg/L Cr(VI) solution, and the total removal ratios of Cr(VI) were all over 97% after UV irradiation. The experimental data of adsorption kinetic, adsorption isothermal, and photocatalytic reduction were consistent with the pseudo-second-order, Langmuir, and first-order reaction equations, respectively. From the X–ray photoelectron spectra analysis, FLT composites adsorbed Cr(VI) directly via surface complexation, also reduced aqueous Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The photocurrent and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of FLT composites indicated the photo-induced electron-hole pairs were separated effectively. The regeneration results show that the FLT composites had good stability and reusability after five consecutive cycles. Therefore, FLT composites are promising materials in the disposal of wastewater containing Cr(VI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enhanced magnetoelectric properties of Ba0.5Sr1.5Zn2(In0.08Fe0.92)12O22 are demonstrated. This hexaferrite exhibits great magnetoelectric tunability and high electrical resistivity. Mutual modulation of ferroelectricity and magnetism is simultaneously achieved near room temperature. Moreover, the reversal of M direction by an electrical field is obtained at low magnetic field. This study illuminates a potential application in magnetoelectric devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CD38 combined with CD138 in chronic endometritis improves the diagnostic accuracy. • The prevalence of chronic endometritis is nearly one-third in the infertile population. • Reproductive outcomes were improved in patients with chronic subtrotritis after combined laparoscopic surgery. To investigate the prevalence of chronic endometritis (CE) in infertile patients and whether it affects spontaneous pregnancy after reproductive surgery in infertile patients. In this study, we collected clinical information on infertility patients who underwent reproductive surgery at the Reproductive Medicine Centre of the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from 2021.1 to 2022.8. All patients underwent laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery. Tubal lubrication was performed concurrently with endometrial sample collection and pathological examination. The specimens were immunohistochemically stained with CD38 and CD138, and those who tested positive at the same time were diagnosed with chronic endometritis. As of 2023.9, the patients were followed up by telephone to determine whether chronic endometritis impacted postoperative pregnancy. A total of 81 patients were finally included in the study. Of these, 25 were in the chronic endometritis group, and 56 were in the non-chronic endometritis group. There were no appreciable differences between the two groups' demographic statistics. Furthermore, neither the bilateral appendages nor the uterus's intraoperative conditions showed a statistically significant difference. Patients in the chronic endometritis group had a longer time to conception from the time of surgery (7 (6.00–11.75) vs. 10 (6.50–16.00), p = 0.467) and a lower rate of spontaneous pregnancies (8/25 = 32.00 % vs. 28/55 = 50.00 %, p = 0.132) than patients with non-chronic endometritis. Among the patients who had successful spontaneous pregnancies after surgery, approximately 77.14 % had live births and 22.86 % had miscarriages, and the live birth rate between the two groups was not significantly different. (21/28 = 75.00 % vs 7/8 = 87.50 %, p = 0.651) Chronic endometritis affects approximately 31.82% of infertile patients, and following reproductive surgery, it has no discernible impact on spontaneous pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress is crucial in ulcerative colitis (UC) and colitis‐associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are an important component of the intestinal barrier. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that suppressing microRNA‐222‐3p (miR‐222‐3p) can protect against oxidative stress in IECs, which ameliorates colonic injuries in UC mice and prevents the conversion of UC to CAC. In this case, we hope to explore whether moxibustion can alleviate UC and CAC by inhibiting miR‐222‐3p based on mouse models of UC and CAC. After herb‐partitioned moxibustion (HPM) intervention, the disease activity index (DAI) and colon macroscopic damage index (CMDI) were significantly reduced in UC mice, and the number and volume of intestinal tumors were decreased considerably in CAC mice. Meanwhile, we found that HPM suppressed miR‐222‐3p expression and upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of Brahma‐related gene 1 (BRG1), nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), while inhibiting Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1) expression in IECs of UC and CAC mice. With changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), and inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α), we verified that HPM protects against oxidative stress and inflammation in IECs of UC and CAC mice. The effect of HPM was inhibited in miR‐222‐3p overexpression mice, further demonstrating that the protective effect of HPM on UC and CAC mice was through inhibiting miR‐222‐3p. In summary, HPM regulates the BRG1/Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway by inhibiting miR‐222‐3p to attenuate oxidative stress in IECs in UC and CAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TIMM9 has been identified as a mediator of essential functions in mitochondria, but its association with pan-cancer is poorly understood. We herein employed bioinformatics, computational chemistry techniques and experiments to investigate the role of TIMM9 in pan-cancer. Our analysis revealed that overexpression of TIMM9 was significantly associated with tumorigenesis, pathological stage progression, and metastasis. Missense mutations (particularly the S49L variant), copy number variations (CNV) and methylation alterations in TIMM9 were found to be associated with poor cancer prognosis. Moreover, TIMM9 was positively related with cell cycle progression, mitochondrial and ribosomal function, oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle activity, innate and adaptive immunity. Additionally, we discovered that TIMM9 could be regulated by cancer-associated signaling pathways, such as the mTOR pathway. Using molecular simulations, we identified ITFG1 as the protein that has the strongest physical association with TIMM9, which show a promising structural complement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic g‐C3N4/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites were synthesized by solvothermal method and grind‐calcination method, and then the phases, microstructure, components and photodegradation to ciprofloxacin (CIP) were studied in detail. The surface area of g‐C3N4/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites decreases with the increasing g‐C3N4 content. Bi2WO6 nanoparticles prepared with solvothermal method present the smaller grain size and the higher effective interface with the similar components. The photocatalytic activity of g‐C3N4/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites is higher than those of pristine g‐C3N4 nanosheets and Bi2WO6 nanoparticles, which the optimized CIP removal percent reaches about 98% in 120 min under visible light irradiation. The Z‐scheme g‐C3N4/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions facilitate the effective separation and accumulation of photogenerated electrons at conduction band of g‐C3N4 and holes at valence band of Bi2WO6, resulting in hydroxyl and superoxide radicals for the redox of CIP. S‐CN‐40presents the highest CIP removal percent due to the effective heterogeneous interface and C–CN‐20 possesses the good application prospects in practice for the simple preparation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft magnetic composites (SMCs) have rapidly become the hot spots of research, because of competitive magnetic saturation and high electrical resistivity. Although the magnetic properties have been continuously improved, the nonmagnetic separation and high demagnetization in structure result in low permeability. In this study, Fe-Si-Al SMCs with various particle orientations are designed and prepared under magnetic field. The effects of structures with various orientations on hysteresis loops, effective permeability, magnetic loss and electrical resistance are studied. The results show that the electrical and magnetic properties are totally determined by particle orientation. Especially, compared with non-oriented samples, the permeability of fully oriented samples with particles perpendicular to the normal axis has been greatly improved. This work is of great significance for the research and application of SMCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In2O3 and metal-doped (Ni or Ce) In2O3 mesoporous three-dimensional (3D) nanospheres arrays were synthesized via nanocasting using mesoporous silica as hard templates. Effects of Ni or Ce doping on the structure, optical and gas-sensing properties of the In2O3 nanospheres were investigated. Both the undoped and the doped In2O3 nanospheres showed single-phase structure without any impurity. The nanospheres were about 20 nm in size and they stacked closely to form rigid 3D mesoporous structure. A change in the value of optical band gap was observed upon metal doping. The room temperature photo luminescence behavior also showed some differences between pure and doped In2O3. Compared with pure In2O3 nanospheres, the metal-doped In2O3 exhibited superior response, fast recovery and good selectivity to ethanol. The enhanced gas-sensing properties might be related to the doping of metal ion and its effective contribution towards the oxygen vacancies, conductivity and crystallite size of the grains. In this work, In2O3 and metal-doped (Ni or Ce) In2O3 mesoporous 3D nanosphere arrays have been synthesized by using mesoporous silica as hard template. Optical and gas-sensing properties of the In2O3 nanosphere were investigated. The results reveal that doping is crucial to the enhanced gas-sensing properties. Compared with pure In2O3 nanospheres, the metal-doped In2O3 exhibited superior response, fast recovery and good selectivity to ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to air pollutants has been associated with various adverse health outcomes, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the precise underlying mechanism by which air pollution impacts COPD through remains insufficiently understood. To elucidated the molecular mechanism by which air pollutant exposure contributes to alterations in the gut microbiome and metabolism in AECOPD patients, we employed metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics to analyse the gut microbial, faecal, and serum metabolites. The correlations among air pollutants, gut microbes, serum metabolites, and blood biochemical markers were assessed using generalised additive mixed models and Spearman correlation analysis. The findings revealed that for every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM 2.5 concentration, the α-diversity of the gut flora decreased by 2.16% (95% CI: 1.80%−2.53%). We found seven microorganisms that were significantly associated with air pollutants, of which Enterococcus faecium , Bacteroides fragilis , Ruthenibacterium lactatiformans , and Subdoligranulum sp.4_3_54A2FAA were primarily associated with glycolysis. We identified 13 serum metabolites and 17 faecal metabolites significantly linked to air pollutants. Seven of these metabolites, which were strongly associated with air pollutants and blood biochemical indices, were found in both serum and faecal samples. Some of these metabolites, such as 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, C-8C1P and melatonin, were closely associated with disturbances in lipid and fatty acid metabolism in AECOPD patients. These findings underscore the impact of air pollutants on overall metabolism based on influencing gut microbes and metabolites in AECOPD patients. Moreover, these altered biomarkers establish the biologic connection between air pollutant exposure and AECOPD outcomes.The identification of pertinent biomarkers provides valuable insights for the development of precision COPD prevention strategies. • Present a theoretical foundation for COPD prevention and treatment strategies. • Establish the connection between air pollutant exposure and AECOPD outcomes. • Reveal disturbances in lipid and fatty acid metabolism in AECOPD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]